It’s time again for Friday on My Mind, our weekly blog post where we look at videos centered around one common theme. This is a collaborative effort between KEXP and King 5 News. Easter is around the corner, so we are looking at songs about rabbits. So let's talk rabbit facts. A male rabbit is a bu…
It's the Fourth of July, aka "Independence Day," and KEXP is celebrating our freedom to play all the independent music we want! This great country has inspired songwriters over the years, even ones in other countries from Sweden (First Aid Kit) to Iceland (FM Belfast). While you're firing up the BB…
January is starting to pick-up the pace with a swath of thrilling releases from new and old favorite artists. Swedish Folk outfit First Aid Kit returns with their fourth LP, Ruins, which KEXP's Music Director Dan Yates calls the duo's "most accomplished album to date is a beautifully crafted set of…
Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst returns with his latest solo release, Upside Down Mountain. KEXP Music Director Don Yates says the new album, "features a warm, rich sound with acoustic and electric guitars and keyboards along with occasional horns, pedal steel, woodwinds and gorgeous harmonies co…
KEXP DJs are counting the days 'til the release of the new album from Swedish sister duo First Aid Kit. Their third full-length, Stay Gold, won't be out until June 10th on Columbia Records, but we've got this Swedish TV performance to tide us over in the meanwhile. Watch them perform the track "My…
The Sasquatch mainstage in the Gorge has a way of elevating great vocal performances even further – ask Bon Iver, The Head and The Heart, or any other vocal powerhouse who's performed on it. Now, Johanna and Klara Söderberg of First Aid Kit can add their names to that list after their beautiful Sat…
Those Pretty Wrongs frontman Jody Stephens was a key member of the seminal Memphis band Big Star, but while he was behind the drum kit in that outfit, he's front and center on his new project with Luther Russell (The Freewheelers). In this acoustic performance, Stephens and Russell's so…
Earlier this year, Swedish sister duo First Aid Kit released their third album, Stay Gold, and the siblings do just that in the video for the title track, streaming below. In the clip, Klara and Johanna Söderberg wander dreamily around the island of Gotland. Check it out, and tune in on Saturday, …
For the first time ever, First Aid Kit got to perform their hit single "Emmylou" for none other than Emmylou Harris herself, and, not surprisingly, it was an emotional affair. Harris was in Sweden to accept the Polar Music Prize (described as "the Noble Prize of Music"). Klara Söderberg, half of t…
Happy Sibling Day, everyone! In today's Video Roundup, KEXP is bringing you a slough of bands comprised of brothers and sisters. Our list includes: HAIM, The Jackson Five, The National, Kings of Leon, The Bee-Gees, Radiohead, CocoRosie, and First Aid Kit. It's a wonderful demonstration of the poten…
Cheryl Waters ushers in autumn with a mix of her latest acoustic, electric, and psychedelic fall favorites including new music from Temples, Cass McCombs, and Moby & The Void Pacific Choir. 1. SYML – Leave Like That (feat. Jenn Champion)2. Cass McCombs – Opposite House3. Van William – Revoluti…
The forthcoming Conor Oberst solo album, Upside Down Mountain, is streaming in its entirety today on NPR Music. The release features guest vocals from his pals First Aid Kit, and was recorded with producer Jonathan Wilson. Upside Down Mountain comes out May 20th through Nonesuch Records, and as we…
Immediately upon hearing Hurray for the Riff Raff, a number of important songstresses whoosh to mind: Dolly Parton, Fiona Apple, First Aid Kit, Jolie Holland and many others. What distinguishes Hurray for the Riff Raff's Alynda Lee Segarra from all these others? Perhaps it’s simply the specific loo…
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part 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. This week, we are featuring Christmas…
Rounding out tonight’s broadcast live from KEX Hostel at Iceland Airwaves is Borko. Though it is not uncommon for Icelandic musicians to have their fingers in many pots, Borko (Björn Kristiansson) takes the idea to a whole new level. He immerses himself in essentially every aspect of local music, …
While we consider all our Bumbershoot Music Lounge sessions "special," there's something undeniably extra-special about this one. When main songwriter Alex Chilton passed away in 2010, followed shortly by the passing of founding bassist Andy Hummel the same year, most assumed we'd never hear from t…
Portland singer Charlie Hilton and her band Blouse have consistently found themselves in KEXP's watch list for rising talent. Blouse played Iceland Airwaves back in 2012 behind their first record, then toured extensively behind Imperium, their second, including a great stint with Dum Dum Girls. Thi…
While it's hard to begrudge Alt-J their winning the Mercury Prize, many of us at KEXP were also rooting for another young U.K. group, Django Django. These London-based Scots have also created a stunning art-pop debut, though on their self-titled release, Django Django tend to favor warmer, more Ame…
KEXP's Afternoon Show host Kevin Cole provides your soundtrack to the 2014 Sasquatch Music Festival. A nearly two-hour music mix of Sasquatch highlights will get you pumped on your road trip to the Gorge and back. And, if you're not able to attend Sasquatch this year, will be the next best t…
