gpr 20 - Mogadisco with Awo Jama

This week’s episode dives into Somalia’s disco wave, a distinctive sound that, when I discovered it, enabled me to connect with my heritage in a way I had never experienced before as a first-generation Somali immigrant. This “golden age” of Somali music, which lasted from the early 1970s until the early 1990s, was ushered in when the nation gained its independence from British and Italian colonial rule in 1960, and began investing heavily in education and the arts as a newly socialist country. The combination of state-funded music programs, along with the centuries of cultural exchange that took place between Somalia and other regions along the Indian Ocean trade route, resulted in a thriving musical culture that blended traditional Somali folk music (referred to in Somalia as “qaraami”) with Afrobeat, Arabic music, reggae, jazz, and funk.

During this time period, music production in Somalia was nationalized - private record labels gave way to state-owned studios such as Radio Mogadishu and Radio Hargeisa under that present moment’s socialist government. Several of the groups featured on this episode, namely Iftin Band and Waaberi, were commissioned by the national government to perform pro-regime songs. However, a few Somali artists that did not receive funding from the government shirked these expectations as they quite literally marched to the beat of their own drum and amassed widespread popularity in the process; Dur-Dur Band, another collective featured on this episode, is one such example.

At the onset of the Somali Civil War in the late 1980’s, a significant amount of Somalia’s recorded music was stowed away to prevent destruction by military groups. While much of this music has yet to be digitized or even recovered, several independent record labels such as Ostinato Records and Analog Africa have worked tirelessly to recover these previously lost sounds and distribute them online. In doing such vital archival work, these labels not only allow older generations of Somalis to relive the soundtracks of their youth, but help younger, diasporic Somalis connect with a time period that showcased the everlasting vibrancy and ingenuity of Somali culture.

gpr 19 - Zeb Berg

This week we welcome Zeb Berg to Griffith Park Radio for a guest mix of leftfield pop bootlegs, prog-jersey thumpers, field recordings, ambient, noise and other obscure electronica. Take a dive into the twisted mind of a chronically-on-soundcloud 26 year old music industry professional with

gpr 18 - ALL NIGHT LONG

This week’s episode is a 76 minute miniature of the upcoming 5 hour Griffith Park Radio All Night Long party at Dada Bar in Echo Park this Saturday, July 19th. Taking us from funk & soul into disco & dance with a bit of a twisted back third, I pulled directly from the 200+ song trove I’ve selected for the party. If you’re looking to dance, drink delicious beverages, and mingle with a crew of musically-inclined empaths, come out to Dada Bar this Saturday Night from 9pm to 2am.

I’m thrilled to be releasing this episode on Frank Radio, the radio wing of Frank News. Working with Frank News is the perfect next step for the GPR radio program, as it gives us the opportunity to reach new audiences, host events, and work beside a group with which we are ideologically aligned. The world is bigger than music, and I am honored to be presenting my show alongside such thoughtful media covering important issues.

gpr 17 - Afterglow by V. Slim

Griffith Park Radio listeners, float into a haze of dubby goodness with V. Slim’s latest mix Afterglow. Perfect for slow mornings, late nights, or long walks on the beach.

The mix dances gently between dreamy atmospheres, low-end grooves, and pulsing rhythms. Afterglow is a clocked-out blend of the best and brightest in ambient, dub, tek, and step.

Press play and carry yourself into soft dub summer.

gpr 16 - europe 2025

In February-May 2025 I traveled around Europe and this is a selection of music I listened to along the way.

gpr episode 15 - Bay Area Psychedelia

GPR contributor Graeme Ashley rifles through his bag once again for a tasteful selection of Bay Area psychedelic sounds. From locally grown to globally known, this all-vinyl episode showcases bands and artists that sculpted one of the most important musical scenes in American history. Give Graeme a follow on his record-sharing account, @kingswell_spins

gpr episode 14 - perth, australia

In this week’s episode, we take a deep look into an unlikely hotbed of some of the most talented rock artists the world has ever seen. The isolated city of Perth on the west coast of Australia has spawned acclaimed musicians of all genres, however the late 2000’s and early 2010s saw the rise of a tight-knit group of psych rockers, packing out local stages for years developing their sound before ultimately going worldwide. This scene not only produced one of my personal heroes, Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, but incubated a community of players that went on to influence rock across the globe - Nick Allbrook, Cameron Avery, Shiny Joe Ryan, and more. In today’s episode we play several of these musician’s main projects, side projects, and some of the groups keeping the Perth psych rock sound alive today.

Cover: Perth 2013 Band Map found on Nick Allbrook’s Facebook Page

gpr episode 13 - a pedal steel diaspora

The Pedal Steel’s unmistakable, smooth glissando spreads a creamy, hazy, psychedelic glaze over any musical backdrop. Its sonic properties, both dreamy and driving, can command a rhythm even the most tone-deaf boot can’t resist stomping to, or bring a room to tears when paired with a proper country crooner. Whether coming from a steel guitar, lapsteel, pedal steel, or “frying pan,” the sound is shared across genres disparate as Hawaiian and Western Country, pop and jazz fusion, rock and Nigerian Juju. Its origins are intertwined with its more popular cousin who you may have heard of - the electric guitar (in fact, the electric guitar is a byproduct of trying to electrify the lapsteel, the pedal steel’s grand-daddy).

