On the show this time, it’s the transportive electro-pop of Brooklyn band Nation of Language. Nation of Language is a trio from New York, Ian Devaney on synths and with “the voice”, Aidan Noell on synths and vocals, and Alex MacKay on bass. The music recalls the great pop bands of the 80’s, but their captivating songwriting and sonic originality clearly push them forward as one of the great pop bands of right now. Their latest release is Dance Called Memory available on Sub Pop Records. Recorded...
Jan 06, 2026•28 min•Ep. 515
On the show this time, it’s the transportive electro-pop of Brooklyn band Nation of Language. Nation of Language is a trio from New York, Ian Devaney on synths and with “the voice”, Aidan Noell on synths and vocals, and Alex MacKay on bass. The music recalls the great pop bands of the 80’s, but their captivating songwriting and sonic originality clearly push them forward as one of the great pop bands of right now. Their latest release is Dance Called Memory available on Sub Pop Records. Recorded...
Jan 06, 2026•28 min•Ep. 515
On the show this time, it’s the very first, and very last episode of Live on KEXP / Under The Needle, with our cornerstone artist and fan favorite - Courtney Barnett. It's one of-a-kind sessions from your favorite artists, and from a few, you're about to discover. From our studios in Seattle it’s Live on KEXP. Recorded October 31, 2014 An Illustration of Loneliness Nobody Really Cares If You Don’t Go to the Party Pedestrian at Best Depreston Lance Jr. Don't Apply Compression Gently Scotty Says W...
Jan 06, 2026•24 min•Ep. 516
On the show this time, it’s the very first, and very last episode of Live on KEXP / Under The Needle, with our cornerstone artist and fan favorite - Courtney Barnett. It's one of-a-kind sessions from your favorite artists, and from a few, you're about to discover. From our studios in Seattle it’s Live on KEXP. Recorded October 31, 2014 An Illustration of Loneliness Nobody Really Cares If You Don’t Go to the Party Pedestrian at Best Depreston Lance Jr. Don't Apply Compression Gently Scotty Says W...
Jan 06, 2026•27 min•Ep. 516
This week on Live on KEXP, we replay our 12 days of Gizz episode back from when the show was still called Under The Needle. It's the dual-drum druid jazz of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. The Melbourne, Australia based psych-rockers released five albums in 2017. They returned to the KEXP studio in support of the releases: “Polygondwanaland” and “Gumboot Soup. Recorded June 6, 2018 Crumbling Castle The Fourth Colour Deserted Dunes Welcome Weary Feet The Castle in the Air Muddy Water The Wh...
Dec 23, 2025•28 min•Ep. 514
This week on Live on KEXP, we replay our 12 days of Gizz episode back from when the show was still called Under The Needle. It's the dual-drum druid jazz of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. The Melbourne, Australia based psych-rockers released five albums in 2017. They returned to the KEXP studio in support of the releases: “Polygondwanaland” and “Gumboot Soup. Recorded June 6, 2018 Crumbling Castle The Fourth Colour Deserted Dunes Welcome Weary Feet The Castle in the Air Muddy Water The Wh...
Dec 23, 2025•37 min•Ep. 514
On the show this time, it’s the massive thrash-dub-rock of Venezuelan/Mexican duo, Cardiel. Cardiel is Sam Ambrosio on drums and Miguel Fraino on guitar. They say “skateboarding is the motor” which drives the band – they are named after legendary skater John Cardiel and were even featured in Thrasher magazine. Their latest release is a live recording from their studio in Mexico City, Live from Vesubio Grabaciones, available on Bandcamp. Recorded August 8, 2025 Antiglesia Skaterock México Destino...
Dec 16, 2025•23 min•Ep. 513
On the show this time, it’s the massive thrash-dub-rock of Venezuelan/Mexican duo, Cardiel. Cardiel is Sam Ambrosio on drums and Miguel Fraino on guitar. They say “skateboarding is the motor” which drives the band – they are named after legendary skater John Cardiel and were even featured in Thrasher magazine. Their latest release is a live recording from their studio in Mexico City, Live from Vesubio Grabaciones, available on Bandcamp. Recorded August 8, 2025 Antiglesia Skaterock México Destino...
Dec 16, 2025•25 min•Ep. 513
On the show this time, it’s the ambient norteño of Mexico’s Kevin Kaarl. Kevin Kaarl combines a potent mix of singer-songwriter indie-rock with an eclectic penchant for traditional Latin music. Together with his twin brother Bryan, he’s been releasing music since 2018. His latest is 2025’s Ultra Sodade released independently. Recorded July 25, 2025 que pasa si me voy? no me culpes por sentir San Lucas dime Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/don...
