Open Ears, Sounds of the Ojai Music Festival is coming to KCSB! The 79th annual Ojai Music Festival returns to Libbey Bowl and other Ojai venues on June 5th through the 8th, filling the town with new music from contemporary composers. This year, you can preview the festival by tuning […]
KCSB’s Digital Media Coordinator, Avery, visited San Luis Obispo to check out the annual Shabang Festival! As 2026 tickets begin to go on pre-sale, we hope our review of this year’s festival gives you something to look forward to next spring. words and photos by Avery Morgan Those who love […]
words by Liam Hogan Last summer, I became completely obsessed with two major works of art: SMiLE by The Beach Boys and the book-length poem “In Sara, Mencken, Christ and Beethoven There Were Men and Women” by John Barton Wolgamot. The latter is discussed pretty significantly less than the former, […]
Our Assistant Music Director Kai is here to shine a spotlight on the rhythm and soul of breakdancing music. From the gritty funk of the ’70s to modern-day mixtapes made for cyphers, discover how the beats that fuel breakers have evolved alongside hip-hop. These tracks are guaranteed to get your […]
words by Lily Raesler & photos by Michelle Evans (@_saltygoat) On Saturday night, I embark to Ventura, 20 minutes in one direction from the very homeland of Nardcore and another 20 from the birthplace of RKL, for a night of thrashy guitar-forward metal-inspired(?) punk rock with a side of skate […]
words & photos by Derek D-Tragic Duncan (Word on the Streets Radio) The Ventura Music Hall was on fire, hosting a packed house for an unforgettable lineup featuring Mr. Dibbs, Sage Francis, and Atmosphere. From the opening DJ set to the final encore, the super diverse crowd was treated […]
Karl Blau is a musician, songwriter, and producer whose career spans over three decades, rooted in the music scene of Anacortes, Washington. His work has ranged from solo 4-track recordings to collaborations with artists like Laura Veirs & Phil Elverum and bands such as D+ and Old Time Relijun. After […]
Margaritas Podridas is a three-piece grunge and shoegaze band from Sonora, Mexico. Carolina (bass and vocals), Erubiel (drums), and Rafael (guitar) opened up for Etran De L’Aïr at the Lodge Room on October 12th with an electrifying performance–their screams and instruments practically bouncing off the intimate venue’s walls. KCSB-FM’s Monica […]
𝓱ₐ𝐩𝐩y (belated) 𝚋ᵢᵣ𝚝𝓱𝚍ₐy iaminconstanflux! words by applemartini / images by trankis This year, iaminconstantflux! celebrated its fifth year since its first air date on KCSB-FM, September 13, 2019. iaminconstantflux! was born out of a desire to break the confinements I had limited myself with on my first radio show. Its […]
words by Evan Chanksy & photos by Avery Morgan Christian Lee Hutson might well be your favorite singer-songwriter’s favorite singer-songwriter. He’s written and produced songs for the likes of Phoebe Bridgers, Boygenius, Katy Kirby, Charlie Hickey, Samia, and Maya Hawke. Don’t believe me? Check out this written by […]
Album Review – Big Red Gibson By Jim Patton & Sherry Brokus words by Corinna Kelley Taking inspiration from bands such as The Byrds and Bob Dylan, Jim Patton & Sherry Brokus take us on a folk-rock journey to self acceptance and what it means to choose passion over […]
words and photos by Logan Martin On September 17th, KCSB’s Isabelle Prittie and I set out for LA to see Mass of the Fermenting Dregs, a Japanese post-hardcore and alt-rock trio hailing from Kobe City, Japan play at the Vermont Hollywood venue. The band has seen tough times since its […]
With the summer sun in the sky and a verve for live music, KCSB was on the scene to witness a wonderful weekend of live music at Union Park in Chicago. Here were our 10 favorite sets of Pitchfork Chicago 2024. words by: Will Bacaj Rosali Situated on the […]
words and photos by: Logan Martin Starting as a humble solo project of Dave Grohl’s after Nirvana broke up, Foo Fighters has evolved into a decade-spanning giant of rock n’ roll. Along with 15 Grammy wins, Dave Grohl became a double-inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (following […]
KCSB-FM’s Digital Media Coordinator, Avery Morgan, sat down with Jeffrey Lewis after his set at the Troubadour to have a conversation about changes in DIY culture, his creative process, and inspirations. Photos by Avery Morgan Jeffrey Lewis is a musician and comic book artist, and when he performs live, he […]
A few of the newest members of KCSB’s Executive Committee bring you some wonderful tunes to spin while walking on the beach, gathered around a campfire, swimming in a pool, or any other activity suited for a hot summer’s day. PARKERS’S RECS “Not Like I Was Doing Anything” by The […]
In honor of Pitchfork’s infamous 0.0-10.0 ratings scale for albums, KCSB’s Will Bacaj scores his most anticipated sets of the upcoming festival weekend. words by: Will Bacaj After Conde Nast fired several of Pitchfork’s editors and placed the website under the umbrella of GQ Magazine in January, outside observers […]
words by: Malakai Peterson photos by: Avery Morgan The legendary shoegaze band Slowdive began a new leg of their current tour on April 25th at the Majestic Ventura Theater, only 45 minutes away from UCSB. I arrived shortly before doors opened with my girlfriend Avery, one of KCSB’s DJs, and […]
KCSB programmer Marley Jay takes to Monterey to give you an inside look into the 2024 Cali Roots Festival. Read on for the inside scoop into a weekend of love, reggae, and community. Words and Photos by Marley Jay I sat amongst like-minded individuals of the California Roots Sol Tribe, […]
Production Coordinator Will and Publications Coordinator Galilea took on Huntington Beach’s Cruel World Festival this past month, ready to report back to KCSB’s audience with all the scintillating details. Check it out. words by: Will Bacaj and Galilea Trujillo photos by: Will Bacaj Mark Almond of Soft Cell Duran Duran, […]
Assistant MD Savina is here to introduce you to the new wave of cumbia and the standout talents that have shaped its evolution. Read on to discover the ways that artists from the 1970s to present-day have worked to transform traditional cumbia while also staying true to their roots. words […]
As the end of the 2023-2024 school year approaches, so does LGBTQ Pride Month! KCSB’s Music Department wanted to highlight some wonderful Queer musicians to celebrate and uplift these artists. This is just a small portion of all of the work that LGBTQ artists contribute, we hope that these picks […]
If you’re longing and looking to tap into your indie-centered nostalgia, Just Like Heaven is the place to be. Every May, Goldenvoice puts on their annual Just Like Heaven festival, and this year marks 5 years since the first edition. It’s the time of year where you can bring back […]
words by: Carly Kalunian Shabang, San Luis Obispo’s yearly music festival, celebrated its 10th anniversary this May. The all-ages event attracts many college students from around California, but of course is very popular with those attending Cal Poly SLO and UCSB thanks to its’ close proximity to campus. This year’s […]