Category Archives: Station Announcement

KCRW Music Announcement, Station Announcement

KCRW Reveals Best of 2022

KCRW Reveals Best of 2022

Santa Monica, CA (December 14, 2022) — KCRW has revealed its Best of 2022, the coveted list of the year’s best albums, songs, and artists. From experimental hip-hop to jazz electronica, post-Instagram post-punk to neo-discodelia, futurist salsa dura to pop renaissances, these are the sounds that defined KCRW’s year in music.  

Personal picks from each individual KCRW DJ, the Top Ten Today’s Top Tune(s), the most played songs, the first-ever Listener’s Choice, as well as the Best Reads from the team at Life Examined and Pantry Favorites from the team at Good Food are currently online at the Best of 2022 website.

KCRW’s Best 22 Albums of 2022

2022 marked the first full year of art born in the “after” — the progeny of time spent off schedules and outside of expectation, deep within ourselves and together in existential freefall. As we venture into whatever it is that comes next, chaos may not be going anywhere, but it does make for some damn fine company. These are the albums that defined our year.  

  1. Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (tied at number 1)
  2. Wet Leg – Wet Leg (tied at number 1)
  3. Toro y Moi – MAHAL
  4. Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul – Topical Dancer
  5. Automatic – Excess
  6. Danielle Ponder – Some Of Us Are Brave
  7. Say She She – Prism
  8. Robert Glasper – Black Radio III
  9. Panda Bear & Sonic Boom – Reset
  10. Spoon – Lucifer On The Sofa
  11. Thee Sacred Souls – Thee Sacred Souls
  12. Stromae – Multitude
  13. Kikagaku Moyo – Kumoyo Island
  14. Beyoncé – RENAISSANCE
  15. Sudan Archives – Natural Brown Prom Queen
  16. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – When the Lights Go
  17. The Comet Is Coming – Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam
  18. J.Rocc – A Wonderful Letter
  19. Silvana Estrada – Marchita
  20. Meridian Brothers – Meridian Brothers & El Grupo Renacimiento
  21. Bill Callahan – YTI⅃AƎЯ
  22. Nick Hakim – COMETA
  23. Leikeli47 – Shape Up


KCRW’s 2022 Breakthrough Artist – Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul

Belgian duo Charlotte Adigéry and Bolis Pupul have enjoyed the kind of year that most artists fantasize about. After a string of increasingly well-regarded singles, the duo dropped their full-length debut, “Topical Dancer,” in March 2022. First and foremost, it’s a banging electro-pop record: released on the boutique label of fellow producers/mentors Soulwax, it shares that duo’s uncanny knack for skating on the bleeding edge of minimalist avant-house. Tracks like “Ceci n’est pas un cliché” and “Blenda” bump along on sweat-inducing grooves that invite total dancefloor hedonism. The album’s lyrics are the real spike in the punch, a consideration of the personal and political that pegs the zeitgeist without succumbing to didacticism. It’s relevant that Adigéry and Pupul are the children of immigrants raised in a stew of unexamined colonialism, but their approach is more open-hearted than polemical, inviting listeners to dance and think in whatever proportion suits them. It’s that combination of vibes – sexy and sardonic, uplifting and aware, rapturous and wry – that makes Charlotte Adigéry and Bolis Pupul such perfect agents of our shared historical moment.

As KCRW’s 2022 pick for Breakthrough Artist, Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul join the distinguished list of former honorees: Gabriels, St. Panther, Black Pumas, Rosalía, Anderson .Paak, and Tom Misch.

KCRW’s Favorite Songs of 2022 (listed alphabetically by artist)

A great song can beckon you onto the dance floor or deep into your feels; inspire you to stand up or throw a middle finger as you walk away; shout along to the words or just get lost in effable sound. These are our favorite tracks of 2022 — unranked and individually selected — they helped us get up in the morning and fall asleep (or stay awake) at night. Or sometimes we simply played them on repeat, because you never need a reason to hear your favorite song.

  • Boy Harsher – “Machina (Feat. Mariana Saldaña)”
  • Braxe + Falcon – “Step By Step” (Feat. Panda Bear)”
  • Danger Mouse & Black Thought – “Aquamarine (Feat. Michael Kiwanuka)”
  • Danielle Ponder – “Fray”
  • Gabriels – “Angels & Queens”
  • HAAi – “Baby, We’re Ascending”
  • Helado Negro – “Ya no estoy aqui”
  • Hope Tala – “Stayed At The Party” 
  • Horsegirl – “World of Pots and Pans”
  • Lisa LeBlanc – “Dans l’jus”
  • Madam Bombs – “Get Me Out”
  • Nilüfer Yanya – “stabilise”
  • Jimetta Rose & The Voices of Creation – “Let The Sunshine In”
  • JJ & The Mood – “How Many Times” 
  • Jorge Drexler – “El Plan Maestro”
  • Omar Apollo – “Evergreen”
  • Robyn Hitchcock – “The Man Who Loves The Rain”
  • Samora Pinderhughes – “Kingly” 
  • SAULT – “Angel”
  • Shervin Hajipour – “Baraye”
  • Steve Lacy – “Bad Habit”
  • Tokischa – “Delincuente” 
  • TSHA – “Time” 
  • Yard Act – “100% Endurance”
  • Warpaint – “Stevie”

Be sure to tune in today, Wednesday December 14, to KCRW’s flagship music program Morning Becomes Eclectic, co-hosted by Novena Carmel and Anthony Valadez for a three-hour special show highlighting KCRW’s Best of 2022.

For more information, please visit: kcrw.com/bestof

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Media contact:
Laura Cohen, LC Media, lcmediapr@gmail.com

About KCRW Music
KCRW’s hand-picked music programming is thoughtfully curated by actual people, not algorithms. It encourages real music discovery and delivers a truly eclectic listening experience. KCRW Music is helmed by Program Director of Music, industry veteran Anne Litt and a team of influential tastemaker DJs – Anthony Valadez, Chris Douridas, Dan Wilcox, Francesca Harding, Henry Rollins, Jason Bentley, Jason Kramer, Jeremy Sole, José Galván, LeRoy Downs, Nassir Nassirzadeh, Novena Carmel, Raul Campos, Ro “Wyldeflower” Contreras, Scott Dallavo, SiLVA, Travis Holcombe, Tyler Boudreaux, and Valida. KCRW DJs are given one directive: “play what you love.” KCRW has hosted radio debuts and album celebrations for countless artists. Now household names, KCRW has been influential in helping launch the careers of such luminaries as Adele, Alabama Shakes, Anderson Paak, Angel Olsen, Beck, Billie Eilish, Brett Dennen, Coldplay, Eels, Fiona Apple, Gabriel Garzon Montano, Garbage, Gillian Welch, Janelle Monae, Jenny Lewis, Juana Molina, Kamasi Washington, Mac DeMarco, Natalia Lafourcade, Ray LaMontagne, Sofi Tukker, and Tame Impala, among many others. KCRW Music offers a robust array of music programming and content including nearly 100 hours of on-air music every week and a continuous curated stream of music, Eclectic24. 

About KCRW
KCRW creates and curates a unique mix of content centered around music discovery, NPR news, cultural exploration and informed public affairs. KCRW is driven by the spirit of LA and delivers in innovative ways – on the radio, digitally and in-person – to diverse, curious communities around the corner and around the world. A community service of Santa Monica College, KCRW can be found on the air in L.A., Santa Barbara, Ventura, Mojave, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, and worldwide via the KCRW app or online at kcrw.com.

