You can check out The Rising Tide on Twitter right here! By following us, you’ll be the first to hear announcements about our upcoming interviews, the first to see photos of recent performances we’ve put up on our Picasa page, and the first to hear about all upcoming news and things concerning your favorite local music radio show!

That being said, let me introduce you to our first of two guests for tonight’s program, The SHE’S.

Hailing from San Francisco, The SHE’S are proof positive that making great music has no arbitrary age requirement. Much has been made of the group members’ relative youth (they’re in high school), but one need not delve too far into their music to find out that the band’s ability to craft melodies with quality pop sensibilities reaches far beyond what one would expect for a group of musicians their age. Their sound can be described as indebted to the likes of the Shangri-Las, Herman’s Hermits and the Beach Boys as far as structure goes, but The SHE’S bring that 50s-60s surf pop style of music into the modern era, having caught the attention of groups like AB & The Sea, Best Coast and Christopher Owens of Girls (who subsequently put the group on the map by having them open their Fillmore show last October).

The SHE’S will be stopping by our studio this friday night to talk about their ascension into bay area indie stardom, the pressures of being in a touted band at their age, and to perform a special acoustic set highlighting some of the songs from their self-titled EP.

After that, we’ll be treated to a very special visit to the station by Hod Hulphers, better known to the people of Santa Cruz as …And Hod.

A solo artist in his own right, Hod has been active in the music community of Santa Cruz for many years, as you can often spot him playing at the Crepe Place where his take on folk and music has found a home. That being said, the reason for Hod’s appearance on the show this week is that he’s in the midst of promoting a very special event taking place this weekend.

On Saturday night, Hod and a whole host of other musicians (including Little Wings, Sugar Shack (featuring Keith Thompson from The Groggs) and the Snow Buddies) will be performing at the Crepe Place to help fund raise for the Santa Cruz’s Bachelor Buddies Production Company’s upcoming production of the film Johnny and the Golden Bouzouki. A parody of 70s action/adventure films, Johnny is Hod’s most recent foray into the art of musicals. Hod will also be bringing the film’s star (Johnny Diamonds) up to the station tomorrow night with him to talk about the film, his own experiences in music, and what the future holds for Hod.

These and more when you tune into The Rising Tide tonight at 8:30pm! Listen online at http://www.kzsc.org/ or tune into 88.1fm.

The SHE’S and Hod on The Rising Tide tonight! is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

Allow me to introduce the first of Friday night’s guests: Blackbird Blackbird.

Blackbird Blackbird is the moniker of Mikey S., a San Francisco-based electronic artist whose work has attracted the attention of the press (The Bay Bridged, The Hype Machine and The Fader, among others) in recent months. Though firmly in the hypnotic and hazy world of chillwave at surface level, Blackbird Blackbird forgoes the vocally-focused approach of the genre for a more glitch-and-dream pop sound that fits nicely between Gold Panda and Baths. Remixes and covers of the likes of Beach House and Modest Mouse demonstrate that Blackbird Blackbird is an artist who refuses to rest on his laurels and not challenge himself.

Tune in tonight to hear Blackbird Blackbird talk about the upcoming CD release of his debut record, Summer Heart, his forthcoming performance at the SF Weekly’s All Shook Down event, and what ever else he has in store for us this year!

Blackbird Blackbird will be joined on air by the local group who will be backing him up at the SF Weekly event mentioned above, Old Arc.

This local two-piece has been burning up lately, amping up their psychedelic synth pop sound with a live show that’s equal parts MGMT-inspired tribalism and utter youthful exuberance. Similarly ambitious in scope as Blackbird Blackbird, Old Arc have remixed the likes of Toro Y Moi and Local Natives, and their collection of demo recordings, EPs and remixes have been on rotation on The Rising Tide for the last few weeks.

Old Arc will come into the studio tonight to talk about their live collaboration with Blackbird Blackbird, their forthcoming recordings, and what they have planned for the year as well.

And to wrap things up, we’ll be joined live in the studio by our third guests that evening: The Mystery Lights.

Hailing from Salinas, CA, The Mystery Lights relentless garage rock assault has terrorized this part of the state for several years. Sounding like something of a fever dream straight out of a 60s psych festival, The Mystery Lights are poised to deliver the goods in 2011, including the follow up to 2009′s Teenage Catgirls and The Mystery Lightshow. The band has been laying low for the past few months, but they are returning to help support the one-night-only reunion of The Spurts at the Crepe Place on Thursday, February 3rd (also playing are Sugar Shack).

