Ernesto Aguilar
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Articles by Ernesto Aguilar
10 Great Ambient Albums of Summer 2026
There is a particular humility available only to adults who have attempted to learn an instrument and discovered, within the first hour, that mastery is not intuitive. That has been my experience, at least. The accordion, that least sympathetic of instruments to a beginner’s ambitions, teaches this lesson with unusual efficiency. You may know and love the accordion from the works of Pauline Oliveros. I came to it through inheritance of a sort.
Kaleo and Dawes Turn a Slow Building Tuesday into a Packed House Celebration at The Salt Shed
Article and Photos Contributed By Ernesto Raul Aguilar A Tuesday night at The Salt Shed began with a room that appeared as though it might take its time filling in. Before Dawes took the stage, the crowd was surprisingly sparse, but within minutes the venue transformed into a packed house. What started as a scattered audience quickly became a sea of eager concertgoers, ready for an evening that would blend thoughtful songwriting and blues-infused rock.
10 Great Ambient Albums from Spring 2026
I am currently reading Nathan Ballingrud’s Lunar Gothic series. As I wait for the final installment to drop next year, it has been a rich occasion to revisit his earlier work. His sense of cosmic and emotional dread can sit with you the way one sits with a long drone or a slowly evolving tone, allowing meaning to accumulate.
How the Bay Area Helped Shape US Soccer Ahead of the 2026 World Cup
News Home / News A new KQED and Arizona State University project examines the people, teams and institutions that made the Bay Area a center of soccer culture and innovation. Jun 21, 2026 Die-hard fans of the San Francisco City Football Club gather at the spectator railing to cheer and heckle during the San Francisco City Football Club vs. Davis Legacy Soccer Club game at Kezar Stadium on May 17. 2026.
The 10 Best Ambient albums of Winter 2026
We exist in a world that often feels strangely unreal, refusing the clean edges we demand of it. And yet, to feel and to be human within that instability is itself an act of resolve. To be human is to dwell inside ambiguity without resolution. It is the quiet terror of discovery. It’s also the recognition that what I think I know is always already becoming something we don’t. Learning and unlearning are not opposites but the same formless motion, the self perpetually revising its own outline.
Hispanic listeners in focus
Source: Infinite Dial 2026 research The Infinite Dial 2026 study from Edison Research is one of those annual milestones for public media. Leaders pore over it, trying to understand how listening is trending. This OIGO, I want to take a look at the new Infinite Dial in the scope of Latine audiences. The insights in this summary are, of course, derived from the Infinite Dial 2026. If you are not as familiar, it is a study conducted by Edison Research, which has U.S. and international editions.
Índice de masa corporal y consumo máximo de oxígeno: análisis correlacional y diferencias según sexo y edad de estudiantes universitarios
Ayuda Buscar en la ayuda Buscar en la ayuda Índice de masa corporal y consumo máximo de oxígeno: análisis correlacional y diferencias según sexo y edad de estudiantes universitarios Posso-Yépez, Miguel [1] ; Flores-Bosmediano, Edison [1] ; Buitrón Jácome, Pablo [1] ; Osejos, Ernesto [1] ; Posso-Astudillo, Mikaela [1] ; Realpe Zambrano, Zoila Esther [1] [1] Universidad Técnica del Norte Localización: Retos: nuevas tendencias en educación física, deporte y recreación, ISSN-e 1988-2041, ISSN...
Navigating transformation everywhere
Few leaders embody the arc of modern public media quite like Lisa Rodriguez. Born in Santiago, Chile, and raised in the Kansas City area, Rodriguez brings a personal understanding of the region’s diversity and its stories. KCUR’s director of journalism has shaped the station’s coverage and culture from almost every chair.
The year in Latino stories for 2025
If you work anywhere near public media, you felt it: 2025 was a year when Latino communities and diversity issues weren’t just part of the national conversation, they shaped it. Across newsrooms, podcasts and local stations, journalists followed stories of fear, resilience, identity and belonging. It was not easy, but was important as it was valued. What emerged was a vivid portrait of communities navigating extraordinary pressure while still insisting on visibility, values and voice.
