Hey Y'all, 

A few Mondays ago, I headed to KCRW HQ to see Jensen McCrae live from our Annenberg Performance Studio. But I didn’t do it in my usual teeth-gritting way where I feel like I’m a character in the world’s most boring-yet-stressful video game. I’ve frankly become sick of hearing myself talk endlessly about roadwork on Wilshire, the gridlock on Santa Monica Blvd. that prevents a path past the 405, potholes on La Brea, etc., etc. (insert SNL “The Californians” meme here). So I decided to try something new, and now I’m obsessed.

I live walking distance from Hollywood and Highland, so I downloaded the LA Metro “Tap” app, added $20 ($1.75 per ride), and boarded the B Line (heavy rail). My first transfer was at the 7th Street Metro Center. From there, I climbed a couple of flights of stairs and transferred to the E line (light rail, for those keeping score). Lo and behold, just 30 minutes later, I stepped off the train and onto the platform of the 26th Street/Bergamot Station. Three blocks later, I was standing in front of the K.

We’re talking 60 minutes door to door(!). Once inside, I said a quick hello to Jensen, grabbed the best balcony seat (on the far left, on the floor), and watched as she and her acoustic guitar became, in her words, “a weapon of mass emotion.”

Jensen is a poet, composer, storyteller, and wordsmith. She shares every emotion she has in real time. Jensen makes me feel seen and heard. She preaches that we all need to let go of grudges, resist comparing ourselves to the people who torment us with the simple fact of their existence, and especially to forgive ourselves for making mistakes. After all, “your 20s are when you make all of the mistakes.” SO. TRUE.

I’m a few decades of experience ahead of her, but it doesn’t matter. Her “impeccable turns of phrase and empathy machine of a singing voice” bring it all to the surface for me. Her sophomore album is I Don’t Know How But They Found Me!. It’s my prescription for you today.

I will now pivot from my love letter to Jensen McRae, back to my intense “like” letter to the LA Metro.

Because after Jensen’s invigorating set, I walked back to 26th Street/Bergamot, retracing my steps. I mused on the Bright Line West to Las Vegas (slated to open in 2028), and I even allowed myself to dream that someday California High Speed Rail might become a reality.

And my journey home was only 55 minutes door to door. That’s a helluva lot better than the 90 it would have taken in my beater Toyota.

In conclusion: Jensen + LA Metro = a perfect LA afternoon.

And the best part is that Jensen’s session is available for your viewing pleasure now. Find it now in the KCRW: Live From archives.

Be well, and I’ll meet you back here after the 4th of July. Next week you’ll be in the very capable hands of my colleague Marion Hodges. 😎

CA musician Ty Segall on ‘Possession,’ collaborations, and ‘no ICE’

Ty Segall, raised in Laguna Beach, became a leader of California’s garage rock scene in the 2010s and demonstrated versatility as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. His 2013 album Sleeper was an acoustic experiment in psychedelic folk. Now, at age 38, Segall is prolific. He’s out with his 16th album, Possession, which draws inspiration from the rock ‘n’ roll sounds of the 1970s as well as cinematic American storytelling. 

Read and listen on for a deeper dive into the epic life of Ty Segall.

Richard Norris: KCRW Guest Mix

Richard Norris is an expert at pinpointing the sonic cross-section between psychedelia and dance music. Look no further than his work as one half of Beyond The Wizards Sleeve (with Erol Alkan), especially their 2016 opus The Soft Bounce. His compositions under the guise of The Time And Space Machine are equally worthy of your attention. And his decades of exploring the psych-dance connection have recently culminated in a 42-track collection called Mr. Norris Changes Brains for Eskimo Recordings. The compilation primarily pulls from the early '70s, but some selections stretch all the way into the late 2010s.

Feeling like you could use a primer before taking the plunge? You’ve come to the right place. For his FREAKS ONLY Guest mix, Mr. Norris pulls some of his favorite cuts from the compilation and delivers them directly to you.

Sometimes It's Just Nice to Be Outside

Wanna leave your heart in San Francisco? KCRW can help with that. Donate right now for your chance to win two VIP passes to this year's Outside Lands. It's going down August 8th to 10th, with sets from Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Vampire Weekend, Beck (with a symphony!), and so many more of your faves. All you have to do is support KCRW at kcrw.com/give, and you'll be automatically entered to win. 

👀 FREE DJ sets from Boogie Boudreax + Novena Carmel this weekend

Summer is well underway meaning it's about damn time for you to get in on some proper block party vibes. So check out the Mid City Arts & Music Festival, a free, all-ages event highlighting local artists, musicians, community organizations, and more. Enjoy food trucks, live art, and live DJ sets from Novena Carmel and Tyler “Boogie” Boudreaux (pictured above)! It's all happening this Saturday, starting at noon.