Our new podcast takes us back to June '76 and gems by Zappa, Braxton and The Residents. Plus John Luther Adams finds a new home and a new piece in Australia and Donnacha Dennehy has a new opera. www.mixcloud.com/FlotationDev... @kbcs.bsky.social @frankzappa.bsky.social @crashensemble.bsky.social

Everyone has #WorldCup fever and the only cure is "GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!" After the game, join me at 9 pm on @kbcs.bsky.social for 2 hours of sweet #80smusic with tunes by #theSmiths #splitEnz #roxyMusic #midnightOil #siouxsieAndTheBanshees & more! See you there!

A week past our Mother's Day Zappathon we explore post-Zappa themes in this podcast w/contributions by Zorn, Frith, Paxton, Cheer-Accident and more. Plus Xenakis, Ligeti & Nancarrow gems turn 50. www.mixcloud.com/FlotationDev... @kbcs.bsky.social @frankzappa.bsky.social @skingraftrecords.bsky.social

It's Saturday so you know what that means; I'll be on the 91.3 @kbcs.bsky.social airwaves at 9pm tonight with 2 hours of awesome #80sMusic, featuring tunes by #Pretenders #DEVO #cocteauTwins #theFixx #kateBush & so much more. See you tonight!

Get your two-hour Zappa fix whenever you want with our 2026 Mother’s Day extravaganza featuring four new archival releases that showcase Frank and the Mothers of Invention at their iconoclastic best www.mixcloud.com/FlotationDev... @frankzappa.bsky.social @ensembleinter.bsky.social @kbcs.bsky.social

For 80 years, Seattle’s coop preschools have been a place for both parents and kids to learn alongside each other. Now the program, which has been under the Seattle Community College umbrella, is up against a tight deadline to raise funds or close its doors: www.kbcs.fm/2026/04/28/s...

Senate Republicans refused to convict Trump after Jan 6. Republican SCOTUS appointees gave him immunity. Republicans in Congress today stand idly by as he unleashes death and destruction across the globe. We are now at the whims of a mad king because GOP leaders have refused to constrain him.

Happy Podcast Monday! This week we preview four Northwest new music events, with new works by Tower & Theofanidis at Seattle Symphony, a new version of Canto Ostinato at Emerald City Music, plus Frith, Harriet Tubman & more. www.mixcloud.com/FlotationDev... @kbcs.bsky.social @melvingibbs.bsky.social

This week's podcast brings the latest from Roscoe Mitchell, Craig Taborn, Yowie, Moon Ha & Quinsin Nachoff. Plus Ichiyanagi's last composition and Wukir Suryadi & the late Richard Felciano mixing Western/Javanese instruments. www.mixcloud.com/FlotationDev... @kbcs.bsky.social @yowie-band.bsky.social

@kbcs.bsky.social Ginger Roger’s’ theme on the Our Saturday Tradition show today was a delightful bunch of songs about dogs. I really enjoyed it! Thank you, Ginger!

Freedom Sounds with DJ Mikey O is on @kbcs.bsky.social KBCS.FM right now. They're a small public radio station and are running their pledge drive right now. Please donate! www.kbcs.fm/donate/

Happy Podcast Monday! Missy Mazzoli revisits channels Lot's wife, Domenica Diavoleria does PNW dark ambient, and Endlings, Lukas Ligeti and Nick Fraser have new albums. www.mixcloud.com/FlotationDev... @diavoleria.bsky.social @kbcs.bsky.social @eiderdownrecords.bsky.social @newworlddram.bsky.social

Tonight on Flotation Device: -Missy Mazzoli gives Lot's wife a new voice -New albums from Endlings, Lukas Ligeti & Domenica Diavoleria -Pärt, Ferneyhough, Yun gems at 50 Sunday 10pm PDT 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social @missymazzoli.bsky.social @newworlddram.bsky.social @eiderdownrecords.bsky.social

This week's podcast bids farewell to Éliane Radigue with a survey of her slow, audacious, tantric-informed music with help from Quatuor Bozzini and Robert Ashley. Plus Taborn, Frith, Murail, Oswald, Cortiñas & Stockhausen www.mixcloud.com/FlotationDev... @kbcs.bsky.social @quatuorbozzini.bsky.social

Tonight we celebrates Morton Feldman at 100 with Joan La Barbara, John Cage, Michael Tilson Thomas, and composers like Sorey, Sciarrino and Andriessen that were influenced by Feldman. Sunday 10pm PST 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social @philipthomas.bsky.social @alarmwillsound.bsky.social @nonesuch.com

