Midwife - Anyone Can Play Guitar

Song of the Day
Hosted by John Richards
Today's Song of the Day, as chosen by John Richards, host of The Morning Show on KEXP, is “Anyone Can Play Guitar” by Midwife, from the 2020 album Forever on The Flenser.
photo by Vincent Mitchell
written by Janice Headley

Denver-based artist Midwife (real name: Madeline Johnston) calls her dreamy, eerie slowcore sound “heaven metal,” or "emotive music about devastation" as her label The Flenser puts it. In the case of her forthcoming full-length Forever, that emotional devastation comes from the 2018 passing of her dear friend Colin Ward, a fellow artist she befriended through the DIY space Rhinoceropolis, which sadly closed its doors in 2016 in the wake of the tragic Ghost Ship fire in Oakland. 

“He was my roommate and was the embodiment of that place in a lot of ways,” she explained via a press release. “We became really close friends there. I was always learning so much from him, about life and being an artist. He was an amazing teacher and friend to me.” 

Forever, dedicated to Ward, will be out April 10th. 

Introducing

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In Our Headphones

Finding good new music can be a full time job, so let KEXP help! In Our Headphones brings you five song recommendations every Monday, straight from KEXP’s DJs and Music Directors. Join hosts Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili on this never-ending journey of music discovery.

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A Deeper Listen

Host Emily Fox and KEXP’s editorial team talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.

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