KCRW Music Director Jason Bentley Chats About His New Gig, the Demise of Indie 103.1 and His Love of "Crash"

New KCRW music director Jason Bentley is no stranger to the public radio station’s semi-annual pledge drives, having been with the station for more than 16 years. But this is his first pledge drive since taking over the coveted “Morning Becomes Eclectic” show and the music director gig from Nic Harcourt. We emailed Jason a few questions, and he found time to send a response in between pitches.

Now that you’ve been in the seat for almost two months, how would you say “Morning Becomes Eclectic” has evolved so far? What’s the biggest change you’ve brought to the program?

I think two differences that come to mind are a broader definition of “eclectic” through music selection and guests, and more of an “open door” policy with other DJs at the station who may have something to share with the AM audience.

Talk about playing Mark Isham’s “Crash” as your first song (I remember hearing you play it a few weeks later too). What was the significance of kicking off with that?

The significance of Crash was simply that I like the piece a lot. I know Mark Isham personally, and it was something I felt would defy expectation.

Has the demise of Indie 103.1 impacted how KCRW programs itself at all? I’ve noticed that Ruth Seymour mentioned it in her recent letter to subscribers, and the KCRW site’s current call for new members specifically refers to KCRW’s “Indie Music.” Is there a hope to grab some of those displaced listeners, and has it made a difference in what music you play? KCRW, of course, once was home to “Brave New World” — is there a thought to carve out more of a home for indie rock?

The demise of 103.1 makes a dramatic case in point for the importance of supporting public radio when it comes to alternative music. There’s always been a place for emerging and independent rock at KCRW over the last 30+ years and that will continue to be the case.

KCRW a few years ago got rid of show titles for everything but MBE — the idea was to focus more on the DJs, but is there also more of an effort to promote a cohesive “KCRW sound”? Show titles like “Cafe L.A.” and ” Chocolate City ,” not to mention “Metropolis,” were such brand names… is there ever a thought to bring them back?

Personally, I never looked back after I dropped the name Metropolis. I actually wouldn’t mind losing Morning Becomes Eclectic to be honest with you. In any case, I think the station personalities and their music sensibility is what we should put forward first and foremost.

Will you eventually be doing a syndicated version, a new “Sounds Eclectic,” or did that go away in this transition?

I haven’t really explored the idea of a syndication. I just have too many other things to deal with right now. I suppose it’s possible, but not imminent at this time.

Any thoughts to what you might change to the music channel on the web stream? Any thoughts to adding more shows, or adding another stream with a different mix of music?

I think KCRW online is a solid product, between the music stream, on demand, and the live channel I feel like we’ve got it covered. I am interested in studying research and gathering feedback — coming to understand what people like and how they are using the music streams. We all put a lot of work into online initiatives, and I hope people appreciate it. Sometimes I feel like, with the live performance archives for instance, people aren’t really aware of the vast resource we offer.

Douridas had “Rare on Air,” Harcourt had “Sounds Eclectic,” will you be coming up with a new KCRW CD series? Is the Femi Kuti project a sign of what you’ll be doing with KCRW CDs? (Is the whole idea of selling a KCRW-themed CD at retail a relic of the old music industry?)

I’m really happy with the Femi vs. KCRW Soundclash EP and it was a great way to involve different people at the station in an original way. As far as future compilations, I’m developing a relationship with iTunes now so we can do compilations on a regular basis. Ultimately, I want this to feature live performances too, so it probably will take the place of ideas like “Rare On Air.” I see a different model for delivering more music and more current music to our listeners through an iTunes partnership.

This is obviously a tough time to have to do a pledge drive, given the economy. How is that going to impact your pitch the next week? What’s your message to KCRW listeners?

My pitch? Don’t get me started! Seriously though, it’s about supporting something that you value. Something that we’ve made possible together. Something no one ever thought was possible. Now is the time to make a difference for a non-profit, public radio outlet for alternative music, news, and cultural programming.

KCRW’s pledge drive continues through Monday. Pledge online at kcrw.com or call 1-800-600-KCRW.

Nic Harcourt Says "Goodbye" to Morning Becomes Eclectic; "Hello" to the Los Angeles Times Magazine

After more than ten years in the chair navigating KCRW’s signature, influential morning music program “Morning Becomes Eclectic,” Nic Harcourt gave his final farewells last Wednesday. (KCRW ran special programming on Thursday, and a pre-taped “Best of” Morning Becomes Eclectic episode on Friday.)

