Alex Ebert's New Song "Amen" (From Golden Globe Winning Score)

Alex Ebert interviewed by KCRW's Jason Bentley

Alex Ebert stopped by KCRW's "Morning Becomes Eclectic" remote location at the Sundance Film Festival to talk about his recent win at the Golden Globes for scoring All Is Lost, the movie featuring iconic actor Robert Redford.  Ebert admitted that the win was a big surprise, but knew something had to be going on, since he got "exponentially nervous" as the award was being announced. There is no dialogue in the film, allowing the music to take center stage and Ebert credits his father for exposing him to classical music, so creating orchestral music was not such an unknown.  About the challenge Ebert added that as a boy he once exclaimed while going up a ski lift, "Boy do I love an adventure." Ebert actually grew up in the valley and went to school in Van Nuys just like Redford, so they had a nice chat about it on the set. Ebert said "He's just a really giving, awesome dude with an edgy mind," and noted how they were at the film festival that was "sort of his namesake...it's just a cool thing."

Ebert has appeared in many of my playlist picks as the singer/songwriter for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros as well as Ima Robot, plus in solo work as Alexander. I just love the old soul warmth of his voice, more shaman than everyday storyteller.  It's disappointing to learn that the Oscars have decided to bypass this talented artist, but there's still reason to bask in the Golden Globes' decision.  Take a listen of the song "Amen" from the film here, with this official lyric video to be sure you don't miss a word.

Toro Y Moi Live Session on KCRW -- NYC tour dates Feb 13 & 14

Chazwick Budwick (photo via ForceField PR)

Chaz Budwick of Toro Y Moi (which roughly translates to "Bull and Me" using both Spanish and French) released his third studio album a few weeks ago, Anything In Return.  With a background playing punk and indie rock, Bundwick found his voice as a solo artist while studying graphic design at the University of South Carolina.  Taking far reaching influences from French house to Beach Boy Brian Wilson's pop to 80s R&B and hip hop, Bundwick started the chillwave genre with classmate Ernest Greene of Washed Out after graduation in 2009.  Along with two studio albums, 2010's Causers of This and 2011's Underneath the Pine, Bundwick has created many singles, remixes and a dance music side project called Les Sins with Dan Snaith of Caribou.

He appeared yesterday on KCRW as part of their new "In Studio HD" sessions on "Morning Becomes Eclectic,"  with his touring band. (Toro Y Moi has two tour dates in NYC this week, check list at the end of the post.)  Listen at this link here or watch below, which is especially enlightening with a band like Toro Y Moi to see who's doing what, with their layered mix of tripping sounds and playing instruments.  There is no studio audience, and of course this being radio they just have themselves to play for, but really interactions between band members are always interesting to watch, no matter what the setting.

They begin with "Rose Quartz," a song I've already picked for my next new music playlist, which juxtaposes quirky synth samples over a thumping drum beat (and that's just the introduction!)  With the new HD video, things get a bit too up close and personal with KCRW's Musical Director Jason Bentley, but the info from the chat from these two sitting feet apart is telling.  Budwick explains how most his songwriting is done wherever he happens to be on his laptop -- from a recent move to California, to stops on a world tour which included New Zealand. "To be able to work as much as possible is fun for me," Budwick says in his laid back style.  He even finds time to indulge in his artistic side by drawing doodles,  go figure.

TORO Y MOI 02/13 New York, NY - Webster Hall *+ 02/14 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg *+ 02/15 Boston, MA - Paradise *+ 02/16 Montreal, QC - Club Soda *+ 02/17 Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace *+ 02/19 Chicago, IL - Metro ^+ 02/20 Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Cafe ^+ 02/21 Lawrence, KS - The Granada Theatre ^+ 02/23 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theater ^+ 02/24 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge ^+ 02/26 Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret ^+ 02/27 Seattle, WA - The Crocodile ^+ 02/28 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom ^+ 03/01 San Francisco, CA - The Independent ^+ 03/02 San Francisco, CA - The Independent ^+ 03/03 Los Angeles, CA - The Fonda Theatre ^+ * w/ Wild Belle ^ w/ Sinkane + w/ Dog Bite