628 posts tagged “kcrw.com”

Tim Robbins

Did you know Tim Robbins’ father was a singer in a popular folk group? Neither did I! The actor has music in his blood and dropped by our studios to talk about how much it has defined his life – from the song his mother sang to him as a child to a track about the stark realities of “adult” love. He also pays tribute to his time living in LA, where he founded one of the city’s most accomplished theatrical institutions, The Actor's Gang. They are currently hosting a series of both free and fundraising events called the WTF Festival.

Hear the full set here

RR

KCRW TOP 50 FOR WEEK OF 11/03/2009

  1 AIR == Love 2 >> [Astralwerks]
  2 TWILIGHT - NEW MOON == Ost - Music By Thom Yorke, Grizzly Bear >> [Atlantic]
  3 BANHART, DEVENDRA == What Will We Be >> [Warner Bros.]
  4 ZERO 7 == Yeah Ghost >> [Atlantic]
  5 QUADRON == Quadron >> [A:larm/attack]
  6 BROWN, VV == Travelling Like The Light >> [Island Uk]
  7 MASSIVE ATTACK == Splitting The Atom Ep >> [Virgin]
  8 ATLAS SOUND == Logos >> [Kranky/4ad]
  9 LITTLE DRAGON == Machine Dreams >> [Peacefrog]
10 BUILD AN ARK == Love Part 1 >> [Kindred Spirits]
11 VALADEZ, ANTHONY == Audio Visual >> [Recordbreakin]
12 ASTATKE, MULATU == New York - Addis - London >> [Strut]
13 KINGS OF CONVENIENCE == Declaration Of Dependence >> [Astralwerks]
14 JOGGER == This Great Pressure >> [Magical Properties]
15 BIG STAR == Keep An Eye On The Sky >> [Rhino]
16 NDEGEOCELLO, MESHELL == Devil's Halo >> [Mercer Street]
17 MIDDLE EAST == Recordings Of The Middle East >> [Spunk]
18 HEAVY == House That Dirt Built >> [Counter]
19 FOOL'S GOLD == Fool's Gold >> [Self Release]
20 TEGAN & SARA == Sainthood >> [Sire]
21 ORCHESTRE POLY RYTHMO DE COTONOU == Echos Hypnotiques - Vol 2 >> [Analog Africa]
22 SWELL SEASON == Strict Joy >> [Anti]
23 FARRAR & GIBBARD == One Fast Move Or I'm Gone >> [Atlantic]
24 RODRIGO Y GABRIELA == 11:11 >> [Ato]
25 MAAL, BAABA == Television >> [Palm Pictures]
26 XX == Xx >> [Xl]
27 BIBIO == Ambivalence Avenue >> [Warp Music]
28 EL PERRO DEL MAR == Love Is Not Pop >> [Control Group]
29 SHAFIQ == Shafiq En A-free-ka >> [Plug Research]
30 GROOVE ARMADA == Groove Armada Ep >> [B-live]
31 MUM == Sing Along To Songs You Don't Know >> [Euphono]
32 BLK JKS == After Robots >> [Secretly Canadian]
33 BASEMENT JAXX == Scars >> [Ultra]
34 FLORENCE & THE MACHINE == Lungs >> [Universal Island]
35 DO == Mouthful >> [Get Down]
36 TIMBER TIMBRE == Timber Timbre >> [Arts & Crafts]
37 FANFARLO == Reservoir >> [Self Release]
38 WASHED OUT == Life Of Leisure >> [Advance]
39 STONE, JOSS == Colour Me Free >> [Virgin]
40 TENOR & ALLEN == Inspiration Information >> [Strut]
41 STEVENS, SUFJAN == Bqe >> [Asthmatic Kitty]
42 LEE & HOPKINS == Fascinating Fingers >> [Ubiquity]
43 FLAMING LIPS == Embryonic >> [Warner Bros.]
44 SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS == Prince Of Peace Ep >> [Vagrant]
45 HARRIS, CALVIN == Ready For The Weekend >> [Ultra]
46 FORRO IN THE DARK == Light A Candle >> [Nublu Records]
47 LUSINE == Certain Distance >> [Ghostly International]
48 CORREATOWN == Demo >> [Advance]
49 MONSTERS OF FOLK == Monsters Of Folk >> [Shangri-la Music]
50 ZAZA == Cameo >> [Kanine]

