Dear Friends,

I’ve been reflecting a bit about our weekly conversation in the Music Insider. I sent you my very first Music Insider newsletter on January 27th, 2021. At the time, as Music Director, I was also wrapping up my tenure hosting Morning Becomes Eclectic, welcoming our new hosts and reflecting on the riveting poetry by Amanda Gorman, America’s Poet Laureate, which she delivered at President Biden’s inauguration. We were still reeling from COVID, but grateful that vaccines were imminent. We were recovering from the events of January 6th, yet hopeful for the future.

During that time, artists released some of their most powerful music. I remember musing on what those times would elicit from artists, both visual and musical. That first Music Insider featured a private playlist from pop group Xinxin, Today’s Top Tune from Field Music, and a playlist remembering the one-year anniversary of losing Kobe.

Our beloved Executive Music Producer, Ariana Morgenstern (more about her impact below!), was keeping Morning Becomes Eclectic, me, and the KCRW Music Team in line.

What I’ve loved most about writing this weekly missive is sharing with you, not only what goes on behind the scenes musically here at the K (Live From KCRW HQ, Live from my (Anne’s) Backyard, Guest DJs), but also what we’re feeling about the music we are hearing. Sometimes it was the energy of Dodgers Walk Up music, and sometimes it was a poignant bilingual cover of Paul Simon performed by Gaby Moreno and David Garza. Among hundreds of artists, we talked together about the uncategorizable Mermaid Chunky, the openness of Sharon Van Etten, the creativity of Moses Sumney, the elegance of Beth Gibbons, and the breathtaking beauty of silence.

Today, five and a half years later, it’s time for me to turn over the reins of Music Insider to my successor as Music Director, Alejandro Cohen. Ale, along with all of our DJs, will keep this conversation going about what is inspiring and exciting us in music. I’ll occasionally jump back in when I have something to share.

That said, the reins of Saturday afternoon music from noon until 3 PM remain firmly in my hands, so I’ll see you on the radio (or app, or website) this Saturday, which happens to be America’s birthday, July 4th!

BTW, if you have any song requests for my all-American 4th of July show, hit me up. anne@kcrw.org.

Be well always,
xx, Anne

Now Spinning On My Turntable
Mamas Gun – "Joy"

Mamas Gun, the British five-piece named after Erykah Badu’s 2000 album, have made a masterpiece of warmth and musicianship, DIG! Recorded straight to 16-track analog tape with nary an overdub to be found, the entire album is brimming with soul and joy. That is why “Joy” is spinning and spinning for me. I dare you to try to feel bad after you’ve watched and listened! Once you’ve heard the whole album, run and grab Songs In The Key Of Life for your next spin. It’s a perfect segue!

More Music Moments

As I just mentioned above, we have sent our queen and Executive Producer extraordinaire, Ariana Morgenstern, off into retirement bliss. For 43 years, she has been the one constant running through KCRW Music. She has worked with six music directors and seven hosts of Morning Becomes Eclectic. She has also been a mentor and den mother to scores of DJs. And, most importantly, Ariana has been our creative throughline. Yesterday, she was Novena’s Guest DJ in the 11 o’clock hour. Listen to her song picks and countless stories. (Scrub to 1:53:01.)

For her final surprise (in addition to the party waiting for her after the show was over), producers Bob Carlson and Myke Dodge Weiskopf put together an eight-minute-long tribute that’ll make you shed a tear, laugh, and appreciate Ariana as much as we do at KCRW.

Her final words were about making sure KCRW stayed a place of “integrity, creativity, and humanity.” And with that, she rolled into her final track, Stevie Wonder’s “As.”

For 43 years, Ariana Morgenstern has been quietly but powerfully shaping the signature sound of KCRW music. She joined the station as a 23-year-old in 1983 and spent the next three decades producing Morning Becomes Eclectic, KCRW’s flagship daily music program, before becoming Executive Producer of KCRW’s Music Department in 2015. Now, she’s retiring, and she has stories to share from her legendary career.

And finally… the world's first LGBTQ mariachi band is out and about in L.A. Just sharing a little Pride Month positivity to cap off the June celebrations. The sound design on this one is really nice if I do say so myself.

Enjoy!
xx, Anne

Upcoming Music Events

🎶 🗓️ ➡️  Also On KCRW's Radar  ⬅️ 🗓️ 🎶

July 7th–8th — Souls of Mischief @ Blue Note Los Angeles

July 10th — Katie Alice Greer @ Scribble

July 11th — KCRW Summer Nights with Manuela at Hauser & Wirth

July 12th — KCRW Festival at the Bowl: Music from the Films of Wes Anderson w/host Luxxury

July 16th — CA7RIEL y Paco Amoroso @ the Greek

July 16th — Chinese American Bear @ the Echo

July 16th — "Third Thursdays" with Miles Lennox Quartet @ Sam First

July 17th — Inara George & Van Dyke Parks @ Blue Note Los Angeles

July 18th–19th — Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band @ Blue Note Los Angeles

July 19th — Bob Moses and Cannons: Afterglow Tour @ Hollywood Bowl

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