Guest DJ Project

Amy Krouse Rosenthal

 Amy Krouse Rosenthal is an NPR contributor and bestselling children's book author. She is also the creator of the international, interactive feature film project "The Beckoning of Lovely." In her Guest DJ set, Amy spotlights a handful of Chicago musicians, including the indie artist she calls an “endless well of musical goodness,” and one Oklahoma band for good measure.

Cassidy Freeman

Actress Cassidy Freeman plays a villain on the TV series “Smallville,” but her guest DJ set is dedicated to songs about family and friendship, from a body rockin’ electro track to a gentle acoustic lullaby about love and desire. Cassidy’s character Tess Mercer is the manipulative ruler of the LuthorCorp, in the CW hit drama and will be featured in a special, 2-hour extended episode written by DC Comics favorite Geoff Johns later this month. She is also a former KCRW volunteer!

Eric Greenspan

Eric Greenspan is a punk rocker turned Chef and founder of The Foundry restaurant on Melrose. Raised in LA, his influences range from one of the city's most famous musical exports of the late 60s and West Coast funk to a jazz recording he considers a punk anthem. Eric's enthusiasm for music is second only to his enthusiasm for food, and he features both prominently at his restaurant. He also competed in the latest version of Food Networks The Next Iron Chef.

Josh Radnor

For his Guest DJ set, Actor Josh Radnor explores the soundtrack to his life – from the provocative folk favorite of his college days to the somber song that marked his “deep dark unemployment as an actor” in New York City and a new band whose optimism and operatic sound caught his ear. Josh plays Ted Mosby on the hit CBS show “How I Met Your Mother,” which will be celebrating its 100th episode soon. Also, his film “happythankyoumoreplease” is in competition at the Sundance Film Festival.

Scott Neustadter

Scott Neustadter co-wrote the indie hit film “500 Days of Summer.” The script was based on his real life romance and he delves into both the bitter and sweet qualities of love in his Guest DJ set, including what he considers “the most unheralded love song ever written” and an upbeat track that hides its melancholy in beautiful harmonies. He also shares the song that helped him get over his fear of moving to Los Angeles. “500 Days of Summer” was just nominated for a Golden Globe award in the “Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy” category and is now available on DVD.

Alice Waters

Chef Alice Waters pioneered a new way of approaching food. She touches on the sensual aspects of both eating and music listening in her Guest DJ set -- from the track that keeps her dancing in the kitchen to the sounds of a Sengalese artist and a surprising choice from an acclaimed indie rock band. Waters is the owner of the world famous restaurant Chez Panisse in Berkeley.

Chuck Klosterman

Author and cultural commentator Chuck Klosterman was insightful and thought provoking in his selection of songs with both personal and cultural relevance. He shares the track that opened his eyes to the vast musical universe beyond metal - his favorite genre as a teen - as well as gems from Akron, Ohio’s most popular band and a Britpop favorite. Chuck’s latest book is “Eating the Dinosaur.”

Jake Gyllenhaal

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal was heavily influenced by his parents’ musical tastes and repaid the favor with a Guest DJ set dedicated entirely to family – from the folk song that his dad sang him to sleep to the live track that makes him sob on set. He also puts his performer hat on, with a host of great imitations – including a few of Director Jim Sheridan, who directed him in the new film “Brothers.”

Jose Andres

Spanish Chef José Andrés has an exuberant personality that is on full display as he shares songs he loves and his passion for his homeland. Andrés calls music a “great companion” and named the song that captures his “internal rhythm” as well as two tracks that celebrate different heritages coming together, as he does in his food.

Michael Brand

Getty Museum Director Michael Brand admits that he sometimes has a stronger reaction to music than art. He dedicates a song to his family, highlights a couple standout artists from his native Australia, and shares musings on the balance of art and commerce that exists in both fields, using an unlikely duet as an example...

Ashley Force Hood

Funny-car drag racer Ashley Force Hood is the daughter of 14-time national champion John Force and the first female winner in her division. Her music choices rang from soundtrack scores and hard rock to country and adult contemporary. She chooses a track that exemplifies her high speed sport and surprises us with the song she listens to before she races...

Tim Robbins

 Actor Tim Robbins has music in his blood. His father was part of a popular folk group and his song picks show how much music has defined his life. The Academy Award winner picks a song by a jazz legend that he can never hear enough of, a track about the realities of love and closes with a song about "infinite possibility."

Norman Lear

TV legend Normal Lear's heartfelt Guest DJ set covers love, war, family and friendship -- as well as the power of music and "how much it can work for good." Lear revolutionized television with comedy hits like All in the Family and The Jeffersons. Music is now his main focus as one of the owners of the Concord Music Group...

Fritz Haeg

Architect Fritz Haeg has applied his art in diverse and groundbreaking ways, including radical gardening. His choices include a baroque tribute to trees, a song about the sinister side of lawns, and track that suggests "a new way of thinking about the world." Fritz travels to universities and conferences around the world to discuss his work, including his edible estates and Sundown Salon.

Bobcat Goldthwait

Bobcat Goldthwait wanted to clear up one thing before introducing some of his favorite songs – contrary to what you might have heard, he is not dead...