Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Midday Show host Cheryl Waters, is
Large Radio
by
Cassettes Won’t Listen from the brand new self-release,
Small-Time Machine.
Cassettes Won’t Listen – Large Radio (MP3)Small-Time Machine is the first CD release by New York multi-instrumentalist Jason Drake, a.k.a.
Cassettes Won’t Listen. Until now, Drake has released his music in digital form only, and dang if those mp3s haven’t kicked up a cloud of hype dust. In 2004, he passed his song “Cutting Balloons” around the blogosphere; response was immediate and enthusiastic. The full EP he followed up with in 2005,
Nothing’s Moving, further expanded his following and found him fielding remix requests from the likes of Morcheeba, Dr. Octagon, Midlake, Mr. Lif, Asobi Seksu, Pela… well, you get the idea. Everybody wanted a piece of his electro-mojo at the mixing desk.
Another CWL release
, the all-instrumental
The Quiet Trial, followed. That brings us to the present and
Small-Time Machine, the first physical release by Cassettes Won’t Listen. “Large Radio” is a gorgeous nugget of electro-pop, glistening keyboards and the occasional stab of electric guitar atop a synthetic drumbeat. Drake’s “whoa, whoa, yeah yeah yeah yeah!” refrain is as close as he comes to cutting loose; his gentle voice otherwise brings to mind Ben Gibbard when the latter is in full Postal mode.
“Large Radio” live: Northeast Kingdom Music Festival, 2007
