This week Today’s Top Tune is all about Coachella, our biggest regional festival and the gateway to summer festivities! As we countdown the days to the first weekend we’ll roundup KCRW favorites including new work from bassist Thundercat, a song from the great raconteur Father John Misty, LA-based Chicano Batman, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, who fly in from down under, and the seductive tone of Sampha.
Monday, April 10
Thundercat: Friend Zone from Drunk
Drunk is the third full-length album by extraordinary bassist and producer Thundercat. In between the recording of his solo efforts (his second and third albums) he contributed to work by Flying Lotus and Kendrick Lamar, and picked up a Grammy. One song we’re sure to hear at Coachella this weekend will be the sweet sound of “Friend Zone.”
Tuesday, April 11
Father John Misty: Ballad of the Dying Man from Pure Comedy
Father John Misty is no ordinary act. Watching J Tillman on stage is like having him play for you in your own living room. This raconteur and one-time member of Fleet Foxes weaves stories in between his songs that are funny, insightful and sometimes sad character portrayals, like “Ballad of the Dying Man.” Catch Father John Misty on the first night of Coachella.
Wednesday, April 12
Chicano Batman: title track from Freedom Is Free
Based in Los Angeles Chicano Batman is attracting a lot of positive attention lately, both musically and culturally. The band made us proud at our SXSW showcase and a recent MBE session. Next up is Coachella! Grab the title track from Freedom Is Free for the long drive to the festival.
Thursday, April 13
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: Rattlesnake from Flying Microtonal Banana
Inspired by a myriad of music theory from around the world, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard drives deep into all sorts of trance inducing jams. If you’re in need of blowing off a little steam at Coachella, the Aussie outfit will bring its high-octane antics to its debut at the festival on Friday. If you won’t be at Coachella, no problem. If you’re in Los Angeles, grab the song “Rattlesnake” and experience the show at The Roxy on April 17.
Friday, April 14
Sampha: (Know One Knows Me) Like the Piano from Process
UK artist Sampha has been influencing and collaborating with some top names — Drake, Kanye and Frank Ocean — yet he’s only just released his debut album this year, a way for us to experience what he truly sounds like. Sampha began playing the piano at the age of three making “(Know On Knows Me) Like the Piano” an important song in the artists development. Sampha plays Coachella on Friday.