Nashville charmer Tristen brought along her Buddy (yes, a guitarist named Buddy) to play a delightful set of tunes which included our favorites – “Matchstick Murder”, “Baby Drugs”, and “Eager for Your Love” – as well as a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Wildflowers”. Hearing Tristen sing it, I really got to focus on the lyrics…
I uprooted myself from home ground and left
Took my dreams and I took to the road
When a flower grows wild, it can always survive
Wildflowers don’t care where they grow
I have a feeling Tristen really connects to …

Upcoming Live Performances on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC with host JASON BENTLEY
Thursday, May 19, Nashville newcomer Tristen charmed the audience at our SXSW showcase earlier this year and is certainly an artist to keep an eye on. The twangy rocker joins Morning Becomes Eclectic to perform catchy tracks from her debut at 11:15am.
Friday, May 20, Oklahoma’s Other Lives have just put the finishing touches on a truly sensational sophomore release. Lush and haunting, we’ll hear it come to life when they perform in our magical studios on Morning Becomes Eclectic at …

I can’t think of a more perfect band to play a live set on Friday the 13th. Cold Cave stopped by on Friday in support of their second release on Matador Records, “Cherish the Light Years.” The main difference from their debut according to frontman Wesley Eisold? Recording in a studio vs. recording in a bedroom.
The beautiful thing about synthpop is that is CAN be made in a bedroom but, what’s great about Cold Cave’s new songs is that they still maintain all that moody darkness but sound like they …

The Low Anthem’s beautifully mournful music swept us all away Monday morning. Their live Morning Becomes Eclectic set showed a group of true musicians playing a wide variety of instruments – a saw, a pump organ and… a charm bracelet.
Actually the bracelet is just an accessory worn by singer Ben Knox Miller for good luck, a jangly string of bells and more. But the point is still the same – their unique instrumentation is what makes their hauntingly beautiful songs stand out. And their togetherness. For “Love and Altar”, they …

Upcoming Live Performances on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC with host JASON BENTLEY

Monday, May 9, Rhode Island band The Low Anthem entice listeners with hauntingly beautiful songs as their pump organ sighs, their bowed saw warbles and songs are sung in enchanted whispers on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Thursday, May 12, Afrobeat prince Femi Kuti brings his big band The Positive Force for a live session celebrating his new release, Africa for Africa on
Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Friday, May 13, Cold Cave unleash live versions from their synth pop opus …

From KCRW Volunteer Taryn Olsen

I had the pleasure of talking to some of the people waiting in line to get into The Boxer Rebellion’s sold out night at The Roxy on Saturday. It was clear that the line of happy ticket holders were very excited at the prospect of getting to see The Boxer Rebellion, who are famous for being remarkable in live performance. There was an unmistakable buzz in the air that evening that could also be felt in the station this morning for their …

Upcoming Live Performances on Morning Becomes Eclectic with host Jason Bentley.
Monday, May 2, The Boxer Rebellion‘s songs are sweeping, epic, and totally unique – even cinematic.  KCRW was the first to play their music in the U.S. and now they return to perform songs from their excellent new release on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Thursday, May 5, We’ll celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style with Nortec Collective’s Bostich & Fussible. They’ll meld traditional Mexican sounds with electronica on Morning Becomes Eclectico at 11:15am.
Friday, May 6, Music legend Robbie Robertson showcases …

From KCRW Volunteer Taryn Olsen
I first heard about Jessica Lea Mayfield in an interview on NPR.  At the tender age of 21, Jessica completely enchanted me in her interview and conducted herself with maturity beyond her years as she spoke of growing older and being “less susceptible to heartache” even though she admitted to being a magnet for bad dudes.
For weeks afterward I fielded calls here at the station from people wanting to know about the singer that was featured during “that show this weekend” on NPR. It seemed she …

From KCRW Volunteer Taryn Olsen

This morning on Morning Becomes Eclectic, Jason Bentley complimented The Royal Bangs on the nice live sound captured on their new album “Flux Outside,” noting that he liked the way it didn’t sound overly produced. The band graciously accepted the compliment and deferred to the warm, homey space in their home-town of Knoxville, Tennessee where they were able to record.

While it’s true that recording spaces greatly influence the overall sound that ends up on an album, the great …

From KCRW Intern Monika Scott
This morning, the delicate, folksy guitar playing of Richard Thompson filled the halls of KCRW.  He has been named by Rolling Stone as one of the 20 best guitar players of all time and that was very clear in his live set with Jason Bentley this morning.  I couldn’t help but feel myself moving my shoulders to the songs, ultimately causing me to tear myself away from my computer poke my head into the (packed) control room to get a first-hand peek.  The warmth of his …