Tonight Flotation Device continues its review of the best new albums of 2025 with Pärt, Jarrett, Gubaidulina, Zorn, Laubrock, Halvorson, Monk, Andres and more Sunday 10pm PST 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social @nonesuch.com @timoandres.bsky.social @ingridlaubrock.bsky.social @maryhalvorson.bsky.social

Tonight Flotation Device begins its annual review of the year's top new releases of exploratory music. Reich, Rzewski, Paxton, Mitchell, Serpa, Gentile, Alberga and Wayne Horvitz's Pigpen are among the headliners Sunday 10pm PST 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social @stevereich.bsky.social @nonesuch.com

Happy 100th BD to Wozzeck, the most iconic modern opera. We'll celebrate in English & German and hear its influence in Mary Kouyoumdjian's Adoration. Plus Jacob Garchik, Zorn, Rzewski, Monk & more. Sunday 10pm PST 91.3fm kbcs.fm @jacobgarchik.bsky.social @maryhalvorson.bsky.social @kbcs.bsky.social

Another opportunity to meet Thom @hartmannreport.com in person and pick-up his latest book "The Last American President". Kudos to @kbcs.bsky.social for also including Seattle's young, NEW Mayor-elect, Katie Wilson, at this event. "Democracy is not a spectator sport."

Just heard on @kbcs.bsky.social. Still a favorite! youtu.be/CHNLiFnWB1g?...

Tonight on Flotation Device: -Haas's 2nd Violin Concerto (premiere rec) -Younghi Pagh-Paan at 80 -John Zorn/Dave Lombardo duo -Raven Chacon, John Dieterich, Brandon Ross & more Sun 10pm PST 91.3fm kbcs.fm @davelombardo.bsky.social @ssskdist.bsky.social @stefanogervasoni.bsky.social @kbcs.bsky.social

Tonight Flotation Device celebrates the 100th birthday of Gunther Schuller, the 90th of Helmut Lachenmann, the 60th of Björk and the 50th of Feldman's Piano and Orchestra. Plus new things by Dwarfs of East Agouza & Alec Hall Sun 10pm PST 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social @universaledition.bsky.social

Wayne Horvitz's What's Going On festival is back for a second year, and we'll have all the details tonight. Sun Ra, Butch Morris & Henry Threadgill will be in the spotlight of four Seattle concerts. Sun 10pm PST 91.3fm kbcs.fm @sunrauniverse.bsky.social @ingridlaubrock.bsky.social @kbcs.bsky.social

Now I am settled in to observe my recent Thursday tradition--tucking into bed and listening to the excellent Reggae Party radio program on @kbcs.bsky.social as I fall asleep.

KBCS welcomes Thom Hartmann and special guest Katie Wilson to Town Hall Seattle on December 6th. Thom will discuss his new book “The Last American President”, address the day’s most pressing topics, and hold a Q&A and book signing. www.tickettailor.com/events/913kb...

Now at YouTube: my Flotation Device interview with pianist Sylvie Courvoisier, where we discuss her transatlantic career, her new solo and duet albums (the latter with Mary Halvorson) and the influence of Nancarrow on her playing. youtu.be/7zswxK6Sgrw @kbcs.bsky.social @maryhalvorson.bsky.social

Tonight Flotation Device celebrates Anthony Braxton's 80th birthday with an exclusive interview with this most towering of creative musicians. Sunday 10pm PDT, 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social @delmarkrecords.bsky.social @burningambulance.bsky.social @domlash.bsky.social @maryhalvorson.bsky.social

In this current point in history, it is vital that we protect sources of information AND joy from erasure. If you have a few dollars to support your favorite local public radio station, it would mean a lot to them. Shout out to my favorite, @kbcs.bsky.social and their 50+ years of excellence.

Time for my favorite finish to a Sunday night: listening to the Floatation Device show of experimental music on @kbcs.bsky.social as I fall asleep. Join me, won't you?

Next on Flotation Device -JACK Quartet does minimal -Brooks Williams & Yasunao Tone do AI -Anna Rubin does black holes -Alex Paxton -RIP Guy Klucevsek -Sun 10pm PDT, 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social @sonoluminusmusic.bsky.social @neumarecords.bsky.social @ranchy.bsky.social @newamrecords.bsky.social

Now published in podcast format: our 2025 Mother's Day spectacular. Two hours of Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, ready to satisfy your itch whenever you need it. With two new archival albums focusing on '68 and '74. www.mixcloud.com/FlotationDev... @kbcs.bsky.social @frankzappa.bsky.social

