Music News & Events

Inspired by Joni Mitchell and Nina Simone, Mia Doi Todd is a local singer songwriter with hauntingly beautiful songs. She tells Nic that she sees great value in sharing her personal experiences because other people call learn from it. Her lyrics focus on relationships of all kinds, both personal and universal.

Mia is an expressionist in many forms and is described in her bio as a “singer-songwriter-guitarist-poet-painter-dancer.” GEA, her seventh album, is out on City Zen Records.

 

Check out the set here

 

RR

 

Nic first started playing Matt Costa’s track “Astaire” back in 2004 off a self released EP sent to the station. Now, on his first visit to Morning Becomes Eclectic, he has two full-length releases (out on Brushfire Records) under his belt. His latest, Unfamiliar Faces, is full of pop goodness. I had the record on repeat for an entire sunny weekend as it was the perfect soundtrack. During the interview, Nic talked to Matt about how he made the switch from skateboarding to making music – he has an interesting story so you should check it out.

Also, the clock ran out before he could finish his set so we taped the last song off the air. Here it is!

Check out the full set here

RR

We are launching a new feature today on KCRW.com that I hope you all will enjoy!

Over the last few months we’ve had a bunch of cultural icons drop by to share and talk about the songs that have inspired them throughout their life and careers with our DJs.   

Guests include late night host Conan O’Brien, John Cusack, world champion surfer Kelly Slater, “Juno” Director Jason Reitman, award-winning playwright Neil Labute, “Top Chef” host and author Padma Lakshmi, Director and skate legend Stacy Peralta, DIGG Founder Kevin Rose, Danny Devito, Comic artist Tim Sale, actor Jason Schwartzman, actress Famke Janssen, host Carson Daly, Peter Berg, and many more.

We posted the first five Guest DJ sessions and will be posting 5 more each month HERE.

I fell in love with The Submarines last album “Declare a New State” after reading their bio. It’s really rare when that happens but their story really tapped into the hopeless romantic in me. The idea that two people could break up (Blake Hazard and John Dragonetti), separately write songs about the break up and then unite again – both romantically and musically – to record those songs, gave me a much deeper love for the music itself. And they are also great songs – as are the ones on their new CD Honeysuckle Weeks, out today.

 

When Nic described the new record as bright and summery they were quick to point out that life isn’t all cheerful flowers and chirping birds but they have a “stormy happiness.” The new songs are lighter than the last ones and not as focused on their relationship. For example, they tackle some political issues in “You Me And The Bourgeoisie.”

This was a fantastic set from start to finish. Check it out here

RR

When the alarm went off this morning to wake The Republic Tigers for their early morning set on KCRW, it couldn’t have been a more appropriate tune – Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.”

Guitarist Adam McGill was acting out the moment for MBE producer Ariana and me as singer Kenn Jankowski commented that he was still shaking a bit from the performance. Not only do artists have to wake up early to play our show – they give it everything they got! Today’s performance from these Kansas City musicians was a perfect example.

“Buildings and Mountains” will easily make my top songs of 2008 list. It is hits all the right spots – musically speaking. Nic was an early fan and has supported the band with airplay since their EP and now they have a full length out on Chop Shop Records. 

Check out the full performance here

RR

San Diego's Delta Spirit came by the station this morning to chat with Nic about the genesis of the group and a recent signing to Rounder Records. The band performed songs from the record "Ode to Sunshine" that was recorded live in the San Diego countryside including a new version of "Street Walker". 

Local friends the Radar Bros stopped by this morning to share music from their 5th release "Auditorium" out now on Merge Records. The band performed songs including "Papillon" and "When Cold Air Goes to Sleep". The lead singer Jim- cool as ever- talked to Nic about his vast collection of vintage equipment from the 70's and beyond. Hear the live performance on MBE here. If you dig what you hear and live in the Los Angeles area, make sure to catch them on May 22nd at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. 

NC

The Black Ghosts stopped by KCRW to chat with Jason Bentley last night - listen to the interview in it's entirety here.

