With a voice nurtured by her Tennessee church roots, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Valerie June skillfully combines gospel, folk, bluegrass, and a bevy of other genres in her music. Known for her distinct voice, June was determined to succeed as a solo artist and taught herself to play gu…
History seems to have mostly forgotten the London band Birdhouse - or The Birdhouse, depending on whom you consult - with references to their work turning up at baseline music information sites such as Allmusic and Discogs, but not much analysis or information beyond that. The only way I even found…
Congratulations to James Blake for winning the 2013 Mercury Prize award yesterday. As previously reported on the KEXP Blog, he had some stiff competition against Arctic Monkeys, Savages, David Bowie, Disclosure, Laura Marling, Foals, among others. Watch video from his Spring 2013 KEXP session here…
It's winter in Seattle and although the sun is scarce, the music continues to shine at KEXP. Midday Show host Cheryl Waters brings you a new mix with some early 2015 tracks along with a handful of faves from last year. Dig in and enjoy! 1. Low Roar - Easy Way Out 2. Wye Oak - The Tower 3. Dam Gi…
Today's Song of the Day, as chosen by Sharlese, host of Mechanical Breakdown on KEXP, is "Crimes Against The People" by Code Industry, from the 2023 self-released album Structure.
Droning feedback. Static. The mechanical thrust of distorted, blown out drums. These are the first few sounds you hear on CHARMS’ debut album, Human Error, out June 16 on Killroom Records (which you can stream below). Even before the song descends into a flurry of manic, sharp riffs and guttural sy…
I know, I know, didn't I just post an R.E.M. album a month or so ago? I guess I kinda did. But I have my reasons! First of all, Fables of the Reconstruction was released 30 years ago next week (and checked into KCMU 30 years ago tomorrow, as you can tell by the sticker on the bottom). Happy birthda…
Surfer Blood guitarist Thomas Fekete has reached out to the public for funding for his battle against cancer. Fekete underwent surgery a few months ago to have a large tumor from his abdomen, but unfortunately, this rare and aggressive form of cancer has since spread to his lungs and spine. Since …
Hot on the heels of their 24-hour sigurrosrouteone feed, Sigur Rós share a video for the song "Óveður." Directed by Swedish-based auteur Jonas Åkerlund, the clip features work from Icelandic choreographer Erna Ómarsdóttir against the beautiful landscape of Grindavík, a town on the Reykjanes penins…
It's gray and slightly rainy in Reykjavik, but eager music lovers from all over the world are bundled up against the bluster and fortifying themselves with Iceland's good, strong coffee (or maybe skipping straight to the schnapps). Official Iceland Airwaves concerts don't start until 7:00 tonight, …
Punk shows are always more visceral when you’re hurting. You’re feeling a mix of emotions, and despite how cheesy it sounds (no pun intended), sometimes the best way to let them out is to thrash around in a mosh pit and sing your heart out. Saturday night, during The Coathangers’ headlining set at …
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. As 99% of Seattle knows, whether they like it or not, the Seattle Seahawks are defending Super Bowl Champs and 2015 NFC …
All year long, Seattle's own Macklemore has been on the campaign path against the opioid crisis in America, even teaming up with President Obama for a White House Address (see here). Today, he shares a video for the track "Drug Dealer," a homebred single featuring guest vocals from Ariana DeBoo an…
Set against the illuminated backdrop of the many pallets of Chrome Satan at the Hilliard's Beer Taproom, The Faint, during their performance, looked like dance-punk dictators, rulers of some Mad Max dystopia in which beer's more valuable than gold. In case you missed it, or in case you just wanted …
There are some shows where a three or four paragraph description just doesn't cut it, and if you know anything about Oxford indie rock band Foals, then you know this is one of those shows. That being said, I'm not even going to try - the pictures (and my ringing ears) speak for themselves. June 1st…
Alt-J have shared an incredibly cinematic video for "Pleader," off their latest album Relaxer, released back in June. Directed by Isaiah Seret, the exact plot is difficult to derive but according to the band: "When we set out to make a video for 'Pleader,' Joe sent the following one-line brief to d…
Bamboo is known for its uncanny ability to spring up from the ground, growing tall against all odds while covering everything in its path. With each sprout though, the stalks' compositions change, and an altogether different group of shoots emerge. Like the plants themselves, The Bamboos, a resilie…
As major labels continue to exist behind the times, artists and labels with little capital and lesser reputations are producing some of the most innovative, interesting, and inspiring music. Whether it’s creating a new niche in digital technology or looking to once obsolete formats, Agitated Atmosp…
