Song of the Day: Æla - Your Head Is My Ground

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. This week, we are featuring songs by artists performing KEXP's broadcast at Kex Hostel in Reykjavik during Iceland Airwaves. Today’s featured song is “Your Head Is My Ground” by Æla, from the 2015 self-released album Vettlingatök.

Æla - Your Head Is My Ground (MP3)

Their name means "puke" and their album title is "mitten" - that's pretty much all you need to know about Æla. But if you need more convincing than this strange dichotomy, you might also know that they band formed and put out their first album, Sýnið tillitssemi ég er frávik ("Be Considerate, I Am A Divergence"), nine years ago and finally released their "difficult second album" earlier this year. The extended time it took to produce Vettlingatök (also translated as "Handle with kid gloves") allowed them also to extend their songs a bit, expanding on their post-punk sound. That's not to say they've lost their aggressive punk attacks or tendency for wild live shows.

You'll be able to watch all their body-painted, diaper-wearing, horse-headed craziness as Æla performs live at Kex Hostel during Iceland Airwaves. KEXP is streaming live video of this and other sessions today and tomorrow. Find out more at kexp.org. And find out more about Æla on their Facbook page here and watch the official video for today's featured song":