Watching Wilco last night at one of my favorite venues – the Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara – I was struck by a few thoughts simulateneously.

1) It’s rare you get to “grow up” with a band — that they start making great music during your formative years of being a music fan and continue making great music as you journey through adulthood.

Wilco’s first album “AM” came out when I was a freshman in college and I remember the first time I heard it. I was hanging out with a guy who used to alternate sips of Jolt cola and Mickeys malt liquor. Not the type of guy you would think would be listening to alt-country. But when he played it for me,  I knew it was something special — “Box Full of Letters” being the main indication.

One of my favorite things about last night’s show is not just that they played that song, but that the band seemed to be having a blast on stage together. Jeff was chatty with the crowd and seemed in great spirits.

As someone who has followed the band throughout their career –and who has changed so much in my own life over all this time — I’m so glad to see Jeff happy. It seems musical genius tends to be accompanied by a lot of dysfunction (and drugs) and he seems to have made it over that mountain and I can’t help feeling some personal joy as if he is someone I know. We’ve been together over 15 years after all.

2) Wilco is one of my favorite bands. Picking favorites is always hard but if someone asked me to select my favorite bands on the spot, I’m not sure Wilco would have made the list. But now they do. As most of their live shows are, last night was a career retrospective — and it really blows your mind when you hear the breadth of their catalogue in one evening.   Melodic beauty (“I’m The Man Who Loves You” will always be my favorite), somber and sweet, fierce guitar and the cacophony of noise they play around with. They are truly a band that keeps growing and pushing boundaries and I’m with them all the way.

Wilco probably won’t win the Grammy tomorrow night, but they deserve to. Wilco happens to be on the same album cycle as the Foo Fighters, which normally wouldn’t affect them one bit, except that when it comes to nominations in the rock category, they end up against one of the biggest, most successful pure rock bands out there. Wilco is still a bit country and a bit experimental for some, so I think it’s a tough category. But  “The Whole Love” is definitely deserving. “Dawned on Me” is one of their best songs ever.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Since the Grammy for “Best Rock Album” is awarded before the broadcast, Jeff jokingly decided to give part of his “acceptance speech” last night. Who did he thank? His crew. The hardest working crew around, according to Jeff. I’m sure winning a Grammy would be nice but the band seems to know their worth without the acknowledgement and doesn’t take their fans, their crew or anyone else for granted.

That’s why I’m proud to be a Wilco fan. For life.

(and guess what, Wilco loves me back.)

RR

From KCRW DJ Anthony Valadez:

I remember being hipped to Hypnotic Brass Ensemble after hearing them cover “What’s My Name” by Snoop Dog, which they dubbed “Rock With The Hot 8“.

The song was filled with spirit and soul only heard on the streets of New Orleans or in Chi Town.

I began to do my research and found these eight brothers from the southside of Chicago  were also doing gigs with Mos Def, Tony Allen, Maxwell and Erykah Badu.  “Spottie” is another perfect example of Hypnotic Brass Ensemble reworking a Hip Hop classic – Outkast’s “Spottieottiedopalicious”– with layers upon layers of horns.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble – Spottie by ArtDontSleep

Download that track, and another called “Starfighter”, here.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble has a very special live appearance coming up on Feburary 23 at the Downtown Exchange in Los Angeles that you won’t want to miss. It will feature a rare appearance from their father – jazz musician and musicologist Phil Cohran – as well as Venice Dawn w/ William Hart of the Delfonics, Dj Spinna, Lefto and yours truly.

Drop us a comment below.

We’ll randomly select one to send you and a friend to see the show and stop by the merch table to pick up Lefto’s Universal Magnetic mix CD with T-Shirt and DJ Spinna’s Future Shock mix CD. Cool!

Drop your comment now, we’ll select a winner on Tuesday, Feb 14.

Don’t forget to leave your email address in the appropriate field, so we have a way to contact you!
Tickets can be purchased at www.artdontsleep.com. Full details below!

Thursday February 23rd, 2012 :: 8pm-2am

EVFA & ArtDontSleep present: Homage

Live Performances by: Hypnotic Brass Ensemble feat Phil Cohran

Opening Performance by: Venice Dawn feat William Hart (Delfonics)

Main Room DJs: DJ Spinna & Lefto

Lounge DJ’s: Anthony Valadez, Expo, Seano, Rani D.

LOCATION:

Exchange LA :: 618 S. Spring Street :: Los Angeles, CA 90014 :: (213) 627-8070

TICKETS:

21 +
25$ presale :: 30$ @ the door

When I was a kid, there was a lot of talk of Stevie Nicks’ “being a witch.”

I dunno where exactly I heard that, but I distinctly recall it being a topic of conversation one holiday when my aunt found my copy of “Tango in the Night.” (A dubbed cassette given me by a hairspray addicted, white wolf howling at the moon airbrushed jean jacketed, and eye-liner wearing minister’s son from New Jersey, no less. But that’s another story, for another time.)

Now that I’m older, I know that it actually doesn’t matter whether or not Stevie is a “witch” or the Devil’s daughter or the Devil herself, because she’s a stone cold fox with one of the raddest voices of all time OF ALL TIME!

