When I first heard Marc Ronson play these guys last week on the Authentic Sh’t radio show I figured it was Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons or a derivative thereof. It was actually Fitz, a Los Angeles native whose sound has that brass and organ-infused shimmy with that funky soulfulness of soul music’s great predecessors. Love it! Go check them out.

Songs for a Break Up Vol. 1 is out now on iTunes.

Fitz and the Tantrums on MySpace

Download Breakin the Chains of Love for free at RCRD LBL

These are all free podcasts that I subscribe and listen to on a regular basis (admittedly, mostly while doing cardio at the gym). Enjoy, and don’t forget to leave your comments by clicking at the top right hand corner of the post – I’d love to hear what you think!

*Note: Clicking on the title of the podcast will take you directly to the feed in iTunes.

1. La Blogothèque’s Takeaway Shows (video)

I’ve been subscribing for a few years and it’s still a fave. The folks behind the french blog La Blogothèque capture musicians performing in interesting and quirky places around Paris, from Andrew Bird strolling through Monmartre playing the violin to Bloc Party doing an acoustic set in front of a pub. Each show is simply wonderful and intimately beautiful.

2. KCRW Guest DJ Project 
KCRW DJs interview a variety of celebrities from chefs to athletes, actors to comedians on the music that has shaped their life. The interviews are witty, surprising and often quite touching. I know the podcast well as I serve as the online producer for it at KCRW.com.

3. RCRD LBL

Each week the folks at RCRD LBL put together highlights from the week’s selections. I sometimes find it difficult to keep up with the amount of music they post during the week and this podcast offers a nice recap.

3. East Village Radio – Authentic Sh*t
The feed went down as of mid December. But if it comes back (God-willing) this is the ultimate way to get your Marc Ronson fix and hear some fresh bangers to get your Friday night started.  

4. Stones Throw podcast

A hidden gem, the folks at Stones Throw regularly offer up treats like a rare DJ set from Peanut Butter Wolfs’ famed area codes tour, album previews and even the Badd Santa mixtape.

5. Ghostly Cast
The Ghostly International label – perhaps the best electronic label stateside – provide choice live sets and DJ mixes from Ghostly and Spectral artists.

6. Gilles Peterson Worldwide

Gilles brings in guest DJs and producers to discuss upcoming projects and new releases. The podcast is updated intermittently but each one is a treat.

7. Fader Magazine
The folks at Fader offer up an electronic version of their magazine via iTunes.

8. Morning Becomes Eclectic (video) 
MBE provides a glimpse behind the scenes at the KCRW studios. The video podcast offers the entire live session from each artist along with the full 2-part interview.

9. Resident Advisor
A weekly podcast of continuous DJ mixes from online dance and electronic music magazine residentadvisor.net.

10. Woxy.com Lounge Acts Podcast
Performances from emerging indie artists taped live from the WOXY lounge in Cincinnati, Ohio. They offer additional podcasts too featuring unsigned artists, music news, and local bands.

Also:

KCRW Today’s Top Tune
A free song a day from KCRW.

The Interface (video)
The weekly videocast offers live performances from new artists.

Better Propaganda
Every month resident DJ Jonah Sharp Phil produces a podcast of the choicest tunes from all genres and forward thinking labels.

Daytrotter
Daytrotter features an indie band each week, performing four of their songs in-studio.

KEXP Music That Matters
Full-length songs offering a snapshot of what’s new in music.