Grizzly Bear is releasing a double-CD special edition of “Veckatimest,” an album that will surely top a lot of “best of” lists this year. They are including a full disc of bonus material, including two tracks from their session at KCRW! Live versions of “Southern Point” and “Ready, Able” recorded for Morning Becomes Eclectic will be part of the package.
The Special Edition will be out in the UK and Europe November 2 via Warp. No word yet on a physical release here in the states, although the bonus tracks will be available worldwide on iTunes.)  
 
RR
 

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Grizzly Bear performing "Southern Point"

Grizzly Bear and KCRW have a special relationship, starting with the Brooklyn band’s first visit to our studios where they performed the track “While You Wait for the Others” for the first time. The performance that day was flawless and the song is one of the highlights of their new album “Veckatimest,” which debuted in the Billboard top 10 – a huge feat for an “indie” band. The stunningly beautiful album is a favorite of many KCRW DJs and today’s live performance of the new songs was everything we hoped for. Jason chats with the band about making the new album and creating their lush, orchestral sound.

Check it out here

RR

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Here are Jason’s favorite albums of the year so far, as spotlighted in our Summer Music Guide. See ALL our DJ’s picks and more.

Jason Bentley (host of Morning Becomes Eclectic and KCRW Music Director)

1) Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix  

2) The Horrors - Primary Colors

3) Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career   

4) Grizzly Bear - Veckatimist   

5) Jose James - The Dreamer  

6) Hockey - Mind Chaos  

7) Starsailor - All The Plans  

8) Amadou & Mariam - Welcome To Mali

9) Yeah Yeah Yeah's - It's Blitz   

10) Neko Case - Middle Cyclone   

RR

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Grizzly Bear at KCRW Cover

Tons of artists are doing special appearances and releasing limited edition vinyl and other goodies that can only be purchased at independently owned record stores in honor of Record Store Day, THIS Saturday, April 18. KCRW Music Librarian Eric J Lawrence tells me that Grizzly Bear’s February 2008 performance on KCRW is one of the most requested sessions we’ve had here. While ALL our performances are available for viewing/listening in the archives, fans loved their performance so much they wanted to own it. And now they can.

Grizzly Bear is releasing a 7-inch “Live on KCRW” single of “While You Wait for the Others,” which they debuted on the show and later became one of Spin Magazines Top 20 Songs of 2008. They are also including their cover of the Carole King-penned song “He Hit Me,” which appeared on their “Friends” album.  

Pick it up on Saturday!

RR

p.s.: The album version of “He Hit Me” was previously offered as a freebie from KCRW as part of Today’s Top Tune. If you haven’t already signed up, you should! We often include tracks that are otherwise unavailable, remixes, new releases and tons of other great stuff.  

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Department_Of_Eagles

As many indie rock devotees already know, Department of Eagles is a side project for Grizzly Bear singer Daniel Rossen and drummer Christopher Bear. After hearing this live set, I think Daniel could front just about any band he pleases and make it a success – his voice is so beautiful that even though they were right in front of me, I preferred closing my eyes during a good part of this set so I could really focus on it.

As he tells Jason, Grizzly Bear is his first love and Department of Eagles is merely his mistress. Daniel says it allowed him to try out new ideas and the band actually debuted two new songs for us – tracks they’ve been working out during live shows but haven't recorded (“Not for Long” and “You’ll Never Know”). They both sample his vocals in loops, which I love since I can’t seem to get enough of them.  As I heard one of the band members say jokingly - "we’re from Brooklyn and we have loop pedals, therefore we are good."  Another standout out was a slower version of “No One Does it Like You.” Check out this set!

p.s.: Jason launched into the interview first so if you’re listening for music only, you can skip ahead on our media player to the 6 minute mark.

RR

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Earlier this year when Grizzly Bear debuted a new song during their Morning Becomes Eclectic performance, I knew it would be a big deal. Not only was the band garnering tons of critical acclaim and a growing fan base but they clearly had something special. Watching them perform this track live was one of the highlights of my year, musically speaking, and it turns out Spin Magazine feels the same way. They included the live track at #13 on their list of the 20 Best Songs of the Year.

See the full performance here

Spin's complete list is here

RR

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Grizzly_Bear

Grizzly Bear blessed us with not only an incredible set but a brand new song! And the best part is, “While you Wait for The Others” may have been my favorite track in the set. Wow. Nice to know the Brooklynites are getting better and better.