She’s amazing. And although it’s not witchcraft, I often find that random internet radness is Stevie Nicks associated.  Now a lot of snobby dance music dudes will hate hard on a mash-up (admittedly I’ve been guilty of it myself) but, when it’s good, it’s good…and you can’t hate on Stevie…or she’ll turn you into a frog or a put a hex on your ass.

This dude Chris Bithell, under the name ToastSoundsystem, laid a sweet acapella of “Dreams” over Black Van’s sweet DFA single “Yearning” and came up with a magical dancefloor burner that will have you two-stepping your hooves like a satyr drunk on babyblood wine at Baldelli’s Cosmic celebrating the Vernal Equinox under a Full Moon with all those naked people from The Wicker Man village.

:\

Well Done Internets!

Stevie’s Black Van – Toast Soundsystem by AOR DISCO

All of our DJs receive hundreds of CDs a month to consider for airplay. In this regular feature, KCRW DJ Chuck P catalogues his musical bounty from the Post Office each week.

Another odd week and a half of cold rain mixed with spring/summer type temps. I’d feel weird about it if it wasn’t so dang nice. When I lived in the Northwest, I had a friend with an outdoor jacuzzi. I used to love sitting in the nice warm water while there was a foot of snow just a few feet away. That’s what our current (wonderful) weather reminds me of.

Lot of wonderful music at the post office this week too!

1) Team Love Records was kind enough to send me a massive package of vinyl, along with a CDR of their new release (and a current obsession of mine), Conduits. Shoegaze of the highest order, I’m really looking forward to the vinyl version of this masterpiece. Plus, looks like they’ll be on tour with Cursive this spring, so check ‘em out when they hit your town.

2) Third Man Records was also kind enough to send over a couple of incredible 7″s from John C. Reilly, one includes Tom Brosseau and the other, Becky Stark of Lavender Diamond. All three will be performing at the Bootleg Bar at the end of the month! Also included, the new CD from The Black Belles, who rock a la White Stripes and do it nicely.

3) Lambchop “Mr. M” – Kurt Wagner & crew deliver their first since 2008′s OH (Ohio). If I know what to expect, should be some gorgeous understated orchestral country twang with Wagner’s trademark baritone. Great artwork on this new album, and Merge Records delivers again with the poster that was included. Bravo.

4) The Toure-Raichel Collective “The Tel Aviv Session” – Vieux Farka Toure collaborates with Idan Raichel in this dream team up. I’ve only heard the one track I’ve played on my show, but I’m really looking forward to putting this one on later during dinner.

Oh, and here’s a picture of the mail I got this week. LUCY… YOU GOT SOME LISS’NING TO DO…

Honorable mentions include new music from The Shrouded Strangers, Ed Vallance, Balkan Beat Box and Frankie Rose with the digital promo of the week going to one of my top ten of 2011, EMA, who’s just released a radio edit of one of the best tracks on the album, California. I’m so excited to finally be able to play it for you on the radio.

Be sure to catch EMA with Zola Jesus  for First Fridays at the Natural HIstory Museum on March 2nd! KCRW’s own resident DJ Anthony Valadez and myself will be spinning for your pleasure.

Cheers,
Chuck P. 

Chuck P./Music Please - PO Box 1870, Hollyood, CA 90078

Click here to view the embedded video.

Producer/Musician extraordinaire Mark Ronson stopped by KCRW’s studios today to talk about one of his newest creations, the track “A La Modeliste”. It’s a collaboration with Erykah Badu, Trombone Shorty, Mos Def, Zigaboo Modeliste, and Members of The Dap Kings.

It was part of “RE:GENERATION”,  a documentary film that follows Ronson, DJ Premier, Pretty Lights, The Crystal Method, and Skrillex as they remix, recreate and re-imagine five traditional styles of music.

Ronson was given the genre of jazz and says he aimed for the “pure second line” jazz piece and wanted to focus on the “groove that gave birth to the Meters” style of funk. The recording took place over two days and Mos Def ended up on the track because he lived nearby and happened to stop into the studio.

He said it was a magical experience recording with that group of musicians but, as with any project, was “petrified” going into it, saying “what if I show up and nothing comes out.” Clearly that wasn’t a problem as the result is fantastic.

Learn more about the project here.  Mark’s interview will be available in the archives here shortly.

RR

Mark Ronson at KCRW by Larry Hirshowitz

The Obama campaign has released their official music playlist for 2012 and lots of KCRW bands are on the list. You can hear it streaming via Spotify on the campaign’s Facebook page.

Highlights for me –

 “Green Onions” by Booker T and the MGs – Check out the incredible version recorded live at KCRW 

“Keep Reachin’ Up” – Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigators – This was a KCRW favorite a few years back. Super soulful stuff!

“Keep Marchin’” – Raphael Saadiq – You really can’t go wrong with Ray Ray. ALL of his music is inspiring

 ”I Got You” – Wilco — The simple lyrics (I got you and it’s all I need) + scorching guitar = Wilco at their best.

Click here to view the embedded video.

