The KPBS Summer Music Series
A music-discovery podcast from KPBS with in-depth artist interviews and stories behind the songs. The KPBS Summer Music Series features encore presentations of our best in-studio performances and interviews, celebrating San Diego's diverse music scene and beyond. The podcast is hosted and produced by Kurt Kohnen, Maureen Cavanaugh, and Jade Hindmon. Megan Burke is Senior Producer.
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Palm trees, surfboards and Mexican food don’t exactly conjure up images of Appalachia and dueling banjos, but if you look hard enough, you will find a thriving Bluegrass Music scene right here in our backyard. One of San Diego’s finest Bluegrass bands, Prairie Sky joins us. Plus, sibling duo Finnegan Blue is rooted in traditional folk, but play by their own rules blending bluegrass, gospel, and second-line jazz with a punk rock edge. Credits: Produced and hosted by Kurt Kohnen, and Maureen Cavanaugh. Megan Burke is senior producer. -
In hard times, music can soothe our worried minds, and there's nothing quite like gospel music to uplift the spirit. Ken Anderson, founder and director of San Diego’s own Martin Luther King Jr. Community Choir, talks about spreading the gospel around the world & funding scholarships for students. And Voices of Our City Choir is made up of homeless musicians and singers. Executive Director Steph Johnson talks about competing on "America’s Got Talent," and the transformative music the choir makes.Credits: Produced and hosted by Kurt Kohnen, Jade Hindmon, and Maureen Cavanaugh. Megan Burke is senior producer. -
JJ Cale, who died in 2013, wrote hit songs for Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Tom Petty. In a 2009 interview Cale discusses his passion for music, not the spotlight. Plus songwriter Al Howard and his mother discuss their ambitious 100 song project that includes a painting for each song. -
Music pioneer and jazz legend Herbie Hancock shares his musical influences, gives a history lesson on auto-tune, and reflects on the first time he saw Aretha Franklin perform. And Bill Caballero joins us to talk about his long-running Latin Jazz Jam in Barrio Logan, the importance of providing an inclusive space, and what he calls ‘Homie Jazz’. Credits: Produced and hosted by Kurt Kohnen, Jade Hindmon, and Maureen Cavanaugh. Megan Burke is senior producer. -
DJ Artistic, a pillar of the San Diego hip-hop scene, shares his musical journey and how giving back builds community. Rapper Indian K’s album ‘Duality 2’ is about life on and off of the reservation and overcoming hardships. -
The frenetic energy of free jazz influenced two completely different musical genres. Rock 'n' roll legend Wayne Kramer talks about the legacy of MC5 and his memoir "The Hard Stuff." And electronic duo Skrapez bring life to machine-music by destroying sound to create a wildly unique musical energy.
FEATURED STORIES
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KPBS Midday EditionA decades-old San Diego community choir shares the history, trauma, encouragement and rejoicing found in gospel music, plus the coded folk songs of African American spirituals. -
KPBS Midday EditionWith manipulated synthesizers or homemade electronic instruments, the San Diego-based experimental duo Skrapez makes curious, creative and chaotic walls of sound. -
KPBS Midday EditionLocal supergroup embodies the San Diego-Tijuana region with a fresh cumbia sound and danceable songs in a forthcoming new album. -
KPBS Midday EditionThe KPBS Summer Music Series continues with DJ Artistic, considered an architect of local hip-hop scene who curates and produces events, makes space for emerging artists and is a four-time SDMA winner -
KPBS Midday EditionA weekly Latin jazz jam in Barrio Logan is a welcoming space for beginners and pros alike, with trumpeter Bill Caballero at its heart for nearly 18 years. -
KPBS Midday EditionIn a new installment of our KPBS Summer Music Series, meet the Ocean Beach-based band Boostive, who've built on years of friendship to develop on-stage synergy and dub-hop success. -
KPBS Midday EditionThe KPBS Summer Music Series continues with the folk stylings of the brother-sister fronted band Finnegan Blue, combining second line jazz and Irish folk with a wholly original energy. -
KPBS Midday EditionAudiences are back, venues are opening up, and San Diego is bursting with music from local artists this summer. The KPBS Summer Music Series is here to capture that creativity, energy and joy. -
KPBS Midday EditionThe hip-hop artist Indian K is a member of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians. He spent the early part of his childhood living on his tribe’s reservation. His life has taken him on a long and winding road through foster care and prison and back into the community as a respected musician. -
KPBS Midday EditionThis summer, the entire nation had the chance to meet the group of homeless musicians and singers who first assembled in a small metal church in 2016. As contestants on "America’s Got Talent," the group has wowed the judges and moved into the contest's semi-finals.
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