Live on KEXP - podcast cover

Live on KEXP

Live on KEXP brings you the very best of KEXP’s world-renowned live in-studio and remote performances. Each week, we’ll bring you a new live session, from emerging artists to well-established acts, spanning styles, genres and cultures. Full video of all Live on KEXP performances available at youtube.com/kexp.

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Episodes

A New Way to Discover Music

DJ John Richards drops by to tell you about KEXP's Song of the Day podcast, where you get a DJ-curated song delivered straight to your feed each weekday. You also get to learn some context around the song, right there in the episode description. To enjoy this convenient mode of music discovery, subscribe to KEXP's Song of the Day wherever you get your podcasts. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Dec 15, 202142 sec

Nation of Language

Taking the massive title of First Band to Play Live at KEXP Since the Start of the Pandemic, Nation of Language are more than deserving. While they only just released their first record in 2020, the Brooklyn-based band are making a giant splash with their modern take on new wave. The band chats with John Richards about adapting to post-Covid live shows before jumping into a stellar performance of songs off their new record A Way Forward . Recorded 10/13/2021. Across that Fine Line Wounds of Love...

Dec 14, 202127 min

Nation Of Language [Performance & Interview Only]

Taking the massive title of First Band to Play Live at KEXP Since the Start of the Pandemic, Nation of Language are more than deserving. While they only just released their first record in 2020, the Brooklyn-based band are making a giant splash with their modern take on new wave. The band chats with John Richards about adapting to post-Covid live shows before jumping into a stellar performance of songs off their new record A Way Forward . Recorded 10/13/2021. Across that Fine Line Wounds of Love...

Dec 14, 202126 min

Arooj Aftab

With her recent Grammy nomination, Arooj Aftab has made headlines as the very first Pakistani woman to be nominated for the gilded gramophone. While the Best New Artist nomination may be a geographical success, Aftab spoke to Cheryl Waters about how “art can transcend geographical location” and how access to art and the ability to cultivate relationships with other artists is why she’s called New York home for the past 15 years. Aftab’s latest record, Vulture Prince , is the third from the Berkl...

Dec 07, 202128 min

Arooj Aftab [Performance & Interview Only]

With her recent Grammy nomination, Arooj Aftab has made headlines as the very first Pakistani woman to be nominated for the gilded gramophone. While the Best New Artist nomination may be a geographical success, Aftab spoke to Cheryl Waters about how “art can transcend geographical location” and how access to art and the ability to cultivate relationships with other artists is why she’s called New York home for the past 15 years. Aftab’s latest record, Vulture Prince , is the third from the Berkl...

Dec 07, 202144 min

TORRES [Performance & Interview Only]

For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson details Mackenzie Scott’s unique trajectory from Southern Baptist band kid to the subversive indie rocker best known as TORRES. While the path to her latest album, 2021’s Thirstier , has been long and occasionally bumpy, the common theme of her successes seems to be her connections with creative women. In conversation with Cheryl Waters, Scott recounts how her wife Jenna Gribbon had an incredible influence on getting herself together during the early days of the pan...

Nov 30, 202129 min

TORRES

For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson details Mackenzie Scott’s unique trajectory from Southern Baptist band kid to the subversive indie rocker best known as TORRES. While the path to her latest album, 2021’s Thirstier , has been long and occasionally bumpy, the common theme of her successes seems to be her connections with creative women. In conversation with Cheryl Waters, Scott recounts how her wife Jenna Gribbon had an incredible influence on getting herself together during the early days of the pan...

Nov 30, 202122 min

Waxahatchee

Finally touring behind her latest Waxahatchee record, Saint Cloud, a year and a half after its release, Katie Crutchfield stops by KEXP to play songs off the album and speaks to Cheryl Waters about the factors that led her to change up her sound and why she wants to “keep it difficult to describe.” Emily Fox also chats with Crutchfield for Sound & Vision about addiction and codependency and the role sobriety played in the making of Saint Cloud . Recorded 09/16/2021. Can’t Do Much Lilacs Ruby...

Nov 23, 202124 min

Waxahatchee [Performance & Interview Only]

Finally touring behind her latest Waxahatchee record, Saint Cloud, a year and a half after its release, Katie Crutchfield stops by KEXP to play songs off the album and speaks to Cheryl Waters about the factors that led her to change up her sound and why she wants to “keep it difficult to describe.” Emily Fox also chats with Crutchfield for Sound & Vision about addiction and codependency and the role sobriety played in the making of Saint Cloud . Recorded 09/16/2021. Can’t Do Much Lilacs Ruby...

Nov 23, 202130 min

Bachelor

For musicians Melina Duterte and Ellen Kemper, the collaborative project Bachelor is not just one of musical expression but also friendship. The week they took away from their solo projects - Jay Som and Palehound, respectively - to make the EP Doomin’ Sun was full of not just music-making but also cooking, hot tubbing, TV watching, and just general bonding. Speaking with Cheryl Waters, the duo share memories of that incredible week, insight into their record-making process, and their thoughts o...

