Troy Nelson delves into Tricky’s musical and personal evolution over the past 25 years on this episode of Live on KEXP before the British icon delves into a stirring four-song set featuring Polish singer Marta.
For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson fills us in on the producer, engineer, singer, effects pedal builder, and composer Miss Grit before she plays a hazy set fueled by distorted guitars, programmed drums, and angelic vocals.
Best-known as a multi-instrumentalist and co-lead singer in Durand Jones & The Indications, Aaron Frazer broke out on his own earlier this year with his debut solo album, Introducing…
In the seven years since Michael Angelakos shared the gooey valentine EP that was Chunk of Change, a lot has changed. Three albums later and the cute story backed by intriguing music has turned Passion Pit into the household name. Angelakos went from his bedroom to the frontman of a project that is…
Aside from the table topped with laptops, controllers, and a mixer, there was only one thing adorning the Sunset stage on Monday night, and that was a giant blow-up swan pool float (you can cop your own for a cool $25 over at Amazon). As experimental pop singer Kitty burned through her forty minute…
After arriving on the main stage at Sasquatch! Music Festival in a Value Village-via-80s workout tapes-via acid getup and leading his band through a dramatically reworked "Seven Swans", Sufjan Stevens laid down the mission statement for his subheadlining set: "God is in the house." He paused, then …
4AD has been on a roll this year with unique new signees that are bringing the atmospheric R&B game to the next level. I guess this isn't terribly surprising, considering 4AD has been on the forefront for, I don't know, 35 years. But between last month's sleeper hit Lo-Fang set and last week's …
In his interview with Stereogum, Kip Berman historically described The Pains of Being Pure At Heart as a project about writing songs and playing them with friends. Now, almost five years since the band’s divine eponymous debut, with a new backing lineup that helped record the new LP out in a week a…
XL Records is entering a very fun new chapter - chapter six to be exact. Last fall (and this spring with the physical edition), the label released Chapter VI, the first entry in their ongoing electronic compilation series since Chapter V back in 1995. The label has seen a ridiculous amount of growt…
Portland singer Charlie Hilton and her band Blouse have consistently found themselves in KEXP's watch list for rising talent. Blouse played Iceland Airwaves back in 2012 behind their first record, then toured extensively behind Imperium, their second, including a great stint with Dum Dum Girls. Thi…
Whatever your personal opinion of her may be, there is one fact that is truly undeniable: Lana Del Rey is in a league of her own. If you don't believe me, read her fantastically revealing cover piece with Fader. If you don't feel like it, listen to her albums, watch her videos, read other interview…
KEXP's Owen Murphy catches up with Postcards' lead singer and co-songwriter Julia Sabra to discuss what happened that day.
Thursday night before 4th of July at Neumos, you could tell who watched the show from the safety of the balcony from those on the floor strictly based on the quantity of sweat dripping from their clothes upon leaving the premises. I can't speak much for the casual observers above, but between the h…
KEXP talks to New York Times writer Reggie Ugwu about Jackie Shane, a Black transgender soul singer who gained prominence in the 1960s with her captivating stage presence and voice.
Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard talks about his new side project, Painted Shield, a collaboration including singer/songwriter Mason Jennings.
Like me, you may be nervous about the prospect of a new Crystal Castles album after the departure of Alice Glass in October of 2014. Alice’s departure came with an excellent statement: “My art and my self-expression in any form has always been an attempt towards sincerity, honesty, and empathy for …
It's been an interesting couple years for Henry Laufer, a.k.a. Shlohmo. Just about this time last year, we were all waiting on pins and needles for a collaborative EP to drop between Shlohmo and R&B singer Jeremih, spinning the new single "No More" to death and begging for a set in stone releas…
Inspired by Sufi poetry, their obsessions with writing, and limitation, Benjamin Verdoes and Nathan Quiroga, the creative masters behind Iska Dhaaf (a Somali phrase which roughly translates to "let it go"), have been collaborating for the past couple of years with impressive results. At first glanc…