Twitter | twitter.com/kcrw
Facebook | facebook.com/kcrw
Instagram | instagram.com/kcrw
YouTube | youtube.com/kcrw

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KCRW Music Announcement, Station Announcement

KCRW Announces KCRW Live From…

KCRW ANNOUNCES KCRW LIVE FROM…

TASTEMAKER STATION LAUNCHES THE RETURN OF LIVE PERFORMANCES AND EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS 

Artists confirmed for Fall 2022 include:

Cuco, Andrew Bird, Tears for Fears, Say She She, Automatic, Nation of Language, Wet Leg, Stromae, and Danielle Ponder

Sessions Recorded at KCRW Headquarters, Bob Clearmoutain’s Apogee Studio, world-famous studio The Village, and KCRW Program Director of Music Anne Litt’s Backyard!

Santa Monica, CA (September 15, 2022) – Today KCRW unveils KCRW Live From…, a robust initiative to bring back live music to KCRW in a big way. Utilizing the station’s state-of-the-art headquarters (HQ), legendary mixer/producer Bob Clearmountain’s Apogee Studio, world famous recording complex The Village Studios, and the stunning backyard of Program Director of Music, Anne Litt, KCRW is reaffirming its longstanding commitment to feature live performances and insightful interviews from an eclectic array of artists, both superstars and rising stars.

KCRW Live From…kicks off its long awaited return of live sessions this Fall with confirmed artists that include Cuco, Andrew Bird, Tears for Fears, Say She She, Automatic and Nation of Language.

First up is KCRW Live From HQ with Cuco, which airs today, Thursday, September 15, on Morning Becomes Eclectic, in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Interviewed by MBE co-hosts Novena Carmel and Anthony Valadez, this session marks the return of live sessions to KCRW’s headquarters in Santa Monica.

Next is KCRW Live From The Village Studios featuring Andrew Bird interviewed by Anthony Valadez airing Wednesday, September 21 on Morning Becomes Eclectic, followed by Tears for Fears interviewed by Raul Campos airing on Campos’ show Saturday, September 24. In addition, KCRW Live From The Village featuring Nation of Language interviewed by Travis Holcombe airs on Holcombe’s nightly show Freaks Only, Wednesday, September 28.

Two KCRW Live From Apogee Studio sessions feature Automatic interviewed by Anne Litt airing on Wednesday, September 28 on Morning Becomes Eclectic and Say She She interviewed by Anthony Valadez airing on Morning Becomes Eclectic Wednesday, October 5.

Also on the horizon is KCRW Live From Anne’s Backyard featuring Wet Leg, KCRW Live From HQ featuring Stromae, KCRW Live From HQ featuring Danielle Ponder, with much more to come!

“It is so exciting to be bringing a consistent stream of live music back to KCRW,” says Anne Litt, KCRW Program Director, Music. “Live music has been a hallmark of the station for decades. Our sessions are musical gold: their vibe, their energy, the pure spontaneity. And the conversations that artists have with KCRW DJs not only offer great insight into their music-making and personal lives — they are downright fun.” 

“The pandemic gave us a chance to rethink and refresh the ways we are bringing live music back to our audience. We’re fortunate to have such tremendous partners in Apogee and The Village, and I’m lucky to be able to host outdoor sessions in my own backyard. We’re using every available option to bring back live music to KCRW’s channels in the freshest, most robust way possible.”

KCRW Live From… scheduled sessions:

Sept 15, KCRW Live From HQ featuring Cuco on MBE
Sept 21, KCRW Live From The Village Studios featuring Andrew Bird on MBE
Sept 24, KCRW Live From The Village Studios featuring Tears for Fears on Raul Campos
Sept 28, KCRW Live From Apogee Studio featuring Automatic on MBE
Sept 28, KCRW Live From The Village Studios featuring Nation of Language on Freak’s Only
Oct 5, KCRW Live From Apogee Studio featuring Say She She on MBE

For more information, please visit: kcrw.com/livefrom

# # #

For media inquiries, please contact:
Laura B. Cohen, LC Media: lcmediapr@gmail.com

About KCRW
KCRW is your always-on connection to music, news, culture, and each other — on the radio, online, and in-person. We belong to Los Angeles, connecting diverse perspectives and the sounds of Southern California with curious communities around the corner and around the world. We are NPR’s flagship member station in Southern California and a community service of Santa Monica College. You can find our broadcast signal in LA, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Mojave, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, and worldwide via the KCRW app and at kcrw.com.

Twitter | twitter.com/kcrw
Facebook | facebook.com/kcrw
Instagram | instagram.com/kcrw
YouTube | youtube.com/kcrw

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KCRW Music Announcement, Station Announcement

KCRW Unveils Next Stop for Global Beat

KCRW UNVEILS NEXT STOP FOR GLOBAL BEAT
Global Beat México
Hosted by Raul Campos, Betto Arcos, and Junf
Audio Series Features Emerging Artists from Around the World
Airs Weekly, Thursdays at 10am on Morning Becomes Eclectic

Santa Monica, CA (August 18, 2022) – KCRW unveils today the next stop for Global Beat, the weekly music segment that highlights emerging artists from around the world. Global Beat México, hosted by Raul Campos, Betto Arcos and Junf, airs weekly on Thursdays, at 10AM, during Morning Becomes Eclectic. The first Global Beat México featuring Los Vaguens, Don Couto, and Costa Felina airs today, August 18.

KCRW’s Global Beat takes a deep dive into the music scene of a singular country. The inaugural edition Global Beat Australia launched in 2021 with hosts KCRW DJ Raul Campos and Andrew Khedoori, and featured more than 100 artists from the region. The next stop on the world tour is Global Beat México, hosted by Campos who will be joined by longtime broadcast journalist Betto Arcos, and tastemaker DJ from Mexico City, Junf. 

“KCRW Music’s mission has always been to share what we love not only from our SoCal backyard, but from all over the world,” says KCRW Program Director of Music Anne Litt. “When Raul, along with the Australian Music Alliance, brought KCRW the idea for Global Beat, we knew instantly it was a perfect fit. Global sounds are already an integral part of our music programming, but this allows us to explore the world of music in an even more focused way. It’s a celebration of worldwide cultures and perspectives to hopefully shift our perspective and make us closer than sometimes we think we are. Raul is the epitome of the curious, crate digging music lover, no matter the era or genre, so he’s the perfect host for this around the world journey.”

“As a DJ and programmer, I’m always searching for new sounds that will challenge and inspire our passionate listeners,” remarks Raul Campos. “This extra effort from our hosts is why KCRW has led in music discovery for decades. And as any music fan knows, the only way to really find out what’s happening in new music is to go to the source.  Last year we went to Australia and had a blast. And now as the Global Beat continues, what better place to do a deep dive than the vibrant and colorful sounds from our neighbors south of the border.  Our ears-on-the-ground include Junf, one of CDMX’s hippest curators and DJs, along with our explorer Betto Arcos, the highly respected and charismatic dear friend. We’re excited for you to join us on this musical journey throughout the vast regions of mi Mexico, lindo y querido!”

In addition to the audio series, KCRW will produce Global Beat México live showcase events featuring artists directly from the country this Fall. 

KCRW’s Global Beat is generously supported by the Australian Consulate in Los Angeles.

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Raul Campos
The voice of pirate radio in the mid-’90s and a native Angeleno, Raul Campos came from the underground to represent the eclectic airwaves of KCRW. His youthful affection for music began with the 8-track and vinyl collection of his Mexican parents and six older siblings that ran the gamut of genres and styles. His own assorted collection of music expanded as tapes became the format of choice and Raul began to experiment with cutting and “mixing” tapes on his boombox. At the age of 14, he finally put the needle to the record and stepped behind the decks as a DJ. Specializing in house parties, college mayhem, nightclubs and underground events, Raul quickly developed a following across Los Angeles. He established a residency on Power 106 FM’s longest running after hours mix show Power Tools, along with Richard Vission and Swedish Egil, cutting his teeth banging out mega-mixes. But it was in KCRW’s basement in Santa Monica that Raul would find a home for his motley musical influences. Under the attentive and personal mentorship of renowned Music Director Nic Harcourt, Raul quickly worked his way from volunteer to production and on-air stints, securing a weekly show, formerly called Nocturna, and ultimately moving to his current weekend afternoon show. Campos still loves to rock the club and has been billed along with some of the world’s biggest talents, including deadmau5, Kaskade, Moby, Armin Van Buuren, Louie Vega, Paul Van Dyk, and Mark Farina, to name a few. He’s also opened for some of music’s greatest artists, from Martin Gore (Depeche Mode), Stevie Wonder and Cafe Tacuba, to Booka Shade, Groove Armada and Lionel Richie. Raul co-hosts the podcast Pili, Raul, and La Musica, has hosted the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) in New York for the last six years, and continues his work behind the scenes as a remixer, putting his special spin on tracks by Femi Kuti, Supreme Beings of Leisure, Aterciopelados, and Jill Scott. 

