Josh Rouse is an American artist living in Spain. His new release, El Turista reflects his life in Valencia and is a globe-trotting musical journey with influences from Brazil, Cuba and Africa. Today's Top Tune was written with his wife, Paz Suay and has him singing in Spanish, it's " Las Voces ."
Gil Scott-Heron is an elusive character. A pioneer of Rap music he set the blueprint for the genre in 1971 with "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised." He's a storyteller and poet with a piercing viewpoint on culture. His latest release, I'm New Here , (his first in 13 years) turns inward as he reflects on his life and this moment. For Today's Top Tune Gil Scott-Heron covers the indie band Smog, with " I'm New Here ."
London-based quartet Mumford & Sons bonded over their love of roots music. They honed their skills with frequent performances in the underground folk scene and put out a couple of well-received EPs before their full length debut, Sigh No More was released late last year. Today's Top Tune is " The Cave ."
In 2003, Editors signature sound was part of the post-punk revival happening in the U.K. By 2009, these Brummies took on a new direction tinkering with synthesizers and enlisting producer Flood (of Nine Inch Nail and Depeche Mode fame) to help expand their sound. Today's Top Tune is from the album In This Light and on This Evening , and is called " The Boxer ."
Brought up in a strict religious household, Holly Miranda was banned from listening to secular music - so of course she went to great lengths to get it. Her varied influences, combined with the contributions of TV on the Radio's David Sitek, are captured in her ethereal new songs from The Magician's Private Library . Today's Top Tune is " Waves ."
Indie label IAMSOUND is highlighting local talent by releasing a series of limited edition 7-inch records they call the " LA Collection ." We will be helping them showcase the diversity of talented musicians living in Los Angeles by offering some of these tracks as Today's Top Tune. We start with Moonrats , a dreamy pop outfit to keep an eye on. They are currently working on their full length debut. Today's Top Tune is " Good Night Blue ."
On their new Sub Pop release, Dear Companion , country-folk singers Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore asked their friend and fellow Kentucky native Jim James (Monsters of Folk/My Morning Jacket) to collaborate on a set of songs drawing attention to the environmental problems facing the people of Appalachia. While there is a serious tone, there is also a sense of humor as on Today's Top Tune, " Only A Song ."
In 2006, Corinne Bailey Rae made her U.S. debut on Morning Becomes Eclectic when we broadcast from the BBC Maida Vale studios in London. Since then, she's become a platinum-selling artist with 3 Grammy nominations to her name. Today's Top Tune is culled from her stunning new release The Sea , and is offered on her birthday, the song is " I'll Do It All Again ."
Since his international 2008 debut, Jose James has been dazzling audiences around the world with his mellifluous baritone stylings. His romantic sound recalls classic Marvin Gaye. Today?s Top Tune is the title track from the forthcoming release ? Black Magic .?
Cold War Kids ? singer Nathan Willett has a rich and powerful voice that cannot be denied. These local favorites were recent guests on Morning Becomes Eclectic and we asked Nathan to stay and record a solo track, accompanying himself on piano, as an exclusive for Today?s Top Tune. It?s a rarely played song off their last recording Loyalty To Loyalty . Today?s Top Tune is ? Cryptomnesia .?
Neil Young has been exploring his archives and releasing a string of live solo acoustic performances. We are proud to feature a live version of a song off Harvest Moon, 17 years after the release of the seminal album. Today's Top Tune is " Hank To Hendrix ."
Today's Top Tune marks the 1000th song offered as a free download and, to mark the occasion, we asked Spoon to record a special song after their recent Morning Becomes Eclectic performance. After some debate, the band decided on " Something to Look Forward To ," a song from the early album Kill the Moonlight, that they rarely play live. Here it is as Today's Top Tune.
As a band, Rogue Wave have had their share of personal turmoil amidst their musical success. Their forthcoming record, Permalight shows little trace of that as they celebrate simple pleasures with an upbeat collection of songs. Today's Top Tune is " Good Morning ."
Australian newcomer Daniel Merriweather made his U.S. radio debut on Morning Becomes Eclectic. His full-length is finally out domestically and offers sweeping, emotive love songs produced by Mark Ronson. Today's Top Tune is from the forthcoming release Love and War and it's called " Red ."
Many singers have covered the work of John Hiatt -- including Bonnie Raitt, Iggy Pop and The Neville Brothers -- and he?s contributed to endless recordings, from Rosanne Cash to Ry Cooder. He's released a steady stream of albums and we?re happy to spotlight his new work. From his forthcoming release The Open Road , Today's Top Tune is the title track, " The Open Road ."
Ray Davies recently reinvented and reworked some of his favorite songs he penned for The Kinks and offered them on a stunning choral collection. He hasn't stopped there, joined by his old friend and rock icon Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), Today's Top Tune is a brand new song called " Postcard from London ."
Ghanaian superstar Rocky Dawuni and our own Jeremy Sole co-host their club Afro-Funke, a weekly celebration of African culture, on Thursday nights here in LA. For Today's Top Tune we're treated to a track that's well suited to their dance floor, a Jeremy Sole remix of Rocky Dawuni's " Freefall ."
Beloved Beatle Ringo Starr , has been providing a backbeat since the early 60's and has never stopped making music. His latest collection, Y Not is full of good natured, confessional songs, and features a variety of guests including Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, his old friend Paul McCartney and, on Today's Top Tune, Tabla Girl Tina Sugandh performing the title track, " Y Not ."
Two Door Cinema Club ?s buzz-worthy music is uplifting and fun. The UK trio consists of two guitarists and a bassist -- leaving the rhythms up to their laptop where they create energetic beats. Today's Top Tune is from their forthcoming debut full-length, the song is " Eat That Up, It's Good For You ."
Today's Top Tune from KCRW
Boards of Canada - Reach for the Dead (from Tomorrow's Harvest)
Julia Holter - World (Official Video)
Washed Out - Paracosm (Official Album Trailer)
She & Him- I Could've Been Your Girl
Action Bronson - "Strictly 4 My Jeeps" (Official Video)
Watch Sigur Rós perform “Kveikur” on Leno
Old Photos of Football Fans from 1900–1940
HAERTS: “All The Days”
Today I Feel I’ve Sprung A Leak
