I could have a whole sub-category of this series called "why didn't I listen to this band in high school?" If I did, this record by the Hard-Ons (Or is it just "Hard-Ons"? a quick survey of Internet usage is inconclusive.) would most certainly be part of it. Loud, fast, guitar-driven songs ping-pon…
Mavis Staples releases another teaser off of her February 19th album, Livin' on a High Note, the Nick Cave written "Jesus Lay Down Beside Me" which is available below. The album, produced by M. Ward, features songs written by a variety of artists specifically for the 76-year-old R&B titan-esse,…
We've got more new music from Portland punkster trio The Thermals: check out the single "My Heart Went Cold" below. The track will appear on the band's seventh full-length We Disappear, produced by former Death Cab for Cutie member Chris Walla. We Disappear hits stores on March 25th via Saddle Cre…
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, …
The Decemberists waste no time. Earlier this year they released the LP What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World and now they're back at it. Today they've announced plans to release a 5-track EP of songs that didn't make the album, called Florasongs, on October 9. Listen to the album's opening…
Kurt Vile has dished out a few more details about his upcoming album, b'lieve i'm going down. Vile has described the album as "ethereal, Appalachian-influenced folk songs" with a "night vibe." The 12-track compilation is expected to drop on September 25. Check out the video for the lead single "Pr…
When Houndmouth hears the call, it's not from way up the north but from southern shores, namely the Pacific and Gulf coasts. The Louisville-area pack (technically New Albany, Indiana) mingle breezy SoCal harmonies, gritty roots rock, anthemic sing-alongs and swampland stomp to make their defiant, f…
Yo La Tengo will release their latest album Stuff Like That There on August 28. The album will include covers of the Cure, Hank Williams, and others, as well as some reworkings of Yo La Tengo's own music. Today you can hear their cover of Special Pillow's "Automatic Doom" and an updated version of…
White Men Are Black Men Too - Young Fathers' inclusiveness extends beyond the title of their latest LP. The adventurous followup to their Mercury Prize winning debut expands upon their already unconventional hip-hop-infused art pop toward an even wider spanning blend of gospel, soul, psych, prog an…
If you were listening to the Morning Show with John Richards on Monday, you heard the world premiere of the latest single from Seattle band Motopony. "Daylights Gone" is the first glimpse from their upcoming sophomore LP, Welcome You, due June 23rd on Fast Plastic / eOne Music, and it's glimmering …
Sean Ragon's cult has grown. The neo-folk frontman is back, this time backed with a full-time band in Cult of Youth to exorcise his experimental, dark, demonically heartfelt songs. With the perfect mix of chemistry between the members, the group offers a carefully orchestrated and tense collection …
Best Coast will drop their new album California Nights on May 5. They've shared the lyric video for album track "Heaven Sent." This spring the band heads out on a North American tour, which will bring them to The Showbox on June 4. [CoS]
Karen O has released her new live album, Live From Crush Palace, a week early exclusively on Spotify. The album features live recording from her Crush album as well as a live version of the Oscar nominated "Moon Song." Check out the playlist below. [Pitchfork]
The fabulous Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings share a new track today, in celebration of their first ever Grammy Award nomination. Stream "Little Boys with Shiny Toys" below, a song that shimmers with soul and reverberates with a fantastic horn section. Tune in to the Grammys on February 8th to see …
Mark Lanegan shares a gorgeous new video for the track "Floors Of The Ocean" from his most-recent release, Phantom Radio. The abstract clip features ominous-looking storm clouds, as menacing and alluring as Lanegan's voice itself. You can watch him perform more songs from the album in this KEXP in…
No, we haven't time-warped to twenty years ago: on this holiday week, the reissues and anniversary editions dominate the new release list. One of the highlights is the reissue of Flake Music's 1997 debut (and sole release) When You Land Here, It’s Time to Return. Flake Music was an early incarnatio…
For a song that was supposed to be a joke, Alt-J are really running with the track "Left Hand Free." The UK trio have made yet another video for the single, this time portraying a debaucherous lifestyle, with quite the twist ending. Check it out below, and watch them perform the track LIVE in the …
Toronto-based trio The Rural Alberta Advantage burst onto the scene back in 2006, racking up countless awards and accolades with each release: two Juno Award Nominations (Best New Group, Video of the Year), a long list nomination for the Polaris Music Prize, and rave reviews across the board. KEXP …
Today, indie rock duo The Raveonettes pulled a Beyonce and surprise released their album Pe'ahi,named after a surfing spot in Maui. The opening track "Endless Sleeper" according to Sune Rose Wagner refers to "a horrific near-drowning experience I had in Hawaii some years ago. It’s about taking ris…
"Hey, baby, it's the 4th of July!" Digging a little deeper into the lyrics for this X song about fading love - promoted via the giant sticker on this copy of See How We Are - perhaps it's not the most appropriate tune to be cranking in honor of our nation's birthday, but that sort of incongruity di…