Um, Mr. Malkmus? Correct me if I'm wrong, if you're reading this (and by golly, I sure hope you are!), but you seemed a little uncomfortable the night you performed at the EMP Museum. The show was part of the museum's "Influencers Concert Series," which pairs newer artists with the established acts…
British rockers Django Django have shared the video for their single "Reflections." Instead of the band, the video features CGI sculptures playing their respective instruments. Thanks to iTunes Radio, their upcoming album, Born Under Saturn (out May 5), is available to stream now. [Pitchfork]
Timbrrr! Winter Music Festival is a place where people meet new bands, appreciate those they knew already and came to see, and drink hot toddies! We here at KEXP thought it would be fitting to ask some of the musicians gracing the Leavenworth, WA, stage some wintry-themed questions because, of cour…
Lead vocalist and bandleader of Grand Hallway, and solo artist in his own right, Tomo Nakayama has a beautiful voice and a calming presence. He's one of those artists that, when you see him, you are soothed and introspective at the same time. On November 4th, Tomo is playing 14 shows around the cit…
UK label Transgressive Records celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, and all month long, they'll be sharing free downloads spanning their decade of musical awesomeness. Today, they share the Record Store Day track "Jupiter" by The Antlers, which was originally recorded for the compilation The…
Now in its 14th year, the Summer Meltdown Music Festival in Darrington, WA is always a great time, and 2014 is an especially good year to make the 90-minute trip up north for it. Back in March, a mudslide in nearby Oso killed 43 people. The Stillaguamish Valley area is still working towards economi…
Lana Del Rey unexpectedly cancelled last night's appearance on The Late Show at the last minute, but luckily for David Letterman, Elvis Costello was able to swoop in and save the show. Being the brilliant musician that he is, Costello only needed himself, his guitar, and a brand new song he wrote …
Long Island dream pop outfit Twin Sister have decided that after six years on the music scene, it's time for a slight name update. Henceforth, they would like to be known as Mr. Twin Sister, nothing too drastic. They haven't shared anything new since 2011, but now their back with the mysterious "O…
Remember how we were telling you Mudhoney's Mark Arm was going to be a guest on E! TV show The Soup? Well, you can now watch it below, and it's every bit as surreal and hilarious as we hoped it would be! Mark, we hope you've recovered from the Jonas Brothers break-up. [Stereogum]
French dance producer Alan Braxe has created a stunning remix of Franz Ferdinand's single "Evil Eyes." It's a bit of a creepy track, but Braxe was able to make it a haunting dance groove. This should be an instant addition to everyone's Halloween party playlist, somewhere between "Thriller" and "M…
"Nine Inch Numan" -- it was a comment left on the KEXP Facebook page, and echoed among the audience from our Bumbershoot Music Lounge session. Who knew synthpop pioneer Gary Numan had taken such a darker, more industrial turn in his later career! Even his 1979 new wave hit "Cars" took on a harder…
Super-group Divine Fits have somehow released two new tracks almost as one — on Conan, they played "Chained to Love" and "Ain't That the Way" and it worked. Both tracks showcase the Spoon/Wolf Parade vibes as one, while also just totally rocking the way a super-group should. Never ones to miss a be…
In case you were otherwise occupied on Record Store Day, the powers of YouTube are here to save the day. Luckily, the new single from LA indie rockers Best Coast was uploaded for the world's unlimited listening pleasure. The beachy "Fear Of My Identity" showcases Bethany Cosentino's lovely voice a…
I went to Paris for the first time last year. It had been my dream for as long as I can remember, so I guess it’s not surprising that each experience seemed more fantastical to me…our apartment in the building where Picasso had his first Paris studio; eating an ethereal goat cheese that tasted of b…
Portland musician and punk rock icon Fred Cole of Dead Moon and Pierced Arrows passed away last night, November 9, after a battle with cancer. The news was confirmed today by Empty Records co-founder Meghan Smith in the Dead Moon fan club Facebook group. You can read Smith's full message below.
When faced with the same global turmoil that has left so many people feeling unsettled and bewildered, Billy Bragg asked himself this question: “What’s a singer-songwriter to do when events keep challenging the way that we see the world?” His answer was to write, record, and release his musical res…
When Alynda Lee Segarra first thought of making a record with a concept storyline, she heard a voice in her head telling her she was too lazy to do it. Fast forward and Hurray For The Riff Raff's striking album The Navigator features a collection of vivid songs featuring a young female Puerto…
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Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on The Aft…
Canadian electronic duo Purity Ring has released a new song called "Asido" today, on the five year anniversary of their debut LP Shrines. It premiered on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 and comes with a lyric video that was written and directed by frontwoman Megan James. In a statement, James said of the track…
