KXSC Fest returns with Taylor McFerrin and more


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Jazz-steeped electronica, MIDI-based melodies, Middle Eastern funk, hazy noise pop, surf rock and straight-up girl power will all find a literal common ground on Saturday in McCarthy Quad. Featuring headliner Taylor McFerrin and bands Mansions on the Moon, Tennis System, Vox Waves, Lindy Vision, Midnight Darling and Bazaar Ensemble, this year’s KXSC Fest, put on by KXSC Student Radio, will be a show to remember.

The Daily Trojan had a chance to interview show organizer Liana Wertman, general manager of KXSC Student Radio, regarding the station’s preparation and vision for KXSC Fest 2016.

Daily Trojan: How are you feeling about the event, with only a few days to go?

Liana Wertman: I’m feeling surprisingly calm about the whole event. Months of work have gone into this, dozens of people have had a hand in it, countless emails have been written, and the week of it finally feels like everything is really coming together.

DT: What’s the order of events for planning an event of this magnitude?

LW: This is a year-long process. We picked the date in May and started looking for artists in the fall. Since we got back in January, we’ve had extra weekly meetings, been getting contracts through for artists, been ordering all of the supplies and parts to make KXSC Fest happen. The last two months have been the craziest but right now — week of — is all the final details — making sure everything’s in place to have a smooth day.

DT: How is the Fest funded?

LW: KXSC Student Radio is recognized as a student organization. We don’t get any regular funding from USC but have the same access to funding as any other student organization. We held a fundraiser in December and raised $5,500 from our listeners to help us pay for [this year’s festival] artists. We’ve found amazing local vendors who want to support us, but most of our money is coming from [the Undergraduate Student Government] and [the Graduate Student Government]. We’re very lucky they understood our vision and are sponsoring us by fully funding our request.

DT: What’s your artist selection process like?

LW: We spent the whole fall looking for artists. Our staff, guided by our Concerts Director Alex Spring, looks for the best new music in our area and tries to find the people coming out with really interesting music. Our artists range from amazing student bands like Bazaar Ensemble to largely recognized names like Taylor McFerrin. We look for people who really care about their art and, of course, who make incredible music. We’re very lucky to have gotten the artists we have this year.  In the past we’ve had DJ Dodger Stadium, Flying Lotus, Jesse Lanza, Nosaj Thing, Dan Deacon and so many other amazing artists.

DT: How are you planning to differentiate this event from past years’ Fests?

LW: Our music changes every year. We’re looking for the best up-and-coming artists out there, so the music changes with each act, let alone each year. But we’re also bringing in great vendors, a tie-dye station form one of our sponsors, and, for those of us who are of age, there will be a beer garden.

DT: What is the atmosphere you’re hoping for, and was that considered when you picked artists?

LW: We hope KXSC Fest is a space you arrive at and don’t want to leave. With a relaxed atmosphere, fun activities, great people and amazing music, we want this to be a lovely Saturday afternoon for students and attendees. The music this year certainly reflects that [atmosphere], with a variety of musical genres, waves of different energies and a lot to dance to with your friends.

DT: You mentioned there would be vendors — is there a lot to look forward to in addition to the music?

LW: I’m really looking forward to our food trucks and vendors. I love getting to walk around and meet people who make L.A. what it is — filled with amazing food and creativity. Walking by Record Parlor while eating an ice cream sandwich from Coolhaus and listening to Tennis System — what could be better than that?

DT: What are you hoping people walk away with from this event?

LW: I hope people walk away with an incredible Saturday under their belts. But also, I hope our attendees see the amount of love and passion put into this event by the student at KXSC Student Radio. And that they keep interacting with us. We have over 50 shows on air each week [on our website], we put on monthly concerts and we’re looking for new students to intern and become DJs every semester. We’re also having our annual spring fundraiser starting April 4 and hope free events like KXSC Fest will encourage people to donate and help us continue to do what we love here at USC and for the USC community.

Those who are interested can keep up with news about KXSC Fest on Facebook and on KXSC Student Radio’s website. The Fest starts at 3 p.m. and will feature vendors like Kogi BBQ, Replay Vintage Sunglasses, Coolhaus, The Bootleg Theater, I Must Draw and more. A student ID is required for entry.