KZSC Santa Cruz http://kzsc.org/blog Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:00:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Furniture-weaving/tape-recording his way to a club near you http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/28/furniture-weavingtape-recording-his-way-to-a-club-near-you/ http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/28/furniture-weavingtape-recording-his-way-to-a-club-near-you/#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:00:33 +0000 Music Director http://kzsc.org/blog/?p=1413 Have you ever drifted asleep at the bottom of a dried up well, but when you woke up you realized that you’d actually been floating on a crude bamboo raft on a murky urban river, the bends and bows of which had deposited you on the beer-sticky parquet floor of the dive-est night club in your town?

When this does happen, Paul A. Rosales–performing under his own name or as Wonder Wheel–will be crafting a sonic wicker lounger upon which you will be tempted to dance and, eventually, melt.  Rosales’ sound is an excavated pop, stripped of it’s syrup and shine, leaving behind a lustre of echoing vocals that spiral around the fuzzy color wheel of lo-fi synths and beats that Rosales manipulates with the terrifying dexterity of an artist whose bodily extremities can materialize the nightmares and sex fantasies that lurk deep within in his–and our own–sub-conscious. Honing his chops through collaborations with R. Stevie Moore, Rosales cuts some bomber tracks.

See for yourself in this video for “Crimes”

“Crimes” is currently available as a 7inch single on Care in the Community Recordings. It’s also the first track on his debut full-length, Wonder Wheel I –a welcome addition to our summer indie rotation.

]]> http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/28/furniture-weavingtape-recording-his-way-to-a-club-near-you/feed/ 0 Dark Monk & Mobonix and DJ Quickie Mart Interviews Tuesday Night! http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/27/rockthebells/ http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/27/rockthebells/#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:48:25 +0000 hiphop http://kzsc.org/blog/?p=1426 Tune in Tuesday night 10:30pm-12:30am on Approach to Danger for dual live interviews with the hip-hop duo Dark Monk & Mobonix as well as DJ Quickie Mart.

Hailing from the ATL, Dark Monk & Mobonix’s recent track “Real Terror” off the album “True Underlord” is heat and has been played on kzsc multiple times.

DJ Quickie Mart has just released “Haze Diaries Vol. 3″ with Gotham Green. The beats on this album are unparalleled, and one of the favorites of the new hip-hop here at kzsc.

Also tune in this whole month to hip-hop at kzsc to win ROCK THE BELLS 2010 TICKETS!! Approach to Danger at Tuesday 10:30pm-12:30am and The Illness Agenda Saturday 9:30pm-12:30am will be giving away tickets this month so tune in for you chance to see the greatest Hip-Hop festival in the USA, if not the world!

]]> http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/27/rockthebells/feed/ 0 KZSC Welcomes Pocahaunted – Be Ready! http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/25/kzsc-welcomes-pocahaunted-be-ready/ http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/25/kzsc-welcomes-pocahaunted-be-ready/#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:00:18 +0000 Music Director http://kzsc.org/blog/?p=1196 Bethany and Amanda comprise Pocahaunted. They look so happy – kinda like The Carpenters (if Richard was a girl and who knows) – however most of Pocahaunted’s music is buried in a murkier, ambient sort of dark primitive experimental sound. Bethany describes it as, “Talking Heads meets Cocteau Twins thrown into a blender after smoking a lot of weed.” Karen, are you listening? Fresh from L.A. Pocahaunted comes to The Crepe Place in Santa Cruz this Tuesday, July 27th at 9 PM.

Plan ahead, heads. They have the KZSC stomp of approval.

]]> http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/25/kzsc-welcomes-pocahaunted-be-ready/feed/ 4 Check out Michael Gaither live on Backroads! http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/23/check-out-michael-gaither-live-on-backroads-this-sunday/ http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/23/check-out-michael-gaither-live-on-backroads-this-sunday/#comments Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:44:49 +0000 Music Director http://kzsc.org/blog/?p=1403

Michael Gaither, local singer-songwriter, is live RIGHT NOW on KZSC’s Backroads program. He’s a writer of entertaining and often humorous songs that reflect on everyday experiences. Tune in until 2 pm to catch the performance and interview.