Betto Arcos
Betto Arcos is a radio journalist, curator and music promoter based in Los Angeles. He is a regular contributor to NPR and BBC Radio 3, writing and producing stories about musicians and music from all over the world. Arcos is the Latin music curator at the San Jose Jazz Festival. He recently published his first book, “Music Stories from the Cosmic Barrio” (Fogra Editorial) and is a founding member of REDPEM – Red de Periodistas Musicales de Iberoamérica. In addition to his work in public radio, Betto has taught arts & culture and broadcast journalism at Loyola Marymount University. He developed a musical component for two different courses at Harvard University’s Divinity School, “Religion in the Latin American Imagination” (2002, 2011, 2015) and “Latinos Remaking America” (2014, 2016) taught by Prof. David Carrasco. Since 2014, Betto has been a guest speaker at the State Department’s Foreign Service Institute, lecturing on Latin American Music to career diplomats. Starting in 2014, Betto has been traveling extensively in Latin America, offering workshops on music journalism, podcasting and the music industry at major international festivals, including: Asunción Jazz Fest, Ecuador Jazz Fest, Panama Jazz Fest, Colombia al Parque, Bogotá Music Market, AM-PM in Havana. From 1997-2015, Betto created, produced and hosted the daily music program “Global Village” on Pacifica Radio’s 90.7 FM-KPFK in Los Angeles. In 1993, Betto received his Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism with honors from the University of Colorado-Boulder. Betto is a native of Xalapa, capital of the state of Veracruz, Mexico.

Junf
Content Curator and Music Supervisor for Mexico City-based Canela Music, Junf’s passions lie in world music and broadcast radio, leading him to contribute to diverse and popular stations such as DUBLAB (Los Angeles), KPFK 90.7 (Los Angeles), WFMU (Jersey City), The Lot Radio (NY), Rise Radio (NY), Aire Libre 105.3 (CDMX) and more. Junf spreads his radio and world music ideology through the telling of his own experience across prominent music conferences, encouraging future and emerging artists to embrace and share their own perspectives. As a resident DJ in many of Mexico City’s hottest spots, he also takes his signature fresh mix of eclectic sounds, new music, and future roots to dance floors around the world. Junf was host and DJ on Mexico City’s popular radio station Ibero 90.9 where he created an overnight loom of ritualistic sounds through the weekends. Junf also created music discovery mixes for the MAKENWA radio show on Saturday nights with the aim of connecting sound and space, and was a producer/music curator of the popular radio show, Radio Pocajú Internacional on Ibero 90.9.

For more information, please visit: https://www.kcrw.com/music/shows/kcrws-global-beat

For media inquiries, please contact:
Laura B. Cohen, LC Media: lcmediapr@gmail.com

About KCRW
KCRW is your always-on connection to music, news, culture, and each other — on the radio, online, and in-person. We belong to Los Angeles, connecting diverse perspectives and the sounds of Southern California with curious communities around the corner and around the world. We are NPR’s flagship member station in Southern California and a community service of Santa Monica College. You can find our broadcast signal in LA, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Mojave, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, and worldwide via the KCRW app and at kcrw.com.

Twitter | twitter.com/kcrw
Facebook | facebook.com/kcrw
Instagram | instagram.com/kcrw
YouTube | youtube.com/kcrw

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Station Announcement

KCRW Announces David Greene as the New Host of Left, Right & Center

KCRW ANNOUNCES DAVID GREENE AS THE NEW HOST OF LEFT, RIGHT & CENTER

Inaugural Show airs Friday, July 29 at Noon PT

Santa Monica, CA (July 26, 2022) – KCRW announces today David Greene as the new host of Left, Right & Center, the weekly politics show that takes on the tough, divisive issues you’re afraid to talk about with your own family. After Left, Right & Center’s previous host Josh Barro stepped down at the end of 2021, KCRW embarked on a search for his successor. Meanwhile, the show continued to cover the most pressing issues with a brilliant array of guest hosts. Ultimately, David Greene was chosen as the new Left, Right & Center host bringing a perfect balance of expertise and perspective from years of experience reporting from the field, hosting NPR’s Morning Edition, and a healthy obsession with the political landscape.

“We are so happy to have David Greene as LRC’s new host,” stated KCRW President Jennifer Ferro. “He is both exceptionally smart and that easy going friend you can talk to about anything. As host of NPR’s Morning Edition David has continuously been immersed in national and international news. I’m excited for his fresh take on our current political reality and looking forward to the lively and compelling discussion that this show always delivers.”

“In my years at NPR, especially after moving to LA, I felt like an honorary member of the KCRW family,” remarks Greene. “Now, it’s for real! And joining Left, Right & Center at this moment in our political history is a tremendous honor. The show has always been a safe harbor for raw, honest and respectful discourse. And don’t we need that now more than ever? I am excited to double down on the show’s rich tradition, creating a venue for people to debate the polarizing issues, to think out loud and to escape our echo chambers. I can’t wait to learn from our guests, to encourage them to dig deeply and to understand the reasons behind their opinions. Maybe, step by step, if we understand where hardline positions were born, and what experiences shaped them, we can discover shared emotions even amid the disagreements and find a way to navigate our polarized society.”

The first episode of Left, Right & Center featuring its new host David Greene will air Friday, July 29, on-air at Noon, and again at 7:00 PM, and on-demand at kcrw.com.

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MORE ABOUT DAVID GREENE
David Greene is an award-winning journalist, New York Times best-selling author, and hosted NPR’s Morning Edition for nearly a decade. He also hosted NPR’s popular morning news podcast, Up First, guiding listeners through turbulent elections, a world-altering pandemic and fights for social change in our country. David stepped away from Morning Edition in 2021 and co-founded a new company, Fearless Media, which is collaborating with KCRW in producing Left, Right & Center. David spent much of 2022 in Ukraine, working on several audio projects, including Ukraine Stories, a daily podcast from Fearless, that Forbes called a “tour de force of narrative journalism.” David brought his own experience to his reporting on the conflict in Ukraine: Before Morning Edition, he was NPR’s Moscow Bureau Chief, covering the region from Ukraine and the Baltics east to Siberia. He also took two trips across the Trans-Siberian Railway and published a best-selling book about the journeys called Midnight in Siberia, giving readers a nuanced look at Russian life under Vladimir Putin. During the Arab Spring, David spent a month in Libya, reporting riveting stories in the most difficult of circumstances as NATO bombs fell on Tripoli. He was honored with the 2011 Daniel Schorr Journalism Prize from WBUR and Boston University for his coverage. David’s voice became familiar to NPR listeners from his years covering former President George W. Bush. He spent hours in NPR’s booth in the basement of the West Wing and followed the President and First Lady to places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Rwanda, Uruguay – and, of course, Crawford, Texas. David was also an integral part of NPR’s coverage of the historic 2008 election, reporting on Hillary Clinton’s campaign from start to finish, and also focusing on how racial attitudes were playing into voters’ decisions. The White House Correspondents’ Association took special note of his report on a speech by then-candidate Barack Obama addressing the nation’s racial divide and awarded it the Association’s 2008 Merriman Smith Award for deadline coverage of the presidency. David has interviewed countless celebrities — from Kendrick Lamar, Jimmy Buffett and Dolly Parton to Jennifer Lawrence, Matt Damon and Will Smith. Though, he says he is even more passionate about interviewing people we have never heard of whose lives deserve our respect and attention. David lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Rose Previte, a Michelin-starred restaurateur and David’s fellow adventurer and travel companion.