Nov 16, 202126 min

Bachelor [Performance & Interview Only]

For musicians Melina Duterte and Ellen Kemper, the collaborative project Bachelor is not just one of musical expression but also friendship. The week they took away from their solo projects - Jay Som and Palehound, respectively - to make the EP Doomin’ Sun was full of not just music-making but also cooking, hot tubbing, TV watching, and just general bonding. Speaking with Cheryl Waters, the duo share memories of that incredible week, insight into their record-making process, and their thoughts o...

Nov 16, 202138 min

Little Simz

While the easiest way to categorize Little Simz is as an emcee, her resume goes far beyond just her impeccable flow. For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson traces Little Simz’ history back to age 9 and dissects the various titles the UK artist has held including dancer, actor, and collaborator. Simz then chats with Gabriel Teodros about her faithful relationship with producer InFlo and working with the enigmatic collective Sault. Recorded 08/26/2021. Introvert Woman Venom I Love You I Hate You Rolling St...

Nov 09, 202127 min

Little Simz [Performance & Interview Only]

While the easiest way to categorize Little Simz is as an emcee, her resume goes far beyond just her impeccable flow. For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson traces Little Simz’ history back to age 9 and dissects the various titles the UK artist has held including dancer, actor, and collaborator. Simz then chats with Gabriel Teodros about her faithful relationship with producer InFlo and working with the enigmatic collective Sault. Recorded 08/26/2021. Introvert Woman Venom I Love You I Hate You Rolling St...

Nov 09, 202155 min

Kylie V [Performance & Interview Only]

At only 17-years-old Canadian singer/songwriter Kylie V has been writing and performing their personal brand of dreamy, pensive, lo-fi folk since they were 14. Chatting with KEXP’s DJ Abbie, they chart their humble beginnings in the Vancouver music scene, giving credit to surf rockers Peach Pit as a realization about the accessibility of making music and inspiration for diving into the local music scene to make their DIY rock star dreams come true. Their album 'Big Blue' is available on Bandcamp...

Nov 02, 202144 min

Kylie V

At only 17-years-old Canadian singer/songwriter Kylie V has been writing and performing their personal brand of dreamy, pensive, lo-fi folk since they were 14. Chatting with KEXP’s DJ Abbie, they chart their humble beginnings in the Vancouver music scene, giving credit to surf rockers Peach Pit as a realization about the accessibility of making music and inspiration for diving into the local music scene to make their DIY rock star dreams come true. Their album 'Big Blue' is available on Bandcamp...

Nov 02, 202130 min

José González [Performance & Interview Only]

For over 18 years, José González has been a master at constructing soft, contemplative guitar tunes. While, sonically, his latest album ‘Local Valley’ sounds much like his prior work, KEXP’s Larry Mizell Jr. chats with the Swedish/Argentinian musician about how his two children influenced him to inject more playfulness and creativity into his tunes, as well as write songs in his mother tongue of Spanish for the first time. Recorded 09/02/2021. Visions Swing Leaf Off/The Cave Head On El Invento W...

Oct 26, 202138 min

José González

For over 18 years, José González has been a master at constructing soft, contemplative guitar tunes. While, sonically, his latest album ‘Local Valley’ sounds much like his prior work, KEXP’s Larry Mizell Jr. chats with the Swedish/Argentinian musician about how his two children influenced him to inject more playfulness and creativity into his tunes, as well as write songs in his mother tongue of Spanish for the first time. Recorded 09/02/2021. Visions Swing Leaf Off/The Cave Head On El Invento W...

Oct 26, 202128 min

SPELLLING

Chrystia Cabral conjures a mystical, magnificent dominion in the music she makes as SPELLLING. For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson uses multiple entendres to tell the story of her fascinating experimental journey from creating songs for crayons to gathering more than 30 musicians to join her for her latest and most fantastical record The Turning Wheel . Recorded 06/17/2021. Little Deer Always Awaken Boys at School Sweet Talk Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www...

Oct 19, 202130 min

SPELLLING [Performance & Interview Only]

Chrystia Cabral conjures a mystical, magnificent dominion in the music she makes as SPELLLING. For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson uses multiple entendres to tell the story of her fascinating experimental journey from creating songs for crayons to gathering more than 30 musicians to join her for her latest and most fantastical record The Turning Wheel . Recorded 06/17/2021. Little Deer Always Awaken Boys at School Sweet Talk Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www...

