#kuci

[galacticsoupinterlude]

One wave before you take me.

[kuciradio]

Neon Lights and Spectacular Sights Abound at Desert Daze 2022

By K. Chastain / Photography by K. Chastain

As I walk up to the sandy shore of Lake Perris, it feels too good to be true. The sun is just beginning to set, casting ripples of shimmering light onto the surface of the lake. This place is truly an oasis in the place you would least expect to find it – southeast of Los Angeles, out of reach of the sprawling city – and I always look forward to coming here each year. I’m joined by thousands of eager attendees who are spending the weekend camping here overnight, often traveling hours or even flying out to make sure they don’t miss the festival experience. And, as the sun sinks below the skyline and the sand starts to cool under my feet, I understand why.

The beach has been full of eager swimmers for most of the day, but many of them are now laying on towels scattered between the art installations that tower overhead. These massive sculptures are starting to shine even brighter under the darkening sky, and I can clearly make out the coiled shapes of neon lights bent into interesting shapes and refracting through glass panels. Old television sets flicker to life with oversaturated displays, and as a group of friends hurries past the display on the way to the main stage, their image is briefly displayed on each TV screen. These art installations are not just meant to be present among the attendees, but they were intentionally placed here by local artists such as Slim Reaper Light Show with the purpose of being interacted with. Some of them offer unique backdrops for photos, while others seem to beckon guests to sit on them or even walk through them as if they were portals to another dimension. And as I spot the main stage through a nested series of rainbow silhouettes, I realize that in a way, they are.

On the beachside stage, the graceful silhouette of UK-based singer Nilüfer Yanya emerges against a shimmering backdrop of rainbow lights. The stage lights draw everyone away from the water and towards the most intimate of the three stages at the festival as Yanya produces an electric guitar and begins to play. The opening riff of one of her most famous songs, “Keep on Callin’,” rings out across the beach as the crowd huddles closer together to share this special and intimate moment with Yanya. The British singer’s deep, soothing vocals wash over the crowd as she plays her way through much of her new album PAINLESS, which features a unique blend of folk and grunge rock. As the sky darkens, Yanya reaches the final song in her set, “Crash,” which she delivers with enthusiasm and energy to keep the audience excited for the next act.

Without missing a beat, Desert Daze’s second stage, also called ‘The Block,’ lights up in the distance. I realize Men I Trust, a spacey electronic trio from Canada, will be performing in just a few minutes and quickly make my way towards the center of the festival grounds. Emma Proulx, the lead singer and distinctive voice of the band, is adjusting her microphone, and I’m thankful they hadn’t started without me. As the crowd shuffles towards the main stage, a man prepares to stand on a surfboard while several others in the audience start to lift him up.

He’s somehow managing to balance himself, being passed around by the audience as if he were cutting through a real wave as the band starts to play the grooving bassline of “Sugar.” I couldn’t help but laugh behind my camera at the situation, as I had never expected a band with such a mellow sound to inspire crowd-surfing. Eventually, after the crowd calms down a bit, Men I Trust continues on to play some of their most beloved songs, including the dreamy “Show Me How” and my personal favorite, “I Hope to Be Around,” in which supporting member Dragos contributes incredible solos on keyboard. The audience huddles and sways under brilliant purple and white lights as their set finally comes to an end with the upbeat yet pensive “Say Can You Hear.”

As much as I am tempted to linger, I know that yet another band will be coming to play on the third stage at the festival. The solo project of Australian artist Kevin Parker, more widely known as Tame Impala, will be playing a special set that includes the entirety of his album Lonerism, originally released back in 2012 but still beloved as a cult classic. After glancing over the impressive variety of local vendors, I stop by my favorite vegan food truck just in the nick of time to see Tame Impala preparing to take the stage. Desert Daze’s largest stage, nicknamed ‘The Moon,’ has an impressive display prepared to accompany the arrival of such a renowned musical guest. 

The backdrop lights up with psychedelic visuals to accompany the entrancing combination of Parker’s synthesizers and the echoing, resonant instrumentals from his touring band members. Saturated, colorful images of rolling hills and ocean waves affirm the feeling that the audience has been transported to a rare oasis somewhere far away. As Parker reaches the most widely beloved track on Lonerism, “Feels Like I Only Go Backwards,” the crowd begins to sway and sing the lyrics back to him. Tame Impala continue onward, playing through the songs in their original album order, until they reach the grooving, upbeat track “Elephant.”

