Meet Brittney Portlock! She's been a crucial addition to our volunteer events crew, our hospitality team, DJ liasion, and most recently, the in-studio production assistants team. Her spirited, genuine, and good-natured personality is always such a pleasure to work with. Her dedication and expertise is invaluable to us. For these reasons and more, she's our February Volunteer of the Month!
Here's Britt in her own words:
Where did you grow up and do you have any siblings? Pets?
I grew up in Inglewood, California. INGLEWOOD! My mother is from El Salvador and my father is African American. I have two older sisters: Sabi and Cristy. I had a pet turtle growing up named Speedy, but he drowned in a pitcher of black cherry kool-aid when I was ten.
Currently, I have no pets of my own, but one day I aspire to love a couple of rescue dogs of my own.
What 5 things would you wish you had if you were stranded on a deserted island?
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A typewriter
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A glammed out yurt
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Toro Y Moi’s Causers of This Album
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A pet Bernese mountain dog named Bubba
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A record player with premium built-in speakers
What is your current occupation / what do you do outside of KCRW?
Although I’m moving on soon, I am the Experience Manager at Media Temple/Godaddy Los Angeles and I’m a freelance Experiential Marketing Manager for Microsoft and B.E.N Inc at The Microsoft Lounge Los Angeles. Formerly, Sony, Beats Music and Global Marketing at Apple Music and iTunes.
Outside of KCRW, I volunteer for non-profits that I care about; I’ve been a youth mentor for several years with an organization called Youth Mentoring Connection. I also volunteer at Much Love Animal Rescue and A Place Called Home. That type of work fills me up. I love pouring myself into organizations that help others heal/be better versions of themselves.
I meditate in the morning daily, I practice Bikram yoga, I like indoor rock climbing, taking long ocean swims and visiting museums regularly.
I also like to stay on top of new music, new films, new television and new restaurants.
What is your fantasy occupation?
I love business and creating experiences. I’ve always imagined working at some place interesting and cool, yet sophisticated, in a high-level leadership position in entertainment or hospitality. A place where I can help streamline and make something better. A place where I work with good people and strong thinkers. A place where teams and I work to make the world a better place in some way. Also, in this role, I imagine wearing Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dresses and sustainable denim. Perhaps my own company?
When did you first discover KCRW?
It was a Sunday afternoon and I was on set of music artist Wale’s "Sabotage" music video in the valley during Grammy weekend in 2011 or 2012. At the time I was the assistant to my sister who was an artist signed to Warner Bro’s. I was in her dressing room and the makeup artist and I were talking about music and she played a station that was different than anything I’d ever heard before. I immediately freaked out and asked “WHAT IS THIS?!” She said, “It’s called KCRW.” I fell in love on the spot. I don’t remember who was DJing, but they were playing The Shins.
How did you find your way to our station for volunteering?
Continuing my story from the previous question, when I got home from the set, I immediately looked up KCRW and ways to get involved. I was so happy that a station like this existed and played the music that it played. I felt understood as a listener.
I signed up to volunteer in 2011 or 2012, but there was a waiting list so I waited for months before I had my first volunteer experience. But once I started, I treated each volunteer opportunity like a job and gave myself over to the process. My first experience was the pie contest at LACMA.
What’s your current volunteer position and how long have you been at it?
Currently, I am the permanent production assistant for the legendary Garth Trinidad. I PA bi-weekly on Fridays and I sub for other PAs when I have extra time to make sure his show and the station are covered. I’ve been working with him for the past year and it’s always a great time! I worked with him a few times before, years ago, but this time it is different. I respect him SO SO much. I think he is SO cool, warm and incredibly gifted.
I’ve also production assisted for Travis Holcombe, Anthony Valadez, Aaron Byrd, Eric J. Lawrence, and Jason Bentley. They are ALL awesome with their own unique preferences and personalities.
