Lost Notes Presents: Bent By Nature

A collection of the greatest music stories never told. Join Lost Notes for Bent By Nature, a new 10-part documentary series and digital archive about the most influential American DJ you've never heard of. Deirdre O’Donoghue was a vital force in the musical underground of the 1980s. Countless artists crammed into her studio to perform live on her late-night show, “SNAP!” on KCRW. And after 40 years, those legendary sessions will be heard again. Join Michael Stipe, Henry Rollins, Julian Cope, and more for a sound-packed series from the producers of Lost Notes and Unfictional transporting you to the heyday of ‘80s independent music and the DJ who shaped it.

Lost Notes Presents: Bent By Nature

In the finale of "Bent By Nature," Henry Rollins shares his remembrances of Deirdre: the DJ, tastemaker, and human being who changed his life irrevocably.

Bent By Nature Ep. 10: Rollins

Music

In the finale of "Bent By Nature," Henry Rollins shares his remembrances of Deirdre: the DJ, tastemaker, and human being who changed his life irrevocably.

Dec. 30, 2021 from Bent by Nature

Days after underground post-punk luminary Julian Cope was announced as a guest on “SNAP!,” the show was off the air. Deirdre left KCRW for good in June of 1991. Then she left LA, too, for a while.
The following year, she showed up in rural England to live with Cope and his family. Cope joins Bent By Nature to recount their unique relationship and roles in each other’s lives.

Bent By Nature Ep. 9: Promised Land (with Julian Cope)

Music

Days after underground post-punk luminary Julian Cope was announced as a guest on “SNAP!,” the show was off the air. Deirdre left KCRW for good in June of 1991. Then she left LA, too, for a while. The following year, she showed up in rural England to live with Cope and his family. Cope joins Bent By Nature to recount their unique relationship and roles in each other’s lives.

Dec. 23, 2021 from Bent by Nature

R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe discusses his life in LA in the mid-’80s, at a time when he and Deirdre were kindred spirits pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable within mainstream culture — and how Deirdre helped shape both his musical trajectory and that of artists to come.

Bent By Nature Ep. 8: Half A World Away (with Michael Stipe)

Music

R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe discusses his life in LA in the mid-’80s, at a time when he and Deirdre were kindred spirits pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable within mainstream culture — and how Deirdre helped shape both his musical trajectory and that of artists to come.

Dec. 16, 2021 from Bent by Nature

This week, we pay tribute to SNAP!’s listeners, whom Deirdre called the show’s “heart and soul.” It’s a story about two young women finding their way, and the courage that music gives us to imagine our futures.

Bent By Nature Ep. 7: Ages of You

Music

This week, we pay tribute to SNAP!’s listeners, whom Deirdre called the show’s “heart and soul.” It’s a story about two young women finding their way, and the courage that music gives us to imagine our futures.

Dec. 9, 2021 from Bent by Nature

David Lowery of Camper Van Beethoven explains SNAP!'s place in a larger movement spreading across the country in the mid-’80s, and how the band navigated their own transition from indie darlings to major-label recording artists.

Crossing Over (with Camper Van Beethoven)

Music

David Lowery of Camper Van Beethoven explains SNAP!'s place in a larger movement spreading across the country in the mid-’80s, and how the band navigated their own transition from indie darlings to major-label recording artists.

Dec. 2, 2021 from Bent by Nature

Venturing into flyover country’s freak scene with Glass Eye’s Kathy McCarty and Brian Beattie, Deirdre’s favorite independent act from Austin.

Bent By Nature Ep. 5: Haywire

Music

Venturing into flyover country’s freak scene with Glass Eye’s Kathy McCarty and Brian Beattie, Deirdre’s favorite independent act from Austin.

Nov. 25, 2021 from Bent by Nature

If Deirdre had an official partner-in-crime, it was Syd Straw, who appeared on "SNAP!" five times. She would sing with a band, or over backing tapes that she brought with her, or she would just guest DJ. And no topic was off limits. They had their own wild chemistry: funny, fearless, and more than a little bent.

Bent By Nature Ep. 4: Almost Magic

Music

If Deirdre had an official partner-in-crime, it was Syd Straw, who appeared on "SNAP!" five times. She would sing with a band, or over backing tapes that she brought with her, or she would just guest DJ. And no topic was off limits. They had their own wild chemistry: funny, fearless, and more than a little bent.

Nov. 18, 2021 from Bent by Nature

The Mighty Lemon Drops’ guitarist David Newton and his wife Bekki discuss the strange twists and turns which brought them together, with Deirdre in tow, as The Lemon Drops reached their ascendancy.

Bent By Nature Ep. 3: Inside Out

Music

The Mighty Lemon Drops’ guitarist David Newton and his wife Bekki discuss the strange twists and turns which brought them together, with Deirdre in tow, as The Lemon Drops reached their ascendancy.

Nov. 11, 2021 from Bent by Nature

The life, loves, and demons of Deirdre O'Donoghue beyond the mic, as told by those who knew her best. Featuring Concrete Blonde, Camper Van Beethoven, Julian Cope, and more.

Bent By Nature Ep. 2: Music Could Be Your Whole Life

Music

The life, loves, and demons of Deirdre O'Donoghue beyond the mic, as told by those who knew her best. Featuring Concrete Blonde, Camper Van Beethoven, Julian Cope, and more.

Nov. 4, 2021 from Bent by Nature

Bent By Nature Ep. 1: This Is 'SNAP!'

Music

Before Soundcloud and Bandcamp, there was Deirdre O'Donoghue and "SNAP!," the LA DJ and radio show that served as a waypoint for underground music, artists, and its fans — and helped shape the sound of independent and D.I.Y. culture today.

Oct. 28, 2021 from Bent by Nature

The story of the life and artists surrounding the most influential American DJ you’ve never heard of.

Bent By Nature: Trailer

Music

The story of the life and artists surrounding the most influential American DJ you’ve never heard of.

Oct. 19, 2021 from Bent by Nature

Grace Jones

Arts

In 1980, anti-disco sentiment was at a high and Grace Jones was coming off a trilogy of disco albums. If she stayed stagnant, it felt like her career could be swept away.

Sep. 24, 2020

Minnie Riperton

Arts

Most know Minnie Riperton because of one part in one song. “Lovin’ You” was Riperton’s biggest hit, and she doesn’t sing that magic, piercing note until around the 3-minute mark.

Sep. 24, 2020

In December of 1980, two exiled artists and freedom fighters attempted return to their home in South Africa for a concert.

Hugh Masekela & Miriam Makeba

Arts

In December of 1980, two exiled artists and freedom fighters attempted return to their home in South Africa for a concert.

Sep. 24, 2020

Punk singer Darby Crash dreamed of immortality.

John Lennon & Darby Crash

Arts

Punk singer Darby Crash dreamed of immortality.

Sep. 24, 2020

Ian Curtis

Arts

How Ian Curtis’ indecipherable words turned into the first single for a decade-defining band

Sep. 24, 2020

In 1980, Sugarhill Gang had to follow-up on 'Rapper’s Delight' with a full-length album. Not an easy task.

The Sugarhill Gang

Arts

In 1980, Sugarhill Gang had to follow-up on 'Rapper’s Delight' with a full-length album. Not an easy task.

Sep. 24, 2020

Stevie Wonder

Arts

Lost Notes: Stevie Wonder hit a slump in the late 1970s. Then his album ‘Hotter Than July’ hit big — really big

Sep. 24, 2020

This season the poet and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib explores the year 1980.

Introducing Lost Notes: 1980

Arts

This season the poet and cultural critic Hanif Abdurraqib explores the year 1980.

Sep. 10, 2020