After 10 amazing years at KEXP, DJ El Toro is moving to Tucson, AZ next month. In his final “Music That Matters” podcast, you'll hear some of his favorite new songs, with special emphasis on punk and no wave veterans (Jah Wobble, Alice Bag, James Chance) who continue to innovate and instigate…
Today's Song of the Day, as chosen by DJ Gabriel Teodros, host of Early on KEXP, is "Heart String Special (feat. Liv.e)" by Mejiwahn, from the 2022 album BEANNA on Hot Record Societe.
There's a posthumous Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings video out today, but I can't get through it without tearing up. The song "Please Come Home For Christmas" was recorded last year for the Daptone Records holiday collection, It’s A Holiday Soul Party!, and takes on an even more aching poignancy …
It's another jam-packed week of new releases! Highlights include the latest from London-based artist Adam Bainbridge (aka Kindness). KEXP Music Director Don Yates notes the relase "finds him toning down the disco influences of his promising debut album in favor of an often-gorgeous set of ‘80s R&am…
Anika is the stage name of British-born, frequently Berlin-based singer, songwriter, and political journalist Annika Henderson, a magnetic vocalist and writer that emerged as a solo artist in 2010 with releases on Portishead member Geoff Barrow's Invada Records as well as the highly revered Stones …
Summers in Seattle just keep getting better and better: now beloved local label Light in the Attic Records have announced they're launching a Summer Spectacular series at their new warehouse/storefront in Ballard. Join them on Saturday, July 12th for a very special performance from Donnie & Joe…
Every year, Seattle sends a multitude of great artists down to Austin this week to showcase how our great city continues push the independent music scene forward in our own unique way. Of course, there is no shortage of Seattle bands at SXSW this year. But it was a special treat for us to get to se…
You're not alone if the crummy weather this season makes you wish it were a different time of year. It's what makes sharing today's exclusive video premiere even more special. For "Summer Is Almost Gone", Icelandic singer-songwriter Snorri Helgason ventures to New York City on a hot summer day, wal…
The latest album from Malian songwriter and guitarist Sidi Touré, released in the US by Thrill Jockey, is called Koïma, named for a dune near his home city of Gao. "Koïma" can be translated to mean "go hear", and the dune, which sits at the edge of the Niger River, is said to be a sacred meeting p…
Black Friday is upon us, and nothing makes us happier than the blackest black of a vinyl record! This year's Black Friday is extra special for us, as local label Light In The Attic Records will be opening a store in the KEXP Gathering Space, bringing the exclusive, limited-edition releases right to…
Earlier this month, KEXP returned to the magical space of the Bunny Glade during Pickathon 2014 to capture intimate acoustic sessions in this wooded oasis. Each of the 17 exclusive performances were special, but one of the most endearing moments for sure took place during Valerie June's set when a …
Join us for Hood-to-Hood Day 2014. Today, KEXP invades Ballard to celebrate the ninth-annual Hood-to-Hood Day! From noon to 5:00 PM, we'll be broadcasting live from Hillard's Beer Taproom, featuring three bands for free, all-ages performances among the many fermentation tanks in the brewery. Today'…
There’s no sleep for The Flaming Lips this year. After releasing the uncharacteristically dark (but well received) concept album The Terror in the first half of the year and playing a string of supporting dates (including a headliner spot at this year’s Capitol Hill Block Party), the Lips went back…
With a list of influences that including Dire Straits, Napalm Death, Beat Happening and Ol' Dirty Bastard, it's not an easy task to define the straightforward and honest sound of indie rock four-piece Parquet Courts. Their clean and simple guitars accompanied with in-your-face and incredibly smart …
Guillermo Scott Herren's early releases under his Prefuse 73 alias at the turn of the century proved to be groundbreaking, his fusion of intricate electronic production with high-quality instrumental hip-hop beats yielding a refreshingly innovative and highly influential sound. The current NYC-base…
Imagine a pair of bell-bottoms. A suede vest. A wide collar, strutting leather boots. Similarly, imagine sequins and elongated lashes. Pearls and sly eyes. If you can imagine this, you can begin to sense the spirits that inspired the newest record from Seattle soul and funk group, The True Loves. T…
