Syd Straw

Syd Straw

Musician

Syd Straw is a singer/songwriter and guitarist. Straw grew up in Los Angeles, but after high school moved to Manhattan to pursue a job singing harmonies, joining Pat Benatar as a backup singer. She then became known for bringing her distinct voice to the Anton Fier-led cult band the Golden Palominos in the 1980s. In 1990, she released her solo album "Surprise," featuring collaborations by Michael Stipe (R.E.M), John Doe (X), Ry Cooder, Daniel Lanois, Don Was, Richard Thompson, and Marshall Crenshaw. In 1996, she released the album "War and Peace ," cementing her as a blues- and folk-rock staple. While promoting it and touring, she lent her musical sensibilities to records by Vic Chesnutt, Wilco, Rickie Lee Jones, David Sanborn, and Evan Dando. She released a third album, "Pink Velour," in 2008.

More from KCRW

House, disco, trip hop, oldies and all of the deep cuts in between.

from SiLVA

French DJ and producer Myd channels club energy into his new work. Myd’s experimental nature led him to lock himself in his studio for a week without access to the outside.

from Today's Top Tune

Pope Francis, who died overnight, is remembered for having a more progressive approach to immigration, climate change, and the LGBTQ commmunity than his predecessors.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The latest film releases include Sinners, The Wedding Banquet, The Shrouds, and The President's Wife.

from Weekend Film Reviews

KCRW's all-music channel blending the collected talents and tastes of all KCRW's DJs into a single voice streaming 24 hours a day.

from Eclectic 24

Portishead’s Beth Gibbons delivers a mesmerizing performance of cuts from 2024 her solo LP “Lives Outgrown,” live from Bob Clearmountain’s Apogee Studio.

from Live From

Google and Meta are under fire in court. Officials claim they crushed rivals to stay on top. The outcome could upend how Big Tech works.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

LA Mayor Karen Bass has released her next budget. To help close a massive deficit, the city may have to lay off around 5% of the city workforce.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Indie found sounds, nostalgic guilty pleasures, and introspective piano solos to help you feel deeply and move freely through life.

from Nassir Nassirzadeh