I got my first dose of Young Fathers after I bought a t-shirt from the Anticon Record Label’s online store. To promote them, Anticon slipped a copy of Tape Two with every shipped order, resulting in widespread dissemination of the new band's developing sound. Luckily, I was one of the many to recei…
There's not a lot out there in Internet-land about Third Circle - or even about their label, Rouska - despite the fact that pretty much everybody at KCMU in 1986 seemed to agree that their debut release was some version of "good." Discogs and this one other blog post agree that Third Circle was mos…
Kristen Dalen is a Seattle-based visual artist, DJ, and classically-trained violinist known for their versatile and deft talents behind the decks, dynamically weaving through the finest in minimal techno, dub, and dark warehouse jams. Also an affiliate of the underground label and collective Blanks…
With a rare chunk of time to spare between great acts at Bumbershoot, a stop at the Sub Pop installation was in order. A short walk down the hill from KEXP to the International Fountain Pavillion to check out the installation and pop-up shop from the legendary Seattle label. Only up for the weekend…
As a teenager, Jordan Gatesmith fronted the Minneapolis-based band Howler, whose sneering garage-rock sound caught the attention of UK label Rough Trade. (You can check out their KEXP performance during SXSW 2012 here on the blog, and a 2014 in-studio session here.) After two albums, Gatesmith disb…
Los Angeles-based DJ and music scholar Canyon Cody has been showcasing vibrant worldly dancefloor rhythms as both a veteran DJ of both radio and clubs, as well as through his own production and label A&R work. With his hands in cool, cutting-edge spots like Fania Records, Red Bull Music Academy…
Montreal-based electronic producer, DJ, and record label runner Tiga has been a key figure in the post-millennium electronic/club world, emerging on the scene with his first single in 2001 and proceeding to unleash two albums, countless singles, as well as high-profile remixes along the way. His ex…
Late last year, Wavves frontman Nathan Williams launched a label, Ghost Ramp, and for 2016, their kicking off their subscription series in an awesome way: a split 7" single featuring his band on one side, and Best Coast on the other side, covering the Nirvana track "Dumb." Listen to a vinyl rip be…
In case you missed its debut on The Morning Show on KEXP yesterday, Nada Surf are back with new music: stream the single "Believe You’re Mine" below. The Brooklyn band's eighth studio album, You Know Who You Are, will be out March 4th via beloved local label Barsuk, and features two tracks co-writ…
Our first live Iceland Airwaves show of the day from Kex Hostel in Reykjavik was Icelandic indie-folk quintet Árstíðir. Formed in 2008 as a guitar-based group, they've since added piano, violin, and cello to the mix. They incorporate classical, minimalist, and even some prog rock elements into thei…
Vancouver/Toronto-based band Gold & Youth continue in the Canadian tradition of bands like Stars and Broken Social Scene, combining boy/girl vocals over danceable pop beats. Released on the iconic Arts & Crafts label last year, their debut full-length Beyond Wilderness captures '80s-style s…
Sub Pop and KEXP present A Silver Jubilee Broadcast live from the Space Needle. From noon to 5:30PM today, KEXP DJs John Richards and Kevin Cole celebrate Sub Pop Records' 25th Anniversary by songs from deep within the Sub Pop archive, interviews with label employees, friends and artists, and live …
Sufjan Stevens has shared an outtake from 2015's fantastic Carrie & Lowell called "Wallowa Lake Monster." The song will be on a forthcoming album of outtakes, remixes, and demos from Carrie & Lowell called The Greatest Gift. Helado Negro, Doveman, James McAlister, and Stevens himself contri…
A new Flying Lotus track has emerged on a new mix from producer PBDY called "Brainfeeder 2017 ∞ 2018" that features new songs from the label's artists. The mix's description on SoundCloud states that it's a "collection of Brainfeeder tracks & rarities as well as a glimpse of what’s to come in 2…
In a belated Christmas present for electronic music fans everywhere, record label Dymaxion Groove are releasing a double-LP concept album, fantastically-titled I Said No Doctors!, that spotlights the use of unconventional instruments. The collection features tracks from Silver Apples, Oval, Jad Fa…
Despite being Black Friday, quite a slew of new albums hit the stores last week, including the highly anticipated third album from The Weeknd. It's a star-studded affair featuring guest appearances from Daft Punk, Lana Del Rey, Future, and Kendrick Lamar. Swedish psych rockers Dungen share their la…
Since pairing up in 2014, Mazes frontman Jack Cooper and Veronica Falls vocalist/guitarist James Hoare have continued to enchant us as Ultimate Painting. While in town for the Capitol Hill Block Party (review here), the London duo (accompanied by touring bassist Will Young and drummer Bill Roe, aka…
Detroit's Zach Saginaw, a.k.a. Shigeto, has been crafting immaculate and unique music over the past half-decade, most notably and consistently for revered American electronic music label Ghostly International. With a heavy jazz background, a strong love for hip-hop, and prodigious skills as an elec…
Seattle-via-Brooklyn DJ/producer Jaymz Nylon has been crafting supremely funky dancefloor grooves over the past two decades, forging his "Afro-tech" sound through a unique fusion of Afro house, Latin house, deep house, tech-house, disco, and jazz. In addition to a stacked discography that includes …
London's William Doyle creates innovative, beautifully-constructed, critically-acclaimed music under the name East India Youth. While he's only been active for a few years at this point, he's quickly turned heads with his 2014 Mercury Prize-nominated debut, Total Strife Forever, and his recent 2015…
