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 selection, featured on the Midday Show with Cheryl Waters, is “Pharaoh” by Western Haunts from their self-released EP Utøya .
You might recognize today’s artist as SilOHs, a Seattle band we’ve featured a before on the song of the day podcast. They went through a name change this spring, taking their new name from a song we featured last year. Now known as Western Haunts, singer/songwriter Jake Witt and crew release their second effort this year which was in response to the tragedies that befell Norway and Japan. (The title of the EP is taken from the island in Norway where youths were gunned down.) But there can be beauty in sadness, and this collection of folk songs drenched in an ambient haze, are proof. Today’s song, Pharaoh,” is anthemic. Lush melodic layers and sweet harmonies, on par with those of Fleet Foxes, make your heart soar “and give hope to those living through tragedy.”
You can catch Western Haunts TONIGHT at The High Dive with Pacific Nomadic. More info and dates on their Bandcamp page. Here they are performing their namesake song in the KEXP studios last year:
