California in focus: The KCRW Corner

Welcome to the KCRW Corner on DrownedinSound.com. KCRW is one of the most influential public radio stations in the United States, broadcasting at 89.9FM from Santa Monica, California. We’ve got our ears trained to catch the best new music and you can hear us online all the time at www.KCRW.com. We also have 11 years’ worth of live performances archived for your listening pleasure.

This month Jason Bentley, host of Metropolis (link) shares his favorite music.

Jason Bentley: instrumental...

Jason Bentley serves up the hypnotic pulse of modern city life on Metropolis, the soundtrack to a living theatre of fashion, art, and an endless parade of fascinating people from all corners. Even in Hollywood, where there is a circus of events happening at all times, nothing beats the seductiveness of the dance floor.

“In a club, people come together for very creative reasons. Whether it’s the promoter, a performer, a dancer, DJ or lighting guy – everyone comes together for that indefinable creative spark. I would make the argument that the dance floor is the most interesting place in music.”

Jason gained worldwide attention as the music supervisor for the Matrix films and the accompanying video games. He spins at intimate house parties for celebrities and for the masses at LA’s hottest clubs, but his dedication to dance music goes even deeper. Jason was instrumental in the creation of a Grammy award for Best Dance/Electronic Album, and offered his expertise as an A&R Executive at Madonna's Maverick Records and the Chris Blackwell-era Island Records.

Germany is putting out some of the best in the genre right now and here are a few favorites…

Digitalism
“Their album Idealism is just exciting, more punk than Justice. They’ve been circulating mostly with singles and this is their debut album.”

Ulrich Schnauss
“His new album is blissful shoegazer electronic rock. There are more vocals than his last CD so it’s a little more accessible. I think his core fanbase will love it and new people will discover him.”

Gui Boratto
“This is exciting dance music with a new wave polish to it. He’s on Kompakt Records in Germany.”

And from here in the States…

Uberzone
“He’s a local guy with a new album called Ideology on LA label Nitrus. Solid break beats with other interesting electronic accents. Really nice overall.”

Unkle
“Most of their new record, War Stories, was recorded here in the Joshua Tree area of Southern California with popular rock producer Chris Goss. You can definitely hear the difference; it feels like a West Coast record.”

Matthew Dear
“His new album Asa Breed (Ghostly International) is definitely a step further creatively. It’s a cross between LCD Soundsystem and Brian Eno in a way.”

And the timeless song that defines Metropolis?

“That would have to be Arcade Fire’s ‘No Cars Go’. Being from LA, it would be nice to have some place where no cars could go.”

All the hype in the world won’t get you Jason’s attention, but creating very compelling music will.

“You have to create your own story that’s genuine and I’ll find you. I really want to be connected to the same sort of excitement and instinct that I had when I started collecting music on my own. The kid in me wants that same feeling of discovery. You have to create your own mythology at a street level and I will find you.”

Jason is currently putting the finishing touches on a hybrid compilation of original music and remixes due out on Quango next year.

KCRW is broadcast on 89.9FM across most of Southern California from our studios in Santa Monica, California. You'll be pleased to know that you can hear news of the Californian clime, as well as a host of hot musical treats, online at www.KCRW.com.