MORE ABOUT LEFT, RIGHT & CENTER
KCRW has produced Left Right & Center since its debut as a half-hour radio show in April 1996. Over the years, it has become a nationally syndicated broadcast, lengthened to a full hour, and expanded its reach as a premier politics podcast. The rotating cast of left and right panelists bring a wide spectrum of viewpoints. Unlike the plethora of news programs that cater to their core audience, Left, Right & Center has served as the antidote to the self-contained opinion bubbles that dominate political debate.

For more information about KCRW’s Left, Right and Center, click here.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Laura B. Cohen, LC Media: lcmediapr@gmail.com

About KCRW
KCRW is your always-on connection to music, news, culture, and each other — on the radio, online, and in-person. We belong to Los Angeles, connecting diverse perspectives and the sounds of Southern California with curious communities around the corner and around the world. We are NPR’s flagship member station in Southern California and a community service of Santa Monica College. You can find our broadcast signal in LA, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Mojave, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, and worldwide via the KCRW app and at kcrw.com.

Twitter | twitter.com/kcrw
Facebook | facebook.com/kcrw
Instagram | instagram.com/kcrw
YouTube | youtube.com/kcrw

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Events, KCRW Music Announcement, Station Announcement

KCRW Announces Line-up for 2022 Summer Nights

KCRW Announces Line-up for 2022 Summer Nights

Free, All-Ages, Outdoor Performances Featuring KCRW-Curated Live Music and the Station’s Stellar DJs

Santa Monica, CA (June 22, 2022) – KCRW announces today the line-up for the station’s signature event series, Summer Nights, with free, all-ages, outdoor performances featuring KCRW-curated bands, and the tastemaker station’s stellar DJs. For KCRW’s 2022 Summer Nights, L.A.’s legendary public radio station is teaming up again with iconic L.A. cultural institutions CAAM (California African American Museum), One Colorado, Descanso Gardens and Grand Performances. 2022 also sees the return of Summer Nights at the Hammer Museum and Chinatown, as well as new partnerships with The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, JANM (Japanese American National Museum), and the Bowers Museum.

KCRW’s 2022 Summer Nights features an incredible line-up of live music from artists including Ambar Lucid, Hana Vu, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Pachyman, Sly5thAve, Thee Sinseers, Tolliver, and more to be announced. See your favorite KCRW DJs spin live, with sets from Anthony Valadez, Dan Wilcox, Francesca Harding, Jeremy Sole, LeRoy Downs, Jason Bentley, Jason Kramer, José Galván, Nassir Nassirzadeh, Novena Carmel, Raul Campos, Scott Dallavo, SiLVA, Travis Holcombe, Tyler Boudreaux, Valida, and Wyldeflower.

KCRW’s 2022 Summer Nights are as follows:

Ambar Lucid
KCRW DJs: Wyldeflower & Nassir Nassirzadeh
Thursday, July 7
Summer Nights at the Hammer Museum

Pachyman
KCRW DJs: Jeremy Sole & Tyler Boudreaux
Thursday, July 14
Summer Nights at the Hammer Museum

KCRW DJs: Travis Holcombe &  Jason Bentley
Saturday, July 16
Summer Nights at Chinatown

Thee Sinseers
KCRW DJs: José Galván & Jason Kramer
Thursday, July 21
Summer Nights at the Hammer Museum

KCRW DJs: Novena Carmel & Francesca Harding
Friday, July 22
Summer Nights at CAAM

Hana Vu
KCRW DJs: Dan Wilcox & Valida
Thursday, July 28
Summer Nights at the Hammer Museum

Sly5thAve
KCRW DJ: SiLVA
Saturday, July 30
Summer Nights at Grand Performances

KCRW DJs: Anthony Valadez & Jeremy Sole
Saturday, August 13
Summer Nights at Descanso Gardens

KCRW DJs: Novena Carmel & Raul Campos
Saturday, August 20
Summer Nights at Chinatown

KCRW DJs José Galván & Francesca Harding
Sunday, August 28
Summer Nights at the Bowers Museum

Artists to be announced
Saturday, September 3
Summer Nights at Grand Performances

Tolliver
KCRW DJ: Travis Holcombe
Saturday, September 10
Summer Nights at One Colorado

Mark de Clive-Lowe
KCRW DJ: LeRoy Downs
Sunday, September 11
Summer Nights at One Colorado

KCRW DJs: Valida & Scott Dallavo
Thursday, September 22
Summer Nights at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA & JANM

KCRW DJs: Anthony Valadez & SiLVA
Thursday, September 29
Summer Nights at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA & JANM

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The Hammer Museum

Thursday, July 7
6:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Ambar Lucid
KCRW DJs Wyldeflower & Nassir Nassirzadeh

Thursday, July 14
6:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Pachyman
KCRW DJs Jeremy Sole & Tyler Boudreaux

Thursday, July 21
6:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Thee Sinseers
KCRW DJs José Galván & Jason Kramer

Thursday, July 28
6:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Hana Vu
KCRW DJs Dan Wilcox & Valida

KCRW presents the return of Summer Nights at the Hammer Museum – four free nights of live music in the museum’s lively courtyard on Thursdays in July. Artists include folk-tinged, bilingual, indie pop and R&B sensation Ambar Lucid, Puerto Rico’s emerging master of rub-a-dub style Pachyman, East L.A.’s innovative soul music collective Thee Sinseers, and brooding, melodic experimental pop singer/songwriter Hana Vu. Live music starts at 8:30pm, bookended by KCRW DJ sets at 6:30pm and 9:30pm. A happy hour with a cash bar starts at 6:30 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to come early and visit the Hammer’s galleries, which will be open until 9:00pm.

On view at the Hammer will be Andrea Bowers, the first museum retrospective surveying more than two decades of the Los Angeles–based artist’s work. For the past 30 years, Andrea Bowers has used her artistic practice as a political exercise, a narrative platform that she lends to movements of social and political activism. Bowers takes up immigration rights, workers’ rights, climate justice, and women’s rights, illustrating the shared pursuit of justice that connects them. The exhibition presents dozens of works spanning drawing, performance, installation, sculpture, video, and neon, and reflects  Bowers’s deep engagement with activism and experimentation with figurative space.

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Chinatown

Saturday, July 16
8:00 PM – 12:00 AM
KCRW DJs Travis Holcombe & Jason Bentley

Saturday, July 16
8:00 PM – 12:00 AM
KCRW DJs Novena Carmel & Raul Campos

KCRW is excited for the return of Chinatown Summer Nights. The perfect combination of food festival and summer party, Chinatown Summer Nights presents an exciting hot spot for Angelenos this August. Taste the many culinary offerings and LA’s gourmet food trucks; sample the neighborhood’s wares; watch Chinese chefs perform cooking demonstrations; experience large-scale, outdoor video projections; take part in hands-on, Chinese cultural activities presented by local organizations and museums; sip on Chinese beer and dance in Central Plaza with KCRW DJs Travis Holcombe & Jason Bentley and Novena Carmel & Raul Campos.

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California African American Museum

Friday, July 22
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
KCRW DJs Novena Carmel & Francesca Harding

KCRW returns to CAAM for a warm night and cool vibes, featuring live sets from KCRW DJs Novena Carmel and Francesca Harding, after-hours museum access to all six of CAAM’s current exhibitions, food trucks, a beer garden, and more! This year’s event will also include a curated marketplace of Black-owned businesses from the FOUND/LA community. The California African American Museum (CAAM) in Exposition Park explores the art, history, and culture of African Americans, with an emphasis on California and the West. In addition to presenting a dynamic slate of exhibitions and public programs, CAAM houses a permanent collection of more than five thousand works of art, artifacts, and historical documents, and a research library. Admission is free.

