All of our DJs receive hundreds of CDs a month to consider for airplay. In this regular feature, KCRW DJ Chuck P catalogues his musical bounty from the Post Office each week.
Been busy these past few days. Haven’t been able to get outside as much, which is a shame because the weather has been so beautiful. Gotta get the camera out and go for a nice long walk soon. Where do you like to hike? I think the Santa Monica mountains are calling my name.
20 new discs in the mail …

KCRW DJ Garth Trinidad will be hosting this Sunday’s World Festival kick off concert at the Hollywood Bowl. ALL of us here at KCRW love our Bowl shows so much and we know you do to. A personal note from Garth:
I so cherish what seem like moments made from divine providence. Everything about such moments evokes the belief in angelic whispers to the minds ear, gently luring humanity together to celebrate its spirit and the gifts we’ve been given.
It’s time once again to celebrate the madness of summer, as one. …

I’ve been hearing rumblings from local music fans that this year’s World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl is one of our best line ups yet. It is KCRW’s 12th season showcasing sounds from around the globe, along with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. From The Swell Season, Baaba Maal, Chemical Brothers and reggae legend Jimmy Cliff to rising stars like Yeasayer, Tinariwen, and Chromeo these will be six Sunday shows to remember.  See the full lineup below.
The series starts on Sunday, June 20 and single show tickets go on sale …

Orbital – Firstly, at some point late last year…I jumped on a Coachella Wishlist Bulletin Board and simply wrote “Orbital.” So, A) this is proof that if you ask the universe for something, you can get it. Also, B) that I’m magic. Actually, the Hartnoll Brothers (and their lightglasses) are magic and hearing Halcyon + On + On, The Box, and/or Beached in the middle of a starry desert night could potentially alter everyone’s DNA.
Flying Lotus – Speaking of altering DNA, I recently had the privilege of hearing some …

Phoenix – The thought of hearing the soaring pop guitar of these French musical masterminds against a cloudless California sky sold me on attending Coachella this year. Their precise, vibrant, addictive riffs promise a great performance.
Little Dragon – A potent mixture of smooth funk and eerie vocals, Little Dragon should attract an interesting crowd with their soulful jazz turned emotive electronic sound. I expect their songs to be even more fantastically chilling live.
Yeasayer – I first discovered these dynamic rockers during a KCRW First Fridays event at the LA Museum …

After weeks of teasing, the folks behind Lollapalooza have finally announced a lineup that includes a handful of KCRW favorites — Arcade Fire, The Strokes, Phoenix, Hot Chip – as well as heavy hitters like Lady Gaga. Lollapalooza happens August 6-8, 2010 in the jewel of Chicago, Grant Park. Other notable acts are the bill are The Black Keys, Jimmy Cliff, Spoon, The New Pornographers, Cut Copy, Yeasayer, Erykah Badu, The National, Grizzly Bear, Metric, The Temper Trap, The xx and many more.  Check out the full …

Yeasayer and Warpaint headlined the second night of First Fridays 2010, held at the Natural History Museum. Here are some photos, courtesy of Jeremiah Garcia, and a great write up from our friends at Spinner.

Yeasayer and Warpaint headline Natural History Museum’s First Fridays tomorrow night, February 5 from 5:30 to 10:30pm. The monthly lecture and music series is presented by KCRW. Yeasayer’s sophomore release “Odd Blood” is already getting heavy spins at the station, while excellent local band Warpaint will be releasing their debut shortly on Rough Trade. Resident DJ Them Jeans (Jason Stewart) will spin throughout the evening along with headliner DJ Ana Calderon.
Advance tickets are sold out, but there will be some available at the door.
ARRIVE EARLY! Especially if you want …

Yeasayer describe themselves on MySpace as “Enya with Bounce“ but really their sound is influenced by Pan-African and Middle Eastern music and they honed their vocal skills in a barbershop quartet. The band, which generated a huge buzz with their debut in 2007, is stopping off in LA for a show at the Natural History Museum as part of First Fridays (presented by KCRW) before heading out on a world tour. Check out a preview, courtesy of Today’s Top Tune. Can’t beat a free download!
Go here for more info …

First Fridays is an incredible monthly music series after hours at the Natural History Museum and KCRW is thrilled to be presenting it in 2010! It starts THIS Friday, January 8 with a double bill straight from KCRW’s playlists –Atlas Sound and Tune-Yards.
MBE Host Jason Bentley has a notable history with the Museum’s music programming, staging a legendary dance party with Fatboy Slim in 2004. I was there that night and, let me tell you, dancing your bum off while surrounded by taxidermied animals behind glass might be one of …