Soundcheck

Communist Daughter joins us in the studio to play songs from their sophomore record of high peaks and dramatic lows, The Cracks That Built The Wall.

Following a short hiatus, then a reunion in 2012, the psych-pop band Grandaddy makes a full return, including the first new music in ten years, with a new record, called Last Place.

Dams of the West is the solo project of Vampire Weekend drummer Chris Tomson, who plays all of the instruments on his new record called Youngish American. Tomson & band join us live. 

Guitarist Margaret Glaspy packs a walloping punch atop crunchy, snarly guitar in her grunge-torch-rock. She & her trio play live in the studio. 

Led by composer David Moore, the chamber collective Bing and Ruth creates meditative, cinematic soundscapes using acoustic instruments and electronics, live in the studio.  

Shy Girls, aka Dan Vidmar, has a remarkable voice and a knack for dreamy, often dark-hued songs that blend R&B & electronica. He & his band play songs from his LP, "Salt" in the studio.

Members of the flexible orchestral collective, The Knights visit the studio with Andy Akiho, playing works by Andy & Lou Harrison in the studio.

Minneapolis-based rapper/producer P.O.S. is back with a full-length album called Chill, Dummy, (after a kidney transplant in 2014) making folks think & dropping names like "Sisyphus."   

Nashville singer and guitarist Nikki Lane conjures classic country grit and twang, wearing both hats, the outlaw's ten-gallon and the crash helmet of a champion. 

Singer Ala.Ni's striking voice goes from torchy jazz to intimate pop to atmospheric vocalise. She's making her American radio debut in our studios, with guitarist Marvin Dolly.