Grizzly_Bear

The rest of their songs were from the Friend EP, which you must pick up if you haven’t already. Flavorpill described their music as “lush, yet restrained, pop ditties” and I tend to agree. The band also have a bunch of interesting things up their sleeve, including collaborating with Paul Simon as part of a Brooklyn concert series and a performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA this weekend.  Check out the set…and watch the video for the new song here.

Full Set List:

Grizzly_Bear2

Alligator
He Hit Me
While You Wait For The Others (NEW!)

Interview w/ Nic Harcourt

Deep Blue Sea
Knife
Little Brother  

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Don’t miss what are sure to be some incredible live sets this week! Oh, and go see some shows…

Wednesday, February 27        Grizzly Bear
Thursday, February 28            What Made Milwaukee Famous   
Friday, February 29                 Chan Marshall aka Cat Power  

KCRW.COM PRESENTS

Wed, February 27, DENGUE FEVER at THE EMPTY BOTTLE in Chicago.
Wed, February 27, KEREN ANN, DEAN & BRITTA at BLACK CAT in D.C.
Thurs, February 28, GREAT NORTHERN at POPSCENE in San Francisco.
Fri, February 29, KINKY at HIGHLINE BALLROOM in NYC.
Sat, March 1, DENGUE FEVER at BLACK CAT in D.C.
Tues, March 4, DENGUE FEVER at MERCURY LOUNGE in NYC.
Tues, March 11, JOSE GONZALEZ & MIA DOI TODD at Highline Ballroom in NYC.
Wed, March 19, SONS & DAUGHTERS at THE ROCK AND ROLL HOTEL in Washington D.C.
Fri, March 21, SONS & DAUGHTERS @ Music Hall of Williamsburg in NY.
Sat, March 22, SONS & DAUGHTERS at Bowery Ballroom in NYC.
Mon, April 21, CARIBOU at the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland.

KCRW PRESENTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Thurs, February 21, WEST INDIAN GIRL at TROUBADOUR.
Fri, February 22, OZOMATLI at HOUSE OF BLUES ? ANAHEIM.
Sat, February 23, OZOMATLI at HOUSE OF BLUES ? ANAHEIM.
Mon, February 25, RICKIE LEE JONES at ECHOPLEX.
Tues, February 26, MISSY HIGGINS at EL REY THEATRE.
Wed, February 27, JULIA FORDHAM at THE ROXY.
Thurs, February 28, WEST INDIAN GIRL at VELVET JONES in Santa Barbara.
Fri, February 29, CAT POWER at THE WILTERN.
Sat, March 1, PLATINUM PIED PIPERS, SPACEK SOUND SYSTEM, BLU & EXILE at CRASH MANSION L.A.
Sat, March 1, THE RAVEONETTES at THE GLASSHOUSE in Pomona.
Sat, March 1, TALLY HALL at TROUBADOUR.
Sat, March 1, KCRW is MEDIA SPONSOR for GRIZZLY BEAR at WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL.
Tues, March 4, JIM BIANCO at HOTEL CAFÉ
Tues, March 4, THE RAVEONETTES at EL REY THEATER.
Wed, March 5, THE DUKE SPIRIT AND AFTERNOONS at THE ECHO.
Thurs, March 6, AM AND BUDDY at ZOEY'S CAFE in Ventura.
Fri, March 7, BALKAN BEAT BOX at EL REY THEATER.
Fri, March 7, DELTA SPIRIT at TROUBADOUR.
Fri, March 7, DIVISION DAY at SPACELAND.
Fri, March 7, THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA at KNITTING FACTORY.
Sat, March 8, HOTEL CAFÉ TOUR featuring Ingrid Michaelson, Cary Brothers, Greg Laswell, Kate Havnevik, Jessie Baylin and Jim Bianco at HOUSE OF BLUES, ANAHEIM.
Sat, March 8, KCRW is MEDIA SPONSOR for GRIZZLY BEAR at WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL.
Mon, March 10, ED HARCOURT at ECHOPLEX.
Tues, March 11, AM WITH BUDDY, MEIKO and others at HOTEL CAFÉ.
Tues, March 11, AMP FIDDLER at TEMPLE BAR.
Wed, March 12, KCRW?s SXSW SHOWCASE: THE DUKE SPIRIT, THE TING TINGS, DIVISION DAY, JESCA HOOP, GOLDSPOT, SALT & SAMOVAR AT BUFFALO BILLIARDS in AUSTIN, TX.
Sat, March 15, RAMP, THE REBIRTH, BOOGALOO ASSASINS at CRASH MANSION L.A.
Mon, March 17, KINKY at HOUSE OF BLUES ? ANAHEIM.
Tues, March 18, KINKY at THE MAYAN.
Sat, March 22, MR. SCRUFF at EL REY THEATER.
Sat, March 22, KINKY at SOHO in Santa Barbara.
Mon, March 24, BELLX1 at TROUBADOUR.
Tues, March 25, STEVE EARLE at UCLA?s ROYCE HALL.
Tues, March 25, JIM WHITE at SILENT MOVIE THEATER.
Tues, March 25, JOSE GONZALEZ at THE WILTERN.
Wed, March 26, TOKYO POLICE CLUB at TROUBADOUR.
Thurs, March 27, DANIEL LANOIS film ?HERE IS WHAT IS? screening and live performance at VISTA THEATRE.
Sun, March 30, THE BLACK KEYS at GLASSHOUSE in Pomona.
Thurs, April 3, A FINE FRENZY at THE ROXY.
Sat, April 5, ANI DI FRANCO at THE ORPHEUM.
Thurs, April 10, AM at HOTEL CAFE.
Sat, April 12, HOTEL CAFE TOUR featuring INGRID MICHAELSON, CARY BROTHERS, MEIKO, JESCA HOOP, PRISCILLA AHN, GREG LASWELL, JESSIE BAYLIN, WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS, AND JIM BIANCO at the MUSIC BOX AT THE HENRY FONDA THEATER.
Sun, April 13, MORCHEEBA at THE MUSIC BOX AT THE HENRY FONDA THEATER.
Wed, April 16, EELS at EL REY THEATER.
Thurs, April 17, TIFT MERRITT at TROUBADOUR.
Thurs, April 24, CARIBOU at EL REY THEATER.
Mon, April 28, COLIN MELOY at THE MUSIC BOX AT HENRY FONDA THEATER.
Fri, May 16, SALT AND SAMOVAR at HOTEL CAFÉ.
Tues, May 20, CLINIC at TROUBADOUR.
Fri, April 30, LADYTRON at MUSIC BOX AT THE HENRY FONDA THEATER.
Sun, June 8, BRAD MEHLDAU TRIO at EL REY THEATER.

