HEALTH's new record Death Magic has a pretty significant lead up to it. After working on a third album for some time, the band got an opportunity to work on the soundtrack for Rockstar's Max Payne 3, which they knocked out of the park in every plausible way. The extra time focused on production and…
Anyone who got to kick off 2017 with Sleater-Kinney is already very lucky, but it sounds like the show was even better than we could've imagined. For their New Year's Eve concert at San Francisco’s Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium, the ladies paid tribute to artists we've lost this year: David Bowie an…
This Saturday, August 13th, The Vera Project & Friends of Waterfront Seattle present Vera at the Waterfront: a much needed, free, all-ages excuse to pretend the summer's end isn't rapidly approaching. Complete with a stacked lineup of local musicians and art installation provided by Vera's scre…
I have a confession to make: Not unlike some KCMU DJs circa 1986, I am woefully ignorant of the career and voluminous musical output of Wanda Jackson, also known as the Queen of Rockabilly - or just the Queen of Rock. (Obviously I haven't been reading the KEXP blog enough, or this DJ El Toro review…
Earlier this month, Alice Russell graced KEXP’s studios with her breathy, soulful style. With a rhythmic push tempered like a slow-build, her set kicked off with the song “For A While.” Donning a gold heart-shaped ring on her left hand, Russell belted her heart-felt “Ooos” and “Yeahs” that clutched…
This Tuesday, Portland synth pop band STRFKR kick off their tour in support of new record Miracle Mile at the Neptune with San Francisco electronic shoegaze artist Blackbird Blackbird. The bill is solid. STRFKR are back stronger than ever on Miracle Mile building off of the perfected pop textures w…
Mac DeMarco is a walking contradiction. He's a hardworking slacker, a popular outsider, and his newest release Another One is laden with carefree melancholy. His shows have always been a celebration of his refusal to fit any sort of vague mold, and the fans that aspire to do the same. Thursday nigh…
Over 2,000 music fans descended upon the Seattle Center's Mural Amphitheater last week -- thank you! All of you and more are invited back this Friday as we continue the Concerts at the Mural series with another killer line-up. As always, these shows are FREE and all ages, with a beer garden for tho…
You could feel the weight of the road lifted from their shoulders. After wrapping up their North American tour with a packed, energetic show at The Neptune the night before, indie-rock legends Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks joined us in the KEXP studios with Springtime on their minds. "It's pretty…
Following Sasquatch's lead, this year's Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has released their schedule, which has done a pretty good job at keeping potential conflicts away from the Farm. (I'm looking at you, "Sigur Ros vs. Phoenix vs. New Order" Coachella.) Traditionally, Thursday has been a showcas…
Foals frontman Yannis Phillipakis has 5+ water bottles put out for him every set, and he drinks maybe one of them during the Oxford quintet's set. That's because he kicks or sprays them on the audience, typically while taking a brief break from wailing on guitar or crowdsurfing in the audience. It …
Watching these videos you might be thinking: political outrage hasn't seen this much ferocity in music since Rage Against the Machine disbanded a dozen years ago. The fact is, Raymond "Boots" Riley and his band The Coup have been making socially outspoken jams for just as long and have turned out e…
Multi-genre program featuring eclectic sets by a rotating cast of international and local DJs, each building upon a party vibe to kick off your weekend.
Whether it be creating a playlist for the long haul over to the Gorge on our Music That Matters Podcast, or keeping you in the know with the inside details, over here at KEXP, we're preparing you to enjoy each and every moment at Sasquatch! Festival as best you can. Sure, there are inevitable glitc…
Red Bull Sound Select are at it again: the caffeine-packed beverage people throw concerts around the world, curated by local taste-makers (KEXP has curated a few of these shows ourselves). This time around, legendary label Sub Pop Records have picked the bill, and on Wednesday, October 7th, you can…
Oh man, oh man. Last week, Sub Pop released the deluxe 10th anniversary edition of the full-length debut of Wolf Parade, Apologies to the Queen Mary, on lush triple disc vinyl, pulling together all three of Wolf Parade's lead-up EPs and packaging it all in a glorious tri-fold of awesome. The same w…
Some bands jump into their opening song and some bands literally jump into their opening song. After completing their own soundcheck at Sasquatch, Seattle band Kithkin quietly got into position on the sides of the stage and literally leaped – with Kelton Sears nearly pulling off the best scissor ki…
February is kicking off with lots of interesting stuff for your ears, most notably, the sophomore release from duo Broken Bells -- Danger Mouse and James Mercer of The Shins. KEXP's Music Director, Don Yates, describes the new album After the Disco as "a strong set of psych-tinged rhythmic pop that…
