Tommy Stinson put Bash & Pop on hold for just over two decades before reviving it last year, but the Minneapolis group's raucous, delightfully unhinged energy remains intact because, as the onetime Replacement says, “I'm not pretending to be anything other than what I am.” Stinson and the band…
Four years after the Denver, Colorado trio made the leap from small, sweaty clubs to massive outdoor stages, the Lumineers have retained their breezy, rustic charm on their sophomore effort, "Ophelia". Returning to an intimate venue not unlike the ones they cut their teeth on, the folk r…
The most anticipated performance of the weekend was also the most divisive, and as the biggest audience of the weekend walked away from the Gorge one last time, everyone had something to say about Kendrick Lamar's closing set. As the first show played since the release of his instant classic To Pim…
As we mentioned earlier this week, Yeasayer are releasing the Cold Night EP this Friday, which features two versions of the title track: the original off their latest album, Amen & Goodbye, and a "Dirge Version" which you can hear in this new video below. It's a particularly special song, as b…
At the Paramount Theatre last week, Phantogram opened their set without even being on stage. After they performed two songs obscured from the audience, a screen fell shortly thereafter, revealing the New York duo behind the fourth wall to fervently shake the physical walls of the venue. Going from …
Joining us in the studio for a KEXP Secret Stage performance at Bumbershoot is Austin post-rock powerhouse Explosions in the Sky. Playing together for over 15 years, their sound is hugely emotive, accented with glistening guitar. It’s a unique listening experience, both cathartic and calming, comfo…
Over the past few years, we've tried to make KEXP videos not only fun to watch but also instantly recognizable. But when artists and other guests visit our actual studio space and see the dark and starry walls, they almost always say, "Wow, this is much smaller than it looks!" Charming as it may be…
Some singers can sing anything, and some of them practically do. Mark Lanegan has one of those voices that will stop you dead in your tracks no matter when or how you hear him. The former local boy (he's lived in LA now probably longer than anywhere else) began a series of deep, dark solo albums th…
Soul legend Bobby Womack has passed away today at the age of 70. Cause of death is not currently being reported. Womack began performing music in the mid-'50s, and was discovered by Sam Cooke who signed his band, The Valentinos, to SAR Records. The Valentinos' 1964 single "It's All Over Now" was co…
Knox Fortune is a Chicago-based, Grammy Award-winning artist and producer that's been a prominent behind-the-scenes figure within his home city's vibrant music scene over the past couple years. First making waves on collaborations with fellow Chicago artists Chance the Rapper, Joey Purp, Vic Mensa,…
The eternally mysterious Frank Ocean has posted yet another (semi-confusing) hint about a forthcoming album via his Tumblr. The post features a person wearing a baseball cap that says, "If you liked 2017, you'll love 2018" (which feels comical because we're pretty sure no one liked 2017). The photo…
It's been four and a half years since I've talked about Sheffield's Hula, and there's still not much about them out there on the old world wide internet - except, perhaps, this charming little amateur doc from not long before the release of their double LP 1000 Hours.
New music from The Shins is here! Check out the first single "Name For You" below, from the album Heartworms out March 10th via Aural Apothecary/Columbia. Well, actually the second single: the band shared the track "Dead Alive" last year during Halloween, 'cause with a title like that, you pretty …
Even on its way out, 2016 continues to take from us the things we love. Yesterday, we lost George Michael. The 53-year old pop singer reportedly "passed away peacefully at home" and "in bed", in Oxfordshire, England, leaving behind a catalog of songs that inspired as much movement on the dance floo…
Every year, the holiday season seems to inspire some of our favorite bands to write new music. KEXP has rounded up some of our favorites below. Need even more songs for rockin' around your Christmas tree? Be sure to check out previous round-ups for 2015 and 2014. Happy holidays from everyone at KEX…
A-HA! Turns out that creepy snippet The Shins shared yesterday is part of a longer video that has been revealed today. As the press release says, "James Mercer wanted to give you all a Halloween gift while you wait for the album." So, watch the video for "Dead Alive" below. The new album will be o…
As you'd expect after 20 years of performing together, Atmosphere bring a boatload of topics to their new LP, Fishing Blues. The personal and political wind throughout the hip hop duo's emotive songs, which flow between Slug's sharp rapping and Ant's soulful production. Recently, the Minneapolis v…
If Thao and the Get Down Stay Down and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were related and they had a uniquely uncompromising third sibling it would be vocal-and-guitar-wailing Weaves. The Toronto four-piece isn't afraid to push the envelop in an free form, experimental effort to expand their own style of indie r…
For our third year, KEXP returned to Katowice, Poland for OFF Music Festival, a weekend of music after our own hearts. "The OFF line-up neither favors nor discriminates against any specific genres," explained founder (and musician himself), Artur Rojek. "What matters is the music and the quality of…
