New music reviews

So if you checked out the KXLU show in LA you’ve got a good start on the local college radio scene.

The other station is LA that is required listening is KCRW. Its reminds me of KEXP in that its run like a true commerical big business radio station but it still stays true to its indie music roots.

The station has a MASSIVE and fantastic online archive of shows that have been broadcast earlier. A few of my favs are the Gang of Four interview and set of music that they played. Another good one is the Dears set that was recorded live in the studio.

Like KEXP they have a great morning show but whats great is the time of the show. Its on the west coast like KEXP but the big morning show, Morning Becomes Eclectic, runs from 9-12am west coast time. So once you’ve listened to John in the morning in Seattle make the drive down the coast to LA. The shows host, Nic Harcourt, is another guy with a great knowledge of music. His show also has some great in studio guests.

Two other shows on the station are also must listen broadcasts. Metropolis with Jason Bentley is broadcast in the evening and he plays a wide range of music with some in studio special guests.

Also the show that runs after Metropolis which is called Nocturna is great. The host Raul Campos plays some great tunes and his mix is more dance oriented without really hitting it to hard. He also has some great in studio guests who with play sets of music.

So check out the station at www.kcrw.com and make sure you check out the program schedule. Like most US college stations they do load up with some public interest/news broadcasts so they might not be rocking the tunes with live broadcast. Thats why the listen again feature is great.