Sudan Archives is the alias of Cincinnati-bred, LA-based singer, songwriter, violinist, and producer Brittney Denise Parks. Recently releasing her self-titled debut EP this past summer on Stones Throw Records, her mesmerizing blend of Sudanese and West African influences with R&B and electronic…
It should be no surprise that several of the artists topping this week's list of new releases were making appearances at SXSW last week, but two of them were also previewing their new songs live on KEXP during our broadcast from Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop. Billy Bragg and Palma Violets both gave mem…
It's that magical time of year again -- Sufjan Stevens has been releasing and presenting his usual barrage of bizarrely sweet Christmas cheer, and there have been plenty of other excellent holidays-themed releases and performances. For your holiday listening pleasure, we've compiled a list of the b…
From September 15 to October 15, KEXP will center voices from some of our favorite Latinx and Latinx-American artists.
Justin Vernon, James Blake, Thom Yorke, Pat Grossi — all artists whose voices soar happily in the upper register. Add to them James Vincent McMorrow. With his gorgeously produced new LP, Post Tropical, the Irish singer-songwriter left his folky debut in the dust, choosing instead horns, synths, and…
We might as well call Marissa Nadler a "local artist" for her latest release, July, out now on Sacred Bones. Recorded here in Seattle at Avast Studio with producer Randall Dunn (Earth, Sunn O))), the album also features local luminaries Eyvind Kang, Steve Moore, Jay Kardong, and the guitar wizardry…
Why is it that with so many intriguing bands, you hear they formed without the intention of playing out, that they were just collaborative efforts for the members themselves? Perhaps it's because when artists make art for themselves, there is a sense of integrity, of personal experimentation and ex…
2014 is off to a great start for new music! Highlights include the long-awaited sophomore release from LA band Warpaint. KEXP Music Director, Don Yates, declares it a "more subtle and minimalist take on the band’s brooding dream-pop, featuring a dark, atmospheric sound with swirling guitars and key…
On any given weekend in Seattle, there are a million amazing shows to see - from jazz at a coffee shop or theater, to a grunge show at a DIY space, to a major act at any one of our large venues. Maybe this weekend you want to try something new, maybe you heard one song by this small electronic, fol…
Part of Minneapolis' Doomtree collective, Dessa, the 7-member group's only female emcee, may also be their most well rounded. A degree in philosophy, a background in writing, particularly in creative non-fiction and spoken-word, and enough business acumen to run day-to-days of the label itself all …
Closing out another unbelievable night of music at KEX Hostel was English rapper and poet Kate Tempest. A “wayward youth” in her early teens, she was later inspired by an english teacher who got her into poetry, and at age 16 began her career as a poet, playwright, rapper, and spoken word artist. S…
Seattle electronic producer Kayla Waldorf creates immersive, propulsive techno under the Aos moniker. Her debut EP, 90 East, was released on the stellar underground label Blankstairs and formally introduced a blossoming new artist within the electronic community. Also a dedicated and active member …
Today, legendary singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen celebrates his 82nd birthday, and we're the ones who get a present. Check out the title track from his upcoming release, You Want It Darker, out October 21st via Sony. A press release explains, "Cohen created this hypnotic groove with the addition o…
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Mor…
Noga Erez is a Tel Aviv-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer creating smart, catchy, colorful global electro-pop packed with vibrant instrumentation and politically-charged lyrics. Her debut album Off The Radar was released earlier this year on City Slang Records, introducing…
Singer-songwriter Jenny Mae Leffel passed away over the weekend at the age of 49, from "complications due to alcoholism." The Columbus, Ohio-based artist started out in the band Vibralux before branching out for a solo career as "Jenny Mae." She released two albums -- her now tragically-titled 19…
Raica is the alias of Seattle-based artist Chloe Harris, a lifelong passionate music lover, record store employee, and veteran DJ with 20 years of experience behind the decks. She was involved in the early days of Groovetech, one of Seattle's first online radio stations, right at the turn of the mi…
UK artist East India Youth (aka William Doyle) shares a new digital EP today, remixing highlights from his sophomore full-length Culture of Volume, out earlier this year on XL. Blanck Mass and Yosi Horikawa each remix the track "Manner of Words" and Truss Total XTC remixes "Montage Resolution." St…
The thrill is gone. Yesterday, B.B. King passed away at age 89. Born Riley B. King in 1925 in Itta Bena, Mississippi, the legendary guitarist and songwriter became known worldwide for his distinctive voice and nimble finger picking, particularly on his constant companion, the Gibson guitar he named…
