M.I.A. and Skrillrex have teamed up on a new single called "Go Off." The song will be featured on her upcoming studio album AIM, which drops on September 9. Yesterday, M.I.A. announced that this album will be her last, she said: "I wanna go and do some other stuff and take some time out." Watch th…
I could have a whole sub-category of this series called "why didn't I listen to this band in high school?" If I did, this record by the Hard-Ons (Or is it just "Hard-Ons"? a quick survey of Internet usage is inconclusive.) would most certainly be part of it. Loud, fast, guitar-driven songs ping-pon…
When frontman Dean Wareham sings, "don't know why I can't stop smiling," he echoes the thoughts of thousands of Luna fans grateful to have the band back together after a decade apart. The beloved New York (well, now L.A.) band called it quits in 2004, but with Captured Tracks reissuing their first …
The Decemberists waste no time. Earlier this year they released the LP What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World and now they're back at it. Today they've announced plans to release a 5-track EP of songs that didn't make the album, called Florasongs, on October 9. Listen to the album's opening…
When Houndmouth hears the call, it's not from way up the north but from southern shores, namely the Pacific and Gulf coasts. The Louisville-area pack (technically New Albany, Indiana) mingle breezy SoCal harmonies, gritty roots rock, anthemic sing-alongs and swampland stomp to make their defiant, f…
English rockers New Order have announced a new album, their follow up to 2013's Lost Sirens, called Music Complete. The album will feature collabs with Iggy Pop, Brandon Flowers, and Elly Jackson of La Roux. Music Complete drops on September 25. Watch the album trailer below. [Pitchfork]
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 Afte…
Midday Show host Cheryl Waters loves Fall and her reward is more great music, including a song called Halloween and beaucoup bands from Seattle. 1. The Weather Station - Shy Women 2. Sóley - Halloween 3. Youth Lagoon - The Knower 4. Israel Nash - LA Lately 5. Hamilton Leithauser & Paul Maroo…
Weekend Overnight dj, and frequent Jazz Theater substitute host, Nate shares music from just a fraction of the artists he's excited to see at this year's Earshot Jazz Festival, this year celebrating 25 years of jazz and more! 1. NEXT Collective – Perth 2. John Scofield – Lucky For Her …
Vagabon will talk about her latest album and the meaning behind her song, “Every Woman.” Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon will fill us in on how materialism, LA culture, and her “trashy aesthetic” influenced her first solo record, No Home Record. Jónsi & Alex talk about touring on their 10-year-old album, …
The past half-decade has seen Jessica Dobson powering through an alt-rock dream career: touring with and joining The Shins, touring with Beck, Spoon, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and starting local cult favorite Deep Sea Diver with her husband Peter Mansen on drums. The first DSD release was the '09 EP…
After seven years together, Vivian Girls are calling it quits. They wrote on their Facebook page, "It's been a long and crazy journey in the seven years since, and we feel as though the time has finally come to let our band rest in peace. It's been an experience that we'll look back on and cherish…
There's strength in numbers, and that's certainly true in the case of Portland mini-orchestra Typhoon, who swept through the KEXP studios last fall in support of their most recent album White Lighter. Ironically recorded in Happy Valley, Oregon, the new album is a chronological musical diary of fro…
Last Friday saw the release of not one, but two albums from local duo Shabazz Palaces. KEXP Music Director Don Yates calls Quazarz: Born On A Gangster Star "an impressive set of adventurous hip hop combining an ominous, shape-shifting sound with often heavily processed and reverbed vocals and dysto…
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 DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Mid…
It's difficult to figure out which part of singer-songwriter Courtney Marie Andrews' music is most appealing. Her Saturday afternoon set at the Yeti Stage brought it all: timeless country-folk songwriting, warm melodies, and strong, but understated support from her backing band. Her song selection …
Rejoice! Indie rock legends The National have announced a new album! Their first since 2013's excellent Trouble Will Find Me, the new album will be called Sleep Well Beast and will be released just in time for the post-summer bummers on Sept 8th via 4AD. Check out the first single "The System Only…
Have you ever wondered how to prove your undying loyalty to your favorite band? If the answer is year, The Kills have got you covered. Last month, the band asked fans for 15 participants to get tattoos of symbols inspired by each song for their album Ash & Ice. The call was easily answered and…
Today, KEXP celebrates the birthday of Stevland Hardaway Morris, better known to the world as Stevie Wonder. Wonder turns 66 years old today, and it's impressive to think he's been a musician and songwriter for 55 of those years, recording more than 30 U.S. top ten hits and racking up 25 Grammy Awa…