Azure Ray, one of the groups long championed by Harcourt, performed a live set on the final day, before Nic closed the show by giving his final farewells.

Harcourt noted that he’s not going far — he’s still maintaining a relationship with KCRW, hosting a weekly music show from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday nights. He is also contributing to the Los Angeles Times’ new monthly magazine “LA” — the one sparking much controversy because it’s being produced by the advertising, rather than the edit, staff — as “editor at large for music and culture.”

It didn’t sound like Nic knew what that would entail just yet.

Meanwhile, to end the show, Harcourt said he looked far and wide for this song, and finally got a friend at the BBC to send him a copy: “Goodbye,” by Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. (See below.)

Former nighttime KCRW host Jason Bentley takes over “Morning Becomes Eclectic” — the only KCRW music show allowed to keep its title (the others are just known now by their DJs’ names) — on Monday.

KCRW Names Jason Bentley to Music Director Post

Longtime KCRW nighttime DJ Jason Bentley — whose electronica-tinged show was formerly known as “Metropolis” before the station got rid of most music show titles — is the new host of “Morning Becomes Ecelctic.”

Bentley replaces Nic Harcourt, who’s departing at the end of the month. The “MBE” gig, which runs 9 a.m. to noon, also comes with the station’s “music director” title.

From the press release:

“This is a wonderful KCRW story. Jason began as a phone volunteer in the front office when he was still in high school. He grew up on KCRW because his parents were listeners. When he returned from college he reconnected with the station and debuted on the air here 16 years ago,” said KCRW General Manager Ruth Seymour. “He has a passion for the music and a deep connection to the local music scene. Moreover KCRW is in his DNA.”

“I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity and humbled by the task, which is to open a new chapter for the station. It’s a reinvention of myself to match the gold standards set by previous music directors. It’s no longer the hypnotic pulse of the city at night – it’s the ever-evolving optimism of weekday mornings,” said Bentley.

“My show has always reflected the continual evolution of music and emerging artists. And while I built my foundation as a champion of dance and electronic music, this is a great opportunity for me to grow, a challenge I will take very seriously. “

“The other side to this position, no less important than MBE, is to work closely with the incredibly talented group of DJs we have at KCRW to inspire the best from these bright minds and celebrate the diversity of our music department. Together we will build on KCRW’s stellar reputation in Los Angeles and around the world.”

Bentley is widely respected, not just as a KCRW DJ but as a Music Supervisor for film (“The Matrix” soundtracks), a music executive (co-founder of the Quango Music Group and an A&R exec at Madonna’s Maverick imprint) and as a music producer and remixer in his own right.

No word yet on who might fill Bentley’s nighttime 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. slot.

Radio Waves: Nic Harcourt Departs KCRW, and New Time for KROQ’s Kevin and Bean

KCRW’s Nic Harcourt is departing KCRW’s signature “Morning Becomes Eclectic” program after ten years.

Harcourt joined KCRW in 1998 to replace Chris Douridas; before that, he spent 8 years at WDST in Woodstock, N.Y. He’ll continue on KCRW with a three-hour Sunday night show at 6 p.m. — where Kurt Andersen’s one-hour “Studio 360″ and Harcourt’s weekly two-hour national “Sounds Eclectic” now air; no word where “Studio 360″ might relocate.

Harcourt departs at the end of the month. KCRW is already searching for a new music director and “Eclectic” host — any ideas?

“As a parent of two young children, I believe it’s time for me to explore new career opportunities and expand upon my other activities in movie, television, voice over work, advertising and the Internet,” Harcourt said in a statement. “My heartfelt thanks and gratitude go to KCRW, the staff and volunteers who have supported my work through the years, but most of all to the listeners. I’ve always said that I couldn’t do what I do without them and I hope they will join me on Sunday nights.”

Harcourt had an enormous influence on Hollywood; his music picks influenced shows such as “The O.C.” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” and he was an early champion of artists such as Dido, Damien Rice, Norah Jones and others. Some of Coldplay’s first play in the U.S. also came via Harcourt.

But Harcourt also faced criticism from listeners who thought “Morning Becomes Ecelctic” had become far less eclectic under his reign. It’ll be interesting to see what the next host brings to the show — and whether “Eclectic” morphs into another direction.

Meanwhile, in quite an unusual move, KROQ has sliced its top-rated morning show, Kevin & Bean, by an hour in the morning. The morning drive time show will now air from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. (it had formerly aired until 10). Instead, KROQ will now air an hour of Kevin & Bean at 5 p.m., in the heart of afternoon drive time.