Old meets New tonight on Flotation Device w/Bright Sheng, Chinese astrology, Medieval organs, Korean zithers and Celtic ballads. Plus Frith, Syrphe & Lippel. Sun 10pm PDT, 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social @syrphe.bsky.social @edpettersen.bsky.social @newfocuslabel.bsky.social @577records.bsky.social

Mother's Day isn't complete without Flotation Device's annual Frank Zappathon. This year features two new archival releases with the original Mothers of Invention in 1968 and the Roxy-era band joined by Captain Beefheart. Sun 10pm–Mid PDT on 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social @frankzappa.bsky.social

Tonight on Flotation Device: -Sun Ra's European debut -The return of John Zorn's Painkiller -Ars Nova Copenhagen sings Shaw -Finns new & old Sun 10pm PDT, 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social @sunrauniverse.bsky.social @nagualsite.bsky.social @arsnovacopenhagen.bsky.social @cantaloupe-music.bsky.social

Anna Thorvaldsdottir joins us on Flotation Device to chat about new works for Claire Chase & the Labèque sisters. Plus @stevereich.bsky.social's Traveler's Prayer in its 1st rec, and more! Sun 10pm PDT, 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social @sonoluminusmusic.bsky.social @nonesuch.com @inagrm.bsky.social

Get them over the air or streaming! @kbcs.bsky.social And then lace up your shoes!

If you need musical inspiration for today’s rallies, KBCS folk offering is Songs of Light for a fresh take.

The #SeattleIndivisible rally on 06/13/2017 was treated to a wonderful performance by Jim Page. Jim has written and recorded numerous songs about important social and political issues. He also hosts a show on radio station KBCS.FM @jimpage2.bsky.social @kbcs.bsky.social #ProtestSongs #FolkMusic

Tonight Flotation Device celebrates the centenary of Pierre Boulez, the most influential French musician since Ravel. We'll revisit his colorful but staunchly modern music w/@ensembleinter.bsky.social @frankzappa.bsky.social & more. Sunday 10pm PDT 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social @ircam.bsky.social

Next on Flotation Device: -Gubaidulina (1931–2025) -A kinder, gentler Murail -Northwest chill w/Layton, Menche & more [email protected] & Gellért Szabó's heterodox big bands -Noriko Baba channels Mahler -Philip Jeck & the beauty of things Sunday 10pm PST, 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social

Tonite on Flotation Device: JACK Quartet plays Zorn, Michael Gordon honors Hollywood Westerns, @edpettersen.bsky.social revisits sea shanties, plus Meredith Monk, Kim Cass, Jon Irabagon, Noriko Baba & Ralph Towner at 85. Sunday 10pm PST, 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social @cantaloupe-music.bsky.social

Next on Flotation Device: -First recording of Michael Tippett's New Year -Organ music by Sarah Davachi & Klaus Lang -50YA: Don Cherry & Terry Riley live -New things by Satoko Fujii, Gabriella Smith, Jacqui Kerrod & Joe Morris Sun 10pm PST, 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social @nmcrecordings.bsky.social

Another Saturday night, another chance to relive the 80s with 2 hours of awesome #80smusic with #roxyMusic #squeeze #theHumanLeague #howardJones #theBangles & more. Join me tonight at 9 pm on 91.3 @kbcs - see you there!

Tonight on Flotation Device: -Latest albums from Myra Melford, Fire! and Michael Gregory Jackson -Julia Perry premiere recording -Russian dark nostalgia: Schnittke, Ustvolskaya, Khrushcheva, PatKop -Brooks Williams does AI -Diotima Quartet plays Glerup Sun 10pm PST, 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social

Tonight on Flotation Device, music that's more competitive than today's Super Bowl! @philipglass.bsky.social reopens Notre-Dame. Bill Laswell (@nagualsite.bsky.social) turns 70. Anna von Hausswolff plays organ, Seattle Modern Orch plays Murail, & more. Sun 10pm PST, 91.3fm kbcs.fm @kbcs.bsky.social

From @keeney_tom - “Tune in at 12:00 noon today to 91.3 for a special Wintergrass edition of Bluegrass Ramble. I’ll feature many of the performers coming to the Bellevue Hyatt February 20-23, so keep your radio or device me close by. It’s time to get your “Passport to Joy” stamped.

What’s on your reading list right now? Here’s a few of our thoughts. What should we add?

Looking for a more wholesome soundtrack to the day's proceedings? Try the new Flotation Device podcast. Gabriel Prokofiev at 50, RIP Barre Phillips, Zorn's New Masada, Zeena Parkins, Craig Taborn & Brett Dean espies Beethoven. www.mixcloud.com/FlotationDev... @nonclsscl.bsky.social @kbcs.bsky.social