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Check out our upcoming guests and go see some live music while you’re at it! Upcoming KCRW Presents shows below.

Morning Becomes Eclectic Guests (Listen live at 11:15am PST)

Tues, February 19 -- Meiko

Wed, February 20 -- Yoav

Thurs, February 2 -- Liam Finn

Wed, February 27 -- Grizzly Bear

Fri, February 29 -- Chan Marshall aka Cat Power

KCRW.COM PRESENTS

Sat, February 16, LOS AMIGOS INVISIBLES at BLACK CAT in Washington D.C.
Wed, February 27, Presents DENGUE FEVER at THE EMPTY BOTTLE in Chicago.
Wed, February 27, KEREN ANN, DEAN & BRITTA at BLACK CAT in D.C.
Thurs, February 28, GREAT NORTHERN at POPSCENE in San Francisco.
Fri, February 29, KINKY at HIGHLINE BALLROOM in NYC.
Sat, March 1, DENGUE FEVER at BLACK CAT in D.C.
Tues, March 4, DENGUE FEVER at MERCURY LOUNGE in NYC.
Wed, March 12, KCRW’s SXSW SHOWCASE: THE DUKE SPIRIT, THE TING TINGS, DIVISION DAY, JESCA HOOP, GOLDSPOT, SALT & SAMOVAR AT BUFFALO BILLIARDS in AUSTIN, TX.
Wed, March 19, SONS & DAUGHTERS at THE ROCK AND ROLL HOTEL in Washington D.C.
 
