You know a musician is beloved at your local college radio station (circa 1990) when they release a 12" single within months of a full-length LP, and both end up covered in laudatory comments. Such was the case with the "Bomba" record, coming hot on the heels of Without Judgement but no less celebr…
With his new album Flower Boy in stores now, Tyler, the Creator stopped by the Late Show with Stephen Colbert last night. Watch as the west coast rapper grabs Colbert's butt, does his interview wearing boxers, and then performs the album track "911" with Steve Lacy of The Internet. (You can keep up…
DJ ZAI is the alias of Seattle native Isaiah Hinojosa, a self-taught vinyl DJ that strives to connect the dots between a variety of global club sounds every time he gets behind the decks. With a refined taste that covers a wide range of genres and tempos, he can frequently be found spinning at prog…
Mark Farina is a world-renowned San Francisco-via-Chicago DJ and musician best-known as the founder of the iconic Mushroom Jazz series, which spotlights a unique blend of downtempo, house, jazz, soul, and trip-hop styles. His warm and cerebral ear and mixing talents have led to DJ gigs all over the…
It's been a few years since we last heard from The Strokes, but today they triumphantly return with not one, not two, but three new tracks! All of 'em will appear on their upcoming EP Future Present Past, out June 3rd via Cult Records. Check out the singles "OBLIVIUS," "The Threat Of Joy," and "Dr…
It's the most wonderful time of the year... for a music lover. This Saturday, April 16th is the ninth annual Record Store Day, a celebration of independent music stores around the globe. It also happens to be the day of KEXP's New Home Grand Opening celebration! Our event doesn't start until noon, …
Seattle's Supreme La Rock (a.k.a. Danny Clavesilla) is a local legend and internationally respected DJ that continues to bring authentic DJ culture to the forefront every time he steps up to the decks. Also a renowned crate digger and vinyl enthusiast who was instrumental in placing a contemporary …
Currently based in Los Angeles, San Diego native and emerging electronic producer Rafa Lavarez (a.k.a. Different Sleep) has been steadily evolving his underground style over the past 5 years, adding upon his early lush downtempo aesthetic to incorporate a more physical and abstract sound that adven…
Like most of you, we can't wait for the debut full-length from UK trio Hælos to hit the streets. Get a sneak peek with the video for "Separate Lives," a track the band describe as "a reflection on the moment when you are choosing between staying or leaving and the underlying love that keeps you th…
It was on this day in 1977 that soft rock icons Fleetwood Mac released their most successful album ever, Rumours. The now-classic LP won the Grammy Award for "Album of the Year" in 1978, and is easily one of the best-selling albums of all time. With this generation growing up on their parents' beat…
Next on the live video stream from Kex Hostel at Iceland Airwaves Music Festival is Icelandic feminist rap collective Reykjavíkurdætur. Formed in 2013, the name "Reykjavíkurdætur" was a bit of an accident. It was the name of the first song the collective released, and once they were referred to as …
Die Kreuzen is one of the many bands of the '80s and '90s about whom my principal awareness derives from having seen their records in the bins at my usual Harvard Square haunts (I've always been much more of a browser than a buyer, alas). Since I studied German for all four years of high school, I …
After their blazing performance in the KEXP studio, DJ Troy Nelson quips, "Is the room still intact?" We're not sure about that, but now we do know that METZ is in all caps for a reason. Known for a ferocious, raw energy that funnels directly into their terrifyingly primal performances, METZ does n…
There have been so many excellent summer festivals, it's been hard to keep up, but one line-up you shouldn't miss is the one at the 33rd Annual West Seattle Summer Fest! From Friday, July 10th to Sunday, July 12th, the West Seattle Junction will be bustling with entertainment, shopping, and fun for…
Last night, Conor Oberst's old band Desaparecidos stopped by Late Night with Seth Meyers in support of their sophomore release (and first new release in 13 years) Payola. Watch them rip through the track "City on the Hill," and keep track of all these late-night musical highlights with KEXP's TV E…
Merge Records rocker Mikal Cronin continues to kill it in the music video realm. Earlier this month, he enlisted comedians Kristen Schaal, Paul Scheer, and Kurt Braunohler to remake a Natalie Imbruglia video (watch here). Today, he tackles the clip for Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al” for his own…
Last night, former-Seattleite Father John Misty stopped by Late Night with Seth Meyers in support of his sophomore release I Love You, Honeybear. Watch him perform the tracks “True Affection” and “Nothing Good Ever Happens at the Thirsty Crow” below, and keep track of all these late-night musical …
One of my favorite days of the year is fast approaching — Record Store Day, an international holiday for record collectors and music lovers! A day to celebrate the role of the independent record store in the community, as a gathering space to discover, share, and experience the joy of music and com…
Nashville's JEFF The Brotherhood may have been dumped by the major label that produced it, but their latest LP, Wasted on the Dream, is anything but. Its big, punchy sound adds fuel to their high octane blend of hard rock, metal, grunge and punk. And brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall dream big, but no…
A true dynamic duo, Montreal’s King Khan and BBQ Show dropped by the KEXP live room to flaunt their tasty brand of retro garage and doo wop ditties. Marinated in all types of awesome sauce, this gruesome twosome wet our palates with a preview of succulent songs off their upcoming We Are The Champio…
