Holy shit. St. Vincent played a show last night at Le Poisson Rouge in New York, dressed as toilet. The evening also included performances from Father John Misty and Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Joan As Police Woman, and more, although none of them dressed as a sanitation fixture. Proceeds…
I have to admit that after reading up a little bit on the goings-on in the life of Ripton Hylton, a.k.a. Eek-A-Mouse, in the past decade or so, I was unsure as to whether I should be talking about this particular album. But after a little more reading and thinking (and listening), I decided to go a…
This week's highlights include the latest from Hudson Mohawke. The Scottish producer, a.k.a. Ross Birchard, shares his sophomore full-length, and KEXP Music Director Don Yates notes the release "finds him bringing a bit more restraint to his maximalist blend of various electronic styles with R&…
Twenty two years is a long time to wait for a group's second album, but The Juliana Hatfield Three have not missed a beat on the new songs from their recently released, Whatever, My Love. Unlike the vast majority of '90s bands currently slugging it out on the road, this trio does not have to rely o…
Everyone seems to have a story about their love for Elliott Smith. For Seth Avett and Jessica Lea Mayfield, theirs might have started with a dog. The two friends bonded over Smith's songs after Mayfield introduced Avett to her adopted pooch, Elliott. Ongoing conversations about their shared reveren…
Mirel Wagner has an uncanny ability to conjure haunting atmospheres with little more than an acoustic guitar and her chilling, sparse vocals, but what's even more striking is the narratives she chooses to craft with those talents. Mortality, family, and love are just some of the themes that colored…
Sad news from local artist Star Anna: her beloved beagle buddy, Forest, was recently hit by a car and has sustained some injuries. Thankfully, he's recovering nicely. If you've fallen in love with Forest like we have (read our pet profile on him here), please consider making a donation to help wit…
Cataldo's Eric Anderson writes big, beautiful songs that begin with just a hum or a whistle. His new album, Gilded Oldies, is full of tracks with bright melodies and powerful percussion - jungles from small seeds. It's a particularly strong record that has been received in Seattle with open arms. W…
Starbucks are at it again with Sweetheart 2014, their annual compilation of artists covering their favorite love songs. This year's romantic roster includes Beck, The Head & the Heart, Vampire Weekend, Phosphorescent, and Jim James, covering Bob Marley, as you can stream below. Sweetheart 2014…
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis made an appearance on The Colbert Report last night to play "Same Love" and also dish on various questions about their independent release of The Heist, the music biz, fame, and how hip-hop is evolving from its misogynistic and homophobic past. Colbert asks the poignant…
Björk has announced a new single called "The Gate" that will be released digitally on September 18 and via a limited edition single-sided 12" vinyl released on September 22. She announced the new album last month, which will reportedly be co-produced with her Vulnicura co-producer Arca. It will als…
Arcade Fire have shared a remix of the title track of this summer's Everything Now from their tourmates from the European leg of their recent tour, Colombian psychedelic cumbia band Bomba Estéreo. Simón Mejía of Bomba Estereo said that Win Butler approached the band with a couple of song possibili…
KEXP's Afternoon Show host Kevin Cole pumps up the volume with a great mix of new music and live rarities in celebration and appreciation of KEXP's Amplifiers Club donors! Turn it up! 1. Sonic Avenues - In Your Head 2. Guided By Voices - Psychotic Crush 3. Thee Oh Sees - Drop 4. Sharon Van E…
Timely does not even begin to describe the new record from NYC rappers Heems and Riz MC, a.k.a. Swet Shop Boys. While it's depressing as hell, these two dudes seriously could not have picked a better week to drop an album about basic human rights being put up into contention. As the race towards Vo…
Post-punk gods Savages have done the unthinkable with their second outing: they made their sophomore record an unabashed anthem to embracing life and love. "Love is the answer" - this is the message of Savages' first single off of Adore Life, their second LP and follow up to the highly acclaimed 20…
In all the press shots for their new album, Swedish indie rock veterans Peter Bjorn and John are decked out in custom jumpsuits and armed with cartoon tools. They look like they are ready for a day of work at the zaniest garage or gear shop that you've ever seen. And yet, the imagery is fitting, pe…
