Hi all,

Last weekend Chris Douridas stopped by KCRW during my show, popping into the studio to ask me my forever favorite question: “What are you really excited to play and share on your show today?” This is the ultimate question, isn’t it?

So… picture an old mixtape. A cassette that you would spend hours on — first painstakingly searching for the right songs to include, then sequencing them perfectly. Your labeling and handwriting had to be on point. If you didn’t make cassettes way back when (because you weren’t born yet) pretend you did for a moment. It’s way more romantic that way, trust me.

Yesterday afternoon was sunny and sparkling: temperature in the ‘60s, light bouncing off the water, gravel road under my feet. And I was listening to “Goji” by Auckland, New Zealand’s Serebii.

Next in the queue: “Dusty” by Hannah Cohen. It opens her fourth album Earthstar Mountain (out tomorrow) and it's a bit melancholy. Hannah knows that wherever we go, we always take ourselves with us… but it’s ok. And we will be too. Side note: How did I only now just find her?

The tape plays on to reveal that Jim James has gotten the band back together! There’s a new album called is, and it’s My Morning Jacket’s first in almost four years(!). Growing up, I rolled down “River Road” to get to school every day. James’ school was in Ohio, mine was in Virginia. Ready Set Go!

Then the tape plays the first offering from Adrian Quesada’s second album of classic balladas, Boleros Psicodélicos II. It’s called “Ojos Secos” and features the ultimate romantic, Cuco.

Ok, time for side two and a vibe switch. The new vibes are dark, sexy, synthy, and spoken word-y on Marie Davidson’s “Sexy Clown.” The album title City Of Clowns alone serves up her pointed and stark observations of our time. Thank you to KCRW’s Head of Digital, Andrea Domanick, for loving this Quebecois queen and sharing her with me.

On this mixtape, shoegaze follows synths — same era, new imagination, right? Austin, TX duo Daydream Twins mesmerize on “No Coming Down.” Remember The Sundays? Credit to Senior KCRW Music Producer Myke Dodge Weiskopf for this bliss.

And what’s this I'm hearing now? The National’s Matt Berninger is happy(!) or at least he sounds more upbeat than he has in a while. And that makes me happy. Every Saturday, I can’t get “Bonnet Of Pins” on the air fast enough. The guitars, the VOICE, Julia Laws’ (Ronboy) backing vocals, and Berninger’s autobiographical bent to the lyrics. Yum.

Bolero! Bachata! Electronic beats! It’s “Tumbo” next on the mixtape from Mexican legend Cafe Tacvba’s Meme De Real! Pro-tip: Watch the video. I love this video!

And finally, a late breaking addition. This morning I woke up to news of a new Tortoise LP, their first since 2016. Listen to this album. Enough said.

Voila! Your March mix is done. And diligently adding it all onto a Memorex, TDK, or Sony is entirely optional.

Stereolab: KCRW Live From The Basement (MBE, September 1994)

A flurry of activity from the Stereolab camp will always pique our attention. So on the heels of a recent tour announcement from the semi-recently reunited, always effortlessly cool avant-pop group — one that will include a couple of October stops at the Bellwether in LA — we realized that it was well past time to get the band's first KCRW interview online.

In 1994, Stereolab co-founders Laetitia Sadier and Tim Gane sat down with then Morning Becomes Eclectic host Chris Douridas to chat about their album, Mars Audiac Quintet. Along the way, they discuss influences from Martin Denny to Throbbing Gristle; the band’s serendipitous discovery of the Farfisa organ; and the potential of pop music to redress political and personal power. Hear it all (and more) when you press that button below.

Danny Goliger: KCRW Guest DJ Mix

This week’s guest mix comes courtesy of LA-based DJ/producer Danny Goliger, who just put out the excellent new EP Exonym on Jubilee's Magic City label. His bass-heavy, club-friendly sounds have previously been released on the Dirtybird, 3024, and Scuffed labels. And while they always blur the lines between genres, count on them almost always being built around big-ass bass up front. Dive into his exclusive FREAKS ONLY guest mix below. 

Jim James updates us on his creative process

My Morning Jacket has come a long way since they arrived at KCRW's Basement studio for their Morning Becomes Eclectic debut in 2001. The psych-soul-country-rock band from Louisville, KY — who began by booking small shows throughout the Southwest just to earn the gas money to visit us in Santa Monica — soon found themselves opening for Bob Dylan and The Foo Fighters, and eventually headlining arenas and stadiums. 

On the heels of releasing is, his 10th studio album with the band, frontman Jim James joins us for an in depth chat about the process. He opens up about working with multi-Grammy winning producer Brendan O'Brien, exploring sample culture, getting into therapy, hearing love, and a whole lot more.

Keep KCRW going strong... And win a box at the Hollywood Bowl? 👀

We know, we know... too good to be true, right? But it's not. Donating to KCRW before midnight on Monday, March 31st will get you automatically entered to win a Terrace Box at Leon Bridges' Thursday, June 5th Hollywood Bowl show. But wait, there's SO MUCH MORE. If you win this sweeps, you'll also pick up two tickets for Alton Brown: The Last Bite at The Wiltern, two tickets for Hermanos Gutiérrez at The Greek Theatre, two tickets for Peter Cat Recording Co. at the Hollywood Palladium, and two tickets for Kruder & Dorfmeister at The Greek Theatre. Phew!

That's five sure-to-be incredible shows, peppered nicely throughout the year courtesy of our pals at Live Nation. And they could all be yours. Click that button below, keep your favorite radio station humming along, and you might just win this sweet live music package.