Like many of the buzzy debut albums in a post-xx world, Wet's Don't You lives in a quiet, emotionally-focused space, so it was fitting that they played in one of the city's more intimate rooms for their debut headline gig in Seattle. But as far as debut gigs go, Wet's was anything but a small affai…
It’s time to blast off to 1992... in 2015! Cairo’s EXPO 92 mini-festival takes place this Thursday through Saturday at the Capitol Hill all-ages venue and vintage store, showcasing exciting and vital local talent. Now in its seventh year, EXPO’s three day lineup is as much an opportunity to let you…
Our second act of the day here at Kex Hostel was Sóley, one of our favorites in Iceland. Maybe you caught her unique live loops and beautiful singing at our Reykjavik Calling show at Neumo's back in October. Or perhaps you've watched one of the many times we've recorded sessions with her, either at…
Named after one of the most feared diseases that travelers to the Far East can contract, Dengue Fever is responsible for rekindling interest in a music that was nearly obliterated by one of most maniacal regimes of the 20th century. Based in the vibrant Los Angeles music scene, touring worldwide, a…
Tom Krell, better known as How to Dress Well. and newcomer TĀLĀ have collaborated on a new single as part of Pitchfork's Songs From Scratch series, which gives artists only 24 hours to create and record a song. Below you can hear both artists' versions of their track "The One." [Pitchfork]
Iceland breeds some unique vocalists. One of our favorites, who we discovered a few years ago at Icelandic Airwaves Festival is Sóley, a former member of Seabear who has become an acclaimed songwriter on her own. We know we're not the only ones to fall in love with her, as Sóley's performance of "I…
This week we celebrate the 15th year of one of Seattle’s favorite hometown labels: Barsuk Records! Since its birth in 1998, Barsuk has helped create a platform for dozens of great bands, from the Pacific Northwest and otherwise, to get off the ground and put forth incredible music. Even in the deca…
Afternoon show host Kevin Cole provides your late summer soundtrack to Camp Bliss with new faves from Twin Peaks, Benjamin Booker, Beach Day, Allah-Las, Deep Sea Diver and more! 1. Twin Peaks - I Found A New Way 2. Alvvays - Adult Diversion 3. The Proper Ornaments - Stereolab 4. Beach Day - All M…
The music world lost some great artists in 2018; KEXP celebrates their lives on the air, today, Thursday, December 13th from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST.
As part of the collaboration, we asked Haben Haileslassie, one of the Program Directors of Grounded, Black Coffee’s nonprofit space, about music and social impact.
A remarkable performance of the long string instrument. This Sonarchy archive show was first aired in March 1999 and presents one of the deepest and richest of drone instruments played by the woman who built and developed it.
D.C. duo GEMS stop by KEXP to perform songs from their debut LP, "Kill the One You Love". Recorded 01/18/2016 - 4 songs: w/o U, Medusa, Scars, Heartbreaker.
Toronto group Alvvays perform their surf-inflected dream-pop live from the KEXP studio. Recorded 12/2/2014 - 4 songs: Ones Who Love You; Dives; Archie, Marry Me; Party Police
K-vicker? No, K-vaker! Today's release of Sigur Rós' 2013 album, Kveikur, may seem like a speedy turn-around on the heels of their 2012 LP, Valtari, but the ground-shaking sound on the new LP is what the Icelandic band has been building toward over the past few years. While the relatively placid Va…
After three days of drunken fun in the streets and more tank tops than you've ever seen in one place, Capitol Hill Block Party came through with one last hurrah. Sunday was non-stop for exceptional local music from the opening sets to the last minutes of Perfume Genius' set on the Vera stage. From …
One would not necessarily associate The Hotelier with Sasquatch Music Festival. The band, out of Worcester, MA, make notably anthemic emo/punk rock. Their sophomore record Goodness graced a number of Top 10s in 2016 (see: a No. 5 finish on the AV Club's list), and brought the group's music to a lar…
This week, we continue sharing our discoveries from the Trans Musicales festival in Rennes, France, where last December we captured twelve exclusive sessions. We’re sharing with you one unique session each Friday, and you can watch all the previously released ones here. This week, we present a stri…
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 Mor…
No, we haven't time-warped to twenty years ago: on this holiday week, the reissues and anniversary editions dominate the new release list. One of the highlights is the reissue of Flake Music's 1997 debut (and sole release) When You Land Here, It’s Time to Return. Flake Music was an early incarnatio…
Arctic Monkeys have premiered a video for the track "One for the Road" off their latest album AM, which the KEXP Blog has called a "most interesting step out of their spiky, guitar-laden comfort zone." Watch the band meander through the cornfields below. [Pitchfork]