10 Great ambient albums of Fall 2025
Ambient music can less be in the background and more as a way of thinking out loud. Across these noteworthy releases this quarter, artists lean into diverse forms to wrestle with memory, absence and perception. Some here return to the scene after long silences. Others drill into the grain of place or family history, but they share a commonality that small gestures carry big emotional charge.
Brian Eno & Beatie Wolfe : Liminal
Brian Eno and Beatie Wolfe’s collaboration continues to unfold like a quiet cosmic experiment in empathy. Once of the duo’s records from earlier this year, Lateral, gave us the vast, spatial calm of ambient music. Luminal, its companion release, explored the consciousness of dreams. Liminal, the final piece in the trilogy, arrives into the borderland between the two. It’s a territory the pair call “dark matter music.” And, yes, the phrase fits.
Creating a home for Latino public media
Let me offer you something instructive out of the the 2025 Public Media Content Conference, which recently took place in Salt Lake City. When Edgar Zúñiga joined Avanza in July 2024, the new bilingual public radio station was barely more than a legal ID. It aired Spanish-language music and news syndicated from California, with no name, no staff and little local content. But a year later, Avanza 88.3 is carving out a unique space in Utah.
Networks and neighborhood narratives
If you’ve read OIGO for any length of time, you have probably seen me share WFAE as a station to learn from. WFAE’s Berger is oftentimes the reporter doing that work. This newsletter, I spoke with him about his journey and his approach to journalism. Julian Berger is a bilingual journalist and storyteller based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He currently covers race and equity for WFAE, reporting on Latino and immigrant communities.
Why diverse storytelling still has a future
Before mid-July, I had a completely different OIGO planned (that profile’s coming soon, I promise!). Then our industry melted down, with Congress taking public media funding off the table and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting announcing its January closure. This edition felt like an important moment to reflect on public broadcasting, especially when it comes to diverse storytelling and representation. I believe ardently in public media and our mission to serve communities and change lives.
Latino audiences, local connection
If you work in public media, you’ve probably heard of the Researching Unmet Needs study. The sweeping national survey, released earlier in the year, is a deep dive into what the public says are unmet media needs. If you’re with a member organization of the Public Media Content Collective (I serve on the board), Station Resource Group (led by the sharp Bill Davis) or Greater Public (the ever-inspiring Joyce MacDonald), you’ve got access to these results. I’ve pored over this data countless times.
Future of the Bay July 2025 Special
Jul 1 Failed to save article Please try again Photo Credit: Gabriel Carver Curious about what young people think about the future of our region? Every year, students from San Francisco State University grab microphone kits in search of stories that matter to them. They dive deep into the heart of the Bay’s diverse communities and explore pressing issues that will remain relevant in the years to come.
We can still make culture moves
This week at Seattle’s KEXP, I experienced something rare and genuinely moving: a public media organization starting a diversity, equity and inclusion initiative without hesitation or hedging. No carefully couched language, no cautious backpedaling. Just clear commitment from leadership and passionate enthusiasm from the nearly 60 staff in attendance. If you work in public media, you know how challenging work supporting staff and communities of color has become lately.
Cole Pulice : Land's End Eternal
Cole Pulice’s Land’s End Eternal arrives as a lush exploration of space—not the galactic kind, but a musical one, somewhere between ambient jazz and experimental. The Oakland-based saxophonist, known for creating immersive atmospheres, invites listeners into a world brimming with delicate vibrations and a serene yet unfamiliar kind of beauty.
Celestial Trails : Observation of Transcendence
In Observation of Transcendence, San Francisco-based ambient artist Celestial Trails crafts an aural ecosystem intricately shaped by the bewildering interplay between natural textures and synthesized serenity. As the work of ambient composer Taner Torun, Celestial Trails guides listeners gently through expansive auditory spaces. As such, this album resonates like a living canvas—a lush, immersive sojourn born from the tranquility of the Pacific Ocean’s expanse.
