Ever wondered who's behind the infectious beats and carefully curated playlists that set the mood at your favorite casino? 

It's not an algorithm – it's the passion and expertise of music curators like Daniel Sena. In our debut edition of the "Curator's Corner" interview, we pull back the curtain and dive into the world of musical storytelling with Daniel.

From high school band geek to church pianist, Daniel has had a lifelong love affair with music. He's now turning that passion into an art form, crafting the perfect soundtrack for unforgettable casino experiences. 

Let's hit play and hear Daniel's story!

What sparked your passion for music and how did that lead you to your job with New Level Radio curating music for casinos? 

Music has always been a big part of my life from playing the trumpet in the high school band to piano in church, to mixing playlists on CDs for friends and family, to learning and using studio production software. I wanted to find an opportunity to use my music knowledge/skill set within the music business and I was excited to see a position posted as a music curator from CEO Nathan Green at New Level Radio. I didn't have any official curating experience at first, but Nathan gave me a chance to understand the importance of continuity, relevant vibes/genres, and overall flow. 

Please describe a typical day in the life of a music curator at New Level Radio. 

As a music curator with NLR, it's important to check for any messages from clients that have urgent requests or changes.  We want to make sure they know it is important to us that the music playing on their casino floor/lounge/bar is exactly what they want to hear as well as their client base and staff. Since our work is done remotely, we have the ability to make changes in real-time. The curator team assigns themselves playlists to work on for the week, so we spend time reviewing lists to add relevant music or delete anything that seems outdated for that particular space. Other time is spent on researching and constantly trying to find new music so that we can provide that cutting-edge sound that clients get when they use New Level Radio. 

What factors do you consider when creating a playlist for a specific casino property? How does the vibe of a casino in Las Vegas differ from one in Mississippi, for example? 

The vibe of the playlist stems from the audience and the client's requests. We want to make sure we are curating a list that is very specific to the crowd for that casino which can change throughout the day.  A casino in Mississippi or even some of the daytime playlists in Las Vegas are geared more towards older crowds, so we will play more classic rock, ’80s, yacht rock, and Motown. The nighttime Vegas lists give us an opportunity to add modern, experimental, upbeat songs. All the lists are fun to compile since we have decades of music to choose from!

Can you share a story about a time when your music selection made a significant impact on a casino's atmosphere or guest experience? 

As an electronic dance music fan, I was excited to create our DJ Pool list at Luxor Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas from scratch. It was inspiring to curate a playlist that would fit a carefree, fun environment. This list has upbeat and chill EDM, tropical house, and deep house vibes. 

What do you enjoy most about your job and working with New Level Radio?

I've been working with New Level Radio for almost three years now and I really enjoy working with Nathan and the New Level Radio team. I've learned so much about the gaming industry by assisting Nathan with admin duties and during our quarterly planning meetings. I love the fact that there are opportunities beyond curating. I've also been involved in process improvement, video editing, training, and eventually marketing and sales.