Benjamin Doerr is the sweetheart frontman for the Seattle-based band St. Paul de Vence. The group's newest album will be released October 1, and it comes on the heels of their WWII-inspired album - the songs of which written with Ben's grandfather and his stories of war. The band will be LIVE on KE…
Nothing like dirtying up a pristine wooded oasis with some gritty rock from Those Darlins. The Nashville band joined us in the Bunny Glade during Pickathon last month for an acoustic set of twang-tinged girl group meets garage rock songs from their latest album, Blur The Line, and a chilling cover …
Time heals all wounds: NBC is lifting a 30-year ban on The Replacements, allowing them to play The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon tomorrow night, Tuesday, September 9th. The band got banished from 30 Rockefeller Plaza in 1987 after a particularly rambunctious performance on Saturday Night Live…
The latest release from Hundred Waters is one of the biggest surprises to wash up on the musical shores this year. Two years ago, the Florida-based band became the first act to sign with Skrillex's OWSLA record label, but they take his trademark EDM-sound to celestial heights on their latest releas…
Portland's Modern Kin recently released their debut self-titled record, a 12-track rocking album from the booming trio. The band is not afraid to experiment, either, having tried out a seven-show in 24-hours idea, streaming the performances live from Mississippi Studios in their hometown, Portland,…
"Nine Inch Numan" -- it was a comment left on the KEXP Facebook page, and echoed among the audience from our Bumbershoot Music Lounge session. Who knew synthpop pioneer Gary Numan had taken such a darker, more industrial turn in his later career! Even his 1979 new wave hit "Cars" took on a harder…
KEXP returned to the Bunny Glade at Pickathon this year to capture more magical sessions in this forest oasis. Each of the 16 exclusive performances stood out in its own way, but certainly two of the most anticipated ones came from beloved KEXP favorites Andrew Bird and Sharon Van Etten.
The Head and the Heart have dropped their debut single "Shake" from Let's Be Still (out October 15). The flawless harmonies and punchy percussion give me a bit of a Fleetwood Mac vibe. If this is just the beginning, the new album is sure to be amazing. Tune in to Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tonig…
Vampire Weekend has just released an amazingly hilarious cover of Robin Thicke's summer hit "Blurred Lines", performed live on BBC's Radio 1. On it, Ezra Koening really nails the falsetto, but it's his "rapping" that will make you chuckle. When a band has this much fun, it's contagious. [Pitchfork]
Last night, singer-songwriter Beck, appeared at Santa Cruz's Rio Theatre to perform music from last year's sheet music album, Song Reader. These songs have not been recorded and this is the first time he has played "Sorry" and "Heaven's Ladder" live. Watch both performances below. [CoS]
Chvrches have a lovely roller rink video for their song "Now is Not The Time." Where previous roller rink videos might focus on the retro dress or mad tricks, Chvrches instead lets the lights play while skaters circle like ghosts and their synth pop song sweetly fills the cavernous space. You can …
As major labels continue to exist behind the times, artists and labels with little capital and lesser reputations are producing some of the most innovative, interesting, and inspiring music. Whether it’s creating a new niche in digital technology or looking to once obsolete formats, Agitated Atmosp…
Stas THEE Boss lives up to her name. When she's on the stage, she's in total control. It'd been awhile since I'd seen the former THEESatisfaction MC hop on the mic, but seeing her DJ around town (and on KEXP's Street Sounds) has continued to prove that she has impeccable taste and style.
As I walked into The Paramount, soft shades of yellow and orange illuminated the stage, as shapes slowly changed and morphed into other forms. The colors reflected off of The Paramount’s chandeliers and ornate decorations, and the crowd stood and stared at various points through the venue that glow…
Fresh off a live performance on The Morning Show on KEXP, The National have released a video for the single "Dark Side of the Gym," a track off their critically acclaimed new album Sleep Well Beast. The video is directed by Justin Peck, the resident choreographer at the New York City Ballet, who a…
Afternoon Show Host Kevin Cole brings you the perfect soundtrack for your dream city, including new faves from Pets, The Sugar Stems, Conor Oberst, French Style Furs, and Cold Beat. 1. Prom Body - My Paradise 2. Pets - Dream City 3. Cold Beat - Mirror 4. Sugar Stems - We Only Come Out At Night 5.…
Brooklyn synth-pop duo Prince Rama ask their audience a simple question halfway through their new LP, Xtreme Now. "When was the last time you had fun?" On the record, it's supposed to be a question about belief, about conviction, and about our response to that in a positive and nourishing manner. I…
It’s Living Singles! Where a KEXP staff member shares three of their favorite songs right now. In this special Aquí y Ahora edition, we get a sneak peek of what it’s like to be on the KEXP video team and watch live music so up close and personal.
For almost five years now as Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Ruban Nielson has been learning how to give himself away. On his eponymous debut, it was from behind the closed door of a bedroom, where we heard psychedelic funk gems muffled through the wall and wanted to know more. On 2013's II, the door cra…
On the show this time, it's the code-switching pop-pastiche of Caroline Polachek.