When immigrant lives are at risk
Many newsrooms realize that, when they cover immigrant communities—especially where some people may be undocumented or have precarious legal status—the information they collect can put those sources at serious risk. Beyond using aliases and obtaining informed consent, however, there are deeper layers of complexity that public media newsrooms must consider. Last OIGO, I offered many tips on protecting sources and protecting your newsroom. It came at a good time. The post generated questions as well.
William Tyler : Time Indefinite
William Tyler‘s Time Indefinite is drawn inexorably to musical exploration at its magnetic core. Those familiar with Tyler’s collaborations with the multihyphenate collective Lambchop or his evocative explorations with a range of performers, including Four Tet, will find this latest album a deepening of his ongoing push beyond boundaries rather than a comfortable retreat into the guitar-centric idylls he’s been known for.
Sleigh Bells : Bunky Becky Birthday Boy
If 2010 is in any way a musically formative year for you, you no doubt remember Treats, the debut album by Sleigh Bells, fondly. The New York duo were a precursor to hyperpop and breathed rambunctious life into mainstream sounds during this period. And though follow-ups like Reign of Terror and Bitter Rivals didn’t quite reach the heights or cultural currency of their debut, Sleigh Bells amply demonstrated a commitment to blending contradictions.
Hiroshi Yoshimura : Flora
Hiroshi Yoshimura’s Flora, initially crafted in 1987 yet hidden away until its limited release nearly two decades later, finally receives its rightful moment in the sun with Temporal Drift‘s careful reissue. It’s one of the wider releases of the Japanese ambient innovator’s works. Yoshimura, who died in 2003, had a career that spanned from the 1970s to the early 2000s, his soundscapes often drawing inspiration from nature and everyday life.
Salt Lake City’s new sound
Creating a brand-new radio station serving Spanish-speaking Utahans isn’t something KUER initially set out to do. But through deep community engagement, unexpected opportunities and a bold vision, Avanza Radio was born. How rare is a Spanish-language full-power public radio station in a Top 30 market? Pretty rare, it turns out. It’s time to talk about what happening in Salt Lake City and what’s being learned.
Ichiko Aoba : Luminescent Creatures
Ichiko Aoba’s Luminescent Creatures is a testament to her journey into chamber folk that is cinematic as it is experimental. The Japanese singer, songwriter and composer has made a name with little more than her nylon-string guitar and an otherworldly vocal presence. Over the course of more than seven albums, she’s received myriad accolades and won over fans worldwide.
Spanish-language content reimagined
It’s time for good news. Public media is witnessing a fascinating evolution as organizations increasingly actively discuss and even venture into Spanish-language content. It is a quiet movement—showing up in translations, social media engagement, WhatsApp communities and internal dialogues. Even in the political climate, such is being seen as a business strategy rather than one about diversity.
Nina Garcia : Bye Bye Bird
Nina Garcia’s Bye Bye Bird is a bold step away from the Mariachi persona she cultivated for a decade, revealing a bare, unfiltered side to her musicianship. It is her second solo release but the first under her real name, and it’s a remarkable unveiling of her range and boundless curiosity. The record merges stripped-down instrumentation with surprising turns, crafting a tapestry of textures that stretch expectations and reward the adventurous listener.
10 Essential Houston Rap Albums
How Houston am I? I spent my earliest years in a shotgun-style house off Wallisville Road and Wayside Drive, in the working-class Mexican-American neighborhood of Denver Harbor. Just across the Union Pacific railroad tracks lay the famous—and sometimes infamous—Fifth Ward. It was there, in earshot of that cultural epicenter, that I first witnessed the emergence of Houston’s biggest cultural export: hip-hop.
Asa Horvitz, Carmen Quill, Ariadne Randall & Wayne Horvitz : GHOST
Asa Horvitz’s GHOST transcends what we often discuss when we think about personal grief. While online tributes to the dead are normalized, GHOST’s technology-driven mediation and sonic exploration may feel at first bewildering. The album emerges from a deeply personal context: the loss of Horvitz’s father and multiple close relatives between 2017 and subsequent years. At first glance, one might thus expect GHOST to be a tribute album.
