For Bombino, making music is not only a form of expression - it is also a political statement. Born in Agadez, Niger, a small desert town in the Tuareg region of Africa, Omara Moctar creates music under the name Bombino despite the near deadly dangers posed by strict government rule. After having t…
I love it when I stumble across an album that got regular play in my house growing up in the KEXP stacks - especially when the super-cool college DJs of yore actually thought it was pretty good! I'm certain that by the time my parents were buying records by The Human League they were getting plent…
You've got to admire the chutzpah of a British singer-songwriter who names himself after a song and album by one of the most revered American singer-songwriters of the 20th century. (And I suppose you have to admire the chutzpah of an American singer-songwriter who names his song and album after a …
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 …
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…
Super-ambient Icelandic duo Kiasmos brought their very space-y minimalist brand of techno to the new KEXP live room in support of their Swept EP, the second they dropped in 2015. The two longtime friends began working professionally together when Ólafur Arnalds was the touring sound engineer for Ja…
OK, you're all in trouble. Why am I only just now learning about Happy Flowers? Noisy, disturbing/hilarious songs written from the perspective of a toddler? Band members named Mr. Anus and Mr. Horribly Charred Infant? Covers of Big Star, Michael Schenker, and Silver Apples on the same album? These …
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…
There's nothing queasy about the latest from west coast dream-pop band Craft Spells. It's been almost a year since their sophomore full-length, Nausea, came out on Captured Tracks; since then, songwriter Justin Paul Vallesteros has relocated back to Seattle and overcome a depression that influenced…
It's another jam-packed week of great releases! San Diego duo Crocodiles return with their fifth album, which KEXP Music Director Don Yates notes, "was recorded in Mexico City with production by Martin Thulin (lead singer of Mexican band Los Fancy-Free), and he brings some occasional Latin rhythms …
Ryan Crowther is one of the co-foudners of the Fisherman's Village Music Festival, the weekend musical celebration in Everett, WA, on May 15-17. The festival is in its second year and this go-round boasts a stellar lineup, including many local favorites like The Helio Sequence, Telekinesis, Deep Se…
Last month, in a powerful, heartfelt and sonically stirring set live in the KEXP studio, Israel Nash and his band had given it their all... well, just about all, anyway. The Dripping Springs, Texas-based musician and his band re-entered our studio shortly after their live session was over and pract…
Although the title of the band's new album, We All Come From The Same Place, isn't referring to a specific place, geographic location seemed to be on the minds of Allo Darlin' when they stopped by KEXP in October. The Australian/English quartet's songs shimmered with an honed precision, allowing El…
Our third rocking set from Iceland Airwaves at Kex Hostel was Dublin droning noise act Girl Band. This younger Irish band has no girls, nor do they sound anything like the poppy sound their name might suggest. Instead, this four piece is driven by Adam Faulkner's fast, energetic drums and loud, Dan…
The second act up for our live streaming broadcast from Kex Hostel at Iceland Airwaves was rock and post-punk band Börn. They have a darker, gloomier sound influenced by the Icelandic punk movement of the 80s. Lead singer Alexandra is a total badass. She came adorned in black lipstick, a bright gre…
From being 18-year-old kids playing house parties in Greenville, North Carolina, to last month's nationwide broadcast on The Late Show with David Letterman that made them internet superstars — throughout it all, Future Islands have always stayed true to themselves, and to their strong work ethic. A…
It was a session DJ Cheryl Waters had been waiting 20 years for: The Waterboys, a band who are actually celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, despite frontman Mike Scott being a mere 24-years-old, wink. The long-running group are on tour supporting their seven-CD collection, Fisherman's Box…
The Grand Theft Auto video game series has never been a stranger to good music. Old school fans still cling to the 2002 Vice City entry for the precious Wave 103 radio station, where you can listen to Psychedelic Furs, Gary Numan, and Human League while running from the cops down a neon Miami-esque…
Our next set for the KEXP Broadcast live from KEX Hostel at Iceland Airwaves is New York-based quintet Caveman. Caveman's sound has evolved rapidly in the last few years. An overnight success, their 2011 debut Coco Beware was dreamy indie-pop, with light, floating synths and gentle harmonizing voca…
On any given weekend in Seattle, there are a million amazing shows to see - from jazz at a coffee shop or theater, to a grunge show at a DIY space, to a major act at any one of our large venues. Maybe this weekend you want to try something new, maybe you heard one song by this small electronic, fol…
