From KCRW DJ Mario Cotto:
In their brief tenure as recording artists (less than 2 years,) DC’s Benoit & Sergio have already released a formidable series of 12”s and EPs on notable labels thesongsays, Spectral/Ghostly, Visionquest, and most recently, DFA.
Although technically they’d be labeled a minimalist techno-house outfit, Benoit & Sergio are actually doing something very exciting and altogether different.
Drawing narrative inspiration from songwriters like Leonard Cohen and The Beach Boys, B & S are making dance music that is working on various levels and compels you to really listen.
By creating …

Gold Panda had so much blog hype last year that I actually avoided listening to it for a while.  Sometimes the overwhelming words of praise scare me away and I prefer to wait and listen, even if I’m a little late to the party.
Well, guess what – the  UK producer and his debut full-length “Lucky Shiner” were totally deserving of all the attention.
DJ Mario Cotto did a great job of explaining why, so I won’t repeat it, but I will encourage you to listen to the album’s 3rd single “Marriage,” …

From KCRW DJ Mathieu Schreyer:
After a few critically-acclaimed releases on Wolf and Lamb, the soon to be Brown University graduate is back with a full length album on Circus Company called “Space is Only Noise.”
The 20-year-old New Yorker (by way of Chile) delivers an uncompromising manifesto on traces of the past, love lost, and specters of the future.
I feel like Nicolas’ music not only embraces all the music that I love and understand (jazz, soul, funk, hip hop, Latin, Ethiopian,  soulful electronic ), but also compliments them very well. Also, the …

Upcoming Live Performances on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC with host JASON BENTLEY
Monday, February 28, Los Angeles band Eulogies tackle the highs and lows of life on their new release, we’ll experience those new songs in a live setting on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Wednesday, March 2, The ladies who make up L.A.’s Warpaint have been getting a lot of attention and rave reviews for their music. KCRW DJs have been on the front lines sharing those songs and we can’t wait to hear them live on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Thursday, …

Three seemingly different artists came together on Saturday night to talk about what it means to have a career in music in 2011. But they have more in common than most people think –so much so that Raphael Saadiq, Moby and Dave Sitek (TV on the Radio/Maximum Balloon) were exchanging contact info after the event! It would be incredible if KCRW’s keynote at the Pop Conference inspired some collaborations but I’d be happy with just what we heard tonight – insightful knowledge and a great sense of humor about the …

Not only was everyone buzzing all week about Adele stopping by KCRW for Morning Becomes Eclectic but, since she played this morning, I’ve gotten tons of  emails, texts, etc… about how great she sounded. AND a ticket giveaway to see her tonight clogged up KCRW’s phone system! I don’t know if that has ever happened before. It’s a bit of an understatement to say there is a LOT of excitement for this artist.
The UK songstress made her third appearance on the show this morning to support her new release “21″ …

New music from indie rock favorites TV on the Radio is always something to get excited about. This week they unveiled “Will Do,” a track off their forthcoming full-length “Nine Types of Light” (out April 12 on Interscope).
TV On The Radio – “Will Do” by Interscope Records
Since TVOTR’s last release, 2008’s “Dear Science”, founding member Dave Sitek has been busy with a bunch of side projects – from his very danceable release as Maximum Balloon (including my fave, “Groove Me” with Theophilus London) to his work as a producer …

A friend posted this on Facebook and I had to share. Happy Friday everyone!

From KCRW DJ Anne Litt:
It’s “Oscar week” here in Hollywood.  The town is buzzing, all the streets are blocked off (I live near the Kodak Theater), and the KCRW Oscar pool is in full effect.  I confess that every year, I go to Oscar parties not so much for the actual awards, but to see friends and have dinner!
This year, I am looking forward to one category in particular though. Nominated for Best Actor is Colin Firth and, last fall I had the privilege of hosting him on KCRW’s Guest …

Randy Newman is a pretty recognizable figure. So much so, that we have a photo of him in our hallway — with his back to the camera, facing a piano – and EVERYONE who walks through here knows who it is.

The other day I had one of those magical KCRW moments where I happened upon Randy looking at his own photo (see above). The legendary composer was here to talk about his Oscar nomination (for Toy Story 3) with Kim Masters for The Business.
He also shot a short video for …