Building trust, one conversation at a time
Trust in media is increasingly fragile. Newsrooms need all the support they can get to rebuild connections with their communities. A veteran journalist has stepped up to this challenge. As an Engagement Trainer at America Amplified, María Arce works with public media organizations to foster community-centered journalism.
Merzbow : Pulse Demon
Released in 1996, Merzbow‘s Pulse Demon is often hailed as a near-mythical work that expanded the boundaries of experimental music. It is regarded as the quintessential example of harsh noise, and remains a defining release in both Merzbow’s extensive catalog and the broader landscape of noise. Its merciless textures, far-reaching influence on extreme music, and the polarized reactions it continues to provoke have become the stuff of legend.
Public media, post-DEI
Since President Trump took office, the federal landscape for DEI initiatives has virtually crumbled. In fact, the New York Times says that today is the day for agencies to submit plans to end DEI-related staffing. In addition, as Radio World notes, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has removed inclusion from the Commission’s priorities.
Motherhood : Thunder Perfect Mind
In a landscape dominated by algorithmic playlists, it’s refreshing to encounter a band like Motherhood, whose latest release, Thunder Perfect Mind, feels like a bracing wake-up call. The New Brunswick trio—Brydon Crain (vocals/guitar), Penelope Stevens (bass/keys/vocals), and Adam Sipkema (drums)—has always specialized in challenging the boundaries of genre, but here they tighten the focus on tangential sonic realms.
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How KOTO's Luis Tavares bridges information gaps for Telluride's Latino community
This interview originally appeared in the author’s newsletter, OIGO, and is republished here with permission. As a vibrant tourist destination nestled in the mountains of Colorado, Telluride boasts not only breathtaking landscapes, but also a diverse community and myriad needs. It’s also an area where many people juggle multiple jobs just to afford living in an expensive place. Among those residents is Luis Tavares, who found himself stepping into an unexpected role at community radio station KOTO.
Inflan con pauta al Detector de Mentiras Puebla
La semana pasada el reportero hidalguense Axel Chávez, un muy buen reportero de investigación (lo pueden seguir en equis como @axelchz), publicó que los videos del Detector de Mentiras Puebla han sido impulsados mediante pauta pagada en la red Facebook, usando para ellos falsos medios y páginas utilizadas para promover a políticos de Puebla y de Hidalgo.
What Now? - Sierra Nevada Ally
Used with permission from Ernesto Aguilar. The phrase “not a monolith” is often used as a comfortable shorthand for Hispanic voters. But, when it gets real, this notion unfolds in ways that require public media to step up and promote deeper understanding. This election saw marked Latinx gains for the GOP despite controversial statements by President-elect Donald Trump. Massive Spanish-language ad buys seemed to do nothing for Vice President Kamala Harris.
What now?
Discover more from OIGO A newsletter about Latino/a, Latine, Latinx content, audiences and engagement in public media The phrase “not a monolith” is often used as a comfortable shorthand for Hispanic voters. But, when it gets real, this notion unfolds in ways that require public media to step up and promote deeper understanding. This election saw marked Latinx gains for the GOP despite controversial statements by President-elect Donald Trump.
What now?
The phrase “not a monolith” is often used as a comfortable shorthand for Hispanic voters. But, when it gets real, this notion unfolds in ways that require public media to step up and promote deeper understanding. This election saw marked Latinx gains for the GOP despite controversial statements by President-elect Donald Trump. Massive Spanish-language ad buys seemed to do nothing for Vice President Kamala Harris. By every measure, Hispanic voters broke with tradition—and broke brains in the process.
The Six Success Factors for Nonprofit DEI Councils
Skip to Main Content During a period of social and financial uncertainty for many nonprofits, DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) councils are an organization’s competitive advantage. When set up for success, DEI councils engage, develop, and retain talented staff, saving organizations valuable time and resources. Unfortunately, too many DEI councils fall into a familiar pattern of initial enthusiasm followed by burnout and frustration.