 View the full playlist below:

• “Different People” – No Doubt
• “Got to Get You Into My Life” – Earth, Wind & Fire
• “Green Onions” – Booker T & The MG’s
• “I Got You” – Wilco
• “Keep on Pushing” – The Impressions
• “Keep Reachin’ Up” – Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigators
• “Love You I Do?” – Jennifer Hudson
• “No Nostalgia” – AgesAndAges
• “Raise Up” – Ledisi
• “Stand Up” – Sugarland
• “This” – Darius Rucker
• “We Used To Wait” – Arcade Fire
• “You’ve Got the Love” – Florence and the Machine
• “Your Smiling Face” – James Taylor
• “Roll with the Changes” – REO Speedwagon
• “Everyday America” – Sugarland
• “Learn to Live” – Darius Rucker
• “Let’s Stay Together” – Al Green
• “Mr. Blue Sky” – Electric Light Orchestra
• “My Town” – Montgomery Gentry
• “The Best Thing about Me Is You” – Ricky Martin, featuring Joss Stone
• “You are the Best Thing” – Ray Lamontagne
• “Keep Marchin’” – Raphael Saadiq
• “Tonight’s The Kind of Night” – Noah and the Whale
• “We Take Care of Our Own” – Bruce Springsteen
• “Keep Me In Mind” – Zac Brown Band
• “The Weight” – Aretha Franklin
• “Even Better Than The Real Thing” – U2
• “Home” – Dierks Bentley.

Cate LeBon by Piper Ferguson

Piper Ferguson is an LA-based photographer who photographs many musicians. I wanted to get in her head and find out how she goes about planning a shoot, using Welsh singer Cate Le Bon as an example. As of today, Cate is the most played artist on KCRW’s Eclectic24 all music stream and is playing McCabes on February 26 so enjoy some photos and some insight.

I got the call to photograph Cate LeBon for some press shots while she was in Los Angeles opening for St. Vincent at The Music Box.

I was already planning to attend the gig, as my friend Michael Eisenstein of Letters To Cleo had invited me.  I googled Cate to look at photos of what she had done in the past and then I realized I had photographed her before for Mojo at SXSW and they had used one of the shots online.  I mentioned it to her and she said it was one of her favorite photos of herself so we were off to a good start!

We didn’t have much time as the shoot was the day after the show, so we basically used our resources to pull together some ideas.

Cate was staying with fellow Welsh friend and actor Matthew Rhys from the show Brothers and Sisters.  Matthew has a horse so they had been horse back riding that morning.  Cate also has horses at home and rides regularly so I loved the idea – especially since horses are such a big part of her life and it’s not just a prop.

Matthew had to shoot that day, so before we could go to the horse ranch in Beachwood Canyon, Cate came over to my house in Echo Park where there are lots of cool places and things to shoot everywhere you look.

Echo Park is the best for exploring and finding great vibes.

Cate LeBon by Piper Ferguson

We shot around my little cottage and then went to Sunset.  I had just gone to the Filter Magazine Culture Collide music festival that was here in the neighborhood and when I went in the bathroom at Taix, I instantly thought “what can I shoot here?”.

My assistant, Cate and I walked into Taix, looked down, made a bee line all the way into the bathroom, shut the door and began shooting. Before anyone noticed, we got some lovely shots in the Parisian inspired little make up table.

Cate had seen the shot of French singer Francoise Hardy with the Light Bulb on her head and her hand up, which is why she put her hand up in a lot of the shots.

Cate LeBon by Piper Ferguson

This was another serendipitous experience because when I was pulling reference photos before photographing Cate, I had pulled THAT exact photo!

Cate’s music doesn’t exactly sound like Francoise Hardy, but there is a sentiment, a feeling of 60′s, European inspired female energy and spirit.

I loved working with Cate, I hope her and I get the opportunity to be creative together again soon!

– Piper Ferguson

Piper with Cate

Cate LeBon by Piper Ferguson

Cate LeBon by Piper Ferguson

Cate LeBon by Piper Ferguson

Cate LeBon by Piper Ferguson

Piper and Cate

I love Blondes. Not blondes, but Blondes.

After a lovely and super consistent set of releases on Merok and Rvng Intl., Blondes have a debut album which is in essence a collection of themed 12″ singles they’d released steadily last year beginning with “Lover/Hater,” they brilliantly compiled all the singles and had a veritable who’s who of geniuses (including JD Twitch, Laurel Halo, Teengirl Fantasy, Dungeon Acid, and SFV Acid to name a few) give their singles the remix treatment.

Although it is quite early in 2012, this tight collection is unquestionably my favorite release of the year and is the one to beat on the Cotto charts. Trafficking in blissed out, loop oriented, psychedelic chuggers, Blondes dudes Sam Haar and Zach Steinman are making a kind of music that is it’s own genre and have lead to remixes of artists as varied as John Talabot and Rihanna and is already beginning to spawn strikingly listenable imitators (see: Bikini.)

I had a chance to see them in a very small art gallery in K-Town about 2 years ago, at which point I was already convinced that the future’s like so totally Blondes.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Editor’s Note: Stream their self-titled debut album here

Click here to view the embedded video.

About a year and a half ago Jason Bentley and I snuck into a show together. It wasn’t a big rock show. Or even a big pop show. It was Jóhann Jóhannsson at the Silent Movie Theater on Fairfax Blvd in LA.

Jason started off today’s live session by telling the Icelandic composer about sneaking in. He said the event, in a small, standing room only theater, felt like “what life would have been like during war time”, where people had to gather in secret spots to enjoy the arts together.

Jóhann said he prefers unconventional venues and that the sound of the room is “almost like an instrument” itself.

It’s rare to experience classical music as if it’s an underground event but Jóhann seems to seek out that atmosphere for his cinematic music. Jason drew connections between his work and ambient electronica, and the artist mentioned that he grew up listening to German electronic music of the 70’s like Tangerine Dream. Listening to his classical compositions, that makes total sense!

Enjoy the set in our archives here.

RR

Jóhann Jóhannsson Live on KCRW Set List

Englabörn

Flight From the City (First time playing this song in the U.S.!)

The Sun’s Gone Dim And The Sky’s Turned Black

Corpus Camera

The Cause Of Labour Is The Hope Of The World

Odi Et Amo

Joi And Karen

LA’s own Autolux is throwing a release party to screen their new video, directed by Thomas McMahan, for the “The Science of Imaginary Solutions“, the final song from their most recent album “Transit Transit”.  The premiere will be at LAUNCH, a large gallery space across from LACMA, THIS Saturday, February 11. Lead vocalist and bassist Eugene Goreshter will DJ the event and screening times are set on the hour for 8p, 9p, 10p, and 11p.

The video was made by adapting Mark Whalen’s paintings to video and they are releasing an art booklet to accompany it. Guitarist and vocalist Greg Edwards tells us more:

“This Autolux video represents all the right things coming together in the right way. One of our favorite artists and a close friend, Mark Whalen (Kill Pixie), whose work looks like a communal scientific dream Niels Bohr and Watson and Crick might have had telepathically after smoking DMT, and whose paintings look crazily animated even in total stillness on a wall, teamed up with Thomas McMahan, an amazing computer artist/ image manipulator/ animator/reanimator.

And luckily for us their collaboration centered around the Autolux song, “The Science Of Imaginary Solutions“. It’s no easy feat to take a serious unique painter’s work and give it motion, but if ever a painter’s work lent itself to this kind of treatment, it’s Mark’s.

The integrity of his strangely peopled world was able to have all the motion and action it naturally suggests sheparded out into animated glory without losing its soul.

Videos are always a strange compromise for musicians and so often you end up with something that reduces the experience of the song either by over narrating, over conceptualizing, or just plain sucking. But with this video we feel like a perfect balance was reached where the visual elevates the song and the song elevates the video. And that’s the most we could ever hope for. Plus it’s just really fun to watch.”

-          Greg Edwards

Check out a preview and revisit the band’s live session on KCRW.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What: Autolux video launch party

Date: Saturday, February 11

Location:

LAUNCH
5858 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 205
Los Angeles, CA 90036

On a rainy morning in LA, there are only two ways to do a radio show. Dig in to some gorgeously gloomy classics or spike up the energy with some feel-good tracks.  Jason Bentley is going for the latter this morning and dropped a song that grabbed my attention instantly:

Come Save Me by Jagwar Ma

Catchy, Beatles-y, electro pop that is pretty irresistible from a band with a name that is a lot less mainstream: Jagwar Ma

The band claims, via Facebook, to be from Antarctica and their Soundcloud page credits Gabriel Winterfield, Ewan Pearson and Stella Mozgawa as the players. Among their list of influences: Aphex Twin, J Dilla, Bo Diddley, Andy Weatherall, and George Martin.

A 7” single with “Come Save Me”, and a B-side called “What Love?” will be out February 27 and is the first release from a new label called The Blue Rider.

What Love? by Jagwar Ma

Not much else is known about the band at this time so I suggest riding the good vibes!

RR

Awhile back I wrote a post about the way in which “chillwave” was an unfortunate misnomer, as in actuality anything that falls under the banner of this “new genre” is essentially a continuation of dream pop (albeit a seemingly more homespun bedroom/laptop version.) That being said, artists like Memory Tapes, Washed Out, and Neon Indian create an updated version of the gossamer dream pop that built 4AD in the 80s, and when it’s done really well it transcends labels.

Cue: Porcelain Raft‘s new Secretly Canadian album “Strange Weekend”.

Put Me To Sleep by Porcelain Raft

Download “Put Me to Sleep” here

The project of Italian ex-pat Mauro Remiddi, Porcelain Raft crafts shimmery, pink noise that is loop based, has super emotive synth washes, and is fixated on the language of dreams and literally begins with a stunning track called, “Drifting In and Out“. This is slow dance music that in a different place and time would accompany scenes of unrequited love at High School dances, desert road trips to bury a friend, or a passionate embrace in the rain. The most devastating example is a track that happens halfway through the album (“Backwords“) and has all the heartwrenching power of early OMD or Bjork at her most lovelorn.

It’s a marvelous record that is, especially on headphones, as nostalgic as it is fresh and as heartbreaking as it is romantically triumphant. Put this on a mixtape for a Valentine, and you may just melt them into the proverbial putty in your hands. And if you don’t, you’ll still have an amazing soundtrack to your rain soaked walk home alone from the dance.

– Mario Cotto

Barcelona’s a lush hotbed for a psychedelic dance-pop scene that’s not only birthed acts like El Guincho and Delorean  but it’s also stretching the boundaries of house music with dreamy elastic works by Pional and John Talabot.

Talabot has just released his proper debut record (cheekily titled) “fin” and it’s a stunner. Talabot smartly doesn’t rework his formula and keeps the aspects that made his early singles “Sunshine” and “Matilda’s Dream” such bangers.  Rooting his tracks in chant-y vocal loops, thick tribal percussion, and organic sounds, you half get the feeling these are dreamed up not on instruments but via cave paintings and daylong walkabouts across endless desert plains.

Although it’s a dance music record, it at times feels like an aural version of Koyaanisqatsi. It marries the mechanic clicks and shuffles of dance music with living, breathing, (at times even screaming) vocal sounds. “fin” is one of those special albums that works in the club or on headphones, day or night, city streets or desert roads, an excellent expression of human being.

Destiny feat. Pional by John Talabot

– Mario Cotto

Vanaprasta by Nick Walker

I saw Vanaprasta do a live taping for a TV show and was blown away by their performance. A few weeks later, I saw them at the Satellite and the audience was just as enthusiastic.

Vanaprasta’s debut album “Healthy Geometry” came out last November, and it presents yet another niche of the growing Los Angeles indie rock scene. The band unleashes catchy, anthemic tunes throughout, creating a melodic sound that borrows heavily from elements of classic rock.

Stream “Self Indulgent Feeling“:

Track “G-” begins with a looping bass and drum hook that channels the likes of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, then explodes into a series of crunchy guitar hooks and howling vocals. The band toys with prog rock, but they also achieve variety with their fair share of slower ballads that feature more atmospheric elements. They even stretch into pop territory: on “Self Indulgent Feeling,” guitar picking and piano build up to a pulsing beat complete with handclaps and synth lines that recall 80’s glam rock.

They are starting their new tour beginning this month and will be here in Los Angeles at the Bootleg Theater on March 9.

– Jason Kramer

Click here to view the embedded video.

I’ve got a soft spot for couple duos. The frantic energy and chaotic beauty of Matt & Kim, the sugary sweet and occasionally heartbreaking songs of The Submarines (John Dragonetti and Blake Hazard ), indie rock hero Dean Wareham (Galaxie 500/ Luna) and Britta Phillips (Dean & Britta), the organ and drum combo of Mates of State (Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel), who famously tour with their young children in tow.

I’m a romantic and I just love the idea of people in love making music together. I feel like it has some kind of special spice.

Now, there is Tennis.

We introduced the Denver-based couple, Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore, on the blog just over a year ago when their track “Marathon” grabbed our ears. Their debut chronicled a 7-month excursion along the Atlantic coast they took their experiences on the open sea.

Without a concept weighing it down, and with the production help of Patrick Carney of The Black Keys, their sophomore release “Young & Old”, is a stronger foot forward. Particularly the single “Origins”.  It slays in all the right ways. I love Moore’s vocals (and the back up vocals in the chorus , the catchy keys and the groovy guitars. Love it!

Stream “Origins”

Download it here.

The album is out on February 14, just in time for Valentines Day. Couples unite! (and make music if you’re so inclined!)

They will be playing in LA on May 2 at the Troubadour.

RR

Upcoming Live Performances on MORNING BECOMES ECLECTIC with host JASON BENTLEY

Monday, February 6, Grammy Award-winning singer Shelby Lynne performed a solo acoustic set in the intimate setting of Apogee’s Berkeley St. Studios in front of a live audience early this yera. We’ll air this special concert – and her revealing interview with host Anne Litt — on Morning Becomes Eclectic in the 11 o’clock hour.

Tuesday, February 7, Icelandic pianist Jóhann Jóhannsson composes a range of elegant music from minimalist to baroque with cinematic overtones. We’re excited to broadcast a live session on Morning Becomes Eclectic where he’ll be joined by a string quartet at 11:15am.

Thursday, February 9, Producer and artist Mark Ronson has collaborated with everyone from Amy Winehouse and Rufus Wainwright to Duran Duran and Adele.  He joins Morning Becomes Eclectic in the 10 o’clock hour to talk about his participation in the Re:Generation Music Project – a film examining different genres through the eyes of 5 of the most influential electronic producer/DJ’s in music today.

Thursday, February 9, Mark Lanegan has been a member of Queens of the Stone Age, Screaming Trees and Soulsavers. His solo work focuses on that unmistakable voice, a smoky rich sound that will fill the airwaves on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.

Friday, February 10, Philly-based band Dr. Dog have embraced a variety of sounds throughout their career from raw, lo-fi rock to melodic guitar-driven pop. They turn up the guitars and let loose on their latest release and we’ll experience their passionate performance live on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.

Monday, February 13, Los Campesinos! are a collective from Wales who specialize in catchy indie pop, even when they’re singing breakup songs. Expect a fun-loving live session when they return to Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.

Tuesday, February 14, Bombay Bicycle Club are one of Jason Bentley’s favorite new bands and we’re delighted to have them in studio during their first visit to LA. Hear it live on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.

Wednesday, February 15, My Brightest Diamond is a project from New York singer Shara Worden, who mixes cabaret, opera, rock and chamber music for a lush and compelling sound. Check it out on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.

Friday, February 17, The blues are alive in Austin musician Gary Clark Jr, who has been touring with guitar legend Eric Clapton. He left us speechless at last year’s SXSW and he’s finally coming to town to perform on Morning Becomes Eclectic at 11:15am.

KCRW.COM PRESENTS

Friday, February 24, The Clift Sessions with Unknown Mortal Orchestra
at The Redwood Room and Velvet Room in San Francisco.

KCRW PRESENTS

Fri, February 3,  First Fridays –a monthly series with performances from Light Asylum and The Soft Moon and Julia Holter plus KCRW DJs Anthony Valadez and Mario Cotto at the Natural History Museum.
Fri, February 3, An Evening with Rufus and Martha Wainwright at Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown.
Wed, February 8, Jóhann Jóhannsson at the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever.
Thurs, February 9, Dr. Dog at The Observatory in Santa Ana.
Fri, February 10, Dr. Dog at originally at The Music Box has been moved to the Orpheum Theatre.
Sat, February 11, White Denim at the Satellite.
Sat, February 11, Los Amigos Invisibles at the Conga Room
Sat, February 11, The 4th Annual MojaMoja Awards Brunch and Benefit Concert (hosted by Garth Trinidad with live performances by Los Amigos Invisibles, Goapele, Thundercat, Mariachi El Bronx and more) at Mr. C Hotel in Beverly Hills.
Tues, February 14, Liam Bailey at the Hotel Café.
Tues February 14, Saint Motel at the Belasco.
Wed, February 15, Bombay Bicycle Club at the El Rey Theater.
Thurs, February 23, Mondrian Sessions featuring Nosaj Thing at Skybar.
Sun, February 26, Laura Veirs & The Hall of Flames at Largo at the Coronet.
Sun, February 26, Cate Le Bon at McCabe’s Guitar Shop.
Sat, March 3, Diego Garcia at McCabe’s Guitar Shop.
Fri, March 9, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones at the Orpheum.
Tues, March 20, Sharon Van Etten at the Avalon.
Tues, March 20, Of Montreal with Deerhoof at the Wiltern.
Tues, April 3, Heartless Bastards at the Echoplex.
Sat, April 7, Rodrigo y Gabriela at the Hollywood Palladium.
Mon, April 16, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 at Campbell Hall at UCSB.

When you receive dozens of CDs a week all hoping for your ear, it’s interesting to see what stands out.

Last night, as I stared at my pile of mail collected in the corner of my couch, I grabbed the album from Francois & The Atlas Mountains from no reason other than I’ve had a thing for all things French since seeing Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris” and, more recently, “The Artist” (with incredible acting from Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo).

I’ve been trying to plan a trip to France but, until then, I’m going to have to settle for some music (and of course the fantastic accent of our own DJ Mathieu Schreyer).

Francois & The Atlas Mountains is the first French signing from Domino Records. The press release described it as “sunnily feel-good and wistfully melancholy…with a poignant, end-of summer feel to it.” Rarely are press releases that spot on. From the first track on “E Volo Love”, which came out in late January, I was smitten.

Francois & The Atlas Mountains – Les Plus Beaux by DominoRecordCo

DJ Chris Douridas played it on his show today and I figured it was fate to share it with all of you. Enjoy!

RR

Mary Ellen Mark

Mary Ellen Mark is one of the most respected photographers in the world and captured famous shots of Dennis Hopper and Federico Fellini. She often chooses to turn her camera on some of those less fortunate as well, addressing social issues like homelessness.

When it comes to music, however, she’s a true romantic.

In her Guest DJ Project set, Mary Ellen takes us on a musical tour of her entire life – from her time as head cheerleader in high school, to the Fulbright scholarship that launched her love of travel, and her passion for teaching photography in Mexico.

She shoots mainly in black and white and still shoots with film. Enjoy some of her most iconic photos below and hear her Guest DJ set here.

RR

Mary Ellen Mark Guest DJ Project Set List

1. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes – The Platters
2. Yesterday – The Beatles
3. If I have To Go – Tom Waits
4. Cucurrucucu Paloma – Napolean
5. Skylark – Hoagy Carmichael

by Mary Ellen Mark

by Mary Ellen Mark

by Mary Ellen Mark

by Mary Ellen Mark

Aaron Byrd, Jeremy Sole, Todd Simon, Itai Shapira

From KCRW DJ Jeremy Sole:

The Decoders are a project from respected LA musicians Itai Shapira and Todd Simon (trumpeter/arranger for Mayer Hawthorne, TV On The Radio, etc.)

Both of these cats are massive talents in their instruments, as well as in vintage and contemporary recording techniques. They both are players in my recording project as well (Musaics), so I’ve been hearing whispers about this Decoders concept for a while… and sure as can be it’s as fresh as I knew it would be…

Earlier this week, they dropped by KCRW’s studios during my show to give us a sneak preview of their new tunes and spin a Guest DJ set of songs that have inspired this particular project

They treated us by leaking their next tune that’ll be available soon — “Baby This Love I Have” — originally by Minnie Riperton and Leon Ware. The Decoders had the legendary artist/superproducer Mr. Ware sing the vocals on their version (note: !!!). Check it out in the archives here.

And sample a song here:

Inside My Love feat. Sy Smith by The Decoders

– Jeremy Sole

It all started with a rap from local artist Shane Eli, who wrote a tribute to the station and shouted out a bunch of KCRW DJs….but not Anne Litt.

Anne has been on the air during Morning Becomes Eclectic since the Winter Pledge Drive started with Jason Bentley, and he joked about Josh Groban, a known fan of her show, writing a jingle on her behalf as a response. The joke went on all week, including with a tweet from Anne requesting a “classical rap” from the artist, who has sold 24 MILLION albums worldwide in his career.

We all figured it was a longshot and a fun joke until this morning when Jason surprised Anne by playing a musical tribute from Josh on the show!

Josh Groban Tribute to Anne Litt – #SupportKCRW by KCRW

She was absolutely stunned. And speechless! A first.

It was a beautiful thing. Thank you Josh!

RR

Surprised Anne in the studio! Photo by Pledge Drive staffer Christine Hermosisima

Three years after releasing their remarkably austere and unique debut on DFA Records, Prinzhorn Dance School has emerged with an equally austere and unique follow-up titled, “Clay Class“.

Although no less catchy or talented than other boy/girl duos who’ve gone on to worldwide superstardom (read: The White Stripes and Matt & Kim,) Tobin Prinz and Suzi Horn’s minimalist post-punk take on the formula has been met with a little less fanfare. Maybe it’s that their monochromatic visual aesthetic is puzzling? Or that lyrically they have the particularly British gift of wittily turning lovely phrases about the discomforts and claustrophobias of love? Or perhaps that instead of alluding to American pop-rock tropes, they headily reference The Cure and Young Marble Giants?

Prinzhorn Dance School – Usurper by DFA Records

In a post at the beginning of the year, KCRW DJ & Music Librarian Eric J. Lawrence called them DFA’s “secret weapon,” and I wholeheartedly second that notion. To date, it’s kind of  a sin that they’ve been as under-appreciated as but here’s to hoping that “Clay Class” pulls them out of the secret weapon storage space and on the front line, so people can gravitate to their gravitas this time out.

– Mario Cotto

KCRW Presents dozens of shows across Southern California and here are some photo highlights from Wilco’s recent sold out show in Los Angeles courtesy of Marc D’Amour. The band returns to Santa Barbara for a show at the Arlington Theatre next Friday, February 10!

