KCRW & McSweeney’s to Debut Radio Show “Wayne Coyne’s Human Head-Shaped Tumor”
Airing Live on KCRW on November 24 & 25 at 5pm PST
The one-hour radio event features new recordings from the Flaming Lips, Eleanor Friedberger, Bill Callahan, Nico Muhly and Okkervil River as well as an appearance by Ed Droste from Grizzly Bear
KCRW (89.9 FM and KCRW.com) has partnered with McSweeney’s to create a singular radio event centered around Flaming Lips’ singer Wayne Coyne and featuring original music compositions and recordings from Okkervil River, Bill Callahan, Eleanor Friedberger and the Flaming Lips themselves.
A unique radio venture from KCRW and McSweeney’s, “Wayne Coyne’s Human Head-Shaped Tumor” will air on KCRW (89.9FM and KCRW.com) on November 24 and 25 at 5pm PST and will also be available via podcast.
McSweeney’s, the San Francisco-based publishing house founded by editor and author Dave Eggers, and KCRW set out to create not just another show, but a radio adventure. Together, they commissioned Richard Parks, son of KCRW favorite Van Dyke Parks, to produce this radio hour. It’s been described as the Mercury Theatre’s “War of the Worlds,” but mixed with contemporary music and unique sound design – car crashes, helicopters, and even murmuring tumors.
Yes, it’s bizarre, but befitting one of the most creative and outlandish bands in rock music today, and that makes McSweeney’s and KCRW the perfect collaborators for this eccentric piece of experimental radio.
“KCRW has always celebrated creativity. For years we’ve wanted to hear what the creative publishing world of McSweeney’s would sound like if you could listen to it. This is the first attempt and it came out strange, compelling and wonderful,” says KCRW General Manager Jennifer Ferro. “We’re thrilled to present this bountiful plate of odd curiosity and can’t wait to hear more.”
The partnership between KCRW and McSweeney’s is just getting started. The duo is in the midst of co-producing another project, The Organist, a monthly podcast to debut in December.
Wayne Coyne and the Flaming Lips have performed many times on KCRW, including their most recent appearance when they debuted their version of Pink Floyd’s epic album, “Dark Side of the Moon.”
Prepare for a true radio event this weekend, featuring the following players:
Wayne Coyne, Michelle Martin Coyne, Steven Drozd, and Scott Booker (Flaming Lips), Will Sheff (Okkervil River), Eleanor Friedberger (Fiery Furnaces), Jack Hitt (This American Life, Harper’s), Paul F. Tompkins (The Pod F. Tompkast, Thrilling Adventure Hour, Mr. Show), Bill Callahan (aka Smog), Nico Muhly (Björk, Philip Glass, Antony and the Johnsons), Fat Bobby and Kid Millions (Oneida), and Edward Droste (Grizzly Bear).
For more information please visit www.kcrw.com or www.mcsweeneys.net/pages/a-radio-show
MEDIA CONTACT:
Alyssa King – KCRW
(310) 314-4627
alyssa.king@kcrw.org
About KCRW
KCRW 89.9FM, licensed to Santa Monica College, is an NPR affiliate based in Southern California. The Santa Monica-based nonprofit represents cutting edge radio at its best, presenting an eclectic mix of independent music, news, talk and arts programming. The terrestrial signal serves Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties, as well as parts of San Diego, San Bernardino, Kern, and Santa Barbara Counties and the greater Palm Springs area. KCRW’s programming is internationally renowned and available worldwide via KCRW.com, including three streaming channels, 27 podcasts and archives of our locally-produced programs and live band performances. Hear KCRW music online, all the time, on the ALL music stream Eclectic24.
MEDIA ASSETS:
