angel montoya

Angel Jose Montoya was born in 1971 in Cartago Valle, Colombia. He is part of a big family of nine kids. Angel has always been passionate about music and always dreamt of becoming a radio presenter. From the age of 8, he started training at home in front of his many brothers and sisters with a comb pretending he was a radio presenter and interviewer. At school, he was always enthusiastic at being master of ceremony and being part of theatrical representations.

At the age of 13, Angel saw a man seated in a café in Anserma Valle. Angel recognised him as being the owner of the famous radio station Panorama. Despite being a young teenager he decided to tell him his desire of becoming a radio presenter 'It was something I had to do since I knew that such an opportunity wouldn't be happening again. I asked him to give me the chance to be part of his radio. At first he laughed saying that radio was for professionals and that I should complete my studies and grow up first. But I insisted. Seeing my determination he gave me a try and I started my show: I pretended that Michael Jackson was coming to Anserma and I started commenting his visit. Apparently, he liked it since the week after I had another try at the radio station itself with the program director. The latter liked my performance and decided to give me a young radio program, from primary to high-school audience. At the age of 17, IRV (the main radio station of the state of Valle) contacted to join their team. This radio station was part of Caracol radio which is one of Colombia's biggest national radio stations where I worked for almost three years'. Afterwards, Angel worked for different national radios such as radio Todelar, for RCN Colombia and Radio Robledo (which is part of RCN). For all these shows he was playing popular Latino and international music. At the same time he was MC and DJ for different famous clubs and events like ‘chica costenita’ calendars, for promoting one of the most famous Colombian beers.

In 1997, Angel came to Australia. At first, he thought he would not be working in the music industry ever again. But thanks to Jason Mancera who knew his work in Colombia, two weeks after his arrival he started as an MC in an important hotel of Sydney. From that day on, he started working for different parties and events like La Viejotk, Wake-Up bar and Port-Orient. He was also the official presenter for ‘fiestas patrias de Chile’ for club Colocolo in 1998 and DJ and MC for the ‘Colombian Independence Day’ in Bondi Hotel and Port Orient in Darling Harbour. He has been master of ceremony for several concerts in Sydney: Elvis Crespo in 2001, Fulanito in 2004, Chayanne in Luna Park and Magic Juan in 2005. Throughout the years, Angel has interviewed many Latino stars: Oscar de Leon and Pastor Lopez from Venezuela, Charlie Zaa, Orquesta Tupamaros, Carlos Vives, Joe Arroyo, Fruco y Sus Tesos and Shakira from Colombia, Banda El Recodo (who is part of Paulina Rubio's   last album 'Pau-Latina') from Mexico, Elvis Crespo, Don Omar, Chayanne from Puerto Rico, Gotan Project from Argentina and France, Buena Vista Social Club and Aleida Guevarra (Che Guevarra's daughter) from Cuba, Rafaga from Argentina, Magic Juan and Fulanito from the Dominican Republic, Memo Bunke from Chile….Today, Angel is playing for Papichulo's and he is the main DJ and MC for the Pina Colada fiestas at the Bondi Hotel, one Saturday of each month. He is a regular presence at various establishments such as Spanish Harlem and Privilege Bar too.

Angel is also a radio producer and presenter. In 2001 he founded Latinosfm, the first Latino radio segment in Sydney and in Australia. The show has more than 500 000 listeners every Saturday from 5 to 7 pm, on 107.3 FM. This is a Spanish and English speaking program that provides news from Latin America and the latest Latino hits. There he works with other professionals like Gabi Cesan, Gonzalo Chevere Echeveria, Oscar Galan and DJ Don Juan. Frequent guests in the show include Oscar Aldana and Zoila Grande and DJ Dwight Chocolate Escobar.

The Latin Voice recently caught up with Angel Montoya and this is what he had to say:

What inspired you to do what you do in this country? 

I worked in various radio stations in Colombia and I wanted to bring a part of Latin America to Australia. The radio helped me to take to Australia our Latin culture.

What's your favourite phrase or motto?

“I was sad because I didn’t have shoes then I saw someone smiling who didn’t have feet”

Which is your favourite band, artist or DJ?

Ricardo Arjona, Juanes, Juan Luis Guerra

What would you like to see more or less of in the Australian Latin scene?

It would be great to see a more united Latin community in Australia

What has been the most memorable moment in your career? 

When I left the radio station I was working for in Colombia, I received letters from listeners. It really moved me some of them even made me cry.

Of all the Latin Music Genres which one do you think has had the biggest impact in Australia’s Latin Scene and why? And do you think with all the new rhythms like Reggaeton for example this is bound to change?

Salsa has the biggest impact on the Australia’s Latin scene because it is a rhythm that from the 60’s has never faded away…It seems it never will actually… To me new rhythms like Reggaeton could experience changes in the future.

What’s you favourite Venue and why?

I really like PAPICHULOS because the location is nice and I like the musical program. Docks Hotel is a god venue too you can go with your family in front of Darling Harbour. I like also La Cita…

Who do you think is the most influential personality or Group in Latin Entertainment overall and why?

To me Ricky Martin as been the most influential personality because he opened the doors to Latin artists/entertainment at an international level

What do you think is the key of success to achieve your goal in Australia’s Latin Scene?

Working hard with love and respect for your profession and for the others around you

Do you have a message for all the Latin Lovers out there?

Thank you all for loving our culture. We do and will do our best to bring you the best of our culture and the latest and finest Latin music.

Photos & text provided by Angel Montoya.

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