Wednesday Music News

07/13/2016

Janice Headley

7/14 update: The GoFundMe has since been removed. Soulful singer/songwriter Shawn Smith has come across bad times. The vocalist for Pigeonhed, Brad, and Satchel, to name a few, is currently "homeless" (i.e. he has temporary housing, but friends aren't sure how long that will last). A longtime friend of Smith's has set up a GoFundme account to help the talented musician get back on his feet. Read more about it, and make a gift, here. And watch a stunning solo performance from Smith below, filmed during KEXP's Soul Day back in May. [The Stranger]

Earlier this year, he appeared as an animated squirrel on HBO. Now, guitar slinger Kurt Vile has covered the theme song to Adult Swim's cartoon Squidbillies. He joins a pretty cool list of musicians who've contributed to the show, including Alabama Shakes, Lambchop, Neko Case, and many others. Hear his pretty-perfect rendition below, along with a behind-the-scenes clip, where it's clear how excited he is to participate. [Consequence of Sound]

Last night, the revitalized The Julie Ruin appeared on Late Night With Seth Meyers to perform the track "I Decide" off their latest, Hit Reset, out now on Hardly Art. Watch the original riot grrrl Kathleen Hanna lead the band through an energetic performance. KEXP presents The Julie Ruin on Saturday, October 8th at The Showbox with Allison Crutchfield and Mecca Normal. [Spin]

Preoccupations (or, the band formerly known as Viet Cong) share another new track from their first full-length under the new name. Stream the track "Degraded" below. Preoccupations hits stores on September 16th via Jagjaguwar, and the band hits Neumos on Wednesday, November 2nd with Methyl Ethel. [Under the Radar]

PJ Harvey shares a previously unreleased track, recorded during The Hope Six Demolition Project sessions. Stream the single "Guilty" below. The iconic UK artist recently announced her first U.S. shows in over five years, this August at New York’s Terminal 5 and Los Angeles’ Shrine Expo Hall. Sadly, nothing in Seattle yet. [Consequence of Sound]

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