Not rendering correctly? View this email as a web page here.
Happy Coachella Eve Music Insiders,
Anne here. I couldn’t make it to Coachella last weekend, so I spent mine poring over Instagram to soak it up from afar. Our very own Wyldeflower inspired me. And it was easy to see it was a powerful weekend for her, as she opened the Mojave Stage on Sunday with an original DJ set. I asked her to share with you, and all of us, why it brought her to tears.
**********
From Wyldeflower:
I’ve been attending the Coachella Music Festival — by now, in almost every possible capacity — for almost two decades now. Back when it was contained to one weekend… live screen-printing on the field… accompanying friends who played on main stages … and this year, being booked to open up the Mojave stage myself, a stage with one of the best lineups – Iggy Pop, Suicidal Tendencies, Little Simz & FKA Twigs. It’s pretty surreal, to say the least.
Music has been in my DNA since birth. My father was a Mariachi singer, producer, and tour manager. I’ve spent most of my life going to shows, so when a performance of this magnitude moves you to tears and makes you feel seen as an artist, fully represented on such an enormous stage… it’s one of those moments that pulls on every single heart string.
Mariachi music, like jazz, has standard songs that are embedded into our memories like ink on skin, so singing word-for-word was automatic — it was therapeutic. Karol G represented for the Latino community worldwide, from Puerto Rico to Cuba to Colombia to Mexico.
Being on that Mojave stage on Sunday, kicking off the final day of weekend one, wearing my mother’s rebozo (scarf) on my head, was beyond symbolic. It was a time machine, a full-circle moment, and an affirmation. I’m still floating, feeling all the feelings, the biggest one being gratitude.
I’m so proud to be part of the cosmic musical community. From the Mojave stage at Coachella to the KCRW radio stage. If you were at Coachella this year: how lucky we were to hold that space together. And to everyone, everywhere, I invite you to join me on KCRW, worldwide every Wednesday from 8–10 PM PT.
– Wlydeflower
**********
Anne here again. Thank you so much for sharing your intimate experience with us, Wyldeflower!
Wyldeflower’s ruminations on her musical Mexican heritage remind me to point you to an excellent music doc that was covered on Press Play this week — Chulas Fronteras. More than a music doc, really, it’s a love letter to music and the culture of music of the US/Mexico border… specifically in the 1970s. It examines Mexican-American life at the border, from farmwork to community bonds, and the roots of mariachi, which include — wait for it — German polka.
And now, keep scrolling to see more of what I'm excited about, plus all the exciting music moments at KCRW and in your neighborhood.
xx, Anne
Now Spinning On My Turntable Moby Future Quiet
Everyone who went to Coachella Weekend One can’t stop talking about Moby’s performance. Last week, the day before Moby headed for the desert, he brought a stripped-down version of his set to KCRW’s Annenberg Performance Studio. Moby was accompanied by his trusted, illustrious virtuosos, including Jacob Lusk, of Gabriels fame, on vocals. KCRW's Ariana Morgenstern levitated to Moby’s performance and told me, “He asked the room to keep ultra quiet, and the audience was enraptured for the entire performance. Jacob Lusk transported me with his powerful voice. I haven't been able to get “When It's Cold I'd Like To Die" out of my mind. It brought me to tears and was beautifully cinematic in a way I’d never heard before. The pathos was real. Of the many times Moby treated us to sessions, this may be my favorite.”
We’ll share the KCRW live session in a few weeks, but for now, if you're headed to Coachella, don't miss his Weekend Two performance. For those doing 🛋️ Couchella 🛋️, he’ll be there too!
More Music Moments
This just in! We released a new version of the KCRW app (7.3.0) with a new “Win” tab, where you have a chance to win concert tickets. It’s now your one-stop shop to get all your favorite shows, member exclusives, giveaway opportunities, and other recommendations. Stay tuned for more awesomeness coming to the KCRW App.
Now here's a moment! One of the original punk rock icons, Billy Idol, was just inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He was on with Novena last year as MBE Guest DJ. He stopped by just ahead of his (no way!) 70th birthday and recent documentary, Billy Idol Should Be Dead to share his early music influences as well as a contemporary artist who has continued in his same spirit! Don’t sleep on this one!
It’s time for the next installment of Soundtrips, KCRW’s collaboration with Metro Art, where you can let KCRW DJs curate your commutes. Last month, riders (and all of us) experienced the LA-centric, feel-good vibes of Morning Becomes Eclectic goddess, Novena Carmel. This month, we turn to KCRW’s Music Director, Alejandro Cohen, who describes his playlist:
“I wanted to create something that slows things down. So much of moving through Los Angeles is fast, loud, and overstimulating, and I was interested in what it would feel like to offer the opposite. This mix leans into ambient, modern classical, spiritual jazz, and more experimental sounds that give you space to think, reflect, or just sit with where you are.
My hope is that it gives riders a moment of calm and a sense of connection, and maybe even shifts how the experience of moving through the city can feel.”
“Throughout April, I’m part of KCRW’s RESIDENT DJ series. Each week, I’m sharing a selection of tracks across different decades, styles, and geographies — alternative global sound, from Buenos Aires, through Los Angeles, to the world. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!”
And our final moment... on Monday’s Morning Becomes Eclectic, Novena Carmel shares a musical moment for Bollywood legend Asha Bhosle, who has passed away at the age of 92.
Cult London brand Damson Madder is coming to LA for the first time ever, with a four-day pop-up bringing a taste of the British seaside to California.
Shop a curated edit of their High Summer and swim collections, and discover Damson’s take on the very best of British seaside culture at Café Damson, serving up daily specials including fish & chips and soft serve ice cream in collaboration with resident chef, Chloe Walsh.
Your 15% code: Say LA15 at the checkout in-store for 15% off your purchase. When: Thursday, April 23rd–Saturday, April 25th, from 11 AM to 7 PM and Sunday, April 26th, from 11 AM to 6 PM.
On Saturday, April 18th, celebrate the release of Mia Doi Todd's new album, Human Experience. You'll get a live performance by Mia Doi Todd with Andres Renteria. Plus, Carlos Niño will begin the evening with a DJ set with a nightcap afterparty set by KCRW DJ Wyldeflower.
KCRW 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 You received this email because you are subscribed to Music Insider from KCRW. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails.
