In Conversation

Prince Paul and Dan the Automator from Handsome Boy Modeling School is interviewed on dublab. Listen in to hear some of their stories behind HBMS and some of their favorite songs. 

This program is part of the dublab’s early archives. Enjoy this episode from Frosty’s Celsius Drop radio show.

Enjoy this special broadcast featuring Lukas McFadden, also known as Cut Chemist, interviewing two members of the renowned British funk band, Cymande, the day before their first show in America in the last forty years at the Fonda Theatre.

dublab is a listener supported non-profit radio station. Become a Sustaining Member today at:

https://www.dublab.com/support/memberships

“Legend” is a word that is often too lightly doled out, but today we proudly present an interview with a bonafide LEGEND. Art Laboe is a broadcasting icon who was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. This honor was rightly bestowed as he was the first DJ to play Rock and Roll on the west coast airwaves, smashed color lines by presenting mixed race concerts and playlists, coined the term “Oldies but Goodies,” invented the concept of the compilation album and continues to bring joy to generations of radio listeners.

At 87 years young, Art is a sprightly figure, holding one of the top rated slots in Southern California radio, one of the world’s most important markets. He graces the airwaves six nights a week with his Art Laboe Connection program. The show’s format is an exception amongst commercial radio, emphasizing a direct connection with the community. Throughout each show he takes dedications from listeners and sends their songs and kisses over the airwaves to loved ones, many of whom are incarcerated. His radio show is a pipeline through which the emotions and wishes of listeners are transmitted. The songs heard on the Art Laboe Connection are a refreshing and heartfelt break from the glossy buzz flooding much of the dial. While Art plays tried and trued favorites every show his playlist varies widely night to night based on to listener requests and his mood. On any given episode you’re likely to hear rare doo-wop, R&B or sweet soul cuts played nowhere else.

We were honored that Art Laboe opened up his studio and schedule to graciously allow us this interview. Scholar and dublab board member Josh Kun sat down with Art at his Original Sound Studio on Sunset Boulevard to revisit the history of his illustrious career and explore the dynamic of his nightly connection with listeners cruising the California streets or listening close for the voice of a loved one.

On Saturday, August 5th, 2023, we pay tribute to Art Laboe at Grand Performances. More details here:

https://www.dublab.com/events/111367/a-tribute-to-art-laboe

On May 17th, Peter Brotzmann, the godfather of European free jazz, stopped by the dublab studio and recorded a wide-ranging interview with Acting Consul General of Germany in Los Angeles and dublab friend Stefan Biedermann. We’re proud to present this very special conversation in full, along with a selection of recent recordings from Peter Brotzmann.

Kassa Overall is a Grammy-nominated musician, emcee, singer, producer, and drummer who melds avant-garde experimentation with hip-hop production techniques to tilt the nexus of jazz and rap in unmapped directions.

On ANIMALS, his Warp Records debut, Kassa pushed his kaleidoscopic, subersive vision further.

Listen back to the conversation between Kassa and Qur’an Shaheed.

On April 20, 2023, dublab, In Sheep’s Clothing, & Rhino Records presented the first listen of the newly reissued Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965-1968! Celebrating its 50th birthday, this groundbreaking collection doubles in size for a new anniversary edition that launched as a Record Store Day exclusive on April 22.

This is the recording of the live Q&A between the original producer Lenny Kaye and host, Tana Yonas.

Super-inspired electronic music pioneer Morton Subotnick joined us during our DUBLAB DECADE PROTON DRIVE a couple of months ago. He gladly allowed us to pick his brain for some wisdom and inspiration, and shared some awesome stories of the old school Avant Garde. Dig this session and uncover some of the deepest roots of electronic music today.

Find lots more Morton Subotnick at mortonsubotnick.com

Wall Matthews, founding member of The Entourage Music and Theater Ensemble beamed into Celsius Drop to shine light on the obscure yet impactful group’s history. Formed in 1970, Entourage performed long form sets fusing varied sonic elements into their own unidentifiable genre. Weaving together modern dance, poetry, lighting design and flowing sound they created immersive, dream-state environments. The group released two critically acclaimed recordings on Folkways, a 1973 self-titled album followed by The Neptune Collection in 1975, famously sampled by Four Tet on his song “She Moves She”.

Entourage’s sole surviving member Wall Matthews, carries the light forward by honoring the group’s heritage and reviving its innovative spirit through performance. He recently oversaw the Tompkins Square Records album Ceremony of Dreams : Studio Sessions & Outtakes, 1972-1977, a collection of 30 previously unreleased archival tracks. Enjoy this interview with Wall Matthews including a mix of Entourage songs he personally selected and sequenced. Press play and you’ll understand why Entourage believed, “Communication Is The Outer World’s Intersection With The Inner World.”

Together On the Air: LIVE on Radio, co-presented by dublab and ONE Archives Foundation, dedicated to LGBTQIA+ storytelling since 1952.

This show was recorded in front of a live audience as part of ONE Archives Foundation’s latest exhibition Together On the Air, which chronicles the historic contributions of Radio GLLU, the first bilingual LGBTQIA+ and Latinx-run radio program in the United States.

Radio GLLU co-hosts reunited on air for exclusive interviews with activists from the queer Latinx liberation movement in 1980s and 1990s Los Angeles.

Check out togetherontheair.onearchives.org to view the full exhibit and explore listening rooms of archival materials.