Dec 09, 2025•31 min•Ep. 512
On the show this time, it’s the ambient norteño of Mexico’s Kevin Kaarl. Kevin Kaarl combines a potent mix of singer-songwriter indie-rock with an eclectic penchant for traditional Latin music. Together with his twin brother Bryan, he’s been releasing music since 2018. His latest is 2025’s Ultra Sodade released independently. Recorded July 25, 2025 que pasa si me voy? no me culpes por sentir San Lucas dime Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/don...
Dec 09, 2025•27 min•Ep. 512
On the show this time, it’s the Northwest dream-pop of Sea Lemon. Sea Lemon is the Seattle-based solo project of musician Natalie Lew. The songs inhabit the deep, lush, reverb-drenched spaces of shoegaze, but carry the bright hooks of true pop music into those depths. Her debut album Diving for a Prize was released in May of 2025. Recorded July 14, 2025 Stay Sunken Cost Cynical Crystals Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.c...
Dec 03, 2025•22 min•Ep. 511
On the show this time, it’s the Northwest dream-pop of Sea Lemon. Sea Lemon is the Seattle-based solo project of musician Natalie Lew. The songs inhabit the deep, lush, reverb-drenched spaces of shoegaze, but carry the bright hooks of true pop music into those depths. Her debut album Diving for a Prize was released in May of 2025. Recorded July 14, 2025 Stay Sunken Cost Cynical Crystals Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.c...
Dec 03, 2025•24 min•Ep. 511
On the show this time, it’s the epic long-form rock of Texas band THIS WILL DESTROY YOU. The obnoxiously named Texas quartet, THIS WILL DESTROY YOU, started recording music in 2005 to have something to sell at shows. Their first record which they were burning to CD-R themselves, was called Young Mountain . They released 4 more records, recorded with the brilliant producer John Congleton. Musical and personal differences led to members leaving, and eventually to the current situation, where there...
Nov 25, 2025•28 min•Ep. 510
On the show this time, it’s the epic long-form rock of Texas band THIS WILL DESTROY YOU.The obnoxiously named Texas quartet, THIS WILL DESTROY YOU, started recording music in 2005 to have something to sell at shows. Their first record which they were burning to CD-R themselves, was called Young Mountain . They released 4 more records, recorded with the brilliant producer John Congleton. Musical and personal differences led to members leaving, and eventually to the current situation, where there ...
Nov 25, 2025•33 min•Ep. 510
On the show this time, it’s the dreamy psych-rock of Brooklyn band Crumb. Brooklyn quartet Crumb started as a college band at Tufts University around 2016. Singer and guitarist Lila Ramani had a collection of songs that pals Jesse Brotter (on bass and vocals), Bri Aronow (on keys and saxophone), and Jonathan Gilad (on drums) just loved. They experimented with playing them together. They embraced a wide swath of influences, including indie rock, 60s psych, jazz, and Brazilian pop. Their latest is...
Nov 18, 2025•27 min•Ep. 509
On the show this time, it’s the dreamy psych-rock of Brooklyn band Crumb. Brooklyn quartet Crumb started as a college band at Tufts University around 2016. Singer and guitarist Lila Ramani had a collection of songs that pals Jesse Brotter (on bass and vocals), Bri Aronow (on keys and saxophone), and Jonathan Gilad (on drums) just loved. They experimented with playing them together. They embraced a wide swath of influences, including indie rock, 60s psych, jazz, and Brazilian pop. Their latest is...
Nov 18, 2025•27 min•Ep. 509
On the show this time, it’s the sunny 50’s and 60’s movie theme songs of Japanese singer Yuma Abe. Yuma Abe released his second solo album Hotel New Yuma in December of 2024. It’s a concept album. The music is based on a fictitious variety show at a hotel “on a warm island, somewhere south of the country”, with Yuma himself as the host of the show. The songs on the record are the theme songs for the variety show. It is available on White Noise Records. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/dona...
Nov 11, 2025•27 min•Ep. 508
On the show this time, it’s the sunny 50’s and 60’s movie theme songs of Japanese singer Yuma Abe. Yuma Abe released his second solo album Hotel New Yuma in December of 2024. It’s a concept album. The music is based on a fictitious variety show at a hotel “on a warm island, somewhere south of the country”, with Yuma himself as the host of the show. The songs on the record are the theme songs for the variety show. It is available on White Noise Records. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/dona...
Nov 11, 2025•23 min•Ep. 508
On the show this time, it’s the soul-filling songs of Choctaw Nation story-teller Samantha Crain. Shawnee, Oklahoma native Samantha Crain is foremost a writer. She’s got characters to introduce, stories to tell, and an original take on country-folk singer-songwriter music. She has been making recordings since the mid 2000s, putting out her first EP The Confiscation herself, a collection based on five of her own short stories. Her way with words has united a community of musicians who collaborate...
