Well, folks, we're just under one week away from Christmas! Did that information scare you? Have you sort of, kind of, put off your holiday shopping till last minute? Don't worry about a thing, KEXP is here to help with a list of items for your music-loving friend or family member. Below, we a present a list of unique items that fit a wide range of musical interests and personal needs. You might even find something to buy for yourself!
Beastie Boys Book - $30.56 on Amazon
If you only read one music memoir this year, Beastie Boys Book is the one to go for. The nearly 600-page book, which arrived in October, covers the “transition from teenage punks to budding rappers; their early collaboration with Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin; the almost impossible-to-fathom overnight success of their debut studio album Licensed to Ill; that album’s messy fallout; their break with Def Jam, move to Los Angeles, and rebirth as musicians and social activists, with the genre-defying masterpiece Paul’s Boutique.” In 2015, KEXP spent an entire day breaking down Paul’s Boutique with exclusive interviews, bonus tracks, and insights from the album’s co-producers John King and Mike Simpson while playing every song that the band sampled on the album. Revisit that here. Purchase Beastie Boys Book here.
Death Cab For Cutie Autumn Scarf - $35
2018 was a big year for beloved indie mainstays Death Cab for Cutie. Full of anniversaries plus a new album, KEXP was there for them every step of the way. In May, we examined their sixth studio album Narrow Stairs on its 10th anniversary. In July, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of DCFC’s debut KCMU Live Room session by looking back at key moments in both the band and label’s history. Soon after, Dusty Henry reminisced on the band’s debut album Something About Airplanes for its 20th anniversary. Finally, in August, Ben Gibbard & co. released their ninth record Thank You For Today. In honor of such a massive year, why not give your Autumn Love a cozy autumn-themed scarf?
7-Inches for Planned Parenthood Box Set - $100
If you’re looking to do some good while also giving your loved one an awesome gift, consider purchasing the 7-Inches for Planned Parenthood Vol. 1 boxset. Released last year, the compilation features contributions from Mitski, St. Vincent, Bon Iver, Sharon Van Etten, Laurie Anderson, Helado Negro, Sleater-Kinney and more. Vol. 2 was recently announced with the release of the collaborative single “All I Want” by The National’s Matt Berninger, film composer Stephan Altman, and Julien Baker.
Mitski Free the Cowboy Combination Lock - $10
Speaking of Mitski, this year she released her fifth studio album Be The Cowboy. The record is really great and so is her merch! Playing on the record's title, Mitski has released a “Free the Cowboy Combination Lock,” a “Feed the Cowboy Silo Soup Spoon,” and a “Dream the Cowboy Pillowcase.” Unfortunately, the latter two are currently sold out but if you’ve got valuables to lock up then Mitski’s got you covered. Read KEXP’s review of Be the Cowboy here.
Sasquatch! Miir Stainless Steel Tallboy - $12
One of the most heartbreaking news this year came from Adam Zacks, who announced over the summer that Sasquatch! Music Festival would not be returning in 2019. The festival had been running since 2002, growing from a single-day festival to a weekend-long event at the Gorge Amphitheatre. Because of that, there’s no better time to finally invest in the Sasquatch merch you meant to buy while at the fest but didn’t want to carry around with you. Their store boasts a vast variety of items but if you’re looking for something outside the box, why not get this stainless steel tallboy? You know, for the person who has everything. Revisit Sasquatch!’s final year here.
Wimps Skating Weenie Plushie - $20
Another item for that elusive Person Who Has Everything. I truly don’t know what one would do with this or why exactly it exists but it’s something the world needs to know about. What is “it” you’re likely asking yourself? Why, it’s a limited edition felt plushie of Wimps' iconic skateboarding hotdog logo designed and sewed by Melisande Osnes and David Castillo, of course! For $20 you can be the proud owner of a plush wiener dog riding a skateboard plus receive a download of the local band’s 2018 release Garbage People. Mull over how many plushies you're going to need to buy while reading an interview with Rachel Ratner of Wimps here.
Sub Pop SPF30 Singles Catalog Bundle - $25
For nearly half of 2018, KEXP made the lofty goal of playing every single release from the Sub Pop catalog leading up to Sub Pop’s massive 30th-anniversary party. Taking place on Aug. 11, 2018, SPF30 featured appearances by Mudhoney, Shabazz Palaces, Wolf Parade, Kyle Craft, Moaning, Beach House, Father John Misty and many more. More than 50,000 people were expected to show up and while there wasn’t a way to tally exactly how many people attended the free event, it definitely *felt* like 50,000 people were there. Collect a piece of history with the SPF30 Singles Catalog Bundle which features four commemorative 7” singles from METZ, Shabazz Palaces, Mudhoney, and Frankie Cosmos. Read KEXP’s interview with Sub Pop CEO Megan Jasper here.
Since you’re now already in the Sub Pop Mega Mart, we might as well talk about how gosh darn cute this Washington state onesie is! Do you want your kid to be a LOSER? Then buy them this! They’ll look so cute while rocking out to Caspar Babypants (who we interviewed at the beginning of the year).
Fleet Foxes Catalog Bundle - $27-73
Last month, Fleet Foxes released First Collection 2006-2009, a box set featuring the band's 2008 self-titled debut, the Sun Giant EP, their first demo EP under the moniker The Fleet Foxes and a slew of b-sides and rarities. For this bundle, you’ll receive a copy of First Collection 2006-2009 on your choice of audio format bundled with the second Fleet Foxes album, Helplessness Blues, at a discounted price. KEXP's Martin Douglas and I revisited the Seattle band’s early work and their impact in this Double Take piece.
Geneviève Castrée’s Published Works
This year, Phil Elverum released the Mount Eerie record Now Only, the companion album to last year’s A Crow Looked At Me. Both records, while sonically different, share the same remarkably painful subject matter of the death of Elverum’s wife Geneviève Castrée in 2016 from cancer. For many of us, this was our first introduction to the illustrator and musician Geneviève Castrée. It’s high time we all delved into her own personal creative works to understand her as an artist rather than as Phil Elverum's deceased wife. Elverum has thoughtfully gathered her currently published books and music on his website to explore and purchase. Read Martin Douglas’ compassionate piece on Now Only here.
Bon Iver & TU Dance Sweatshirt Hoodie - $25
A couple weeks ago, Bon Iver stopped by the Paramount to play a very special show called “Come Through” with Minneapolis dance company TU Dance. Dusty and I went together and had a lot of thoughts about it, which we attempted to unpack here. One of the many interesting moments was when a picture of a hoodie was projected on the wall behind the band. I believe it to be a reference to Trayvon Martin but it’s possible I’m wrong. On this shirt – one of the handful of items from “Come Through” available for sale – is this shirt with a picture of the hoodie and a blue bar. It's heavy subject matter but these are heavy times and "Come Through" tackled the topic beautifully. Their other merch addresses capitalism via their "No Money" sweatshirt and tees.
Mike D and Ad-Rock tell stories about growing up in New York, learning guitar from Laurie Anderson’s sister, and going on tour with Madonna.
Last night, Death Cab for Cutie surprised the audience during their show at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre by playing Transatlanticism in its entirety.
Mitski shares the third single from her upcoming album Be The Cowboy
