Music

Filmmaker Sam Pollard shares how exposure to jazz greats like John Coltrane and Horace Silver in his youth opened up worlds of creativity.

from The Treatment

Composer John Williams received his 54th Oscar nomination this year. He’s known for music in blockbusters such as “Star Wars” and “Jaws.” KCRW looks at his smaller-scale works.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Will failing to pass a border security bill backfire on Republicans? Can Joe Biden reconnect with Arab and Muslim communities? Plus, a moving Grammys duet provides a lesson.

Do legislative failures this week signal trouble in the GOP?

Will failing to pass a border security bill backfire on Republicans? Can Joe Biden reconnect with Arab and Muslim communities? Plus, a moving Grammys duet provides a lesson.

from Left, Right & Center

The pop star’s romance with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is bringing even more eyeballs to America’s most watched TV event.

Taylor Swift is making the Super Bowl even more popular

The pop star’s romance with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is bringing even more eyeballs to America’s most watched TV event.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Reggie Watts and John Tejada (Wajatta) combine powers of cosmic improvisation and precision beat-crafting to bring the rave to KCRW HQ.

Wajatta: KCRW Live from HQ

Reggie Watts and John Tejada (Wajatta) combine powers of cosmic improvisation and precision beat-crafting to bring the rave to KCRW HQ.

from Live From

The Afro-Cuban musician Daymé Arocena has been a staple in Latin Jazz for nearly a decade. She’s now breaking barriers with a new pop album “Alkemi.”

Musician Daymé Arocena on loving herself and her Blackness

The Afro-Cuban musician Daymé Arocena has been a staple in Latin Jazz for nearly a decade. She’s now breaking barriers with a new pop album “Alkemi.”

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Women swept major category wins at the 66th Grammy Awards for the first time since 1998, but the Recording Academy still hasn’t put their #metoo issues behind them.

Grammys 2024: Women win big, but #metoo’s shadow still looms over Recording Academy

Women swept major category wins at the 66th Grammy Awards for the first time since 1998, but the Recording Academy still hasn’t put their #metoo issues behind them.

from KCRW Features

Fanatic. As you might be already aware, Wayne Kramer from the MC5 has passed away.

KCRW Broadcast 774

Fanatic. As you might be already aware, Wayne Kramer from the MC5 has passed away.

from Henry Rollins

Will the U.S. response to an attack on troops in Jordan prevent wider conflict? Can state and federal officials resolve a dispute over border access in Texas?

Border access dispute raises tensions over immigration deal

Will the U.S. response to an attack on troops in Jordan prevent wider conflict? Can state and federal officials resolve a dispute over border access in Texas?

from Left, Right & Center

Justice picks up mega-support for “One Night/All Night (Feat. Tame Impala)” and “Generator,” their two(!) new singles ahead of forthcoming LP “Hyperdrama.”

KCRW’s Top 30 chart: Justice reigns supreme

Justice picks up mega-support for “One Night/All Night (Feat. Tame Impala)” and “Generator,” their two(!) new singles ahead of forthcoming LP “Hyperdrama.”

from Music Special Programming

Gus Van Sant’s film about musician Kurt Cobain’s final days has been adapted into an opera that will make its U.S. debut with the LA Phil this week.

‘Last Days’ opera looks at human alienation, magic in the mundane

Gus Van Sant’s film about musician Kurt Cobain’s final days has been adapted into an opera that will make its U.S. debut with the LA Phil this week.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Celebrate "Little Wins" with LA's Cuffed Up, get plucky with Dent May, and unleash your loudest, "damn the man!" to the beat of bad tuner.

5 Songs to Hear This Week: Dent May, Cuffed Up, bad tuner

Celebrate "Little Wins" with LA's Cuffed Up, get plucky with Dent May, and unleash your loudest, "damn the man!" to the beat of bad tuner.

from Music News

Fanatic! I hope you had a great week and you liked last week’s show. I’ve listened to all these tracks as a mix tape and I think we’ve got a good show.

KCRW Broadcast 773

Fanatic! I hope you had a great week and you liked last week’s show. I’ve listened to all these tracks as a mix tape and I think we’ve got a good show.

from Henry Rollins

Leslie Odom Jr. cites Kendrick Lamar's 2022 album, “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,” as a "whole universe" of truth, courage, and inspiration.

Tony winner Leslie Odom, Jr. on Kendrick Lamar's 'Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers'

Leslie Odom Jr. cites Kendrick Lamar's 2022 album, “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,” as a "whole universe" of truth, courage, and inspiration.

from The Treatment

New music. Emerging artists. No boundaries. Served fresh every weeknight, 8-10pm, only on FREAKS ONLY by Travis Holcombe.

FREAKS ONLY playlist: Jan. 26, 2024

New music. Emerging artists. No boundaries. Served fresh every weeknight, 8-10pm, only on FREAKS ONLY by Travis Holcombe.

from FREAKS ONLY

The documentary “June” features never-before-seen archival material of June Carter, who boasted a prolific music career solo and with Johnny Cash.

June Carter was a respected musician before and after Johnny Cash

The documentary “June” features never-before-seen archival material of June Carter, who boasted a prolific music career solo and with Johnny Cash.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Fanatic! I don’t know where you are but I hope the weather isn’t too challenging.

KCRW Broadcast 772

Fanatic! I don’t know where you are but I hope the weather isn’t too challenging.

from Henry Rollins

LA garage rock kings Allah-Las turn in an all killer no filler set of highlights from their 2023 LP “Zuma 85,” live from Bob Clearmountain’s Apogee Studio.

Allah-Las: KCRW Live from Apogee Studio

LA garage rock kings Allah-Las turn in an all killer no filler set of highlights from their 2023 LP “Zuma 85,” live from Bob Clearmountain’s Apogee Studio.

from Live From

The Southern California megafest reveals its 2024 lineup, dates slated for April 12-14 and 19-21.

Coachella 2024 lineup: Tyler The Creator, Doja Cat, Lana Del Rey to headline

The Southern California megafest reveals its 2024 lineup, dates slated for April 12-14 and 19-21.

from Music News

Mexico City has become a popular destination for expat musicians. That means new sonic possibilities – and fears of gentrification.

LA musicians join the ‘global beat’ in Mexico City

Mexico City has become a popular destination for expat musicians. That means new sonic possibilities – and fears of gentrification.

from KCRW Features