On the show this time, it’s the rich storytelling of Matt Berninger. Matt Berninger is, of course, the front-person for The National, a band that has been writing perfect songs to live your life to since they formed back in 1999. His first “solo” record, Serpentine Prison , was produced by Memphis legend Booker T Jones, and they started a label together to put it out. His latest offering is called Get Sunk and it is available on Book Records. Recorded May 18, 2025 Bonnet Of Pins No Love Breaking...
Sep 23, 2025•27 min•Ep. 501
On the show this time, we’re celebrating our 500th episode! Thank you to all of you who have listened and supported the show over the last 10 years. We’re releasing this into the world just one day later in the year than the very first episode featuring Courtney Barnett dropped on September 14th back in 2015. Featuring six songs picked by the Live on KEXP podcast team. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 16, 2025•40 min•Ep. 500
On the show this time, it’s the indie R&B of South Asian-American singer Raveena. She self-released her first EP Shanti in 2017, and the single “If Only” blew up, especially after an appearance on Berlin-based minimalist YouTube channel COLORSXSTUDIOS. Her latest is her third studio album Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain , available on the Empire imprint Moonstone Recordings. Recorded May 1, 2025 Rise Smile For Me Baby Mama If Only Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support ...
Sep 09, 2025•26 min•Ep. 499
On the show this time, it’s the indie R&B of South Asian-American singer Raveena. She self-released her first EP Shanti in 2017, and the single “If Only” blew up, especially after an appearance on Berlin-based minimalist YouTube channel COLORSXSTUDIOS. Her latest is her third studio album Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain , available on the Empire imprint Moonstone Recordings. Recorded May 1, 2025 Rise Smile For Me Baby Mama If Only Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support ...
Sep 09, 2025•24 min•Ep. 499
On the show this time, it’s the Nigerian Afrobeat of Seun Kuti and Egypt 80. Seun Kuti is Afrobeat royalty – the son of Fela Kuti, and the leader of Fela’s former band Egypt 80 since 1997. He’s released seven studio albums since then, playing saxophone and singing in addition to running the band. Their latest is Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) available on Record Kicks out of Milan, Italy. Recorded May 7, 2025 Stand Well Well T.O.P. Emi Aluta Bad Man Lighter Watch the full Live on KEXP ses...
Sep 02, 2025•33 min•Ep. 498
On the show this time, it’s the Nigerian Afrobeat of Seun Kuti and Egypt 80. Seun Kuti is Afrobeat royalty – the son of Fela Kuti, and the leader of Fela’s former band Egypt 80 since 1997. He’s released seven studio albums since then, playing saxophone and singing in addition to running the band. Their latest is Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) available on Record Kicks out of Milan, Italy. Recorded May 7, 2025 Stand Well Well T.O.P. Emi Aluta Bad Man Lighter Watch the full Live on KEXP ses...
Sep 02, 2025•28 min•Ep. 498
On the show this time, it's the Peruvian-influenced, rock n roll-cumbia, of Chicha Libre. Chicha Libre is the Brooklyn-based psychedelic-cumbia band, formed by Olivier Conan in the early 2000’s. They are non-traditional, avoiding claims to specific authenticity. Instead they borrow what sparks interest, absorbing not only Peruvian chicha, but also Afrobeat, Cuban danzón, and parts of North American country music. They’ve released an EP - Cuatro tigres, and two studio albums - Sonido Amazonico! a...
Aug 26, 2025•32 min
On the show this time, it's the Peruvian-influenced, rock n roll-cumbia, of Chicha Libre. Chicha Libre is the Brooklyn-based psychedelic-cumbia band, formed by Olivier Conan in the early 2000’s. They are non-traditional, avoiding claims to specific authenticity. Instead they borrow what sparks interest, absorbing not only Peruvian chicha, but also Afrobeat, Cuban danzón, and parts of North American country music. They’ve released an EP - Cuatro tigres, and two studio albums - Sonido Amazonico! a...
Aug 26, 2025•27 min
On the show this time, it’s the R&B-electronica solo record of Little Dragon front-human Yukimi. Yukimi is a Swedish singer and songwriter, known for starting the band Little Dragon with her high schoolmates and for her collaboration with Gorillaz on their Plastic Beach album. Her stunning vocals have been featured on tracks by DJ Shadow, De La Soul and Odesza. She’s performed with Jose Gonzalez, with whom she shares a hometown - they are both from the city of Gothenburg. She’s recorded a so...
Aug 19, 2025•28 min
On the show this time, it’s the R&B-electronica solo record of Little Dragon front-human Yukimi. Yukimi is a Swedish singer and songwriter, known for starting the band Little Dragon with her high schoolmates and for her collaboration with Gorillaz on their Plastic Beach album. Her stunning vocals have been featured on tracks by DJ Shadow, De La Soul and Odesza. She’s performed with Jose Gonzalez, with whom she shares a hometown - they are both from the city of Gothenburg. She’s recorded a so...
