From KCRW DJ Chuck P:
I’m a little late to the game with Maps & Atlases.  The Chicago-based group have been around since the mid 00′s, but I didn’t start paying close attention until I received their debut full length album, Perch Patchwork, on Barsuk records.  Imagine TV On The Radio covering Tom Waits, and you’re close.  What rings immediate are Dave Davidson’s vocals.  Sultry and soulful without sounding contrived, especially on the song, “Solid Ground.”
Maps & Atlases – Solid Ground
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
While artists like Dirty Projectors …

KCRW’s Raul Campos is hitting the East Coast next week to host the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC). KCRW is the radio sponsor for the event and Raul will be hosting the festivities — including a bunch of free shows – as well broadcasting from New York City with special guests on July 8 and 9.
LAMC includes showcases, panels and a BUNCH of free shows: LAMC’s Central Park SummerStage and Celebrate Brooklyn showcases are FREE and open to the public. Artists range from Chilean hip hop artist Ana …

KCRW TOP 50 FOR WEEK OF 06/28/2010
1 MONAE, JANELLE == Archandroid >> [Bad Boy/wondaland]
2 CHEMICAL BROTHERS == Further >> [Astralwerks]
3 JORGE, SEU & ALMAZ == Seu Jorge & Almaz >> [Stones Throw]
4 BLACK KEYS == Brothers >> [Nonesuch]
5 STARS == Five Ghosts >> [Vagrant]
6 TAME IMPALA == Innerspeaker >> [Modular]
7 SIA == We Are Born >> [Monkey Puzzle/jive]
8 LCD SOUNDSYSTEM == This Is Happening >> [Dfa/virgin]
9 ARCADE FIRE == Suburbs – Sampler >> [Merge]
10 ORGONE == Cali Fever >> [Ubiquity]
11 JUNIP == Rope & Summit Ep >> [Mute]
12 LIDELL, JAMIE …

After years of airplay we finally landed New Zealand’s Fat Freddy’s Drop for a live performance and they thoroughly brightened a gloomy Los Angeles day. Their songs are definitely island music, a mix of reggae, soul and dub.  They are big fans of jamming and improvisation and told Jason the band has been together for 10 years and only started rehearsing to do shows in America! They were a fun bunch and kicked off the set with two KCRW favorites, “Pull the Catch” and “The Raft.” Check out the full …

Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno “Dog With A Rope” is available streaming now through KCRW’s Album Preview series!

KCRW DJ Eric J Lawrence tells you why you should take a listen!
Quantic, aka Will Holland, is a restless individual.  Born in the UK, he travels the globe with his music, although he now lives in Colombia.  His sound can’t be pinned down — incorporating funk, salsa, soul, reggae, jazz, bossa nova and dance music.  He has as many side projects as days of the week, and he has collaborated with …

We’ve been loving the psychedelic, druggy, dreamy sounds of Tame Impala and finally Angelenos get a chance to see them live. I was lucky enough to witness their first ever LA show last night at The Echo and the place was packed and buzzing with excitement. The Aussies did not disappoint. In fact, it was so good I’m tempted to go check them out again tonight at the Silverlake Lounge!
I’m sure the line will be around the block so get there early if you plan on going. You might even …

This week it begins! And we’re excited to announce a new addition to the line up — the special guests on July 15 have been revealed as none other than The Heavy.  Fresh off touring with Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, this aptly named U.K. quartet performs a fiery stew of soul, funk, reggae and blues with a British twist.
KCRW is thrilled to present the Hammer Museum’s free music series this year. It almost always reaches capacity so early arrival is highly recommend. And, even better, card-carrying KCRW members …

Sharon Jones and her all star band were so tight this morning, we were all in awe watching them work up a funk/soul masterpiece at such an early hour. The interview is also a hoot, as Sharon talks about her influence on younger musicians and why you should never mess with her (she used to be a prison guard!).
The Dap Kings raw power and rhythmic swagger is untouchable and they get better and better every year/record. I first saw the band at the Knitting Factory  (RIP) many years ago. Sharon …

A lot of people send me music, but when I got an email from locals Line and Circle on Friday, I was instantly impressed with the track attached and sent it on to Anne Litt, who played “Radio, You Let Me Down” on her show over the weekend. 
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
The band finishes up a month-long June residency at Silverlake Lounge TONIGHT, June 28. They just finished recording songs with Joey Waronker (REM, Beck, Thom Yorke) on board as producer. They’re selling the new music at …

One Colorado in Pasadena was jampacked on Saturday evening for a free set from locals Everest.  It was a perfect warm summer night to spend outside in Old Town, which was already bustling with people enjoying the day. The audience filled every nook and cranny of the courtyard – as the crowd grew they all just cozied in together on the sides of the courtyard, sitting on all the steps, standing on the balcony.
It was a really special night and we’re hearing the message loud and clear — everyone seems …