Radio for the Design Nerd
I dabbled a bit with podcasts a few months ago but really couldn't get into downloading things as it seemed time consuming and not at all necessary. With the recent integration of podcasts into the new version of iTunes, I have completely changed my tunes. I have now found myself addicted to a variety of podcasts from a brit and a canadian chit chatting to/from work to the documentaries run by the BBC World Service. My favorite program is something that can be caught on your local radio dial if you live in LA but otherwise hasn't been accessible to the world outside of California until recently...
DnA: Design & Architecture
To some Los Angeles spells freeways and sprawl; to others it's a unique city whose climate, proximity to nature and liberating spirit have inspired the design of furniture, fashion, cars and architects from Greene and Greene to Frank Gehry. With the buzz about the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the new cathedral and LACMA, the widespread taste for LA's mid-century Modernism and its current lifestyle, now is the time for a program on design and architecture in Los Angeles. Over the coming months, DnA host Frances Anderton will interview luminaries in the design and architecture world and look at some of our important new buildings and works of design.
DnA: Design and Architecture airs the third Tuesday of each month from 2:30 to 3:00 PM on 89.9 FM KCRW - webcast and archived online at www.KCRW.com.
The unfortunate thing is that they only produce one show a month. Otherwise I have been intrigued with every show and it's diverse topics ranging from mid-century modern furnishings to this week's "definition of camp" and the psychology of interior design. The only other thing I could wish for would be WBEZ to publish "This American Life" on podcast*.
* Technically they do produce a podcast of the lovely Ira Glass but it's only available through audible.com for a monthly fee of $9.95. This seems a bit steep for a show that if I ever remembered was on I could record directly off my radio dial.