NC

Upcoming on Morning Becomes Eclectic

Thursday, May 8 The Radar Brothers
 
Friday, May 9 Delta Spirit

Monday, May 12 The Republic Tigers

Tuesday, May 13 The Submarines

Wednesday, May 14  Matt Costa 

Thursday, May 15  Mia Doi Todd 

Friday, May 16  Salt & Samovar 

KCRW.COM PRESENTS

Wed, May 7, THE LIONS at DUB CLUB IN THE ECHO.
Fri, May 9, ELBOW at AVALON.
Fri, May 9, THE PARSON RED HEADS at SPACELAND.
Sat, May 10, THE DUKE SPIRIT at TROUBADOUR.
Tues, May 13, WILLOUGHBY, BUDDY, AND WESTERN STATES MOTEL at HOTEL CAFÉ.
Tues, May 13, BRETT DENNON, MASON JENNINGS AND MISSY HIGGINS at BARNUM HALL in Santa Monica (at Santa Monica High School).
Wed, May 14, BRETT DENNON, MASON JENNINGS AND MISSY HIGGINS at BARNUM HALL in Santa Monica (at Santa Monica High School).
Wed, May 14, LANGHORNE SLIM at TROUBADOUR.
Thurs, May 15, TINA DICO, AM, THE SILVER SEAS at HOTEL CAFÉ.
Thurs, May 15, LES NUBIANS at THE KEY CLUB.
Fri, May 16, KATHLEEN EDWARDS at TROUBADOUR.
Fri, May 16, SALT AND SAMOVAR at HOTEL CAFÉ.
Fri, May 16, MIA DOI TODD at MCCABE'S GUITAR SHOP.
Mon, May 19, EL PERRO DEL MAR at EL REY THEATER.
Tues, May 20, M83 at ECHOPLEX.
Tues, May 20, CLINIC at TROUBADOUR.
Wed, May 21, DRESDEN DOLLS at THE WILTERN.
Sat, May 24, THE PARSON RED HEADS at DETROIT BAR in Costa Mesa.
Fri, May 30, LADYTRON at MUSIC BOX AT THE HENRY FONDA THEATER.
Sat, May 31, GRAM RABBIT at SAFARI SAM'S.
Fri, June 6, AIMEE MANN at HOUSE OF BLUES ANAHEIM.
Sun, June 8, BRAD MEHLDAU TRIO at EL REY THEATER.
Fri, June 13, THE SUBMARINES at THE ECHO.
Mon, June 23, ROBERT PLANT AND ALISON KRAUSS at THE GREEK  THEATRE.
Tues, June 24, ROBERT PLANT AND ALISON KRAUSS at THE GREEK THEATRE.
Wed, September 17, KCRW is Media Sponsor for NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS WITH SPIRITUALIZED at THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL.
Fri, September 26, PACHA MASSIVE at FORD AMPHITHEATER.

KCRW's WORLD FESTIVAL SERIES - 10th Anniversary Season

Sun, June 22, THIEVERY CORPORATION (full live show featuring special guest SEU JORGE), BEBEL GILBERTO, LOS AMIGO INVISIBLES, FEDERICO AUBELE -- the evening is hosted by JASON BENTLEY at the HOLLYWOOD BOWL.
Sun, June 29, GILBERTO GIL, DEVENDRA BANHART, THE ALBUM LEAF (featuring MIKE HERON from The Incredible String Band) -- the evening is hosted by ANNE LITT at the HOLLYWOOD BOWL.
Sun, July 20, FEIST, SHARON JONES AND THE DAP-KINGS, PACIFIKA -- the evening is hosted by NIC HARCOURT at the HOLLYWOOD BOWL.
Sun, July 27, GNARLS BARKLEY, YOUSSOU N'DOUR, DEERHOOF -- the evening is hosted by GARTH TRINIDAD at the HOLLYWOOD BOWL.
Sun, August 3, REGGAE NIGHT: UB40, BERES HAMMOND, BARRINGTON LEVY -- the evening is hosted by TOM SCHNABEL at the HOLLYWOOD BOWL.
Sun, September 21, OZOMATLI, MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD, LILA DOWNS, NORTEC COLLECTIVE -- the evening is hosted by RAUL CAMPOS at the HOLLYWOOD BOWL.
 

Swedish electro-hip hop sensation Kissey Asplund stopped by to play some tunes and talked to Garth Trinidad about her ambitions and adventures.   Check out the interview in our archives HERE
   
 RR