After leaving your rock band and abandoning your faith, you're bound to come back with some kind of statement or not come back at all. Mikko Joensuu chose the former path, creating an ambitious trilogy of albums with songs that often live in spiritual, transcendent moments. Performing with a…
A full bill of local punk rocked Chop Suey Thursday night in a debaucherous whirlwind of moshing bodies. Presented by Sonic Reducer, KEXP's Saturday night punk and hardcore show, the evening was sure to exhibit all the gems Brian Foss brings to any event: great music, great people, and great attitu…
The world is waking up to the terrible news: iconic artist David Bowie has passed away at the age of 69 after an 18-month-long battle with cancer. KEXP DJs and listeners have been sharing their stories, feelings, and memories on-air all day, and on social media, Bowie's friends and admirers have be…
While everyone else in Seattle was decked out in rain boots and all-weather jackets, the dapper Los Angeles quartet Chicano Batman returned to the KEXP studio dressed to the nines, bringing a bit of psychedelic sunshine to one of the wettest Seattle winters in recent memory. The band's ebulli…
Every year, KEXP DJ John Richards produces the "Mom Show," a beautiful three-hour program of remembrance and reflection. The show began as a memorial for his own mother after she passed away from cancer, and with an outpouring of support from KEXP listeners, has evolved into a tribute to all our lo…
Brooklyn band Parquet Courts have just released a split 7" with their neighbors in Future Punx. Released as part of the Less Artists More Condos series through Famous Class, proceeds from the sale of the single go to benefit the Ariel Panero Memorial Fund at VH1 Save The Music. Stream the track "T…
It's a strong week for new albums, including the long-awaited solo debut from Blur frontman (and Gorillaz leader) Damon Albarn. KEXP Music Director Don Yates describes the release as "a mostly dark, brooding set of eclectic, beat-driven pop with a stripped-down, dub-influenced sound combining haunt…
Grynch has been rapping in the Seattle hip-hop scene for over a decade. He has played with just about everyone around town, from Macklemore to Blue Scholars, and even with Cleveland's Bone Thugs 'n Harmony. He's also working on a new album that he hopes to release in spring. KEXP caught up with the…
Weekend the band are much like their music: intense, a little intimidating, but you can't help but be drawn in. The dark, moody songs from their sophomore album, Jinx, were perfect in the gothic interiors of New York's Judson Memorial Church. KEXP managed to grab the guys for a quick chat after th…
Pop open a bottle of bubbly - The Dismemberment Plan are back in full force. As seen here at their packed performance at Judson Memorial Church during KEXP's CMJ broadcast, the band resurrects their renowned dance-punk energy and precision playing. It’s hard to imagine The Dismemberment Plan could …
Hey, Sub Pop Records, you blushin' yet? All week long, KEXP has been asking their roster, their minions, and the Seattle music community to share their memories of this legendary label as we help celebrate their 25th anniversary and eagerly await the Sub Pop Silver Jubilee this Saturday, July 13th.
It was exciting enough when Slowdive reunited in 2014 for a worldwide tour, but now the Berkshire-based shoegazers will release a self-titled LP tomorrow, Friday, May 5th, via Dead Oceans. It's their fourth album, and first new music in 22 years. Founding member, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist…
After the release of their stellar debut album, The Shape of Brat Pop to Come its been a year of relative silence, but today, HOLYCHILD is back with a bang. The indie pop duo has impeccable timing. "Rotten Teeth" is perfect summer jam to kick off your Memorial Day weekend. [SPIN]
After a hugely successful 2013 -- a sell-out time in less than 2 hours and a killer lineup -- the Northwest's premier summer festival, Sasquatch!, just announced that it will expand to two separate weekend in 2014. That's right, not one Sasquatch! but two! And let you think this is a Coachella knoc…
While it's true that Jófríður Ákadóttir is one of the more prolific Icelandic musicians of recent memory - her projects have included Pascal Pinon, Samaris, GANGLY, and now her solo venture, JFDR - but to focus on the quantity of her output doesn't do its quality justice. Ákadóttir&apos…
They'd previously ripped up Kex Hostel as part of the Iceland Airwaves broadcast, so it should be no surprise that the Reykjavik trio Moji & The Midnight Sons torch the KEXP Live Room in Seattle with the same potent soulful hand grenade of a sound. On the heels of their debut album, What…
Staying in town this Memorial Day weekend? You can at least take a cultural trip around the world with the 44th Annual Northwest Folklife Festival, running May 22nd through 25th on Seattle Center grounds. You'll get to enjoy over 5,000 performers from over 65 different cultural communities, all for…
Freshly signed to Sub Pop, Rose Windows have wasted no time making gentle waves with their "hard-hitting hippie" style of psychedelic Sabbath-influenced rock. "Wartime Lovers" is a tambourine tangled track with harmonies that swirl and captivated to boot - singer Rabia's deep and melodic voice soot…
As part of the Less Artists More Condo's series put out by Famous Class, Cass McCombs gives us his sparse and sad, "If You Loved Me Before." LAMC is a series which benefits Ariel Panero Memorial Fund at VH1 Save the Music, which helps put music back in schools. The track is one half of the sixth i…
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…
