As the business model for the 21st music industry continues to shift and evolve, more and more artists are forming small, independent collectives, compiling funds between the group to make distribution easier to take on financially, but keeping ownership and obligations independent. One of the best…
This summer, Oscilloscope Laboratories will release The Past Is a Grotesque Animal, a documentary about rock band Of Montreal and the creative antics of frontman Kevin Barnes. Check out the film's trailer below, there's even a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance of Janelle Monáe. Unfortunately the…
Seattle literary and arts magazine, The Monarch Review, is hosting a benefit show for the victims of the Oso mudslide. The event, May 12th at the Tractor Tavern, will feature Mary Lambert, La Luz and Star Anna. All the money raised will go to the Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation.
It's a strong week for new albums, including the long-awaited solo debut from Blur frontman (and Gorillaz leader) Damon Albarn. KEXP Music Director Don Yates describes the release as "a mostly dark, brooding set of eclectic, beat-driven pop with a stripped-down, dub-influenced sound combining haunt…
Earlier this month, we shared the initial line-up for the 2014 Capitol Hill Block Party, and today we bring you the whole darn thing, as announced by festival owner Jason Lajeunesse on The Morning Show on KEXP.
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. Today’s song, selected by DJ Shannon …
From the downstroke of the show opener "Bullet" from their new record Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, Franz Ferdinand had Showbox Sodo off its feet. "Bullet" is an easy highlight off the band's fourth LP, with its furious bass line and scream-along chorus concert ready at impact, and the…
Northwest troubadour Colin Meloy shared a new song with our neighbors to the north late last week. Titled "Carolina Low," the song was apparently written the same day it was performed on the air. Stream the track via CBC's Q with Jian Ghomeshi at Pitchfork. [Pitchfork]

In 2018, KEXP celebrated the 30th anniversary of local record label Sub Pop with a four-month retrospective, "counting up" every catalog number in their vast discography of over 1,200 releases. Dig into the archives of our catalog coverage, featuring in-depth coverage on the history of their releases.