Each Halloween we indulge ourselves in our worst fears. Maybe it's ghouls and demons or gore and violence. One of the most disturbing settings for horror has less to do with the paranormal – insane asylums. It's a combination of the fright of our own minds can conjure up as well as the fear of bein…
Over the weekend, on the one-year anniversary of Donald Trump's inauguration, the National shared a politically-focused video for "Walk It Back," off of last year's Sleep Well Beast. Directed by Casey Reas, the video featues grainy footage of politicians, with Reas saying: "The video documents the …
This past Tuesday, we aired an exclusive in-studio session with Regina Spektor where she performed a gorgeous live version of the song "Black and White." Today, we've got an official video for the track, spotlighting Spektor performing in Chicago's closed down Uptown Theater as a ballerina dances.…
On the second day of Bumbershoot, Seattle garage-rock duo Pony Time played their final show to a full house in the KEXP Gathering Space on Saturday afternoon. Luke Beetham (vocals/bass) and Stacy Peck (drums) did not disappoint, turning out their usual bass-heavy tracks, highly danceable as evidenc…
More new music from The Shins: stream the very Wilco-esque single "Mildenhall" below (frontman James Mercer is even singer lower than ever before). The band's fifth LP Heartworms will be out March 10th via Aural Apothecary/Columbia. Catch them at this year's Sasquatch! Music Festival, 5/26-5/28 at…
Shelby Earl's voice is a coveted gift. Google her name plus the word "heartbreaking" and you'll get endless results. With her mournful vibrato and aching howls, it's no wonder she's an artist many turn to in their most aching moments. However, that's just one facet of what Earl's capable of. On her…
We've got more new music to share from the forthcoming full-length from Leeds UK trio alt-J. Earlier this month, we got our first taste with "3WW"; below, you can stream the track "In Cold Blood." (Heads up for the epilepsy-prone.) Both will appear on the album Relaxer out June 2nd release via Can…
If the Rolling Stones had started their career in 2014 Chicago, they might have been called Twin Peaks. Having evolved out of their 2010 airy psychedelia origins, the youngsters have released Wild Onion (2014) and Down in Heaven (2016) that demonstrate textures reminiscent of the early 70s era of w…
Seattle-based DJ and producer Waylon Dungan (a.k.a. WD4D) has been a staple on the local DJ scene for well over a decade now. Consistently bringing his top-notch song selection, fresh mixing skills, and positive energy to each and every party and mixtape, WD4D also brings his lively, progressive st…
Dream-pop chanteuse Tamaryn shares a video as sweet as the song title for "Sugarfix," a standout from last year's full-length Cranekiss. The self-directed clip captures the atmospheric sound from the New Zealand-born, NYC-based artist. Watch below, and check out the exclusive mix she did for KEXP'…
As Country/Western icon Merle Haggard turned 79 years old today, he also sadly passed away this morning at home near Redding, CA. Haggard's manager confirms the Grammy Award-winning artist had been battling double pneumonia, and had spent 11 days at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage ea…
OMG, it's new M.I.A! The eccentric artist shares two tracks on her Soundcloud: the single "MIA OLA," which was originally composed for the Fall 2016 Stella McCartney fashion show, and "Foreign Friend," a banger on issues of immigration. "MIA OLA" features a sample from "Circle of Life" from The Li…
For the past 15 years, Dungen has been creating a unique blend of expansive psychedelic jazz prog rock that has made them an important and influential band not only in their native Sweden but around the world. With their latest album, Allas Sak, frontman Gustav Ejstes took a more concerted effort t…
The Acid are an international trio comprised of British DJ/producer Adam Freeland, California producer/composer Steve Nalepa and LA-based Australian vocalist Ry X. The haunting style of eclectic post-dubstep electro-pop found on their 2014 debut album, Liminal, quickly became a KEXP favorite and le…
Chromatics have shared "Shadow," their contribution to the Adult Swim Singles series (it's available for free here). The song will also be featured on their upcoming album, Dear Tommy. In a statement, Johnny Jewel described the album as "the most rebellious record I've made." Although the LP does…
Scottish trio CHVRCHES share a track from their highly-anticipated sophomore release Every Open Eye. Stream the opening cut from the album below. Every Open Eye hits stores on September 25th via Glassnote, and the band are playing an all-ages show Wednesday, October 14th at The Paramount. [Spin]
Recently, KEXP returned to the grotto-esque space of Robert Lang Studios for another intimate session with one of our favorite bands. This time, veteran Tucson band Calexico performed an exclusive set for KEXP donors, featuring songs from their terrific new release, Edge of the Sun, plus an older f…
With a healthy dose of cool Britannia, Oxford’s Swervedriver take the KEXP audience on a melodic joyride through a collection of new spins from their long awaited comeback release, I Wasn't Born To Lose You. Enhancing their legacy seventeen years after their last LP, Sweredriver are still the multi…
Portland composer and vocalist Natasha Kmeto dropped by and dropped jaws with her magnificent multitasking performance for KEXP's Audioasis. Surreal and vocally symphonic, Kmeto's songs stretch the boundaries of both contemporary pop, IDM and EDM with percussively intriguing compositions that slide…
Bay Area bad-ass Ty Segall appeared on Conan last night to perform "Feel" from his upcoming release, Manipulator, out August 26th on Drag City. Check out his performance below, and check out KEXP's exclusive debut of the track "Susie Thumb" on the KEXP Blog. [Under the Radar]
