Bennett Purser

“New Wave” is a documentary about Vietnamese refugees leaning into Eurodisco as they built new lives in SoCal after the fall of Saigon. It also speaks to generational trauma and grief.

The Soweto Gospel Choir of South Africa’s latest album reimagines popular dance tracks of the last 50 years. Some of the lyrics are in Zulu, and traditional house beats are subbed for African rhythms.

Riverside native Ivan Cornejo fuses folk and rock with regional Mexican music. The 20-year-old’s first arena tour starts on August 23.

The cookbook “Kismet” features family recipes and favorites from the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants owned by Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson.

The Flaming Lips’ “The Soft Bulletin” is 25 years old. Critics have called it a rock masterpiece for the trippy experimental sounds and big, sweeping orchestral pieces.

KCRW DJ Ro Wyldeflower Contreras recommends new songs from Chicano Batman, Reyna Tropical, Baby Rose, Brainstory, and Hiatus Kaiyote.

Critics review the latest film releases: “La Bête,” “Monkey Man,” “Girls State,” and “Música.”

Beyoncé topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with a single from “Cowboy Carter,” but the album has drawn backlash over who’s qualified to make country music.

In “Problemista,” a Salvadoran immigrant longs to become a toy designer when he arrives in New York. The challenges of getting a U.S. work visa threaten his dreams.

The world of 1970s Laurel Canyon is on full display in Ginny Winn’s book, “Grievous Angels, Trout Masks, and American Beauties: 1970s Rock & Roll Photography of Ginny Winn.”

Why did Universal Music Group pull its catalog from TikTok last month? The two are in bitter contract negotiations fueled by AI, viewership, and royalty payments.

Violent crime in Oakland increased by more than 20% last year. Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price is teaming up with Gov. Gavin Newsom to address the issue.

Peter McGraw, a 53-year-old singleton and author of “Solo,” talks about the benefits of being uncoupled, especially on Valentine’s Day.

The 20-minute “In Living Color” special from 1992 paved the way for a modern Super Bowl halftime show. It featured young stars such as Jim Carey and Damon Wayans.

Musician and cartoonist Dave Chisholm documents Miles Davis’ turbulent life in the new graphic novel, “Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound.”

Lina González-Granados is conducting LA Opera’s “El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego.” She reflects on the show’s themes of love and forgiveness, plus her journey to U.S. orchestras.

California’s redwoods are some of the oldest and largest trees in the world. Some activists and scientists are hoping to save them by planting new redwoods in other places.

Jacob Collier makes his Hollywood Bowl debut on September 13 with the LA Philharmonic. He talks to KCRW about the performance and his musical roots.

Doctors have noted that some dementia patients suddenly take up painting, welding, wood carving — even as their memory-loss symptoms worsen.

David Bowie’s childhood best friend Geoff MacCormack’s photos of the glam rocker’s early tours are the subject of a new book.