Zola Jesus breaks down a few songs from her new album, Arkhon. She discusses her Russian and Ukrainian heritage, her battles with anxiety and depression, and how she uses music to heal. She also talks about some of the issues facing independent musicians, like the exhaustion of touring and releasing music without time to reflect, and trying to stay relevant in a society looking for viral hits.
“The only things that are being rewarded are the things that get the most popular and the only way to get popular is to stimulate the attention of people in a very immediate and primal way,” she says.
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.
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.