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Descanso Gardens

Saturday, August 13
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
KCRW DJ Anthony Valadez & Jeremy Sole

Last year’s wilderness party at Descanso Gardens was so epic KCRW is coming back again this year. Don’t miss the chance to catch the one and only KCRW Summer Nights at Descanso Gardens with KCRW DJ Jeremy Sole and MBE co-host and plant enthusiast, Anthony Valadez. Located in La Cañada Flintridge, just northwest of Pasadena, Descanso Gardens is a unique Southern California forested landscape distinguished by its specialized botanical collections, historical significance, and rare natural beauty. Escape to a night under the stars in LA’s magical oasis, where parking is free (and so is admission).

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One Colorado

Saturday, September 10
7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Tolliver
KCRW DJ Travis Holcombe

Sunday, September 11
7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Mark de Clive-Love
KCRW DJ LeRoy Downs

Join KCRW for a weekend takeover of the beautiful One Colorado courtyard, an open air shopping center that spans a full city block that boasts exceptional retail and dining experiences in the heart of historic Old Pasadena. KCRW’s Summer Nights at One Colorado features two nights of live band performances from the fun loving gumbo of soul, funk, pop and camp of Tolliver, to the mind-boggling on-the-fly juggling of piano, synths, live sampling and beat making of Mark de Clive-Love. Add in KCRW DJ sets from Freaks Only host Travis Holcombe and the Jazz Cat LeRoy Downs and you’ve got an entire weekend’s worth of incredible music. One Colorado is a quick walk from the Metro to the Gold Line stop at Memorial Park. 

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Grand Performances

Saturday, July 30
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sly5thAve
KCRW DJ SiLVA

Saturday, September 3
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Artists to be announced

KCRW teams up with Grand Performances, the longest running presenter of free outdoor concerts in Los Angeles, for two special Summer Nights. Returning this year to the newly- renovated California Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles, Grand Performances inspires community, celebrates diversity, and unites Los Angeles through free access to global performing arts. KCRW’s Summer Nights at Grand Performances features the multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger and composer Sylvester Uzoma Onyejiaka II, aka Sly5thAve, whose sophisticated compositions are rooted in hip hop, soul, R&B and jazz. Additional artists and KCRW DJs to be announced.

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Bowers Museum

Sunday, August 28
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
KCRW DJs José Galván & Francesca Harding

KCRW is excited for its brand-new partnership with the Bowers Museum for one special Summer Nights featuring live sets from KCRW DJs José Gavlán & Francesca Harding, a beer garden pop-up by Blinking Owl Distillery, kids activities and more. Sunday, August 28 marks the last day to check out the Bowers Museum’s current exhibition, Everest: Ascent to Glory. After-hours admission to the museum will be free for KCRW Members and Santa Ana residents. 

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The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA and Japanese American National Museum

Thursday, September 22
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
KCRW DJs Valida & Scott Dallavo

Thursday, September 29
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
KCRW DJs Anthony Valadez & SiLVA

KCRW is excited for its brand-new Summer Nights partnership with two incredible cultural institutions – The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA and the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. The two-night series set in the courtyard features KCRW DJs Valida & Scott Dallavo and Anthony Valadez & SiLVA tearing up the turntables for a night of summer fun, food trucks, a beer garden and after-hours access to two of the finest museums in town.

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For more information, please visit: kcrw.com/summernights

For media inquiries, please contact:
Laura B. Cohen, LC Media: lcmediapr@gmail.com

About KCRW
KCRW is your always-on connection to music, news, culture, and each other — on the radio, online, and in-person. We belong to Los Angeles, connecting diverse perspectives and the sounds of Southern California with curious communities around the corner and around the world. We are NPR’s flagship member station in Southern California and a community service of Santa Monica College. You can find our broadcast signal in LA, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Mojave, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, and worldwide via the KCRW app and at kcrw.com.

Twitter | twitter.com/kcrw
Facebook | facebook.com/kcrw
Instagram | instagram.com/kcrw
YouTube | youtube.com/kcrw

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Events, Station Announcement

KCRW ANNOUNCES YOUNG CREATORS PROJECT

KCRW ANNOUNCES YOUNG CREATORS PROJECT
An Open Call For Los Angeles-Area Musicians, Storytellers, Poets and Artists Under 21 

Santa Monica, CA (February 24, 2022) – KCRW is proud to announce the inaugural Young Creators Project, an initiative that offers Los Angeles-area musicians, storytellers, poets and artists (under 21) an opportunity for their talents to be showcased on the KCRW airwaves. Video submissions will be accepted in March for musicians, April for storytelling/poetry, and May for artists. 

KCRW music and culture teams as well as industry executives will choose the best of the best to be highlighted on air and across KCRW’s social media and marketing platforms. In addition, KCRW will present AMA (Ask Me Anything) virtual events for all young creators that submit entries. For a select group of entrants, KCRW will host a virtual group critique event with KCRW staff and industry career-makers to help launch the next generation of talent. Finally, the entire initiative will culminate with a live event showcasing the best of the best in all categories at KCRW’s Young Creators Showcase in June.

GUIDELINES:

  • All submissions must be entered by LA-area artists who are under the age of 21. 
  • If you’re submitting a piece with a group of people, the majority of the group must be under the age of 21.
  • Only one submission per artist. 
  • KCRW will need parental sign off to spotlight any chosen artist under 18 years old.

SCHEDULE OF SUBMISSIONS:

March — Music
Have original music you want to get out into the world? Send us a video of you performing your best song. All genres of music are welcome. Get as creative as you want with the video portion, just so long as it gives us a vibe check of your style and vision!

Submissions Open | Tuesday, March 1st at 12:00 AM PST
Submissions Close | Thursday, March 31st at 11:59 PM PDT

April — Poetry + Storytelling
Do you write and perform original stories or poetry? Send us a video of you performing your best piece. All types of poetry and storytelling are welcome! Have fun with the video aspect — we want to see your personality! 

Submissions Open | Friday, April 1st at 12:00 AM PDT
Submissions Close | Saturday, April 30th at 11:59 PM PDT

May — Art
LA artists! Give us a studio visit, won’t you?! KCRW is opening submissions for all different artistic mediums across the board. Send us your piece accompanied by an artist video statement expressing your process and what you’re hoping to get across with what you’ve created. 

Submissions Open | Sunday, May 1st at 12:00 AM PDT
Submissions Close | Tuesday, May 31st at 11:59 PM PDT

VIRTUAL EVENTS – MUSIC

KCRW’s Young Creators Project Presents Ask Me Anything: Music Edition
Wednesday, March 16th @ 7 PM PDT on Zoom

Panel:
Anne Litt | KCRW’s Program Director of Music and DJ
Anthony Valadez | Producer, DJ, Co-host of KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic
Brett Gurewitz | Epitaph Records Owner & Bad Religion Founder + Guitarist
Parker Glenn | Music Agent, United Talent Agency (FKA twigs, Wizkid, Polo & Pan, Arca, Dorian Electra, Benny Sings)

KCRW’s Young Creators Project Presents Group Crit: Music Edition
Wednesday, March 30th @ 7 PM PDT on Zoom

*Exclusively for artists who have submitted pieces to the Young Creators Project. 

Panel:
Chris Douridas | KCRW DJ, Founder of School Night, Music Supervisor Film & TV, Grammy-nominated music video and soundtrack producer
Novena Carmel | Musician, DJ, Co-Host of KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic
KamranV  | Arts Technologist, Engineer, & Producer (Bedrock.LA, dublab, Suzanne Ciani, Beck, Patrick Gleeson, Nine Inch Nails, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Moogfest, PHONOCUT)
Cedric LeMoyne | InnerGame Management (Warpaint, jennylee, TT, Wild Belle, Natalie Bergman, Rose Of The West, Patrick Park) and Bass Player (Alanis Morissette, Gnarls Barkley, Remy Zero, O+S)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Who’s reviewing the submissions and deciding which artists will be selected?
KCRW’s music and culture teams will be reviewing all the submissions and handpicking a few artists to spotlight across our channels.

What does it mean for my work to be featured by KCRW?
Selected creators will be featured on KCRW’s socials, newsletters, website, on-air, and at KCRW’s Young Creators Showcase live in June!

Who is allowed to participate?
You must be under 21 and based in the Greater Los Angeles area (including Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties).

Does my video submission have to be a live performance or can I use pre-recorded audio?
Whatever works best for you, friend! 

What happens if my video is over 5 minutes?
Your piece will not be considered for selection by KCRW.

Am I allowed to use obscenities in my piece?
Yes, but if you are selected for an artist spotlight, KCRW will censor your piece on air per FCC guidelines. 

When and where is the Young Creators Showcase?
Details coming soon. For updates, text YOUNGCREATORS to (424) 407-3102.

How will I know if I’m selected? When will selected artists be notified?
KCRW will choose which artists to spotlight one week after submissions close. KCRW will reach out to you directly if you are selected. 

How do I register for a Virtual Group Critique?
When you submit your piece, there will be an option to RSVP to the Virtual Group Critique. 

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For more information, please visit: http:/www.kcrw.com/youngcreators

For media inquiries, please contact:
Laura B. Cohen, LC Media: lcmediapr@gmail.com

About KCRW
KCRW creates and curates a unique mix of content centered around music discovery, NPR news, cultural exploration and informed public affairs. KCRW is driven by the spirit of LA and delivers in innovative ways – on the radio, digitally and in-person – to diverse, curious communities around the corner and around the world. A community service of Santa Monica College, KCRW can be found on the air in LA, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Mojave, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, and worldwide via the KCRW app or online at kcrw.com.

Twitter | twitter.com/kcrw
Facebook | facebook.com/kcrw
Instagram | instagram.com/kcrw
YouTube | youtube.com/kcrw

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Programming, Station Announcement

PEE-WEE HERMAN (ME!!) GETS A RADIO SHOW ON KCRW!

For Immediate Release (Or WHENEVER!)

PEE-WEE HERMAN (ME!!) GETS A RADIO SHOW ON KCRW!

(Milky Way Galaxy, Planet Earth, Next to the Pacific Ocean, i.e. Santa Monica, CA) – Dear most esteemed journalists, it’s Pee-wee Herman here and I am going to be a DJ on a new radio show airing on KCRW! I’m so excited, it’s my very first one! I mailed them a letter, which got lost (apparently!), and then tagged them on Twitter and THEN they didn’t believe it was me until my biggest, bestest, most amazing fans called and called and jammed up their phone lines (hee hee)! Thank you fans because they are going to get me some donuts and leave me the keys to the studio while they are on vacation! 

Join me and my friends Chairry, Magic Screen, Miss Yvonne, and some surprise special guests (HINT: they are super famous!), while we listen to some of the greatest music ever recorded!

This is all happening on Friday, November 26, at 6 p.m PST, so you better get out your transistor radio and listen to my amazing voice!

Got any questions?
Reach out to a nice lady named Laura who did not write this for me!

For KCRW media inquiries, please contact:
Laura Cohen, LC Media: lcmediapr@gmail.com

About KCRW
KCRW creates and curates a unique mix of content centered around music discovery, NPR news, cultural exploration and informed public affairs. KCRW is driven by the spirit of LA and delivers in innovative ways – on the radio, digitally and in-person – to diverse, curious communities around the corner and around the world. A community service of Santa Monica College, KCRW can be found on the air in L.A., Santa Barbara, Ventura, Mojave, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, and worldwide via the KCRW app or online at kcrw.com.

Twitter | twitter.com/kcrw
Facebook | facebook.com/kcrw
Instagram | instagram.com/kcrw
YouTube | youtube.com/kcrw

About Maximum Fun
Maximum Fun is a pioneering podcast network, home to Bullseye with Jesse Thorn; Judge John Hodgman; The Adventure Zone; and other beloved shows. Founded in 2005 with a mission of bringing good things into the world, the network has grown to span over three dozen shows and millions of downloads every week. Going far beyond its internet roots, MaximumFun.org fosters a wonderful community of audience members and artists in real life.

 

 

 

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KCRW Music Announcement, New Hires, Station Announcement

KCRW announces new co-hosts of Morning Becomes Eclectic, Novena Carmel and Anthony Valadez

Santa Monica (December 8, 2020) – KCRW President Jennifer Ferro and Program Director of Music Anne Litt announce today the new co-hosts of Morning Becomes Eclectic (MBE), Novena Carmel and Anthony Valadez. MBE, the station’s flagship music program, weekday mornings from 9AM to Noon, has been a powerful source of music discovery since 1978. This is the first time two hosts will lead MBE.

Novena and Anthony both come from KCRW’s after-midnight roster, where unique and exciting voices have the opportunity to experiment and bring adventurous listeners into the KCRW fold. From podcasts and livestreams to viral videos, Novena and Anthony have collaborated extensively over the course of their years-long friendship. This authentic camaraderie and willingness to explore and experiment will make for a natural synchronicity as co-hosts of Morning Becomes Eclectic.

Morning Becomes Eclectic abides by the ethos of KCRW Music: Play what you love. The effervescent Novena Carmel loves timeless — and timely — music; whatever makes her antennas tingle. She is driven by her lifelong passion of sharing music with the masses. L.A.’s beloved Anthony Valadez brings his considerable DJ experience, turntablist skills, intrepid spirit, and positive energy to this dynamic duo. Together, they will usher in the next era of music discovery and exploration at KCRW, the innovative public radio station well known for helping launch the careers of many celebrated artists.

“I am so excited to pass the torch of MBE to Novena and Anthony,” says Anne Litt. “Novena is pure joy and Anthony is the heart and soul of Los Angeles. Together, they will explore fresh, new ways to reach music lovers globally.” She continues, “My journey will be to delve deeper into my role as Program Director of Music, bring our roster of incredible DJs to their fans, and capitalize on the boundless talents of our entire music department across all of our platforms.”

Of her new role, Novena says, “I feel ecstatic and a bit like I’m dreaming. I greatly admire Anthony’s work and what I would call his ‘creation ethic;’ he seems to never stop creating and finding inspiration for creativity everywhere. We already have a lot of fun and exciting ideas for the show, and I’m so looking forward to collaborating more with the KCRW team and connecting with the listeners.”

“I’m excited to wake up with L.A. and Novena,” says Anthony. “She’s my best friend, but what I admire the most is her ability to stay positive and always add perspective.” Of his new role, Anthony notes, “I’m a fan of the show’s celebrated history and hope to be an extension of it moving forward. It’s not a position I take lightly. I’ve always wanted to be at the intersection of ‘culture’ and ‘institution.’ KCRW has been the launching pad for ideas that fuse tech, social media, and execution of music discovery. These varied platforms have given me creative freedom to spotlight emerging artists and talent, and while I get the sense my aesthetic is perceived as ‘the sound of LA,’ in reality, it’s the sound of the world.”

Morning Becomes Eclectic continues to be a haven for music discovery, and the two hosts will double the reach for unearthing new artists. New albums will be debuted. Exclusive, in-studio live performances will resume as soon as it’s possible. In addition, the new format presents countless opportunities to extend MBE well beyond its on-air end time of noon. “Obviously you’ll have the variety of two hosts instead of one, but we’re looking at ways to include even more voices that represent the KCRW community and beyond, including KCRW DJs, musicians, and listeners,” says Novena. “I believe that cultivating and nourishing community and connectedness, now more than ever, is so important, and that’s part of what I’m hoping the new format will allow. Music will always be one of the main conduits of making this possible, and from there the possibilities are endless.” “I love that we all want to be bold and daring,” continues Anthony, “KCRW is held to such a high standard. Let’s go higher! Something new implies a fresh palette of ideas and colors. This new format will allow us to venture into something that’s never been done before.”

“Music is part of the genetic code of KCRW,” states KCRW President Jennifer Ferro. “Our approach to this important role of MBE host was to really push the boundaries of what it means to be a DJ in today’s on-demand world. Novena and Anthony, together, make a powerful and joyful duo who will help KCRW be where the people are and share the magic of KCRW music. With these new hosts plus Anne Litt solidly at the helm of our strategy we are ready to define a new era in music.”

In 2019 Anne Litt became KCRW’s first female Program Director of Music and host of Morning Becomes Eclectic. She will continue hosting the show until after the New Year, and then remain an on-air presence with her own show; time and day TBD. As she prepares to hand over hosting duties, she notes, “it’s been a privilege to have been with you during these challenging times. I leave MBE in the most capable of hands, and am truly excited to see our new co-hosts in action.” 

More About Novena Carmel:
Novena Carmel was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area surrounded by her mother’s record collection, classical music books atop her piano, and a deeply rooted musical legacy. Her father, Sly Stone of Sly & The Family Stone, instilled in her the love of the funk and the brilliance of “everyday people.” Her family’s decades-long connection to Brazil along with her Japanese-bilingual elementary schooling, further expanded her world-view. Inspired by the guidance of one of her best friends and mentors, her grandfather, she moved to Los Angeles at 18, to attend UCLA, and graduated with degrees in Mass Communications and African-American Studies. She has been a proud LA resident ever since with a deep appreciation for the city’s contributions to the global cultural landscape. For the past 14 years, Novena has worked in entertainment booking for Temple Bar Concepts, which owns and operates live music venues and cultural havens throughout the LA area including famed Temple Bar, Zanzibar, The Virgil and Townhouse & The Del Monte Speakeasy. During this time she was also a member of multiple music groups, leading to the opportunity to perform at Lollapalooza, Warped Tour, Abbey Road and Coachella. She launched her DJ career six years ago, which quickly took off, fueled by her lifelong love of sharing the music she loves with people, infectious energy, and ability to read a room. As a DJ she has worked with Natural History Museum, “The Squad,” California African American Museum, the Underground Museum, Soul in The Horn, Dublab, Stones Throw Records, Ace Hotel, Amoeba Records and many others. In 2018 Novena was invited to join the DJ team at KCRW, and has quickly become popular through her quirky sense of humor, energetic spirit, and expansive and personalized music collection. She is currently not in a band, but enjoys singing with her soul and jazz choir, The Voices of Creation.

More About Anthony Valadez:
Anthony Valadez is a native Angeleno; a DJ, producer, and radio and podcast host. Dating back to skipping 6th period during his senior year in high school, he became part of a cast of rotating DJs on KVCM. He would later land shows on KCSN, KPFK, Dublab, and KROQ. He joined KCRW in 2008. His show has been championed by the likes of Childish Gambino, Khruangbin, Ty Dolla $ign and Julian Casbablancas for Valadez’s celebration of music discovery. He has held DJ residencies in Los Angeles including the legendary Temple Bar and the Natural History Museum for their First Fridays series, and in Las Vegas at the SLS. He also served as host and co-producer for three seasons of Crate Diggers on Fuse TV. The show documented the art of digging for recorded gems with top record collectors across the United States. He was hand- selected by Jennifer Lopez to open for her 2014 homecoming show in the Bronx. He has remixed official releases for David Bowie, Ozomatli, Local Natives, and has released three full-length albums of his own on indie label, Plug Research. He has had the honor of sharing the stage with Prince, Ben Harper, Meshell Ndegeocello, Bruno Mars and was voted Best Club DJ by the LA Weekly’s Readers Poll in 2016.

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For more information please contact:
Laura Cohen, LC Media, lcmediapr@gmail.com

About KCRW Music
KCRW’s hand-picked music programming is thoughtfully curated by actual people, not algorithms. It encourages real music discovery and delivers a truly eclectic listening experience. KCRW Music is helmed by Program Director of Music, industry veteran Anne Litt and a team of influential tastemaker DJs – Aaron Byrd, Anthony Valadez, Chris Douridas, Dan Wilcox, Garth Trinidad, Henry Rollins, Jason Bentley, Jason Kramer, Jeremy Sole, John Moses, José Galván, LeRoy Downs, Novena Carmel, Raul Campos, Scott Dallavo, Tom Schnabel, Travis Holcombe, and Valida. KCRW DJs are given one directive: “play what you love.” KCRW has hosted radio debuts and album celebrations for countless artists. Now household names, KCRW has been influential in helping launch the careers of such luminaries as Adele, Alabama Shakes, Anderson Paak, Angel Olsen, Beck, Billie Eilish, Brett Dennen, Coldplay, Eels, Fiona Apple, Gabriel Garzon Montano, Garbage, Gillian Welch, Janelle Monae, Jenny Lewis, Juana Molina, Kamasi Washington, Mac DeMarco, Natalie Lafourcade, Ray LaMontagne, Sofi Tukker, and Tame Impala, among many others. KCRW Music offers a robust array of music programming and content including nearly 100 hours of on-air music every week and a continuous curated stream of music, Eclectic24. In addition, KCRW is currently producing; a storytelling live session series In Residence that focuses on one artist via different platforms; Throwback Sessions that tap into the station’s vast archive of live performances exclusively available on YouTube; “Today’s Top Tune,” a free daily downloadable song; in-depth music reporting via the Lost Notes podcast; and Private Playlist which highlights local L.A. musicians and the music that’s moving them in the here and now.

About KCRW
KCRW creates and curates a unique mix of content centered around music discovery, NPR news, cultural exploration and informed public affairs. We are driven by the spirit of L.A. and deliver in innovative ways – on the radio, digitally and in person – to diverse, curious communities around the corner and around the world. A community service of Santa Monica College, KCRW can be found on the air in L.A., Santa Barbara, Ventura, Mojave, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, and worldwide via the KCRW-developed smart phone app or online at kcrw.com.

Twitter | twitter.com/kcrw
Facebook | facebook.com/kcrw
Instagram | instagram.com/kcrw
YouTube | youtube.com/kcrw

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Station Announcement

Open Letter from KCRW President Jennifer Ferro

Dear Friends of KCRW:

The past six months have been a test for all of us. Through it all, the KCRW team has worked tirelessly to deliver on our mission to inspire our listeners – across Southern California and across the globe – with the content we put on the air and online. 

I have never met a more talented or more dedicated team of people. And I have never been more honored to work among them.

Unfortunately, like so many media organizations across the country, KCRW cannot escape the long-term effects of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. We are projecting a 30% loss to our operating budget this fiscal year, primarily due to a large dip in sponsorship revenue from categories worst hit by the pandemic. 

Thankfully, our audience is growing. KCRW has moved to become LA’s #1 most listened-to public radio station over these last few months. Our digital traffic has grown as well. More people are connecting with KCRW during this time than ever before. Our membership numbers and dollars are also strong.

Earlier this year, we were able to secure a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan from the federal government. That, coupled with immediate non-personnel budget cuts, allowed us to keep our staff whole through August. 

However, the extended nature of the economic ramifications of COVID has now required us to take further action to preserve the financial sustainability of the station and the services we provide. 

Several weeks ago, we offered a generous voluntary separation package to all eligible employees. We know the employees of KCRW are the most important asset we have, and we wanted to give people who were interested in this option the chance to make a decision for themselves about their future. 

