Sleigh Bells have changed. I still remember the afternoon that my friend introduced me. "It's like a pep rally for gladiators", she said, laughing, pointing me to the self-titled EP, "their cover looks like Jimmy Buffett but their Myspace says they like Korn". It was a reasonable introduction, effo…
I learn so much writing these blog posts! For instance, did you know that Michael Penn (whom you probably first heard about for his delightfully earwormy 1989 hit "No Myth," but has since done many serious and critically acclaimed things - not that there's anything unserious about "No Myth," that's…
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 DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morn…
The last time they were at the Paramount Theatre, Sigur Rós were touring behind their just-released sixth album Valtari, their final LP with founding member Kjartan Sveinsson, who declined to tour with them that year and would fully quit the band not long after. That album remains the most mellow i…
Florida band Surfer Blood couldn't wait until summer to release their anticipated sophomore album of poppy, surf-influenced indie rock, but that's just as well, as Pythons takes a relatively darker turn. Our Music Director, Don Yates, praises the new album for its "more polished and streamlined sou…
The lively 1984 discussion that took place among the KCMU DJ-erati on the cover of the first LP by Alien Sex Fiend might just take the prize for greatest number of words with the least to do with the music at hand. It definitely has the most anagrams I've ever come across in my years of doing this …
South By Southwest is a music lover’s wonderland with a magnificently overwhelming amount of bands and DJs to check out. You'll have the chance to see some of your current interests, old favorites, and maybe most importantly discover brand new sounds. Austin is a multicultural city and SXSW always …
From smaller clubs like The Crocodile and the Tractor Tavern to the luxurious concert venue of Benaroya Hall. "This is quite a step up from where we started in Seattle," joked Nick Urata, frontman for DeVotchKa, as he stared out at the expansive room, seemingly sold out from floor to third tier bal…
Two weeks after the death of Stone Temple Pilots' ex-frontman Scott Weiland, his surviving bandmates have shared a moving tribute video. Guitarist Dean DeLeo, drummer Eric Kretz, and bassist Robert DeLeo chose to showcase one of their favorite songs, "Atlanta," which they recorded with Scott 16 ye…
Renowned director Lance Bangs helms a video from Americana veterans Drive-By Truckers. Watch the clip for "Surrender Under Protest" below, a track from their most recent release, American Band, out now on ATO Records. A press release describes the video as "a gritty portrait of today’s America wit…
This Wednesday, June 7th, on what would have been Prince's 59th birthday, KEXP will be Feelin' Minnesota as we celebrate with a spotlight on bands from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. From 6AM to 6PM, you'll hear from artists like Hüsker Dü, Brother Ali, Poliça, and The Jayhawks, leading up to a four-hou…
If you caught The Dandy Warhols at last week's John in the Morning at Night event, then you got a live sneak peek at how strong their forthcoming full-length Distortland is going to be. Today, the band shares the single "Catcher In The Rye" from their soon-to-be-released tenth album. Listen below.…
Christopher Owens is in love with himself. Chrissybaby Forever, his third solo album, finds the former Girls frontman getting back to basics by writing and recording almost entirely alone. Aided by engineer J.J. Wiesler, Owens performed all instruments, only calling in a few friends for backups. As…
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 DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morn…
Late last month, Colin Meloy of The Decemberists took to the streets of Brooklyn to announce the Portland band's new album, What A Terrible World, What A Beautiful World, will be out January 20th on Capitol Records. Today, we've got the studio version of the track "Make You Better" to share, and i…
Ben Todd of Lonesome Shack is one of the slickest guitar players in the town. The man has been shedding his instrument for years now and the work continues to pay off. Recently Lonesome Shack released the album More Primitive on the record label that discovered The Black Keys. Not bad. KEXP caught …
In a new interview with Rolling Stone, founding members Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson reveal a new album from The Replacements is a strong possibility. The article notes, Westerberg "has plenty of songs in the hopper," including the aptly-titled track "Are You in It for the Money?" and one tit…
Brooklyn band The Antlers share a new video today for the track "Refuge" off their most recent release, Familiars. Produced by Morgan Beringer, the video is just as dreamy as the song. Watch it below, and watch their KEXP in-studio session here. [Pitchfork]
