In our series From First to Last, artists with deep discographies discuss the varying differences between making their first record and their most recent record. For our latest, KEXP's Jasmine Albertson chats with Kyle Thomas aka King Tuff about his 2008 70's-inspired power-pop rock debut Was Dead …
Even on its way out, 2016 continues to take from us the things we love. Yesterday, we lost George Michael. The 53-year old pop singer reportedly "passed away peacefully at home" and "in bed", in Oxfordshire, England, leaving behind a catalog of songs that inspired as much movement on the dance floo…
This week, we continue sharing our discoveries from the Trans Musicales festival in Rennes, France, where last December we captured twelve exclusive sessions. We’re sharing with you one unique session each Friday, and you can watch all the previously released ones here. This week, we present a stri…
Happy 75th birthday, Bob Dylan! In honor of this momentous occasion, Animal Collective have decided to pay tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter. The experimental pop outfit shared their remix of Dylan's 1963 song "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright." On paper, this combination doesn't make any …
Fifty fans christened KEXP's live room during an exclusive tear-soaked performance with José González, all to benefit KEXP's New Home. The Swedish singer-songwriter, whose history with KEXP dates back over a decade, broke listeners' hearts for a full set of gorgeous, heartbreaking bliss, while shar…
Bob Mould occupies an important role in the history of American rock, having been behind seminal groups like Hüsker Dü and Sugar and then pursuing a lengthy and varied solo career. So his appearance at our Grand Opening was particularly exciting for rock veterans and the grunge sector. He eschewed …
Singer-songwriter Matthew E. White teamed up with childhood friend Natalie Prass on his new song "Cool Out." This isn't the first time the two have worked together, White produced Prass' self-titled debut album last year. "Cool Out" is a laid back jam that finds perfect balance between the difficu…
Second on the KEXP Broadcast live from Kex Hostel at Iceland Airwaves Music Festival was Icelandic folk-rock band Markús and the Diversion Sessions. Frontman Markús Bjarnason formed the band in 2011 after the breakup of his previous band, Skátar, for which he was the singer and keyboardist. A huge …
Today, Thursday, September 17th, KEXP celebrates Six Degrees of Greg Dulli Day, where our DJs will demonstrate their "on-the-fly" programming skills all kicked off by a song by the charismatic frontman of The Afghan Whigs, The Twilight Singers, and The Gutter Twins. Wanna watch DJs John Richards, …
There's something about Tomo Nakayama's voice that feels like an old friend. The Seattle singer-songwriter doesn't just sound great, that's undeniable, but the way he softly sings is comforting — especially paired with his wistful, floating finger-picking. In the music video for "Fourth of Julivar'…
Scott Weiland, the frontman for Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, died yesterday while on tour with his new band, The Wildabouts. The dynamic singer had a much publicized tumultuous life, but as VR bandmate Duff McKagan posted on the band’s Instagram, “It’s just so sad and brutal from any p…
NYC's Jon Spencer is a veteran of the alternative music world, best-known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, in addition to playing a key role in Pussy Galore and Boss Hog. Hot on the heels of his killer new album, Freedom Tower: No Wave Dance Party, Spence…
This week's post is actually, completely by coincidence, somewhat timely! I had somehow missed the news that the English punk/post-punk heroes Wire had just released a new album called Wire (because once you've been a band for almost forty years, why not go the self-titled route at long last?). The…
Luminescent UK singer/songwriter Laura Marling shares a video today for the track "Gurdjieff’s Daughter" off her stunning new release, Short Movie. The clip was shot in Marling's East Los Angeles home, and features cameos from Vampire Weekend guitarist Rostam Batmanglij and musician Jonathan Wilso…
My favorite song of the year is “Color Decay” by Icelandic singer-songwriter Júníus Meyvant. I wasn’t blown away by the song the first time I heard it, but it’s not that type of song. It’s deceptively subtle, with a quality that pulled me in, haunted me, and made me want to listen to it again, and …
Happy Halloween, everyone! In the spirit of scaring, Arcade Fire has shared a 20-minute horror film called Festi, which takes place during their 2011 tour. As they celebrate lead singer Win Butler's birthday, the band deals with the frightening curse of the infamous 27 Club. An entire slew of cele…
Influential artist Phil Everly, who formed The Everly Brothers with his sibling Don, passed away last Friday, at the age of 74. Everly's son Jason cites the cause of death as complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Since forming in the 1950s, The Everly Brothers racked up an unprec…
Hearing his voice, you'd hardly believe that Jake Bugg was born in 1994. His song “Trouble Town” speaks to a world of experience, and the British singer isn’t yet 20 years old. “In this trouble town, troubles I’ve found. In this trouble town, word soon gets ‘round,” he sings. He may be young, but t…
With 9 LPs under his belt as part of the group Matt Pond PA, Matt Pond has dropped the "PA" to undertake a solo career. This East Coast born-and-raised singer/songwriter began playing music during college and eventually scored gigs opening for bands like Bikini Kill and Superchunk. While his debut …
Cheryl Waters shares the promise of the new year by starting off 2016 with a mix of great new music 1. Elephant Stone - The Devil's Shelter (feat. Alex Maas) 2. Wray - Hypatia 3. Hibou - When the Season Ends 4. Martin Courtney - Northern Highway 5. Wild Nothing - TV Queen 6. The Cave Singers - Tha…