Last year, Little Dragon sold out their first-ever show in LA. It was at the Roxy on Sunset and packed with hardcore fans. They didn’t even have an album out at the time, but a few KCRW DJs – Mathieu Schreyer and Garth Trinidad in particular -- were giving them steady spins and word spread fast that this Gothenberg band was one to watch. Their new album is a bit more electro and fast-paced, but still maintains the experimental minimalist mix that made the first one stand out – as well as Yukimi Nagano’s vocals, which add warmth and passion to the array of sounds. I’ve heard word that the band is working with TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek on a collaboration so keep an ear out for that. Also, Jason confirmed this morning that Yukimi and fantastic Swedish musician Jose Gonzalez are in fact a romantic couple and she told us he is working on a new album. Some exciting music news!

Check out this live set from Little Dragon.

RR

Check out photos from KCRW’s Masquerade event HERE and read this wrap up of the festivities!

There were lots of thrills, but surprisingly few Thrillers at KCRW’s Halloween party, Masquerade at the Park Plaza. Halloween is always exciting, but celebrating it in a gorgeous historic venue with KCRW DJ sets and live band performances made this a night to remember.  And did I mention there were food trucks?!?

The most striking thing about KCRW’s first ever Halloween party, other than the awesome music of course, was the incredible creativity of the costumes. I didn’t see a single Balloon Boy, Swine Flu, or Thriller-era Michael Jackson in the bunch. No, this group was far better than that. My favorites were a few couple’s costumes – brightly-colored jellyfish who swam through crowd, two gals dressed like the twins from “The Shining,” an Alice in Wonderland and a Mad Hatter and a big group inspired by “A Clockwork Orange.”  There was also a lamp (better than it sounds), a Tropicana showgirl, lots of vampires, a few Octomoms, actress Olivia Wilde as a Bloody Mary, complete with celery, many impressive hand drawn skeleton masks and a Santa who was pretty much mobbed most of the night by folks who seemed equally naughty and nice. Anne “Elvira” Litt lived up to her nickname as the sexy queen of the night and Liza Richardson truly was a “diva of death.” Garth Trinidad parted the crowds as Moses, Tom Schnabel was a sheik from the Middle East, and Eric J Lawrence went all the way as Teen Wolf, letterman’s jacket and all.

It was hard to stay in one place for more than a minute with so much going on in five rooms. The venue is not only beautiful and impressive architecturally, but it has a lot of history – as both the backdrop for many films and a dance club destination in the 80’s. The dancing ghosts were summoned to life last night, as if by Ray Parker Jr. himself, whether it was the captivating and haunting electronica of Gothenburg’s Little Dragon, the mixmaster DJ Shadow, or the DJs holding down the Grand Ballroom -- with Jason Bentley, Raul Campos, and Anthony Valadez on the turntables.  Anne and Liza kept the Terrace Room moving between sets from the very best of LA’s indie rock scene: first, a stunning jam from LA’s own Sea Wolf, in matching skeleton costumes. It was my first time hearing some of their new songs live and they absolutely killed it. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros have been drawing sold out crowds in their recent local shows and Halloween was no different. The room was PACKED with revelers joyfully blissed out on their feel-good vibes and folk-rock tunes. The hippie ensemble scored big with this crowd.

Last but not least, the food trucks! I sampled TWO myself, which is pretty impressive in one night. Since the Grilled Cheese Truck just launched this week, I thought I should sample the goods and was thrilled with my simple sharp cheddar. For a nightcap, I tried out the Border Grill for some delicious tacos. Korean mobile vendor Kogi also made an appearance, along with a couple trucks for those with a sweet tooth – gourmet cupcake bakers Sprinkles and Cool Haus ice cream sandwiches.

Overall it was an incredible evening. If you were there, we would love to hear your thoughts on it!

p.s.: your blogger RR was a Ghostbuster! Here I am with Santa.

