Song of the Day: Gospel Machine - Just Call Me

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “Just Call Me” by Gospel Machine from the 2015 self-released album Your Holy Ghost.

Gospel Machine - Just Call Me (MP3)

Minnesota band Gospel Machine makes bluesy soul that has vocalist Jayanthi Kyle garnering fair comparisons to Nina Simone. Throw in another four talented performers and the fact that the group does not shy from political and social issues (see their recent release in response to the Trayvon Martin case), and the result is a group that is as exciting to talk about as they are to hear. But words alone don't do this group justice; the emotion they generate from both their instrumentation and vocals is unrivaled and must be felt to be fully understood. Take song of the day "Just Call Me", for instance. The song skips along, urging you to snap your fingers to the beat without ever having to itself. An energetic guitar riff and a well utilized organ play hopscotch while Kyle croons about love. Background singers enter in and out, emphasizing words and adding "ooo's" that put the icing on the cake.

Gospel Machine are not currently on tour, though if you are going to be at CMJ this week, they're playing at Union Pool on Thursday, October 15, at 9:45 PM. Otherwise, keep checking their website and Facebook page for future dates and for more music. For now, watch them perform "Why Don't My Mockingbird Sing?", another song from Your Holy Ghost, recorded live at Minneapolis' Blacktop Studio: