I think it’s pretty safe to say that with the recent announcement of KCRW’s 2017 slate of Summer Nights, our collective music-enjoying futures are looking very bright. To get things started on the live band front we have Chico Mann & Captain Planet. These guys are both long time KCRW favorites whose recent collaboration has us swooning. The dynamic duo will be joined by a full band (HELL YES) in Old Town Pasadena’s One Colorado courtyard on Saturday, June 3rd. Yours truly will be on the decks all night as well. Party time! Excellent!!
*note you can get a live preview on Morning Becomes Eclectic Friday, June 2nd*
Chicano Batman will rock the same stage two weeks later on Saturday, June 17th with Anthony Valadez providing the rest of the sounds to make you get down.
And that’s just Pasadena! Your favorite KCRW DJs will be popping up for free events all over Los Angeles and beyond; from Chinatown to Anaheim to Santa Barbara. We’ve also added new DJ events this year at Union Station, and the California African American Museum. Check out the full line-up here, and keep checking back as we’ll be announcing even more bands and DJs in the weeks to come.
Now, for music that you can enjoy right this very minute… allow me to share a few of my current favorite tracks.
Grizzly Bear – “Mourning Sound”
If lead single “Three Rings” from Grizzly Bear’s forthcoming album Painted Ruins lured you gently back into their hazy, yet impeccably constructed sonic world, the follow up “Mourning Sound” is here to remind you that they also have the capability to drop you immediately into the center of the action. Lyrically this one may conjure up some dark/deep thought provoking imagery – musically, it’s exactly what you want playing over and over in your head as you embark on various weekend adventures.
Phoenix – “Ti Amo”
The title track/second single from Phoenix’s highly anticipated new record is giving me flashbacks of classics like “If I Ever Feel Better,” and “1901”; while pushing their sound ever deeper into the heart of the nightlife. Even the “Buzzcocks on the jukebox” reference comes across as pretty damn endearing.
Monogem – “Gone”
LA artist Monogem released her second EP 100% today, and I am so deeply into it. Particularly the closing track “Gone.” It’s an empowering, club friendly breakup jam that – if there’s any justice in this world – will one day take it’s rightful place alongside Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own.”