On the show this time, dance, chant, and fight back with Scottish band Young Fathers. Young Fathers are pop, grimy electronica, organic percussion, and Afro-Scottish indie. They rap. They chant. They sing. They do what they want. They've been making music together since they were teens, back in 2008. Their latest record - the Scottish Album of the Year for 2023 - is called 'Heavy Heavy' and is available on Ninja Tune Records. Recorded 09/27/2023. I Saw Drum Geronimo Rice Watch the full Live on K...
Jan 23, 2024•29 min
On the show this time, dance, chant, and fight back with Scottish band Young Fathers. Young Fathers are pop, grimy electronica, organic percussion, and Afro-Scottish indie. They rap. They chant. They sing. They do what they want. They've been making music together since they were teens, back in 2008. Their latest record - the Scottish Album of the Year for 2023 - is called 'Heavy Heavy' and is available on Ninja Tune Records. Recorded 09/27/2023. I Saw Drum Geronimo Rice Watch the full Live on K...
Jan 23, 2024•24 min
On the show this time, it’s the meticulous indie-folk songwriting of Gregory Alan Isakov. Gregory Alan Isakov is a singer-songwriter sure. But he’s also a farmer. His market farm in Boulder, Colorado provides produce to around a hundred CSA members, a couple of chefs, and a food bank. The man is really into growing the perfect lettuce mix. That’s why it’s rare to find him on tour in the summer. But - when you have a new full length album, five years in the making, it’s time to dust off the old r...
Jan 16, 2024•30 min
On the show this time, it’s the meticulous indie-folk songwriting of Gregory Alan Isakov. Gregory Alan Isakov is a singer-songwriter sure. But he’s also a farmer. His market farm in Boulder, Colorado provides produce to around a hundred CSA members, a couple of chefs, and a food bank. The man is really into growing the perfect lettuce mix. That’s why it’s rare to find him on tour in the summer. But - when you have a new full length album, five years in the making, it’s time to dust off the old r...
Jan 16, 2024•24 min
On the show this time, it’s doom, data, and reverberation appreciation with Frankie and The Witch Fingers. Frankie and The Witch Fingers returned to KEXP’s studios in support of their 7th studio record. It’s been an 11-year run already for the Bloomington, Indiana band, now based solidly in the thriving Los Angeles psych-rock scene. What started as a one-man-band - Dylan Sizemore on guitar, vocals, and stomping away on a kick drum - has evolved and adapted into a 6-piece prog/post-punk juggernau...
Jan 09, 2024•26 min
On the show this time, it’s doom, data, and reverberation appreciation with Frankie and The Witch Fingers. Frankie and The Witch Fingers returned to KEXP’s studios in support of their 7th studio record. It’s been an 11-year run already for the Bloomington, Indiana band, now based solidly in the thriving Los Angeles psych-rock scene. What started as a one-man-band - Dylan Sizemore on guitar, vocals, and stomping away on a kick drum - has evolved and adapted into a 6-piece prog/post-punk juggernau...
Jan 09, 2024•27 min
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 ...
Jan 02, 2024•28 min
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 ...
Jan 02, 2024•1 hr 2 min
On the show this time, it’s the cinematic piano and electronics of Hania Rani. The Polish pianist’s latest album, 'On Giacometti,' is out February 2023 on Gondwana Records. She continues to expand on her film score ambient classical atmospherics, using electronics and her clear wistful voice. In this episode, we touch on Rani's origin story and influences and then get right to the music as these works are a bit longer. This performance features 3 previously unreleased pieces, and one - “Buka” - ...
Dec 26, 2023•36 min
On the show this time, it’s the cinematic piano and electronics of Hania Rani. The Polish pianist’s latest album, 'On Giacometti,' is out February 2023 on Gondwana Records. She continues to expand on her film score ambient classical atmospherics, using electronics and her clear wistful voice. In this episode, we touch on Rani's origin story and influences and then get right to the music as these works are a bit longer. This performance features 3 previously unreleased pieces, and one - “Buka” - ...
Dec 26, 2023•30 min
On the show this time, it’s the detail driven divinations of The Mountain Goats. The Mountain Goats are a definitive independent band. John Darnielle has been releasing music under that name since 1991. He started out taping straight onto cassette, with a boombox, and over the years has returned to that medium - lo-fi for sure, but oddly high in emotional fidelity. He’s also worked with engineers - in particular with Tiny Telephone’s John Vanderslice, and is now equally comfortable with full-stu...