Michael will also be performing in “An Evening of Songs and Stories: Three Songwriters In-The-Round” with Nancy Cassidy and Jay Howlett at the Corralitos Cultural Center, 127 Hames Road, Corralitos later tonight at 6 pm. More info at (831) 254-2669.

]]> http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/23/check-out-michael-gaither-live-on-backroads-this-sunday/feed/ 0 The First Jazz Post or How I Learned to Stop Being Lazy and Love The Blog http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/22/the-first-jazz-post-or-how-i-learned-to-stop-being-lazy-and-love-the-blog/ http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/22/the-first-jazz-post-or-how-i-learned-to-stop-being-lazy-and-love-the-blog/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:29:59 +0000 Jazz & Blues Director http://kzsc.org/blog/?p=1401 Ya see what I did there? That was a Kubrick reference, which means that I am a witty fellow. Worship my prowess.

To begin, my name is Dan Davis, and as of several months ago I became the Jazz and Blues Director here at the ever lovely re-purposed music room known as KZSC Santa Cruz. Due to mounting pressure, I was told that I must create a blog post or face a severe flogging.

So good jazz news, we have an add this week that I am incredible excited about, Mr. Takao Iwaki. Maybe it’s just a personal issue, but I feel that it’s really easy to play the Sax in a way that drains it of its fun and sensual properties. This guy does it right, and I am so surprised that this is his first release. According to the promotional stuff they sent me, he has been leading groups since ‘98, and he is currently working gigs on cruise liners. I just can’t say enough about how phenomenal his work is, and not just his control of the instrument, but that he composes all but one track on the album by himself.

I’m really pulling for him, and I’m gonna push for people to spin this one. So look out for “Introducing Takao Iwaki” on our website, and keep believing dear listeners.

]]> http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/22/the-first-jazz-post-or-how-i-learned-to-stop-being-lazy-and-love-the-blog/feed/ 0 Rude and Adorable Post-Punk http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/21/rude-and-adorable-post-punk/ http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/21/rude-and-adorable-post-punk/#comments Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:57:28 +0000 Music Director http://kzsc.org/blog/?p=1394 We just got this record in from Crustacean Records:

It’s the new release from Screamin’ Cyn Cyn & The Pons, “Damn Girl.” Behind the plastic-gem bedazzled gold acrylic nails is a band that appear not to take themselves very seriously. If they are serious about anything, it’s penning irreverent and offensive songs that poke fun at just about everything: trophies, hairdos, and cats that dig pop culture icons. This record may not be for everyone–our world music director describes it as “painful.” Hey, sometimes punk hurts, but this punk tickles. Check out the lyrics to track eight, “POTO”:

Boys that dress like retirees. Striped athletic socks that come up to your knees. Asymmetrical hair piled up on one side. I’m only looking at you if you’re pretty on the outside. POTO: Pretty on the Outside.

]]> http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/21/rude-and-adorable-post-punk/feed/ 0 Maps & Atlaseseseseses http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/20/maps-atlaseseseseses/ http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/20/maps-atlaseseseseses/#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:56:10 +0000 Music Director http://kzsc.org/blog/?p=1384 Heyyy did you catch the Maps & Atlases show at Kuumbwa on Sunday? I did! Those Chicagoans whumped and warbled their way into the hearts of the assembled believers. If you’re in southern CA, head’s up! They’re headed your wayyyy! If you ain’t gonna to catch ‘em on this go around, big ugly yellow couch will hook you up, my friend. Check out this clip of Maps & Atlases performing “Solid Ground,” the fourth track on their new record Perch Patchwork (Barsuk).

Solid Ground by Maps & Atlases from Big Ugly Yellow Couch on Vimeo.

As you can see in the video, these guys have really impressive musical talents and beards.  A question for you, though:

This beard:

Impressive, or no?

