Here’s the footage of Peter Bjorn & John performing live on Conan, originally posted by Gorilla vs. Bear.

A lot of tour announcements to report…

Earlimart - Everybody Knows Everybody (MP3)

Now that KEXP’s PDXplore live concert series has had its inaugural Portland concert I decided to turn my attention to what’s new on the block in town. As you may know the idea for PDXplore is to introduce Portland bands to Seattle and vise versa by hosting concerts in each city with support from KEXP. Coincidentally I put together a podcast each week here at Pampelmoose.com that gives listeners a chance to hear what’s best from the Portland underground, and occasionally, overground local music scene.

This weeks podcast features the clattering blips and beats of Dj Tan’t, the somewhat progressive and orchestral new music from Menomena, the indie pop of The Shaky Hands who release their debut CD in April, the lo-fi world music of Solo Dos En Tijuana, brand new electronic-influenced rock from Stars of Track and Field and some fine sparkling indie rock from The Joggers. As always, support your local artists by clicking the links and buying their music.

Important Message: For those of you who subscribed to the last podcast feed please note that the feed address has now changed. To continue receiving the new podcasts you should re-subscribe using the link below.

pdx ripped, discover Portland music - (MP3)

Subscribe to the pdx ripped podcast at Pampelmoose.com.

Every Monday-Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. The podcast features exclusive in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent musicians that KEXP DJs think you should hear, along with songs from more well-known artists.

Today’s featured selection is from Précis by Benoît Pioulard…

Benoît Pioulard - Triggering Back (MP3)

Learn more about Benoît Pioulard, learn more about podcasting and subscribe now.

We recently broadcasted a number of really awesome live performances, spanning multiple genres and styles, including: Robbers on High Street, Damien Jurado, Red Heart the Ticker, Juhu Beach, and the Quiet Ones. Check out some photos and listen to all of these performances now:

Robbers on High Street (live at KEXP, 1/22/07) - listen now
Red Heart the Ticker (live at KEXP, 1/25/07) - listen now
Damien Jurado (live at KEXP, 1/26/07) - listen now
Juhu Beach (live on Audioasis, 1/27/07) - listen now
The Quiet Ones (live on Audioasis, 1/27/07) - listen now

Thanks to all of our photographers for the awesome pictures. Check out more photos from each of the performances: Robbers on High Street, Red Heart the Ticker, Damien Jurado, and Juhu Beach & the Quiet Ones.

Every Monday-Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. The podcast features exclusive in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent musicians that KEXP DJs think you should hear, along with songs from more well-known artists.

Today’s featured selection is from Learn to Sing Like a Star by Kristin Hersh…

Kristin Hersh - In Shock (MP3)

Listen to an exclusive in-studio performance from 10/3/06 - (WMA, Real)

Learn more about Kristin Hersh and catch her at Easy Street Records in Queen Anne on Feb 22. Learn more about podcasting and subscribe now.

This latest edition of Music That Matters brings you music from Denmark, Manchester, London, Oxford, Southampton, Brighton, (as in England not Massachusetts), Alabama (yeah that Alabama), Missouri and all the way back to KEXP’s hometown, Seattle.

Listen to exclusive tracks, a few remixes and brand-spanking new singles you’ve been craving. I also have a couple singles from my favorite albums of 2006 in case you missed them on your already spectacular music radar.

Music That Matters Vol. 35 - (MP3)

Mew’s 2003 breakthrough album Frengers was finally released in the U.S. January 23rd. The Danish band put out my favorite 2006 album, And the Glass Handed Kites. I admit I am a late bloomer to Mew and I’m sure making up for it by obsessing over all their albums, checking eBay for limited editions/re-releases and planning a trip to Denmark to interview their families, teachers and schoolmates. Maybe find unraveled cassette tapes with early recordings from lead singer Jonas’ childhood. Okay, I’m joking.

“Am I Wry? No” is the opening track off Frengers (Not Quite Friends But Not Quite Strangers). I just tell people it’s Danish for “acquaintance?” Little known fact: Their keyboardist Nick is a loyal KEXP listener who has probably listened to my overnight show from his London cubicle. How ironic is that?

Ulrich Schnauss dishes out a beautiful remix of Mark Gardener’s “The Story of the Eye.” Hint hint: I’d love to hear more remixes from the 2005 release These Beautiful Ghosts, preferably “To Get Me Through.” Mark, the former Ride frontman, is currently on tour in Europe but rests his gorgeous head in Oxford.

Mark Gardener with Goldrush:

Speaking of Mark, I saw him way back in 2005 at the KEXP Yule Benefit with Goldrush as his backup band. Sweet package deal! The new Goldrush album comes out in the UK on February 5th on Truck Records. We kids in the U.S. (except me) have to wait until April. Well worth the wait.

I am so excited to include tracks from a few of my all-time favorite bands: Delays and Clearlake (alongside my most recent fave Mew). All of them had insanely incredible albums in 2006.

I’ve featured “Valentine,” the first single off You See Colours by Delays. This Southampton band led by Greg Gilbert is currently working on their third release due out later this year.

Private gig at Water Rats in London (please excuse out-of-synch audio):

Clearlake, who reign from my second home in Brighton, have a new demo called “Summer’s Over” and are also working on their next album. Fingers crossed for U.S. tours from both of them. Come on already, I’m restless.

Best Buzz Bands of 2007:
The Blakes: It’s only days before major record labels play tug-a-war over this Seattle band. Their self-released album screams “We love the same British bands DJ Shannon does and we’ll trick her into thinking we’re Brits.” They’re clever fellas.

Also listen to catchy tracks from Sunny Day Sets Fire, The Bishops (who I’ll check out in Austin for SXSW), Pull Tiger Tail, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin and Wild Sweet Orange.

The Bishops video:

The Lo Fidelity Allstars remix of Aberdeen City’s “God is Going to Get Sick of Me” is my latest club hit fave — that is, if I went to dance clubs. It gets me bouncing in my car seat (not the child size one mind you) and singing at full throttle. Hold on and listen! LFA’s “Battleflag” was MY dance song but is slowly being replaced with this one.

Jim Noir is often referred to as the “Brian Wilson of Manchester.” His single, “Key of C” is a classic ‘60s pop single off his release Tower of Love. I highly recommend the album and his live show. I do I do I do.

Art Brut’s new single ‘Nag Nag Nag Nag’ will be on their second album due later this year. And a wicked Cavemen remix of Archie Bronson Outfit’s “Dead Funny” is out on Domino Records.

Read more about my year of music for 2006.

Please send major praise/minor criticisms or vice versa my way: shannon@kexp.org.

Every Monday-Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. The podcast features exclusive in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent musicians that KEXP DJs think you should hear, along with songs from more well-known artists.

Today’s featured selection is from the 2007 album Friend Opportunity by Deerhoof…

Deerhoof: +81 (MP3)

Learn more about Deerhoof and catch them at Neumos this Thursday, February 1. Learn more about podcasting and subscribe now.

A lot of news and announcements about the “music industry” today, including yet ANOTHER major label crackdown and ANOTHER consolidation impacting a couple bands you might just be familiar with like The Decemberists and Radiohead. There is some good news however! Read on…

Spoon - Rhythm & Soul (MP3)
Spoon - Target (MP3)