Song of the Day: Joseph Arthur - Killer’s Knife

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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 Morning Show host John Richards, is Killer’s Knife by Joseph Arthur from the 2008 EP Crazy Rain on Lonely Astronaut.

We last featured Joseph Arthur back in March for the song Morning Cup off of the Could We Survive EP. With what will amount to 5 official releases in 2008, Arthur is giving us quite a bit to work with. Yet to hit the market are the Foreign Girls EP (July 8th) and the new, highly-anticipated full-length, Temporary People (September 16th). What’s almost as surprising as the amount of material Arthur is spewing forth is the range of that output. With 8 tracks, Crazy Rain covers vintage Arthur but is destined to be remembered for the new ground it touches upon. Whether it’s the distorted fuzz-rock of Killer’s Knife, featuring guest vocals from James Hall, or the drum machines and synths of I Wanna Get You Alone and Dream of the Eternal Life, this EP is sure to toy with any preconceived notions one might have. Also featured on Crazy Rain are guest vocalists Greg Dulli of The Gutter Twins and Jen Turner. Catch Arthur and company on tour in the coming months, including an intimate show at the Triple Door 7/22. And since there’s obviously always something new going on with this guy, you should probably just bookmark his MySpace page. Meanwhile, the following video shows Arthur appropriately painting to She Paints Me Gold, a song from his most recent EP, Vagabond Skies: