A Deeper Listen

Martín Selasco is an Argentine producer and composer based in Washington state. He speaks with KEXP’s Albina Cabrera about the musical diary of his life that led him to create the project Terror/Cactus. His music blends Latin American folk traditions with electronic beats, dark cumbia, and psychedelic sounds. In his latest album, 'Forastero,' Selasco explores his identity, displacement, and the influence of his family on his musical journey. He also shares the story of his father and grandfather, key figures in Argentina’s musical history and founders of the record company, Sicamericana, and the label, Music Hall Records.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s Miss Kaninna (Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Kalkadoon, and Yirendali) talks about the themes of colonialism in her song Blak Britney, about Aboriginal history and life in Australia, how her family has played a role in Indigenous activism and policy, and how she uses her platform as a musician to speak about Indigenous issues.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KEXP’s Albina Cabrera sits down with Christine Gutierrez, the mastermind behind Dark Chisme. Gutierrez blends darkwave, post-punk, and synthpop to tell powerful stories of identity, resilience, and growing up in a bicultural space.

With her self-titled debut album, she channels her personal journey through music, exploring painful episodes like her father’s deportation and the feeling of not fully belonging anywhere, transforming these experiences into musical strength and fire on stage.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomu DJ is an electronic artist from the Bay Area. She’s out with a new album called I Want To Be. Tomu DJ speaks with Emily Fox about her new album, her experience in the music industry as a trans woman and how a near death car accident impacted her sense of rhythm and inspired her to become a solo artist.“I had this renewed or newfound motivation to explore myself and kind of my own mental landscape and the things that I've experienced through music,” she says.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MIKE is a rapper who’s gained a following in part because of his vulnerable writing. He lost his mother just as his rap career was taking off. Throughout his career, he has used voice notes from her in his songs.

In an interview with KEXP’s Martin Douglas, MIKE speaks about losing his mother, working through the loss, and eventually getting to the other side of grief.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suki Waterhouse talks with Emily Fox about how starring in the Amazon Prime series 'Daisy Jones and the Six' inspired her to make her new record, 'Memoir of a Sparklemuffin,' and how she finished the record in the final weeks of her pregnancy and played Coachella a few weeks after birth.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aramis Johnson of Enumclaw talks about the band’s recent move to L.A. because they needed to get out of their hometown of Tacoma, about the joys of going off social media and reading more and the themes of loss on the band’s new album.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Memphis-based soul label Stax Records is home to The Staples Singers, Otis Redding and many soul hitmakers. David Porter, writer of the hit songs “Soul Man” and “Hold On I’m Comin’,” joins this episode to share the story portrayed in the Emmy-nominated documentary, 'Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.'

Porter talks about how Stax was first a country label and switched to soul music after allowing him and other youth from the neighborhood to audition. He talks about how music unified both Black and white musicians at the label, in a town that was segregated at the time. He also discusses the trials and tribulations of getting acquired by larger labels, how the deaths of both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Otis Redding impacted the label, and the successes and legacy of Stax.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sunny Day Real Estate came out of the hardcore scene in Seattle in the 90s and eventually became a major influence on “emo” music.

KEXP’s Dusty Henry talks with guitarist Dan Hoerner and drummer William Goldsmith about the band’s history, their take on "emo," their recent reunion tour, and the re-release of their 1994 debut album, 'Diary.'

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Canadian hardcore band, F*cked Up is out with a new record, called Another Day. The band’s last three records were all written and recorded in a total of 24 hours. Emily Fox speaks with F*cked Up’s frontman Damian Abraham about these 24-hour projects, how Toronto marijuana politics comes up on Another Day and how medical marijuana has helped his panic attacks.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aoife O’Donovan of the bluegrass bands Crooked Still and I’m With Her released a solo album this year about the suffrage movement. To honor the 104th anniversary of women’s right to vote in the U.S., Emily Fox caught up with O’Donovan to get a history lesson on the movement and discuss where we’ve come and the work that still needs to be done.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alisa Amador grew up touring the US and singing in her parents' Latin folk band, Sol y Canto. She then went on to start a solo career and in 2022 she won NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest. But when she got the call from NPR that she had won, she almost told them to give the award to another contestant. Amador had stopped writing music in 2020 following the death of a close friend. In the end, she did accept the award and is now out with her first album since winning the Tiny Desk Contest. It’s called 'Multitudes.'

Emily Fox caught up with Amador to talk about grief, struggles with mental health, and how winning the contest allowed her to start a new, refreshed chapter of her music career.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Henry Foster of the band Your Favorite Enemies talks about how his new ambient record, 'Kimiyo,' was formed after a health crisis that left him unable to speak for months. The album also shares the stories of people he met in Japan during his travels, finding connection between their struggles and his own, and gaining a renewed outlook on life.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emel Mathlouthi is a Tunisian musician whose song “Kelmti Horra” went viral in 2011 and became an anthem for the Tunisian Revolution during the Arab Spring.

Her new album, ‘MRA,’ calls for the continued fight for freedom on a global scale, but through an explicitly feminist lens. It was made by an all-women cast, from producers to musicians to engineers, and includes features from Malian rapper Ami Yerewolo, Brazilian producer Lyzza, Swedish-Iraqi rapper Nayomi, and more.

Emel talks with KEXP’s Isabel Khalili about why she chose to work exclusively with women on this album, what it was like being called “the voice of the Tunisian Revolution,” and the role of artists in social movements.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle indie rock band Pedro the Lion gained a cult following in their early days, making Christian-adjacent music that saw lead singer David Bazan’s reckoning with his faith and politics. After putting the project on hiatus for more than a decade, Bazan returned to the Pedro name in 2018 with the announcement that he’d be recording a five-album series with each record dedicated to a place he lived. Recently, Pedro the Lion put out the third record in the series, 'Santa Cruz.'

Bazan talks with KEXP’s Dusty Henry about making the record, learning to “re-parent” himself, and what he’s learned about himself through the process of making these albums.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Natasha El-Sergany of the Seattle band somesurprises talks about the cosmic, political. and social inspirations behind their new album, 'Perseids.' She also discusses her journey coming to the US with immigrant parents, her day job as an immigration lawyer, and how all of this fuels her music.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington has earned a reputation as one of the most exciting jazz artists of his generation. He's worked with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Flying Lotus. On his new album, Fearless Movement, he embraces fresh sounds and ideas while bringing in new collaborators, including his two-year-old daughter.

KEXP’s Dusty Henry spoke with Washington to learn more about the album, how he's incorporated dance into his music, and finding inspiration in the cosmos.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After playing in a rock band and embarking on a solo career that has spanned many genres, Lawrence Rothman has released a country album. The album is personal—it processes their battle with anorexia, and violence they experienced after a show. Lawrence says he writes music to help others.

“I don't really step up to the mic and write a song or make a record for myself, unless there's something about it that can help someone else,” Rothman says.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shabaka Hutchings is a celebrated saxophone player and a major figure in London’s contemporary jazz scene. He was the bandleader for Sons of Kemet and Shabaka and the Ancestors, and part of the electronic jazz group The Comet Is Coming. But on New Year's Day of 2023, he announced he'd be putting down the saxophone for good and focusing on a new instrument: the flute. Starting with the Japanese shakuhachi and expanding to a variety of traditional flutes, he's now out with his first full-length album under his solo moniker of Shabaka. The album is called 'Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace,' and features collaborations with Carlos Niño, Laraaji, Andre 3000, Floating Points, Esperanza Spalding, Moses Sumney, and more.

Shabaka talks with KEXP’s Isabel Khalili about his transition from saxophone to flute and how it’s helped him learn to release tension and relax into playing. He also discusses his thoughts on the term "Afrofuturism," how he’s embraced Octavia Butler's ideas on the inevitability of change, what it means to heal through music, and his search for meaning outside of a Western colonial paradigm.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alice Randall was the first Black woman to co-write a number one country hit with her song “XXX’s and OOO’s,” sung by Trisha Yearwood in 1994. Now, 30 years later, Randall is out with a memoir and accompanying album both called 'My Black Country.' The album features Black women artists of today covering country songs Randall wrote – songs that were originally sung by white performers – including Adia Victoria, Valerie June, and Rhiannon Giddens of The Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Randall talks with Emily Fox about her music, life, career and about the other Black country artists that came before her.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fabi Reyna is a Portland-based guitarist and songwriter and is also the founder of She Shreds Media, which is dedicated to empowering women and non-binary guitarists and bassists. Reyna is now out with a new album under her artist name, Reyna Tropical. The album is called 'Malegria.'

KEXP’s Albina Cabrera caught up with Reyna to learn more about the inspiration behind the album, how it explores the Latinx diaspora and identity, and about Reyna’s musical partner, Nectali "Sumohair" Díaz, who passed away during the making of the album.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shana Cleveland of La Luz talks about her band’s new album, 'News of the Universe,' and how many of the songs reflect on the breast cancer diagnosis she got after weaning her then two-year-old son off breastfeeding in 2022. She has since received a good bill of health from her doctor.  

“I feel like I often think about cancer and pregnancy and birth in the same way. It was just something growing inside of me, something strange that I couldn’t control and then having it leave suddenly,” Cleveland says.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a 12-year hiatus, the Olympia born-band Gossip is out with their 6th album, 'Real Power.' Beth Ditto of Gossip talks about growing up in Arkansas, moving to Olympia in 1999 after the rise of riot grrrl, and forming Gossip soon after arriving. She talks about those early days in Olympia, promoting body positivity, and being openly queer early on.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathleen Hanna of the Olympia feminist punk riot grrrl band, Bikini Kill, talks with KEXP’s Martin Douglas about her career, activism and why she wanted to write her new memoir, “Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk.”  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ibibio Sound Machine is an electronic group based in London. Singer Eno Williams sings in both her Nigerian family’s language of Ibibio as well as in English. The group’s music spreads messages of unity and bringing people together. That theme is present on their most recent album, Pull the Rope. Williams and Ibibio Sound Machine’s Max Grunhard talk about how their music unifies and Williams talks about her family's journey between Nigeria and London.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Oakland-based band Shannon and the Clams recently released their seventh album, 'The Moon Is In The Wrong Place.' The entire album touches on the loss of Shannon Shaw’s finance Joe Haener who died in a car accident in August of 2022, about two and a half months before their wedding. Shaw talks about Haener’s life, shares stories behind the tracks on the new record, and reflects on how she’s been processing her grief.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

St. Vincent is out with her 7th album, 'All Born Screaming.' In recent years, she has written a screenplay and starred in it, produced records for herself and others, and co-written hit songs like Taylor Swift’s "Cruel Summer" and Olivia Rodrigo’s "Obsessed."

St. Vincent joins Emily Fox to discuss her production work, share stories behind the songs on the new album, and how she feels it's her best record yet and that she's "just getting started." 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The four-time GRAMMY award winning artist Gary Clark Jr. is out with a new album, 'JPEG Raw.' Emily Fox talks with Clark about the songs on the album that address mental health, substance abuse, race, and reflections on the music industry.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chad Ubovich fronts the band Meatbodies, which recently released their fourth album, 'Flora Ocean Tiger Bloom.' The album has been mostly finished for years but it took a medically induced coma to allow Ubovich to complete the record. Ubovich talks with KEXP’s Emily Fox about what led to the coma, the visions he saw while under the coma, and how he was able to complete the album after his health emergency.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Salt Cathedral is a New York via Bogota Colombia duo. Their song, "Terminal Woes," is the most played song on KEXP so far this year.

“This song came from that upsetness of thinking, we’re not taking care of our planet. As a woman in my 30s, thinking should I have children? Should we bring more children into this world because it’s a difficult world and it’s warming up and there’s no climate justice,” says Salt Cathedral’s Juliana Ronderos.

Ronderos, Salt Cathedral’s Nicolas Losada, and KEXP’s Emily Fox talk more about the future of children in the screen addiction era and how these themes are addressed in Salt Cathedral’s latest album, 'Before It’s Gone.'

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alynda Segarra of Hurray for the Riff Raff talks about their new album, 'The Past Is Still Alive.' They share some of the stories that informed the album, like hitchhiking and train hopping around the country. They also talk about their experience helping those struggling with addiction, and how grief is an act of love.

“A lot on this record is about how grief is not a punishment, it’s an act of love and it’s just another expression of love,” Segarra says.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On April 9, we're launching a new podcast right here on this feed. A Deeper Listen will be KEXP's new destination for transformative conversations with artists – the ones you already know and love, and the ones you have yet to discover. We’ll hear from renowned and emerging talents of all musical styles about the stories behind their songs and the life experiences that are inextricable from their work. As we uncover the humanity behind the music, we’ll also gain the tools to listen more deeply.

Over the past five years, Sound & Vision has brought you behind the scenes of the music industry through a variety of stories and formats. With A Deeper Listen, we dig deeper into our most popular type of feature: unfiltered, authentic conversations with artists. Each episode will go beyond the surface to bring us into the world of the artist and find new dimensions to their music. 