Aug 19, 2025•26 min
On the show this time, it’s the Guembri driven Moroccan rock of Bab L’ Bluz. Bab L’ Bluz is at its core a duo: singer/guitarist Yousra Mansour and producer/guitarist Brice Bottin. A shared love for Moroccan Gnawa music led them to learn how to play the Guembri – a kind of 3 stringed bass instrument – and its smaller relative the Awisha. They started a rock band, using those instruments to take the roles respectively of bass and guitar. They released their first album Nayda! in 2020. Their latest...
Aug 12, 2025•37 min
On the show this time, it’s the Guembri driven Moroccan rock of Bab L’ Bluz. Bab L’ Bluz is at its core a duo: singer/guitarist Yousra Mansour and producer/guitarist Brice Bottin. A shared love for Moroccan Gnawa music led them to learn how to play the Guembri – a kind of 3 stringed bass instrument – and its smaller relative the Awisha. They started a rock band, using those instruments to take the roles respectively of bass and guitar. They released their first album Nayda! in 2020. Their latest...
Aug 12, 2025•28 min
On the show this time, it’s the hook-laden, R&B chill-groove of English electronica producers Maribou State. Chris Davids and Liam Ivory have been releasing music as Maribou State since 2011. They grew up just north of London, and started making music together when they met in school. In addition to creating their own music, they have had success as remixers for artists like Lana Del Ray and Fatboy Slim. They’ve built a community of musicians and collaboration is a large part of their proces...
Aug 05, 2025•25 min
On the show this time, it’s the hook-laden, R&B chill-groove of English electronica producers Maribou State. Chris Davids and Liam Ivory have been releasing music as Maribou State since 2011. They grew up just north of London, and started making music together when they met in school. In addition to creating their own music, they have had success as remixers for artists like Lana Del Ray and Fatboy Slim. They’ve built a community of musicians and collaboration is a large part of their proces...
Aug 05, 2025•23 min
On the show this time, it’s motorik psych-rock from a Japanese beach, with maya ongaku. They hail from the island of Enoshima, famed for a shrine to Buddhist deity Benzaiten. They play long-form psych rock, sometimes meditative, sometimes folky, sometimes jazzy. Their debut Approach to Anima features quiet singing, fingerstyle guitars, ambient recordings of bird calls, acoustic percussion, flute and saxophone, and spoken word. Their latest EP Electronic Phantoms leans more towards drum machines ...
Jul 29, 2025•39 min
On the show this time, it’s motorik psych-rock from a Japanese beach, with maya ongaku. They hail from the island of Enoshima, famed for a shrine to Buddhist deity Benzaiten. They play long-form psych rock, sometimes meditative, sometimes folky, sometimes jazzy. Their debut Approach to Anima features quiet singing, fingerstyle guitars, ambient recordings of bird calls, acoustic percussion, flute and saxophone, and spoken word. Their latest EP Electronic Phantoms leans more towards drum machines ...
Jul 29, 2025•28 min
On the show this time, it’s the northern African desert-blues of Etran de l’Aïr. The group is a family band from the city of Agadez in Niger, who got their start playing weddings. They play guitar-driven desert blues - made for dancing. They sing in chorus, in Tamasheq, filling the air with glorious celebratory Saharan music. Their latest album is 100% Sahara Guitar available on Sahel Sounds out of Portland Oregon. Recorded April 7, 2025 Ighre Massina Imouwizla Amidinine Agrim Agadez Watch the f...
Jul 22, 2025•28 min
On the show this time, it’s the northern African desert-blues of Etran de l’Aïr. The group is a family band from the city of Agadez in Niger, who got their start playing weddings. They play guitar-driven desert blues - made for dancing. They sing in chorus, in Tamasheq, filling the air with glorious celebratory Saharan music. Their latest album is 100% Sahara Guitar available on Sahel Sounds out of Portland Oregon. Recorded April 7, 2025 Ighre Massina Imouwizla Amidinine Agrim Agadez Watch the f...
Jul 22, 2025•36 min
On the show this time, it’s the danceable singalong punk-rock of Scottish band Franz Ferdinand. They released their debut single in 2003. They followed it up with “Take Me Out” in early 2004. After a slow start, the song caught on, partly thanks to heavy rotation on MTV. They were awarded the Mercury Prize, and their debut album sold millions of copies. They’ve been on a steady roll since, recently releasing their 6th studio album The Human Fear available through the Domino Recording Company. Re...
Jul 15, 2025•25 min
On the show this time, it’s the danceable singalong punk-rock of Scottish band Franz Ferdinand. They released their debut single in 2003. They followed it up with “Take Me Out” in early 2004. After a slow start, the song caught on, partly thanks to heavy rotation on MTV. They were awarded the Mercury Prize, and their debut album sold millions of copies. They’ve been on a steady roll since, recently releasing their 6th studio album The Human Fear available through the Domino Recording Company. Re...
