Don't expect to take the title of the second solo album by Kevin Morby literally. Still Life was written during a particularly busy time in his life, which included touring with two bands -- Woods (his former band) and The Babies (his project with Vivian Girls' Cassie Ramone) -- and switching coast…
Do you ever wonder what it would be like to win a trip to Iceland Airwaves, the magical music discovery festival that takes place in the land of volcanoes and glaciers? We asked last year's winner, Calley Morrison, to share some of her experiences with us. Keep reading to learn more about what make…
Seattle band Special Explosion release their second album, To Infinity, which KEXP Music Director Don Yates calls "a softer, dreamier and more melodic take on the band's dynamic, '90s-steeped Northwest rock, combining jangly guitars, shape-shifting rhythms, emotive lyrics and shimmering pop melodie…
The legendary MC was graciousness enough to talk through the mindset the group found themselves in while creating this masterwork. From drawing inspiration from his time working in radio and their aspirations to creating the hip-hop equivalent of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On?, the incredible rhyme…
Afternoon Show host Kevin Cole takes you up and down- rocking your world and then helping you chill the fuck out. 1. PJ Harvey - The Wheel 2. Pinkshinyultrablast - The Cherry Pit 3. Bill Ryder-Jones - Satellites 4. M. Ward - Confession 5. Quilt - Roller 6. Samaris - Wanted 2 Say 7. DJ Béeso - (-…
Expansions host DJ Riz presents a new mix of electronic and acoustic sounds by artists from all over the globe. 1. Peter Broderick - More and More (mouth trumpet version) 2. Congo Sanchez - Stand Beside Yourself 3. A Coral Room - IoT 4. Steve Cobby - Why Sleep Through Your Dreams? 5. Melanie De …
It's difficult to imagine Iska Dhaaf as only a two-piece, even when they're right in front of you. The sound of their full-bodied post-punk is supported by Benjamin Verdoes' (Mt. St. Helen's Vietnam Band) unique ability to simultaneously play the keyboard and drums. It takes a talented musician to …
Ohio alt-country singer-songwriter Jessica Lea Mayfield has contributed a holiday song to Amazon's Indie for the Holidays playlist. Taking on the 1966 anti-Christmas Christmas song by Loretta Lynn "To Heck With Ole Santa Claus," Mayfield turns the spirited original into a despondent slow-burner. S…
A new group has been chosen to take over Seattle's Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival. Co-organizer Steven Severin talks about how they want to make tickets more affordable, less dependent on big name headliners, and they want the festival to go beyond just Labor Day weekend.
Albina Cabrera from El Sonido and all the Latin 'cosas' at KEXP selected 50 must-listen albums, EPs, and compilations of the year. Take a look at the eclectic music of 2023 that once again demonstrates the musical prowess of Latin America, Spain, and the global diaspora in creating generational ant…
It's hard to believe this festival is only in its third year: Macefield Music Festival takes over Ballard this weekend, from Friday, October 2nd through Sunday, October 4th, with an amazing array of local artists across many venues.
It's the first day of Autumn, and the new releases are falling all over the place. The sophomore release from Alt-J is finally officially out. KEXP's Music Director Don Yates notes, "this English band carries on with their second album, a generally more subdued, organic and atmospheric take on the …
Every once in a while, I post an album from a band that's been so minimally documented on the Internet that I feel I'm adding significantly to the body of public knowledge about them with one little blog post. This is dangerous because usually I know next to nothing about these bands. Take Ism, for…
Drenched in color from the LED screens behind him, Chet Faker began his Friday closing set at Sasquatch! Music Festival in style with the help of his four piece band. Alternating between a full band and playing solo on his keyboard and mixer, Chet visually displayed the duality in his music. Often …
The fact that Theoretics remixed the Blade Runner theme a few months back automatically backs up drummer Adam Gross' statement, "We're all sort of sci-fi nerds." A five-piece livetronica band from our very own city, Theoretics certainly deliver sound-wise, taking us on a funky space-age aural explo…
This week, Sacred Bones invites a second filmmaker into their musical midst. Much like his label predecessor David Lynch, John Carpenter has influenced numerous generations across every genre with both his films and his music. Afrika Bambaataa sampled the Assault on Precinct 13 soundtrack on "Bamba…
Not only is today Earth Day, but we're also on the cusp of music festival season. As we take time to celebrate our planet on this day, think about carrying that spirit with you all summer long: carry a reusable water bottle, or bring your own forks. Our planet will thank you!
Since last Friday, KEXP volunteers and staff have been calling members of the Amplifiers Monthly Giving Club to say "thank you" for powering great, commercial-free music on an ongoing basis. We've already called more than 3,000 Amplifier donors. But if you haven't heard from us directly, please tak…
When Brandi Carlile and her cohorts Tim and Phil Hanseroth (a.k.a. The Twins) take the stage this Friday night at the Moore Theatre for a sold-out “Pin Drop” show to benefit KEXP’s New Home, you can expect to hear new songs crackling with energy and emotion. That’s a direct outcome of the real life…
Shabazz Palaces' new video for "Forerunner Foray" takes trippy animation to the next level. While there ins't an obvious answer as to what exactly is happening, the visuals will definitely keep you transfixed. Yes, that is Magic Johnson riding a giant slice of pizza through space. [Stereogum]
