Another week, another band the Internet knows almost nothing about. If the KCMU DJs circa 1987 are to be believed, Leatherface Gets Religion is not the first release by this mysterious band. Discogs seems to back that up, reporting that most of these tracks come from a pair of 12"s, 1984's 'Gator B…
Hardly anyone on the Seattle electronic scene does intimacy quite like NAVVI does. In the two and a half years since they started asking about our weekend plans, the duo of Brad Boettger and Kristin Henry has worked slowly and steadily on perfecting the tug of war that makes their vision of relatio…
I learn so much writing these blog posts! For instance, did you know that Michael Penn (whom you probably first heard about for his delightfully earwormy 1989 hit "No Myth," but has since done many serious and critically acclaimed things - not that there's anything unserious about "No Myth," that's…
It is nothing short of bewildering that it took Belle and Sebastian almost twenty years before they named an album with a title as on-the-nose as Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance. As a songwriter, band leader Stuart Murdoch is famously as self aware as he is garrulous, and despite being fascinated …
It's about as difficult to claim a favorite Nick Cave album as it is to claim a Tom Waits one. That the two artists get compared so frequently by critics and fans isn't due so much to their similar penchant for the seedier aspects of life but rather to their shared mastery of the album's form. Each…
2016 is off to a slow start for music, so we've combined the past two weeks of new releases. One undeniable highlight is the final album from the late, legendary David Bowie, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it his first No. 1 album ever. KEXP Music Director Don Yates notes…
August is here, and you know what that means - KEXP & Seattle Center are teaming up again for the 8th annual Concerts at the Mural series! Join us on the Mural Amphitheatre lawn for four Friday evenings this August and enjoy this year's eclectic blend of concerts, which are sure to start your w…
It's not so bright Underneath the Rainbow — at least not the way Black Lips tell it — but their seventh LP still has its share of sonic gold. The Atlanta garage-punks continue to sharpen their songwriting with a bluesier take on their sound while losing none of their attitude or swagger. During a r…
Timber! Outdoor Music Festival, happening July 26 and 27 in Carnation, WA, is a mini-festival out in the wilderness, off the beaten path, and tickets are selling out fast. There are so many draws to this event--bands, camping, hiking, mountain biking, stargazing with a UW astrophysics professor, op…
Wasn't I just talking about my childhood love of The Charlatans UK? Indeed I was. So it seemed like a fine time to take a moment to check out the debut album from these lovable Mancunians - who, it must be said, are still going strong, having released their 11th studio album in 2010 and rumored to …
For her final mix of 2016, Cheryl Waters dives into a colorful spectrum of hip-hop, rock, and roots music from the Pacific Northwest and beyond, featuring new tracks from Pond, SISTERS, and Springtime Carnivore. 1. Hiss Golden Messenger – Biloxi2. DRAEMHOUSE – Hard Times For Good Days3. Headwaves …
Wo' Pop host Darek Mazzone presents new Polish music to make you fat and happy, inspired by the OFF Festival in Katowice, Poland, and featuring nu-folk, electro-acoustic improvisation, cranking garage and gritty urban hip hop, and so much more! 1. Sutari - Kupalnocka 2. Galus - Theearth 3. Kr…
They're wearing clothes and are normally sized (at least in this session), but make no mistake - Naked Giants rip and roar as powerfully as they would even if they were the unclothed titans their name implies. The Seattle trio enter the KEXP studio, plug in, and charge ahead so hard that two …
DJ Greg Vandy brings you a mix of a summer electricity featuring music from Cut Worms, Revel In Dimes, Nude Party, Natural Child, Calpurnia, Texas Gentlemen, Wooden Shjips, and a tribute to Richard Swift and his indie-gold productions. Press Play and rock. Then roll.
The second installment of our “Day Job” series explores how a musician’s encounters while bartending end up being inspirations for songs. Electronic DJ and producer Octo Octa explains how nature inspires her music and discusses her gender transition. Jeff Tweedy talks about Wilco’s new album. Kurt…
It’s time again for Friday on My Mind. Our weekly blog post where we look at videos centered around one common theme. This is a collaborative effort between KEXP and King 5 News. Hey, everybody! The weekend is here and we need to get out in the sun while the sun is still out for gettin’. This week …
For this installment of Immigrant Songs, I was blessed to have Los Angeles group Chicano Batman live in the KEXP studios. They’ve been getting a lot of attention around the country lately, both by doing some killer opening slots during tours with Jack White and Alabama Shakes and by being on the bi…
Although there was plenty of star power on the final day of Sasquatch, there was a clear standout during the early afternoon on Monday, and it wasn't just because brought a Godzilla figurine onstage with her. When an assured Natalie Prass opened with an electric version of "Bird Of Prey", it was cl…
For quite a while now, I’ve been booking the KEXP Community Partnership Benefit Shows, but not once has one of the benefits fallen on my birthday. Well, this year I’m lucky enough to have this dream come true. So this Saturday, July 5th, I’m inviting you to come out and celebrate 36 years of my exi…