In the end, 24 KCRW employees took advantage of the voluntary separation program. Their participation helped stave off the need for larger cuts. In order to align ourselves strongly for the future, we made the difficult decision to eliminate four positions.  Affected employees were informed today and will be offered severance and job support, during what we know will be a difficult time. We wish all of our departing team members our gratitude for their time at KCRW. 

In an effort to avoid any further reductions to our staff, the senior leadership team will take an aggregate of 20% salary cuts with me taking the largest portion.

As we look to the future, we will lean into what KCRW is known for – music discovery, vital news and information and cultural programming. We plan to place even greater emphasis on engaging with our digital audience, which has grown significantly since the safer-at-home orders began. 

And, we will continue to advance our programming mission.

On September 9th, along with NPR, we launched Consider This, the nation’s first local/national daily podcast produced in an unprecedented partnership between both major Los Angeles NPR affiliates, KCRW and KPCC. Lost Notes: Season 3, KCRW’s documentary music podcast, launches this month with critic and poet Hanif Abdurraqib as host.

Soon, KCRW will announce our new host for our signature music show, Morning Becomes Eclectic. And later this month, we are looking forward to launching Our Body Politic, a political show by, for and about women of color, with journalist Farai Chideya. KCRW has also had great success with virtual events around music, like This Album Saved My Teenage Years, and virtual events analyzing politics, which we will continue to offer leading into this year’s landmark election.

KCRW is a special place with deep connections to the communities we serve. We remain committed to telling stories that inspire a greater understanding of the institutions and people around us. In the current moment, our mission is more important than ever. 

And while the changes we have announced this week were not easy, we know they are necessary to ensure KCRW remains strong for years to come.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Ferro
President, KCRW

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Station Announcement

KCRW and LA Phil present: World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and KCRW present

World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl
Radio Broadcast Series of Previously Recorded Live Concerts

The Series Opens with Kraftwerk and Yellow Magic Orchestra hosted by KCRW’s Anne Litt

Subsequent Episodes Feature Blondie, Cibo Matto, Devotchka, Femi Kuti, Flying Lotus, Janelle Monáe, Jimmy Cliff, Little Dragon, Robyn, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Santigold, Sigur Rós, St. Vincent, and Toro y Moi

Sundays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, August 23 – October 11

Los Angeles, CA (August 17, 2020) – The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association and KCRW today announce details of an exclusive on-air series featuring previously recorded live concerts from KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl.  

Created in partnership with the LA Phil, KCRW’s World Festival has been bringing an eclectic array of artists from around the world to the Hollywood Bowl stage for 20 years. Following the cancellation of the 2020 Bowl season due to COVID-19, the LA Phil and KCRW, Southern California’s flagship public radio station, collaborate to present highlights of past World Festivals through an exclusive series of archival concerts to be broadcast on Sundays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm, from August 23 to October 11.

The first episode features the September 18, 2016 Hollywood Bowl debut of Kraftwerk, whose electro innovations and odes to the autobahn shot well beyond their native Germany, and made them one of the most influential groups of all time. Also in the first episode is Tokyo’s Yellow Magic Orchestra, which appeared at the Bowl on June 26, 2011. The band helped to pioneer electronic music in Japan in the late 1970s and introduced the world to Ryuichi Sakamoto and Haruomi Hosono. KCRW’s Program Director of Music, Anne Litt will host.

Additional featured artists in upcoming episodes include: Blondie (July 9, 2017), Cibo Matto (June 26, 2011), Devotchka (July 14, 2013), Femi Kuti (June 21, 2009), Flying Lotus (June 17, 2018), Janelle Monáe (June 12, 2016), Jimmy Cliff (July 25, 2010), Little Dragon (June 17, 2018), Robyn (June 29, 2014), Rodrigo y Gabriela (July 14, 2013), Santigold (June 21, 2009), Sigur Rós (September 24, 2016), St. Vincent (August 30, 2015), and Toro y Moi (June 16, 2019). Each episode will be hosted by a KCRW DJ.

“Building on our long and rich history with KCRW on the World Music Series at the Hollywood Bowl over the last 20 years, the Los Angeles Philharmonic is thrilled to continue this valuable partnership by bringing music from the series to our audience in Los Angeles and beyond in a new way. We appreciate our artists collaborating with us and look forward to seeing everyone back at the Bowl next summer,” said Johanna Rees, Los Angeles Philharmonic Senior Director of Presentations.

“Music’s power to bring us together seems even more essential during this time,” stated Anne Litt, Program Director of Music at KCRW. “The long-standing relationship between KCRW and the LA Phil has made it possible to share some of the Hollywood Bowl’s most magical music moments. We can’t wait to be together in person again enjoying warm nights, under the stars, with friends, great food and a glass of wine. Until then, we are delighted to be able to share recordings of these incredible live performances with our listeners.”

LA Phil x KCRW: World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl broadcast series can be heard live wherever you listen to KCRW: on–air at KCRW 89.9; online at KCRW.com and hollywoodbowl.com/kcrw; via the KCRW app, which is available for free for both iOS and Android devices; or by asking your smart speaker to “play KCRW.”

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:
LA Phil x KCRW: World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl
Sundays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm
August 23 – October 11

Episode One:
Sunday, August, 23, at 6:30PM
Kraftwerk (September 18, 2016, Hollywood Bowl debut)
Yellow Magic Orchestra – (June 26, 2011, Hollywood Bowl debut)
Hosted by Anne Litt

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For more information about KCRW please contact:
Laura B. Cohen, LC Media, lcmediapr@gmail.com

For more information about the LA Phil please contact:
Lisa White, lwhite@laphil.org

About KCRW
KCRW creates and curates a unique mix of content centered around music discovery, NPR news, cultural exploration and informed public affairs. We are driven by the spirit of L.A. and deliver in innovative ways – on the radio, digitally and in person – to diverse, curious communities around the corner and around the world. A community service of Santa Monica College, KCRW can be found on the air in L.A., Santa Barbara, Ventura, Mojave, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, Berlin (Germany), worldwide via the KCRW-developed smart phone app or online at kcrw.com.

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About the Los Angeles Philharmonic
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under the vibrant leadership of Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, presents an inspiring array of live performances – orchestral, pop, rock, country, jazz, blues, Latin, world music, opera, chamber, Baroque, organ and celebrity recitals, theatrical performances, explorations of film music, dance, comedy, groundbreaking multimedia productions and an unmatched commitment to commissioning and performing music from the composers of today – at three of L.A.’s iconic venues, Walt Disney Concert Hall (laphil.com), the Hollywood Bowl (hollywoodbowl.com) and The Ford (theford.com). The LA Phil’s season at Walt Disney Concert Hall extends from September to June and at the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford throughout the summer. With the preeminent Los Angeles Philharmonic at the foundation of its offerings, the LA Phil aims to enrich and transform lives through music, with a robust mix of artistic, learning and community programs.

About KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl
KCRW’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl embodies the eclectic music spirit of both organizations by featuring artists from a wide array of genres. Hundreds of artists have performed at the iconic venue since the inaugural season, including A.R. Rahman, Adele, Arcade Fire, Ben Harper, Bon Iver, Caetano Veloso, Cesaria Evora, Café Tacvba, David Byrne, Erykah Badu, Femi Kuti, Gary Clark Jr. Goldfrapp, Grace Jones, Hot Chip, Hugh Masekela, Janelle Monáe, Kraftwerk, Lauryn Hill, M83, Massive Attack, Miriam Makeba, Natalia Lafourcade, Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club, Os Mutantes, Ray LaMontagne, Robyn, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Sade, Santigold, Solange, Spoon, St. Vincent, Sufjan Stevens, The Flaming Lips, The Pixies, Toro y Moi, Underworld, Willie Nelson, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma, Yola, Yoko Ono, Zero 7 with Sia, Ziggy Marley, and many more. 

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