Kenny makes beats that just feel warm and fuzzy. It was awesome to hear his history that spans beyond the current “beat scene” but dating back to the Project Blowed days. Hope you dig!
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IN CONVERSATION | EPISODE # 81 | JEFF STAPLE
For the past 20 years, Jeff Staple has followed his gut despite the lack of finances, direction and family support. His name has popped up in so many magazines, blogs, articles and album art pieces that I had to hunt this man down. He’s been on the edge of what’s new and innovative with his creative agency while still maintaining one of my favorite boutiques in the Lower East Side. We talk about his journey as well as this thoughts on the changing landscape of music, life in NYC during the 90’s, why we can never have another Thriller album, the influence of Bobbito + Stretch and so much more. Hope you dig!
Stay connected : stapledesign.com
IN CONVERSATION | NEW LOS ANGELES/GANGS
Gangs somehow popped up on my radar with the lush and dark track “This Time Around“. I did my research and found out these mysterious folks were in LA and on indie label “New Los Angeles“. I began playing a couple tracks off their EP and knew instantly I wanted to talk and get to know what inspires this sound.
We made home at The RedBull Studios in LA for a Sunday evening and chopped it up alongside Luis Blanco who helps run the label alongside the duo. And we get to hear material from Tom Ward (who is on New Los) as well as an exclusive listen to the bands new material!
Big thanks to Eric Stenman for engineering/production assistance, Red Bull Los Angeles for the studio space and Chase McCurdy for photography.
Connect:
newlos.com
@newlos13
@GangsBand
@chasermcurdy
@redbullLAX
@anthonyvaladez
IN CONVERSATION – J ROCC w/ PEANUT BUTTER WOLF
The Funky President J Rocc swings through for a chat about his journey as a club dj in the OC and into the working man he is today. But then in came Peanut Butter Wolf to start the party and break down the history of the Ultimate Breaks and Beats series and it’s inspiration of sample/rap culture. Tales of digging, comic book store jobs and serving the homies at Mcdonalds are all told. You can also listen to J Rocc’s live KCRW set right here! And grab your tickets to Ultimate Breaks and Beats at The Echoplex to catch these guys in action w/ Biz Markie and Breakbeat Lou on Sunday November 23rd.
IN CONVERSATION – TWILITE TONE (THE RED BULL SESSIONS)
This week’s guest on the podcast is Dj and Grammy Nominated producer Twilite Tone. Man, do yourself a solid and google him! I really wanted to avoid the obvious questions of “What was it like working with Kanye West” and somehow I achieved it but it was definetly on the back of my mind. How did this one man balance producing for heavyweights and yet still maintain a connection to the streets and dj culture? Listening to this chat I found the answer, true passion for music and creativity. Twilite Tone connects the dots on possibly one of the most interesting but productive conversations in all my podcasts. Hope you dig! And go peep his soundcloud! Some great stuff there.
Engineered by Ryan Woodhall
Production Assistance by Jon Oliver.
Host: Anthony Valadez
Big thanks to RedBull Studios in NYC!
IN CONVERSATION – DJ CENTER (THE REDBULL SESSIONS)
NYC producer and selector Dj Center breaks down his recording process as well as his upbringing. We explore all kinds of topics and build off his new single “Dem Say Ah” which is a Monday night favorite on my weekly KCRW show. Make sure to check out his Soundcloud page for info on release and his mixes! Hope you dig this chat!
Engineered by Ryan Woodhall
Production Assistance by Jon Oliver.
Host: Anthony Valadez
Big thanks to RedBull Studios in NYC!
IN CONVERSATION – LeFTO
World traveler, dj, record collector and nerd/techie LeFTO swings by the basement for a chat about his insight on music, sharing sounds and his personal journey as a record collector. His perspective on life and music is always interesting and I have always wanted to sit LeFTO down and pick his brain about a few topics. Hope you dig!
You can listen to more episodes of my podcast here : bit.ly/1en6MbO
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More on LeFTO :
As one the most important tastemakers Europe has to offer, and affiliated with labels Brownswood, Blue Note, !K7 Records, Stones Throw and Jazzy Sport, this bearded early riser is consistently a couple steps ahead of your average early adopter. He doesn’t wait for the next thing to land on his lap, actively seeking it out – just take a peek at his playlists on Belgium’s foremost national radio station Studio Brussel which received compliments from Rough Trade Shops and Gilles Peterson.
However, don’t assume that he’s only working futuristic angles – no sir. Firmly rooted in jazz and hip hop, he sharpened his digging sensibility working at the now legendary Music Mania record store in hometown Brussels. His passion for jazz resulted in a remix album for Blue Note which was well received by the community. Lefto is forever moving forward but always has an ear in the past. Famed for his gloriously eclectic DJ sets, he switches effortlessly between hip hop, funk, breaks, neck-snapping beats, future bass, South-American influences, bruk riddims and some wild African rhythms. He’s not only a deejay and producer but also curates his own stage at the Dour Festival and his own nights in Gent in collaboration with Democrazy.
World renowned, LeFtO regularly blesses sound systems from Tokyo to Seoul and Singapore to New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. He has been a resident deejay for Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Festivals since 2008 around the world. Camera under the arm, he is also one of the few deejays on this planet who can deejay somewhere and have a nice movie on the internet a couple hours later, with over 250 videos on YouTube and Vimeo, it’s very impressive. The travels resulted in the Worldwide Family Vol. 1 compilation on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings with partner in crime DJ Simbad in 2011. In 2012, he has put out two compilations, one for American brand 101Apparel and the other one for Universal Music.
IN CONVERSATION | MILES BONNY
Last night before hitting the stage with Miles Bonny I found myself at a White Castle having an interesting conversation with the brother in regards to being an artist and how to develop his brand. The convo was so interesting I had to pull out my soundcloud app and hit record. His story is very interesting and had to be shared. He is one of the most talented performers I know and who is open with his frustration and struggles. Take a listen and let me know what you think. Follow him on twitter at @MilesBonny!
IN CONVERSATION | ZACK SEKOFF
16 year old Zack Sekoff caught my attention with his beats and production work. I would later learn that this same kid plays bass, raps and had some production credit on Thundercat’s latest Brainfeeder release. Now 18, Zack opens up about his inspirations, doing musical theatre. what it was like to play Low End Theory and the night he learned of Austin Peralta’s passing. This is not your typical 18 year old. Zack’s perspective on life, creating and learning about self is inspiring. I hope you dig our chat! And make sure to stop by his soundcloud page.
IN CONVERSATION | BONOBO | SXSW 2013
I had the chance to catch up with Ninja Tune recording artist Bonobo and talk about the new forthcoming album “The North Borders” which is set to drop April 2nd of this year. We discuss his first concert and his love for sampling. Catch more cuts from the record tonight for our late night session on the far left of the fm dial or worldwide at kcrw.com.
IN CONVERSATION | FLYING LOTUS (2006) EPISODE 1
This interview was recorded in the summer of 2006 on KCSN. At the time I was doing college radio. It’s a bit crazy to listen to this interview considering the time and era we lived in. 9/11 was still fresh on our minds,we were prepping for a second term of of G.W and we needed change. You can hear Fly Lo introduce the seeds of change during this interview. He proclaims with all his heart that LA and laptop producers will take over. Almost 9 years later Fly Lo’s prophecies hold true. And he is indeed a general with the release of his forthcoming release entitled “Until The Quiet Comes” which is just amazing from start to finish.
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ANTHONY VALADEZ 