Video directed by Angie Scarpa. All photos by Michael Quintero.
Video directed by Angie Scarpa. All photos by Michael Quintero.

Brainstory: KCRW Live from HQ

Intimate performances, fresh sounds, and candid conversations with a view.

Written by Marion Hodges

Brainstory, among the most genre-fluid of the recent wave of SoCal souldies groups (see also: Thee Sacred Souls, Thee Sinseers, Los Yesterdays), formed their musical bond with a simple objective in mind: “We wanted to trick people into listening to jazz, basically," says frontman Kevin Martin. 

The trio, which consists of the brothers Kevin (vocals, guitar) and Tony (bass) Martin, alongside their honorary brother/bandmate Eric Hagstrom (drums), have since built a signature sound rooted in jazz and incorporating 1960s-style soul, hip-hop, psychedelic explorations, and close-knit harmonies of the “Laurel Canyon” variety. Their 2024 LP, Sounds Good, is out now via Big Crown Records and was produced by label head Leon Michels — perhaps the most in-demand producer of this year, having also had a big hand in shaping splashy releases from Clairo and Remi Wolf. 

More: Leon Michels: KCRW Guest DJ Set

The band’s considerable rapport only intensified during COVID lockdowns, as they perfected the art of self-recording in their Long Beach studio. And having now toured extensively with heavy-hitters like Lady Wray and Chicano Batman, Brainstory’s here to blow the roof off of KCRW’s Annenberg Performance Studio with their electrifying live show. The trio are joined by Taylor Spiliotis on trumpet and Diego Geata on keyboard for Sounds Good jams “Hanging On” and “Nobody But You,” and more. Plus, deep cuts like “Beautyful Beauti” from their 2019 debut album Buck (also produced by Michels).

Watch it all via the video above and then treat yourself to the interview video below. The band gets into it with Novena Carmel about how they’re feeling right now — mentally, creatively, and spiritually.

Explore more KCRW Live From sessions





Credits:

KCRW Music Director: Anne Litt
Interviewer: Novena Carmel
Director/Editor/Color: Angie Scarpa
Director of Photography: Kylie Hazzard
Camera Operators: Rachel Bickert, Kylie Hazzard, and Angie Scarpa
Recording / Mix Engineer: Nick Lampone
Assistant Engineers: Hope Brush and Katie Gilchrest
Executive Producer: Ariana Morgenstern
Producers: Anna Chang and Liv Surnow
Digital Producer: Marion Hodges
Digital Editorial Manager: Andrea Domanick
Lighting Design: Jason Groman
Art Director: Evan Solano

More from KCRW

Reporter Brian Reed re-examines everything about journalism, the profession he thought he knew. In the middle of making his second hit podcast, Brian got sued. Accused.

SoCal is facing three big wildfires amid a blistering heat wave, including the Line Fire, which has burned more than 26,000 acres. How are firefighters coping?

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

As the average age of American Catholic nuns and sisters crests 80, one local order spends their remaining years ensuring their legacy survives.

from KCRW Features

You might know that Los Angeles beaches get dirty after a winter storm, but it remains a problem in the summer, too. Why? And does it keep anyone away?

from KCRW Features

A UC Davis scientist is trying to bioengineer cow microbes so they produce less methane.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Learn how to make a traditional sheet pan dinner, a savory tray bake from a Cypriot-Turkish tradition, and an upside down baking technique.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand