This week's session balances gritty edge with melodic punch. Their songs hit fast and leave a mark, equal parts humor and heart. With deep lyricism and purpose, this band proves that punk is always best served unpolished. After the set, the band talks about their DIY process, musical influences, and the beauty of not taking yourself too seriously.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Nirvana

Led Zeppelin

Avery Cochrane

Kurt Cobain

Boy Genius

Elvin Jones

Dave Grohl

Joe Morello

Flea

Vincen Garcia

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Jimmy Paige

Adrienne Lenker

Big Thief

Talking Heads

Socials

@slackerlive on Instagram

Episode 105: Slacker

This episode is hosted by: Connor O’Toole

Interview by: Adam Acosta

Produced by: Sammi Thomas

Audio edited and sound designed by: Keyla Parra Gamino

Music mixed and mastered by: Ruhi Shroff and Nolan Conrad

Theme by: Mewtone

Special thanks to Lia Iso-Ahola & Keiliki Rodriguez

Technical and operational support provided by KPBS Technical Producer / Sound Designer, Adrian Villalobos. - Lisa Jane Morrisette is KPBS Director of Audio Programming and Operations.

Blending Spanish and English lyricism, this session channels warmth, rhythm, and cultural pride. Their performance bursts with groove, heritage, and heart, fully embodying the sound of San Diego. In the interview, the band opens up about their musical roots and the community that inspires their art. Listen in as The Sols talk about creating music that honors the past while pushing the sound forward.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Wavves

The Frights

Beach Goons

Happy Daps 3

The High Curbs

Chicano Mosh

Dive Time

Socials

@thesolsband on Instagram

Episode 104: The Sols

This episode is hosted by: Sheridan Koenig

Produced by: Sammi Thomas

Audio edited and sound designed by: Keyla Parra Gamino

Music mixed and mastered by: Ruhi Shroff and Nolan Conrad

Theme by: Mewtone

Special thanks to Lia Iso-Ahola & Keiliki Rodriguez

Technical and operational support provided by KPBS Technical Producer / Sound Designer, Adrian Villalobos. - Lisa Jane Morrisette is KPBS Director of Audio Programming and Operations.

Live from the basement. This week’s episode of Basement Beats features an exclusive live set and interview with The Microblades, recorded in collaboration with KCR College Radio. This week, this three-piece girl band takes over the basement, serving up their signature blend of vintage rock and fierce energy. Their harmonies are sharp, their riffs infectious, and their presence impossible to ignore. Learn how The Microblades carve out their own lane in a scene built for reinvention and change. This episode highlights their classic-meets-modern sound and tight chemistry. Stick around for an interview full of personality, stories, and sisterhood.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

The Beatles

Tool

Led Zeppelin

The Who

Paramore

The Casbah

Lestat’s

San Diego Music Award

Nextdoor

Bruce Springsteen

Dolphins on Acid

Cordouroy

Socials

@themicroblades on Instagram

Episode 103: The Microblades

This episode is hosted by: Connor O’Toole

Interview by: Kyler Walsh

Produced by: Sammi Thomas

Audio edited and sound designed by: Keyla Parra Gamino

Music mixed and mastered by: Ruhi Shroff and Nolan Conrad

Theme by: Mewtone

Special thanks to Lia Iso-Ahola, Keiliki Rodriguez, & Kyler Walsh

Technical and operational support provided by KPBS Technical Producer / Sound Designer, Adrian Villalobos. - Lisa Jane Morrisette is KPBS Director of Audio Programming and Operations.

This week’s episode of Basement Beats features an exclusive live set and interview with Avery Cochrane. This session captures Avery’s introspective songwriting and emotional delivery. In the interview, Avery reflects on the artistry behind blending personal narratives with timeless acoustic textures. Gentle yet powerful, her performance feels like a quiet moment of reflection brought to life. Stay for a conversation about honesty, vulnerability, and what songwriting means today.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Slacker’s Avery Nelson and JP Houle

GroupMe

Aztec Music Group

Capitol Hill Block Party

SOFI TUKKER

Denzel Curry

Goth Baby

Day In Day Out Festival

The Head and the Hearts

Bleachers

Suki Waterhouse

Men I Trust

GoDaddy

SquareSpace

Socials

@avercc on Instagram

Episode 102: Avery Cochrane

This episode is hosted by: Connor O’Toole

Interview by: Joe Kurtzman and Isaiah Huerta

Produced by: Sammi Thomas

Audio edited and sound designed by: Keyla Parra Gamino

Music mixed and mastered by: Ruhi Shroff and Nolan Conrad

Theme by: Mewtone

Special thanks to Lia Iso-Ahola, and Keiliki Rodriguez

Technical and operational support provided by KPBS Technical Producer / Sound Designer, Adrian Villalobos. - Lisa Jane Morrisette is KPBS Director of Audio Programming and Operations.

Based in San Diego, Kimiko fuses indie rock, soul, and jazz influences into a sound that’s equal parts smooth and experimental. The first half of the episode captures their intimate live performance, showcasing the band’s tight chemistry and rich, groove-driven style. In the second half, we sit down with the members to talk about how the group formed, the stories behind their songs, and how they continue to shape their sound within the local scene.

Whether you’re discovering Kimiko for the first time or tuning in to support SDSU’s underground music community, this Basement Beats session brings you closer to the artists redefining what it means to play live.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

School of Rock - Music Program

Tristan Brooks

The Template - Ocean Beach

Humble Heart - Ocean Beach

Kimiko’s Setlist

BCC

Hush and a Warning Sign

Like Me

Fine Line

Lost Cause

Socials

@kimiko_music on Instagram

Episode 101: Kimiko

This episode is hosted by: Connor O’Toole

Produced by: Sammi Thomas

Audio edited and sound designed by: Keyla Parra Gamino

Music mixed and mastered by: Ruhi Shroff and Nolan Conrad

Theme: Mewtone’s “See You Tonight”

Special thanks to Lia Iso-Ahola & Keiliki Rodriguez

Technical and operational support provided by KPBS Technical Producer / Sound Designer, Adrian Villalobos. - Lisa Jane Morrisette is KPBS Director of Audio Programming and Operations.

From the underground scene to your speakers, KCR College Radio presents Basement Beats. This series highlights local talent, featuring live performances and interviews, all recorded and produced by San Diego State University students. Each episode is a deep dive into a unique, reinvented sound straight out of SoCal, bending genres and introducing you to unimaginable music. From folk to hardcore, we’ve got it all! Rediscover the classic genres you fell in love with through the new generation of talent. Enjoy the sounds and get to know the bands! Get up close and personal with these musicians from their early beginnings to the present day. Learn about the inspirations, their creative processes, and what drives them forward in this competitive industry. Basement Beats, in collaboration with KPBS, brings live music straight to you, followed by an intimate Q&A with the musicians. Enjoy these front-row seats as you listen in!