From Maracaibo to Milan and now New York City, MICA has built a radio journey defined by curiosity, culture and connection. A lifelong music lover raised among turntables and vinyl in Venezuela, she’s transformed her early fascination with sound into a transnational career spanning three languages, three continents and countless radio waves.
Whether broadcasting Dub explorations for 8 Ball Radio, global sound diaries for Radio Raheem or live vinyl sessions from the East Village, MICA approaches radio as both an art and an act of community — one rooted in authenticity, storytelling and the power of sound to travel beyond borders.
We spoke to MICA about balancing multiple shows and finding herself through her unpredictable radio journey.
How did your journey with music begin and why did you want to become a radio host?
MICA: My journey with music started as a kid. I grew up with tons of records, turntables and a custom sound system that my father built during his college years when he was a disc jockey. We would go record shopping together and I started my very own collection the day he bought me my first CD player. Eventually, I inherited part of his vinyl collection.
I decided I wanted to be a radio host while studying Mass Communications and Journalism at undergrad URBE in Maracaibo, Venezuela. In my final year I received an internship at a radio station, La Mega Estación 99.7 FM. I began hosting my own music segment of the radio magazine style show ‘Capsulas Mega.’ It featured local bands, new releases and interviews. I also started DJing some events in partnership with the radio station and would host special programming hours during the holidays.
In 2009 I completed my Master’s degree at La Sapienza in collaboration with RAI (Radio Televisione Italiana) in Rome, Italy. This is where I gained the majority of my working experience as a DJ, journalist, radio host, scriptwriter and producer. I worked at Radio 1, Radio Rock 106.6 FM, Radio Popolare Roma 103.3 FM and Radio Kaos Italy. After all this, I’m still doing radio in New York, it feels like I cannot stop!
How have you got your radio shows over the years?
I have had many radio shows from 2007 until now. In three different cities and countries: Venezuela, Italy and New York City. They’ve all been music radio shows. Each show to come has arrived organically, having been offered to join the stations. At which point, I would pitch an idea for a show and find the team to bring it to life.
What would you say really attracted you to radio?
I started doing radio on FM and always felt that radio was the most genuine of the media. But also the quickest to divulge news in a manner less contaminated than others. How sounds can transport you, creating almost an intimate atmosphere between the speaker and the listener. The way the airwaves will keep you company in the most remote of places on earth. It’s testament to the immense power of the spoken word. For the most part, you would not know the face of that voice speaking to you. A true beauty, the power of imagination!
As you have multiple shows, are there any guiding principles that bind them together?
My guiding principle is to always keep it real. To represent and promote the artists, scene or community I am involved with. I consider myself a music librarian. The place to visit, the shows to listen to when you don’t care about what’s trendy. Rather to explore and travel in space and time. With my shows you can dance, meditate, exercise, sit and listen. Enjoy while partying, after partying, even fall asleep and dream within. There is a show or an episode for all and the most curious of minds. Or at least that’s the idea!
What would you say was the turning point for you in your radio career?
Probably when I switched from standard FM stations to completely independent online radio stations. Opening doors to live video streaming and using social media as a complementary tool for the shows. This allowed me to bring to life even weirder show ideas. Like a nine-episode series we did at Radio Kaos Italy called ‘Rock’n’Bike.’ This centered on the promotion and use of bicycles in a very chaotic city like Rome. Possessing almost no bike lanes and very aggressive car drivers.
On this show, I would invite two artists from different disciplines and ask them to prepare a playlist for a bicycle ride. We would meet at the studio where I would be waiting for them with two bicycles in order to reach a local monument that would change with every episode. I would introduce the artists with an interview in the studio before their departure. Along the ride we would connect in intervals via cellphone so the artists could express their visceral experience dealing with all the road inconveniences. Both artists had cameras on their helmets while their guide filmed from her bike. During the two hour show I would also deliver news about the world of cycling, such as workshops, auctions etc.
How do you prepare for your shows?
I’m currently broadcasting on four online radio stations. So each show is different and requires its own preparation. ‘MICA in Radio,’ my monthly residency at Radio Raheem (Milan, Italy), is in its fifth season and airs the last Monday of each month (5-6pm CET). For the most part, it is my diary, with love, from New York to Milan and the world.
I share my music research of a particular genre, historical period and/or local scene, independent record labels and their respective catalogs. Above all else and throughout, I promote multiculturalism, world music and ‘the citizens of the earth’: no borders, no frontiers. It consists of a one hour mixtape with a short voiceover intro and outro where I provide details into what we are listening to. Sometimes I invite guests for an interview. They select the music of their own production or related to them by way of the topic.
The preparation of this show comes about organically. Whatever you happened to be listening to therein, I am currently listening to, digging into or researching as well. That is why it is a diary. The first step is to select the tracks that will comprise 60 minutes; I’m very precise with timing. Then I record the mix, write a script, record these words and finally edit it all. Then I prepare the artwork for the social media post and send the entire package to Milan. If a guest comes to mind, I set a date for the recording session. Prepare the questions, ask the guest for a short bio in advance, provide instructions about timing and they come to my home studio where we record.
‘Buongiorno DUB Mixtapes’ consists of a one-hour series of Dub music and its derivatives. With a very important presence of Dubstep and modern Dubtronic releases. It airs the first Thursday of the month from 11 am-12pm ET on 8 Ball Radio (New York) and Naffinradio (Rome, Italy). For this series, depending on where my mind happens to be that month, I choose a more upbeat or downtempo kind of Dub. I select the records that move me the most. Then I improvise a one-hour recording session at whatever moment I feel inspiration for it.