Both Parker and the crowd seem to revel in the sudden burst of energy resulting from the uptempo bassline in the otherwise laid-back set. Mixing in a few of his newer tracks after finishing his playthrough of Lonerism, Parker also plays selections from Currents and The Slow Rush to complete his performance. The indie classic “The Less I Know the Better” has everyone dancing instantly, while the more relaxed “Borderline” helps the audience start to wind down as the festival comes to a close. 

But it’s not over just yet. The stars are shining overhead, and they’re ready to turn in after such an impressive performance and begin to shuffle back to their campsites. They’re also excited, because it’s all going to happen again tomorrow.

[rubyheadphones]

kuci hall of fame 12.11.22

plains : line of sight dear nora : sedona the softies : charms around your wrist the mendoza line : you singled me out fastbacks : i wanna be with you sacred paws : brush your hair the merry go round : live (by request!) the paranoyds : over and done private lives : private lives quasi : queen of ears gina birch ft thurston moore : wish I was you basement : bad apple ribbon stage : nowhere fast hammered hulls : needlepoint tiger warmers : poke it with a stick sonic youth : nic fit (untouchables cover) the casual dots : the setting sunrise wipers : window shop for love pile : loops shame : fingers of steel shux : split merengue bam bam : stress big joanie : what are you waiting for gossip : eyes open special interest : cherry blue intention bad girls : dance to dance the originals : vamos a la playa divina gloria : mediterranée club alessandro alessandroni : snake disco scream + dance : in rhythm (12" mix) class : box my own shadow guided by voices : my impression now the brights : life walks by moonlove : triangle the feelies : let's go yo la tengo : fallout

[kucigloss]

EP 78: Little Women (in filas)

Greta Gerwig’s Masterpiece 

Sorry for not posting in a while, y’all. I hope you enjoy the playlists I’ve made (: Little Women is one of A24′s most touching and heartfelt white lady stories in a hot minute. 8/10. 

Quarantining has been rough, but at least you can live your live vicariously through Jo March, right?

[soundsofrichmahogany]

Playlist 1/28/20

And just like that, I’M FINALLY CAUGHT UP. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has taken a glance at my playlists. It means a lot. I find I tap into my emotions and feelings a lot of times through music. I listen for the feeling that the songs evoke and that’s how I’m able to express and make sense of things in this crazy, crazy world.

So pretty much yall have snippets into how I’m feeling every week for the past 7 years lol 

Check ittt: kuci.org | 88.9 FM | KUCI App

-Lilsdo

-- -- --

Lizzy and The Palm - Darling You Belong To Me - Single

Bahamas - No Wrong - Earthtones

Drama - Years - Single ***

Amber Mark - Can You Hear Me (Rework) - W Records

JUCE - (H) ours - Taste The JUICE!

Sinkane - Favorite Song - Life & Livin' It

Peach Kelli Pop - Honey - Gentle Leader

Geowulf - Round and Round - My Resignation ***

La Luz - Cicada - Floating Features

Yellow Days - The Way Things Change - Single

Iris and The Shade - Allergic to the Smoke - Caterpillar Wings ***

Jay Som - Tenderness - Anak Ko

Lizzy and The Palm - Lonely Traveler - Single

Bells Atlas - Belly - the mystic

ALaZ - Better - Better EP

Rocky Angelini - Red Light ft. Chris Trimmer - Single

Thundercat - Balck Qualls ft. Steve Lacy, Steve Arlington - Single ***

Poolside - Around The Sun ft. Amo Amo - Single ***

Beirut - Landslide Ginger Root - Mahjong - Mahjong Room

Sudan Archives - Nont For Sale - Sink

Panda Bear - Dolphins - Buoys

Toro Y Moi - Ordinary Pleasures - Outer Peace

Alta - Figured Out - Reasons ***

-- -- --

NEW VIDEO AND SONG ALERT:

[sabrosonico]

12.02.19 Setlist

Nicotine - Pull Up - Single

Bardo Martinez - Cartoon Romance - Single ***

Chrisol - The Prettiest Thing - Single

Duendita, Simon Eng - Dream of Me - Single

The Paranoias - 3am - Misperos ***

Chrisol, So Loe - Bloom off the Rose - Single

Nicotine - I Know Why the caged Bird Sings - An Open Letter

Luna Luna - Carousel - Carousel ***

Javiera Mena - Otra Era - Otra Era

Denver - Dianne Keaton - Musica, Gramatica, Gimnasia

Javiera Mena - Mujer Contra Mujer - Single

Edgar Fernandez - White Fangs *** - Single

Dead Friends Club - Ode to the Moon - Single

Kumbia Queers - Kumbia Zombie - God Save the Queers

Flor de Toloache - Cucurrucucu Paloma - Mariachi Flor de Toloache 

Flor de Toloache - Besos de Mezcal - Indestructible 

The Arcs - Stay In My Corner - Yours, Dreamily,

Chicano Batman - Friendship (Is a Small Boat in a Storm) - Freedom is Free

Los Fauna - Maywood - Los Fauna

Axel Catalan - Ansiedad - Ansiedad

Aladin Fox - She Says - Dancing on the Lights

Julio y Agosto - La niebla y la autopista - La niebla y la autopista

Durand Jones & The Indications - Is It Any Wonder - Durand Jones & The Indications  

Rawayana, Jose Luis Prado - Funky Fiesta - Trippy Carribbean 

Y La Bamba - Libre - Ojos del Sol  

The Sinseers - What’s His Name - Single

P.S. finals season, sorry for the delay 

[djzibaz]

I was on @kucifm weekly from about 2000-2013. This Saturday at @ucirvine we celebrate 50yrs. of #KUCI 88.9FM broadcasting from 1969-2019!! Have you ever had a radio show on Kuci.org? If so please join us to celebrate public broadcasting history in Orange County! Bands I played on air included Ladytron, Braid, Rilo Kiley, Gravy Train!!!, The Sea and Cake, Tristeza & Mates of State to name a few... #ZMRadio #ExtraLargeSaturdays #OurDigitalFuture #DJZibaZ #ChannelZ #ZotZot #GoEaters (at KUCI-FM) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4iB854Jh-6/?igshid=1gcsx9rm16y7j

[nipponoverdrive]

Nippon Overdrive 07.20.2019

artist - song - album/source    * = new     ^ = requests Imeruat - Nomitaina - Far Saa Far Tokyo Karankoron - Warau Doppelganger - Warau Doppelganger Bigmama - Mr. & Mrs. Balloon -  Kimi omou, yueni ga ari; I Think, Therefore I Am Necry Talkie - Meccha Kawaii Uta - One! flumpool - Natsu Dive - MW ~Dear Mr. & Mrs. Picaresque/ Natsu Dance Galileo Galilei - Natsuzora - PARADE Ikimonogakari - Seishun Line; Youth Line - Natsuzora Graffiti/Seishun Line Brian the Sun - Sunny Side Up - the Sun Ellegarden - BBQ Riot Song - Ellegarden FLOW - Nuts Bang!!! - Nuts Bang!!! *TWRP - Hidden Potential - Return to Wherever The Protomen - Father of Death - Act II: Father of Death DTB - speed wobble - coming and going *The Appleseed Cast - Chaotic Waves - The Fleeting Light of Impermanence Sakerock - Radical Holiday - Sakerock Kisetsu no Best 2000-2013 Origami JP - aurinkoisena aamuna - Origami JP EP NENGU - METAL FAMILY - NENGU/CARNIVAL split té -  Kajōna hōjun ga taihaidearu yō ni, kin'yoku mo yogireba tōsui ni “ Ri ” Reru.; Just as excess richness is abolished, if abstinence is also passed, you will be euphoric. -   Yu; Threshold  HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR - Tadoritsuku Basho; A Place to Arrive - San HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR - RUN RUN RUN - Go over HIGH and MIGHT COLOR - Ichirin no Hana; Lone Flower - 10 COLOR SINGLES Bakyun the Everyday - Sliding Summer Go - New Boys, New Girls, New City Punk arigarnon friends - miracle - Boy to Man *Pens+ - caramel - Toumei na Hako / caramel ONE OK ROCK - Mikansei Kokyokyoku; Incomplete Orchestra - Niche Syndrome Noisycell - Yoru;Night - Wolves