L.A. artist Ariel Pink returns this week with an album "dedicated to '60s-era LA cult songwriter Bobby Jameson, a promising artist whose career fizzled out early in a haze of management and label troubles, drug abuse and depression." KEXP Music Director Don Yates notes the release is "a bit of a th…
Nothing Feels Natural, Priests' stunning 2017 LP, pulls no punches with its shapeshifting punk-damaged songs about fighting against the oppressive forces around you. It's the kind of record that makes the most sense in a sweaty small venue, but a small radio station studio comes pretty c…
You don't have to be a DJ, or even relate to anything on this list, to go to University of Washington's Rainy Dawg Radio's excellently curated 10th Anniversary Party this Thursday the 23rd - they've managed to captured many of Seattle's local sounds in one show. From the electro-soul of Natasha Km…
On the final day of Bumbershoot, Lisa Prank started off the musical festivities at KEXP’s Gathering Space. In her colorful crown, sunflower dress, and Doc Martens, It’s easy to picture Robin Edwards, the sole member of the band, as a teenager holed up in her room taping songs on a My First Sony. Ed…
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of 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 Morn…
The KCMU reaction to this 1990 album by New York punks Alice Donut is, as often happens in college-radio-land, quite varied, from "their best yet" to "a step back." For what it's worth, the historical record, as far as my quick survey has revealed, seems to lean toward the opinion that Mule, the ba…
Last week the straight outta the mosh pit quartet The Men released the first song from their upcoming album New Moon - "Electric" carries on their direct and loud, but sincere and present, approach to punk. If anything can remind us what it's like to sweat gallons at a show and wash it all down wit…
Troy Nelson gets you primed for a killer Memorial Day weekend in the Gorge with a preview of this year's Sasquatch! Music Festival, featuring high energy rock, scuzzy punk, rootsy folk rock, and hard-hitting hip hop. 1. Sleigh Bells - Rule Number One2. Jagwar Ma - O B 13. The Radio Dept. - Committ…
Another day, another dollar (or is it another krona?). While I'm not quite sure what the conversion rate is for days and poorly-executed metaphors here in Iceland, one thing I am sure of is that we are bringing you another incredible day of live music here at Kex Hostel during Iceland Airwaves Musi…
Deep in the heart of this festival weekend, the brave souls that get out of bed before noon and head out in the pouring rain will be joining us for another spectacular day of Icelandic music at Kex Hostel. Though our live broadcast wrapped yesterday, we'll still be streaming live video for four ban…
After a discography of 11 full-length albums, Seattle's own Car Seat Headrest makes their label debut on Matador Records. KEXP Music Director Don Yates notes, "The album reworks 11 songs from his extensive Bandcamp catalog with help from a new backing band (this also marks the first time he’s recor…
Embracing the season, KEXP opened its live room for a shimmering live session with Eternal Summers. With a selection of cuts from their new Gold and Stone LP, the Virginia trio create a vast current of sonics that splash the ears with ditties are as deep as they are dangerous. From the tranquil nos…
Leading up until the Upstream Music Fest + Summit, a Northwest regionally focused festival with over 300 acts, KEXP will be featuring a new local artist from the lineup with an interview and suggested tracks for where to start. Today’s post features Seattle post-punk outfit Dreamdecay, performing S…
It's been 19 years, but we finally have a new album from The Jesus and Mary Chain! KEXP Music Director Don Yates says the Scottish siblings Jim and William Reid deliver "an impressive return-to-form that ranges from fuzzy, feedback-drenched rockers to swooning downer ballads." Coming right behind t…
Record Store Day is this coming Saturday, April 16th, but you should head to your favorite independent record stores early to scoop up some of these great new releases, like the latest from Parquet Courts. KEXP Music Director Don Yates says "this Brooklyn band's latest album is another smartly craf…
Brooklyn punk group The So So Glos get in the Christmas spirit with an all-out cover of The Kinks' popular "Father Christmas." Pennsylvania's The Districts also shared their more somber version of the song today. The So So Glos' cover will be available for free on their website tomorrow. [CoS]
Portland musician and punk rock icon Fred Cole of Dead Moon and Pierced Arrows passed away last night, November 9, after a battle with cancer. The news was confirmed today by Empty Records co-founder Meghan Smith in the Dead Moon fan club Facebook group. You can read Smith's full message below.
Afternoon Show host Kevin Cole brings a mix of poppy punk, hypnotic trance, and narcotic drifter ballads, with new songs from Meatbodies, The Young Evils, the Shivas and more. 1. The Young Evils - It Happens All the Time 2. Meatbodies - Mountain 3. Dream Police - Hypnotized 4. Hookworms - Radio…
Morning Show host John Richards presents a modern mix of shoegaze, psych-rock, icy synths, ambient pop, post-dubstep, RandB dance pop, post-punk, folk-pop and more! 1. Julianna Barwick - One Half 2. Mount Kimbie - Made to Stray 3. Dungeonesse - Private Party 4. Nightmare Air - Ice Daggers 5. Soft …
One of Seattle's most notable feminist impetuses is the outfit Tacocat. The Capitol Hill four-piece has not only perfected their glamorously zany fashion, but also how they articulate their outspoken pop punk panache via satirical songs like "I Hate the Weekend" and "The Internet". Having recently …