On today’s episode we take a look at some of the music that drove the innovation of the pedal steel, and hear from the talented players keeping its sound alive today.

Cover: Paul Bigsby, motorcycle mechanic & inventor of the modern pedal steel

gpr episode 12 - Danny Avins pt. 2

Danny Avins returns to the airwaves with a second offering of latin flavors from his tasteful collection. Today's episode Danny taps into his Paolista roots and serves up a punchy plate of Brazilian Samba, Funk, and Boss from a host of iconic Brasileiros. As always, Danny's episode was recorded entirely on vinyl from his personal collection. **DISCLAIMER** this episode may cause you to enter a fugue state and book a spontaneous one-way flight to Rio De Janeiro.

Pay Danny a visit at Groove Merchant Records in San Francisco for a clinic on choice latin selections, and give him a follow at @dannyavins_ to catch his next gig in SF.

gpr episode 11 - love, Jhune

This week, prolific producer and dear friend TJ Wee p.k.a Jhune shares with us some of his favorite tracks ranging from eras modern and bygone, sonics accessible and obscure. In this episode he flaunts his diverse musicality with unexpected genre blending, and weaves together a fascinating musical junket, the influences of which clearly shine through in his own productions.

For more, check him out on instagram at @___jhune

gpr episode 10 - going back home

This time of year, a lot of people go back to their home town. Sometimes, you need a sultry, nostaglic soundtrack to dredge up old memories on a long walk in the crisp fall/winter air. This episode was made ~specifically~ for this purpose, with collaboration from the GPR community.

gpr episode 9 - GORDON

This week, Lewis Caldwell aka GORDON dances between genre boundaries fluidly and at times unexpectedly in an episode that gives a keen look into his creative sense and spirit. When not in the mix, Lew runs GORDON, a prominent brand at the intersection of cardistry* and fashion, while also a skilled and established cardist himself.

* Cardistry is the art of shuffling cards. For an example of what this looks like, check out one of GORDON's cardistry edits in the link here

GORDON website (high quality goods for sale here) - www.gordon.international/

gpr episode 8 - Graeme Ashley

Local Los Feliz collector, Bay Area native, and great friend Graeme Ashley aka Kingswell Spins shows off prime cuts from his collection of Bay Area/West Coast hip-hop & g-funk vinyl in this week's episode. Displaying his deep knowledge of the major players in early west coast hip-hop such as Rappin4Tay, Ant Banks, Richie Rich, and The Jacka, as well as modern contemporaries Larry June, SOBxRBE, The Alchemist and more, he walks us through over 3 decades of evolution of the g-funk and bay area sound.

Stay tuned for more episodes from the Graeme, and to learn more about him and his selections, give him a follow on ig @kingswell_spins.

gpr episode 7 - jvl

The latest in dance and beyond from gpr head honcho jvl. Hope you dig

gpr episode 6 - madeupthere

My good friend and 90s alternative aficionado madeupthere aka Elle Davidson has blessed us with a smashing episode this week. In her own words, this episode is:

"90s alternative radio if major label promo guys didn’t exist"

"the sweet sound of 1994. geffen records. everything kind of centered on the weezer sound"

"this is pure 90s alt, not grunge. not shoegaze."

Give her a follow for more quotable moments @madeupthere

gpr episode 5 - Danny Avins

Hailing from San Francisco, my friend Danny Avins shares his impressive collection of hard mambo, guaguancó, boogaloo, and cha-cha rarities. Comprising what we know as Salsa, these subgenres stem from a complex web of Afro-Carribean influences, and carry with them a rich history of dance. While mambo, cha-cha, descarga, and guaguanco originate from Cuba and Puerto Rico, boogaloo rose to prominence in the dancehalls of melting-pot Spanish Harlem in the 1960-70s.

These tracks are almost all performed by big-bands and do not feature any electronic instruments, and this episode was recorded entirely from Danny's personal vinyl collection.

In Danny’s own words: “It’s so intoxicating, the rhythms and rhythm sections that are so unbelievably locked in with each other alongside fantastic piano/flute/horn players and always a beautiful singer. It’s more stripped down and less electric than rock for example, it feels like you’re listening to some friends jam in a high school gym or something. It’s irresistible to not want to dance or feel happy listening to this stuff.”

Fun fact: Danny and I played little league baseball together. Pay him a visit at Groove Merchant Records in San Francisco for a clinic on choice latin selections and more.

gpr episode 4 - Thomas Forman

my good friend thomas ventures deep into his collection for a stunning episode of soul, bossa, UK rock, and more.

gpr episode 3 - jvl

Part of the Inaugural 3-pack compiled by jvl

gpr episode 2 - jvl

Part of the Inaugural 3-pack compiled by jvl

gpr episode 2 - jvl

Part of the Inaugural 3-pack compiled by jvl