KCRW DJ

Aaron Byrd has always had a desire and curiosity to seek out new experiences, people, places and, most of all, music. Having visited 17 countries (so far) and spending at least three hours a day listening to new music, it's safe to say music and travel are his biggest passions in life.

His attraction to the unknown and thirst for discovery has fueled an eclectic and expansive taste in music, from the underground hip hop scene the LA native explored as a teenager to his love of Guaguanco from Cuba.

An Engineering major at UCLA, it's not surprising that he likes to dig into the roots of where things begin, from tango to trip hop. He fuses musical connections across all borders, boundaries and timelines because what he looks for is more than a catchy beat.

“I see music as an extension of human emotion and the songs I am drawn to most have a subtle sense of euphoria. Something that is not overwhelmingly bold, but undeniably powerful.”

Byrd learned his DJ skills from the best of them – KCRW's own Garth Trinidad. He became a loyal fan of the station while in college and, after paying his dues as a volunteer at the front desk, he found a mentor in Trinidad while working in the studio during his show.

Since his start at KCRW in 2007, Byrd has appeared on the front page of the New York Times and in both the LA Times and LA Weekly. He is called on to curate a wide range of events around town, from post-performance events at the LA Opera to a weekly live performance series at a boutique West Hollywood hotel.

As a DJ, Byrd has opened for Groove Armada, James Blake, Fat Freddy's Drop, Little Dragon, and Jose James and is regularly featured at clubs around town.