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Wednesday, Dec 29 2021, 1PM
These East-coast guys got their start when lead singer Michael Angelakos, single-handedly put together The Chunk of Change EP in 2008, which was a belated Valentine's Day gift for his girlfriend. The album's breakout hit, Sleepyhead, garnered them much attention from the mainstream, though they've kept with their indie label, French Kiss Records, in the US.
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Watch the video for this song that deals with mental illness: www.youtube.com
Australian electro-pop duo Confidence Man have joined forces with two UK acts – London-based club DJ Erol Alkin and electro-house collective Bruise – to release a pair of remixes for their latest single, ‘Holiday’. The Bruise remix was inspired by the house tunes of the late ‘90s and early 2000s. The group makes striking use of the original track’s vocals, flooded here with reverb and chopped up in parts to give it a glitchy edge.
Ultra Naté Wyche is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, DJ and promoter. She was recently named one of Billboard Magazine’s "Greatest of All Time" Top Dance Artists (#12) along with having three entries in the industry bible’s respective “Greatest Of All Time” Top 10 Dance Club Songs including the perennial, platinum-selling #1 anthem, “Free.”: www.ultranate.com
House music took over in the early 90's. One group in particular that soared straight to the top of the charts with their debut album "Dreamland" was Italian house music trio Black Box. The band, which consisted of DJ Daniele Davoli, keyboardist Mirko Limoni and clarinet maestro Valerio Semplici, started their chart domination with the acid house groove “Numero Uno.”
"Dreamland" is now thirty years old. Revisit it in this retrospective: www.albumism.com
This is a new release from Wajatta, the musical duo of comedian/musician Reggie Watts and electronic music artist/DJ/producer John Tejada. (It's pronounced wa-HA-ta — it’s a mash-up of the artists’ last names.)
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This is a cover of the acid house anthem made famous by singer Seals and producer/keyboardist Adamski.: www.theguardian.com
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“Most people in the US know the version which ended up on Seal’s debut album, but the original was a fierce instrumental Adamski would perform live during the peak of the Acid House explosion in the UK,” explains John. “It wasn’t for a while that he added vocals sung by his friend Seal. Adamski's original version is a UK classic and it still holds up to this day."
Major Lazer is an electronic dance music DJ trio, which includes record producer Diplo and DJs Walshy Fire and Ape Drums. It originates from Kingston, Jamaica. Diplo recruited Amber Coffman of the Dirty Projectors for vocals on this hit from 2013.: www.facebook.com
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Watch the video for this tune here: www.youtube.com
Baker Boy -- AKA 24-year-old Danzal Baker -- grew up in two remote communities in Australia's Arnhem Land, a region in the northeast corner of the Northern Territory. He spent his younger years between two remote communities there, Milingimbi and Maningrida. Before Baker Boy stepped into the recording studio, he was a dancer who travelled Australia with the Indigenous Hip Hop Projects.
There's lots more to know about this Australian artist: www.redbull.com
"Am I wrong to assume
If she can't dance, then she can't ooh?": www.lyricsjonk.com
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Paak explained: "This is about carpe diem - seizing the day, being appreciative of the time you have, and knowing that your time is very valuable. Please don't waste my time. Time is one of the most valuable things I have. I have to take advantage of it. I have to know my worth and the value of my time. I can't just give it to anybody."
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Check out this AMAZING Tiny Desk concert from NPR's series. www.youtube.com
Erasure is coming to Seattle's Moore Theatre on Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022!
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Andy Bell was one of the first openly gay pop stars and he would sometimes introduce this song on stage by saying: "When I was a little girl, I asked my mummy, 'Can I be gay when I grow up?' She replied, 'Yes, if you show a little respect." This song is known for the very high note Andy Bell hits toward the end, which gives you an idea of why Vince Clarke chose him from a long queue of applicants after he placed an ad in Melody Maker looking for a vocalist. bit.ly
If you missed their Seattle performance in October, don't despair! They'll be back in town at The Crocodile on Thursday, March 24th, 2022!: bit.ly
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"A Way Forward" was voted #4 by KEXP Listeners in KEXP's Top 90.3 Albums of 2021.: www.kexp.org
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Watch Nation of Language perform LIVE on KEXP here: www.youtube.com
"Hindsight' is the fifth album from Vancouver, BC post-punk band Spectres. You can go right here to purchase it: spectresvancouver.bandcamp.com
Two versions of this song exist. The most famous one, on "Pleased To Meet Me," starts with a bass line and features horns. The original, found on the "Tim" demo sessions, has the guitar starting the song and is about committing suicide. The record company felt that "Pleased To Meet Me," with suicide paean "The Ledge," didn't need any controversy over having two songs about suicide, so the lyrics to this song were altered.