Take a deeper listen with us every Tuesday, right here, starting April 9.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KEXP’s Morgan Chosnyk talks us through this year’s Trans Musicales festival in France and shares five of her favorite live sessions KEXP captured while at the festival. Those sessions are now available on KEXP’s YouTube channel:

• Raül Refree
• Moja
• Chalk
• Flore Laurentienne
• Ana Lua Caiano

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Eurosonic Festival features emerging artists from Europe. KEXP Drive Time DJ, Kevin Cole, attended the festival and saw about 50 of the roughly 280 performers there. In this episode, he talks about some of his favorite performances.

Songs featured in this episode:

• "Sluntseto Trepti" by TRIGAIDA
• "Kota Bandung" by Nusantara Beat
• "Liberate" by Izzy And The Black Trees
• "Esto me pertenece" by Dame Area
• "Found Love" by freekind.
• "Tristesse" by Zaho de Sagazan

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

News about artists battling with record labels to reclaim the master – or original – recordings of their songs has come to the forefront in recent years. But it’s not just big-name artists making those moves. KEXP’s Meerah Powell has the story on musicians from smaller record labels who are pushing to get back their masters.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Vanderslice has transformed from indie rock analog purist to electronic experimentalist during his more than 20-year music career. He spoke with Jasmine Albertson about the making of his 2000 debut album, 'Mass Suicide Occult Figurines,' as well as his most recent album, 'CRYSTALS 3.0.' They spoke last year about the jarring differences between the two records, as well as the massive changes in the music industry landscape since the turn of the millennium.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bam Bam was a Black woman-fronted grunge band in Seattle in the early '80s — before grunge was a defined genre. Larry Mizell Jr. tells the story of Bam Bam and the life of frontwoman Tina Bell. He also explores why we’ve never heard of this group before and why their story has been erased from Seattle music history.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Women’s History Month, we are revisiting Sound & Vision's 2021 miniseries, Behind the Console, which highlights the stories of women and nonbinary audio engineers who are navigating what is still a very male-dominated field.

In this episode we talk with two mastering engineers, who put the final touches on music before it’s released. It’s Seattle’s Rachel Field, who has worked with Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam, and the Cairo-born, Brooklyn-based engineer Heba Kadry, who has worked with Björk, Lucy Dacus, Slowdive, The Mars Volta and more. They discuss the gender inequities they have seen both at home and abroad, the women who pioneered audio yet were largely left out of the narrative, and what makes them hopeful for positive change.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Women’s History Month, we are revisiting Sound & Vision's 2021 miniseries, Behind the Console, which highlights the stories of women and nonbinary audio engineers who are navigating what is still a very male-dominated field.

Today we meet Susan Rogers, who engineered for Prince for four years, working on albums like 'Purple Rain' and 'Sign o' the Times.' She also has credits with David Byrne, Tricky, and the Barenaked Ladies. She talks about what it was like keeping up with Prince's tireless creativity, and how it could be both exhausting and exhilarating. She also discusses eventually leaving engineering in her 40s to get her PhD in Music Cognition and Psychoacoustics, and how that has influenced her work in unexpected ways.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Totem Star is a recording studio for Seattle area youth ages 14 to 25. The organization recently moved to a new 2,000 square foot space on the second floor of Seattle’s King Street Station in Pioneer Square. That’s where Totem Star will live rent free for the next 60 years, thanks to a lease from the city.

KEXP’s Emily Fox talks with Totem Star co-founder Daniel Pak about the impact of Totem star since it launched as a mobile recording studio that could fit in a suitcase 14 years ago. Pak shares how Totem Star was inspired after a mixtape project he did with youth who had just been released from juvenile detention.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toussaint Morrison is a New Orleans-born, Minneapolis-raised artist. He released an album earlier this year called 'The Very Best of Ricky and Jane.' Ricky and Jane are his parents.

Morrison talks with KEXP’s Emily Fox about the activism his parents were involved in and how decades later, he quit his job at a PBS station when he became involved in the protests following the killing of George Floyd. He also shares how the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the death of Daunte Wright in a north Minneapolis suburb are reflected in this latest album.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle’s Brittany Davis has released her debut album, 'Image Issues,' which she calls an "audio movie." It’s a sonic journey that weaves in many musical genres and spoken word vignettes backed by soundscapes. Davis is blind and audio is a heightened sense for her. She also has synesthesia and hears music from smells.

Davis talks with Emily Fox about raising her voice in the face of adversity in this album.

“Being an overweight Black blind female from the wrong side of the tracks that has no physical capital, no cultural capital, but I do have a message and I had to make a choice to raise my voice despite all of the things that I didn’t have. I had to use the one thing I did have,” Davis says. 

Davis also talks about finding a strong musical community in Seattle and shares the stories behind three important tracks on her album.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 29 is Music Heals: Mental Health at KEXP, where all day the station reads stories and plays listener requests of the songs that helped them through their mental health struggles. In honor of Music Heals: Mental Health, we revisit a conversation from 2021 that was originally part of the mini-series, Apparently, focusing on the intersections of parenting and art.

On this episode, Ella Vos talks with Rachel Stevens about how getting pregnant inspired her to become a solo artist and how her popular song, "White Noise," was about her struggles with postpartum depression and the loneliness of being a new mom.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charley Pride was the first Black country music singer to sign to a major record label (RCA) back in 1965. He went on to have 30 number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country chart and sold more than 70 million records.

Emily Fox talks with Nashville Historian David Ewing about Charley Pride. They discuss Charley Pride’s baseball career, how he landed a demo and record deal after giving up on baseball, his struggles with mental health and racism, and his legacy in country music.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mia Dyson is an Australia-raised, LA based musician who is an award winner of the Australia version of a Grammy—an ARIA award. She’s opened for Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mack and Bonnie Raitt. She’s releasing her 8th album on Feb 23rd, it’s called Tender Heart. Mia Dyson started writing this album shortly before an earthquake hit her home. Following the earthquake, she experienced an undiagnosed heart arrhythmia which caused her to stop breathing. She almost died. Emily Fox talks with Dyson about the themes on the album including forgiveness and mental health, but first she talked about what she can remember from her near death experience.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ray Lacorte runs an Instagram page called BIPOC Punk. KEXP’s Martin Douglas caught up with Lacorte to learn more about him, music and his Instagram page.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hazel Scott was a Black pianist who was classically trained at Juilliard at the age of 8 and started making a name for herself as a performer in New York in the 1930s while she was still in high school. She went on to play big concert halls and notable nightclubs. As stated in a biography about her by actor and author Karen Chilton, “She was the first black woman to host her own television show and one of the first to refuse to perform before segregated audiences. She negotiated lucrative contracts with Hollywood studios, becoming one of the highest-paid performers of her era.” Chilton speaks with Emily Fox about Hazel’s life and career and why she might not be a household name today despite her extraordinary career.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mali Obomsawin talks with Emily Fox about how her new album, 'Greatest Hits' with guitarist Magdalena Abrego, is about intimacy under colonialism. Obomsawin also shares Indigenous history from the northeast and stories of her father’s involvement in the Red Power Movement in the 1980’s and how Obomsawin is carrying on his effort today to reclaim Abenaki land.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sofia Kourtesis is a house music producer based out of Lima, Peru and Berlin, Germany. She recently released her debut full-length record, 'Madres.'. During the making of the album, her mother was diagnosed with cancer and there were only three neurosurgeons in the world who could operate on her. One of those neurosurgeons agreed to operate and saved Kourtesis’ mother’s life. Kourtesis shares her story with KEXP’s Dusty Henry. She also talks about maternal love and raving with neuroscientists as they celebrated the success of surgery.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily Fox talks with KEXP DJ and Radiohead fan, DJ Morgan Chosnyk on her take on The Smile’s new album, ‘Wall of Eyes’. The Smile started as a pandemic project with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke along with Radiohead’s Johnny Greenwood and Tom Skinner of the jazz band Songs of Kemet.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karla Chubb of the Irish garage-punk band SPRINTS talks with Emily Fox about the band's debut album, 'Letter To Self.' They discuss the inspiration behind some of the songs, including campaigning to end the abortion ban in Ireland, Catholic guilt and being queer, and the unfair standards women are held to in music. Karla also talks about her recent ADHD diagnosis and why girls and women are under-diagnosed.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Palestine Amplified is a four-part series exploring the Palestinian struggle through music. In this final episode of the series, we dig into a vital aspect of resistance and liberation: Joy. We discuss why it’s important to center joy in the movement, and how that joy is often articulated through music and art.

Voices featured in this episode:

• Selma Al-Aswad
• Sonny Singh
• Ijeoma Oluo
• Alsarah
• Wendy Elisheva Somerson
• Sabrene Odeh
• Huda Asfour
• Samir Eskanda

Explore music from the episode on KEXP's Spotify page.

This episode includes two excerpts from the “Learning Palestine: Until Liberation I” program, put together by Learning Palestine Group and first broadcast on Radio Alhara. It also features a poem by Rafeef Ziadah.

Palestine Amplified was written, produced, and hosted by Isabel Khalili, with editing support from Roddy Nikpour, Dusty Henry and Larry Mizell Jr. Audio was mixed by Roddy Nikpour, who also contributed original music.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Palestine Amplified is a four-part series exploring the Palestinian struggle through music. In this episode, we discuss the key role that artists have in liberation movements. We also hear directly from artists about why they’ve spoken up about Palestine.

Voices featured in this episode:

• Alsarah
• Ijeoma Oluo
• Samir Eskanda
• Sonny Singh
• Bryan John Appleby
• Blake Madden (Hotels, Adra Boo)
• Huda Asfour
• Rahill
• Natasha El-Sergany (somesurprises)
• Ana Tijoux
• Lido Pimienta

Explore music from the episode on KEXP's Spotify page.

Palestine Amplified was written, produced, and hosted by Isabel Khalili, with editing support from Roddy Nikpour, Dusty Henry and Larry Mizell Jr. Audio was mixed by Roddy Nikpour, who also contributed original music. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Palestine Amplified is a four-part series exploring the Palestinian struggle through music. In this episode, we share some of the ways music is used as a tool of liberation, whether as code to pass messages, in documenting people's stories, or as a vessel for collective memory and healing.

Voices featured in this episode:

• Selma Al-Aswad
• Tory J
• Kevin Sur
• Sabrene Odeh
• Huda Asfour
• Gabriel Teodros
• Wendy Elisheva Somerson

Explore music from the episode on KEXP's Spotify page.

The live version of "Ya Taleen al-Jabal" heard at the beginning of the episode is performed by Emel Mathlouthi.

Palestine Amplified was written, produced, and hosted by Isabel Khalili, with editing support from Roddy Nikpour, Dusty Henry and Larry Mizell Jr. Audio was mixed by Roddy Nikpour, who also contributed original music. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Palestine Amplified is a four-part series exploring the Palestinian struggle through music. In this episode, we’re looking at how different struggles are related, from apartheid South Africa to police brutality in the U.S., and how making these connections can help us better understand the Palestinian cause. In particular, we explore the way music was used in the movement against apartheid in South Africa and the ways co-strugglers around the world learn from each other's resistance.

Voices featured in this episode:

• Huda Asfour
• Alsarah
• Sonny Singh
• Wendy Elisheva Somerson
• Ijeoma Oluo
• Tory J
• Kevin Sur
• Samir Eskanda
• Selma Al-Aswad

Explore music from the episode on KEXP's Spotify page.

Palestine Amplified was written, produced, and hosted by Isabel Khalili, with editing support from Roddy Nikpour, Dusty Henry and Larry Mizell Jr. Audio was mixed by Roddy Nikpour, who also contributed original music. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of the Cascadia Music Summit in Boise, Idaho, Emily Fox speaks with the rapper, singer, and writer, Dessa, the Denver-based duo N3ptune, and Rusty Steve and Eric Gilbert who run Boise’s Treefort Music Festival and Duck Club. They talk about how to make things work on a shoestring budget, how to work smarter together, and how to create opportunities that didn’t exist before. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rapper, singer, and writer, Dessa, shares a poem about how to live a life in music called “How To Stage Dive.” Also on this episode, jazz musician and Executive Director for the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Aaron Myers, shares his personal story about getting access to health care and mental health services as a musician. He also talks about why coming home after touring can be so difficult emotionally.

These stories were shared as part of the Cascadia Music Summit. Audio from the full conference can be found here: https://www.cascadiamusicsummit.org/archive 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hozoji Roseanne Mathison-Margolis is a shellfish diver for the Puyallup Tribe by day and by night she plays drums in the nautical inspired rock band, Helms Alee. We revisit this story Sound & Vision first aired in 2019 as part of our series, Day Job, which explores the work musicians do outside of music in order to make a living. The story was written by Rachel Stevens with reporting by Brie Ripley and Ryan Sparks.

https://www.kexp.org/read/2019/10/15/sound-vision-hozoji-mathison-margolis-dives-deep-helms-alee-inspiration/

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gender equity in the music industry still has a long way to go. The University of Southern California has been studying inclusion in the recording studio for years. In 2018, it found that out of the songs that made it on Billboard’s year end Hot 100 chart, along with the nominees in top Grammy categories, only 2% of those songs were produced by women. That number only increased to 3.4% in 2022.

On this episode, we revisit a story we first aired in 2019. It’s by Contributor Celine Teo-Blockey, who reported on the challenges that Sarah Tudzin of Illuminati Hotties has overcome to become a musician and producer.  

https://www.kexp.org/read/2019/11/5/sound-vision-why-only-2-music-producers-are-women/ 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago-based artist NNAMDÏ is known for his genre-clashing albums. His songs will often bring together elements of punk, hip-hop, electronic music, and more – all fused together with NNAMDI’s infectious and enthusiastic spirit. He talks with KEXP’s Dusty Henry about his all-time favorite albums so we get a deeper understanding of his musical DNA. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a vibrating dance floor in Colorado that translates instruments and notes in songs in real time. It works for both recorded and live music. Stephanie Wolf reports on how the floor is increasing accessibility to music and dance. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily Fox and KEXP DJs Evie Stokes, Troy Nelson and Kevin Cole break down the top played albums of 2023 on KEXP and share their personal favorite records of the year.  

KEXP’s top played albums: 

1. Jungle - Volcano 
2. Arlo Parks - My Soft Machine 
3. Polyrhythmics - Filter System 
4. Little Dragon - Slugs of Love  
5. Yves Tumor - Praise a Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds) 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a big year for Latin music and Mexican music in particular. KEXP’s Albina Cabrera is joined by Julyssa Lopez, Senior Music Editor at Rolling Stone and author of “The Grammys Still Don’t Know What to Do With Latin Music,” and Isabela Raygoza, Associate Editor at Billboard Español and co-author of "Mexican Music Isn't Having a Moment, It's a Movement” for this episode. They break down the rise of Mexican music, discuss the Latin Grammys, and share some of their favorite tracks from Latin America in 2023.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KEXP’s Martin Douglas reflects on travel, mortality, and life through his favorite rap album of the year, 'Maps' by billy woods.  

Listen to billy woods talk about fatherhood and making a children’s book: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/sound-vision/2023/6/18/apparently-billy-woods-on-his-a-is-for-anarchist-childrens-book/ 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Portland-based experimental band Grails is back with their latest album, 'Anches en Maat.' It's the first record that the group wrote together in the studio since 2008, featuring some of their most avant garde Western psych-rock instrumentals to date. KEXP's Roddy Nikpour has this review.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malummí  is the project of singer songwriter Larissa Rapold and guitarist and producer Giovanni Vicari based out of Basel Switzerland. They just released an album called The Universe Is Black. Rapold reflects on racial issues and her personal experiences and thoughts behind the album’s title track.   

“The feeling I have when I sing it is raising my fist above my head and walking through a crowd of people and having this power that I’m having in this moment in my words in this song,” Rapold says.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black rockers in Seattle speak with contributor Mia Imani about navigating a music scene that has historically excluded them and about reclaiming a genre that many notable Black musicians helped create. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Magic AL is the alias of Alex Bingham– a producer and bass player who has played with a lot of indie/folk bands from North Carolina including Hiss Golden Messenger. He’s out with his first solo album called 'Good Grief.'

Bingham talks with Emily Fox about how the death of four loved ones in the same year led him to make an album and how music brought joy back into his life. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since iconic rap duo Outkast went on hiatus in 2006, fans have been clamoring for a solo album from Andre 3000. Now, 17 years later, he’s finally delivered with a new record called New Blue Sun… only, instead of rapping he’s playing the flute.

KEXP’s Dusty Henry shares his reflections on why the album is one of his favorites of 2023 and how Andre 3000’s direction into ambient/New Age music might be the calming salve we need for our current times.

What’s your favorite album of the year? KEXP is asking listeners to vote for their favorite records in our Best of 2023 countdown. Vote now at KEXP.org and tune in December 15th to hear what albums made the list.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many venues in Seattle and beyond aren’t equipped to get wheelchair users inside or on stage, pointing to a broader issue of accessibility in live music. Emily Fox speaks with venues, performers, and concertgoers about this issue, including: 

• Seattle musician Mindie Lind who wrote the article, “I Stopped Performing Music Because Venues Are Ableist.” 
• Eric Howk, guitarist in the Grammy award-winning band, Portugal. The Man. 
• Seattle concertgoer Jess Piraino who runs the Instagram account Shoes At Shows In Seattle.  

We also hear from Seattle artist King Khazm about his song, disAbility. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sudan Tapes Archive is a DIY project started by Haneen Sidhamed where she digitizes and makes Sudanese music cassette tapes available to stream online. This project is important amid ongoing war in Sudan, the closure of recording and publishing companies, and the physical burning and destruction of cassette tapes. KEXP’s Julianna Covarrubias speaks with Sidhamed about the project. 

https://www.sudantapesarchive.com/  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The First Nations electronic duo The Halluci Nation is out with the first part of a two-part EP inspired by wrestling. It's called 'Path of The Heel' and it features Damian Abraham of the Canadian hardcore band, Fucked Up.

Bear Witness and 2oolman of The Halluci Nation talk with Emily Fox about the wrestling storyline of the EP and how they go about incorporating powwow music into their electronic beats.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle's Duff McKagan is best known for being the bassist of Guns N' Roses. He’s now out with his third solo album, 'Lighthouse.'

Emily Fox speaks with McKagan about the new record and how his sensei and martial arts practice inspired one of his new songs. He also shares his story of addiction, recovery, and his struggles with panic attacks.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Beatles released their so-called “last new song,” titled “Now and Then” on November 2nd. The song involves all four members of The Beatles — thanks to the help of artificial intelligence. For a quick breakdown of the song and how it happened, KEXP’s Roddy Nikpour speaks with KEXP’s Music Director, Chris Sanley, and our Associate Director of Editorial, Dusty Henry.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time in more than 30 years, KEXP got a new Music Director. They listen to all the music coming into the station each week and suggest which songs and albums should be played more often on-air.

Emily Fox caught up with KEXP’s new Music Director, Chris Sanley, to learn about her through music.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SXSW recently increased payments to performers from $250 to $350 but performers still have to choose between getting paid or getting access to a free wristband to attend the festival. This change happened as SXSW expanded its global footprint and just put on SXSW Sydney. Contributor Celine Teo-Blockey went to the festival and spoke to artists on what they think is fair treatment and pay. 

Hear more about the open letter that called for higher pay at SXSW: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/sound-vision/2023/2/14/250/ 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heatmiser was a band co-lead by Elliott Smith and Neil Gust. It was a vital part of Portland’s early 90s punk scene. It was also the launching point for Smith’s prolific and influential solo career until his death in 2003. The band recently released a compilation record of early recordings called The Music of Heatmiser. KEXP’s Dusty Henry spoke with the rest of the band’s original lineup to learn more about the early days of the group and what they took away from revisiting this old material.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sonic Youth member Thurston Moore has released a memoir called 'Sonic Life.' It is a chronicle of the singer/guitarist’s lifelong obsession with music and the relationships he’s made along the way.

KEXP’s Martin Douglas speaks to Thurston about 'Sonic Life,' his interest in record collecting, and why he didn’t dive into his personal life in the book.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New York duo Armand Hammer returned with a new album last month called 'We Buy Diabetic Test Strips.' KEXP’s Dusty Henry caught up with the rappers and talked about searching for hope in a chaotic world, and the story behind their eye-catching album title. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jenn Champion is out with a new album. It’s called 'The Last Night of Sadness.' It’s so sad that a friend had told her to put an existential dread warning on the album after hearing the demos. The album has Champion writing about her own struggles with depression, addiction and losing loved ones to drugs and alcohol.

In conversation with Emily Fox, Champion breaks down some songs on the album, shares her story of going to rehab and getting sober, and reflects on her move from Seattle to LA. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 23-foot-tall harp used to stand on a bluff on Bainbridge Island. It was played by the wind.

Producer Sam J. Leeds talks with people who remember the harp and how it created community in the neighborhood. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During KEXP’s fall fund drive, discover the variety of music podcasts we produce at KEXP and hear some of our favorite clips from each one. We’re thankful to the thousands of amplifiers who already donate to KEXP, building the foundation for our community of storytelling, and we want you to join them with a one-time donation or a recurring gift!

50 Years of Hip-Hop: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/50-years-of-hip-hop/

El Sonido: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/el-sonido/

Fresh off the Spaceship: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/fresh-off-the-spaceship/

Live on KEXP: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/live-on-kexp/

Sound and Vision: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/sound-vision/

Song of the Day: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/song-of-the-day/

KEXP Podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kexppodcasts

Donate today: kexp.org/donate

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Inuk artist Elisapie recently released a covers album sung in her native language of Inuktitut. The album includes covers of songs by Metallica, Fleetwood Mac, Cyndi Lauper, Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and more. She chose each song for the personal memory it holds from her upbringing in a small village in northern Quebec. In an interview with Emily Fox, she shares some of those memories as well as how colonialism and boarding schools have impacted her Inuit community.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gregg Deal of Dead Pioneers talks with KEXP's Dusty Henry about growing up as the only native family in his Utah school, starting his first punk band in his 40s, and about the Dead Pioneers’ songs, "Bad Indian" and "We Were Punk First."

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeremy Dutcher is a Polaris Prize and Juno Award-winning Wolastoqiyik artist from Canada. They speak with Emily Fox about their new album, 'Motewolonuwok,' the two spirit Cherokee poet who inspired some of the songs, the Indigenous issues addressed in the record, and language revitalization.  

Listen to Jeremy Dutcher’s 2021 interview with Sound & Vision’s Emily Fox about their first album: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/sound-vision/2021/11/23/preserving-indigenous-language-through-music/ 

Donate to Sound & Vision: kexp.org/sound

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe is a Coast Salish writer and musician whose 2022 memoir recently won the Washington State Book Award. Her memoir is called 'Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk.' It travels across generations to tell a story of healing, weaving in narratives of Sasha’s ancestors with her own experiences growing up on the Swinomish reservation and getting involved in the Pacific Northwest DIY punk scene. She performs vocals for the bands Medusa Stare and Fleur du Louve.

Sasha speaks with KEXP’s Isabel Khalili on location at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center. They discuss Sasha’s early musical influences and the impact of Kathleen Hanna’s voice, her search for a sense of permanence in a post settler colonial landscape, creating her own rituals through punk music, and the importance of storytelling as a means of preservation.

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day with KEXP at kexp.org/indigenous-peoples-day/ .

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No-No Boy released his album, 'Empire Electric,' on September 29th. His previous work was part of his PhD dissertation, with albums that looked at WWII Japanese incarceration camps, his mother’s Vietnamese family history, and his own racial identity. This latest album also explores Asian American history, family, and identity, but was not part of his degree.

Julian Saporiti of No-No Boy talks with Emily Fox about the stories and histories he’s sharing in this new record, such as how Asian sailors arrived in Oregon two centuries before Lewis and Clark. They also discuss how the album was largely inspired by a trip Saporiti took to a Buddhist monastery after feeling narrow-minded through his experience in academia.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of KEXP’s Latinx Heritage month programming, Aqui y Ahora, KEXP’s Albina Cabrera shares five tracks from artists reshaping alternative Latin music right now.  

1. Diego Raposo - EL UNDERGROUND (feat. mediopicky)  
2. Verito Asprilla - Letras Millonarias  
3. Terror Cactus/ Pahua - Ferrocarril（Rainsoft remix)  
4. Amor Muere - Love Dies  
5. Luzmila Carpio - Chakana Sagrada 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BIGSOUND is Australia’s biggest, most established showcase for emerging local artists. Celine Teo-Blockey went to the event and shares a highlight reel of the music she saw.

1. Miss Kaninna - Blak Britney 
2. Kobie Dee - Basics 
3. Porpoise Spit - People Like Me 
4. The Empty Threats - Boys in the Gutter & Dear Sunshine 
5. Dyan Tai - Ni Hao 
6. Proteins of Magic - Divine Physics 
7. Georgia Llewellyn - Like This 
8. The Merindas - Before Daylight & History Eraser 
9. SouthEast Desert Metal - Beds Are Burning 
10. Radio Free Alice - Look What You’ve Done 
11. Jujulipps - Airplane Mode 
12. Good Pash - How We’ll End Up 
13. Moaning Lisa - Carrie (I Want A Girl)  
14. Logan - Huh 
15. Smol fish - Sweet Taste & Big Love 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The instrumental group Explosions in the Sky released their eighth studio album, titled 'End,' on September 15th. KEXP’s Roddy Nikpour speaks with drummer Chris Hrasky about how this isn’t in fact “the end” for the band. They also discuss inspiration behind the new album and how four friends with fairly average lives strive to create music that hits you right in the gut.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vagabon released her third album, 'Sorry I Haven’t Called,' on September 15th. It’s her most upbeat, produced, and poppy album to date. It was written following the passing of Vagabon’s dear friend and collaborator, Eric Littmann. Vagabon talks with Emily Fox about Eric Littman’s impact on her, making upbeat music through grief, and retreating to Germany for a mental reset while she made this album. 

“I felt tremendous guilt about the music that was coming out of me in this time. I fully thought I would make a somber record. I had all these things that I wanted to say but it turned out I didn’t want to say those things on songs. I was having those conversations in my life . . . and so the music I was making ended up being kind of opposite from the grief I was living in. It really was a form of escapism for me and an honor to Eric’s life because he lived so vibrantly,” Vagabon says.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corinne Bailey Rae of “Put Your Records On” fame has released her fourth studio album, called 'Black Rainbows.' It was largely inspired by Theaster Gates' arts-focused restoration of The Stony Island Arts Bank, a former community savings and loan building in the south side of Chicago that has been transformed into what’s been described as a cathedral of Black art.

