On Double Take, KEXP's dynamic duo of Martin Douglas and Dusty Henry explore the great double-albums in history by each focusing on one part's musical, lyrical, and historic themes. First up are the parallel albums released by Shabazz Palaces on the same day in 2017: Quazarz: Born on a Gangster Sta…
DJ Sharlese hosts a podcast featuring bands competing in the 2015 Sound Off! competition, the premiere Northwest battle of the bands hosted by the Experience Music Project (EMP) Museum. 1. Bleachbear - Astoria 2. Champagne Babylon - Lost In Eden 3. Nightspace - Insecure 4. Super Soaked - Wannabe…
It has begun: as of midnight last night, the Alaskan Way Viaduct is now closed for two weeks while the Highway 99 tunnel machine "Bertha" burrows below. If you haven't endured the results of the closure yet, get ready, as statistics state 90,000 drivers and 30,000 transit riders are being displaced…
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. Today’s song, featured on the Afterno…
The Triple Door was the place to be last night if you're a fan of Decibel Festival and need something to tide you over until September. The venue featured two identical back to back shows of Erased Tapes artists Nils Frahm and Douglas Dare. The two pianists made for an impressive showcase of everyt…
Portland psychedelic rockers The Dandy Warhols have shared "You Are Killing Me," their latest music since their 2012 album, This Machine. This track is the band's first release since signing with their new label Dine Alone Records. "You Are Killing Me" is a catchy rock number with an old school so…
Poliça will release their third album, United Crushers, on March 4. The Minneapolis synthpop band describe the album as "heavily political and deeply personal with thick references to social injustice, self-doubt and isolation, the rapidly increasing urban decline in gentrification, overcoming mu…
Today, Foals have dropped their new album, What Went Down, the follow up to 2013's impressive Holy Fire. The 10-track collection was recorded in France and produced by James Ford, who's worked with artist such as Florence and the Machine and the Arctic Monkeys. What Went Down can be streamed in it…
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…
KEXP Variety Mix host Reeves does his first ever Music That Matters podcast, featuring tracks from the end of 2015 and from anticipated releases of 2016. 1. Cymbals Eat Guitars - Aerobed 2. The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die - I Can Be Afraid of Anything 3. DIIV - …
California quartet Silversun Pickups share a glimpse into their studio life via the video for "Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)," which you can watch below. The track appears on their forthcoming full-length Better Nature, their first new album in three years, out September 25th on their own label, N…
It's hard being The Strokes. After setting the template for the next ten years of guitar-based rock with their 2001 debut, Is This It, it wasn't long before the NYC quintet was being outpaced by the bands they paved the way for. After some time apart, Julian Casablancas, Nikolai Fraiture, Nick Vale…
How does K Records label impresario Calvin Johnson feel about Pink Floyd? DJ Sharlese may not get the local legend to reveal how he feels, but one thing we know for sure is that he loves Portland surf-rockers The Shivas. Not only has he released the young band's fourth album You Know What To Do on …
With a voice nurtured by her Tennessee church roots, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Valerie June skillfully combines gospel, folk, bluegrass, and a bevy of other genres in her music. Known for her distinct voice, June was determined to succeed as a solo artist and taught herself to play gu…
Seattle's own Shabazz Palaces recently released two new albums, Quazarz: Born On A Gangster Star and Quazarz vs. The Jealous Machines via Sub Pop. The single "Shine A Light" featuring Thaddillac has gotten the video treatment from director Neil Ferron and it's a little eerie. According to a press r…
Droning feedback. Static. The mechanical thrust of distorted, blown out drums. These are the first few sounds you hear on CHARMS’ debut album, Human Error, out June 16 on Killroom Records (which you can stream below). Even before the song descends into a flurry of manic, sharp riffs and guttural sy…
atTentIoN, huManS of eArtH. Hightek Lowlives bring greetings and great sounds from the distant future. The Seattle duo of Otieno Terry and Kjell Nelson toss everything you know about R&B, beat-making, hip-hop and rap, throw it into a time-machine, and send it careening like a bizarre blast from…