KCRW PRESENTS IN SO CAL

Fri, February 15, DJ SHADOW AND CUT CHEMIST at THE WILTERN.
Fri, February 15, VAN HUNT WITH DJ JEREMY SOLE at TEMPLE BAR.
Sat, February 16, LIAM FINN at SPACELAND.
Sat, February 16, BILAL, ORGONE at CRASH MANSION LA.
Mon, February 18, RICKIE LEE JONES at ECHOPLEX.
Tues, February, 19, KEREN ANN AND DEAN & BRITTA at EL REY THEATER.
Tues, February 19, MEIKO at HOTEL CAFÉ.
Tues, February, 19, VAN HUNT at TEMPLE BAR.
Thurs, February 21, WEST INDIAN GIRL at TROUBADOUR.
Fri, February 22, OZOMATLI at HOUSE OF BLUES – ANAHEIM.
Sat, February 23, OZOMATLI at HOUSE OF BLUES – ANAHEIM.
Mon, February 25, RICKIE LEE JONES at ECHOPLEX.
Tues, February 26, MISSY HIGGINS at EL REY THEATRE.
Wed, February  27, JULIA FORDHAM at THE ROXY.
Fri, February 29, CAT POWER at THE WILTERN.
Sat, March 1, PLATINUM PIED PIPERS, SPACEK SOUND SYSTEM, BLU & EXILE at CRASH MANSION L.A.
Sat, March 1, THE RAVEONETTES at THE GLASSHOUSE in Pomona.
Sat, March 1, KCRW is MEDIA SPONSOR for GRIZZLY BEAR at WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL.
Tues, March 4, JIM BIANCO at HOTEL CAFÉ
Tues, March 4, THE RAVEONETTES at EL REY THEATER.
Wed, March 5, THE DUKE SPIRIT AND AFTERNOONS at THE ECHO.
Fri, March 7, BALKAN BEAT BOX at EL REY THEATER.
Fri, March 7, DELTA SPIRIT at TROUBADOUR.
Fri, March 7, DIVISION DAY at SPACELAND.
Sat, March 8, HOTEL CAFÉ TOUR featuring Ingrid Michaelson, Cary Brothers, Greg Laswell, Kate Havnevik, Jessie Baylin and Jim Bianco at HOUSE OF BLUES, ANAHEIM.
Sat, March 8, KCRW is MEDIA SPONSOR for GRIZZLY BEAR at WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL.
Mon, March 10, ED HARCOURT at ECHOPLEX.
Sat, March 15, RAMP, THE REBIRTH, BOOGALOO ASSASINS at CRASH MANSION L.A.
Mon, March 17, KINKY at HOUSE OF BLUES – ANAHEIM.
Tues, March 18, KINKY at THE MAYAN.
Sat, March 22, MR. SCRUFF at EL REY THEATER.
Sat, March 22, KINKY at SOHO in Santa Barbara.
Mon, March 24, BELLX1 at TROUBADOUR.
Tues, March 25, STEVE EARLE at UCLA’s ROYCE HALL.
Tues, March 25, JOSE GONZALEZ at THE WILTERN.
Wed, March 26, TOKYO POLICE CLUB at TROUBADOUR.
Thurs, March 27, DANIEL LANOIS film “HERE IS WHAT IS” screening and live performance at VISTA THEATRE.
Sun, March 30, THE BLACK KEYS at GLASSHOUSE in Pomona.
Sat, April 5, ANI DI FRANCO at THE ORPHEUM.
Sat, April 12, HOTEL CAFE TOUR featuring INGRID MICHAELSON, CARY BROTHERS, MEIKO, JESCA HOOP, PRISCILLA AHN, GREG LASWELL, JESSIE BAYLIN, WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS, AND JIM BIANCO at the MUSIC BOX AT THE HENRY FONDA THEATER.
Sun, April 13, MORCHEEBA at THE MUSIC BOX AT THE HENRY FONDA THEATER.
Wed, April 16, EELS at EL REY THEATER.
Thurs, April 17, TIFT MERRITT at TROUBADOUR.
Thurs, April 24, CARIBOU at EL REY THEATER.
Mon, April 28, COLIN MELOY at THE MUSIC BOX AT HENRY FONDA THEATER.
Fri, May 16, SALT AND SAMOVAR at HOTEL CAFÉ.
Tues, May 20, CLINIC at TROUBADOUR.
Sun, June 8, BRAD MEHLDAU TRIO at EL REY THEATER.
 

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Lots of great bands in the studio AND live shows!

Morning Becomes Eclectic Guests (Listen live at 11:15am PST)

Tuesday, February 19 -- Meiko

Wednesday, February 20 -- Yoav

Thursday, February 21 -- Liam Finn

Wednesday, February 27 -- Grizzly Bear

KCRW.COM PRESENTS

Sat, February 16, LOS AMIGOS INVISIBLES at BLACK CAT in Washington D.C.
Wed, February 27, DENGUE FEVER at THE EMPTY BOTTLE in Chicago.
Wed, February 27, KEREN ANN, DEAN & BRITTA at BLACK CAT in D.C.
Thurs, February 28, GREAT NORTHERN at POPSCENE in San Francisco.
Fri, February 29, KINKY at HIGHLINE BALLROOM in NYC.
Fri, February 29, KINKY at HIGHLINE BALLROOM in NYC.
Sat, March 1, DENGUE FEVER at BLACK CAT in D.C.
Tues, March 4, DENGUE FEVER at MERCURY LOUNGE in NYC.