Last but not least, ‘Aperitivo Radio Show’ is a two-hour live radio show from the Hi-Note radio bar and café in the East Village that began two years ago. It transmits live the second Friday of the month 6-8pm ET. This series was designed as a post-work musical decompression show where I share my vinyl collection. At that hour where you may have recently just got off work, seeking the perfect drink, perfect record, a chat with your neighbor, friend or simply a random bar encounter. All one needs to unplug the brain, relax and find that sweet spot before heading to dinner or perhaps even kicking off the party weekend.
Depending on the mood and the season, I choose around 25 vinyl records from my collection. In a certain way, they’ll share a connection, either by genre, feeling, label, geographic sphere or periods in time. For the most part, you will listen to a lot of Nu-Jazz, soft electronics, Nu-Soul, Hip-Hop, House, Broken Beat, Liquid Drum & Bass. Some Classic Rock, Funk, Disco, world, Afrobeats, Latin. I like to improvise microphone breaks depending on the crowd and of course the level of noise and commotion at the bar. Often, the present listeners approach the DJ booth and take photos of the records. We talk about the artists and on those mic breaks I explain how to find these records or share anecdotes. I can easily choose the records for this show in one or two days.
What is one radio show from your archive that you would say defines you?
I believe each and every one of them, in the very precise moment in which it aired. It’s my belief that we are constantly evolving, even if our essence remains the same. But perhaps I can mention ‘Ataud Radio Show’ which I hosted and produced for a couple of seasons at Radio Kaos Italy. It was an “obscure tracks and charts” with co-host Tony De Lestat. There were interviews, live acts, new releases and dance floor charts. All beholden to the world of Post-Punk, New Wave, minimal synth, Industrial, Noise. At that time I was very involved in the goth scene in Rome as a disc jockey and event promoter. So that show represented me 100%.
With so many radio shows and experiences, you must have a lot of achievements to be proud of.
I see it all as a journey in different timelines. Every time I change countries, it all has to start from the beginning, so it is a challenge. For certain, I’m proud to have been able to broadcast in three different languages: Italian, Spanish and English. I’m proud to have worked for the oldest station in Italy, RAI RADIO 1, to organize public music festivals and broadcast live from all of the ‘piazze.’ Proud to have received the opportunity to make shows for cities I’ve never really lived in. Like Radio Raheem in Milan or when I was a guest on Shared Frequencies Radio in Austin for SXSW.
I’m very proud to have curated 8 Ball Radio Residencies in public spaces of New York City. Like the historical Essex Market (in collaboration with Catalyst Records) and Times Square (in collaboration with TSQ Arts) at the Path by Shantell Martin. So, it’s lovely to certify that music and radio as mediums can unify people. That it possesses no borders, no discrimination and it helps you get to know cultures that are far from yours, spreading love and kindness.
“It’s lovely to certify that music and radio as mediums can unify people and possess no borders.”
Among all of the achievements, what have been the most satisfying parts of building the community around you?
Overall the most satisfying thing is probably to inspire others. The ability to put a smile on one’s face and make them feel welcome is something that fulfills my soul. Witnessing others get to know those around them, create interpersonal relationships and care for each other is beautiful. Forging new collaborations, sharing ideas, messages, generating a sense of belonging and acceptance in a world full of hate and criticism, is majestic.
What would you say to someone who wants to present and put together a radio show?
Make sure to develop an idea that truly represents you. So you can feel confident while speaking on the microphone, selecting the records and finding possible guests or topics for each episode. Do not compare yourself to anybody else; each mind is a world and it is important to stay genuine and true to yourself. Be humble and leave your ego at the door. Never forget that you’re not the artist, but you do have a powerful instrument that is your voice and a medium, so you can use it for a good cause, promoting meaningful messages, bright minds and talent.
Never stop studying, reading and researching in order to be able to inform and share knowledge to others. Structure and rhythm are important in order to create a pleasant show. Make others curious and stay tuned for the whole episode. If you want to have microphone breaks on your show, avoid awkward silence and redundant words so always prepare a script that you can either use as a guide while improvising or reading. Writing for radio is not the same as writing for a newspaper or TV show, so be concise, interesting and short but straight to the point. Having good posture is fundamental while speaking on the microphone in order for your voice to come clear and being able to articulate your words. Finally, always drink water and breathe!!!
What do you think the future of radio looks like?
I’ve already lived and experienced transition from the FM frequencies into the digital era of online radio. Now with its proliferation on social media, there is a new mutation, where it seems that video is taking over in new form – ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ part two – and television has been replaced by smartphones. Sometimes, I’m scared because people’s capacity for attention is very volatile. They just want to consume a 20 second video, and all this can be very superficial, banal and frenetic. I hope at some point, people will start using technology in a more conscious way and that AI won’t take over the radio. Just kidding! Honestly, I’m still trying to figure out myself what the future of radio might look like in these uncertain times.
Are there any lessons you’ve taken about yourself through your radio show?
Hosting shows for almost 19 years has taught me about discipline, punctuality and organization for a better day to day life – not just when I’m on air. I’ve learned how to manage stressful situations, channel the energy and nerves, breathing techniques, how to have better posture when speaking to others and that the show must go on, even if you are having a terrible day. But probably the most important thing I’ve gained? Self-confidence.