From KCRW DJ Garth Trinidad:
I have a penchant for rock music that incorporates heavy percussion, interesting melody and chord changes, hushed methods of electronic programming and effects, and girls at the helm.
As a lover of music, I’ve always loved what the ladies bring to the table. There are certain emotional spirits that women are able to conjure more easily than men (no disrespect to former members Josh and David).
I call it lady voodoo.
Warpaint’s lady voodoo has been apparent since their formation in 2004. Since then, they’ve released an EP …

There are an impressive number of local bands on NME’s recently released “50 Best New Bands of 2010” list. Ten out of 50 are from LA, and many of them are favorites here at KCRW.
We recently hosted a live performance with Active Child on Morning Becomes Eclectic, while Kisses, Foster the People and Best Coast have all been featured as “Local Bands We Love” here on KCRW’s Music Blog. Also making the list are Avi Buffalo and Warpaint, as well as Zola Jesus (a favorite of DJ Mario Cotto’s), …

Yeasayer and Warpaint headlined the second night of First Fridays 2010, held at the Natural History Museum. Here are some photos, courtesy of Jeremiah Garcia, and a great write up from our friends at Spinner.

Yeasayer and Warpaint headline Natural History Museum’s First Fridays tomorrow night, February 5 from 5:30 to 10:30pm. The monthly lecture and music series is presented by KCRW. Yeasayer’s sophomore release “Odd Blood” is already getting heavy spins at the station, while excellent local band Warpaint will be releasing their debut shortly on Rough Trade. Resident DJ Them Jeans (Jason Stewart) will spin throughout the evening along with headliner DJ Ana Calderon.
Advance tickets are sold out, but there will be some available at the door.
ARRIVE EARLY! Especially if you want …

Yeasayer describe themselves on MySpace as “Enya with Bounce“ but really their sound is influenced by Pan-African and Middle Eastern music and they honed their vocal skills in a barbershop quartet. The band, which generated a huge buzz with their debut in 2007, is stopping off in LA for a show at the Natural History Museum as part of First Fridays (presented by KCRW) before heading out on a world tour. Check out a preview, courtesy of Today’s Top Tune. Can’t beat a free download!
Go here for more info …

First Fridays is an incredible monthly music series after hours at the Natural History Museum and KCRW is thrilled to be presenting it in 2010! It starts THIS Friday, January 8 with a double bill straight from KCRW’s playlists –Atlas Sound and Tune-Yards.
MBE Host Jason Bentley has a notable history with the Museum’s music programming, staging a legendary dance party with Fatboy Slim in 2004. I was there that night and, let me tell you, dancing your bum off while surrounded by taxidermied animals behind glass might be one of …

To see the first installment in our year end shout out to local bands, go here.

We Are The World
KCRW DJ Mario Cotto has this to say about them:
“Despite their name, there is nothing remotely Earthly/Earthling/Earthbound about this band. I have no idea how many of them there are, whether they’re male or female, and/or whether they’re even human. I think they’re probably an alien race who’s only Earthly points of reference are Jodoworsky films, The Knife, and Sega Genesis video games. They seem to emerge from their own video …