Beyond the Stream: UNSHUT’s Vinyl-Exclusive Revolution

There’s something quietly rebellious about Moises “MO” Santizo’s latest move. In an era where everything is disposable, scrollable, and algorithm-fed, MO decided to slow things all the way down, to 12 inches, two sides, and a needle drop. His newest release isn’t a song or an album in the traditional sense. It’s a spoken-word interview, pressed exclusively on vinyl, and it feels like the beginning of a whole new lane.

MO’s story has never followed a straight line anyway. Born in Guatemala and raised in Los Angeles after immigrating to the U.S. as a child, his earliest memories include selling food on the streets, learning English on the fly, and navigating family separation before most kids even understand what stability is. That kind of upbringing doesn’t just shape ambition, it hardwires resilience. Nothing in MO’s life has been handed to him, and he makes a point not to gloss over that.

After facing college rejections tied to his immigration status, MO pivoted instead of pausing. What started as a local coaching job turned into a nine-year run as an award-winning choreographer across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. He eventually landed in Las Vegas, launching a performing arts company that pushed boundaries early - virtual routine feedback before it was common, city contracts, and a reputation for thinking ahead of the curve. When the pandemic forced that chapter to pause, MO once again found opportunity hiding inside rejection.

By 2023, a long-shelved dream resurfaced: hosting. Not behind the scenes - front and center. Fear showed up loud, but MO showed up louder. UNSHUT was born, and within weeks of launching, he was already pulling major guests. Fast forward to now, the podcast has reached listeners in 44 countries on Spotify alone, featuring everyone from Grammy winners to underground creatives. Still, MO isn’t chasing virality. He’s chasing intention.

That mindset is exactly what led to this vinyl-exclusive interview, a first-of-its-kind release that merges conversation, storytelling, and collectible art. Hosted by MO alongside former Disney child star Chez Starbuck, the interview digs deep into Starbuck’s career-defining role as the first-ever merman in a live-action Disney original, a massive-budget production that became a nostalgic staple for millennials. But the real weight of the project lies beyond the highlights.

The conversation moves through fame’s double edge: the doors that opened, the pressure that followed, the struggles with substance abuse, family dynamics, emancipation, and what life looks like now through the lens of parenthood. It’s reflective, raw, and refreshingly unpolished, the kind of honesty that doesn’t always survive algorithm-driven platforms.

Pressing this interview on vinyl wasn’t just a gimmick. It was a statement. The limited-edition release includes a double-sided record with an alternate ending, a QR code unlocking an extended video version, access to original photos, and artwork that will never be reprinted once sold out. Every detail feels intentional, right down to the Austin-based ecosystem behind it. Recorded in MO’s home, pressed by Gold Rush Vinyl, and brought to life by collaborators he met organically through previous UNSHUT episodes, the project is stitched together by genuine connection.

From producer Dan Smith (whom MO met through a Nightbreakers episode) to artist Matthew Marniella (discovered via another UNSHUT guest), the credits tell their own quiet story about community, timing, and trusting your instincts.

What MO Santizo is building isn’t just content - it’s proof of concept. Proof that you don’t need perfect timing, massive numbers, or permission to create something new. Sometimes you just need the courage to press record, press vinyl, and let the story spin.