What's that sound? Estevan Vásquez is at the helm of VisionBroadcast, which brings local music to the world

Nov. 19—"Broadcasting from Downtown Albuquerque, welcome to VisionBroadcast."

These are words that Estevan Vásquez speaks multiple times a day as he brings music of the world to listeners.

Vásquez is the mastermind behind VisionBroadcast, an online radio station, which he created in 2015.

"It's a lovely hobby," Vásquez says from his Downtown studio. "Once the music hooks you, there's nothing else you can do."

VisionBroadcast is a multimedia music network comprising an online music channel and an enduring presence in the digital music and social media ecosystems.

The music channel plays an original blend of jazz, funk, blues, Latin, rock, alternative, world, avant-garde, pop and classical music and is heard on VisionBroadcast.com, LosAngelesMusicFestival.org, TuneIn.com, Radio.Garden and Radio.Net.

Thousands of listeners are tuning in from over 100 countries. The list of songs has more than 8,000.

"The music I play I get it organically," he says. "Some of it I get from social media or from KUNM. I get help from music promoters. That's what takes most of my time. I have to listen to the music and find a place for it to fit within the station."

Vásquez says 2023's top 20 listenership on TuneIn, from January through July, are the United States, Germany, France, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Taiwan, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Brazil, Australia, Austria and Ecuador.

As the radio station streams 24/7, Vásquez dedicates anywhere from 10 to 20 hours a week after his day job as a communication coordinator at Bernalillo County.

"I'm always adding songs," he says with a smile. "It's better if I can keep it fresh. I can go a day or two without uploading songs. I record the voice tracks in advance and it all seems to work. The goal is to broaden the reach of music. I enjoy celebrating the Albuquerque music scene."

Vásquez has a show called "High Desert Freeform," which airs from 2-3 p.m. daily which features local music.

"I'm working with Echoes (Brewing Company) on getting more local music played," he says. "The owner, Jake Ralphs, is the one who showed me how good the local music community is. I see his vision for local music."

Vásquez also takes inspiration from Mark Baker and the inroads he's making with 505 Central Food Hall.

"At the food hall, he's programming a lot of music," he says. "Mark is trying to make the music and arts scene pop. I think with the reach that VisionBroadcast has, it's an opportunity to promote New Mexico and Albuquerque."

Vásquez has worked in radio and television news, new media, strategic communications and marketing.

His specialties include media relations, media training, digital marketing, aerial videography, video production and voiceovers.

"I got started in news as an Army private with the American Forces Network Europe in Germany, moved to New York City for college and stayed for years working in news and new media," he says "Since returning to New Mexico, I've worked in newsrooms, in local, state and federal agencies, and with small businesses and nonprofits. I just love working in communications, news, broadcasting and new media. If it involves music, the arts, veterans and/or anything serving the public good, all the better."

Vásquez has spent many nights overlooking the Mother Road from his recording studio.

It's during this time, he's able to take a step back and become sponge-like by observing the nightlife that Downtown Albuquerque cultivates.

Conversations are aplenty and the city's lights are just as bright as Vásquez's goals for the station.

Before recording, Vásquez stands in front of his computer, places his headphones on, hits record, and instantly comes to life.

"I'm learning something new every day," he says.

"Because music is so powerful, the mission I have for VisionBroadcast is that I want it to be impactful. I want listeners to come to it to not only hear their favorite music, but be introduced to a new genre or artist."