KEXP's Day 2 coverage at Upstream Music Fest + Summit closed off with John Roderick's Seattle institution The Long Winters, who performed highlights spanning their three full-length albums in a memorable performance. Roderick was joined by Sean Nelson (KEXP, Harvey Danger), former Long Winters drummer (and 4AD head) Nabil Ayers, and musician, engineer, and longtime Long Winters member Eric Corson (Perfume Genius, Los Campesinos).
Starting off with "Car Parts" from 2002's The Worst You Can Do is Harm, the band sounded tight and cohesive, despite having performed only for four hours together in the past five years (as Roderick humorously informed the crowd). During tracks like "Pushover" and "New Girl" (as requested by KEXP's DJ Morgan), The Long Winters sounded like the best power pop this side of Sloan, with Nelson and Roderick's voices combining to great melodic effect. The set closed with fan favorite "Cinnamon," from 2003's When I Pretend to Fall, which provided a perfect denouement to KEXP's Upstream coverage for the day.
"Seattle owns the future and they don't know it," composer Ron Jones tells a crowd at WaMu Theater during the second day keynote of the Upstream Music Fest + Summit. There's a bite to his words, feeling like equal parts admiration and condemnation. A native to the Northwest who relocated to Los Ang…
It is likely safe to say that the Fuel Sports Beer Garden has never been fueled with more grooviness than when Poliça took the stage for Upstream on Thursday night. The Minneapolis electro-pop group has their sound and aesthetic on complete lock. Their sleek, contemporary looks are in total unison …
The third set from KEXP's Day 2 coverage at Upstream Music Fest + Summit came from local glam rock outfit J GRGRY, memorably led by the eponymous Joe Gregory. Shirtless, donned with extensive pink and gold makeup, Gregory commanded KEXP's stage at Little London Plane, playing tracks from his record…
