PepperAlley

Born and raised in Tijuana, Latin alternative artist Ceci Bastida has worked extensively with Julieta Venegas. Now a solo artist, she's exploring the northern hemisphere as part of the Lilith Tour. Her full length debut is not yet available stateside but we have a preview. Today's Top Tune is "Controlar".

School of Seven Bells' new album, Disconnect From Desire, is one of the most played on KCRW. The band features electronics-enhanced dream pop played by a former member of Secret Machines and a set of twin sisters. Today's Top Tune is an hypnotic mix called "Dust Devil".

Synth-driven trio Bear In Heaven create sonic atmospheres with prog rock leanings on their second LP, Beast Rest Forth Mouth. It's not easy to categorize, but it's easy on the ears. Today's Top Tune is "You Do You."

The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger are the musings of Sean Lennon and his girlfriend Charlotte Kemp Muhl. Their musical romp recalls French psychedelia with the help of in-demand producer Mark Ronson. Today's Top Tune is from the EP and is called "Jardin of Luxembourg".

Shel Silverstein was best known as the author of children's books, but he was also a poet, cartoonist, and a songwriter who penned many songs. A new collection, The Twistable Turnable Man gathers notable fans to cover his work - including My Morning Jacket, John Prine and Dr. Dog. Today's Top Tune is a poem turned into a song and covered by Andrew Bird, here's "The Twistable, Turnable Man Returns".

One half of LA's postmodern pop group Devics, Sara Lov's vocals have been described as both haunting and angelic. In her latest solo work I Already Love You, the LA singer focuses on songwriters she admires, reinterpreting favorite tracks. Today's Top Tune is from Canadian songwriter Ron Sexsmith, it's "Just My Heart Talkin".

The Procession, a follow up to Juliette Commagere's stunning debut won't be released until September, but a sneak peak finds the singer melding her love of classical music with arresting electronic soundscapes. Today's Top Tune is a storytelling lullaby that recalls Brian Eno's early work, it's called "Glass."

Foals share a house in Oxford where they write and make music together. A bathroom turns into a vocal booth, lyrics are written in the basement, and their shared experience helped them pen their sophomore release, Total Life Forever, a trippy upbeat set of songs. Today's Top Tune is the title track "Total Life Forever."

Today, Argentina celebrates their bicentennial. To honor the occasion we've secured a live and exclusive track from Bajofondo, who originally performed this piece for 200,000 people at the Obelisco, Argentina's national monument in Buenos Aires. Today's Top Tune is "Gran Guignol."

Admiral Radley is made up of Earlimart and Grandaddy members who, after years of touring together, decided to join forces in 2009. They wasted little time and immediately started inking nuanced melodic rock that fans of both bands will love. Today's Top Tune is from the album I Heart California and it is called "Sunburn Kids."

While Bloc Party took a hiatus from their hectic touring schedule last year, frontman Kele Okereke decided to advantage of his time off, moved to Berlin and starting working on his own songs. His debut solo project, inspired by his electro-pop leanings, reveals a more dance- oriented artist. Today's Top Tune is "Everything You Wanted."

Indie label IAMSOUND is dedicated to highlighting local talent by releasing a series of limited edition 7-inch records they call The LA Collection. KCRW is helping them showcase the diversity of talented musicians that reside in the L.A. area and are happy to offer some peppy punk-rock goodness from The Franks. Today's Top Tune is "Ray Gunn Radio."

There is a new French pop compilation, Le Pop 5 that gathers artists we know and love - like Vanessa Paradis and Nouvelle Vague singer Melanie Pain - along with up and coming artists to spotlight the new direction of that genre. Today's Top Tune comes from one of the newcomers, Olive Et Moi as they offer "L'Ascenseur."

British producer Quantic records under different guises, but on his latest release, Dog With A Rope, he exposes his love of Tropical music. Now living in Colombia, he gathered local musicians into his analogue studio to tinker with standards and original compositions alike. Today's Top Tune is his own, it's called "Portada Del Mar."

Damien Jurado is a school teacher by day that follows his musical muse at night. Prolific and dedicated, his songs spin tales that have earned him comparisons to short story writer Raymond Carver. His latest release, Saint Bartlett, is produced by like-minded artist Richard Swift who helps transform Jurado from musician to mystic. Today's Top Tune is "Cloudy Shoes."

Barcelona duo Mister Furia and Professor Manso have been making an alternative electro-magnetic mix as The Pinker Tones for years, but on their 4th album, they've expanded their sound to include a drummer who adds just the right touch. Check out Today's Top Tune from one of Latin Alternative's best. It's from the new album Modular, and is called "Invisible."

Tobacco springs from the enigmatic Philadelphia band Black Moth Super Rainbow. Primal urges, voice modulation and dark swampy guttural music are trademarks of their sound. Today's Top Tune is an inferno, it's called "Sweatmother."

Beta Band and King Biscuit Time had a massive impact on the UK pop landscape and featured the artistry of frontman Steve Mason. Mason?s solo recording is an honest collection of songs combining electronics with pared-down acoustic instrumentation. Today's Top Tune is "Lost & Found."

Oklahoma-based singer Samantha Crain has logged over a 100,000 miles performing at venues throughout the country. Her latest release , You (Understood), gathers experiences she's had along the way...

Los Angeles-based nine-piece outfit Orgone show a deep rooted love of funk and Afro-Beat on their latest release, Cali Fever.