RPM Charts – Early June
Looking for RPM to start out the summer with? Here are our early June RPM top 10 and adds.
Farewell Greg Williams
We are deeply saddened to inform you that our longtime KZSC volunteer programmer and friend, Greg Williams, aka DJ Sequoia Slim and The Gemini Factor, has left us. Greg died in his sleep, at home, on Friday May 29th. Greg was a wonderfully diverse programmer and one of the kindest people ever to join the KZSC community. He hosted many successful shows like Indie Babies and Sternal Precautions and he was always eager to provide a warm welcome to newcomers to the station family.
KZSC Show Reviews – Ceremony at the Echoplex
Ceremony: an L-shaped band led by an L-shaped man. A dynamic so powerful that each member has their own shining moment on stage from the band's rambunctious lead singer, Ross Farrar, to the band's bassist, Andy Nelson, who seems to…
Santa Cruz Percolators Live on Backroads, Sun May 24th
The Santa Cruz Percolators will be on the air at KZSC during the Backroads folk show on Sunday (5/24/15, between noon-2pm) for an interview and some live music. The Percolators play a variety of traditional dance music from around the world, featuring melodies from Appalachia,…
KZSC at Shaky Knees!
It’s been a little over a week since Shaky Knees has come to an end so it’s time to look back at all the great bands that played in the humble city of Hotlanta. I flew across country to check…
Regulating Our Local Music Scene with a Legend of the Bay – by DJ Jazzy Jefe
The last place I’d ever expect to find myself on a miscellaneous Tuesday night is on stage during Warren G’s 21+ show watching him drop regulate, a 90s gem that’s aged like wine. The life of a KZSC DJ can…
KZSC Album Reviews: Chloe by Matthew Azrieli
An EP (extended play) sits in the realm between a single and an album; anything from 2 to 6 songs qualifies. Matthew Azrieli's "Chloe" is at the outer limit. Six indie folk rock love songs in a row, so it…
KZSC Show Reviews: Mikal Cronin
The notion that Monday’s are destined to terminally suck, no matter what you do, can be quickly unraveled by a mad, impulsive dash up the Highway in search of adventure and rad tunes. Luckily for me, a surprise stop by…
May 24: Quintron and Miss Pussycat
The human joy factory known as, Quintron will load his customized B-3 Hammond organ into The Crepe Place, and play that beautiful machine with wild abandon on Sunday, May 24th. You will be compelled to dance, since it will be the only way to match the energy of his performance. Oh yes, everyone will sweat!
KZSC Album Reviews: Ceremony – The L-Shaped Man
Ceremony, the very well celebrated punk band of Northern California (Rohnert Park to be specific) has put out their fifth studio album “The L-Shaped Man” on Matador Records. I must say, I was really impressed by this album especially in relation to how much of a departure “The L-Shaped Man” seems from their previous album “Zoo”.
Cultural celebration at UCSC
"We all smile in the same language" That's this year's tagline for UCSC's Multicultural Festival. What better way to discover a little piece of their experience than through our most common human enjoyments: food and music! This year's featured artists are: Rocky Rivera and La Santa Cecilia. The Multicultural Festival will take place this Saturday, May 16th from 12pm-6pm. Open to all, a great family event! The festival takes place at Oakes College's lower lawn.
Jazz Charts & Adds – Early May
We've got some older stuff and some very recent stuff topping our recent charts. Tigran is back, and so is Mary Lou Williams apparently! Kamasi Washington's excellent album is up there, too, thankfully. Have a great week and if you…
Album Review: Hotwire by Jeff Richman
As soon as the sprightly melody of “Hit Spot,” the first track of Jeff Richman’s latest album, emerges with electrifying excitement, you might expect a great jazz-rock fusion album that updates the genre from the early days of Miles and…
Savage Reviews – “W.H.K.” Self Titled
At first glance this radio station would file the CD under K for Klink, but William H. Klink is not an individual. It is a five-man band from San Luis Obispo, California, and it is the name of their 2015…
KZSC Interviews – Rappin’ 4 Tay
KZSC's DJ Jazzy Hefe this past week interview Rappin 4 Tay this past week. Go to our audio interview to hear about his time here in Santa Cruz. https://soundcloud.com/kzsc/rappin-4-tay-interview
Album to Hear Now: The Epic
Millennials everywhere, beware! The word "epic" has finally found its rightful place in the modern world and it has little to do with your festival experience or favorite burrito joint. Kamasi Washington Dectet, a tight-knit jazz regiment headed by the…
Lightning in a Bottle Ticket Giveaway
Lightning in a Bottle is just around the corner! The 5-day camping festival will take place in Bradley, CA over Memorial Day Weekend (May 21 - 25, 2015). This year LIB will be featuring a stellar lineup with artists including Flume, SBTRKT,…
Top 10 reasons not to miss this weekend’s Shaky Knees Festival (May 8-10) in Atlanta, GA
The Shaky Knees festival in Atlanta, Georgia will be happening this weekend in Atlanta, GA and KZSC will be providing you with coverage of all the awesome artists playing. Here are some reasons why, if you’re in the area, that you shouldn’t miss it!
May 13 Special Broadcast: Nane Alejándrez
KZSC will broadcast the 12th Annual Cesar Chavez Convocation at UCSC, featuring local community activist Daniel "Nane" Alejándrez. Tune in to KZSC on Wednesday May 13, from 7 to 8:30 pm to catch the talk. Alejándrez was described by writer Luis J. Rodríguez, the Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, as "one of the most self-sacrificing, dedicated, consistent, and humble peacemakers we have ever seen in the United States, if not the world."
SambaDá: a new album and Moe’s Alley performance May 9th
Locally based AfroBrazilian group SambaDá celebrates the release of their new album "Ritual" for 2015. It will be their first record with Senegal native and drum master Ibou Ngom, playing the djembe, sabar, and talking drum, and bass player Etienne Franc. Ritual also features special guest contributions…
Willie K. at Moe’s Alley May 21
As powerful and as unpredictable as an exploding volcano, Willie K pours his musical prowess over Santa Cruz on Thursday May 21st. Moe's Alley will be the dancing party point Thursday, May 21st, as Willie K brings his diverse musical interests to the stage. Willie K knows his blues, as well as reggae-influenced tunes. Rockers gonna rock, jazz fans will be entertained, as Willie K can play "any kine" ~ with virtuoso status on guitar, ukulele and bass, he can even voice operatic Italian arias !