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FRONTERA FREQUENCIES: New Years

KTEP

In this episode of Frontera Frequencies, hosts Roberto Avant-Mier and Alejandra Seanez reflect on music connected to New Year's Eve and new beginnings. The conversation highlights tracks such as Mecano’s “Un Año Más,” and Tom Waits’ “New Year’s Eve,” each offering a different perspective on renewal and reflection. Other song selections like Ella Fitzgerald’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” that brings the celebration and nostalgia to the episode.

For the Miner Music Minute, Roberto and Alejandra look back on some of their favorite moments from past segments. The recap includes highlights from student Karla Payan, who shared her musical tastes through Fishmans’ “Wasurechau Hitotoki,” Aileen Espino, who reflected on personal memories tied to “Tu Cárcel” by Los Enanitos Verdes. Olivia Williams, who shared the impact of Simon & Garfunkel’s “April Come She Will,” and Jose Martinez, who has deeply family connection tied to “Angel Baby” by Rosie & The Originals. These moments celebrate the different voices and stories throughout the season.

This program originally aired on January 2, 2025.

Roberto Avant-Mier (PhD, Univ. of Utah) is the Interim Chair of the Department of Communication at UTEP and host of Frontera Frequencies. Prior to returning to Texas-El Paso in 2010, he was a professor at Boston College, and he previously attended the University of Utah, UTEP, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His research analyzes the discursive construction of Latino/Hispanic identity(ies) and cultural issues in popular music and film.
Ale Seanez is a graduate student and MTA who recently earned her degree in Communication. She is passionate about exploring how media, culture, border identity, and storytelling intersect, and plans to pursue a PhD after completing graduate school.
Daisy Morales is part of the on-air talent, and interview host, in charge of recording and producing shows such as El Paso Prime Time, Science Studio, and We Are UT El Paso; Daisy also manages the recently added Podcast division.
Martin Leon is a producer at KTEP, editing and assembling radio shows for the station. He engineers and records interviews, as well as being a Board Operator for Texas Standard once a week. Current shows include Jazz Night in America, The Latin Alternative, Classical Guitar Alive, From the Top, and Pipedreams.
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