Here’s the recap video for the first annual Day N Night Festival in Orange County. This was actually the first music festival I’d ever been to, and while I’d love to comment on all the things I felt went wrong or hit my Kanye rant about the state of today’s hip-hop, I think I’ll just focus on the positive and let you watch the video for yourselves.
Festival highlights include:
Being actually impressed with Lil Yachty & his braid-driven stage presence
YG tearing the stage down before ASAP Rocky came on and moaned about acid
https://i2.wp.com/www.kzsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/DSC_0006-e1473046519114.jpg?fit=2307%2C2136&ssl=121362307Hip Hop Directorhttps://www.kzsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/kzsc-300x123.pngHip Hop Director2016-09-04 20:27:142016-09-04 20:36:14Day N Night Hip-Hop Festival (Recap + Video)
The Golden Road’s Art O’Sullivan moved to Santa Cruz to attend UCSC as an alternative academic experience, but the ocean, redwoods and counterculture kept him here. Upon first listening to KZSC, Art was drawn to the alternative music, talk and special format programming.
He started programming The Golden Road on June 18, 1997 as a 30th anniversary celebration of the Monterey International Pop Festival–the same festival that made stars of Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Ravi Shankar and Otis Redding. Art’s musical taste ranges from A to Z (The Association to Frank Zappa); he loves The Grateful Dead, classic rock (Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stone, Dire Straits), blues (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, early Fleetwood Mac), hard rock (Midnight Oil, The Who), and punk rock (The Clash, forever). He likes to feature upbeat and melodic songs, live performances, and long jams on The Golden Road, every Wednesday from 3 to 6 pm this summer. He also appreciates jazz, folk, Celtic, African, Brazilian and Caribbean styles.
As a writer, an editor, and an animal rights advocate, Art has written PSAs for KZSC about animal welfare, and other issues close to his heart. Art has also contributed to the Metro alternative newspaper, covering topics such as The Grateful Dead archives, the 10th anniversary of Jerry Garcia’s passing, animal welfare, cats, and the invasion of Iraq. Art was on the air, programming a show called Earwax during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Art’s columns, criticism and commentary in Metro Santa Cruz won an award from the California Newspaper Publishers Association and he was voted the third Best Writer in Santa Cruz by Metro readers in 2005. He’s traveled extensively, making friends on four continents–Art is pretty sure the world is round, and “Love that’s real will not fade away.”
https://i1.wp.com/www.kzsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/9139238416_0242317413_z.jpg?fit=640%2C426&ssl=1426640Program Review Committeehttps://www.kzsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/kzsc-300x123.pngProgram Review Committee2016-09-03 19:59:162016-09-12 12:13:52Programmer of the Month: Art O'Sullivan
On September 8th, Harvard University turns 380! So it is rather fitting that such a venerable institution would also have 8 decades of broadcasting under its belt. In 1940, the Harvard Crimson Network, WHCN, was one of America’s first college radio stations. In 1943 there was a change of call letters to, WHRV (Harvard Radio Voice). Then, on February 1st of 1951, WHRB was born. But it was not until 1957 that the Harvard Radio Broadcasting Company Incorporated acquired a commercial FM license at 107.1 (which was moved over to 95.3 a few years later).
With such a long history, it is no surprise that WHRB has some historic programs. Hillbilly at Harvard is a country music show that started all the way back in 1948!
Then there is, Sunday Night at the Opera, which has been on the airwaves for over 50 years now. And it sure shows when you see the size of the station’s classical music collection; truly extensive and probably one of the largest of its kind among college radio stations.
Since 1994 WHRB has been in the basement of Pennypacker Hall, just a minute walk from the heart of Harvard Square. The hall was built in 1927 and Harvard acquired it in 1958. My guess is that the station has one of the most unusual lay outs in all of college radio. There is a small maze of corners to turn and short hallways to walk down, leading to unlabeled doorways. Behind most of these doors are rooms containing the separate parts of WHRB’s music library.
WHRB publishes its schedule three times a year, and it has to be the most densely packed and well detailed program guide of any college radio station in the nation. We are talking the really fine print. Plus, each Winter and Spring feature “orgies” in which concentrated blocks of air time are devoted to a whole host of composers, artists, genres, subjects, concepts etc. It’s a tradition that is the stuff of legend. Back in 1943, as the story goes, an undergrad was so happy to have passed some rather difficult exams, he went ahead and played all 9 of Beethoven’s symphonies in a row. So, as a nod to this legend, the “orgy periods” are timed to coincide with major exams because the station actually gets short staffed with all the students out taking tests. Because, I have to guess, that graduating from Harvard is even harder than getting into Harvard.