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Enjoy a tribute to this wonderful Paul Westerberg song (and see a video of the band in action): medialoper.com
The Wrens' Kevin Whelan has signed with Sub Pop and has released his first album under the name Aeon Station. "Observatory" includes contributions from fellow Wrens Jerry MacDonald and Greg Whelan.: www.stereogum.com
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Whelan is particularly proud of this song, "Leaves." He says, "The song conveys a level of vulnerability, with its gospel-like beginning, building to a reflective, triumphant and anthemic finish. “Leaves” is about finding the courage to leave negative people or situations behind. It is not about giving up or feeling defeated. It’s about learning self-love, finding your voice, and setting on a path for a chance at something better."
Request for Matt and Kristen!
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Go back, back, back in time to 2012 to watch an early live performance by Alabama Shakes in our studio: www.youtube.com
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- The song was partially inspired by the Alabama Shakes members' difficult early days when they were trying to balance their commitments to the band and their day jobs. Brittany Howard explained that it's about, "when you're working to get ahead but you can't because every time you try, someone gonna take it from you. Like when I used to work and I was going to school and paying my utility bills and you end up with not enough at the end of the day but you go to work anyway and there's still not enough and lots of people live that way." bit.ly
"Strange Overtones" was released in 2008 as the lead single from this second album of Byrne and Eno collaborating together. It was written by the duo with Leo Abrahams.
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Here’s a short film of “Strange Overtones” by Jon Yeo: www.youtube.com
Beach House are playing The Paramount Theatre on Sunday, April 3rd, 2022.
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Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally's new 18-track album is being released in four separate chapters over seven months, culminating in the full album’s release on February 18th via Sub Pop Records. "Once Twice Melody" is the first full-length that Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally produced entirely by themselves. The first chapter of their new album consists of four songs: the title track, “Superstar,” “Pink Funeral,” and “Through Me.” beachhouse.bandcamp.com
Blane Muise, better known by her stage name Shygirl, is an South Eastern London rapper, DJ, singer, songwriter and co-head/founder of record label and collective NUXXE. Here's an interview with this "musician to watch": www.stereogum.com
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Watch the music video for "Cleo": www.youtube.com
This song from Sleigh Bells' sixth full-length was selected as a KEXP Song of the Day. Download it for yourself here: www.kexp.org
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Watch Sleigh Bells' live performance in the KEXP studio back in October: www.youtube.com
Born in the Dominican Republic, this Brooklyn based artist traveled the world as a child with her Dominican mother's Irka Mateo (noted musician and folkloric researcher) and Brazilian father's Tadeu De Marco (composer and band leader) Caribbean/Brazilian Jazz Fusion band. Growing up in Santo Domingo, Montreal, Brazil and finally Brooklyn, Jarina brings these diverse cultures together in her original Folkloric Tropical Pop. Jarina, writing and singing in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French.
“Hijo de la Rebeldia” is a new song by Ana Tijoux with the Spanish rapper Valtonyc , the Chilean singer Masquemusica , and the South American DJ producer, Cidtronyck .
The Chilean MC dedicates this single to the whole world, as a cry of optimism and discernment, "to build perspective without ever losing that rebellion as a result of the search for justice. (...) A song (...) for life and for the children of our children, to clothe ourselves with the beautiful rebellion that is nothing more than the consequence of the thirst for conscience ”.
This track features a sample of John Lee Hooker and Miles Davis playing live, together.
