Hey everybody,

Molly here, your KCRW Insider and your go-to for everything happening in and around KCRW. Before we get started, we’d love your help. Take this KCRW Insider newsletter survey to let us know what you like and don’t like about this newsletter.

Here’s a preview of what you’ll get in the newsletter this week:

• In the studio: DEVO frontman and film composer Mark Mothersbaugh and musician and actor Jason Schwartzman are MBE special guests!
• In the community: A night of jazz at Sam First featuring the Miles Lennox Quartet
• Around the watercooler: KCRW’s Kim Ishikawa highlights a special ice cream shop in Gardena
• In other news: Bill Addison’s favorite food spots along Route 66

We’re not even halfway through our Summer Nights season, which means there are still plenty of chances to dance the night away with us!

I’m especially excited for our Members-Only Summer Nights at LACMA on August 8th. I grew up within walking distance of the museum, and it’s been amazing to watch the campus transform over the past few years. The David Geffen Galleries are stunning, and the outdoor spaces feel so open and inviting.

A few weekends ago, I stopped by LACMA’s Block Party and got a taste of just how magical the space can be, filled with great food vendors, incredible DJs, and the kind of community energy that makes LA feel special. I can't wait to see KCRW bring our own flavor to the night with DJ sets from Cut Chemist and new KCRW DJ Tana Yonas, who'll be making her Summer Nights debut!

If you're not a member yet and want to get an invite to the LACMA party, it's easy to become one today. Membership doesn't just unlock invitations to exclusive events like this, you'll also get access to intimate live performances at KCRW HQ, local discounts around the city, and concert ticket presales.

Most importantly, your donation helps sustain independent public media. KCRW is now 100% community-funded, which means every membership directly supports the journalism, music discovery, events, and programs you love — including this newsletter. Your support allows us to keep creating meaningful experiences, bringing people together, and serving our community for years to come.

-Molly

In the Studio

Vocalist, guitarist, producer, and My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James delivered an intimate performance for a lucky group of KCRW staff at HQ. If you missed his appearance at the Hollywood Bowl's Music from the Films of Wes Anderson concert last weekend, you'll definitely want to check out this beautifully stripped-down set we captured. 

In 2023, Comedian and actress Chelsea Peretti made her directorial debut, aptly titled First Time Female Director. For her Treat with Elvis Mitchell, she cites a 1957 absurdist play that got plenty of laughs in spite of its bleak story.

DEVO frontman and prolific film composer Mark Mothersbaugh, alongside musician and actor Jason Schwartzman, joined Morning Becomes Eclectic to discuss the iconic music they've helped bring to life in the films of Wes Anderson, one of Hollywood's most visionary directors.

Writer, producer and actor Ryan O'Connell broke onto the scene after creating the Netflix comedy series Special in 2019. He sat down with Sam Sanders and shared about his journey as a young writer in the 2010s, what it means to be authentic in this era of virality, and the reality of working in entertainment.

KCRW In The Community

KCRW Presents: "Third Thursdays" with Miles Lennox Quartet with Nic Gelin, Nolan Nwachukwu & Josh Green at Sam First tomorrow night! Expect to hear a night of beautiful melodies, bold and creative improvisation, swing, and groove!

We have two Summer Nights coming up next weekend, but if you're looking to hit the dance floor before then, head to The Music Center for Dance DTLA this Friday! It’s a free outdoor dance party featuring complimentary dance lessons, live DJ sets, and interactive experiences.

This Saturday, Desert Daze presents The Big Micro featuring DakhaBrakha with Brainstory at The Bellwether. If you caught Brainstory's Live From performance at KCRW HQ back in 2024, you know you're in for a treat. Their psychedelic blend of soul, jazz, and rock makes for an unforgettable live show. They’re joined by DakhaBrakh, a super unique Ukrainian folk music quartet, accompanied by traditional instrumentation from different countries.

Around The Watercooler
(Staff Recs)

Kim (Membership team): Kansha Creamery
I had Kansha Creamery cater my daughter's first birthday, so I think it's safe to say I'm a fan. This Gardena favorite is run by a brother-and-sister team who make everything themselves. They keep a few fan-favorite staples (vanilla, matcha, mr. universal) on the menu, but their rotating seasonal flavors are inspired by Asian ingredients (currently mugicha) as well as local produce (currently yellow peaches). Pro tip: Don't skip the homemade waffle cone. They make it fresh in-house, and it's just as good as the ice cream.

Magnolia (Art & Design team): Authentic Japanese Kimono Shop
I’ve been getting my haircut at this gift shop/kimono shop/hair salon in Pasadena since I was a baby! She sources all her kimonos & gifts from Kyoto, and it's just a wonderful place to check out and maybe get your hair done… or get traditionally dressed in a kimono for special occasions, pictures, etc. There are so many Japanese festivals in LA (called OBON), and it's the place to get fitted for a kimono. This is my sister and I when I was three hahahah :) Also, you don't have to be Japanese!!

On a side note, she was impacted by the Altadena fires last year, and I wanna throw some attention to her craft <3

Krissy (Events team): The coolest dance aerobics class
I fractured my foot a few weeks ago and have been getting around on a knee scooter. I've recommended Pony Sweat here before, the "fiercely non-competitive dance aerobics" class. They have a practice called Chair Pony, so I gave it a try. The instructor set up a chair and a few weights for me, and while most of the class danced, I spent almost the full hour swaying, air drumming, and lifting weights. It felt so powerful to move my body with other people during a time that's felt so still. A friend was so inspired by my ability to "f--k the moves" (Pony Sweat's motto) that he took a nap during class while others chassé'd and I air-drummed. This class is the lowest stakes and most radical joy.

In Other News

On Good Food, LA Times restaurant critic Bill Addison gets his kicks by dropping into his favorite spots along legendary Route 66, which spans from Santa Monica all the way to Chicago.

The Los Angeles Central Library turns 100 this month! On Press Play, Madeleine Brand speaks with LA City Librarian John Szabo, who says the library can actually thrive in an age when people aren’t reading many books, referring to the rise in audiobooks. The episode also features author Susan Orlean, whose bestselling book The Library Book chronicles the devastating 1986 fire at the Central Library.

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