Music

KWVA DJ's always have their ears open, no matter where they go. Starting this winter break, DJ's will be contributing to KWVA On-Tour - a curated collection of playlists from across the globe. Take a look and a listen!   KWVA DJ: DJ Elle of Let's Do Coffee Location: Peru About the playlist: I'm lucky to be staying with one of my best friends, Maria Paula, in Lima, Peru over winter break. With some help from Maria Paula and her Peruvian friends, I've crafted a playlist of some of Peru's best. Enjoy! Click here to listen to DJ Elle's Playlist! … Read More

The end of the year is nigh, and our DJ's have been reflecting upon 2015's best album releases. As the year comes to a close, we have called on DJ's to break down why 'their' album is the album of the year. Keep checking back for more of 2015's best beats.

2015 Album of the Year Nomination: Fat Freddy's Drop - Bays Label: The Drop

Review by Bobby Schenk (DJ Reggae Rob of Rhythms of the Island, Sundays 4-6 am Fall 2015) Reggae has been revolutionized with the evolution of this seven-piece band. They merge soul, reggae and jazz into a fluid and soul-wrenchingly beautiful idea. This is their fourth official album, off of Artists Owned and Operated, a self-release label based in New Zealand. The band further differentiates itself by being mixed electronically, manipulating the recorded instruments into a new beat, which compliments the front-man Joe Dukie's vocals interestingly and… Read More

On a stormy Portland morning a few Saturdays ago, KWVA made history: we attended College Music Journal’s first College Day On Tour. The day was a hyper-condensed version of the NYC CMJ Music Marathon (which Music Director Taylor Jones wrote about here). The venue, Holocene, was packed full of industry types, musicians, and college radio students from all over the NW and Canada, eager to share and meet like-minded individuals. Below, we present what we learned about the collective college radio world and our thoughts on what’s to come.  

Taylor Jones KWVA Music Director; DJ Tesla Radio is not dead. KWVA would not broadcast… Read More

Hailing from the mighty north, we've got DJ Drexel the Code in the spotlight this week! His late night beats are well-informed and mixes are hand-crafted - you're not going to hear anything like it anytime, anywhere else. Get to know him! DJ: Drexel the Code Hometown: Helena, MT. Big Sky livin’! Show title: Something lame that I came up with on the spot when the dudes at Programming came a callin’. Show time and day: Thursday, 2-4AM, Fall 2015 Show description: Slick electronic music, slick enough to shine yo purrty lil soul with. I focus on genres and moods more often than artists…techy drum and bass, deep dubstep, Berlin techno. How long have you been a DJ? Since I cut my hands on a pair of Technics in 2010. Big ups to Alistair for teaching me… Read More

If you've ever tuned in between 10 pm and 12 am on a Sunday, you've likely been hypnotized by the fine tracks mixed by our very own Dez Anthony of Takin' You Higher. Every show is an act of finesse, and there isn't detail he hasn't thought of in consideration for your listening pleasure. Read on to learn more about one of our best live-mix DJ's:   DJ Name & Show: Dez Anthony of Takin' You Higher Show time: Sunday 10pm-12am, Fall 2015 Hometown: Seattle, WA Show genres: A live mix of Hip-Hop, R&B, electronic, soul, and more. Artists commonly played on show: Knxwledge, Flying Lotus, SiR, D’Angelo How long have you been a DJ? Since October 2014 Top 5 albums of 2015: To Pimp A Butterfly –… Read More

While there are many peculiar happenings around the KWVA station, one of the more compelling cases is the phenomenon of the dual DJ. One man, two alter egos: DJ Palette and DJ Satan. Read on to experience the exclusive interview with both Palette and Satan. DJ SATAN   DJ PALETTE Hometown? Palette: Houston, Texas Satan: The seventh circle Show time? Thursdays 2-3 p.m., Fall 2015 Show title? Palette: Palette Cleanser Satan: The Maelstrom Show genres? Palette: Jazz, chamber, pop and electronic tunes that allow for deep relaxation and thought (or dance parties). Satan: The nastiest, dirtiest punk, rock and metal known to mankind. Which artists do you commonly play on your show? Palette: Nils Frahm,… Read More