On this episode, Corinne Bailey Rae talks about the history of the building and what kind of art and artifacts it now showcases, and how those collections have inspired songs on the record. She also talks about getting "extraterrestrial" on this album as she explored the idea of transformation.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After six years away, New York-based singer-songwriter Julie Byrne returns with a new album, 'The Greater Wings.' The time away represented a sea change in her life as well as an opportunity to explore new songs. During the recording of the album, Byrne’s creative partner Eric Littman passed away. Byrne finished the album, which she describes as a testament to the depth of chosen family.

KEXP’s Dusty Henry catches up with Byrne to learn more about the process of writing the record and the stories behind some of the songs.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Genesis Owusu’s latest album “Struggler” has him genre shifting while telling a story of a cockroach which represents humanity. This comes after his debut album, “Smiling with No Teeth” explored issues of racism and depression through the characters of two black dogs. Genesis Owusu talks with Emily Fox about moving away from feeling like he can only make music as a form of therapy. He also talks about moving to Australia from Ghana as a young child and growing up in a small white city and feeling like an outsider. He says he’s embraced that outsider identity as an artist.  

“That label as an outsider became a badge of honor as I went on in life and I figured out it’s really cool to live on the outskirts of these cultures and be able to take what I want but be able to meld it into my own way and avert people’s expectations. And when I started making art then it became, I get to put all these little twists and turns and all these genre spikes in my music that no one would expect,” Owusu says.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a new book out looking at the history of Seattle and the Northwest music scene from the late 50s to mid-60s. It’s called Stomp and Shout—R&B and the Origins of Northwest Rock and Roll. Author Peter Blecha talks with Emily Fox about the book and Seattle’s music history. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Description: Emily Fox and KEXP DJ Troy Nelson break down KEXP’s top played songs of the summer. They are:  

• “The Narcissist” by Blur 
• “I’ve Been In Love” by Jungle 
• “Crescent Blade” by Budos Band 
• “Tiny Garden” by Jamila Woods 
• “Odyssey” by Beck & Phoenix  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melvins are playing a 40-year anniversary show at The Showbox in Seattle on Friday September 1. Buzz Osborne of Melvins talks about the highlights of the band’s career, being an influence on Soundgarden, Mudhoney and Nirvana, and the songs that define the band. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a short-lived but dramatic hockey residency, Seattle supergroup Who Is She (members of Chastity Belt, Tacocat, and Lisa Prank) return with their second album. ‘Goddess Energy’ finds the band penning odes to Shania Twain, Marianne Williamson, and Anne Hathaway. KEXP’s Dusty Henry talk with the band to learn more about what it means to have “too much goddess energy” and the group’s innovative use of wedding registries for merch sales.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Seattle band Brad released their final record following the death of singer Shawn Smith. Brad members Stone Gossard (also of Pearl Jam) and Regan Hager (also of Satchel and Malfunkshun) talk about Shawn’s legacy as a person and as a musician.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shamir has released their 9th album, 'Homo Anxietatem.' Each of Shamir’s albums sound very different from one another, showcasing huge sonic and genre leaps and shifts. Shamir looks at each of their albums as “a scrapbook” that represents the sound of their mind state during that time. In this conversation, they walk us through the sonic character of their previous albums and how they came back to indie pop on their newest release. They also discuss the tribute to Sinéad O'Connor on this album, and how they've navigated their own mental health journey and a bipolar diagnosis and made peace with their anxiety.

“Managing mental illness has not been easy but [it’s] worth it. I think that really describes 'Homo Anxietatem' in correlation with this sound sonically. It means anxiety, it means anxious man but it sounds really breezy and easy and has this colorful sound to it and I think it’s me making peace with that anxiety,” Shamir explains.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bratmobile was one of the most visible bands of the feminist punk riot grrrl movement in the early 1990s. As part of KEXP’s northwest music column, Throwaway Style, Martin Douglas spoke with founding members Allison Wolfe and Molly Neuman. In this excerpt, they talk about activism, the origins of Bratmobile and the riot grrrl scene.  

Read the full interview here: https://kexp.org/read/2023/7/27/throwaway-style-an-interview-with-bratmobiles-allison-wolfe-and-molly-neuman/

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arlo Parks’ latest album, 'My Soft Machine,' has been the most played album on KEXP so far this year. Arlo Parks' lyrics read like a diary, or a poetic handwritten note to a close friend or long-distance lover, or even a novel. In this episode, she talks about lyricism but also how she manages burnout, which caused the cancellation of a few of her tour stops last fall.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The craze with artificial intelligence has continued dominating people’s attention across industries — creating images, deepfake videos and writing essays. KEXP’s Roddy Nikpour gives a rundown on how A.I. has been playing out in the music industry and chats with musician and writer, Kelly Bishop, about her Vice article titled, “Is AI Music a Genuine Threat to Real Artists?” 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guitarist Steve Turner had a front row seat to Seattle’s grunge scene. He played in the band Green River, a band which included future members of Pearl Jam and was the first to be described with the word, "grunge." Turner went on to play with Mudhoney, which has been hugely influential to Seattle’s grunge scene. He’s written a memoir about it all called 'Mud Ride: A Messy Trip Through the Grunge Explosion.' He speaks with Emily Fox about the book.

Related content:

• https://www.kexp.org/read/2020/3/24/sound-vision-mudhoneys-mark-arm-still-stuffing-records-his-own-record-label-sub-pop/ 
• https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/sound-vision/2021/11/9/mudhoneys-bassist-being-nurse-during-covid/

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KEXP’s Production Manager Jackson Long has published a booklet called 'Hiding in Plain Sight—Studios of Seattle & Tacoma.' In it, he features nine recording studios in the area that you’d likely miss if you drove by them. Jackson spoke with Emily Fox about the stories behind these spaces that have recorded Seattle artists including Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Death Cab for Cutie, The Sonics, and many more.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle-based producer John Goodmanson has worked with many notable artists including Bikini Kill, Death Cab for Cutie, Harvey Danger, Soundgarden and more. He talks with KEXP’s Owen Murphy about the craft of producing, some notable moments in his career, and what artists should look for in a producer. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our series, Mix & Match, Jasmine Albertson creates a cocktail inspired by a Seattle band. This week she features Linda From Work. She teams up with KEXP’s Martin Douglas to discuss a range of topics with the band, from the persona of the fictional character that is "Linda from Work" to writing through insomnia and reflecting on the overturn of Roe v. Wade through music.

How Linda Got Her Groove Back Cocktail recipe: 

1 oz Mezcal 

1 oz Jilotepec Nixta 

½ oz lime 

¼ oz simple syrup 

¼ citric acid  

¼ oz watermelon syrup 

Pinch of Tajine 

Shake a strain into rocks glass with an edible flower garnish  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alicia Keys is performing at Seattle’s Climate Pledge arena on July 30. Contributor Mia Imani shares a little bit of Alicia Key’s personal story and discography and shares her own memories set to the key of Alicia. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roughly 2% of producers are women. Femme House is trying to change that number by providing free online workshops to teach women and gender expansive individuals how to produce and DJ. LP Giobbi is a producer and DJ behind the project. She talks about the training sessions, her process for getting more femmes booked on festival stages and the impact her first piano teacher had on her life and career.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Danielle Ponder talks about leaving her job as a public defender to pursue music full time at 40. She talks about the clients she worked with as a public defender and how restorative justice and resources were needed instead of jail time. She also breaks down what it takes to make a living in music today. 

“I had a mother whose [four-year-old] daughter was in an apartment hallway. . .  running up and down. The mother went to the corner store. She thought her older daughter was watching her, she wasn’t. The mother was arrested for endangering the welfare of her child. The child wasn’t hurt, but it was the fact that she wasn’t home and the daughter was in the hallway. We all can have our opinions about what the mother should have done and shouldn’t have done, but the reality is she was a single mom trying to provide for her kids, trying to go grocery shopping for her kids and ended up in jail instead of looking at how she could have been supported with things like daycare and things of that nature,” Ponder said.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Protomartyr released their sixth album, titled 'Formal Growth in the Desert,' in June. Prior to their performance at Treefort Music Festival in March, KEXP’s Martin Douglas caught up with vocalist Joe Casey to talk about the new album, Protomartyr’s musical evolution, and being so closely associated with their hometown of Detroit. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nabihah Iqbal’s latest album, DREAMER, is a lush and atmospheric meditation on love and loss. It incorporates elements of shoegaze and dance music and weaves in instrumentation that nods to her Pakistani roots. 

Nabihah speaks with KEXP’s Isabel Khalili about how a studio burglary led her to a more stripped-down approach to songwriting for this album, the first poem that made her cry, and how her practices with karate, DJing, and poetry all relate to her music-making.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle’s summer music festival season is upon us. KEXP’s Emily Fox, Dusty Henry, Jasmine Albertson, Martin Douglas, and Leah Capindo give their recommendations for which artists and bands to see at Capitol Hill Block Party, Timber, Day In Day Out, THING, and Bumbershoot. They also discuss the different vibes and audiences you may find at each festival.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Janelle Monáe dropped her latest album, 'The Age of Pleasure' on June 9th. Contributor Mia Imani has this review of Monáe’s journey of sensuality, queerness, and joy.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brandy Clark and Brandi Carlile are both gay Americana and Country artists from Washington State. The two have teamed up on Brandy Clark’s new solo album with Carlile on production credits. Emily Fox caught up with Brandy Clark to talk about the record, her Tony award winning musical, songwriting for other country stars and gay representation in country music.  

“What went along with being an artist, I just didn’t think I could ever really be. One of those things being that I was openly gay and I just didn’t see a lot of space for that in commercial country music. . . and right about the time I thought ‘that’ll never happen,’ boom, I got the opportunity to make a record,” Clark says.   

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Icelandic band Sigur Rós made a surprise album release on June 16. It’s called 'ÁTTA,' which means “eight” in Icelandic. It’s their eighth studio album, and it features eight tracks heavy with strings. KEXP’s Roddy Nikpour immersed himself in the album and brings us this review.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The artist K.Flay lost hearing in one ear last fall and it hasn’t returned since. She’s planning to release a new album in September and is now on her first tour since the hearing loss. She’s performing at Showbox Sodo in Seattle on Friday June 23. Emily Fox caught up with her to talk about her experience and what it’s like performing and making music under her new condition.   

"Just kind of like you need two eyes for depth perception, you need two ears for echolocation. As a consequence, restaurants or concerts, places with lots of ambient noise coming from all directions feel very psychologically overwhelming,” K.Flay says.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erykah Badu will perform at Seattle’s WAMU Theater on Friday June 23rd. Seattle native, writer and interdisciplinary artist Mia Imani reflects on how the high priestess of neo soul has influenced her own artistry, spirituality and Blackness. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is a special Father’s Day episode of Apparently—Our series featuring musicians who are also parents. This story is about two parents who made music when their daughter was in the womb. A few years ago, Iván Diaz Mathé attached biosonic midi devices to a then pregnant Elizabeth Hart. She and her very pregnant belly sat for hours while her body and fetus created the sounds you hear on the record called “Luca Yupanqui—Sounds of the Unborn”. Luca is the name of their child who was in utero at the time of this recording. Emily Fox caught up with Ivan and Elizabeth to learn more about the project and how biosonic midi technology works.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special Father’s Day episode of Apparently—Our series about music and parenthood. On this episode, rapper billy woods talks about fatherhood and his new chidren’s book with M. Musgrove – A Is For Anarchist. Dusty Henry chats with the prolific rapper about the lessons he learned from his academic and revolutionary parents, parenting while touring, and his latest album, ‘Maps,’ with Kenny Segal.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

W.I.T.C.H. talks about the elements that came together to form Zamrock in the 60s. They discuss how Zambia’s economic struggles, forced curfews as well as disco caused the band to stop playing in the 80s. Then they talk about how reissues of their albums in recent years, a documentary out about them, and their new album has allowed them to be rediscovered on an international scale, decades later.  

“We belonged to a federation,” frontman Jagari Chanda explains “That was Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Because of the federation, we did similar things in terms of social amenities and get togethers and it was like a crisscross pollination. People from different countries brought their own cultures and their own traditions. They brought their own dances, and this is where we got the traditional aspect of music. But the international influence came from the western world, from our colonial masters. They brought in the guitar, the jukeboxes, especially the radio.”   

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everything But The Girl is known for their hit “Missing” from the 90s (“like the deserts miss the rain. . . ”) The duo made up of Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt is back with their first album in 24 years. They talk about making choices that were best for them instead of chasing fame or money, including taking a long hiatus shortly after turning down a stadium tour with U2 in the 90s. 

“We had a feeling that our status as a band got about as big as we were comfortable with it being. Even our own gigs had got bigger. And in some respects, we felt something was lost as well as gained,” Tracey Thorn explains.  

During Everything But The Girl’s long hiatus, Thorn and Watt got married, Thorn spent years being a stay at home Mom, she’s written multiple autobiographical books, published columns and put out some solo records. Watt has worked as a DJ, producer, club owner and runs his own record label. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new documentary about Little Richard, titled 'Little Richard: I Am Everything,' was recently released to rave reviews. One of those reviews came in the form of an essay for the New Yorker written by Hanif Abdurraqib called “What Little Richard Deserved.”  KEXP's Martin Douglas speaks to Hanif about the film, and Little Richard's life. 

“Little Richard is as loud and joyfully brash and bold as they come and that did not stop his achievements from being whitewashed and then washed away,” Abdurraqib says.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound & Vision’s mini series Day Job explores how artists and musicians juggle their craft and day jobs to make it all work. Rachel Stevens caught up with KEXP’s own DJ Yaddy about balancing DJing and being a teacher.  

Check out DJ Yaddy at Seattle’s Lazer Dome: https://pacificsciencecenter.org/events/pacsci-kexp-laser/

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mix & Match is our miniseries where KEXP’s Jasmine Albertson combines her reporting skills with her bartending skills to craft a cocktail for an artist based on their sound and their story. This week she makes a drink for local band, Racoma. They released their sophomore record, 'Good a Place As Any,' last October. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Park is the only person behind Asian Man records. The label has helped break ska and punk bands including Alkaline Trio and Less Than Jake. Park recently turned down an offer to have Asian Man Records be bought out by a larger label for $3 million. He’ll instead continue running it out of his mom’s garage, like he has been for nearly 30 years.

KEXP’s Dusty Henry spoke with Park to learn more about the label’s history, the ethos that’s kept it alive and the bands it’s worked with along the way.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The band Draag talks with Emily Fox about how their experiences being in a religious cult and dealing with substance abuse come up on their latest record, 'Dark Fire Heresy.' They also discuss representation in the music industry and their perspective as a POC-fronted band. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karl Blau has been a staple in the Northwest Music scene. He started the Anacortes Music Channel, a live music venue and a 24/7 streaming station of exclusively Anacortes music. He launched a monthly music publication titled Show Chime, and founded the Anacortes Music Project, a non-profit with goals of preserving Anacortes history, and boosting local shows and local artist profiles. He was recently priced out of Anacortes. He now lives in Philadelphia with his family and has just released a debut EP featuring members of The War on Drugs. KEXP’s Janice Headley talks with Karl about the move and new musical project called Opal Eskar.  

Read the story here: https://www.kexp.org/read/2023/5/19/karl-blau-continues-to-shine-with-new-project-opal-eskar-featuring-members-of-the-war-on-drugs/ 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On her debut solo album, ‘Flowers At Your Feet,’ Rahill Jamalifard of Habibi continues to embrace the sounds and stories of her Iranian heritage, this time evoking memories of her loved ones through sonic artifacts like field recordings, audio from home movies, and references to Persian film and poetry.

Rahill joins KEXP’s Isabel Khalili to discuss the vulnerability of the new album and how it helped her arrive at the place of self-love she embodied as a child. They also discuss the origins of surf rock, the sampling of Middle Eastern music in hip-hop, the process of grief, and how Rahill’s childhood encouraged her to celebrate diversity and individuality.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle’s Kassa Overall is about to drop a new record later this month. Back in April DJ Miss Ashley sat down with Kassa to talk about his new album, the ending of Washington Middle School’s band program in Seattle, of which Kassa attended, and mental health. 

Listen to an interview with Kassa and his Washington Middle School band teacher: https://www.kexp.org/podcasts/sound-vision/2021/6/22/kassa-overall-and-his-middle-school-band-teacher-discuss-lasting-lessons/  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Durand Jones of Durand Jones and the Indications talks about his debut solo album, 'Wait Til I Get Over.' It’s an homage to his hometown in the rural south and a love letter to his 17-year-old self. The album also features the first love song Jones has ever written for another man, a process he says was “freeing.” 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Y La Bamba has just released their sixth studio album, 'Lucha.' The project is fronted by Luz Elena Mendoza, whose dreamy vocals weave between Spanish and English.

Mendoza speaks with KEXP’s Albina Cabrera about family, Mexican American identity, queerness, and mental health, and how these themes show up in their music. They also discuss Mendoza's recent move from Portland to Mexico and their production work on the new record.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blondshell reflects on the ways she's grown from toxic relationships, the different ways addiction manifests in her life, and how these themes come up on her self-titled debut album. She also shares her views on the importance of boundaries, both personal and within the music industry, and embracing the emotions of being a rising 25-year-old musician.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More and more people are discovering the power of artificial intelligence through services like ChatGPT. So, tech companies are getting more and more into art spaces — including music discovery. KEXP’s Roddy Nikpour brings us this review of RadioGPT and Spotify DJ. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lonnie Holley has lived a storied life. He was taken from his family by a burlesque dancer who performed in carnivals when he was a baby, suffered head injuries from getting hit by a car as a kid, then put in the Alabama Industrial School for Negro Children, also known as Mount Meigs. He went on to become a visual artist whose works have been on display at The White House and The Smithsonian.

Holley started releasing music about a decade ago when he was in his 60s. He’s now out with his seventh album. It’s called 'Oh Me Oh My' and features collaborations with Bon Iver, Michael Stipe of R.E.M., Sharon Van Etten, and more. Lonnie Holley shares his life story and how his experiences have informed his new record.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Schoolhouse Rock turned 50 years old this year. KEXP’s Eva Walker caught up with one of the songwriters and performers of the program, Lynn Ahrens, to talk about the music of the show and the show’s legacy. 

“The original premise of Schoolhouse Rock, the president of that agency, a guy named David B. McCall had five kids and they could not remember their times tables but they could remember the lyrics to songs all the time and it was his brainchild to marry education with pop music and that’s how the whole series was born,” Ahrens says.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adi Oasis is a French Caribbean singer and bass player. She spoke with Emily Fox about the themes of gun violence, black resilience, and female empowerment that come up in her new album, 'Lotus Glow.'

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For KEXP’s "Music Heals: Addiction & Recovery" programming, Macklemore shares his journey on the subject and how a robbery at his studio ultimately helped someone else’s path to recovery.

We also share a listener email that came in during Music Heals from Seattle’s Abbey Simmons whose story starts with Macklemore and ends with finding sobriety on tour.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9-8-8. 

More resources can be found here: kexp.org/musicheals/addiction/resources.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Garages is one of the top-selling Seattle bands on Bandcamp. It’s an 80-plus member collective with a massive following on Twitch that has put out more than 50 albums on Bandcamp since the group formed less than three years ago. Members June September and Yana Caoránach tell us more about the band and what makes the group so prolific.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jónsi is the beautiful falsetto voice of the band Sigur Rós. He is also now the artist behind a multi-sensory installation called “Flood” at the National Nordic Museum in Seattle. KEXP’s Kevin Cole went to the museum to talk to Jónsi about the installation, about making perfumes with a product description that includes “a beached whale is about to explode” and Sigur Rós’ upcoming album.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Miss Grit talks about how their debut LP, 'Follow the Cyborg' helped them explore being nonbinary.

“The cyborg being such a limitless entity was something that inspired me to kind of take my own identity into my own hands,” Miss Grit says. “There’s so much that people are born into when it comes to gender roles or racial stereotypes. There’s so much that our environment has an effect on how we see ourselves. I was really inspired to take my own identity into my own hands and figure out what it was that I felt about myself and how I wanted to be portrayed to the outside world.”

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Larry Mizell, Jr., Martin Douglas, and Jasmine Albertson talk about their musical highlights from Treefort Music Fest in Boise, ID.

Artists Discussed:  

• MIKE 
• Mauskovic Dance Band   
• Tropa Magica  
• Son Rompe Pera 
• Protomartyr 
• Plum Vision 
• NNAMDÏ 
• Sen Morimoto  
• runner 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you've ever listened to KEXP's broadcast, you've probably heard us say, "KEXP, where the music matters." But there’s at least one person at the station who isn’t sold on the idea of music itself. KEXP’s Dusty Henry shares his opinion on why music doesn’t matter. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, KEXP’s Jasmine Albertson talks with three women in the touring industry (Stephanie Escoto, Alicia Blake, and Robin Taylor) about barriers to entry, gender inequities in the music industry, their general advice to bands that want to tour, and the wins they’ve had in their work.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grace Love talks with Larry Mizell Jr. about her new solo EP, “Work In Protest.”  

“This is a protest. I am standing up for myself that there are more curvy, big black women in the industry that can do all kinds of things,” Love says.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Living Singles is the series where we talk to a KEXP staff member about three songs they’re really into right now. On this episode, Martin Douglas, writer behind KEXP’s local music column, Throwaway Style, and Eva Walker, host of our northwest music show, Audioasis, each share two songs from local artists.

Songs featured in this episode: 

• “Nightrider” by The Smokes  
• “Body Horror” by Lemon Boy  
• “Cognitive Whirlpool” by Debt Rag  
• “Starboard Hotel” by Sealife  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound & Vision is bringing back Living Singles, where we talk with a KEXP staff member about three songs they are loving right now. Today we catch up with DJ Alex Ruder who hosts our downtempo, atmospheric and ambient music show, Pacific Notions (airing Sundays from 6-9am).  

Songs featured in this episode:

• “Sortie” by Thomas Almqvist 
• "Believe" by IKSRE & Party Store
• “Blue Hour (feat. Julianna Barwick)” by Nosaj Thing 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is KEXP’s spring fundraising drive! We’re sharing listener stories about how music has helped them connect with friends and family. Please amplify listener-powered storytelling today at kexp.org/sound. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KEXP DJ Sharlese Metcalf gets nostalgic about a previous era of Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood with Adam Miller of Chromatics. They talk about what house parties meant to the Capitol Hill area and the trouble they got into that would never fly today. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trans Musicales is a long-running music festival in Rennes, France that brings together a consistently incredible lineup of new and emerging artists from around the world. KEXP’s DJ Morgan Chosnyk shares some of the highlights from the 16 sessions KEXP filmed while at the festival. 

Artists discussed:  

• Seb Martel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A0OsX9pRK4 
• Nana Benz du Togo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uDs4X93MYo 
• 79ers Gang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTzoyzbuubs 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bobby McFerrin is the renowned vocalist and Grammy award-winning songwriter behind “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” He’s not the only notable McFerrin who has made waves in the music industry, though. KEXP’s Dusty Henry spoke with two of the McFerrins, Taylor and Madison, to learn more about their family history and how the siblings are continuing the McFerrin musical legacy.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Raincoats emerged from the London punk scene in the late ’70s and were one of the very first all-female bands who wrote and performed all their own music. Now, 40 years later, co-founding member Gina Birch has just released her first solo album, titled 'I Play My Bass Loud.'

KEXP’s Janice Headley talks with Gina about the new release, her time with The Raincoats, and how Kurt Cobain got a copy of The Raincoats' first LP. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KEXP's Martin Douglas explores the here and now of Black punk culture, featuring a handful of notable Black punks to tell their own stories and inspirations. He also sheds light on the Black origins of punk music, the importance of DIY, and how the ethos of punk culture unites "outsiders" of all kinds.

Voices featured:

• Hanif Abdurraqib, author 
• James Spooner, filmmaker and graphic novelist
• Stephanie Phillips, singer and guitarist of Big Joanie 
• Osa Atoe, musician and creator of the Black punk fanzine Shotgun Seamstress

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, KEXP celebrated International Clash Day but KEXP’s Janice Headley wanted to celebrate the female-fronted bands of the time, who were truly making a revolution in the male-dominated late-‘70s London punk scene.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, KEXP celebrated a holiday we invented called International Clash Day. The Clash stood for a lot of things. As Clash member Joe strummer once said, “We’re anti-fascist, we’re anti-violence, we’re anti-racist, and we’re pro-creative. We’re against ignorance.”

As part of the celebration, Larry Mizell Jr. chatted with The Clash’s videographer Don Letts about the band’s legacy and the culture clash of punk and reggae.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katherine Paul (KP) of Black Belt Eagle Scout talks about her connection to nature and her homeland in her new album, The Land, The Water, The Sky. The album was written after she moved from Portland back home to the land of Washington’s Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Union of Musicians and Allied Workers has published an open letter calling for higher pay for artists performing at SXSW. The letter says that over the past 10 years, showcasing artists have been paid either $250 dollars for a band, $100 dollars for solo artists, or get a free wristband for the festival. Letter organizer René Kladzyk (artist name: Ziemba) talks about the list of demands. Alaia D’Alessandro of the Seattle band Tres Leches talks about the prevalence of getting paid $250 at festivals, so much so, her band wrote a song about it called, “Two-Fifty.”  

Meanwhile, two types of Visas that international artists use to perform in the US could cost around 250% more under a proposal from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Rosalyn Dennett, Executive Director of Folk Music Ontario, and Liana White, Executive Director of the Canadian Federation of Musicians talk about how these proposed changes could impact foreign musicians and U.S.-based venues.  

A link for public comment: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/01/04/2022-27066/us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-fee-schedule-and-changes-to-certain-other-immigration#open-comment 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KEXP DJ Kevin Cole recently attended Eurosonic in the Netherlands. It’s the largest music festival in Europe dedicated to new and emerging artists. Emily Fox caught up with Kevin to talk about the festival and some of the many artists that stood out to him.  

Music discussed: 

• Caleb Kunle - “All In Your Head” 
• Avalanche Kaito - “Dabalomuni” 
• Adwaith - “Nid Aur” 
• Queralt Lahoz - “De la Cueva a los Olivos” 
• Alina Pash - “Bosorkanya” 
• Club Makumba - “Crazy Lizard” 
• Flying Moon in Space - “Optimist”  
• KOIKOI - “Misisipi” 
• Love'n'Joy - "Psy Summer"
• Tautumeitas - “Terra” 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On January 27th, Lil Yachty dropped a surprise psych rock album called 'Let’s Start Here.'

KEXP’s Emily Fox, Martin Douglas, Larry Mizell Jr., Marco Collins, Dusty Henry, and Jasmine Albertson discuss the record and how it isn’t as surprising as it might seem.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Arcs are out with a new record, 'Electrophonic Chronic.' It’s their first since their debut release in 2015. The band was formed by Black Keys guitarist and vocalist, Dan Auerbach. The late Richard Swift was also in the band.

The Arcs member and co-producer Leon Michels talks with Emily Fox about how the record was recorded while Swift was alive and how “the process of finishing the record helped me and Dan grieve his death.” 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle supergroup Who Is She (members of Chastity Belt, Tacocat, and Lisa Prank) were slated last week for a residency performing at the Kraken hockey games at Climate Pledge Arena. The band only made it one performance before they were asked to not come back after singing a song calling Amazon founder Jeff Bezos a “total jerk.” Prior to these developments, KEXP’s Dusty Henry did a tongue-in-cheek interview with the band about their love of hockey and jock jams.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A party in the Bronx on August 11th, 1973 is widely considered to be the birthplace of hip-hop. The art form has since touched every corner of our world and evolved into one of the most significant cultural forces today. This year, on hip-hop's 50th anniversary, we’re giving it a proper tribute. 

50 Years of Hip-Hop is KEXP’s newest podcast. Hosted by Larry Mizell Jr, the series highlights a different year of rap history each week. Jumping around the timeline from 1973 to today, expect personal reflections, iconic tracks and albums, and conversations around the genesis of the culture. New episodes drop every Wednesday starting February 1. 

Subscribe to 50 Years of Hip-Hop now and learn more at KEXP.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hammock releases their twelfth album on January 27, 2023. KEXP’s Roddy Nikpour speaks with Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson about their latest (and loudest) record, 'Love in the Void,' and also about managing a band that doesn’t rely on live shows to make ends meet. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KEXP’s Albina Cabrera speaks with music journalist Nuria Net and Songmess podcast's Richard Villegas about their favorite Latin albums of 2022. 

Songs discussed include:  

• "Quien te llamó" by Mediopicky
• "La Combi Versace" by Rosalía
• "Tierra Zanta" by Trueno
• "Chrome" by Saramalacara
• "Andrea (feat. Buscabulla)" by Bad Bunny

Read more here: https://www.kexp.org/read/2023/1/20/the-big-picture-looking-back-at-the-best-latin-american-music-of-2022/ 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Minnesota’s Tall Paul recently released an album that chronicles the story of the Native American athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe was an Olympic gold medalist in track & field, a pro football and college football hall of famer, a professional baseball player, and so much more.

Tall Paul talks with Emily Fox about his album, 'The Story of Jim Thorpe.' He also shares his views on the importance of role models, current challenges to tribal sovereignty and self-determination, and how foster care can be like modern day boarding school.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During the pandemic, Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, along with drummer Tom Skinner of Sons of Kemet, formed The Smile. The group recently stopped by the KEXP studios for a live performance that can be viewed in full on KEXP's YouTube channel.

On this episode, KEXP DJ Morgan Chosnyk and KEXP’s Video Manager Jim Beckmann take us behind the scenes of the session and discuss The Smile's debut album. Then, the Seattle-based New York Times Bestselling writer, Ijeoma Oluo, shares a personal essay reflecting on the idea of change, inspired by attending The Smile's KEXP performance.

Watch the full session with The Smile here.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travis Thompson is a 26-year-old artist from Seattle. He put out an EP this fall and also made his acting debut on the hit show, Reservation Dogs. He talks about his new music and Indigenous representation on television and on the mic.  

“When I pulled up on set, it was a crazy experience for me, but they were treating me like a famous rapper because they had all listened to me before,” Thompson says. “The Native creative community knows each other.” 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Stein and Rod Ronquillo, the original DJs of KEXP’s northwest music show, Audioasis, share songs that were staples of Seattle’s music scene when the show began 40 years ago. Then, Audioasis’ current DJ, Eva Walker, shares songs that represent the scene today. In this episode, we also get a little history lesson in Seattle’s early jazz and funk scenes and beyond.

Artists discussed: 

• The Heats 
• The Dynette Set  
• Pudz 
• Visible Targets 
• Chong the Nomad 
• Jango 
• Screen Frogs  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mix & Match is a mini series where we meet up with an artist and try to “mix” an adult beverage and “match” it with an artist. Today, KEXP’s Jasmine Albertson catches up with Deep Sea Diver’s Jessica Dobson over a drink. They talk about music and Jessica’s journey of meeting her birth parents.  

Deep Ahumada Recipe 

In a stirring vessel combine: 

- 2oz mezcal 

- .5 spiced simple 

- 3 dashes aztec chocolate bitters 

- Add ice, stir, and strain into a bucket with fresh ice 

- Garnish with orange peel and cinnamon stick 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mix & Match is a new miniseries where we meet up with a Seattle artist and try to “mix” an adult beverage and “match” it with an artist. Today, KEXP’s Jasmine Albertson brings us the first “Mix and Match” featuring local musician, Mt. Fog.  

Here’s the recipe make a “Forest Fog” 

- 1.5oz pisco 

- .5 cardi simple 

- 2 dashes black walnut bitters  

- 2oz earl grey tea 

- 2oz foamed oat milk  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Living Singles! The series where we talk to a KEXP staff member about three songs they’re really into right now. On this episode, Sharlese Metcalf—host of KEXP’s Mechanical Breakdown—brings us a very new wave edition.

Songs featured in this episode: 

• “Heartbeat” by Nuovo Testamento  
• “Disconnected Lines” by RISK RISK  
• “Future Wonder” by Teenage Daycare  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KEXP DJs Miss Ashley, Kevin Cole and Larry Mizell Jr. break down the top played albums on KEXP in 2022. The albums are: 

• #5: Beyoncé - RENAISSANCE 
• #4: Toro y Moi - MAHAL
• #3: Ibibio Sound Machine - Electricity
• #2: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cool It Down
• #1: ODESZA - The Last Goodbye

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a very special Christmas edition of Living Singles, the series where we talk to a KEXP staff member about three songs they’re really into right now. On this episode, KEXP’s defacto Christmas DJ, Brian Foss, shares some non-traditional Christmas songs he’ll be playing on air on Christmas day. You can catch his show live from noon - 9pm PT on December 25th, at 90.3 FM in Seattle or KEXP.org / the KEXP App worldwide.

Brian’s Featured Songs:  

• “Christmas Is Love” by James Brown 
• “Santa Ain’t Coming For Christmas” by Rocket 455 
• “Hey Skinny Santa!” by JD McPherson 
  
  

Plus, Rachel Stevens shares some new Christmas songs for 2022:  

• “Someday at Christmas” Covered by Lizzo 
• “Groovy Xmas” by The Linda Lindas 
• “hello (and it’s Christmas)” by kytes  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Larry Mizell Jr. reflects on the hip hop artists we lost this year and beyond, in what MF Doom has called, “the world’s most strangest most dangerous occupation.”  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Living Singles is the series where we talk to a KEXP staff member about three songs they’re really into right now. This episode features, KEXP’s Digital Content Manager. He admits to usually covering “super serious” music for KEXP, but he chose one song for Living Singles that’s playful and fun.

Songs featured in this episode: 

• “Thousand Knives” by Thundercat (Ryuichi Sakamoto cover)
• “Stop Worry!” by MIKE ft. Sister Nancy 
• “Pop Star” by Coco & Clair Clair

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cellist Lori Goldston has been carving her own path in the world of rock music for over three decades. She’s performed and recorded with some iconic artists like Nirvana, David Byrne, and Cat Power among many others. She’s an unsung hero of Seattle’s music scene.

In October, she released a new solo album called High and Low. KEXP’s Dusty Henry spoke with Goldston to walk through her career and learn more about the inspiration behind the new album. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Living Singles is the series where we talk to a KEXP staff member about three songs they’re really into right now. On this episode, Sound & Vision’s senior producer and host Emily Fox returns from maternity leave to talk about the songs that got her through postpartum blues and the following joy of being a new mom.

Songs featured in this episode: 

• “Wide Awake” by ODESZA 
• “Still Love U” by Vanilla 
• “Letting Go” By Ben Sollee, Remixed by Thomas Jack 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel Stevens talks with KEXP DJs Kevin Cole, Larry Mizell Jr, Evie Stokes, and Eva Walker about some of their favorite albums the year. 

Artists discussed:  

• Toro y Moi, Sudan Archives, Special Interest, Charles Stepney, Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul (Larry Mizell Jr.)
• Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, The Smokes, Enumclaw (Eva Walker)
• Automatic, Ibibio Sound Machine, Melody’s Echo Chamber, Lad Ash (Evie Stokes)
• Lizzo, Death Cab for Cutie, Built to Spill, Spoon (Rachel Stevens)
• Brimheim, Kae Tempest, Kendrick Lamar (Kevin Cole)
• Plus: Beyonce, Wet Leg, ODESZA, SAULT

You can vote on your favorite albums of the year at https://www.kexp.org/countdowns/best-of-2022/. KEXP DJs will play the winning albums on air on Friday, December 16th.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Living Singles! The series where we talk to a KEXP staff member about three songs they’re really into right now. On this episode, Sound & Vision’s own Roddy Nikpour gets us ready for hibernation with some warm, mellow tracks.

Songs featured in this episode:

• “Swift Automatons” by Eluvium
• “UnTruth” by Hammock
• “You Are (feat. SARO)” by The Album Leaf

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our occasional series Day Job highlights musicians who work a day job to be able to pursue their passion of music. This episode took Rachel Stevens to Pike Place Fish Market to talk with shipping manager Hillary Branyik, who is also a singer-songwriter under the name Branik. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Living Singles! The series where we talk to a KEXP staff member about three songs they’re really into right now. On this episode, our Social Media Manager Tia Ho takes us all over the country to keep us warm with these vibey tunes.

Songs featured in this episode:

• "Spiral" by Hello Mary
• "Kiss City" by Blondshell
• “Marmalade” by Julien Chang

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Independent music and independent pro wrestling may seem like disparate art forms, but that’s until you dig deeper into their histories. Many of the subcultures in both worlds have held events in the same places, shared the same personnel, and have held the same ideas of community.

KEXP’s Martin Douglas talks with Jim Perry, Daniel Makabe, and Damien Abraham about how the art, ethos, and business of professional wrestling and music have always walked hand-in-hand.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Living Singles! Where a KEXP staff member shares three of their favorite songs right now. This time, Social Media Intern Leah Capindo joins Rachel Stevens to share the music that's brought her into a deep autumnal vibe.

Songs featured in this episode:

• "Jesus Freak Lighter" by Blood Orange
• "supernova" by Fousheé
• "Love is the Way" by Thee Sacred Souls

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maral is an Iranian American producer and DJ who uses her influences of dub, shoegaze, and anarcho-punk to reinterpret Persian folk, classical and pop music. The result is a heavy yet transcendent "folk club" sound. Her experimental approach has led to collaborations with Panda Bear of Animal Collective, Penny Rimbaud of Crass, and Lee "Scratch" Perry. She recently released her third full length album, 'Ground Groove,' on Leaving Records.

KEXP’s Isabel Khalili talks with Maral about the new album and how her approach to sampling is inspired by Persian classical music philosophy, the enduring legacy of poet Forugh Farrokhzad, and how her music reflects the resilience of Iranian culture and people.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On November 5th, we learned the sad news that Mimi Parker of the band Low had passed away from ovarian cancer. Mimi was only 55, but had done so much in her life as a mother, as a musician, and as a human. She was married to her bandmate, Alan Sparhawk, and they made thirteen albums together from 1994 to 2021 as the band Low.

Rachel Stevens talks with KEXP Digital Content Producer Janice Headley and DJ Kevin Cole about Mimi’s voice and her profound impact on the music world.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Living Singles! Sound & Vision’s segment where we talk to a KEXP staff member about three songs they’re super into right now. Today, Rachel Stevens talks with Content Producer Martin Douglas about three tracks and why they all kinda feel like they were made in a garage.

Songs featured in this episode:

• "Oh Henry!" by Almond Joy
• "Delusions" by Bella and the Bizarre
• "Pollo Rico" by billy woods

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rocky Votolato is a mainstay in the Seattle music scene. KEXP’s Dusty Henry talks with Rocky about his latest album, 'Wild Roots' and the inspiration behind it, including the tragic loss of one of his children.

This special episode is in conjunction with KEXP’s Death & Music event and special day of programming, "Music Heals: Grief." Find out more here: https://www.kexp.org/events/kexp-events/death-music/ And here: https://www.kexp.org/events/kexp-events/music-heals-grief/

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than a month, Iran has been experiencing another revolution of sorts. The death of a 22-year-old woman named Mahsa "Jina" Amini has sparked mass protests and one song has become a rallying cry across the world. KEXP’s Roddy Nikpour talks about what “Baraye” by Shervin Hajipour means to him, his family, and a country.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Living Singles! The series where a KEXP staff member shares three songs they’re really into right now. Content Producer Jasmine Albertson has been all over the world recently and it has brought her to a really good place — here talking with Rachel Stevens about music.

Songs featured in this episode:

• "no sé quién soy" by K4
• "True Altruism" by Chanel Beads
• "It's Not Just Me, It's Everybody" by Weyes Blood

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KEXP’s Morning Show Producer Owen Murphy is a huge fan of Austin-based band The Black Angels. Owen got to talk to frontman Alex Maas about their latest album, “Wilderness of Mirrors,” and why psychedelic music makes for the best concerts.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Living Singles! Where a KEXP staff member shares three of their favorite songs right now. This time, Afternoon Show Intern Syd Gladu joins Sound & Vision producer Roddy Nikpour, offering three songs that deal with emotion in very different ways.

Songs featured in this episode:

• “Mercury” by Steve Lacy
• “Sardines” by Audrey Nuna and Deb Never
• “Problem With It” by Plains

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Larry Mizell Jr. talks to Chaz Bear (aka Toro y Moi) about his latest album, 'Mahal,' and how embracing his mixed Black and Filipino heritage is resulting in his best work yet. They also discuss how Chaz has learned to see things through and follow his own vision, the unique challenges of being mixed race, and how he's using his platform to spotlight other Black and Brown indie artists.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Living Singles! Where a KEXP staff member shares three of their favorite songs right now. On this episode, the incredible DJ Evie Stokes shares an eclectic trio. If you like these tracks, you’ll love her show on Sundays from 3-6pm PT.

Songs featured in this episode:

• "Under No Nation" by Goat
• "Ma-hine Me" by Vieux Farka Touré & Khruangbin
• "Top Steppa" by Greentea Peng 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel Stevens talks to rock and roll royalty Corin Tucker about Sleater-Kinney’s new album, 'Dig Me In: A Dig Me Out Covers Album' (out Friday, October 21st). Corin chats about how the band chose the artists to cover the 13 tracks, how the album is a benefit for SMYRC, how she’s all about community, and how’s there’s really no such thing as a “cold call from Sleater-Kinney.”

Also, it’s KEXP’s Fall Fundraising Drive! Please consider a one-time $20 gift to Sound & Vision at www.kexp.org/sound and thank you for being a part of this community!

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Living Singles! Where a KEXP staff member shares three of their favorite songs right now. In this very special edition, we’re celebrating both Aquí y Ahora (KEXP’s celebration of Latinx Heritage Month) AND Indigenous Peoples’ Day, because Albina Cabrera is an absolute champion of the people and music of Latin America.

Songs featured in this episode:

• “Principio Sin Fin” by ALWA
• “Kixampe (feat. Sara Curruchich)” by Rebeca Lane 
• “Tijeras” by Renata Flores

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nirvana’s 'Nevermind' came out in 1991, when KEXP DJs Riz Rollins and Marco Collins were already playing influential roles in Seattle radio at KCMU and KNDD, respectively. Larry Mizell Jr. talks to Riz and Marco about what it was like being at ground-zero when the album came out and took over the world.

They share stories about debuting "Smells Like Teen Spirit" on KEXP (when it was KCMU), the food fight that got Kurt Cobain kicked out of his own party, and finding 'Nevermind' CDs for sale in the French countryside. Plus, how it feels to hear Nirvana's music now.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Living Singles! Where a KEXP staff member shares three of their favorite songs right now. In this special Aquí y Ahora edition, we get a sneak peek of what it’s like to be on the KEXP video team and watch live music so up close and personal. Mere hours before KEXP’s video producer Alaia D’Alessandro got on a plane, she sat down with Rachel Stevens to talk about which artists she was most excited to film at KEXP Live from Argentina.

Songs featured in this episode:

• “Almacén de Datos” by Sara Hebe
• “Esther” by Blanco Teta
• “Cara de Mapa” by Atrás Hay Truenos

Look out for videos from all the Live from Argentina sessions on KEXP’s YouTube channel

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brandi Diaz is a local Latina musician who creates psychedelic soul under the name Nada Rosa. Even through challenging times, she has continually trusted the process of following her bliss. 

Years ago, when Brandi was 25-years-old, she made a promise to herself that if she got through a family crisis of having to become the guardian of her niece, she would give herself the space to continue making music. Her family is doing great now and she is fulfilling her promise, creating "cinematic dreamscapes to other worlds" with her music. By extension, she is asserting her right to take up space as her full self. KEXP's Rachel Stevens talks with Brandi from her West Seattle home studio.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Living Singles! Where a KEXP staff member shares three of their favorite songs right now. This week, we flipped the script a bit KEXP’s own Martin Douglas interviews Sound & Vision host Rachel Stevens and asks what she’s into these days. Rachel over comes imposter syndrome to share three vibey songs getting her through.

Songs featured in this episode: 

• “Popular” by M.I.A.
• “Backinluv” by Clairmont the Second
• “Let It Go” by LIVt, featuring Dave B.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve heard of Summer Jams, but where’s the love for Autumnal Tunes? Here. The answer is here. Isabel Khalili, Martin Douglas, and Dusty Henry join Rachel Stevens to recap their favorite Summer Jams and share what's on their playlists as things cool down.

Songs featured in this episode:

• "Bad Habit" by Steve Lacy
• "Angelo” by Brijean
• “California” by Judy and the Jerks
• “Break My Soul” by Beyoncé
• “Rand McNally” by Death Cab for Cutie
• "Quantum Leap” by Roc Marciano
• “4 Shorty… U Live, U Die, U Ride!” by Bad Noons
• “Washed Away” by Kelela

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doris Anahí Muñoz is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. She is also the subject of the new documentary, 'Mija,' which will be released on Disney+**. The film follows Doris as she starts her career in music management and grapples with the guilt of being the first American-born member of her family. “Mija”—the title of the film—comes from the first company Doris ever started, called “Mija Management,” but the word also translates directly to “my daughter” and is used as a term of endearment.

Rachel Stevens talks with Doris about each of their favorite moments from the film. They also discuss Doris' family's immigration story, her role as both an artist manager and a mentor, and how her path eventually led her back to making her own music.

**In this episode, we say that the film 'Mija' will be released on September 23rd, but the documentary release on Disney+ is postponed until further notice.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a minute since we’ve heard new music from Built to Spill — their last record came out in 2015. Well, now they’re back with their ninth studio album. It’s called 'When the Wind Forgets Your Name.'

KEXP DJ and producer Sharlese Metcalf talks with guitarist and vocalist Doug Martsch about song inspiration and “superfanning.”

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Living Singles! Where a KEXP staff member shares three of their favorite songs right now. This week, KEXP Podcast Manager Isabel Khalili shares three “end of summer jams" that she’s been digging lately. You can practically hear the sun setting just a little bit earlier in these mellow tracks. 

Songs featured in this episode: 

• “Sudany” by Sofie Birch and Antonina Nowacka
• “Delusion” by George Riley
  • “Cherry Coffee” by Kelela
• “Out Of My Mind” by The Zenmenn and John Moods

*UPDATE: Between the recording and the release of this episode, Kelela released a new song and video (dreams really do come true).

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Santi White (aka Santigold) released her fourth album, 'Spirituals,' on Friday, September 8. Rachel Stevens talks with Santi about inspiration for the album, breaking boundaries, and plans to make art beyond music. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warning: This episode discusses gun violence and suicide. 

On Thursday, September 8, KEXP brings you Music Heals: Mental Health. It’s a day of on-air and online programming acknowledging the struggles of mental health and emotional well-being that so many of us deal with, and how music and community can make a real difference.

In this episode of Sound & Vision, KEXP listener and amplifier TJ Shushereba shares his story dealing with an abrupt loss, and how music continues to help him heal from tragedy.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Four people have accused Arcade Fire’s frontman, Win Butler, of sexual misconduct. It’s another in a long list of musicians who have abused their fame to harm others. A team of badass women joins Rachel Stevens to find hope for the future: Alexandra Brodsky, a civil rights lawyer and the author of the book “Sexual Justice”; Jill Krajewski, a culture writer based in Toronto whose work has appeared in Vulture, SPIN, Pitchfork, and more; Evie Stokes, a KEXP DJ who has played Arcade Fire more than any other woman DJ on KEXP (besides Cheryl Waters); and Ashley McDonald, a KEXP DJ and lead teacher of the station's Youth DJ program. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Living Singles! Where a KEXP staff member shares three of their favorite songs right now. On this episode, Digital Content Producer Janice Headley gets deep with some amazing, some emotional, and some amazingly emotional music with host Rachel Stevens.

Songs featured in this episode:

• “Uncertainty and the Unknown” by Briana Marela
• “Don’t Lie” by Ty Segall (covering The Mantles)
• “Broke Down” by Sleepyhead

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As part of our series about breaking musicians, Emily Fox talks to KEXP’s video manager Jim Beckmann about what "Live on KEXP" has done for bands. They discuss what it was like to film the sessions that have since blown up, including Of Monsters and Men, Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio, Grimes, and Charles Bradley.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off a new series called Living Singles, where a KEXP staff member shares three of their favorite songs right now. On this episode, Digital Content Producer Jasmine Albertson dives into three songs and also becomes BFFs with host Rachel Stevens.

Songs featured in this episode:

• “Battlefield 1942” by Seacats
• “Behind a Silent Door” by Mt Fog
• “Lose You” by Winter

View the full story here.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound & Vision’s mini-series, Apparently, explores the stories of musicians and performers who are juggling parenthood with their art.

In this episode, Rachel Stevens talks to Sharon Van Etten about being on tour and managing while missing her son’s first day of kindergarten. Sharon’s new album, ‘We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong,’ addresses the guilt of the working parent, but also gives grace to the subject.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Overnight Afrobeats DJ Lace Cadence talks to Rachel Stevens about discovering his African roots later in life and why Burna Boy’s latest album is his best work yet.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sylvan Esso’s fourth studio album, 'No Rules Sandy,' is out now. Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn talk to Rachel Stevens about how marriage is trash for women, Richard Swift is good for the heart, and trusting the process can result in some of your favorite art.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BEYONCÉ. That’s the description. Rachel Stevens talks about the buzz behind the new Beyoncé album 'Renaissance' with fellow fans from the BeyHive: KEXP Afternoon Show Host Larry Mizell Jr., Stas Thee Boss, and KUOW Arts and Culture Reporter Mike Davis. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last year, Fred Gibson (under the moniker Fred again..) quietly dropped an electronic album that sampled audio from his actual life, and gave it the fitting title, ‘Actual Life (April 14 - December 17 2020)’. Since then, the artist has gained seismic traction and a global following, including KEXP’s Social Media Manager Tia Ho. In this episode, Tia travels track-by-track with Fred through the album, and the two discuss choosing to be joyful, keeping journals, and whiskey preferences.   

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our series about “breaking” artists on KEXP, Emily Fox talks to DJ Morgan about Altin Gün and then Eva Walker takes us down a “Walker Wormhole Wednesday.”

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The psychedelic indie pop project Of Montreal has put out more than 20 albums since their debut in 1997. The latest album, 'Freewave Lucifer f<ck f^ck f>ck,' is an experiment in “painting with sound” through despair and euphoria. The band’s frontperson Kevin Barnes talks with Roddy Nikpour about their vision for their latest release.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our series about “breaking” artists on KEXP, Emily Fox talks to "The Roadhouse" DJ Greg Vandy about Courtney Marie Andrews and Daniel Norgren. She then talks to KEXP's resident jazz-expert, John Gilbreath, about Kassa Overall and Kris Davis.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Washington-born duo ODESZA is now out with their fourth studio album, 'The Last Goodbye.' Rachel Stevens talks to band members Clayton Knight and Harrison Mills about what Seattle means to them and to this album.

But first, Rachel and KEXP's resident ODESZA expert, Eva Walker, do a short review on the new album.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing a new Sound & Vision mini-series, “Break It," where we talk to KEXP DJs about how they “break” an artist.

Rachel Stevens talks to Marco Collins about Garbage, Weezer, and many more 90s darlings. Emily Fox talks to John Richards about the Lumineers, Phantogram, numerous other artists, and what it’s like to know Jimmy Fallon is listening.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Smith found out that Sir Elton John is a fan of his band Yard Act, so he had the courage to ask for a collaboration. KEXP’s Rachel Stevens asks James what it’s like to work with Elton John — and how you politely tell Elton John to try something a little different after the first draft.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Miki Ratsula recently released a covers EP which changes lyrics of some of their favorite songs to be gender neutral. KEXP’s Rachel Stevens talks to Miki about what coming out as non-binary means for their life and music.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily Fox talks with KEXP DJs Evie Stokes and Larry Mizell Jr. about the top five played songs of 2022 on KEXP thus far. Some are true bangers and some are because we are nothing if not loyal to the artists we love. Find out where your favorites have landed!

