Hedi Slimane
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. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Midday Show host Cheryl Waters, is “Lisztomania” by Phoenix from the group’s 2009 album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix on Glassnote.
This Song of the Day pick seems like a no brainer considering how prevalent Phoenix has become in mainstream circles. In case you have forgotten, the band was recently featured on the 35 year-old pop culture institution, Saturday Night Live. No matter your opinion on the show, it’s still as visible and powerful as it was during its many heydays. One solid performance can make a band and Phoenix -- despite considerable buzz -- launched into the stratosphere.
And why not? Clearly Americans are on the hunt for the feel-good times. We are living in a society teetering on economic chaos, viral epidemics, massive foreclosures, and high unemployment. Yet we find ourselves gravitating toward the happy times with our entertainment choices. Slumdog Millionaire made us smile as it provide the big happy ending we’re all searching for in our daily lives -- and Phoenix provide the big happy ending we crave from our music. No political jargon or hidden agendas -- just feel good indie pop to make our minds bubble and our hearts swoon.
As you can imagine, Phoenix are hitting the road hard in support of their latest indie opus. You can find a list of dates via the band’s MySpace page. You’ll also find plenty of videos to watch and enjoy and as it happens, we’re happy to bring you the official music video for “Lisztomania”:
