Although they've been local stars for some time now, Ravenna Woods just stepped it up a notch. The trio of singer/guitarist Chris Cunningham, drummer Matt Badger, percussionist Brantley Duke, are now joined by keyboardist Sam Miller for their forthcoming release, adding another layer to their alrea…
Jimmy Cliff might be the most prolific artist I've covered in this blog (OK, probably not more prolific than Jandek, but he's superhuman). Last year, forty-five years after his debut, he released the Tim Armstrong-produced Rebirth, which shocked the world by being both a brilliant artistic achievem…
We knew that The Besnard Lakes would be on our list to see while we were in Montreal since first, they are one of our favorite Montreal-based bands, but also because frontman Jace Lasek is one of the three founders of Breakglass Studios. It was really fun to see The Besnard Lakes in their element a…
Funk music isn't just heard, it's experienced. You can have a great time playing a funk article at home on your stereo, but it takes on a whole new life when it's right in front of your face. Seattle future funk-fusion act High Pulp gets this. With a staggering 10 members in the group, they push an…
A catchy melody doesn't just get stuck in your head – it lives there. You sit with it, sometimes for days or even years, ruminating on it whether you want to or not. Writing just one of these songs can be an accomplishment. Portland songwriter Mo Troper does this 15 times over on his latest album, …
The harsh cold air bites at my hands as I walk toward the Tractor Tavern to see Pedro The Lion play their first Seattle show in 11 years. The harshness of freezing breeze turns my thoughts to Pedro The Lion's "The Longest Winter." "In time memories fade, senses numb," the young David Bazan sings on…
Moon King is the project of Daniel Benjamin originally from Toronto, and now spending most of his time in the Detroit area. When Benjamin released his first tape as Moon King in 2011, he caught the attention of fellow Toronto band Fucked Up’s guitarist Mike Haliechuk who released his first two EPs.…
Comedian, writer, actor and director Mike Birbiglia and his also-multi-talented wife Jen Stein – whose cat is named Mazzy Star – curate and discuss some of their favorite songs and recording artists, including Tegan and Sara, Sharon Van Etten, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah featuring Matt Berninger, The…
On the show this time — try saying this band’s name ten times fast. It’s a downright disco revival with… Say She She.
Danielle Ponder talks about leaving her job as a public defender to pursue music full time at 40.
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on The Mid…
Tuesday, April 11th is a very special edition of The Round at the Fremont Abbey Arts Center, curated by Audioasis on KEXP’s DJ Sharlese! The showcase will feature amazing female talent from the Seattle area: musicians QOQO ROBOQS, Haley Heynderickx (PDX), guest poet Imani Sims, and live painter Sie…
It’s Sunday night, July 6, 2014, and I’m front and center at the Paramount Theater waiting for New Order to hit the stage. The lights are dim as techs move back and forth across the stage, checking guitars and synthesizers and making sure everything’s in its right place. Meanwhile, the tour DJ play…
Next on the Iceland Airwaves broadcast live from Kex Hostel was Icelandic musician Sóley. She's a long-time KEXP favorite, having already played the Airwaves broadcast four times (in 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015) as well as an intimate Kex dormitory performance in 2013. Aside from her popular solo wo…
Cheryl Waters’ latest musical collage bounces between dream states, at times soothing, others trippy, and jolting you awake when it’s time.
Next month we celebrate the 20th birthday of High/Low, the timeless full-length debut from New York indie rock stalwarts Nada Surf. The band celebrated the milestone in great fashion, reissuing the record on beautiful orange vinyl through Vinyl Me Please and giving it a fantastic packaging makeover…
KEXP broadcasts live from the inaugural Thing Fest at Fort Worden, Washington
The rollout of new Arcade Fire begins! And it truly couldn't happen at a better time. Stream the single "I Give You Power" below, which features guest vocals from legendary vocalist and civil rights activist Mavis Staples. The track is a Tidal exclusive (a company Win Butler and Régine Chassagne a…
Beck continues to surprise us as he slowly unveils tracks from his new album, the long-awaited follow-up to 2014's Morning Phase. In addition to the groove of "Wow," today we get the radio-friendly pop song "Up All Night." The track also appears in the new FIFA ’17 video game, hence the YouTube im…
Alvvays are due to release their highly-anticipated sophomore album, Antisocialites, on September 8 via Polyvinyl. Today they've shared the third single from the new album, "Plimsoll Punks." It follows the wistful tracks "In Undertow" and "Dreams Tonite." In a press release the band claims "Plimsol…
