MUSIC_DIRECTOR for Pickin'
Paonia, Colorado, United States
Andrea "Dre" Castillo joined the KVNF staff in June, 2022. With a strong passion for music and people, Dre serves as the Music Director & DJ Coordinator. She is originally from the West Coast and moved to the Western Slope of the Rockies in 2016. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, rafting, drawing and going to see live music. You can catch her on the KVNF airwaves.
Latest Album Reviews
Review of Songs of Desire
Album Info: Songs of Desire
Pharaoh's Daughter Album: Songs of Desire Label: Tzadik Genre(s): World Posted
By: Joe Ross
Jun 24, 2026
Review
Basya Schecter is a New York-based composer, singer, and oud player who leads the ensemble Pharaoh's Daughter that formed in 1995. Their recent major project is Songs of Desire. Pharaoh's Daughter is known for their blend of Jewish liturgical traditions, Middle Eastern instruments and melodies, and improvisation and multilingual vocals. Their genre-spanning blend might best be described as folky, psychedelic, world music. Songs of Desire is an ambitious setting of the biblical Song of Songs. It was developed over many years and features lyrics in Hebrew, English, Yiddish, Arabic, Spanish, and French. The album explores sacred love, longing, sensuality, and spiritual devotion through a rich blend of oud, qanun, ney flute, violin, percussion, keyboard, accordion, bass and layered vocal arrangements. For some spiritual structured global grooves that are both relevant and
The Joymakers Album: A Texas-Sized Band Label: Turtle Bay Genre(s): Traditional Jazz Posted
By: Joe Ross
Jun 24, 2026
Review
On their new release of “A Texas-Sized Band,” The Joymakers, a ten-piece group from Austin, Texas provides a worthy romp of memorable music from the 1920s and 30s south and southwestern dance band repertories. Back in those days, jazz didn’t have the connotation of what it is today. Under the direction of multi-instrumentalist, musicologist and co-arranger Colin Hancock, The Joymakers simply play that tasteful, striking and snappy dance music of that bygone day. Imagine sitting around the living room listening to “His Master’s Voice” through an RCA Victor phonograph playing 78s but with much more clarity and a higher level of audio quality. Their most recognizable offering is “Bye Bye Baby (Blues)” now known more familiarly as “Careless Love” that saxophonist and co-arranger Lauryn Gould vocalizes with composure.
Greg Piccolo & Heavy Juice Album: Who Knows What the Future Holds Label: Momojo Genre(s): Contemporary Blues, Singer/Songwriter Posted
By: Duane Verh
Jun 21, 2026
Review
Emphasizing songs over sax, Greg Piccolo shows more than a little pop savvy, fusing lyrical hooks with simpatico melodies across a varied spectrum of styles. Examples include the bubbly leadoff track, “I’ve Lost Faith”, the reggae-spiced “People Are Hot”, the breezy shuffle “Let’s Play It In The Car” and a sly, simmering blues rocker- “Don’t Tell Me The Truth”. Instrumental backup is solid throughout.
Dave Thomas Album: Bridge Street Blues Label: Blonde On Blonde Genre(s): Blues, Contemporary Blues Posted
By: Duane Verh
Jun 11, 2026
Review
Whether he’s up or down emotionally, Brit bluesman Dave Thomas maintains a steady simmer all through this set, projecting a persona very much at ease with his life in the blues. The constant atmosphere present stems from a simpatico instrumental backup brew concocted by producer & multi-instrumentalist Declan Sinnott, proving well suited for both pinpoint guitar leads and Mr. Thomas’s, laid-back, almost offhand vocal style. Mr. T proves a cut above lyricist as well on standout tracks including “City Streets” and “Big Fast Car”. However, his co-write with Julia Smalley, “I Know You Through and Through” is the show stealer.
Russ Green Album: Stone Cold Label: Overton Genre(s): Contemporary Blues Posted
By: Duane Verh
Jun 7, 2026
Review
Russ Green’s lyric lines don’t rhyme here just as often as they do, creating a conversational, “talkin’ blues” setting for this lively and varied set. His supercharged harmonica remains the main story, blazing atop standout tracks including the stylish shuffle “Hey Man”, the urgent “12 Feet of Water” and the old-school lover’s lament “Waitin’ On You”.
Jun 19, 2026 -
Pharaoh’s Daughter Unveils 6th Album, Songs of Desire
A deeply personal, 18-year musical journey through love, longing, and the sacred... Read Full Article
May 28, 2026 -
A vibrant, electro-traditional celebration of Francophone culture, connection, and collective joy.
Acclaimed Québec artist Mélisande... Read Full Article
May 14, 2026 -
The new album by Laura Camacho Tango Project, Todo Tiempo Pasado, is now available! Celebrating the universality of music through the... Read Full Article
Jan 16, 2026 -
AVAILABLE NOW: THE NEW BOOK FROM AUTHOR TAD RICHARDS
Listening to Prestige: Chronicling Its Classic Jazz Recordings, 1949–1972
A... Read Full Article
Nov 30, 2025 -
New Christmas Music by from Marcus Goldhaber “I Can’t Wait For Christmas” (digital only single) and Margee Minier-Tubbs &... Read Full Article
Sep 9, 2025 -
Chicago-based Indie-folk singer-songwriter Chris Rawlins is set to release his much anticipated sophomore album, Flyover,... Read Full Article
Sep 7, 2025 -
Putumayo Discovery is proud to announce the release of French Groove, a dynamic compilation that showcases the fresh face of French... Read Full Article