Tune in tonight to hear from these artists and more, starting at 8:30pm on KZSC Santa Cruz!

- DJ PassiveTheory

Blackbird Blackbird, Old Arc & The Mystery Lights on The Rising Tide tonight! is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

You can hear Paul’s 35th Anniversary Special on KZSC Saturday, September 4th from 2-6 PM.

KZSC Special This Afternoon is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

Sugar Minott passed away on Saturday, July 10th. KZSC reggae programs this week will be honoring his life and career with special tributes and guest interviews. Tune in Tuesday and Thursday from 9 AM – noon and this Saturday night beginning at 6:30.

Death of A Reggae Giant is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

Check out KZSC’s webcast of Porterpalooza – live from Porter College.  Tune in throughout the day Saturday, May 15th – Click the Listen Now tab on the home page, pause the main stream and play the side stream. Thanks for listening to the best station in the woods, KZSC!

Porterpalooza LIVE-ALL DAY on KZSC’s Online-Only Side Stream! is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

The time has come! This Saturday KZSC announced the arrival of it’s Spring pledge drive. This is the time when you can show us how much we mean to you. Your donation means that we can continue to broadcast over the air and through your computer year-round, without commercials, and and without sacrificing our completely original programing.

To show you how much your support means to us, we have bucketloads of goodies to give back to you. Tune in to any of your usual favorite shows to see what they’ve got for you.

For those of you into indie rock, we have SIX of the new Beach House records to give away, “Teen Dream”. The CD comes paired with a DVD that features a video for each of the songs on the album. And, by the way, this album is killer. Read our review here and check out the video to their song “Silver Soul” below.

Shows that may be offering this yummy gift include Flavor of the Week, Dream Scream, and Pop Molecule, all of which are airing tomorrow. On Tuesday check out Get Your Kicks and Pocket Full of Seahorses on Thursday. We also have goodies from the Magnetic Fields, The Album Leaf, Zeus, No Age, and The Apples in Stereo to give away.

Pledge drive – joy ride! is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

Mason Jennings

Greetings KZSC Listeners! This is Benny Goodman Einstein of Sad Bastard Music speaking to you over the internet! I just wanted to let you all know that I will be interviewing Mason Jennings live in studio on Tuesday, September 22nd at 3:15 PM. He’s going to play a show at The Catalyst that night, and he has graciously given up an hour of his busy day to come up to KZSC and play a few acoustic songs in our air studio. Be sure to tune in, it should be a thought provoking and interesting little music experience. Thanks in advance for tuning into the Great 88!

Yeah yeah sunny yeah!

Editor’s note:

Wait, so who is Mason Jennings? Mason Jennings is a bearded lover off of Brushfire Records (Jack Johnson) who plays well-sculpted folk rock. His new album came out a few days ago, titled “Blood of Man.” This on-air performance should be beautiful, so schedule it in your calendars and set an alarm! I really like this song:

Mason Jennings on KZSC! is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz

Here at KZSC, we’re all about the beauty of impermanence. And by beauty, we mean beauty.

Tomorrow is the official start of our new Summer Schedule. Plenty of your old favorites will be sticking around for the sunny months, but a few are out on vacation. To fill their place, we’ve got an arsenal of interesting shows to keep you entertained. Here are a few of the highlights. 

First up, the much celebrated Stories Often Told is back for one last hurrah. This classic program features a new theme each week with dozens of great songs that go along with it. It airs Wednesday from 9-10:30am.

We have two tribute shows, one for the Smiths (Louder than Bombs Wed at 10:30am) and one for Bob Dylan (4th Time Around Sat at 3pm). A new Native American music show kicks off on Tuesday at 2pm called America: Old School. 

And last there are my shows! (please excuse the promotion) Mondays at 1:30pm check out The Extra Special Eastern European Exercise Elixir Show!

There are lots of gems hiding in our new schedule, so we suggest you take a look at our schedule and go exploring. Have a favorite? Email prc@kzsc.org to let them know who your new favorite programer is!

The new Summer Schedule kicks off tomorrow! is a post from: KZSC Santa Cruz