Eastern Echoes, a new sonic destination to celebrate Asian artists who are shaping the future while honoring the roots that ground them - Thursdays 7-10 PM Pacific. Hosted by Diana Ratsamee, Eastern Echoes is a three hour weekly journey through the vast realm of music from Asia and the Asian diaspo…
Another year, and another amazing analysis by KEXP volunteer and Tableau product manager Jewel Loree! Below, you can explore and discover the artists, albums, and songs that mattered most to KEXP DJs in 2016 with this interactive data visualization. Sadly, in a year of so much loss, it's no surpris…
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…
Recent losses getting you down? The weather seeming too bleak? Then come down to the Tractor Tavern this Wednesday for My bubba. The Nordic duo might not cure all your ills, but their infectious "sensual folk" is sure to offer at least one night of bliss. Their last (and first!) show in Seattle thi…
Record Store Day is monumental in Seattle in a way that isn't seen in the rest of the country: we crawl out of whatever grunge holes we live in and slither over to the nearest record stores and start feeding on vinyl, eating 45s, and rubbing the sleeves all over our bodies, happily rolling around i…
Over the weekend, The Posies announced that bass player Joe Skyward, aka Joe Bass, sadly passed away. In 2014, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer that, according to the L.A. Weekly, had metastasized and spread to his skeletal and lymphatic systems. Though Skyward left Seattle for the clear Cali…
Ever since their Iceland Airwaves KEXP session, we've been excited for more new music from Operators (featuring Dan Boeckner of Wolf Parade, Divine Fits, and Handsome Furs), and today they share the single for "Cold Light," which you can stream below. It's a sneak peek at their forthcoming sophomo…
Earlier this year, KEXP premiered the title track from David Bowie's 25th studio album ★ (pronounced "Blackstar"). Today, we've got another single to share, "Lazarus," which appears in Bowie’s off-Broadway play of the same name. (Tune in tonight to The Late Show With Stephen Colbert as the cast pe…
In a move we can only hope was inspired by KEXP's Six Degrees Day, Afghan Whigs frontman Greg Dulli has covered a song by Sharon Van Etten! Stream his version of "A Crime" below, featuring guest vocals from none other than Ani DiFranco, to add another link to the chain. You can download the track …
Donning a red jump suit, Olivia Merilahti, vocalist of The Dø, looked as if she took the spacey ambiance of the KEXP studio to heart and, based on the sonic transformation The Dø's sound undertook in the creation of their third album, it was a fitting sentiment. Leaving acoustic instruments behind,…
There were two generations of Polaris fans at KEXP this day. There were those of us who remember the band from the '90s Nickelodeon TV show The Adventures Of Pete And Pete: the band composed the soundtrack for the now cult-classic series and even appeared on the show's opening credits. And, then th…
Our second act of the day here at Kex Hostel was Sóley, one of our favorites in Iceland. Maybe you caught her unique live loops and beautiful singing at our Reykjavik Calling show at Neumo's back in October. Or perhaps you've watched one of the many times we've recorded sessions with her, either at…
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 …
If, after hearing Juana Molina's surreal yet powerful music, we were to tell you that that the Latin American legend has also voice-acted as Elastagirl for the Argentine dub of The Incredibles, would you believe us? Would you trust us if we told you that she began her career in show business in ord…
Last year, local label Barsuk Records celebrated its 15th anniversary, and to celebrate we invited three of their artists to the KEXP studios: Nada Surf frontman Matthew Caws, Jesse Sykes, and The Long Winters frontman John Roderick. All three of these artists were celebrating the 10th anniversary …
Get ready of an alt-country battle royale when local musicians take on the songs of Uncle Tupelo vs. The Jayhawks on Thursday, January 30th at the Tractor Tavern! Don Slack of KEXP's Swingin' Doors will referee the rockin' ruckus, but really, everyone wins because all proceeds from this event go to…
Longtime KEXP faves The Walkmen have announced they'll be going on "a pretty extreme hiatus" after a "final" December 4th show at Philadelphia's Union Transfer. Bassist/organist Peter Bauer told The Washington Post, "It’s been almost 14 years now. I think that’s enough, you know?” Bauer is current…
KEXP broadcast live from KEX Hostel at Iceland Airwaves is Icelandic artist Pétur Ben. He first came into the spotlight following his collaboration with Icelandic virtuoso Mugisonm and the following year he released his debut record, Wine for My Weakness, and won an Icelandic Music Award for best a…
The penultimate act on our roster for day one of KEXP's Iceland Airwaves broadcast, live from KEX Hostel in Reykjavik is another fantastic Icelandic band, Valdimar. Both of Valdimar’s albums, Undraland (2010) and Um Stund (2012), have seen quite a lot of commercial success in their native Iceland, …