KCRW_Masquerade_2009_RRw Santa

KCRW volunteer Shawniece Swain is a food truck pro so we asked for her take on tomorrow night’s event:

On Saturday,  KCRW celebrates Halloween with our first ever Costume Ball and Dance Party, Masquerade, at the legendary Park Plaza Hotel. The phenomenal line up of station DJs and live acts is more than enough reason to be excited, but the line up food trucks is proving to be just as exciting!
 
Providing yummy treats to hungry revelers will be trucks from KOGI BBQ, Border Grill, Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches, Sprinkles Cupcakes and a new entry from the Grilled Cheese Truck!

KOGI, a longtime station favorite, will be there with their amazing Korean BBQ and Border Grill will throw in a splash of Southwest. I'm ready for the all the TACO LOVE! Comfort food is now on the menu with the addition of the Grilled Cheese Truck. We are so excited to have them during their inaugural week and can't wait to try them out. To round out the dinning options Sprinkles will grace us with cupcakes while Coolhaus serves up the ice cream. I am going to be so full I don't know how I am going to dance…. But I will find a way!
 

KCRW’s online music channel Eclectic24 will be featuring a heavy dose of music for Halloween tomorrow so feel free to make it your party soundtrack. Also, our Music Librarian Eric J Lawrence got the party started with his show late Sunday night (midnight to 3a, technically Monday AM)

From Eric:

I’ve been doing a special Halloween edition of my show for over 10 years now, and it’s still lots of fun tracking down both the spooky and the kooky songs for the holiday.  They can range from the explicitly creepy (The Essex’s “Cemetery Stomp”) to the seasonally goofy (the late Soupy Sales’ “My Baby’s Got a Crush on Frankenstein”), and from the old school (Louis Armstrong’s “The Skeleton in the Closet”) to the contemporary (The Starlight Mints’ “Coffins ‘R’ Us”).  It’s an annual full-on spook-tacular!!!

Hear is in the archives here until the next show airs.

RR

Upcoming Live Performances on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC with host JASON BENTLEY

Monday, November 2, Pete Tong is one of the world's most recognized electronica DJs and a host on BBC Radio 1. We'll catch up on his favorite new tracks when he joins Jason Bentley to spin a song or two on Morning Becomes Eclectic in the 10 o'clock hour.

Monday, November 2, Port O'Brien earned their seafaring references the old fashioned way-- by spending summers in Alaskan canneries. The band played our SXSW showcase last year and we’re happy to welcome their on air debut on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.

Tuesday, November 3, Gothenberg's Little Dragon make their highly anticipated return to Los Angeles to perform at KCRW's first-ever Masquerade & Halloween Ball. They join us to play songs from their new album on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.

Friday, November 6, Fun and funky soul music from Fitz & The Tantrums makes breaking up sound good! The LA band will deliver a catchy set of songs for Morning Becomes Eclectic listeners at 11:15am.

Monday, November 9, If what we heard at KCRW’s free music series "Sounds Around Town" is any indication, Orgone will deliver a high energy, heavy hitting dance party to Morning Becomes Eclectic listeners at 11:15am.

Tuesday, November 10, Multi-platinum selling artist David Gray loves KCRW so much, he even dropped by for a performance on his wedding day years ago. We've had him back many times since and he joins Morning Becomes Eclectic for an intimate performance of songs from his latest release at 11:15am.

Friday, November 13, Columbian artists Bomba Estereo made a splash at this year’s Latin Alternative Music Conference. They combine Afro-Caribbean rhythms with electro, dub, hip hop and more for a sound they call "electro-tropical." Hear it live on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.

KCRW.COM PRESENTS

Fri, October 30, ART BRUT with PRINCETON AT CAFÉ DU NORD IN SAN FRANCISCO.
Wed, November 4, LITTLE DRAGON at THE INDEPENDENT in SAN FRANCISCO.
Tues, November 24, ROYKSOPP at WEBSTER HALL in NEW YORK.
Fri, December 11, FIERY FURNACES at THE MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG in NEW YORK CITY.