Dec 19, 2023•29 min
On the show this time, it’s the detail driven divinations of The Mountain Goats. The Mountain Goats are a definitive independent band. John Darnielle has been releasing music under that name since 1991. He started out taping straight onto cassette, with a boombox, and over the years has returned to that medium - lo-fi for sure, but oddly high in emotional fidelity. He’s also worked with engineers - in particular with Tiny Telephone’s John Vanderslice, and is now equally comfortable with full-stu...
Dec 19, 2023•33 min
On the show this time, it’s the powerful 60’s and 70’s influenced instrumentals of the mighty Budos Band. The Budos Band is now on their 9th release - 6 albums and 3 EP’s - and they are also now on their own label - Diamond West. They were already recording on their own, in their own studio, and they were living a bi-coastal existence with some members in California. So, it really is an organic move, amicably splitting from their origin story label Daptone Records to do their own thing. Continui...
Dec 12, 2023•20 min
On the show this time, it’s the powerful 60’s and 70’s influenced instrumentals of the mighty Budos Band. The Budos Band is now on their 9th release - 6 albums and 3 EP’s - and they are also now on their own label - Diamond West. They were already recording on their own, in their own studio, and they were living a bi-coastal existence with some members in California. So, it really is an organic move, amicably splitting from their origin story label Daptone Records to do their own thing. Continui...
Dec 12, 2023•27 min
On the show this time, it’s the experiment-Americana of Boise, Idaho’s Trevor Powers and his band Youth Lagoon. Youth Lagoon returns, renewed and refreshed to the studio and to the road. After the project's debut in 2011, and the following 2 albums, songwriter Trevor Powers announced the end of the band after only 5 years, in 2016. He needed to move on, and released two albums under his own name. Never say never though - after surviving some severe unexpected health problems in 2021 Trevor found...
Dec 05, 2023•27 min
On the show this time, it’s the experiment-Americana of Boise, Idaho’s Trevor Powers and his band Youth Lagoon. Youth Lagoon returns, renewed and refreshed to the studio and to the road. After the project's debut in 2011, and the following 2 albums, songwriter Trevor Powers announced the end of the band after only 5 years, in 2016. He needed to move on, and released two albums under his own name. Never say never though - after surviving some severe unexpected health problems in 2021 Trevor found...
Dec 05, 2023•26 min
On the show this time it’s Palestinian-Jordanian band 47SOUL. 47SOUL is named for the year 1947, which was the year before the Palestinian Nakba and the last year people could move freely from place to place in Bilad Al-Sham, or The Levant. The band fuses a traditional Arabic dance form - Dabke - with electronic hip hop, rock, reggae, and reggaeton to create what is known as Shamstep. This is refugee art, this is anti-border music. The band often says - “Every land is a holy land, seeking recogn...
Nov 28, 2023•37 min
On the show this time, it’s a celebration of connection - to lineage and to land with Black Belt Eagle Scout. Black Belt Eagle Scout is the recording project of Katherine "KP" Paul. She’s been steadily creating indigenous-Swinomish-woman meets Pacific-Northwest indie-rock-and-punk since her self-titled debut EP in 2014. Her 3rd full length and latest album “The Land, The Water, The Sky” is available on Saddle Creek Records. Recorded 05/08/2023. Fancy Dance Nobody Don't Give Up On the River Watch...
Nov 21, 2023•29 min
On the show this time, it’s a celebration of connection - to lineage and to land with Black Belt Eagle Scout. Black Belt Eagle Scout is the recording project of Katherine "KP" Paul. She’s been steadily creating indigenous-Swinomish-woman meets Pacific-Northwest indie-rock-and-punk since her self-titled debut EP in 2014. Her 3rd full length and latest album “The Land, The Water, The Sky” is available on Saddle Creek Records. Recorded 05/08/2023. Fancy Dance Nobody Don't Give Up On the River Watch...
Nov 21, 2023•25 min
On the show this time, it’s the new motorik psych-pop of Seattle’s own Spirit Award. Spirit Award is the creative project of singer / guitarist Daniel Lyon. He combines catchy energetic post-punk psych-pop with pensive analytical lyrics, arriving at a surprisingly loving and accessible sound, considering the weight of the content. His all star cast of collaborators includes co-producer Trevor Spencer, bassist Chris Jordan and drummer Andrew King. Their latest album 'The Fear' is available on Sha...
