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 Afternoon Show host Kevin Cole, is It Wasn’t The Time (It Was The Color)
by Eleni Mandell from the 2009 album Artificial Fire on Zedtone Records.
On this, her 7th studio album, LAs Eleni Mandell tapped into her inner teenager. Artificial Fire is full of colorful moments in time — that rare album that can tap into many of its listeners personal histories. Using primarily pop and jazz templates, the album is dominated by Mandell’s captivating vocals, which often have a smoky, commandeering quality to them.
Despite the band’s commercial potential, obvious after one listen, Mandell has always opted to remain independent, only using Toronto’s Zeptone Records for distribution. The lack of label backing, or label pressure for that matter, certainly hasn’t put her to sleep creatively — she’s had nearly a dozen official releases in as many years. For an intimate performance of an equally intimate album, catch the band on tour now as they head through the Midwest before shipping overseas. All tour dates can be found on their website. Here’s a video for title track, Artificial Fire
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