Oct 19, 202126 min

Mndsgn [Performance & Interview Only]

Mndsgn, the pseudonym of Ringgo Ancheta, is no fresh face on the music scene. Since 2009, he’s been collaborating with incredible artists across the board, from Suzi Analogue and Knxwledge to Prophet and Chai. For his latest Stones Throw record, Rare Pleasure , Ancheta created his most vulnerable album yet, which he opens up to KEXP’s Larry Mizell Jr. about in this week’s episode of Live on KEXP before jumping into a killer set of songs off the album. Recorded 06/09/2021. Hope You’re Doin’ Bette...

Oct 12, 202125 min

Mndsgn

Mndsgn, the pseudonym of Ringgo Ancheta, is no fresh face on the music scene. Since 2009, he’s been collaborating with incredible artists across the board, from Suzi Analogue and Knxwledge to Prophet and Chai. For his latest Stones Throw record, Rare Pleasure , Ancheta created his most vulnerable album yet, which he opens up to KEXP’s Larry Mizell Jr. about in this week’s episode of Live on KEXP before jumping into a killer set of songs off the album. Recorded 06/09/2021. Hope You’re Doin’ Bette...

Oct 12, 202125 min

Femi and Made Kuti

When your family name is synonymous with afrobeat activism, what do you do? For Femi and Made Kuti, the only option is to continue the Legacy , of course. On this episode of Live on KEXP, the father/son duo carry on what Fela Kuti started in the ‘70s - the dissemination of not just sharp political criticism but also immense joy through music. Recorded 05/11/2021. Pà Pá Pà (Femi Kuti) Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am (Made Kuti) Stop The Hate (Femi Kuti) Free Your Mind (Made Kuti) Watch the full Live ...

Oct 05, 202128 min

Femi and Made Kuti [Performance & Interview Only]

When your family name is synonymous with afrobeat activism, what do you do? For Femi and Made Kuti, the only option is to continue the Legacy , of course. On this episode of Live on KEXP, the father/son duo carry on what Fela Kuti started in the ‘70s - the dissemination of not just sharp political criticism but also immense joy through music. Recorded 05/11/2021. Pà Pá Pà (Femi Kuti) Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am (Made Kuti) Stop The Hate (Femi Kuti) Free Your Mind (Made Kuti) Watch the full Live ...

Oct 05, 202137 min

Yu Su

Chinese-born, Vancouver-based musician Yu Su makes propulsive and evocative electronic that intends to bridge the gap between her motherland and her new Pacific Northwest home. On this episode of Live on KEXP, the composer, DJ, and sound artist speaks to Mike Ramos about the significance of the title of her latest album Yellow River Blue , her tough journey towards feeling comfortable in her new home, and how accessibility to electronic programs helped her on her journey towards the pop dance so...

Sep 28, 202128 min

Yu Su [Performance & Interview Only]

Chinese-born, Vancouver-based musician Yu Su makes propulsive and evocative electronic that intends to bridge the gap between her motherland and her new Pacific Northwest home. On this episode of Live on KEXP, the composer, DJ, and sound artist speaks to Mike Ramos about the significance of the title of her latest album Yellow River Blue , her tough journey towards feeling comfortable in her new home, and how accessibility to electronic programs helped her on her journey towards the pop dance so...

Sep 28, 202131 min

Ya Tseen

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 Verdoes, Shabazz Palaces, Nick Hakim, fellow Indigenous Alask...

Sep 21, 202125 min

Ya Tseen [Performance & Interview Only]

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 Verdoes, Shabazz Palaces, Nick Hakim, fellow Indigenous Alask...

Sep 21, 202145 min

Japanese Breakfast [Performance & Interview Only]

There are many negative ways one could sum up 2021 but one shining bright positive title we can give it is The Year of Michelle Zauner. The Oregon-born artist is probably best known as Japanese Breakfast and released the stellar album Jubilee this June but is also now an acclaimed author with the release of the New York Times bestseller Crying in H Mart in April. For this episode of Live on KEXP we share a clip of Zauner’s conversation with Cheryl Waters about how writing the book exorcised the ...

Sep 14, 202141 min

Japanese Breakfast

There are many negative ways one could sum up 2021 but one shining bright positive title we can give it is The Year of Michelle Zauner. The Oregon-born artist is probably best known as Japanese Breakfast and released the stellar album Jubilee this June but is also now an acclaimed author with the release of the New York Times bestseller Crying in H Mart in April. For this episode of Live on KEXP we share a clip of Zauner’s conversation with Cheryl Waters about how writing the book exorcised the ...

Sep 14, 202123 min

True Loves [Performance & Interview Only]

It’s important that we all feel like the star of our own movie, and if you’re still searching for a badass theme song for your personal film then look no further than Seattle’s own True Loves. The infectious funkmasters recorded a soulful set for KEXP behind the release of the band’s latest full-length 'Sunday Afternoon' and also spilled the tea to Troy Nelson on their guilty pleasure songs...the answers may surprise you. Recorded 04/27/2021. Objects In Mirror Did It Again First Impression Laven...

Sep 07, 202127 min
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