KCRW PRESENTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Sat, October 31, KCRW's MASQUERADE: A HALLOWEEN COSTUME BALL AND DANCE featuring Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Little Dragon, Sea Wolf, and KCRW DJ's spinning at LEGENDARY PARK PLAZA in DOWNTOWN, LA.
Thurs, November 5, MILTON NASCIMENTO AT THE CONGA ROOM.
Fri, November 6, FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS AT THE ECHO.
Tues, November 10, INARA GEORGE, ELENI MANDELL, FERRABY LIONHEART AT THE BOOTLEG THEATRE.
Thurs, November 12, ORGONE AT ZANZIBAR.
Thurs, November 12, BURAKA SOM SISTEMA AT THE MAYAN.
Sat, November 14, JENNY LEWIS & FRIENDS AT THE ACTOR’S GANG.
Wed, November 18, SWELL SEASON AT THE WILTERN.
Wed, November 18, ROYKSOPP AT CLUB NOKIA.
Wed, November 18, FORRO IN THE DARK at THE SOHO in Santa Barbara.
Thurs, November 19, FORRO IN THE DARK AT THE MINT.
Sat, November 21, FRIENDLY FIRES WITH THE XX AT THE MUSIC BOX AT THE HENRY FONDA.
Fri, November 20, FAT FREDDY’S DROP AT THE ROXY.
Sat, November 21, BEN GIBBARD & FRIENDS AT THE ACTOR’S GANG.
Sat, November 21, PETER BJORN AND JOHN with FOOL'S GOLD AND EL PERRO DEL MAR AT CLUB NOKIA.
Mon, November 23, EL PERRO DEL MAR  AT THE HOTEL CAFÉ.
Fri, November 27, JULIAN CASABLANCAS AT THE PALACE THEATRE.
Sat, December 5, SARA WATKINS AND TOM BROSSEAU AT LARGO AT THE CORONET.
Sat, December 12, BRETT DENNEN AT THE WILTERN.
Sat, December 12, JOHN DOE with JILL SOBULE AT THE ACTOR’S GANG.
Wed, December 16, ZERO 7 AT THE ORPHEUM.
Fri, January 8, SONIC YOUTH AT THE FOX THEATRE IN POMONA.
Sat, January 9, SONIC YOUTH AT THE WILTERN.

KCRW started spinning South London crooner Florence & The Machine well before the release of her critically lauded full length album “Lungs.” I remember when Nic Harcourt first played “Dog Days Are Over” and I couldn’t get it out of my head for weeks. I must have listened to it dozens of times – a pop anthem that was strong and feisty, with a great beat. This morning, Jason Bentley called Florence’s voice a “force of nature” and we were all pretty much floored by her “instrument,” especially that early in the morning. She stood still for most of the set, breaking out some wild dance moves only for the last two songs – “You've Got The Love” and “Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)”.  Florence hasn’t toured the U.S. much and is most definitely one to watch. Since her show tonight in LA is sold out, I highly recommend checking out this live set.

RR

I first saw Fool’s Gold in 2006 at a Hanukah event at Three Clubs in Hollywood. Since it’s primarily a bar, not a venue, I didn’t have high expectations. But before I knew it, I was standing right up in front and staying way longer than I planned. This morning, they proved why they’ve been media darlings lately – not just here in LA where they are based, but in NYC where they conquered CMJ and elsewhere. The band’s music is best described at joyous and it certainly is danceable, combining African melodies and beats with lyrics sung in Hebrew. It’s a cultural mish mash that works on every level and they are about to launch their first major U.S. tour. Be on the lookout!  

Check it out.

RR

For those of you who have not yet grabbed tickets to KCRW’s big Halloween benefit bash you are in luck! There are still some advance tickets available and we expect to have some for sale on Halloween night for all those procrastinators. Details are below.

The party will feature KCRW DJs on the decks alongside world-renowned turntabalist DJ Shadow, as well as live performances by buzz band Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Sweden’s Little Dragon and LA’s own Sea Wolf. Masquerade will be held on Saturday, October 31 from 9p to 2am at the Legendary Park Plaza in five-uniquely themed rooms.

Find out more about Masquerade here. Tickets will be available for purchase on that site until Saturday, October 31 at 4pm. KCRW’s box office will open at the front entrance of the Park Plaza at 7pm that night and will be CASH ONLY, first come-first served.

RR