How Albina Cabrera's bilingual content at KEXP is bringing listeners closer together
This interview originally appeared in the author’s newsletter, OIGO, and is republished here with permission. As the Latin Partnerships and Editorial Manager at KEXP, Argentine-born Albina Cabrera has dedicated her career to amplifying diverse voices in the independent music scene. Her work has been marked by a passion for making culture and music accessible, bridging gaps between communities, and fostering a more equitable future through the universal language of music.
From Crisis to Opportunity – Sierra Nevada Ally
This piece is used with permission from Ernesto Aguilar. His newsletter can be found at OIGO. For public media, the emergence of the LMC offers more than just industry news—it’s a blueprint for understanding persistent gaps in representation, audience engagement and sustainability. What should you know? I’ll explain, and note three key takeaways for the industry to watch.
From crisis to opportunity
The Latino Media Consortium officially launched this month, marking a significant moment in the landscape. This consortium brings together major players in the Latinx media space with the ambitious goal of transforming how media serves our communities. For public media, the emergence of the LMC offers more than just industry news—it’s a blueprint for understanding persistent gaps in representation, audience engagement and sustainability. What should you know?
Rethinking public media in Latine life
As the newly announced lead of Connecticut Public’s Latino initiative, Sabrina Herrera is at the forefront of addressing the crucial issue of representation in journalism. Somos Connecticut, that initiative, aims to amplify Latine voices in the state and endeavors to tell our stories authentically. And Herrera’s work in a pivotal election year feels all the more important, as public media aspires to ensure diverse perspectives are included in public discourse.
Película: El sótano de las almas
Vicente es encerrado por su padre en el sótano de su casa como castigo, una noche más como tantas otras. Su padre es un ser violento tanto con él como con su madre, y por eso Vicente lo odia y se jura a sí mismo matarlo. Una noche de tragedia, los padres dejan de habitar la casa sin que Vicente haya sido liberado de uno de sus castigos.
A Latina leads change in DC journalism
In February, WAMU closed DCist and laid off staff. The story usually ends here. Not this time. Former DCist staffers launched the 51st, with a successful fundraiser. And a Latina public media veteran is one of its catalysts. This OIGO, Teresa Elena Frontado, co-founder of the 51st, is here. With over 20 years in the field, Teresa has held prominent positions at WAMU, KUT and WLRN, as well as Univision Noticias, The Miami Herald, El Nacional (Venezuela) and El Universal (Venezuela).
How DEI councils can help public media manage change and retain staff
Today, public media organizations are being pressed to be more representative to stay relevant. New technologies like AI, shifting audience needs and habits and new generations entering the workforce demand a different approach. Hybrid work has exacerbated collaboration and communication difficulties. Organizations must adapt quickly to stay competitive, but changes require updated policies, processes, training and tools. Staff have opinions about these looming changes.
The Secret to Highly Effective DEI Councils
Be the first to know! Join the authors for a free webinar September 5 at 12pm EST to launch their new DEI Council Resource Guide. The thought paper summarizes wisdom of 50+ council members and consultants into practical tips, tools, and no-nonsense advice to move your council from performative to high-performing. This blog previews our findings and recommendations. *Scroll to the bottom of the resource for key definitions.
Public media's next leadership wave
There is a new energy around diverse leadership in public media, with a unique blend of cultural insight and journalistic prowess. It’s exciting, but change is ongoing. 👁️ This new movement in public media is fueled by a desire to tell stories with greater depth and context, and a mission to represent the best of our communities. Transitioning from our traditional approaches will require a lot, including a sense of urgency and a multifaceted vision.
On Representation and Resilience – Sierra Nevada Ally
This Interview is used with permission from Ernesto Aguilar. His newsletter can be found at OIGO. The message José A. Fajardo wrote back to me for this interview — he said it was better to email because his energy levels can vary — is one I’ll not soon forget. “You may need to edit some of my grammar or misuse of words, since I used my voice and pupils to type these answers out,” it ended.
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