Dr. Mike (or Is It Bruddah Mike?) Fills In on KROQ's 'Kevin & Bean Show'

A definite bucket list item, as KROQ's "Kevin & Bean Show" (now, sadly, minus Bean) asked me to join them on Monday, Nov. 25, to fill in for the vacationing Allie Mac Kay. Allie usually does the "What's Happening" entertainment reports near the top of the hour, so I fashioned my own reports -- featuring news such as the American Music Awards and Baby Yoda. I also got to play with hosts Kevin Ryder and Jensen Karp on other segments, such as "Great News."

But most importantly, they got ahold of tape from when I was a kid, dreaming to one day be a radio DJ. (And yes, they also found one of my KCSN "Bruddah Mike" shows.) It was quite the morning. Listen below!

KCSN's HD2 Channel Goes Latin Alternative

They're continuing to do some interesting stuff over at my former radio home, KCSN (the noncommercial radio station from Cal State Northridge). After 24 years, the station has completely dropped all ties to classical music (which had already been pushed to KCSN's HD2 digital subchannel since 2008).

In the place of "KCSN Classical," KCSN-HD2 is now home to LatinAlt, a new Latin Alternative format. It's an offshoot of KCSN's "The Latin Alternative" music show. KCSN General Manager Sky Daniels explains the change:

The LatinAlt.org is the only channel in LA (and the world for that matter) that represents all forms of Latin Alternative music all day long – Latin alternative rock, EDM, Indie Pop, Hip-Hop, SalSoul and classic Rock en Español. This is a station dedicated to discovering and supporting deserving artists that have had little or no representation elsewhere in the radio community of Los Angeles.

Now they do – KCSN HD2 and LatinAlt.org!

We hope you like this new station, and will spread the word to your friends. Latin Alternative music is among the most diverse and cutting edge genres, and we are proud to pioneer the launch of the first 24/7 HD2 and online station in this format We also look forward to continuing to bring you one hour episodes of ‘The Latin Alternative’ show, co-hosted by Josh Norek and Ernesto Lechner, on both KCSN-FM and KCSN HD2.

Here's a sample playlist from the new format:

Madame Recamier, "Arriba las Manos"
Natalia LaFourcade & Adrian Dargelos, "Mujer Divina"
Vicentico, "Creo que me enamore"
Bersuit Vergarabat, "Perro Amor Explota"
Campo, "Cumbio"
Morcheeba & Ana Tijoux, "Hypnotized"
DJ Raff, "Gettosinfonía"
Kinky, "Despues Del After"
Bang Data, "Bang Data"
Alejandro Escovedo, "Common Mistake"
Mexican Institute Of Sound, "Es-toy"
Alex Anwandter, "Rebeldes"
Kinky, "Soun Tha Primer Amor"
Astro, "Panda"
Ana Tijoux, "La Bala"
Babasonicos, "Barranca Abajo"
Elastic Bond, "Pierdo El Control"
Panteon Rococo Feat. Sondo Caballero, "Déjala Tranquila Para Que Bailen las Muchachonas Mix"
Willie Colon & Ruben Blades, "Plastico"
Cafe Tacuba, "Aprovechate"
Diego Garcia, "Sunnier Days"

KCSN flipped from a country/roots format to classical music in 1989, after KFAC-FM (92.3) flipped from classical to KKBT "Rock With a Beat." (The following year, KKBT turned into urban "92.3 The Beat.") KCSN also aired non-classical weekend and late night specialty shows -- including my "Hawaiian Eye," which lasted from 2004 to 2008.

Nic Harcourt Moves to Mornings on KCSN

Morning is about to become Harcourt again. Former KCRW music director and "Morning Becomes Eclectic" host Nic Harcourt, who moved to Cal State Northridge's KCSN in 2011 (leaving his old station under not-so-good terms), is taking over the morning 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. shift at the station.

KCSN has really improved its sound over the past year, focusing more on new indie rock music and artists and toning down the classic rock. Nothing wrong with classic rock, but if KCSN ever wants to develop a loyal and younger following, it needed to start playing more currents. Program director Sky Daniels smartly brought in former Indie 103.1 music director Mark Sovel ("Mr. Shovel") as music director.

