In the microcosm of Iceland's music scene, where bands tend to germinate, blossom and wither as if viewed on time-lapse, the young twenty-somethings of Mammút might be seen as practically prehistoric. The five members literally grew up together during their decade as one of Iceland's most critically acclaimed bands and, with the release of River's End, their first English-language EP, Mammút are now poised to charge into the world beyond, sharing their enormous cathartic energy with many more listeners. Last month, KEXP brought the band to Seattle for their debut Northwest appearance at our sister city showcase, Reykjavik Calling, and welcomed them to the KEXP studio for the first time ever - after recording them six times previously in Iceland! - for another stunning and dynamic performance.
Danish psych-rock band Mew returned to the KEXP studios in support of their first album in six years, + - (pronounced "plus minus"). It ended up being quite an appropriate title. Plus: the return of founding bassist Johan Wohlert, who left the band in 2006 before the birth of his first child. Minus…
Today, we conclude our weekly series of Polish bands KEXP recorded while at the OFF Festival in Katowice with a bang. Wrocław trio Ukryte Zalety Systemu, whose name translates to "Hidden Benefits System", clearly reference bands like Gang of Four as they decry the erosion of individualism in the fa…
Closing out our live video broadcast from Kex Hostel at Iceland Airwaves 2015 was a crazy set from Icelandic post-punk band Æla. Icelandic for "Puke," Æla is known for a raucous live show, with costumes, glitter, and wild antics. Their debut album Synið tillitssemi, eg er fravik was released in 200…
