Dear Friends,

When a new employee starts at KCRW, we have a very public radio hazing ritual at KCRW — a simple question, which all who enter the doors of KCRW HQ must answer on their first day. This traditional query goes back to the hallowed halls of the KCRW Basement days, and the Good Food team’s inimitable queen, Evan Kleiman…

Cake or Pie?

Woe to the new employee who says something lame and diplomatic like, “both!” or, “I’m not really a dessert person,” or some similar cop-out.

Yesterday, I was at KCRW HQ, and pretty much the only topic of conversation bouncing around the bullpen was the return of Pie Fest. (see below!) Our beloved Good Food Pie Contest is back after a couple of years off, bringing the Coachella of pie baking to The Autry Museum on Saturday, March 14th… Pi Day (3.14, get it?).

One KCRW lover of pie was the late, great Eric J Lawrence, our Music Librarian of many years. Operating off a faint memory, I combed through his playlists to find what is arguably the most definitive collection of “pie” songs ever assembled. Think pie-related artists — Platinum Pied Pipers, and Sugar Pie Desantos, AND pie-related songs — “Sweet Potato Pie” by Al Jarreau or “Devil’s Pie” by D’Angelo.

Behold, a playlist to bake to, or to listen to while looking forward to Pie Fest 2026.

I made an apple pie once in my life, and I think it was the most difficult task I’ve ever undertaken. And I’ve given birth. The pie-adjacent final product wasn’t terrible, but it certainly recalibrated my understanding of pie baking, and pie bakers.

Part of the reason I will not be submitting a pie this year (but you should—the deadline to enter is March 7th at 11:55 PM) is because the tasting will be done by a panel of all-star judges, including Will Ferrell and Roy Choi! Seriously, it’s not that serious. It’s just fun. We’ll have live DJ sets spun by Raul Campos and Tyler Boudreaux, art activations for kids (Freak Nature Puppets!) and adults alike (zine and collage workshop with Heavy Manners Library!), free museum entry all day, live baking demos, Ask-a-Pie-Expert with Evan Kleiman, and the pie pageant, of all the competing pies… up to 500 of them! Plus, of course, there will be plenty of pie to enjoy from the marketplace, too, so come hungry.

See you there for a slice!

xx, Anne

Cate Le Bon - Live From HQ

Welsh artist and producer Cate Le Bon paid a recent visit to the KCRW Annenberg Performance Studio. Over six albums, including the Mercury Prize-nominated "Reward" and the critically acclaimed "Pompeii," she has honed a singular voice: part surrealist, part sculptor, always attuned to the emotional undercurrents that shape her art. Her latest release, 2025's "Michelangelo Dying," is an exercise in the viscerality of life, of love, of humanity for both listener and artist.

Le B-on and On

Would K-Pop Exist without Black Culture?

From the Billboard charts to the Oscars, K-Pop is bigger than ever in Hollywood. Along with its global domination, there’s a dark side to the genre. Blatant appropriation of Black American culture. K-Pop stars caught using racial slurs. Fandoms torn apart over anti-Black bullying.

So, how should we all be thinking about K-Pop in 2026? Sam Sanders posed that question to Dr. Sarah Olutola, novelist and professor at Lakehead University. Her research centers on pop culture, Black culture, and K-Pop. They examined the history, geopolitics, and future of a global system largely built off Black American art.

K-Pop Goes The Weasel

Win Tickets to Soundscape NW Festival

Be a part of the magic at the 2026 inaugural Soundscape Northwest festival in Portland, Oregon. Hosted by KCRW’s Novena Carmel, this six-day arts festival (April 27th–May 2nd) will feature 100+ international artists including Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Toro y Moi, and Baby Rose. Commit to a monthly donation to KCRW before this Saturday, February 28th at midnight for your chance to win festival passes, a 7-night hotel stay, and round-trip airfare for two.

Donate Now