Unfortunately, and this is something I learned while at KCSN, the station's signal is limited in the L.A. area -- and as much as the station is trying to improve its signal into more of the city proper, they're hampered by another station (Saddleback College's KSBR, in Mission Viejo) that shares the 88.5 FM frequency. It's that limited listening area that often keeps KCSN out of the Arbitron ratings -- although more of late, the station has at least shown up with a 0.1 rating.

The L.A. Times talked to Harcourt about his new gig:

"There's no doubt there's a whole generation of millennials, or whatever you wish to call them, who barely listen to radio or didn't grow up listening to it at all," Harcourt, 55, said a few days before jumping into a program that will have him behind the microphone from 6 to 11 a.m. every weekday. "They have friends who are turning them onto new music — it's a completely different situation. It might be a little better here in L.A. because kids have to be driven everywhere and their parents have the radio on."

Read the full story here.

Nic Harcourt Jumps to KCSN, Says KCRW 'Misrepresented' Exit

Surprising fireworks in the public radio arena today. First, KCRW announces Nic Harcourt's exit from KCRW to focus on his newish gig at MTV. Then, my ex-station (R.I.P., "Hawaiian Eye") KCSN announces that Harcourt is joining to host a weekend show.

Harcourt later told the L.A. Times that he felt KCRW "misrepresented" his exit, and that he originally hoped to continue at KCRW while doing a volunteer shift at KCSN. (There's precedent, as KCSN is unpaid, which means several KCSN jocks in the past have also worked at other public stations, like KKJZ, simultaneously.) But Harcourt said he was given an ultimatum: Pick one. He doesn't explain why he chose KCSN.

Here's part of the KCSN announcement:

KCSN/Los Angeles is proud to announce that legendary music industry veteran, Nic Harcourt, is joining the station. KCSN 88.5 FM is the non-commercial station that broadcasts a Triple-A format from California State University, Northridge.

Harcourt worked for KCRW/Los Angeles for 12 years, 10 as music director and host of the highly influential “Morning Becomes Eclectic” program... He has also helped launch the careers of Phoenix, Dido, My Morning Jacket, Death Cab for Cutie, Franz Ferdinand, KT Tunstall, Ting Tings, Sigur Ros, Damien, Rice, The Shins, Interpol and countless others. He has been described by music writer Mark Weingarten as “the most influential DJ in America.”

Harcourt has also been a music journalist for the Los Angeles Times, and currently holds the title of Music Supervisor in Residence for MTV. He also serves as host of the award-winning Guitar Center Sessions on DirecTV’s 101 and n3D channels.

Karen Kearns, General Manager of KCSN commented, “Nic’s status as a music tastemaker will be a great addition to our programming.”

Sky Daniels, newly appointed Program Director of KCSN added, “It is an honor to have Nic join us as we begin a new journey as the Album Adult Alternative station for Los Angeles. Nic defines music discovery for Los Angeles listeners and will bring that devotion to KCSN. His vision will be an incredible asset to our listeners.”

Harcourt stated, “Change is good. I’m truly excited about the opportunity to work with the team at KCSN as they build a dynamic new music format for Los Angeles.”

Read some of our past stories about Nic Harcourt here.

KCRW Gets An iPhone App; Shuffles Saturday Night Schedule

I can't tell you how many times I've missed out on a chance to receive a restaurant discount because I had no idea they were a participant in KCRW's Fringe Benefits program. Now, finally, KCRW is launching a new, free iPhone app that compiles the Fringe Benefits providers al in one place:

It provides access to an interactive directory of all the Fringe Benefits providers, including the capability to find participating businesses "nearby" via the phone’s GPS. You can search a mile, two miles, or five from your location and the app will find the Fringe Benefits providers in your area.

Click here for the free App.

MEANWHILE, KCRW also reports that Saturday night DJ Jason Eldredge is moving to New York -- and that Mario Cotto will now take over the Saturday night 10 p.m. to midnight slot with what he calls his "special brand of eclectic electro freakbeat.”

Taking over Mario's Monday night slot, from midnight to 3 a.m., is Anthony Valadez -- who a few years ago was a fellow DJ of mine at KCSN (before that station, well, you know, decided to go in a different direction). Valadez spins at clubs around town including Zanzibar, Little Temple and Townhouse. Pretty cool -- there is good life after KCSN!

