Photographer Mick Rock will be making an appearance in LA this week, taking portraits at the launch of the John Varvatos shop in Bloomingdales at Santa Monica Place (details below). We asked him to tell us about some of his favorite photos:

A) Iggy Pop: From the ‘Raw Power’ cover session. La Scala, King’s Cross London July 1972. Very similar to the actual cover, but probably taken a second later. In this one his head is turned slightly more to the front.
B) Queen 2 album cover. It was inspired by a …

KCRW is happy to offer up the solo debut from Travis frotnman Fran Healy as part of our Album Preview series. Listen here
More from DJ Eric J Lawrence:
Fran Healy “Wreckorder” (Rykodisc)
Scottish rockers Travis have long been a KCRW favorite, appearing on Morning Becomes Eclectic numerous times.  Bandleader Fran Healy has even served as something of a music scout for us, introducing then-music director Nic Harcourt to Coldplay during a visit in 2000.  But most of all Travis has been an inspiration, demonstrating what chart-topping but critically-acclaimed British alternative rock can …

During our most recent pledge drive there was one song that kept popping up on playlists – Aloe Blacc’s “I Need a Dollar.” While the lyrics definitely suited the situation, it was the excellent vibe that made us all want to hear it over and over again.
The song is one of the highlights off his latest full length, “Good Things,” which bathes some current concerns about the state of the world in the sound of vintage soul.
The album is out today on local label Stones Throw and is chock full …

I still haven’t figured out my costume for this year but I know where I’m going to be on Saturday, October 30 – KCRW’s Masquerade Ball! Tickets went on sale at 10am this morning and it’s a special advance pre-sale with tickets at a lower price than you will find closer to the date. They sold out last year so early ticket purchasing is a really good idea. For the commitment-phobic types, here’s what we have in store:

-5 uniquely themed rooms at the legendary Park Plaza

-13 KCRW …

Sometimes it’s great to go to a concert and JUST be a fan. Not someone who works in the music industry, not someone documenting every moment with a cell phone so your friends know you were there – JUST a fan.
Last night I was just that at the Black Keys’ sold out show at the Palladium. Ever since the Akron, OH duo of Patrick Carney and Dan Auerbach performed in KCRW’s studios in 2008 (they visited in 2003 as well), they’ve been one of my favorite bands.
I know these are …

Playing on Prefix is a feature on KCRW’s Music Blog where writers from the eclectic music site Prefix hip you to what’s coming out of their computer speakers this week.
The fall of the music industry hasn’t just hit the major studios; it’s also been hard on the industry within individual cities, even those with as rich a musical history as Chicago. Justin Sinkovich, the frontman of Poison Arrows, is a veteran of Chicago’s music business — he founded Epitonic.com, which was recently relaunched to much acclaim — and has every reason …

Upcoming Live Performances on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC with host JASON BENTLEY
Wednesday, September 29, British producer Jamie Lidell is a chameleon, sliding into neo-soul songs as easily as he slices through spacey folk-blues. He’ll share his talents with Morning Becomes Eclectic listeners, tune in at 11:15am.
Thursday, September 30, After years of enjoying songs from North Carolina’s Avett Brothers, we’re proud to feature a live session on Morning Becomes Eclectic with the group. If their new record is any indication– it promises to be stellar. Join us at …

KCRW is streaming KT Tunstall’s latest as part of our Album Preview series. Listen here
From KCRW Music Director Jason Bentley:
I’ll never forget coming upon a young KT Tunstall performing on late night TV years ago – this petite Scottish girl performing as a one-woman band; playing guitar, triggering samples, and live percussion in a storm of musical coordination. There was a folky innocence to her that was inspiring, and I remember staving off sleep to pay closer attention.
On her third full-length studio album Tiger Suit, we hear a matured artist, …

KCRW DJ Chris Douridas discovered singer Lucy Schwartz because she happened to live in his neighbourhood and her dad made sure to get a CD in his hands.
Check out “Graveyard”
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
He was immediately smitten with her talent and before you know it, the high schooler had one of her songs in Shrek Forever After (which Chris was a music consultant for).
She is now celebrating the release of her album “Life in Letters” with a live performance at Bardot as part of Chris’ weekly residency “ …

Over the weekend I read the fantastic LA Weekly cover story on the return of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. But as Elvira’s alter ego Cassandra Peterson pointed out – she’s never been away! In fact, she stopped by KCRW a couple years ago to participate in the Guest DJ Project, sharing some incredible stories from her time as a Vegas Showgirl and hanging with the White Stripes. (she also returned a few days later with her daughter in tow to check out a live performance from MGMT).  A true …