Maps & Atlases are touring with Cults and The Globes, a young-blooded experimental rock outfit from Washington, the state.  Local americana rockers Tetherhorse opened.

]]> http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/20/maps-atlaseseseseses/feed/ 0 MGMT, for free! http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/16/mgmt-for-free-2/ http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/16/mgmt-for-free-2/#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:37:05 +0000 Promotions Director http://kzsc.org/blog/?p=1369

MGMT, for free? That’s right! KZSC has two pairs of tickets to give away to our lucky listeners for their sold out show at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Wednesday, July 21st. MGMT puts on an excellent and energetic live show that matches their catchy electro-psychedelic rock music.

If this sounds like a good time (which it should), be sure to listen into the indie rock shows this weekend for your chance to get your hands on these tickets, courtesy of the Great 88!

]]> http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/16/mgmt-for-free-2/feed/ 1 Night Work, gotta do the night work… http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/14/night-work-gotta-do-the-night-work/ http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/14/night-work-gotta-do-the-night-work/#comments Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:51:28 +0000 Intro To Radio Instructor http://kzsc.org/blog/?p=1332

Helloooooo, Robert Mapplethorpe.

Listening to a Scissor Sisters album is like getting into a car with a friend who, while being brash and exciting, might lack a tiny bit of common sense and doesn’t give a damn about it. Finally, after four years, countless scrapped songs, and a near dissolution of the band, we can go on more magical adventures with Jake Shears, Ana Matronic, Baby Daddy, and Del Marquis.

Instead of the theatrics of Ta-Dah and the enjoyable extremes of their self titled debut, Night Work is a seamless journey through a single evening of debauchery that starts off with a wink and a slap on the ass from title track.  As the “evening” progresses, the sweet and rapturous “Fire With Fire” and “Skintight” balance out the sleek and murky “Sex and Violence” and “Nightlife”, while the jangly dance pop the band is known for makes an appearance in “Whole New Way.” I am completely in love with “Skin This Cat”, which sounds like the tarty little sister of Nine Inch Nail’s “Closer” amongst the hints of B-52’s and Human League pepper the a rest of the songs. The ecstatic genre-hopping between glam rock, dance pop, and stark ballads from albums past is still there, but it is far more subtle. Really, it’s just a ridiculously smooth ride.

L to R: Baby Daddy, Jake Shears, Ana Matronic, Del Marquis

The album’s closing track and climax is the stunning “Invisible Light”, which was released as a pre-album teaser and is nothing short of a dramatic departure. Clocking in at six minutes, it is dark, almost orgasmic (yes, orgasmic) invitation to throw away your inhibitions and dance so fiercely that you forget your own name. Nestled in the middle of the throbbing, clubby breakdown is something surprising- a spoken word section, performed by none other than Sir Ian McKellan (hearing the man who portrayed Gandalf and Magneto speak about “painted whores” and “sexual gladiators” is just amazing.)

Night Work is truly an odyssey of glitter and glamor and far different from their previous releases, but that does not make it any less enjoyable. In fact, it is just as catty and outrageously fun; perfect for any sort of questionable summer antics you might find yourself in.

]]> http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/14/night-work-gotta-do-the-night-work/feed/ 0 Death of A Reggae Giant http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/12/death-of-a-reggae-giant/ http://kzsc.org/blog/2010/07/12/death-of-a-reggae-giant/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:45:33 +0000 Michael Bryant http://kzsc.org/blog/?p=1328 His name was Lincoln, but most of the music world knew him as Sugar. Starting a recording career in the late 1960’s as part of The African Brothers band, Sugar Minott became popular as a solo artist in Jamaica during the mid-70’s. Sugar was an early pioneer of reggae’s dance hall sound; he developed a talent for writing new songs to fit over existing rhythms (which at the time was common when singers performed live but rare in the studio), often proving more popular than the original songs. His career skyrocketed in the U.K. and the U.S. after the release of “Herbman Hustling” in the early 80’s. Sugar focused his fame (and money) into championing up and coming talent through his Youth Promotion sound system. Decades later, he was still recording and touring around the world.

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.

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