Right out of the gate, Jason Bentley had to ask Zach Rogue why he chose to do a project outside of Rogue Wave, which has been together since 2002. His answer was simple, he wanted to make something stripped down, bare bones, that focused on  singing.
Rogue Wave takes time assembling songs and he wanted to track it quickly, with as few overdubs as possible, to capture the emotion of the songs rather than specific sound.
He also wanted to make a record with a female counterpart voice, and he had Caitlin …

Some albums have great artistic merit but I listen to them 5 times and I don’t need to hear it ever again. Then there are just some albums that are so listenable. They don’t necessarily create a new genre or blow your mind with artistry, but are so solid and good that you listen over and over again.
“Come Back to Us“, the new album from Rogue Wave frontman Zach Rogue is one of those albums. He recorded it under the moniker Release the Sunbird, which is pretty fitting since it is …

Nada Surf’s latest album is dedicated entirely to covers and we found out how it all came about this morning. Apparently keyboardist Louie Lino bought a recording studio and talked the band into recording an album there in exchange for going back out on the road to tour behind their last full length, the excellent album “Lucky.”
As Matthew Caws told DJ Chris Douridas, a covers record was a good compromise – “all the fun of recording without the pressure of writing.” They decided on the songs by just hanging out …

Rogue Wave played a bunch of songs from their excellent new record “Permalight” this morning. Jason asked Zach Rogue whether he felt it was their best yet and he answered that it was “miraculous.” As many know, the band has suffered some serious hardships in their history, including major health problems that left Zach unable to play guitar for a period of months. When he was able to finally pick up the instrument again, he wrote a bunch of upbeat, optimistic songs. He proclaimed today that they’ll have to “kill …

Upcoming Live Performances on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC with host JASON BENTLEY
Monday, April 26, Josh Rouse‘s perfectly crafted pop songs get a Latin twist on his new album. Enjoy a globe-trotting musical journey when Josh Rouse performs live on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Tuesday, April 27, Mexican singer/songwriter Julieta Venegas established herself in the late 90′s as a cutting-edge Latin Alternative artist. Since then she’s expanded her appeal and fanbase as an international star with a stunning pop appeal. Julieta Venegas returns to KCRW studios for a live performance and …

Upcoming Live Performances on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC with host JASON BENTLEY
Monday, April 19, Sigur Ros frontman Jonsi brings the joyful sound of his solo project to Morning Becomes Eclectic listeners at 11:15am.
Tuesday, April 20, Australian artists The Temper Trap have taken the U.S. by storm with their yearning vocals and grand guitars. Their live show blew everyone away at SXSW and we’ll experience it on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Wednesday, April 21, Vocal acrobat Pepi Ginsberg has made a fan out of our own Henry Rollins, among many others. Hear …

Upcoming Live Performances on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC with host JASON BENTLEY
Wednesday, April 14, Mad Professor is a leading producer in dub and reggae music who’s lent his golden touch to Sade and Massive Attack. He’s released hundreds of original recordings and will treat us to some songs live on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.
Thursday, April 15, Jose James has dazzled critics and audiences alike with his rich baritone voice and deft combination of soul, hip-hop and jazz. He makes a rare Los Angeles appearance to perform live on Morning Becomes …

KCRW TOP 50 FOR WEEK OF 03/29/2010
1 BROKEN BELLS == Broken Bells >> [Sony]
2 GORILLAZ == Plastic Beach >> [Virgin]
3 BONOBO == Black Sands >> [Ninja Tune]
4 SHE & HIM == Volume 2 >> [Merge]
5 ROGUE WAVE == Permalight >> [Brushfire]
6 XX == Xx >> [Xl]
7 LOCAL NATIVES == Gorilla Manor >> [Frenchkiss]
8 SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA == Rising Sun >> [Strut Records]
9 GROOVE ARMADA == Black Light >> [Om]
10 LOW ANTHEM == Oh My God Charlie Darwin >> [Nonesuch]
11 GONJASUFI == Sufi & A Killer >> [Warp]
12 CODEINE VELVET CLUB == …

SXSW is over.  It took me an eternity to get home.  I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus.  But — what an amazing 5 days of music!  It’s rare that I get to be in a time and place where my only obligation (in between radio shows) is to see as much music as possible.
SXSW is a remarkable music festival because its key is community and enthusiasm.  Being together with thousands of people who just want to immerse themselves in music is quite remarkable.  Yes, there were music …

A lot of listeners have been asking me how you can attend KCRW events in Austin during the SXSW music conference if you can’t afford a badge or a wristband. The good news is, its easier than ever this year!
While our official night showcase on Wednesday, March 17 with Ozomatli, Miike Snow, Fanfarlo, Fitz & the Tantrums, Choir of Young Believers & Soko is only open to badgeholders and wristbands, we have a special promotion for our Saturday, March 20 showcase at the Convention Center with Rogue Wave, The Middle …