Nov 04, 2025•25 min•Ep. 507
On the show this time, it’s the soul-filling songs of Choctaw Nation story-teller Samantha Crain. Shawnee, Oklahoma native Samantha Crain is foremost a writer. She’s got characters to introduce, stories to tell, and an original take on country-folk singer-songwriter music. She has been making recordings since the mid 2000s, putting out her first EP The Confiscation herself, a collection based on five of her own short stories. Her way with words has united a community of musicians who collaborate...
Nov 04, 2025•23 min•Ep. 507
On the show this time, it’s the inimitable smart-pop of legendary band They Might Be Giants. They Might Be Giants have been making records since the early ‘80s, building a legion of hardcore fans who are addicted to their charming, clever, catchy, and completely original sound. Since then, they’ve released a massive body of work. They are now on their 23rd full length album. Their latest is called Book and is available on the band’s own Idlewild Recordings. Recorded June 16, 2025 Moonbeam Rays A...
Oct 28, 2025•43 min•Ep. 506
On the show this time, it’s the inimitable smart-pop of legendary band They Might Be Giants. They Might Be Giants have been making records since the early ‘80s, building a legion of hardcore fans who are addicted to their charming, clever, catchy, and completely original sound. Since then, they’ve released a massive body of work. They are now on their 23rd full length album. Their latest is called Book and is available on the band’s own Idlewild Recordings. Recorded June 16, 2025 Moonbeam Rays A...
Oct 28, 2025•28 min•Ep. 506
On the show this time, it’s the fresh original rock of English band Black Country, New Road. The London based group make delightful music, catchy but unpredictable, poppy - but with elements of classical music, cinematic scores, jazz, choral music, show tunes, and heavy rock. And that’s kind of selling them short. They play music . Anything is on the table. Their latest is called Forever Howlong and it is available on Ninja Tune Records. Recorded May 26, 2025 Besties For The Cold Country Happy B...
Oct 21, 2025•25 min•Ep. 505
On the show this time, it’s the fresh original rock of English band Black Country, New Road. The London based group make delightful music, catchy but unpredictable, poppy - but with elements of classical music, cinematic scores, jazz, choral music, show tunes, and heavy rock. And that’s kind of selling them short. They play music . Anything is on the table. Their latest is called Forever Howlong and it is available on Ninja Tune Records. Recorded May 26, 2025 Besties For The Cold Country Happy B...
Oct 21, 2025•27 min•Ep. 505
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 Soft ...
Oct 14, 2025•27 min•Ep. 504
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 Soft ...
Oct 14, 2025•25 min•Ep. 504
Bandalos Chinos is an Argentinian treasure of a band playing smooth, groovy pop, with strong leanings in the direction of 70s gold, disco, and 80’s Quincy Jones productions. This session was recorded during KEXP’s live from Argentina programming and features 3 songs from Bandalos Chinos’ 2022 record, ‘El Big Blue,’ 2 from 2018's ‘BACH,’ and their single with Adanowsky, “Departamento.” They’ve also released the live albums, ‘Feliz Navibach’ 1 and 2, available on streaming services. Recorded 09/20...
Oct 07, 2025•47 min•Ep. 503
Bandalos Chinos is an Argentinian treasure of a band playing smooth, groovy pop, with strong leanings in the direction of 70s gold, disco, and 80’s Quincy Jones productions. This session was recorded during KEXP’s live from Argentina programming and features 3 songs from Bandalos Chinos’ 2022 record, ‘El Big Blue,’ 2 from 2018's ‘BACH,’ and their single with Adanowsky, “Departamento.” They’ve also released the live albums, ‘Feliz Navibach’ 1 and 2, available on streaming services. Recorded 09/20...
Oct 07, 2025•28 min•Ep. 503
On the show this time, it’s the brilliant songs and transcendent singing of Seattle’s own Deep Sea Diver. Deep Sea Diver is at its core, the dynamic duo of guitarist and singer Jessica Dobson, and drummer Peter Mansen. They released their first EP in 2009, followed up by the albums History Speaks , Secrets , and Impossible Weight . They played a live session in the Gathering Space at KEXP - with bandmates Elliot Jackson, Kristyn Chapman, and Michael Dondero - to celebrate their latest Billboard ...
Sep 30, 2025•28 min•Ep. 502
On the show this time, it’s the brilliant songs and transcendent singing of Seattle’s own Deep Sea Diver. Deep Sea Diver is at its core, the dynamic duo of guitarist and singer Jessica Dobson, and drummer Peter Mansen. They released their first EP in 2009, followed up by the albums History Speaks , Secrets , and Impossible Weight . They played a live session in the Gathering Space at KEXP - with bandmates Elliot Jackson, Kristyn Chapman, and Michael Dondero - to celebrate their latest Billboard ...
Sep 30, 2025•35 min•Ep. 502