Jul 15, 2025•21 min
On the show this time, it's the heavy-rock of alt-metal pioneers, Helmet. Helmet was formed in 1989, in New York City. Guitarist Page Hamilton was there to study Jazz at the Manhattan School of Music. He auditioned for and then joined Band of Susans. He brought a few of his own songs to the band, but even though they liked the songs, they were not a fit for the Susans. There was nothing to do but form his own band. We don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that rock music was changed forever. Helmet’...
Jul 08, 2025•28 min
On the show this time, it's the heavy-rock of alt-metal pioneers, Helmet. Helmet was formed in 1989, in New York City. Guitarist Page Hamilton was there to study Jazz at the Manhattan School of Music. He auditioned for and then joined Band of Susans. He brought a few of his own songs to the band, but even though they liked the songs, they were not a fit for the Susans. There was nothing to do but form his own band. We don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that rock music was changed forever. Helmet’...
Jul 08, 2025•33 min
This week we're re-airing a session from Ya Tseen from 2021. Activist, thinker, contemporary artist, and musician Nicholas Galanin entwines his experience as an Alaskan indigenous person and passion for social and environmental justice with falling in love and the birth of a child for his debut album as Ya Tseen. Titled Indian Yard , the record is a collaboration between himself and the many artists that see Galanin as a friend including Otis Calvin III (who you might know as OC Notes), Benjamin...
Jul 01, 2025•41 min
This week we're re-airing a session from Ya Tseen from 2021. Activist, thinker, contemporary artist, and musician Nicholas Galanin entwines his experience as an Alaskan indigenous person and passion for social and environmental justice with falling in love and the birth of a child for his debut album as Ya Tseen. Titled Indian Yard , the record is a collaboration between himself and the many artists that see Galanin as a friend including Otis Calvin III (who you might know as OC Notes), Benjamin...
Jul 01, 2025•25 min
On the show this time, it’s the Indonesian funk of Ali. Ali formed in 2021, playing 70s soul, disco, and afrobeat with elements of Arabic and middle eastern music. They released their first single “Dance, Habibi” that same year. They followed up with their debut album Malaka in 2023 on Anukara records. Embracing the connection between Indonesian and Arabic culture, they explored the overlapping music, fashion, and textiles, which led to the name of their latest self-released EP, Patterns . Recor...
Jun 24, 2025•28 min
On the show this time, it’s the Indonesian funk of Ali. Ali formed in 2021, playing 70s soul, disco, and afrobeat with elements of Arabic and middle eastern music. They released their first single “Dance, Habibi” that same year. They followed up with their debut album Malaka in 2023 on Anukara records. Embracing the connection between Indonesian and Arabic culture, they explored the overlapping music, fashion, and textiles, which led to the name of their latest self-released EP, Patterns . Recor...
Jun 24, 2025•28 min
On the show this time, it’s the Belarusian synth-pop of Molchat Doma. Molchat Doma is a post-punk, synth-pop, new-wave electronic band from Minsk, Belarus. They formed in 2017, self-releasing their debut album S krysh nashikh domov , which translates to “From the Roofs of Our Houses." It was later picked up and re-released by the German label Detriti Records, along with their second album in 2018, Etazhi ( or "Floors”). The two records gained popularity mainly through an unauthorized upload on Y...
Jun 17, 2025•23 min
On the show this time, it’s the Belarusian synth-pop of Molchat Doma. Molchat Doma is a post-punk, synth-pop, new-wave electronic band from Minsk, Belarus. They formed in 2017, self-releasing their debut album S krysh nashikh domov , which translates to “From the Roofs of Our Houses." It was later picked up and re-released by the German label Detriti Records, along with their second album in 2018, Etazhi ( or "Floors”). The two records gained popularity mainly through an unauthorized upload on Y...
Jun 17, 2025•24 min
On the show this time, it’s the danceable darkwave of Danish musician - Trentemøller. Anders Trentemøller is a Danish musician based in Copenhagen. His debut album, The Last Resort , was released in 2006, and he has continued putting out new music roughly every three years since. His sound is eclectic, spanning genres like trip-hop, goth, shoegaze, indie rock, and pop. He has remixed hundreds of tracks for artists including The Knife, Röyksopp, Robyn, M83, The Raveonettes, Depeche Mode, and Fran...
Jun 10, 2025•28 min
On the show this time, it’s the danceable darkwave of Danish musician - Trentemøller. Anders Trentemøller is a Danish musician based in Copenhagen. His debut album, The Last Resort , was released in 2006, and he has continued putting out new music roughly every three years since. His sound is eclectic, spanning genres like trip-hop, goth, shoegaze, indie rock, and pop. He has remixed hundreds of tracks for artists including The Knife, Röyksopp, Robyn, M83, The Raveonettes, Depeche Mode, and Fran...
Jun 10, 2025•34 min
