The album cover for Minnesota rapper Brother Ali's 2012 LP, Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color, features the Muslim artist praying towards Mecca and kneeling on an American flag as his prayer rug. The image encapsulates much of the spirit which Brother Ali has staked his career on. Brother…
Today is World AIDS Day, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease. Government and health officials, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world observe the day, ofte…
KEXP is celebrating our 50th anniversary this year, and we're looking back at the last half-century of music. Each week in 2022, KEXP pays homage to a different year, and our writers are commemorating a song from that year that resonates with them. This week, KEXP's Jasmine Albertson looks back at …
Brooklyn band The Antlers release their fifth album, Familiars, today, and KEXP Music Director Don Yates calls it, "a gorgeous, deeply felt set of dreamy ambient-pop tinged with elements of elegiac jazz and southern soul on lengthy, slowly swelling songs featuring muted guitars, mournful trumpets, …
Swingin' Doors host Don Slack plays a variety of songs from albums to be released in 2016. 1. Charlie Hilton - Pony 2. Beverly - Crooked Cop 3. Eleanor Friedberger - He Didn't Mention His Mother 4. Quilt - Eliot St. 5. Deep Sea Diver - Secrets 6. Sunflower Bean - Wall Watcher 7. Night Beats…
It was a year ago today that KEXP celebrated our annual Intergalactic Bowie Day celebration on what was David Bowie's 69th birthday, sadly followed by an on-air mourning of his passing mere days later. While the passing of time has done nothing to dull the pain, the power and influence of his music…
For her latest album Mental Illness, Aimee Mann stripped her music down to the bare essentials and created a collection of music that hides seriously mournful themes behind agrarian harmonies. It’s a beautiful combination and, once you scratch below the surface, you realize that Aimee is struggling…
It's a strong week for new albums, including the long-awaited solo debut from Blur frontman (and Gorillaz leader) Damon Albarn. KEXP Music Director Don Yates describes the release as "a mostly dark, brooding set of eclectic, beat-driven pop with a stripped-down, dub-influenced sound combining haunt…
As the world continues to mourn the passing of Prince (like with DJ Kevin Cole's incredible memorial show, streaming here), our friends at the Northwest Film Forum present their own tribute this Thursday, May 19th with a screening of the 1986 comedic caper Under the Cherry Moon.
As Seattle continues to mourn the passing of rock legend David Bowie, several events have been popping up around town to celebrate his rich career. This Wednesday, February 3rd, the Northwest Film Forum will host a screening of Bowie's 1976 cinematic debut, The Man Who Fell to Earth, directed by Ni…
It's scary how many great albums are coming out on this Halloween week! Highlights include the fourth album from Scottish band The Twilight Sad. KEXP Music Director Don Yates says the band, "brings back the loud, shoegazerish guitars that were mostly absent from their last release (2012’s No One Ca…
Cheryl Waters shares the promise of the new year by starting off 2016 with a mix of great new music 1. Elephant Stone - The Devil's Shelter (feat. Alex Maas) 2. Wray - Hypatia 3. Hibou - When the Season Ends 4. Martin Courtney - Northern Highway 5. Wild Nothing - TV Queen 6. The Cave Singers - Tha…
Shelby Earl's voice is a coveted gift. Google her name plus the word "heartbreaking" and you'll get endless results. With her mournful vibrato and aching howls, it's no wonder she's an artist many turn to in their most aching moments. However, that's just one facet of what Earl's capable of. On her…
It's winter in Seattle and although the sun is scarce, the music continues to shine at KEXP. Midday Show host Cheryl Waters brings you a new mix with some early 2015 tracks along with a handful of faves from last year. Dig in and enjoy! 1. Low Roar - Easy Way Out 2. Wye Oak - The Tower 3. Dam Gi…
Originally, he didn't want to do it, but Joseph Arthur was eventually convinced to record Lou, a full album of songs by his friend and mentor, the late Lou Reed. Reluctant to turn the modern legend's memory into "an opportunity", Joseph Arthur approached the songs cautiously, simply, and unplugged …
Variety Mix host Mel is back to curate the most recent Music That Matters weekly podcast. This particular mix leans heavy on guitars with the latest feedback drenched songs from the legendary Swervedriver, San Francisco's Thee Oh Sees, and Fuzz, which is one of Ty Segall's many projects.…
Grizzly Bear will be releasing their new album Painted Ruins next month. Last night, they shared their fourth single, "Neighbors," and soon after a video for the single was launched. "Neighbors" follows "Three Rings," "Mourning Sound," and "Four Cypresses." The strange video features two people who…
Today's Song of the Day, as chosen by Kevin Cole, host of The Afternoon Show on KEXP, is "Call You Back" by Mourn, a 2020 single on Captured Tracks.
Today's Song of the Day, as chosen by Cheryl Waters, host of The Midday Show on KEXP, is "Monday Mourning" by Black Ends, from the 2020 self-released Stay Evil EP.
Grizzly Bear dropped their fifth album, Painted Ruins, today via RCA but before it released they stopped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to perform lead single "Mourning Sound." Ed Droste & Co played the beautiful, mellow song under a halo of red lights while Droste looked relaxed in a st…