Many thanks to Robby Erikson for showing me around the station.
https://i1.wp.com/www.kzsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IMG_20160802_130441.jpg?fit=3264%2C2448&ssl=124483264David Anton Savagehttps://www.kzsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/kzsc-300x123.pngDavid Anton Savage2016-09-01 12:00:462016-08-24 10:36:38Truly "old skool" college radio.
When you think of the year 2016, do you think you’ll remember what you were listening to constantly on the way to work, on the way to class, or even on your way home? Yes? No? It’s okay to not know the answer to that, because you’ll most likely remember when you revisit some of the music that has been released last 8 months.
In 2016, we’ve slowly seen the album release date disappear, instead being replaced with the feeling of being left out on something really special due to you not paying enough attention to your never-ending timelines. It’s alright, what really matters anyway is that feeling you get when you experience something you love for the first time. Nonetheless, we’ve seen grand releases by artists ranging from Kanye West to Blood Orange, Kendrick Lamar to G.L.O.S.S., Beyoncé to The Julie Ruin, and plenty more that would be impossible to mention in a singular blog post. There’ll always be something to praise, so here are some of KZSC’s very own disc jockeys letting you know what you might’ve missed in 2016!
Gabriel Lopez (A/K/A null), Production Director
Psychic Mirrors, Nature of Evil (2016, Cosmic Chronic/PPU Records)
Fronted by Cuban-American funkster Mickey de Grand IV, Psychic Mirrors bring the boogie funk sounds of 80’s Miami into the modern moment with their first full length “Nature of Evil”. The album is even accompanied by a VHS-filmed “Miami Vice”-esque noir movie of the same name that the band created while writing the album. At times this album makes you wanna roller skate down the boardwalk on a half-tab of acid and in others soundtrack a long night of club hopping and groovin’. The band dubbed their sound “omnisexual funk” and that alone is all the reason you need to buy a copy from Cosmic Chronic records.
You can check out Psychic Mirrors on Facebook and cop their album Nature of Evil via Cosmic Chronic!
Black Marble, “Iron Lung,” from It’s Immaterial!(2016, Ghostly International)
Black Marble’s first song in four years since has them going back to the drum-machine and reverb soaked bass lines of their first critically-acclaimed EP “Up Against The Door”. Sinister grooves and drowned vocals make this song the perfect soundtrack to my walk home every night. Please listen to this song at full volume while swaying, eyes-closed, under a disco ball.
Check out Iron Lung below, and pre-order their 2012 follow-up, It’s Immaterial! out on September 30th via Ghostly!
Austin Brown (A/K/A/ ddlinkz), Station Librarian
James Blake – The Colour In Anything(2016, Polydor Records)
This album is such a journey from start to finish. Straight up, James Blake is the most deadly producer/singer/song-writer combo in the biz and each track has a part that shines so bright that I can’t bare to look away. Constantly in my rotation and I don’t expect it leaving anytime soon.
You can follow James Blake on Twitter and either stream or purchase The Colour in Anything via his website!
Mssingno – “Fones,” from Fones EP(2016, XL Recordings)
R&B and grime meshed together in probably the most unique EP I’ve heard all year with Fones being the most addicting jam on it. You need to hear this joint before his unique sound blows up.
Listen to Fones below, and check out Mssingno’s SoundCloud for some more heat!
Chris Jong (A/K/A/ Chris), Folk Music Director
Kaia Kater – Nine Pin (2016, Kingswood Records)
This is the 2nd release from this Canadian singer-songwriter-banjo player of Afro-Caribbean descent. She just graduated from Davis & Elkins College in West Virgina last month. [congratulations Kaia!]. has many attention-getting personal narratives delivered with a powerful voice and sparse instrumentation.
You can follow Kaia Kater on Twitter and purchase Nine Pin via her website!
Kaia Kater – “Rising Down” from Nine Pin(2016, Kingswood Records)
This is a song that catches your ear to slow things down and listen; inspiration from Black Lives Matter movement.
Listen to “Rising Down” taken from her LP down below!
Shay Stoklos (A/K/A/ Lux), Station Manager
Wye Oak, Tween (2016, Merge Records)
This album includes 8 tracks lost in the making of Wye Oak’s Civilian (2011) and Shriek (2014). I love Jenn Wasner’s voice, and the airiness of this record. I think it’s important that the music has been recycled, repurposed from previous records — more artists need to find beauty in the scraps leftover from their other pieces of art.
You can find out more about Wye Oak by visiting their website, or cop their album via Merge Records if you’re down for it.
Angel Olsen, “Shut Up Kiss Me” from the upcoming album, My Woman(2016, Jagjaguwar)
I’m simultaneously ecstatic, because it’s SO angsty and cathartic, and also worried that it’ll be the best song on My Woman. The bridge of this song is like a rebirth. Don’t laugh, just go f***ing listen to it.
Watch/listen to Angel Olsen’s self-directed video for her single down below! My Woman drops September 2nd via Jagjaguwar.
S. Dinay (A/K/A/ Crux), RPM Director
Lemaitre – 1749(2016, Astralwerks)
The combination of real instruments, especially the sax, and the addition of the featured artists on 1749 is what I really like about the tracks. All the songs are very groovy and all show case different styles but somehow still work together for this fun EP.
You can check out Lemaitre on SoundCloud and purchase 1749 on iTunes!
TOKiMONSTA, Heart On The Ground (feat. Kiya Lacey), fromFOVERE(2016, Young Art Records)
I became really interested in TOKiMONSTA when I found out I would be seeing her at a music festival. Then we received her newest album and I could not play this track enough. The vocals are smooth and catchy thanks to the talented Kiya Lacey!
Check out “Heart on the Ground” down below, and go cop Tokimonsta’s FOVERE on iTunes!
J. Ramirez (A/K/A/ crudo), New Media Director
Abra – Princess EP (2016, Awful Records)
This is one of my favorite releases of 2016 so far because Abra’s sound makes me nostalgic about memories I forgot I had. Doused with 80s vibes, PRINCESS is visceral & assured: moody music to put on while you burn some sage before placing a hex on your ex.
PRINCESS is out now via True Panther. You can also follow the Darkwave Duchess on Twitter.
BADBADNOTGOOD, Time Moves Slow (feat. Sam Herring), fromIV(2016, Innovative Leisure Records)
This is one of my personal highlights this year because the collaboration is flawless; big s/o to Sam Herring for making me bawl my eyes out.
Listen to the collaboration made in heaven down below, and cop BBNG’s IV LP via Bandcamp.
Be sure to check out our Summer 2016 Program Schedule and catch some airwaves with some of the DJs on this list! We’re live and we’re alive.
https://i1.wp.com/www.kzsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Screen-Shot-2016-04-30-at-12.08.47-AM.png?fit=1211%2C715&ssl=17151211New Media Directorhttps://www.kzsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/kzsc-300x123.pngNew Media Director2016-08-30 14:54:232016-08-31 10:19:032016.6: Mid-year Favorites From KZSC to You!
SUNDAY, MAY 29TH at 9pm at The Crepe Place, $8 tickets sold at the door
From Joshua Tree, California, KZSC Presents tropical psychedelic pop band, Sugar Candy Mountain with Santa Cruz’s surf garage rock band, Jackie Zealous and San Francisco’s psychedelic soul pop band, Luke Sweeney.
“If Brian Wilson had dropped acid on the beach in Brazil and decided to record an album with Os Mutantes and The Flaming Lips, it would sound like this— featuring space-age sounds and far-out frequencies from the tripped out tropics,” then you would have Sugar Candy Mountain.
Also check out our show review of Luke Sweeney at SXSW in Austin, TX this year!
Hope to see you there!
xx
https://i2.wp.com/www.kzsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/82916.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=110801080Promotions Directorhttps://www.kzsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/kzsc-300x123.pngPromotions Director2016-05-24 09:44:392016-05-24 16:42:24May 29 KZSC Presents: Sugar Candy Mountain w/ Luke Sweeney and Jackie Zealous
Here are some fun videos to get your week started off on a bluesy note…
Check back tomorrow for some jazz and blues charts.
Keep it bluesy y’all.
https://i2.wp.com/www.kzsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/sister.rosetta.thorpe.maxresdefault-e1463591224767.jpg?fit=921%2C717&ssl=1717921Jazz and Blues Directorhttps://www.kzsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/kzsc-300x123.pngJazz and Blues Director2016-05-15 18:08:532016-05-18 10:07:39Jazzy and Bluesy News
