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

@kbcs.bsky.social posted this bit where you can read what happened to me as a kid to make me play dissonant music on the air! And how Flotation Device's view of Western art music as an *integral* tradition lets us program composed, improvised & fixed-media music together. www.kbcs.fm/2025/01/24/d...

So nice to have Sheryl Wiser and Erika Lundahl stop by KBCS today and chat activism, community, and music. Sometimes, fortunately, there’s not much difference. Join them tomorrow evening at the Tractor Tavern along with Reese Tanimura, Benjamin Hunter and Reggie Garrett at a Songwriter in the Round.

Today @erikalundahl.bsky.social and Sheryl Wiser join @ishughes.bsky.social at 2:00 PM during Roots, Rock & Soul to play some music and talk about Tuesday night’s Songwriters In the Round with Reese Tanimura, Reggie Garrett, and Benjamin Hunter at the Tractor Tavern. Music + Community. ☀️💛🌙

“And though she be but little, she is fierce.” A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene 2 -William Shakespeare