Dear Pie Bakers of Los Angeles (er.. friends),

Did you know that KCRW has a big day coming up? It’s the hugest thing we’ve ever done involving dough. I present to you KCRW’s PieFest & Contest next Sunday, April 28th! The mania at KCRW surrounding our annual festival of all things pie is unmatched in public media — Ira Glass is among this year’s judges, after all. We ride or die for pie and have done so every year since 2009, inspired by the inimitable Good Food queen, Evan Kleiman, who decided one summer to bake a pie-a-day… and we’ve never looked back.

And (of course) the music team inevitably gets inspired and involved. From Dolly Parton’s “Berry Pie” to Golden Smog’s “Pecan Pie,” we’ll have tunes spinning at the party to compliment whatever you bake! Plus, a handy Spotify playlist inspired by past Piefest selections from the late great Eric J. Lawrence to accompany you while you bake. But we’d also love to hear about your own favorite songs to listen to while baking.

Come try something new OR flex on your friends in the pie baking arena. The Baker’s entry deadline is Sunday, April 21!

I may not be a baker myself (or eligible to enter for that matter), but I want to try your creations. If this Music Insider inspires you to enter a pie before the baker registration deadline this Sunday night, let me know! I want to celebrate with you and will be sure to have a bite.

Justice talks nerdy live on Morning Becomes Eclectic

In between Coachella weekends and ahead of their feverishly anticipated new LP Hyperdrama, dynamic French electro-duo/studio wizards, Justice, stop by MBE to nerd out about some of their favorite records. Read and listen for their sharp insights into The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star,” yacht rock group Camel’s “Highways of the Sun,” and every French producer’s favorite producer — Jackson and His Computer Band.

Barry Can’t Swim (but he can get down live on MBE)

After wowing the crowd during his debut Coachella performance on Sunday night at the Gobi tent (and ahead of his sold-out show tonight at the El Rey), Scottish DJ and producer Barry Can’t Swim is giving us a peek into his euphoric live show. Tune in for a sampling of his special knack for blending his  (considerable) piano skills with propulsive beats and genre-agnostic samples. The set offers a solid mix of standouts from Barry’s 2023 LP When Will We Land? and his 2022 EP More Content.

Coachella Weekend 2: Sets to see (and stream)

Heading to Indio this weekend? Or maybe you’re kicking back at home for another round of Couchella? We’ve got you covered. KCRW’s intrepid reporter, Andrea Domanick, was on-site to review the sights and sounds of Coachella weekend one, making for a handy roundup of all the must-sees and hidden gems for your weekend two pleasure. Bone up over at KCRW’s TikTok. 

For an amuse-bouche, check out our Coachella edition of 5 Songs to Hear This Week, and listen to Andrea’s conversation with Steve Chiotakis on All Things Considered for a deeper dive into the SoCal vibes and fest economics of weekend one.

Songs to lift your spirits, curated by KCRW DJ Wyldeflower

Whether you’re feeling the grind of daily life, or just need an excuse to check out some life-affirming new tunes, we’ve got you covered. Tune into Press Play to hear host Madeleine Brand in conversation with KCRW DJ Ro “Wyldeflower” Contreras about a crop of recent releases that’ll have you breathing a sigh of relief. Contreras is on hand with her soothing voice and serious expertise, recommending some choice cuts from Reyna Tropical, Baby Rose, and more.