If you’ve been tuned in On-Air today, you know that its a special time here at the station. We are listener supported Public Radio.
KCRW is one of just a handful of radio stations today that still champion and promote new talent. When you listen to a piece of music on KCRW it may be the very first time it’s been played on the air. It may wind up as the theme of a hit TV show. It may resurface in a popular movie. KCRW is the last station still standing …

Upcoming Live Performances on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC with host JASON BENTLEY
Tuesday, February 9, The soaring and ambitious music of Wild Beasts has been lauded by the BBC for its combination of theatrical falsettos and shimmering guitar work. We’ll find ourselves tamed by the UK band’s prowess when we are treated to a live session on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Wednesday, February 10, The Angelic sound of St. Vincent emanates from Annie Clark, a musician who lent her musical skills to the Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens before composing her own …

KCRW DJ Tom Schnabel will be doing a pre-concert lecture for Luciana Souza’s show at The Broad Stage TONIGHT, January 29. Here’s a brief preview:
Luciana Souza combines the best of both worlds — a Brazilian singer who grew up in a family surrounded by all the great bossanovistas (i.e. bossa nova artists) as well as a Berklee School of Music alumnus, steeped in all the best that the jazz world has to offer.  An extremely versatile musician, she’s equally at home with the challenging new work of Osvaldo Golijov as …

I’ve been a huge fan of the Fruit Bats for many years and their last CD, “Spelled in Bones,” is one of my very favorite albums.  It includes the swoon-worthy track “Earthquake of ‘73” which they played this morning on Morning Becomes Eclectic, along with an even older track from their album “Mouthfuls”, “When You Love Somebody,” which is featured in the movie “Youth In Revolt.”
Frontman Eric Johnson says the new album “The Ruminant Band” is a compendium of his life story from the time he toured in support of …

KCRW’s World Festival celebrates its 12th season with programs showcasing sounds from around the globe.  Created in partnership with the LA Phil, the 6 Sunday programs highlight established and rising artists from diverse backgrounds.
JUNE 20: Baaba Maal, Tinariwen, Fool’s Gold
Celebrated Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal delivers a rapturous live set fusing African and Western grooves. Tinariwen, legendary poet guitarists and soul rebels from the southern Sahara desert, make their long-awaited Bowl debut. Also making their debut is Echo Park-based collective Fool’s Gold. Additional artists to be announced.
JUNE 27: Goldfrapp
Orquesta Buena Vista …

Amy Krouse Rosenthal is an NPR contributor and bestselling children’s book author. She is also the creator of the international, interactive feature film project “The Beckoning of Lovely.” I found out about Lovely through a friend. She sent me a link to a You Tube video and I don’t want to ruin the surprise by telling you about it. Just check it out for yourself.
Amy spotlights a handful of Chicago musicians, including the indie artist she calls an “endless well of musical goodness,” and one Oklahoma band for good measure. …

French actress and chanteuse Charlotte Gainsbourg and Beck recorded a special session just for KCRW at Sunset Sound studios here in LA. This rare and exclusive session is the first time people can see the duo play their new material together live.  They also discuss the journey in making the new album, called “IRM,” and the themes behind it. Check out the full set here

KCRW TOP 50 FOR WEEK OF 1/25/2010
1 SPOON == Transference >> [Merge]
2 VAMPIRE WEEKEND == Contra >> [Xl]
3 GAINSBOURG, CHARLOTTE == Irm >> [Elektra/because]
4 RAE, CORINNE BAILEY == Sea >> [Capitol]
5 COLD WAR KIDS == Behave Yourself Ep >> [Downtown]
6 BEACH HOUSE == Teen Dream >> [Sub Pop]
7 NIKKI & RICH == Nikki & Rich >> [Reprise]
8 MASSIVE ATTACK == Heligoland >> [Virgin]
9 BIBIO == Apple & The Tooth >> [Warp Music]
10 QUADRON == Quadron >> [A:larm/attack]
11 SCOTT-HERON, GIL == I’m New Here >> [Xl]
12 JAMES, JOSE == Blackmagic >> …

DJ Gary Calamar reports back from the Midem Festival in France:
GC here in Cannes for the Midem Festival, where  music business representatives from around the world meet. I am doing a listening session with my friends from Zync Music about music for film and TV.
Highlights include a beautiful tribute dinner and concert in honor of the groundbreaking African singer Miriam Makeba, often referred to as Mama Afrika,  featuring a very moving performance by Angelique Kidjo.  I also had breakfast with Marshall Chess, from the legendary Chess Records, who, after a …

All of the wonderful artists in that subject line and more will be playing KCRW’s Official Showcases at SXSW. Yes, it’s that time already! We’re so excited about our lineup, we’re ready to put it out into the world now. Mark your calendars for WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17. If you’ll be in Austin, hopefully you’ll be spending the night with us:
KCRW’s Official Night Showcase – Wed, March 17
OZOMATLI
MIIKE SNOW
FANFARLO
CHOIR OF YOUNG BELIEVERS
SOKO
FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS
Also, KCRW is hosting an Official Day Showcase for the first time at the Convention Center on …