KZSC-FM (Santa Cruz, CA)

Photograph by Robb Klassen On September 23rd 2026, KZSC’s Jazz and Blues director Annelise Schouten, sat down for an interview with Dana and Alden at a booth in the Felton Music Hall on the 8th stop of their Fall 2026 tour. Celebrating the release of their album Papa’s Boat, put out this past August, they spoke on their experiences making the album, musical mentors, the importance of community, and their grandfather, Papa’s legacy.

Images Courtesy of Linear Labs By Annelise Schouten On July 30th 2026, KZSC’s Jazz and Blues Director sat down with artist, composer, producer, and record label founder Adrian Younge for a phone interview. Speaking on his label Jazz Is Dead, analog studio Linear Labs, recent releases, and current tour with French Jazz band Cortex, Younge describes what production, collaboration, and analog sound means to him.

By Peyton K. In an age where trending tracks come and go like the Bcycles on campus, it’s nice to look back and admire the music that didn’t get algorithmically pushed into our lives. Now that we’re about halfway into the year, it’s a good time to reflect on some of the exceptional music that’s been released so far. I can definitely say that it’s been a strong year for music, especially in the metalcore and emo spheres.

Concert Reviews, Interviews, KZSC Welcomes..., Live Performances, Music News, Staff Posts By Annelise Schouten, Serafina Holzer, and Fawn Zech On May 11th 2026, KZSC’s Jazz and Blues (Annelise Schouten), Rock (Serafina Holzer), and Folk (Fawn Zech) directors sat down for an interview with Robert Lester Folsom on the 16th stop of his Spring 2026 tour. Celebrating his release of If You Wanna Laugh, You Gotta Cry Sometimes: Archives Vol.

by DJ Bugs This fall, I had the opportunity to study abroad at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland as a part of the UCEAP program and with the help of the Gilman Scholarship Network. When applying to study abroad, I was interested in Dublin’s iconic literary and musical scenes and soon found myself physically immersed in them. Me in the TFM studio. Upon arrival, my first order of business was joining their student radio station.

Concert Reviews, Live Performances, Music News By DJ Ratz Taut skin and muscles flex as lengthy ribbon-adorned hair whips in the air. Sleek silver poles rotate dancers high above heavy beats coming from a DJ booth perched on stage scaffolding. Below an afterglow, British singer-performer, FKA twigs, takes to the stage for her San Francisco stop on her Body High Tour.

Photograph by Amahli Vivian By Amahli Vivian and Zane Bird Smith In January 2026, MyVeronica visited KZSC while on their California tour. MyVeronica is based in Los Angeles and first formed in 2021. Initially a solo project, the band has formed a full lineup and is an active band within the DIY space.

Interviews, Main, Music News Everyone Asked About You/First Day Back flyer created by Daniel Zhou (@ohitszhou) By Amahli Vivian 2nd wave emo is a special thing. Perhaps it’s a combination of twinkling guitar tones, wistfulness and introspective lyricism, nostalgia for the 1990s music scene, and the unabashed heart-on-sleeve-ness that has allowed this particular subgenre to skyrocket in attention over the past several years.

Interviews, Staff Posts A few days after their show at Subrosa on April 1st, DJ Carbonate of KZSC sat down with the band Raue at our station. The alternative-grungey two piece consists of lead guitar and vocalist Paige Kalenian and drummer Jax Huckle. Although currently based in San Diego, the band found its roots right here in Santa Cruz. In this interview, you’ll find talkings of tour activities, outward identity, kick drum jumping, tea flavors, and more.

By Annelise Schouten and Dhalia Krishnan On March 21st 2026, Dhalia (KZSC’s Hip-Hop Director) and I (Annelise, KZSC’s Jazz Director) sat down for an interview in the garage of Aft’s (Afterthought’s) childhood home in the Fillmore District, gathering around a few chairs while the many artists who make Stoop Sessions happen set up audio equipment.