Support KCRW

KCRW's Summer Pledge Drive Kicks off today. Details on membership plans and incentives are here. Times are tough on all of us but i promise this is one of the best returns on your investment at any amount. I know it is the most enriching resource for music, news, and has always been at the pulse of Los Angeles culture for me and since it's listener-supported, it is up to us to make sure that it continues to serve the local community and world.

Just a few of the membership benefits includes great subscription premiums, eligibility for ticket giveaways and the fringe benefits incentives to over 1,000 of LA's finest local shops, retailers, and restaurants. Today is the last day to enter all 4 sweepstakes including vacations in Santiago, Paris, Shanghai, and a new Nightfire Mini Cooper convertible. Every day of the drive they will also give away a MacBook Pro. The Pledge Drive lasts until the 17th of August ; You can subscribe online or on-air but please do consider listening as a subscriber to keep the handpicked programming alive.

KCRW Music Library is Reborn

As if you needed another reason to listen to KCRW...this month they've launched their digital music library which might just grow up to be the size of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. What's even better is that great soundtracks like Ghostbusters will be included in the digitization : ) Anyhow, compliments to the chef..i mean chief librarian Eric J. Lawrence who also enjoys marshmallows on occasion. Every day this month he will be showcasing the hidden luster from the dusty vinyl unearthed from over 60,000 titles in his special "Basement Tracks" Series available to stream on demand on the KCRW website.

After 20 days, Eric's already included exclusive live station recordings from Wilco, Beck, Pavement and Frou Frou early in their career. BTW- these are a sample of over 1,200 live performances and counting. I can almost guarantee he'll show you a Happy Birthday song you've never heard before, a graduation song with high honors and my personal favorite for Father's day, Woody Herman's "Ah, You're Father's Moustache" from 1945...see below for more details


Today's Tune features Time Zone's "World Destruction" feat. Afrika Bambata, which is one of the first songs to mix elements of rap and rock and is a rarity found in Pauly Shore's out of print Bio-Dome soundtrack. If you like Eric's taste in not just marshmallows, I strongly recommend his show on Sunday evenings/Monday mornings from 12-3am for a good dose of knowledge dropping before you start your week. If it's past your bed-time, listen on demand here.

Groove Armada w Jason Bentley at LA City Hall

A great case was made On Saturday night on the steps of City Hall where Justice and New Order were served from the hands of Jason Bentley and Groove Armada. Over 3,000 heads rocked with their restless legs dancing for over five hours. Here are some pics and a video i took from the KCRW presentation:




You can listen to Jason Bentley's set on the KCRW Blog
Check out his playlist on the KCRW website

KCRW Music Match - Preserving a Piece of Music History

I'm sure you all have realized by now that the FoundTrack's #1 resource for music comes from KCRW public radio. This Santa Monica based station single-handedly changed my life path when i was exposed to its eclectic music and sophisticated news programming in college. I have since felt compelled to give back by any means necessary and will forever endeavor to retain the spirit in which it was established. At the moment I'm privileged to be a part of the Music Match: A Campaign to preserve their priceless collection of more than 60,000 recordings housed in their divine music library.

A documentary team called the Naturalist Project has kindly offered their time and services to produce a behind-the-scenes video about the historical importance and cultural relevance of the music library featuring the hands of yours truly (2min 13sec mark).



KCRW is in the midst of their Winter subscription drive. If you have been influenced by their many efforts to change the way we think and live, i strongly encourage you to make a donation. There are plenty of premium incentives to accompany your pledge from cleverly curated cd-packs to coachella ticket giveaways and romantic getaways for your looming and loving valentine's days to come. Each pledge enables eligibility for the winter sweepstakes which offers the chance of a Macbook Air, iPod touch, Smart Car, or a trip to Australia. You can also choose to make an additional donation towards The Music Match campaign in saving the music library.

Pledge drive ends on Monday February 4th.
For more info. tune in or go to http://subscribe.kcrw.org/subscribe.php