Blogs

Racquetbangers live in the studio on Listening Lyrics, Friday, April 15, 2022 at 4 p.m.

Racquetbangers is a Davis-based indie rock duo comprised of Timur Katsnelson (piano/vocals) and Robert Polon (guitar). Seeking refuge from the cutthroat music scene in their hometown of Los Angeles, the boys moved north in fall 2017 and never looked back. They soon found themselves fully immersed in the rich Davis culture and began writing songs about their surroundings. Barely scraping by on a diet of Ali Baba, Vampire Weekend, and pucks, Racquetbangers finally caught their big break with the release of their first demo, "Annie Lin." Hopes of an international stadium headline tour were crushed with the untimely outbreak of COVID-19, but the boys are back and buzzing in early 2022.

During the interview, we will play their most popular releases to date, along with a special tribute song to the events in the Ukraine.

For the Paul McCartney section of the show, the Racquetbangers will perform the Beatles' "Love Me Do." Paul has stated he loves to hear how other musicians interpret his songs. The Listening Lyrics family, Paul, and hockey players from around the globe are looking forward to this.

Maxwell Riley, live in the studio on Listening Lyrics, April 8 at 4 p.m.

Maxwell Riley, a Davis-based multi-instrumentalist and producer, writes music that ranges from psychedelic jazz fusion to cosmic space funk. Max is inspired by acts like Jeff Beck, Steely Dan, Nile Rogers, Dire Straits, and Pink Floyd, to name a few, and has been producing music since the 6th grade.

This program will be streamed live on www.kdrt.org. Listening Lyrics is also available as a podcast on your favorite podcast app. 

Nat Lefkoff, live in the studio -- this Friday, April 1, at 4 p.m.

Nat Lefkoff is a musician "dedicated to distilling the human condition," his website biography says. "He will disarm you with a modest demeanor as his tectonic voice shifts your consciousness alongside his skillfully crafted lyrics. His acclaimed songs 'Great White Planes' and 'Damn' show off the honesty, vulnerability and intensity of his lyrics and enchanting performance style. The warm tone of his voice sweeps from an understated whisper to an erupting volcano. His performances are a visceral experience that pull at your heart until it surrenders. Nat's music is more than a collection of chords and sincere words, it is the experience of life, masterfully articulated into song."

This year's Soup's On will benefit Davis Media Access -- save the date, April 21, 2022

Since its inception in 2004, Don Saylor’s Soup’s On event has raised more than $300,000 and increased community awareness for many worthy causes in Yolo County. In 2022, its final year, Soup's On will benefit Davis Media Access and will feature the live music of MUMBO GUMBO.

Live DiRT with I See Hawks In LA

ISHILA were in the KDRT studio for a live session with the Folk Brothers at noon on Friday, Dec. 10. They played some tunes from their new album On Our Way, as well as chatted about what it was like writing, arranging and recording during lockdown. You can listen to a rebroadcast at https://kdrt.org/audio/live-dirt-i-see-hawks-la

'Creativity Runs in our Roots' is KDRT's on-air fundraising theme Dec. 5- 11

Our volunteer programmers are looking forward to a special week of programming Dec. 5 to 11 during our annual fall on-air fundraising.

This year's theme, "Creativity Runs in our Roots," is particularly appropriate because we've worked hard to discover new ways to support the vibrancy of our community radio station. Whether producing shows from home, or adjusting to new safety protocols and schedules while using the KDRT studio, our intrepid group of more than 30 DJs have kept the grassroots spirit alive this year! We invite you to support these efforts today.

Grassroots gratitude for KDRT on Giving Tuesday

Today we join with organizations in more than 75 countries to "unleash generosity" via Giving Tuesday donations for the nonprofit community.

It's taken a special kind of dedication from our KDRT volunteer programmers this past year to continue to create new shows to share, often from their homes, instead of from the inspiring, fun atmosphere of the KDRT studio. We've all felt that it's been especially important to keep the feeling of community connection going through the 24/7 programming at KDRT. 

We look forward to a time when the studio is filled again with live music and conversation from visiting musicians and local guests. 

Please consider a donation today to help support these efforts into the future.

KDRT kicks off the giving season this Friday with live music at Berryessa Brewing featuring Robbie Thayer

We invite everyone to join us this Friday, Nov. 26, as we celebrate what we're grateful for on the day after Thanksgiving. We're calling it "Sip Local, Shop Local, and Listen Local" as we meet on the heated outdoor patio at Berryessa Brewing Co. in Winters, with the taproom open from 3 to 8 p.m. The live music runs from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring Robbie Thayer (lead singer for local favorites Bottom Dwellers) and a special guest.

As a grassroots organization, we support the "Shop Small, Shop Local" movement, and a fun variety of custom tie-dye t-shirts and swag created by the Berryessa Brewing crew, and the hyper-local handcrafted Amy Loves Mustard, will also be available.

Next week, we at KDRT, and our parent organization Davis Media Access, are joining groups in more than 75 countries that are participating in the international "generosity celebration" Giving Tuesday on Nov. 30. We hope you'll add KDRT to your donation list this year at davismedia.org/donate