KCRW PRESENTS IN SO CAL

Thurs, February 14, WAS NOT WAS FEATURING BRIAN WILSON AND KRIS KRISTOFFERSON at ORPHEUM THEATRE.
Thurs, February 14, JOHNNIE NEWMAN at HOTEL CAFÉ.
Thurs, February 14, DJ SHADOW AND CUT CHEMIST at HOUSE OF BLUES – ANAHEIM.
Fri, February 15, DJ SHADOW AND CUT CHEMIST at THE WILTERN.
Fri, February 15, VAN HUNT at TEMPLE BAR.
Sat, February 16, LIAM FINN at SPACELAND.
Sat, February 16, BILAL, ORGONE at CRASH MANSION LA.
Mon, February 18, RICKIE LEE JONES at ECHOPLEX.
Tues, February, 19, KEREN ANN AND DEAN & BRITTA at EL REY THEATER.
Tues, February, 19, VAN HUNT at TEMPLE BAR.
Tues, February 19, WEST INDIAN GIRL at TROUBADOUR.
Thurs, February 21, WEST INDIAN GIRL at TROUBADOUR.
Fri, February 22, OZOMATLI at HOUSE OF BLUES – ANAHEIM.
Sat, February 23, OZOMATLI at HOUSE OF BLUES – ANAHEIM.
Mon, February 25, RICKIE LEE JONES at ECHOPLEX.
Tues, February 26, MISSY HIGGINS at EL REY THEATRE.
Wed, February  27, JULIA FORDHAM at THE ROXY.
Fri, February 29, CAT POWER at THE WILTERN.
Sat, March 1, PLATINUM PIED PIPERS, SPACEK SOUND SYSTEM, BLU & EXILE at CRASH MANSION L.A.
Sat, March 1, THE RAVEONETTES at THE GLASSHOUSE in Pomona.
Sat, March 1, KCRW is MEDIA SPONSOR for GRIZZLY BEAR at WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL.
Tues, March 4, THE RAVEONETTES at EL REY THEATER.
Fri, March 7, BALKAN BEAT BOX at EL REY THEATER.
Fri, March 7, DELTA SPIRIT at TROUBADOUR.
Sat, March 8, HOTEL CAFÉ TOUR featuring Ingrid Michaelson, Cary Brothers, Greg Laswell, Kate Havnevik, Jessie Baylin and Jim Bianco at HOUSE OF BLUES, ANAHEIM.
Sat, March 8, KCRW is MEDIA SPONSOR for GRIZZLY BEAR at WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL.
Sat, March 15, RAMP, THE REBIRTH, BOOGALOO ASSASINS at CRASH MANSION L.A.
Mon, March 17, KINKY at HOUSE OF BLUES – ANAHEIM.
Tues, March 18, KINKY at THE MAYAN.
Sat, March 22, MR. SCRUFF at EL REY THEATER.
Sat, March 22, KINKY at SOHO in Santa Barbara.
Tues, March 25, STEVE EARLE at UCLA’s ROYCE HALL.
Tues, March 25, JOSE GONZALEZ at THE WILTERN.
Wed, March 26, KCRW PRESENTS TOKYO POLICE CLUB at TROUBADOUR.
Thurs, March 27, DANIEL LANOIS film “HERE IS WHAT IS” screening and live performance at VISTA THEATRE.
Sun, March 30, THE BLACK KEYS at GLASSHOUSE in Pomona
Sat, April 12, HOTEL CAFE TOUR featuring INGRID MICHAELSON, CARY BROTHERS, MEIKO, JESCA HOOP, PRISCILLA AHN, GREG LASWELL, JESSIE BAYLIN, WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS, AND JIM BIANCO at the MUSIC BOX AT THE HENRY FONDA THEATER.
Thurs, April 17, TIFT MERRITT at TROUBADOUR.
Thurs, April 24, CARIBOU at EL REY THEATER.
Tues, May 20, CLINIC at TROUBADOUR.

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