Nov 14, 2023•29 min
On the show this time, it’s the new motorik psych-pop of Seattle’s own Spirit Award. Spirit Award is the creative project of singer / guitarist Daniel Lyon. He combines catchy energetic post-punk psych-pop with pensive analytical lyrics, arriving at a surprisingly loving and accessible sound, considering the weight of the content. His all star cast of collaborators includes co-producer Trevor Spencer, bassist Chris Jordan and drummer Andrew King. Their latest album 'The Fear' is available on Sha...
Nov 14, 2023•21 min
On the show this time, it’s the next generation of Tuareg music - the desert rock of Tamikrest. According to their bio, in the Tamasheq language, Tamikrest means “connection.” The group members come from Mali, Niger, Algeria and France. Their music takes root in Ishumar “rebel music” Rock, or Tuareg Blues….and it flowers - expanding as they explore and include their ever widening set of influences. Their singer Ousman Ag Mosa lives, as he says, “everywhere in the desert” - because he is a nomad....
Nov 07, 2023•31 min
On the show this time, it’s the next generation of Tuareg music - the desert rock of Tamikrest. According to their bio, in the Tamasheq language, Tamikrest means “connection.” The group members come from Mali, Niger, Algeria and France. Their music takes root in Ishumar “rebel music” Rock, or Tuareg Blues….and it flowers - expanding as they explore and include their ever widening set of influences. Their singer Ousman Ag Mosa lives, as he says, “everywhere in the desert” - because he is a nomad....
Nov 07, 2023•28 min
On the show this time, it's the danceable dreamtronica of producer/DJ Nabihah Iqbal. British musician Nabihah Iqbal is a true music-lover. She plays multiple instruments, produces, DJs, and she has a degree in African history and ethnomusicology. (She’s a lawyer too, by the way.) She can rock you on guitar or push you out onto the dance floor with equal panache. She overcame a mountain of obstacles and setbacks to create her latest record. It is called 'Dreamer' and is available on Ninja Tune Re...
Oct 31, 2023•27 min
On the show this time, it's the danceable dreamtronica of producer/DJ Nabihah Iqbal. British musician Nabihah Iqbal is a true music-lover. She plays multiple instruments, produces, DJs, and she has a degree in African history and ethnomusicology. (She’s a lawyer too, by the way.) She can rock you on guitar or push you out onto the dance floor with equal panache. She overcame a mountain of obstacles and setbacks to create her latest record. It is called 'Dreamer' and is available on Ninja Tune Re...
Oct 31, 2023•31 min
On the show this time, it’s the OG desert blues of Mali’s Tinariwen. Tinariwen has been bringing the sound of the northern Sahara to the world for over 20 years. Their music has won the hearts of listeners worldwide, regardless of language spoken. There’s a vibe, a hypnotic groove, and a poetic humanness that pulls you in. There’s also the Blues - the universal music of self-expression in the face of persecution. These musicians have faced hardship and oppression, and it’s not over. A coup in 20...
Oct 24, 2023•29 min
On the show this time, it’s the OG desert blues of Mali’s Tinariwen. Tinariwen has been bringing the sound of the northern Sahara to the world for over 20 years. Their music has won the hearts of listeners worldwide, regardless of language spoken. There’s a vibe, a hypnotic groove, and a poetic humanness that pulls you in. There’s also the Blues - the universal music of self-expression in the face of persecution. These musicians have faced hardship and oppression, and it’s not over. A coup in 20...
Oct 24, 2023•27 min
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: htt...
Oct 19, 2023•9 min
On the show this time, it’s the electronic meets organic, dark-wave, post-rock of Italy’s JoyCut. JoyCut is the musical brain-child of composer/artist Pasquale Pezillo. The music they make is a balance of organic acoustic instruments played by human beings, and the endless possible textures of electronic and synthesized sound. They are committed to a green sustainable future, using biodegradable and plant based materials for their packaging and merch, and even utilizing solar powered recording s...
Oct 17, 2023•29 min
On the show this time, it’s the electronic meets organic, dark-wave, post-rock of Italy’s JoyCut. JoyCut is the musical brain-child of composer/artist Pasquale Pezillo. The music they make is a balance of organic acoustic instruments played by human beings, and the endless possible textures of electronic and synthesized sound. They are committed to a green sustainable future, using biodegradable and plant based materials for their packaging and merch, and even utilizing solar powered recording s...
Oct 17, 2023•56 min
