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Dear Music Insiders,
Saturday night, along with my pal and fellow LA parent, Peanut Butter Wolf, I’m DJing at KCRW Summer Nights er… Summer Afternoon and Sunsets?? at Kidspace! Why Afternoons and Sunsets? It’s because it is from 4-8 PM. It’s perfect timing for a family dance party at the perfect family time of day. Update. This just in. RSVPs have just closed, but I hope to see you there if you got yours in!
Kidspace is awesome. It is full of interactive, get your hands busy, play, and more play. I’ve heard that there are rubber ducky races and trikes on Saturday.
Meet us there!
Real talk. When my son was little, sometimes I needed to find the escape hatch and eject from the parenting cockpit. When I had a two-year-old, the only realistic break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option was to put on headphones, take a walk, and listen to some music. And sometimes it was to scoop him up and go out to listen to some music IRL.
Gosh, I remember those days. At the time, KCRW hadn’t yet truly morphed into the family community that it is now, so our Summer Nights weren’t an option for families — operative word, “Nights,” as in “nightlife.”
So, moms, dads, babysitters, friends, this one is for YOU! My now almost 20-year-old Kidspace veteran will be there with me, and so will my (gulp) grandson! So if you’ve got your RSVP, bring a picnic (perhaps PBW will bring a PBJ…) or grab some dinner there from a bangin’ food truck. And weary parents, don’t fear, there will be drinks of all flavors and sizes. Be sure to get there early because entry isn’t guaranteed, and we expect to hit in-person capacity.
See you in the arroyo! xx, Anne
Now Spinning On My Turntable Kokoroko – “Just Can’t Wait” (musclecars extended mix) from Brownswood Remix Editions 009
It’s easy to call London collective Kokoroko’s music a fusion of jazz and soul. Those three words don’t begin to tell the story of the rhythm, electronics, percussion, highlife, and pure joy they channel into the music they make. 2018 was when the budding London jazz scene fully came onto my radar with artists like Ezra Collective and Zara McFarlane. Back then, legendary DJ Gilles Peterson featured the music of Kokoroko on his BBC 6 radio show and a Brownswood Records compilation. They haven’t looked back. Now tracks from 2025’s Tuff Times Never Last are getting remixed and reimagined. My favorite of them all is “Just Can’t Wait” (musclecars extended mix), a conversation among live instruments, electronic sounds, club culture, and vibrant colors.
More Music Moments
More Summer Nights! KCRW Summer Nights with ASU FIDM Museum. On Friday, it’s the penultimate night of the museum’s exhibition, Obsessed: Fashion and Nostalgia in the ‘90s,and we’ll be there! Oh, the ‘90s! Why did I sell all your clothes on The Real Real? *Sigh* Grab your Anna Sui, Vivienne Westwood, and Versace for immersive gaming, interactive storytelling, and ’90s-inspired photo moments. Food ofc. J Crew rollneck sweater? Why not? It’s the '90s!
Today, Novena welcomed legendary musician, producer, composer, music supervisor, filmmaker, label head, and outstanding human Don Was as a special guest on Morning Becomes Eclectic. After over 50 years in music, he's finally recorded his first material under his own name, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble. He and Novena talked about his expansive career, his new album, Groove In The Face Of Adversity, and how these words became his life motto. They close the Guest DJ Set with one of the few people with whom he has yet to collaborate… Find out when you listen to this inspiring and beautiful conversation. And he’s performing at the Lodge Room on July 7th. Win tickets on the KCRW app!
Louie Vega + Raul Camposconnect in this advance listen to new music and Vega’s fun guest DJ mix, ahead of his Elements of Life shows at The Blue Note in Los Angeles. Vega also sits down exclusively with Raul for a lovely, captivating chat!
LA Metro + Soundtrips — Take a sonic trip with Wyldeflower through the lush landscapes of the city, from the mountains to the sandy, palm tree-lined beaches and luminescent streets. Let these rhythms be your guide. Metro Art and KCRW have teamed up for Soundtrips, a new series of four curated playlists by KCRW DJs inspired by the sounds of Los Angeles and featuring the artists of Los Angeles.
Punk Rock 50 + The Skirball – From ATC Anchor extraordinaire Steve Chiotikas: The Ramones released their first self-titled studio album 50 years ago, kicking off the punk music scene. Outsiders gathered in small clubs, playing music with fast rhythms and explosive lyrics. The punk scene transitioned from underground to a global phenomenon as it evolved over the years.
To mark the occasion,Henry Rollins went to work on a playlist for us! From Henry: "This playlist is a razor-thin slice of the Punk music scenes happening in Los Angeles, New York City, and London in the late 1970s and early 1980s. All three cities had incredible music, thriving scenes, legendary venues, and a vigorous, independent record label network. These bands burst into the established music universe with no apology. Thankfully, the establishment never recovered. Some people might tell you this music changed their lives. I would be one of them."
And finally... Melody’s Echo Chamber Live From KCRW!!! Melody’s Echo Chamber brings her lush, psychedelic dream-pop soundscape to KCRW HQ for an electric live performance.
After catching fire with her hit single "Sober," she received co-signs from cultural heavyweights like Maxwell, Snoop Dogg, Jermaine Dupri, Queen Latifah, and Raphael Saadiq, to name a few. Now you have a chance to see her LIVE at the Blue Note LA! Two shows in one night!
Ready to settle some of the biggest debates of the ‘90s? Join Sam Sanders and a panel of pop-culture obsessives this Sunday at Dynasty Typewriter as they crown the ultimate ‘90s icons, trends, and moments in a live, nostalgia-fueled showdown packed with laughs, hot takes, and audience participation.
The free Leimert Park Jazz Festival returns on Saturday, August 29th with a full day of live music, art, food, and family fun. Want to elevate your experience? VIP tickets include shaded reserved seating, a meal, a drink, and other exclusive perks.
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