Over the years, I think I’ve done every role possible at KCRW from an intern and volunteer perspective. I’ve been a marketing intern during the inaugural class, I’ve worked front office, the music library, live events, hospitality at Apogee, postered concert venues, helped at The Moth, helped at Unfictional shows, PA’d on Morning Becomes Eclectic, worked phones during donation drives, been in charge of other volunteers at The Annenberg, worked film screenings with Matt Holzman, worked production for Masquerade and worked production for the concert series in Century City at The Annenberg. I am incredibly thankful for all of these experiences!
Favorite volunteer moment?
I have many favorite moments! Here are a few:
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Picking up MGMT’s food order from Tacos Por Favor during an Apogee session and giving it to them in their dressing room. When I arrived they shouted “ ayyyeee, tacos!!” and gave me hugs and high fives.
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Meeting and taking a picture with Toro Y Moi backstage KCRW Masquerade Ball in 2014. He was in a hot dog costume, which is hilarious. I still have that picture on my Instagram.
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Postering The Troubadour for a Glass Animals show. I’d gotten there early and Glass Animals was doing a soundcheck. Their debut album ZABA had just dropped and they happened to be playing “Gooey” while I was postering. That was EPIC!
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I LOVE executing giveaways during my PA shifts. It’s special when KCRW fans call in to win tickets and they win! I get to tell them they’ve won and I share the excitement with them! I love love love those moments!
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I love having conversations about music, life, films and pop culture with the DJ’s. It’s cool to get their perspective on those things. It’s also a huge privilege to work with them!
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Acting as a bartender during one of the KCRW member film screenings at the Writers Guild in Beverly Hills in 2014. If I remember correctly, the bartenders were late, so I was asked to jump in. I was opening and pouring wine until the film started. That was fun!
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Meeting Jack Steadman backstage at a Bombay Bicycle Club show at The Wiltern. I’d postered the venue and was given backstage passes. He’s a sweetheart and gives great hugs!
If you could get on the mic and say one sentence on the air, what would it be?
Be happy, be well and keep living your best life. Later!
What song(s) have you hit repeat on lately?
Who I Am by Toro Y Moi
ATM by J.Cole
Wow by Post Malone
Clovers by Barrie
Doesn’t Matter (Voleur de Soleil) by Christine and The Queens
Futile Devices (Doveman Remix) by Sufjan Stevens
Champagne by Sabi
I Go To Sleep by Anika
Blessa by Toro Y Moi
Ancient Times by The Samps
Juice by Lizzo
Runnin’ by Wajatta
Face Up by Washed Out
Money by The Drums
Favorite book, movie?
Favorite book(s)
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A New Earth: Awakening Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
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Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
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Becoming by Michelle Obama
Favorite Movie(s)
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The Fifth Element
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Call Me By Your Name
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The Fantastic Mr. Fox
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The Darjeeling Limited
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Ocean’s Twelve
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Cold War
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American Honey
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James White
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Closer
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Do The Right Thing
Favorite thing to do outside the station?
Trying new cocktails
Attending film festivals
Going to concerts and live events
Hiking with family and friends or solo
Watching the sunset in Malibu or Manhattan Beach
Creating beautiful dinner spreads for family and friends
Watching an independent film solo at The Landmark, Nuart or Laemmle’s
Watching Broad City in bed with no interruptions and freshly popped kettle corn
What does KCRW mean to you?
KCRW means the world to me! It offers listeners quality radio and it has offered me so many incredible opportunities and experiences over the years. My depth of gratitude and appreciation for the station, it’s people/talent and programming, is never-ending. It’s a place that I consider home and it’s a place where I know I can be myself. KCRW has challenged me, supported me, made me think, shaped my palate and helped me grow. It’s a place where I can have interesting conversations with interesting people. It’s a source of inspiration and originality. If you are good to the station, the station will be good to you. I love you always KCRW. x
Britt, you mean so much to us here at KCRW. We're so proud to have had you on the team for all these years, and we're wishing you all the best for years to come!
