community radio of alaska

KHNS is listener supported, community-based public radio serving Alaska's northern panhandle communities. A National Public Radio affiliate and a member of the Alaska Public Radio Network, KHNS provides a wide array of live, local and nationally syndicated programs for residents and visitors to the region.

World Cafe

KHNS Music Director Steve Scarrott's Picks:

Dengue Fever - Venus on Earth
It's not the deadly virus but rather a killer groove. Two brothers travel East and discover psychedelic music inspired by locals listening to Armed Forces Radio in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Returning stateside they recruit a Cambodian pop singer and the band is born. There is no cure for this infectious combination of psych rock, Asian pop, surf riffing and cool lounge sung in the Khmer language.

The Roots of Chicha: Psychedelic Cumbias from Peru
This time around Psychedelia infects the Amazon. These original recordings from 1968 to 1978 blend traditional Peruvian folk and dance music stylings with the Western influences of the British Invasion and American surf rock. No Yankee imitators here, these bands are the real deal.

Reverend Organ Drum - Jim Heath, Tim Alexander & Todd Soesbe
The Rev. Horton Heat goes mostly instrumental on this lounge, jazz and R&B inflected collaboration. The rockabilly lead guitar takes a step back and lets the organ occupy center stage. It's still the Rev. but there is a lot less bravado and a lot more finesse and groove.