Coachella ‘24, Gaby Moreno & Benny Sings Live, Moses Sumney EP previe

Hi y’all,

How do you discover new music? How do you like to listen? When do you listen? With whom? Do you talk about the music while it’s happening, or do you simply take it in? I have to ask this question periodically because, for me, it’s always changing. My listening evolves with technological advancements, my mood, and personal bandwidth. One thing I’ve learned for certain is that if I dislike everything I’m listening to, it’s me, not the music.

A couple of nights ago a group of KCRW DJs got together in my backyard to listen to new music (more Live From Anne’s Backyard shows are forthcoming, promise!). It was actually Moses Sumney’s idea. He has a new EP on the way and hit us up to get some first impressions. As a KCRW listener, you certainly know his work. We’ve been playing Moses since he dropped his debut EP, Mid-City Island, in 2014. He reminded me this morning that I wrote about him at the time for Los Angeles Magazine. Since then, he’s been prolific with his own work, written for other artists, walked runways, and made a big cross-country move from Los Angeles to Asheville, North Carolina.

But we all know that true Angelenos can’t stay away for long. On Tuesday night Moses popped by to play us his new record. I haven’t listened this way in forever. Usually, I find myself alone and under headphones. What a refreshing change of pace to hear these fresh sounds outdoors, under the big sky at sunset. Moses was full of stories about the creation of the songs and we were full of questions about his collaborators, inspirations, and reflections on his journey from Mid-City Island, through Aromanticism, Grae, and Blackalachia, to this yet-to-be-titled new work.

I loved hearing what’s next from Moses while in his presence, alongside my DJ brothers and sisters. I know it’s a luxury we rarely have, but I highly recommend organizing your next group hang around a specific work of music.

And in the meantime, tell me how you’re currently enjoying new tunes. Surprise me!

Be well.

Gaby Moreno: KCRW Live From HQ

Fresh from winning her first Grammy for the 2023 album X Mí (Vol. 1), LA-based singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno plays her first official KCRW Live From at HQ. While both events could (and probably should) have happened much sooner, there’s no day like today to catch up with Moreno’s intoxicating melange of blues-rock en Spanglish and heartrending ballads.

Her band — Sebastian Aymanss (drums), Kimon Kirk (bass), Jim Oblon (guitar), Jebin Bruni (keys), Carmen Camerieri (trumpet), and Sylvain Carton (sax) — brings the heat for a session of standouts from her freshly-released Dusk LP and a few classic highlights. Watch the full performance video at the link below.

Benny Sings: KCRW Live From Apogee Studio

Dutch crooner Benny Sings and his megawatt band of trumpeter Nick Frenay, powerhouse duet partner Aubrey Haddard, keyboardist Adam Bar-Pereg, bassist Charley Ruddell, and drummer Colin Vermeulen bring their invigorating vibes to Apogee Studio. The energy radiates off the screen so click in now for jams from Sings’ latest LP Young Hearts, including “Pyjamas” and “Movie Star”.

‘Viva Tirado’: Who should interpret the proto-Latin jazz classic next?

What Novena Carmel wants, Novena Carmel gets! Right now, what she wants is for a current SoCal Chicano “souldies” artist (à la Thee Sinseers) to put a new spin on the proto-Latin jazz staple “Viva Tirado”. Trace the track’s rich history in this week’s episode of Lost Notes — including Kid Frost’s notable sample for his 1990 single “La Raza” — and write us back with your vote for which LA-adjacent artist should take it on next.

‘Couchella’ 2024 viewer’s guide

Cozy clothing? Check. Easy bathroom access? Check. Endless supply of affordable snacks and beverages? Check. (Almost) all of the same incredible performances? You betcha. Settle in with KCRW’s handy recommendation guide as you prepare to kick out the jams, Couchella-style.