Left of the Dial

Fridays at 9 p.m. and Saturdays at noon

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Credit Jason Brown / KRCU

Left of the Dial takes its name from the Replacements song of the same name, and is a reference to the position of the radio dial on which non-commercial radio stations are typically located. In the era of college radio these stations were reliable sources of independent, unsigned, and otherwise “underground” artists.

Left of the Dial is a radio program molded in that tradition, with a strong focus on new music but with a flexibility to allow a variety of genres, themes, and eras to be explored.

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Left Of The Dial #739 - Endgame

By Jason Brown • Dec 7, 2018

This week we're playing the latest from Grimes. "We Appreciate Power" is inspired by Moranbong, a North Korean music group hand-picked by Kim Jong-un that performs as a propaganda piece for his regime. In Grimes’ world, her song imagines a similar group spreading ideas for an artificial intelligence.

Left Of The Dial #719 - Trust The Wizard

By Jason Brown • Nov 5, 2018

Kurt Vile, much like Kurt Weill, was once a clue on Jeopardy! Unlike the German composer of The Threepenny Opera Kurt Vile was also on Portlandia.

Left Of The Dial #709 - Can't Turn Off

By Jason Brown • Oct 18, 2018

This week on Left of the Dial, KRCU’s independent music program, we hear new music from St. Vincent, whose MassEducation reworks the electropop of last year’s Masseduction into songs featuring only voice and piano. Plus new music from Rosanne Cash, Thom Yorke and more.

Left Of The Dial #701 - A Slight Hint Of Emotion

By Jason Brown • Oct 15, 2018

This week we hear from the New York band Pill, whose new song "Midtown" takes phrases from the more lurid headlines out of the New York Post. We’ll also hear new music from Tokyo Police Club, Villagers and more.

Left Of The Dial #691 - NU2 u30s3

By Jason Brown • Oct 5, 2018

This week on Left of the Dial, KRCU’s independent music program, we hear from the Norwegian musician Farao. As a fan of Soviet disco she’s amassed a collection of Soviet-era synthesizers which she uses on her latest album. We’ll also hear new music from Joan Jett, Aphex Twin and more.