Guest DJ Project

Lee Daniels

Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels directed and produced Precious. In his Guest DJ set, he shares the story behind a song used in a monumental scene in the highly regarded film, as well as personal favorites ranging from disco to gospel and even a children’s classic. From his youth in the projects to a heart attack in his 30s to his recent success, music has played a significant role. Precious is now available on DVD and Daniels will be directing the upcoming film Selma.

Alan Cumming

Alan Cumming is a true entertainer whose flair for the dramatic is on full display in his Guest DJ set – from his selection of a “super intense” aria to the song that accompanied him down the aisle. Alan has found fame in film (X-Men United), on Broadway (Cabaret) and is making a special appearance on the hit CBS Series The Good Wife this week.

Amber Tamblyn

With music in your blood, you’re bound to have eclectic taste. This is the case with Emmy and Golden Globe Award–nominated actress and poet Amber Tamblyn, whose grandfather was the master violinist for the LA Philharmonic. She chooses everything from instrumental electronic music to poppy indie rock and a blues-infused track from a local singer. Amber’s latest poetry book is called “Bang Ditto” and she is set to appear in Danny Boyle’s upcoming film “127 Hours.”

Susan Feniger

Chef Susan Feniger has endless enthusiasm and creativity in the kitchen, but her personal soundtrack is designed to slow her down.  She favors songs that inspire introspection, with themes of hope, love and loss.  Susan is the owner of Susan Feniger's Street and co-owner of the Border Grill and Ciudad. She will also be competing on season two of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters premiering in April.

Nick Hornby

Author Nick Hornby does not believe in guilty pleasures. The self-confessed music obsessive, who wrote the classics High Fidelity and About a Boy, shares his musical boy crush, the soundtrack to his teenage love affair, and his own work as a songwriter. Hornby was recently nominated for an Academy Award in the “Best Adapted Screenplay” category for “An Education.”

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...