I’ve bumped into a few people of notoriety in my life… I once lifted free weights in a Denver health club next to Tommy Chong (the dude was cut!)… I was at a Mookie Blaylock show at the Off Ramp where Matt Dillon was hanging out, doing research for Singles… when I was 13 I got on stage at the Everett Mall and aerobicized with an 1980s exercise guru (his name escapes me)… and I once requested and was granted a business lunch with former Washington State Governor Mike Lowry… to name a few.
You could probably write a doctoral dissertation on British pop music in the first half of the 1980s — in fact, I’m sure many people have. There were so many groups forming, breaking up, fracturing, starting new groups, innovating, influencing, ripping off and inspiring each other, it practically requires an advanced degree to even begin to sort it out.
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 is “Everyday” by Twin Tigers from the 2010 album Gray Waves on Old Flame.
Greetings, I’m Michele Myers, producer of KEXP Documentaries. We’re making a huge step with our new series “Blues for Hard Times”. These stories on blues songs and artists are going to be part of a class at the University of Washington! This special Wednesday evening class (also called “Blues for Hard Times”) is open to the public and is taught by UW Music History Professor Larry Starr. It starts 3/31 and you can sign up at lectures.org.
Volunteers hard at work answering your calls
photo by Dave Lichterman
Membership drives are an amazing opportunity for those of us here at KEXP to be reminded of how important this station is to so many people. The music on KEXP seems so much more personal to listeners than what’s on your typical radio station. I guess you know that since you choose to listen. Our DJs are knowledgeable and don’t just come in to work for a paycheck. Everyone who works here, be it a staff member, intern, or volunteer, knows they are working for a good cause. And you -– our KEXP listeners -– make this station an integral part of your daily lives.
photos by William Brody
Last Saturday night, four local bands gathered together to stand up and support an organization working to fight the spread of infectious disease and educate the community about safer drug use. On this fifth anniversary show of KEXP’s Audioasis Community Partnership Program, The Whore Moans, The Cute Lepers, The Spinning Whips and Afternoon American all shared the stage at Ballard’s Sunset Tavern and rocked the night with amazing performances, sharing their passion for music and their enthusiasm with the crowd, who sang and danced along.
(Washed Out @ NYC’s Mercury Lounge 3/7)
This weekend, Washed Out, Small Black, and Pictureplane kicked off the East Coast leg of a national tour, first with a stop in Connecticut with special guest Tanlines, then with the first of two sold out nights a NYC’s Mercury Lounge.
photo by Hilary Harris
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of 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 deliver songs by local artists. Today’s selection is “Odessa” by Caribou from their 2010 album Swim on Merge.
When mega-artists team up for a collaborative project like the new two-piece band, Broken Bells, the outcome is sometimes so good, it’s scary. After two years, James Mercer, lead singer and guitarist of The Shins, and Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton, hot-shot producer and co-founder of Gnarls Barkley (also produced the Gorillaz and 2004’s infamous The Grey Album) have finally revealed the labor of their hard and glorious work with Broken Bell’s 10 track self-titled debut record. Cinematic and unexpectedly dark and eerie, Danger Mouse trades in much of his signature sampling for live instrumentation, creating an entirely new sound for the two distinct musicians.