KCSN Flips Formats; "Aloha Friday Radio" Is Dead (For Now)

The rumors had been out there for a while that KCSN -- the public broadcaster out of California State Univ.-Northridge -- would be flipping formats, and as of today it's happening.

The station will continue to play classical during the day, but is dumping its nighttime specialty shows in favor of an automated Americana (roots, etc.) format at night.

Yes, that means after 4 1/2 years, my weekly Aloha Friday Radio has been canceled.

It's been a fun run, getting a chance to play DJ every week... and I'm going to search for other opportunities to get back behind the microphone. But for now, it's pau hana time for "Bruddah Mike."

Thursday Odds and Ends

:: I find myself obsessed lately with this catchy tune from 2005, Nizlopi's "JCB Song." A big hit in the U.K., it never crossed over to this side of the pond, and I just discovered it on an import compilation I recently bought.

Of course, so much of why I like it has to do with being the dad of a 3 year old. Everytime I hear this song I want to go grab the Kid Formerly Known As Blogger Toddler and do something fun with him -- so it's a good thing.


(Photo: Gina Lee)

:: Since we're kind of on the father tip here, you may have already visited the blog Matt, Liz and Madeline. But in case you haven't, it's a heartbreaking yet superbly written ongoing journal of a local Yahoo! staffer who's chroncling his life as a new dad adjusting to a new world without his wife, who passed away the day after their daughter was born. Matt and Madeline appear to live close by (Atwater Village or Glassell Park, it seems) -- local faves like Swork coffee are frequently mentioned.



:: Now on to another topic entirely: Radio. Congrats to Mimi Chen, most recently a colleague at KCSN, for scoring a sweet new gig: A DJ post at the new 100.3 The Sound. Mimi's no stranger to the AAA format, having been a DJ at the late, lamented 101.9 KSCA "L.A.'s Finest Rock."

ALOHA FRIDAY RADIO Tonight on KCSN!

Don't forget, Bruddah Mike's spinning the Aloha Friday jams tonight from 9 p.m. to midnight on 88.5 KCSN!

Listen there or over the air live, or check out the blog later to stream it or download it.

And yes, it may seem like the competition was fixed... but Maria did come up with "Aloha Friday" as the show's title... and it makes the most sense. That's what my show's all about -- a way to kick off the weekend with a breezy mix of contemporary and traditional Hawaiian, reggae, surf rockabilly, and other tunes.

"Hawaiian Eye" Moves Tonight!

Don't forget! My weekly musical tour of the islands and beyond moves to its new Friday night time slot TONIGHT!

Tune in to hear which new title made the cut!

With this new primetime slot, I'll be mixing in a bit more surf music and reggae into the Hawaiian mix, to provide a nice island getaway to the weekend. It is Aloha Friday, after all!

TONIGHT -- 9 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT -- 88.5 KCSN (or KCSN.org)!

(And if you're curious about the title and artists, or want to stream or download the show later, go to our Hawaiian Eye blog.)

Help Rename "Hawaiian Eye"

It's been a long time coming, but "Hawaiian Eye" is finally moving to a more marquee spot on 88.5 KCSN!

Starting next week, I'll be spinning island tunes from 9 p.m. to midnight each Friday night. (You know, "Aloha Friday.") With the potential for more listeners, I'm also going to be throwing in a few more surf and island tunes from other parts of the world as well.

Also, with so many changes, I thought it was time to come up with a broader, more catchy title for the show. So I'm throwing it open to you: What should the show be titled? Should "Island" be in the name? ("Island Style"? "Island Rhythm"? C'mon, let's come up with something better!) Should it be a song title, which could then double as the theme song? (That's why I used "Hawaiian Eye" in the first place -- I used the old TV show theme.)

If I choose your entry, you'll get a cool prize. Not sure what it is yet, but it will be cool. Probably.

Tonight on "Hawaiian Eye": It's Pledge Drive Time!

Twice a year, public radio station KCSN holds its on-air fundraiser; tonight, it's my turn to conjure up some cash.

Luckily, since Hawaiian Eye is on late, I'm not expected to bring in much. And I can stick to playing mostly music. But if you're interested in helping a Bruddah out, tune in tonight... or listen to the stream or podcast tomorrow (access it here). All pledges enter you in a sweepstakes to win a 7-day Mexican Riveria cruise on Princess Cruises. Mahalo plennys!