Music

Mdocu Moctar’s “Funeral for Justice” is a blend of desert blues and sociopolitical commentary about his West African home country of Niger.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Fanatic! I hope you had a great week. I’ve been working away on book projects and trying to keep it going. I’ve been getting some records played over the last few days. I liked these.

from Henry Rollins

Punk colossi Sleater-Kinney rip through cuts from their 11th album “Little Rope” and open up about grief, vulnerability, and their enduring 30-year career.

Sleater-Kinney Live from HQ: ‘Music is a lifeline you send out to other people’

Punk colossi Sleater-Kinney rip through cuts from their 11th album “Little Rope” and open up about grief, vulnerability, and their enduring 30-year career.

from Live From

Many touring musicians say they’re earning less than ever. How has the industry changed since COVID, and what strategies are some artists using to keep performing live?

Touring can be ‘impossible’ for musicians. LA’s Amo Amo is trying to make it work

Many touring musicians say they’re earning less than ever. How has the industry changed since COVID, and what strategies are some artists using to keep performing live?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Lost Notes examines the legacy of Reggie Andrews, a world-class musician, producer, and mentor who changed the lives of countless young musicians in South LA.

Do What You Want To Do: The Legacy of Reggie Andrews

Lost Notes examines the legacy of Reggie Andrews, a world-class musician, producer, and mentor who changed the lives of countless young musicians in South LA.

from Lost Notes

The Flaming Lips’ “The Soft Bulletin” is 25 years old. Critics have called it a rock masterpiece for the trippy experimental sounds and big, sweeping orchestral pieces.

Flaming Lips offered ‘antidote for cynicism’ with ‘The Soft Bulletin’

The Flaming Lips’ “The Soft Bulletin” is 25 years old. Critics have called it a rock masterpiece for the trippy experimental sounds and big, sweeping orchestral pieces.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Fanatic! June is here and so are the frogs. So glad to have them back.

KCRW Broadcast 791

Fanatic! June is here and so are the frogs. So glad to have them back.

from Henry Rollins

LA jazz-folk project South Hill Experiment perform cuts from new EP “South Hill & Friends” plus faves like “Chameleons” and “DREAMS!”

South Hill Experiment: KCRW Live from HQ

LA jazz-folk project South Hill Experiment perform cuts from new EP “South Hill & Friends” plus faves like “Chameleons” and “DREAMS!”

from Live From

Fanatic! I think it’s a holiday weekend. At the gym earlier, I saw on the news there will be millions of people on the road all over the USA. Please be careful out there.

KCRW BROADCAST 790

Fanatic! I think it’s a holiday weekend. At the gym earlier, I saw on the news there will be millions of people on the road all over the USA. Please be careful out there.

from Henry Rollins

Lost Notes celebrates the life of Ruth Dolphin, who went from being a terrified widow with four kids to the mother of an LA musical empire.

Dear Ruth: How Ruth Dolphin (Re-)Built a Musical Empire

Lost Notes celebrates the life of Ruth Dolphin, who went from being a terrified widow with four kids to the mother of an LA musical empire.

from Lost Notes

A new HBO docu-series looks at the rise of Stax Records. The label that boasted Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes couldn’t survive the cut-throat music industry.

Soul label Stax Records couldn’t break through to white America

A new HBO docu-series looks at the rise of Stax Records. The label that boasted Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes couldn’t survive the cut-throat music industry.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Fanatic! I hope you had a great week. I’ve been at the desk working away on things and trying to get in as much listening as possible.

KCRW BROADCAST 789

Fanatic! I hope you had a great week. I’ve been at the desk working away on things and trying to get in as much listening as possible.

from Henry Rollins

Ana Tijoux returns with the lush pop balladry and incisive, Spanish-language bars of her 2024 LP “Vida.”

Ana Tijoux: KCRW Live from HQ

Ana Tijoux returns with the lush pop balladry and incisive, Spanish-language bars of her 2024 LP “Vida.”

from Live From

LA Philharmonic Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel talks about conducting Beethoven's only opera, plus his choice to start leading the New York Philharmonic in 2026.

Conductor Gustavo Dudamel is soon off to NYC but says LA is home

LA Philharmonic Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel talks about conducting Beethoven's only opera, plus his choice to start leading the New York Philharmonic in 2026.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Fanatic. I hope you had a great week.

KCRW Broadcast 788

Fanatic. I hope you had a great week.

from Henry Rollins

Though he hated being called a “producer,” Albini was behind albums by The Pixies and Nirvana. He helped create a D-I-Y, analog sound in rock music that influenced others.

Remembering Steve Albini: The storied artist who helped shape the sound of alt-rock

Though he hated being called a “producer,” Albini was behind albums by The Pixies and Nirvana. He helped create a D-I-Y, analog sound in rock music that influenced others.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Lost Notes presents a story about Soul Train, the Slauson Shuffle, and what’s lost – and found – when a regional dance suddenly belongs to the world.

Go with the Flow: Community, Virality, and the Politics of Dancing

Lost Notes presents a story about Soul Train, the Slauson Shuffle, and what’s lost – and found – when a regional dance suddenly belongs to the world.

from Lost Notes

Fanatic! I hope you had a great and music-filled week. Here’s a brief list records you might find of interest.

KCRW Broadcast 787

Fanatic! I hope you had a great and music-filled week. Here’s a brief list records you might find of interest.

from Henry Rollins

Rising Scottish producer Barry Can’t Swim brings stage show of cuts from his 2023 LP “When Will We Land?” (and beyond) to KCRW HQ.

Barry Can’t Swim: KCRW Live from HQ

Rising Scottish producer Barry Can’t Swim brings stage show of cuts from his 2023 LP “When Will We Land?” (and beyond) to KCRW HQ.

from Live From

Brian Eno pioneered “ambient music” and helped create the sounds of U2, David Bowie, and other rock stars. Multiple versions of a new documentary show his life and work.

New Brian Eno film comes in ‘a couple billion potential versions’

Brian Eno pioneered “ambient music” and helped create the sounds of U2, David Bowie, and other rock stars. Multiple versions of a new documentary show his life and work.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand