Weekly Love List – KCRW
This week, and for the last 15 years, I love (imo) the best public radio station in America, Santa Monica’s KCRW. I’ll rave about their fascinating talk programs another day, because today it’s all about the music. KCRW is nationally renowned for their up to the moment, addictive musical programs and stellar dj’s. You may not have ever heard of dj’s like Anne Litt, Jason Bentley or Chris Douridas, but you have felt their influence. KCRW routinely breaks new artists (like Beck, Dido and Pete Yorn) and songs that months later turn up everywhere. If you’re enjoying a hip, new song in the background of a television show, movie or commercial, it was probably played on KCRW first. I’m going to make a prediction and state that the latest song of the moment on the station, Kasabian’s “Fire” will end up being heard all summer long. The song is officially released June 1st, but I bet we’ll hear it in the background of the latest action movie promo or an apple commercial first.
Luckily, you do not need to live in Los Angeles to to listen to the station. Everyone can listen to archived and current programming online by visiting KCRW.com. Sign up for emails and get the a free 20 song KCRW Mix. You can also download a free single every day by heading to Today’s Top Tune or browse the archives for their vast collection of amazing live sessions from their oft imitated morning program. Some of my favorite sessions include Wilco, Silversun Pickups and Rilo Kiley. Go type in your favorite, indie-ish type of band and see what pops up! Any other KCRW (and public radio) fans out there?
Filed in: read, watch, listen, we heart weekly
11 responses so far ↓
I love Morning Becomes Eclectic! But I have to say, I miss Nic Harcourt. I love a bit of Brit in the morning (I did not mean that as filthy as it sounds).
So, I’ve been a wht lurker for months now, but this post made me officially have to say that i <3 public radio! Up in the Twin Cities we have The Current (through MN public radio) that plays a lot of local and off-the-beaten-path music. Tyna, thanks for Kasabian, and referring me to KCRW and it’s free music! I love it so far!
Doh! I can’t believe I failed to mention Nic Harcourt, who took Morning Becomes Eclectic to a whole new level and introduced me to Sigur Ros, Jude, Cat Power, The Polyphonic Spree and many many more.
Sarah – welcome to we heart this! I’m so glad the power of public radio brought you out of lurkerdom. Glad you like the video and the KCRW archives can keep a person busy for a very long time.
Public Radio is amazing…& KCRW has so much to heart!
Great post Tyna
I LOVE NPR and KCRW! its pretty much the only radio i listen to. Its the best! Does anyone know why Nic Harcourt left? Another little tidbit is the station programmers or whatever you call them also did the music for Six Feet Under. Which not only was a wht favorite but the music was such a big part of it. I also love all the KCRW programming. I love The Treatment, Studio 360, Which Way LA, This American Life, Good Food and the list goes on!
We have an NPR station here in KC and my boyfriend makes me listen to it. I have to say I get bored listening to the news. But some of the shows on there are pretty funny. I’m liking it more and now with this addition I think I’ll be a fan! The music they have played on here so far is really good! so far they get 2 thumbs up from me!
Amen! I love KCRW – I listen at work in Atlanta. My daily little piece of SoCal and go music.
Tyna! I was listening to my love- Minnesota Public Radio- this morning and they played Kasabian! I immediately thought of you and we heart this and had to come back and report.
Hee – thanks Sarah. I bet “Fire” will be going through head all day today!
Bronwen, I don’t think Nik left the station, he’s still involved, just gave up the morning show.
I love this new Kasabian song! I’m sad I have to wait until June to buy it. Oh and Public radio is totally where it’s at in radio today – why is it so hard to keep a good commercial radio station on the air?
Whee! Just found a very fun link regarding this little post! When Stef and I (as admins on the site) sign in to we heart this, we get a list of any outside blogs that are linking to us.
This morning I noticed a new one: BBC -ChartLog. Wait! What?! As in The BBC? British Broadcasting? It’s just a tiny link (at then end of a funny post about the above Kasabian video) but it has officially made my week-end!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/chartblog/2009/05/kasabian_fire.shtml
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