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See the wonderful video (beginning in the record store) for this song: www.youtube.com
Doesn't this sound familiar? Al Green? Yes! Detroit producer Moodymann (Kenny Dixon, Jr.) masterfully sampled Al Green's soul classic "Love & Happiness" on this track. moodymann.bandcamp.com
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"The song borrows multiple elements from Green. There's the sample itself, from Green's "Love And Happiness." Then there's the low-slung groove, heavily influenced by the original. But the connection is deeper than a sample. On "Do Wrong," the exasperated lover seeks solace in church. "You got me back in church / I'm still in love with you / I guess the devil's at work," he sings, before inverting The Jones Girls' legendary kiss off: "You better find a way to love me / 'cause if you don't somebody else will.": ra.co
"A talented vocalist whose warm, strong sound recalled such Motown stars as Diana Ross and Mary Wells, Chicago soul diva Jackie Ross was born in St. Louis, Missouri on January 30, 1946. The daughter of husband-and-wife preachers, she made her performing debut on her parents' radio gospel show at the age of three." Want to know more?: chicagoreader.com
"Public Storage" is Los Angeles singer and songwriter Hana Vu's debut album. Critics have compared Vu to Lana Del Rey practically since the start of her career, and there are snippets of "Public Storage" that recall the dark glamour and seeping melodrama of "Born to Die." Read an album review here: www.michigandaily.com
London artist Nilufer Yanya will play The Crocodile on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Her sophomore album will be out on March 4th, 2022.
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This song,"Stabilise" was just selected as a KEXP Song of the Day! www.kexp.org
"I slipped and fell in the snow got a little cut and instantly started singing hot hot heat bandages to my friend we could use a little hot heat right now" - Adrian, BC
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(Adrian was saved by heat from his fellow Canadians.)
Hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia, Hot Hot Heat first came to prominence in 2002 with their breakthrough debut LP, Make Up The Breakdown, an electrifying dose of urgent, dancey rock anchored by frontman Steve Bays characteristic yelp and highly infectious melodies.
Happy birthday to James McLeish Reid (born December 29th, 1961), Scottish singer/songwriter and the lead singer for the alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain, which he formed with his elder brother and guitarist William Reid in 1983. The band released six studio albums, then broke up in 1999, then reunited in 2007 and released "Damage and Joy" in 2017.
Happy birthday to Mark Day of Happy Mondays! In an interview, Shaun Ryder said, "“[Guitarist] Mark Day was the only musician among us who could really play his instrument. He was into Rainbow and Deep Purple, but was up for anything that would make his playing sound different.”: www.classicpopmag.com
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Did you know that this classic is actually a cover version - of an old single by South African musician John Kongos, originally titled "He’s Gonna Step On You Again"?: bit.ly
"I wanted to change music culture." Enjoy this interview with Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie: bit.ly
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This "Screamadelica" album opener started out like a "slow, gospel kind of ballad, like a Curtis Mayfield-type thing," frontman Bobby Gillespie said. "We couldn't work out a way of giving it motion or a forward-thrust, so to speak. Then one day (guitarist) Andrew Innes had the idea to do the Bo Diddley-style/Who 'Magic Bus' guitar, very syncopated, and that gave it the forward motion and the rock 'n roll attitude."
Geese will be at Barboza on Tuesday, March 29th, 2022.
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This Brooklyn quintet thought the band would end after high school graduation. then the labels came calling. Read this New York Times feature on Geese: www.nytimes.com
The Cleveland-based band started as the basement recording project of Dylan Baldi in 2009. In 2017, Cloud Nothings joined us for a live performance of songs from "Life Without Sound" in the KEXP studio: www.youtube.com
During a November interview, the singer revealed that "Cry Your Eyes Out" is about Adele's divorce and when she reached her lowest point. "Oh, I cry every single day," she revealed to Apple Music's Zane Lowe. "It could be happy or sad... My favourite is when you laugh so hard, it turns into tears. But sad tears."
In another interview, this time with superstar host, Oprah Winfrey, Adele revealed that during this time, she had become alcoholic stating: “At first, I was probably keeping the alcohol industry alive.” This is validated by the first couple of lines in Cry Your Heart Out‘s second verse in which she talks about being scared to face the day whenever she wakes up from sleep. And how she would rather remain indoors and enjoy the company of booze.
FYI: The soulful singer was happy to tell Oprah that she had given alcohol up and moved on from that dark place.
Speaking of crying...
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Kindness is the stage name of British musician and singer/songwriter Adam Bainbridge. "Cry Everything" is Kindness' first single since 2014. The track samples Todd Rundgren's "Pretending to Care" and features Robyn, with whom they co-wrote the song.
Back in April, Small Black played a cover of Phoebe Bridgers' great "Kyoto" for a SiriusXMU Session. The cover was praised by Bridgers herself, who wrote, "this fucks" on Twitter, and now Small Black have given the cover an official release.
Here are the lyrics to "Kyoto": www.azlyrics.com
