Words by: Marion Suchowiecky (Internal Music Director 23′-24′) Kashika Kollaikal’s newest project, All Heartbeat, represents a brimming and glittering cacophony of emotions bound together by her musical artistry. Kollaikal was inspired by the powerful sense of limbo she felt as she found herself trapped at Seattle airport by an ever-delayed […]
Words by: Angel Lopez Photos courtesy El Vive Latino El Vivo Latino music festival happens once a year, usually on the 3rd weekend of March in Mexico City. This year had 5 stages, 1 surprise stage, a comedy stage and a Lucha Libre ring. 88 bands performed in the span […]
To celebrate Women’s History Month, the KCSB music department, with the help of our Assistant MD’s and members of the Executive Committee, have put their heads together to bring you a curated playlist featuring some of our favorite women musicians! This playlist aims to show that the power and prowess […]
KCSB-FM’s Assistant Music Director Maya Widom sits down with Berkeley band Fire Trail to discuss their album “One of the Two” and their upcoming projects. Fire Trail is a four piece band made up of current and former students of UC Berkeley with a rock backbone.“One of the Two” was […]
There are so many types of love – love for a partner, love for a friend, love for a radio station. Here at KCSB we want to celebrate love this February with a curated Valentine’s Day playlist by our lovely Excomm. Check out our picks as you’re shopping for chocolate, […]
It is impossible to overstate the profound impact that Black musicians have had on modern music. Almost any contemporary musical genre can be traced back to Black musicians who pioneered it. This Black History Month, KCSB’s staff is putting their heads together to highlight some of our favorite Black musicians […]
KCSB’s program director, Naila, visited San Louis Obispo last year to get our audience the scoop on Shabang! As the 2024 lineup begins to make its rounds, we hope this review of last year’s festival gives you an idea of what to expect and look forward to. words and photos […]
KCSB’s Fall ’23 Assistant Music Director, Amber Cooper, reviews Vyva Melinkolya’s second album Unbecoming. Read on to learn more! Words by Amber Cooper Vyva Melinkolya’s Unbecoming feels like it slowly sucks the air out of your lungs; it carries a lot of weight, and its crawling pace feels like a sinkhole, drawing […]
Our Assistant Music Director, Liam Hogan, takes KCSB on a voyage through American instrumental master Jim O’Rourke’s discography. Keep reading for Liam’s recommendations, reviews, and guidance on how and where to get started. Words by: Liam Hogan Jim O’Rourke is one of those names I heard a thousand times before […]
Words by: Bella Genolio (External MD), Marion Suchowiecky (Internal MD), and Ryan Tabib (Music Librarian) The music department at KCSB is constantly looking for the best music from diverse, underrepresented, and independent musicians. As the year comes to a close, we wanted to share our favorite musical gems from 2023. […]
Fall quarter is over, and winter break is here! KCSB’s Executive Committee assembled a playlist of the chillest songs they know to accompany your winter activities. Whether you’re ice skating, decorating cookies, or walking on the beach (Santa Barbara Winter is very similar to Santa Barbara summer, let’s be honest), […]
Words by Tere Arenas (AKA Linda) and Angel Lopez (AKA musititlan) KCSB programmers Angel and Tere hit Los Angeles for the 2023 Bésame Mucho Festival. Keep reading for their review and photos. Wow, wow, wow. This was the festival of the year! Bésame Mucho Festival took place on December 2nd at Los […]
The KCSB-FM Music Department is celebrating Native American Heritage Month! As students living and learning on occupied Chumash land, it is especially important to celebrate and learn about the traditions and living legacy of Native Americans in the United States. We have put our heads together to bring you some […]
Words by: Bella Genolio For November’s add of the month, KCSB’s External Music Director, Bella Genolio, highlights the album “Wallsocket” by underscores Wallsocket, MI is a rural midwestern town rich in history and community. Historically, Wallsocket was a highly profitable area for horse breeders and ranchers due to its vast […]
KCSB-FM’s Internal Music Director, Marion Suchowiecky, sat down with Nick Kinsey. Kinsey’s newest project, Going, Going, Gone – The Rare Recordings of Connie Cunningham and the Creeps Vol. I, was released under Earth Libraries, and was recorded in his Hudson Valley home. This record has a distinctly nostalgic sound- it […]
October is here and Halloween is just around the corner! KCSB’s Executive Committee put together a playlist of spooky songs to accompany all of your Fall activities. Whether you’re carving pumpkins, getting lost in a corn maze, or doing a seance, this playlist is the perfect way to get in […]
words by Will Bacaj photos courtesy Life Is Beautiful KCSB’s Promotions Director Will Bacaj attended the Life is Beautiful festival in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada Sept 22-24, 2023. Here’s his report from the scene. Having never been anywhere in Las Vegas beyond the Strip, going to Las Vegas for a […]
“The Lost Tapes” by Mad Anthony Words by Bella Genolio (External Music Director 23′-24′) As the end of summer approaches and students return to Santa Barbara, it’s nice to slow down and enjoy the sun before the chaos of fall quarter begins. What better way to do so than to […]
KCSB’s own DJ Steely Friedan had the immense pleasure of hosting Los Angeles based band Guppy on his show Welcome to Xanadu where they shared some of their favorite music and tour van song choices. Guppy’s tour kicks off in Los Angeles on September 25th; check out some interview highlights […]
KCSB’s External Music Director, Bella Genolio, got the chance to interview Elliott Fullam about his new album, End of Ways. Read on to learn about Fullam’s creative process, inspiration, and future plans. Trigger Warning: Mental, Physical, and Sexual Abuse Bella Genolio: Can you introduce yourself with your name, pronouns and […]
It’s Hispanic Heritage Month, and here at KCSB FM, we wanted to put together a playlist to showcase the diverse musical genres which have flowered from a variety of Hispanic countries. Though this playlist is by no means exhaustive, we hope it will be a good introduction to the range […]
Our Internal Music Director, Marion, made her way to the heart of Los Angeles to see American blues legend, Buddy Guy, take the Hollywood Bowl. Keep reading for her recap and review. Words by: Marion Suchowiecky It is difficult to overstate the influence of the blues on American music. If […]
Words By Lekha Sapers The 2023 Newport Jazz Festival, in its third iteration post-covid, was a smashing success. Of course, with lineups boasting the likes of Jon Batiste, Branford Marsalis, and Diana Krall, the musical prowess was oozing from every single stage. As a core tenet of working at […]
Photo By Danielle Barbieri (ig: @dani__shoots) Butcher Brown has emerged in the public eye as one of the only bands that truly defies genre parameters. Most, if not all, of what they release is a hybrid amalgamation of a number of different sounds, creating a musical fusion derived from […]
