Toronto rave gods Crystal Castles are known for their brutally intense live show. Alice Glass smokes nearly an entire pack of cigarettes on stage and makes some good progress on a bottle of Jack Daniels, while Ethan Kath barely looks up from his table, making sure that every pulsing bass drop shake…
It was a year ago today that KEXP celebrated our annual Intergalactic Bowie Day celebration on what was David Bowie's 69th birthday, sadly followed by an on-air mourning of his passing mere days later. While the passing of time has done nothing to dull the pain, the power and influence of his music…
As major labels continue to exist behind the times, artists and labels with little capital and lesser reputations are producing some of the most innovative, interesting, and inspiring music. Whether it’s creating a new niche in digital technology or looking to once obsolete formats, Agitated Atmosp…
It's important to note that The Replacements reunion could've been a disaster, and not the kind of shambolic splendor that the Minnesota legends used to thrive off of. When they were perpetually drunk underdogs tossing out half-assed covers and barely recognizable versions of their own material, th…
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…
As major labels continue to exist behind the times, artists and labels with little capital and lesser reputations are producing some of the most innovative, interesting, and inspiring music. Whether it’s creating a new niche in digital technology or looking to once obsolete formats, Agitated Atmosp…
You'll be happy to have the blues this weekend! KEXP is proud to team up with The Royal Room, The Columbia City Theater, and American Standard Time to present the 2nd Annual Columbia City Blues Festival in Seattle this Friday, August 15th through Sunday, August 17th. Together, we're bringing togeth…
As major labels continue to exist behind the times, artists and labels with little capital and lesser reputations are producing some of the most innovative, interesting, and inspiring music. Whether it’s creating a new niche in digital technology or looking to once obsolete formats, Agitated Atmosp…
King Khan and the Shrines are back at it again - this time with track "Born To Die" and a string of show dates! Supposedly about the "state of the world we live in today" the upcoming album is a psychedelically exciting as you would expect from a band that jams as hard as the King and the Shrines. …
Five songs into Hamilton Leithauser’s headlining set at the Neptune Theatre last week, a man got down on one knee and proposed to his sweetheart. The news didn’t reach the stage until after the former frontman for The Walkmen howled the last refrain of “A 1000 Times,” from his latest studio LP, I H…
Throwaway Style is a weekly column dedicated to examining all aspects of the Northwest music scene. Whether it’s a new artist making waves, headlines affecting local talent, or reflecting on some of the music that’s been a foundation in our region; this space celebrates everything happening in the …
Montreal-based band Loon is Tessa Dawn K, Gregory Burton, Alexander Thibault, Tamara Sandor and Alex Nicol. They played a lovely set of ethereal, down-tempo dream pop, with Tessa’s delicate, crystalline vocals shining through, reminiscent at times of Kate Bush and Lauren Mayberry of CHVRCHES. Their…
The latest mix from Cheryl Waters comes from all kinds of places and artists, featuring new songs from Zola Jesus, Ty Segall, and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. 1. Kevin Morby - City Music 2. Django Django - Tic Tac Toe 3. Widowspeak - When I Tried 4. Dream Wife - Somebody 5. Sharon Jones &…
The compositions of the Iraqi oud composer and performer Rahim AlHaj do not have lyrics, but the tension, force, and vitality of his songs speak volumes about the power of music in the face of terrible strife. Backed by a string quartet and bassist on Wo' Pop, AlHaj speaks boldly about valuin…
Courtney Marie Andrews isn't out of her twenties yet, but she's spent more time on the road than most musicians ever will. Yet the inspiration from her newest album, Honest Life, came from her experience getting off the touring circuit and bartending in a small town, and the results are …
The first episode of KEXP’s Sound & Vision podcast features: Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, on the role that distance running has played in his life and struggles with alcohol abuse. Exoneree Amanda Knox, on the role music played during her time incarcerated in an Italian prison. US Congresswo…
The deeper we get into Animal Collective's Painting With chapter, the more it feels like a real renaissance for the band. As the band themselves described it, the process for the new record felt natural and fun - a far cry for the laborious process it took to put forth Centipede Hz. Spending time i…
"We're here for a rock n roll good time", Ryan Devlin chuckles as Hounds of the Wild Hunt finish another total jam. He points to the Tractor Tavern door. "If you aren't here for a rock n roll good time, you best just turn right around." Tonight, the Hounds open up for the infamous Nashville rock ba…
Today's Song of the Day, as chosen by Kevin Cole, host of Drive Time on KEXP, is "Familiars" by Dark Time Sunshine, from the 2021 album LORE on Fake Four Inc.
Brooklyn label 100% Electronica has, in its short existence, become a great hub for low profile electronic music in New York. Their releases span the electronic spectrum, riding every wave (chill, vapor, etc.) but also diving deeper into the subterranean bass houses that pepper the ground floor of …