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atlanta rapper, actor and activist Killer Mike released a new solo single called “Run” this week. It’s Killer Mike’s first solo release in a decade and his first music not produced by El-P, his partner in Run the Jewels, since 2011. The new song features Young Thug and an intro by Dave Chappelle. It’s also no coincidence that he released the song on the Fourth of July.

KEXP’s Larry Mizell Jr. speaks with Killer Mike about the continued struggle of being Black in America, and how it inspired his track “Run.”

Killer Mike says of the song, "it's relit a fire in me to make more records reflective of what I feel like is the Black experience in this country and beyond.”

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On June 24, 2022 the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade after nearly 50 years. The constitutional right to an abortion no longer exists. This news has shaken many communities, including the music industry. KEXP’s Rachel Stevens talks with Ani DiFranco, Adia Victoria, and Amanda Palmer about their experiences with abortion and the songs they’ve written about it.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zola Jesus breaks down a few songs from her new album, 'Arkhon.' She discusses her Russian and Ukrainian heritage, her battles with anxiety and depression, and how she uses music to heal. She also talks about some of the issues facing independent musicians, like the exhaustion of touring and releasing music without time to reflect, and trying to stay relevant in a society looking for viral hits.

“The only things that are being rewarded are the things that get the most popular and the only way to get popular is to stimulate the attention of people in a very immediate and primal way,” she says.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The indie-pop trio MUNA talks about being an openly queer band since they started in 2014, and why they believe the conversation should go beyond “Representation.” They also discuss the transition from a major record label, RCA, to Phoebe Bridgers’ indie label, Saddest Factory Records. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bartees Strange talks about how his latest album, Farm to Table reflects on resilience, family and the death of George Floyd. 

“I think a lot of people see climate change, racism, gender struggles, women’s rights, all these issues are so humongous, huge. Multigenerational struggles. And we all want to fix it, but the way to fix it is to start with yourself. And that’s kind of the message of a lot of songs on Farm to Table is I can’t fix the world, but I can fix me. I can have an impact on my brother and sister. I can have an impact on my community. Looking at the people that made you and the people that you are around and the people you choose to be with and starting there,” Bartees Strange says.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To celebrate Juneteenth, we are going to go on a journey through the sonics of Black spirituality. Seattle native and writer Mia Imani highlights some of the musicians and songs that have helped elevate the conversation about Black spirituality, from Sun Ra and Alice Coltrane, to Solange and Flying Lotus.  

https://www.kexp.org/read/2022/6/17/conscious-creations-examining-the-sonics-of-black-spirituality/ 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nabil Ayers released a memoir this month called “My Life in the Sunshine.” Ayers is the son of jazz great Roy Ayers who’s known for the song, “Everybody Loves The Sunshine.” Nabil Ayers went on to co-found Seattle’s Sonic Boom records. He played in a few bands including The Long Winters. He was the General Manager of the storied record label 4AD, and this year became the president of an amazing group of record labels called Beggars Group. KEXP’s Larry Mizell Jr. sat down with Nabil Ayers recently to talk about his memoir in which he explores issues of race and about being the son of a famous musician, a man he had only met a handful of times in his life. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nataly Dawn and Jack Conte of Pomplamoose talk about starting their career more than a decade ago by posting viral music videos to YouTube, going on to co-found Patreon and its importance to creators in the music industry, and Nataly talks about recording her new solo record after getting a skin cancer diagnosis.  

“Pomplamoose gets 5-6 million views a month on YouTube and when we were just relying on the ad revenue from that in 2012, 2011, we were making maybe $1,000 a month in ad revenue and I just felt like that is not indicative of the connection and the energy and the community that is out there. We’re not being paid fairly for our contribution and for the work that we are doing,” Conte says. “The really nice thing about Patreon is even with a couple thousand fans, we only have [about] 2,500 Patrons but we’re making $15,000 a month through Patreon.”  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poliça’s previous album was written after frontwoman Channy Leaneagh almost gave up her career in music. That’s until she fell off her roof trying to remove ice. Her doctor suggested she rewrite the story of her fall to make it seem less traumatic. The result was the album ‘When We Stay Alive.' It was released just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic swept America. During the pandemic, Channy and the band worked day jobs to get by, but they kept making music together. They have just released a new record called ‘Madness’. On the album, Channy reflects on her pandemic day job working at a grocery store and reclaiming her sexuality after reflecting on her personal experiences with sexual abuse and assault. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fantastic Negrito talks about his new album, 'White Jesus Black Problems,' which was inspired by his discovery that his 7th generation grandparents were an interracial couple, a white indentured servant and an enslaved Black man, who put their lives in danger and challenged white supremacy in the name of love.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We believe that everyone who runs should have a great soundtrack. Not one curated by an algorithm, but one that’s hand-picked by a DJ who runs too. The Runcast with John Richards brings you a dynamic mix of music and inspiration to keep you company and motivate you on your run, no matter what your level.

Subscribe to KEXP's The Runcast with John Richards, wherever you podcast, and enjoy new episodes every two weeks, June 3 - October 7, 2022.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound & Vision’s mini-series, Apparently, explores the stories of musicians, performers and arts workers who are juggling parenthood with their art.

On this episode, singer-songwriter Michaela Anne talks about singing Carole King's “Child of Mine” at her mother’s hospital bedside for months after her mother had a stroke. At the time, Michaela was pregnant, and her child now recognizes the song when she sings it. Anne discusses the feeling of watching both her baby and mom learn and relearn how to walk and talk together.

“My daughter is learning to walk and I’m just walking the length of the house back and forth with her and that’s what I’ve spent so much time doing with my Mom,” Michaela Anne says.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emmy the Great talks about splitting her childhood between China and the UK and how she felt conflicted with her biracial identity. She was seen as white when living in China and "threw away" her Cantonese language when she was living in England.  

“I just sort of grew up code switching, as a natural way of being,” She says. “And as I get older I don’t want to always compartmentalize everything.” 

Celine Teo-Blockey reports on how music and motherhood is helping Emmy The Great embrace both sides of her heritage.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound & Vision’s mini-series, Apparently, explores the stories of musicians, performers and arts workers who are juggling parenthood with their art.

On this episode, our guest is Shana Cleveland of the Seattle-born and California-based band, La Luz. KEXP’s Evie Stokes talks with Cleveland about her journey of becoming a mother shortly before the pandemic, receiving a cancer diagnosis, and despite the obstacles, continuing her career in music. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington’s Allen Stone talks about what it was like being a finalist in NBC’s "American Song Contest" and how he was able to make it happen in the final days of his mother’s life. He also discusses the realities of trying to make a living off music even after you have a national following.

Listen back to a previous Sound & Vision episode featuring Allen Stone here. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Bathgate talks about his new record, ‘The Significance of Peaches,’ which was released after living in a national forest in Michigan, farming in California, working at a tech startup in San Francisco, having a child and moving back home to Michigan. He talks about his journey and the album’s themes of nature, ‘baby fever,’ and the social inequities he saw in San Francisco between the working elite and the homeless.  

“I was shocked that a person could be in obvious need of immediate help and everyone can just walk past on their phone talking about where they are going to get oysters later [while] people [are] sleeping in the doorstep of Dolce & Gabbana,” Bathgate says.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1973, the Seattle-area band Lavender Country released what’s considered to be the first openly gay country album. The self-titled album went relatively unnoticed outside of Stonewall activists at the time. Shortly after the album’s release, the band broke up and frontman Patrick Haggerty went on to run for office in the city of Seattle and Washington State, advocating for racial justice and gay rights. Lavender Country’s debut album was rediscovered and reissued in 2014. The band’s story has since been turned into a few documentaries and there’s talks of it becoming a feature-length film. Nearly 50 years later, the band is now releasing their follow up album, 'Blackberry Rose,' and performing again.

Frontman Patrick Haggerty shares the story of the band and explains why he shouldn’t be seen as an icon. He also breaks down themes from the album, including fighting white supremacy, biracial gay relationships, and feminism.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tennyson talks about his new album, 'Rot,' written after he developed a hearing condition brought on by mold exposure that caused intense sensitivity to sound.  

“It started suddenly. I was upstairs and someone was doing dishes and I noticed that it was extremely loud. I went outside to try and relax and the sound of the birds were piercing and the sound of the wind in the leaves of the trees felt like sandpaper,” Tennyson says.  

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hollis Wong-Wear sits down with Larry Mizell Jr. to talk about her new album, moving to LA from Seattle, and going from producing music videos for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis to having Ryan Lewis produce her own song, “Let Me Not.” She calls the music video for that track her “love letter to Seattle.” 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Belgium-based electronic duo, Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul talk about the themes of wokeness, racism, and the #Metoo movement that end up on their latest album, 'Topical Dancer.'

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Head and The Heart talk about their new record and starting therapy together as a band, 12 years since they formed in Seattle. 

“If we are going to make this work long term and it’s the hardest to stay together when you’re in relationships and in a polygamous band relationship, it’s like, let’s f___ing do it. . . we gotta make it healthy, otherwise it’s not sustainable,” Charity Rose Thielen says.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hatchie talks about the themes of shame and self-acceptance on her latest record, 'Giving The World Away,' and how she worked a day job during COVID to save up to tour so she could pay her band and crew.

“I really wanted this record to be as big as possible on tour so I wanted to add extra members to the lineup and I wanted to have our own soundperson and have a lighting show so that meant that I had to make some personal sacrifices and had to go back to work part-time so I could balance that and budget for it so that I can save up and not have to pay myself on tour, whereas I have to pay a band,” Hatchie says.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maren Morris talks about themes of motherhood and the death of her longtime friend and producer, Michael Busbee on her new record, 'Humble Quest.' She also discusses her crossover sound and the need for more diversity in country music.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vancouver, B.C.-based band Destroyer released their 13th album, “Labyrinthitis,” on March 25. Since their first album nearly 30 years ago, the band’s sound has evolved from experimental folk to pulsing disco. Sound & Vision’s assistant producer Roddy Nikpour spoke with frontman Dan Bejar about Destroyer’s new album, their upcoming tour, and what keeps him inspired. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lucius released their latest studio album, 'Second Nature,' on April 8. Vocalist and songwriter Jess Wolfe talks about how this album was written while she processed her divorce and how the music is meant to make light through the darkness and dance through it. She also discusses the collaborations on the album with Brandi Carlile and Sheryl Crow.

“It’s such a fine line to want to honor sadness and darkness . . . but also to want to somehow move it towards joy or bend it in a way that makes you want to move and want to celebrate something because life is short,” Wolfe says.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kae Tempest has published six poetry collections, written two books, staged three plays and is now out with their fourth studio album, 'The Line Is A Curve.' Tempest talks about the power of lyricism and the process of creating this album, which is the first album they’ve released since coming out as trans nonbinary.

“Music gave me an escape and it also gave me a pass. It enabled me to exist in a room without having to be interrogated for what I was or why I was there. And I didn’t have to feel like a total failure as either girl or a boy because I was neither and both. I could just be a lyricist and be respected on those grounds and that was addictive and exhilarating and refreshing and powerful,” Tempest says.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our favorite fringe masked gay cowboy Orville Peck released the final chapter in his three-part record, 'Bronco,' on Friday. Orville Peck talks about musical inspiration from growing up in South Africa, telling biographical tales in his music that seem fictional, and creating 'Bronco' after struggling with depression and almost giving up on music during the pandemic.  

“I was deeply, deeply depressed and almost quit music when COVID hit because I stopped working and stopped touring and like so many of us I realized that I had been escaping into my routine and my busy lifestyle and I looked at my personal life and it was a nightmare, and I looked at the fact that I was feeling so lost, and when I came out of that and started writing 'Bronco' it was like this big catharsis,” Peck says.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound & Vision’s mini-series, Apparently, explores the stories of musicians, performers and arts workers who are juggling parenthood with their art.   

Today we hear the epic story of parenthood from Lowland Hum, who make “quiet music,” but their experience as new parents were anything but quiet. (Cue a tornado, colic and a miscarriage.) 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sound & Vision’s mini-series, Apparently, explores the stories of musicians, performers and arts workers who are juggling parenthood with their art.  

On this episode, contributor Celine Teo-Blockey profiles the Australian band Middle Kids and how they lost money in order to do a US tour during a pandemic with a toddler in tow. 

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the Black Constellation? If you know, you'll want to listen to this podcast. If you don't, you'll want to listen, too.

"Fresh off the Spaceship" is the newest podcast from KEXP, telling the story of the highly influential yet scarcely documented artist collective. The Black Constellation has included such varied musical acts as Shabazz Palaces, THEESatisfaction, Ya Tseen and Porter Ray.

Hosted by KEXP's Larry Mizell Jr. and Martin Douglas, each episode in this 10-part series takes listeners on an audio journey connecting the stars of the Constellation, shedding light on their art and their ethos along the way.

New episodes come out every Friday from March 18 - May 27, 2022. Find out more at KEXP.org/fresh-off-the-spaceship.