Wilco by Marc D'Amour

Wilco by Marc D'Amour

Wilco by Marc D'Amour

Wilco by Marc D'Amour

Wilco by Marc D'Amour

Wilco by Marc D'Amour

Wilco by Marc D'Amour

KCRW TOP 50 FOR WEEK OF 01/30/2012

1 ALABAMA SHAKES == Ep >> [Self Release]

2 BLACK KEYS == El Camino >> [Nonesuch]

3 GOTYE == Making Mirrors >> [Universal Republic]

4 HEARTLESS BASTARDS == Arrow >> [Partisan]

5 QUANTIC == Look Around The Corner >> [Tru Thoughts]

6 WHITE RABBITS == Milk Famous >> [Tbd]

7 TIJOUX, ANA == La Bala >> [Nacional Records]

8 NOVALIMA == Karimba >> [Esl]

9 SHINS == Port Of Morrow – Sampler >> [Columbia]

10 NADA SURF == Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy >> [Barsuk]

11 LE BON, CATE == Cyrk >> [Control Group]

12 WILCO == Whole Love >> [Dbpm/anti]

13 MY MORNING JACKET == Circuital >> [Ato]

14 OBERHOFER == Time Capsules Ii >> [Glassnote]

15 DYLAN, BOB – TRIBUTE == Chimes Of Freedom – Songs Of Bob Dylan >> [Amnesty Int'l]

16 CHAIRLIFT == Something >> [Columbia]

17 M83 == Hurry Up We’re Dreaming >> [Mute]

18 VAN ETTEN, SHARON == Tramp >> [Jagjaguwar]

19 COHEN, LEONARD == Old Ideas >> [Columbia]

20 AIR == Le Voyage Dans La Lune – Sampler >> [Astralwerks]

21 FIRST AID KIT == Lion’s Roar >> [Wichita]

22 BAYLIN, JESSIE == Little Spark >> [Blonde Rat]

23 TUMMY TOUCH COMPILATION == Fully Bearded – 15 Years Of Tummy Touch >> [Tummy Touch]

24 TYCHO == Dive >> [Ghostly International]

25 RIZZO, CARMEN == Space Left Behind >> [Electrofone]

26 DIAZ, MADI == Plastic Moon >> [Small Horse]

27 FEIST == Metals >> [Cherrytree/interscope]

28 DJ SHADOW == Less You Know The Better >> [Island]

29 TORO Y MOI == Freaking Out Ep >> [Carpark]

30 BON IVER == Bon Iver >> [Jagjaguwar]

31 WHITE DENIM == D >> [Downtown]

32 FOSTER THE PEOPLE == Torches >> [Startime]

33 RE:GENERATIONS == Re:generations >> [Hyundai]

34 SONNYMOON == 2012 Ep >> [Plug Research]

35 INTERNET == Purple Naked Ladies >> [Odd Future]

36 RODRIGO Y GABRIELA == Area 52 >> [Ato]

37 DRY THE RIVER == Dry The River >> [Rca]

38 HOSPITALITY == Hospitality >> [Merge]

39 KITSUNE COMPILATION == Kitsune Parisien Ii >> [Kitsune]

40 SOUNDWAY RECORDS == Original Sound Of Cumbia >> [Soundway Records]

41 ROLLING STONES – TRIBUTE == Sticky Soul Fingers – Mojo Compilation >> [Mojo]

42 ROOTS == Undun >> [Island Def Jam]

43 WINEHOUSE, AMY == Lioness – Hidden Treasures >> [Universal Republic]

44 BAILEY, LIAM == It’s Not The Same Ep >> [Advance]

45 BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB == Different Kind Of Fix >> [A&m/octone]

46 ADAMS, RYAN == Ashes & Fire >> [Pax-am/capitol]

47 BURAKA SOM SISTEMA == Komba >> [Enchufada]

48 HANNIGAN, LISA == Passenger >> [Ato]

49 MIGS, MIGUEL == Outside The Skyline >> [Om]

50 SBTRKT == Sbtrkt >> [Young Turks]

I’ve been honored to share the airwaves with DJ Garth Trinidad over the last two weeks as we drum up some dollars for KCRW during our Winter Pledge Drive. On Tuesday he was teasing me about needing to hear a song so badly that I purchased it from iTunes rather than grabbing it from the KCRW Music Library (by way of explanation: we don’t get paid much in public radio – access to music is pretty much our “bonus” for working long hours for little pay).

The song in question was the Beck remix of Feist’s “How Come You Never Go There”.

How Come You Never Go There (Beck Remix) by Feist

I can’t quite say what it is that has me so obsessed with this song. I just know I love it and have been listening to it on repeat.

I was also inspired to post because Feist just released a video for her song “The Bad in Each Other” as well as tour dates to support her album “Metals”. Check it all out below!

Click here to view the embedded video.

RR

Feist Tour Dates:

02-01 Melbourne, Australia – Palais Theatre
02-04 Melbourne, Australia – Laneway Festival
02-05 Sydney, Australia – Laneway Festival
02-07 Sydney, Australia - Enmore Theatre
02-09 Adelaide, Australia – Thebarton Theatre
02-11 Perth, Australia - Laneway Festival
02-15 Jakarta, Indonesia – Fairgrounds
03-06 Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene
03-07 Stockholm, Sweden – Cirkus
03-08 Copenhagen, Denmark – Falkoner Theatre
03-10 Vienna, Austria – Gasometer
03-11 Zurich, Switzerland – Volkshaus
03-12 Munich, Germany – Tonhalle
03-13 Cologne, Germany – E-Werk
03-15 Frankfurt, Germany – Jahrunderthalle
03-18 Lisbon, Portugal - Coliseum
03-19 Porto, Portugal – Coliseum
03-21 Paris, France – Le Zenith ^
03-22 Lyon, France – Transbordeur ^
03-23 Lille, France – Theatre Sebastopol ^
03-25 London, England – Royal Albert Hall ^
03-26 Manchester, England – O2 Apollo ^
03-27 Glasgow, Scotland – Royal Concert Hall ^
04-14 Indio, CA – Coachella Music Festival
04-21 Indio, CA - Coachella Music Festival
04-22 Phoenix, AZ – Orpheum Theater
04-26 Austin, TX – Stubb’s
04-28 New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Jazz Fest
04-30 Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room
05-01 Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
05-02 Asheville, NC – Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
05-03 Raleigh, NC – Memorial Auditorium
05-05 New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
05-07 Boston, MA – House of Blues
05-08 Philadelphia, PA – Academy of Music
05-09 Bethesda, MD – Strathmore
05-11 Burlington, VT – Flynn Theater
08-08 Oslo, Norway – Oya Festival
08-10 Gothenburg, Sweden – Way Out West Festival
08-17 – 08-19 Beacons, England - Green Man Festival

^ with M. Ward

From blog contributor Tyler Hale:

As a member of the bands Grizzly Bear and Department of Eagles, Daniel Rossen wears many hats — singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Now he’s ready to take it all on in his solo debut.

Two tracks have surfaced from his forthcoming EP, “Silent Hour” (which will be released March 20 via Warp Records); and from what we’ve heard thus far – those familiar with his other work, will be quite pleased.

Click here to view the embedded video.

“Silent Song” instantly resonated with me. It’s a hushed, mostly acoustic jam that takes you on a little Americana slanted stroll. His signature offbeat melodies and harmonies are in tow and it stacks up beautifully amongst all the other projects of his we’ve come to love.

On the Warp site, Rossen explained why he decided to release an EP: “When you spend so much time touring around, you can lose perspective on what you’re trying to do. All the sudden, I had no idea what to do or what to make or anything,” explains Rossen. “These songs were a way for me to figure that out again, getting my legs back.”

It appears that Daniel has once again found his legs. In fact, I would say he’s off to the races (though, it must be tough to run with all those hats on).

- T-Hale