4,992Shows
249,891Spins
Thursday, Apr 2 2020, 6AM
"... And speaking of trying to make the world a better place, I make my own efforts every day that I head in to work as an ER nurse in Mt. Vernon. These are incredibly trying times to be a healthcare worker, and I am steadying myself for the days to come. We are truly on the front lines, and see firsthand the impact of this virus, on patients, on families, and on our fellow staff. We hold the hands of the sick and dying, we break the gut wrenching news that a family member cannot see a loved one due to our strict (no) visitation policy, we worry that we ourselves might get sick, and then unknowingly spread it to our families or our patients, and we worry about the uncertainty of what's to come. I'm afraid our hearts might be broken when this is all said and done.
But that said, my heart, and the hearts of many others have been broken before, and my faith in the reliance of humans is one of the things that gets me through. That, and music. Music heals me, and helps me to heal the world.
Thank you John. I'm here. I'm listening. I hear you. It matters." - Becky, this ones for you <3
The National are donating profits from merch sales to their road crew, find their store here: shop.americanmary.com
Wishing peace to the family of Adam Schlesinger, Grammy and Emmy award winner, and frontman for Fountains of Wayne, who died of complications from COVID-19 yesterday at the age of 52.
Happy 18th birthday to the soundtrack for the film Donnie Darko, which some of us still lay in bed thinking about at night when hearing a plane flying overhead...
Honoring singer/songwriter Adam Schlesinger, frontman for Ivy (in addition to Fountains of Wayne) who died of complications from COVID-19 yesterday at the age of 52.
"Today I can’t even remember the last time I passed my front door... but good music remain, always. So thank you for your dedication you and all the staff and DJs of KEXP are truly my source of comfort, love and kindness since the beginning of this nightmare.
If you got the time, please find a little space for Ivy-Edge of the Ocean..." - Sincerely, Charlotte from France
Closing track off the L.A. band's third album, released in 1990
Still no word on the new album(s?) from The Cure, but we're thinking now would be a really good time to drop that...
Off the fifth solo album released from the Bauhaus frontman
Honoring singer/songwriter Adam Schlesinger, frontman for Fountains of Wayne, who died of complications from COVID-19 yesterday at the age of 52.
"We are on the last day of work before tomorrow. The Governor of Florida has issued a mandatory 30-day shutdown of non-essential business, and picture framers do not make the cut. I would like to request David Bowie’s Golden Years as a last hoo-rah for our working day." - Anthony
"Thank you for the music, for coming into the empty building to play music for us. You guys are heroes, too. Just know, we may all be living in the apocalypse, but just be grateful you're not like so many of us, living through it in Florida. Finally just got put on a statewide lockdown today.
If you have a chance, please play Throwing Muses Not Too Soon for my dear friend Clare living through it in NYC. One of the tracks that always got us on the dance floor. Always LOVE, you guys. There is somehow joy in shared sorrow too. We're not alone." - Ama
Honoring singer/songwriter Adam Schlesinger, frontman for Fountains of Wayne, who died of complications from COVID-19 yesterday at the age of 52.
Michael Stipe has just shared a demo of a song he is still working on with The National's Aaron Dessner called “No Time for Love Like Now.” “First take!” Stipe said of this version posted on YouTube Saturday. “This is the demo track.” // bit.ly
"Thanks for the tunes this morning as I work from home for the 3rd week. I'd love to hear some LOW..." - John in Madison, this one's for you!
For Shayne - "How about some nice Frightened Rabbit to help the sun rise. Miss Scott’s words."
Morning John! Totally agree, Frightened Rabbit is sounding amaze-balls lately. Everyday with our 6 yr old son, we have music time. After playing some piano, we spin a vinyl or two. Just like you, we started with "Painting of a Panic Attack", then played "Tiny Changes". It was super loud and glorious in the house yesterday. My eyes got a leaky during some of those songs... Anyway, thanks for the stories, the humor, and tunes! We appreciate it more than words can ever do justice!
-Tom, enjoying the sunrise in Snohomish
Peter Gabriel: "I was referring to a mental flood... a release, a wash over the mind."
Cover of the U2 song that appears on their 1987 album, The Joshua Tree.
Hi John,
I’ve been listening to KEXP since finding it by accident on the internet during the Coronavirus lockdown and would just like to say thanks for the great music and to say hi to everyone across the pond. Keep Safe!!
Please play The Cars - Just What I Needed.
-Chris
"I've been working from home for the past few weeks and listening in a lot. Thank you for the extra structure your show adds to my days. It's been a while since I've heard this one on the morning show... would you consider playing "Come For Me" by Sunflower Bean?" - Sandra, this one's for you!
"My family is anxiously waiting for my mom's coronavirus test results. They told us it could be up to a week to get the results. Absurd to have to wait that long!
Could you play 'Home' by Carbou? I so want to be home in Colorado with her and my family, as I live in western Michigan. I was to visit her for her birthday last week, but had to cancel the trip.
Thanks for being here for us all during this intense, weird, and f*cked up time. All my very best. " - Pippin
This one goes out to Chris listening in Traverse City, Michigan this morning!
"Like you my days have been me putting on my best face and my nights have been mostly sleepless. I find that the only thing that keeps me calm at night is holding on to my wife while she sleeps as tight as I can. I listen to her heartbeat and for me in that moment I am at peace.
I fully realize that there are those in the medical community right now who are quarantining themselves from their own families so that they can continue to get up everyday and be heroes. How hard it must be to face what they are facing, and not have the option to come home and do as I do when I hold on to my wife and pray for the sunrise to come quickly.
For those first responders - could you play Otis Redding “These Arms of Mine?” The song has taken on a whole new meaning for me when I think about what those in quarantine are badly needing." - John
Find the merch and music of Texas band Khruangbin here: khruangbin.bandcamp.com
Television frontman Tom Verlaine guests on guitar for this one off Luna's third album 'Penthouse'
"Just discovered KEXP a few months ago, and I regret it took so long. For some reason, I have had the soundtrack to Until the End of the World in my head this week. Request if you could play something from it - really anything would be amazing, but the Talking Heads or Lou Reed tracks are sticking out as good ones." - You got it Jim, thanks for listening! <3
"So hyped you played GURU, been listening to a lot of Jazzmatazz 1 and 2 lately.
Been working at my standing desk and dancing every morning for the last three weeks. The sound of my Bluetooth speaker connecting instantly makes me happy cause the brain knows KEXP is coming." - Nate
"I learned how to drive stick in high school to Rebirth of Slick! "I'm cool like dat." Thanks for lifting our spirits and make me think of a lighter time in life." -Tracy, from Portland
That whistle sample you hear in this one is from Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay"
Live version recorded on May 8, 1986 at the Hammersmith Odeon in London
"YAY! Thanks for some George Michael - and ALL THE music, John!!! Take care."