"This is our first rap song." Sharon Van Etten may have an extraordinary talent for extracting every last excruciating detail of her romantic failings, but it can't be said that she doesn't have a sense of humor. One of a handful of acts to play during Monday's brief period of cloudy skies, Van Ett…
Although there was plenty of star power on the final day of Sasquatch, there was a clear standout during the early afternoon on Monday, and it wasn't just because brought a Godzilla figurine onstage with her. When an assured Natalie Prass opened with an electric version of "Bird Of Prey", it was cl…
Over the past few years, we've tried to make KEXP videos not only fun to watch but also instantly recognizable. But when artists and other guests visit our actual studio space and see the dark and starry walls, they almost always say, "Wow, this is much smaller than it looks!" Charming as it may be…
For quite a while now, I’ve been booking the KEXP Community Partnership Benefit Shows, but not once has one of the benefits fallen on my birthday. Well, this year I’m lucky enough to have this dream come true. So this Saturday, July 5th, I’m inviting you to come out and celebrate 36 years of my exi…
Soul legend Bobby Womack has passed away today at the age of 70. Cause of death is not currently being reported. Womack began performing music in the mid-'50s, and was discovered by Sam Cooke who signed his band, The Valentinos, to SAR Records. The Valentinos' 1964 single "It's All Over Now" was co…
While it's a fairly slow summer week for new releases, there are definitely some terrific Northwest releases to get you shopping at your favorite record store today. In the past three years between their second and third albums, Seattle's Feral Children seem to have grown into men... wild men, sure…
A little over a decade ago, Josh Homme - singer/guitarist/only consistent member of Queens of the Stone Age - broke out of the Palm Desert scene that birthed his first projects (including desert rock pioneers Kyuss and the ever-changing Desert Sessions) and into England with QOTSA's second album, R…
That True Believers' posthumously released second is called Hard Road is no joke. The Alejandro and Javier Escovedo-led Austin band hit the major pitfalls of the 80's music industry starting with a big local buzz that led to a rushed and underproduced first album, a lineup change dictated by their …
While their name sounds like the kind of exclamation you hear on the streets of London, the darlings of Allo Darlin' hail from Brisbane, Australia, and the London suburb of Kent. Earlier this year, when they played Three Imaginary Girls' tenth anniversary show at The Vera Project, they stopped in t…
On the show this time, it’s the groovy, new-classic roots-rock of Portland’s Rose City Band.
Midday Show host Cheryl Waters loves Fall and her reward is more great music, including a song called Halloween and beaucoup bands from Seattle. 1. The Weather Station - Shy Women 2. Sóley - Halloween 3. Youth Lagoon - The Knower 4. Israel Nash - LA Lately 5. Hamilton Leithauser & Paul Maroo…
New music from The Shins is here! Check out the first single "Name For You" below, from the album Heartworms out March 10th via Aural Apothecary/Columbia. Well, actually the second single: the band shared the track "Dead Alive" last year during Halloween, 'cause with a title like that, you pretty …
Every year, the holiday season seems to inspire some of our favorite bands to write new music. KEXP has rounded up some of our favorites below. Need even more songs for rockin' around your Christmas tree? Be sure to check out previous round-ups for 2015 and 2014. Happy holidays from everyone at KEX…
Black Francis makes his video directorial debut today with the clip for "Um Chagga Lagga," off the latest Pixies LP, Head Carrier. Francis (er, "Mr. Black"?) wrote, storyboarded, produced, and directed the clip in Toulouse, France, and the video features scenes of the countryside there, alongside…
If Thao and the Get Down Stay Down and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were related and they had a uniquely uncompromising third sibling it would be vocal-and-guitar-wailing Weaves. The Toronto four-piece isn't afraid to push the envelop in an free form, experimental effort to expand their own style of indie r…
If day one of Capitol Hill Block Party had that much energy with everyone arriving after work, day two never stood a chance. Fully rested, hangovers nursed, and a fresh set of bands to gawk over; fans at CHBP were ready to up the ante. Thankfully there was a wealth of local artists to help quench t…
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…
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…
Ms. Sharon Jones! is a new documentary that follows Sharon Jones (and her Dap-Kings) through 2013, the year she and the band released their amazing Give the People What They Want and when she was diagnosed with cancer. The film was directed by two-time Oscar winner Barbara Kopple and will premiere…
