John Richards

This is a cover of the Mazzy Star classic that Perfume Genius said he chose to do, “because ...I always looked to it for the warmth and the very heavy vibe that it always brings.” Hear the original: www.youtube.com

James Blake produced his latest one-off track "Are You Even Real?" which he co-wrote with Starrah and Ali Tamposi.

That familiar voice on “Reflecting Light,” is the former Terrence Trent D'Arby, who you may recall from his 80's hit "Wishing Well." The song also samples folk singer Vashti Bunyan sixties single "Reflecting Light."

This is the closing track on his forthcoming album 'The Ascension,' which is set for release on September 25th. It's his first full-length solo record since 2015’s 'Carrie & Lowell.' Pre-order here: music.sufjan.com

The Sigur Rós frontman is back with his first new solo material in ten years. Keep an eye on this space for a full-length LP announcement: jonsi.com

As requested by Andy in Milwaukee.

Morning! Watching birds and the feeders today and thought…Shearwater today? Thanks! -Timm

For Anne in St. Louis

Recorded sometime between 1995-1996 by Jeff Buckley and the Cocteau Twins Elizabeth Fraser. It would not be finished before Buckley's tragic death in 1997. She told the Guardian in 2009 that while recording Massive Attack's "Teardrop" - "I'd got letters out and I was thinking about him. That song's kind of about him – that's how it feels to me anyway."

as requested by Shannon. "Thank you for playing this song. It would be my anniversary today 26 years with sam. He passed five years ago and this song was one of our favorites. Dancing in living room late nights to it."

Dave Bazan and pals have recorded another album together, which is due out next month, and have launched a Kickstarter campaign that also acts as a pre-order for the new LP. Get em while they're hot, and fresh. Ahem. www.kickstarter.com

Released on this day (checks notes) 30-years ago. That's unpossible.

Derek: "Um, I love Songhoy Blues and I am going to marry them. Don't tell my wife." -- Their new album "OPTIMISME" is available to pre-order from songhoyblues.com Read KEXP's interview with the Mali band here: www.kexp.org

“We wanted to make the sound of our own hearts’ marching band, armed with a jackhammer and a smile. We wanted to make the sound of our engine starting. So we did. Thank you." idlesband.bandcamp.com

Good morning John and crew! Nice pick with the LIVE Future Islands track. Makes me want to hear some more raw energy that only Angus and Ned's Atomic Dustbin can bring! Happy almost Friday! Amplifier Bob from Bellevue -- Here's the famed Angus promo clip: soundcloud.com

Good morning! At least it's sunny. With you on school this fall; my 12yo daughter Viv was supposed to start middle school and now she'll be starting up a laptop. It sucks. Theo will do 4th grade online. Thinking about all of this is so difficult and depressing but like you John, it also makes me angry b/c exactly as you said- it didn't have to be this way. But, my meds must be working somewhat because I am now energized by Kamala being added to the ticket; I think she can bring the fight to the prez. To that end, how about "Come for me" from Sunflower Bean? -Derek

Hi John, My 3 1/2 year old, Asher, would love to hear Bowie’s Space Oddity, or as he calls it “Ground Control”. Thank you so much for being with us every morning. We love and appreciate you. Elizebeth in Bay Area

Watch this incredible achievement during the covid-19 lock down. All these kids did their parts separately. www.youtube.com

Larissa writes, "thanks for this set." -- Zack: John, I just want to say thank you for this killer set.

Thanks for everything John. 4 years ago you played Rainbow Connection when I took Nicholas to his first day of high school and I LOST IT. Then, over the next 4 years I have driven him to school and you have played Paid In Full on his bday and we would sing the Friday Song which always seemed to be playing in the car when we were en route. Now, his mom and I are dropping him off in San Diego so he can attend college (science and engineering students HAVE to attend in person) in the middle of a pandemic. We trust that he will be ok (what else can we do?) and will find his crew through wearing his many many KEXP t-shirts. Would you be surprised to know I am crying now? I knew you wouldn't. -Scott

John!!! Have mercy!!! I'm trying to work! I can't with the deluge of tears of joy your set is paralyzing me with. Johnston- Halifax Nova Scotia

Haven't heard the morning show in a while, cuz Pandemic, but thank you for the child friendly tunes today. Taking my 3 yr son Elliott (ie smith) Lennon to Seattle Children's to be accessed for Cochlear Implants. I named him after my 3 most influential songwriters, and with a whiff of irony, the good Lord has let him hear them yet... You can't always get what ya want...but ya can get what ya need. Thank you, Chris

On this day in 1985 Doug E. Fresh released the single "The Show." The b-side "La Di Da Di" has been sampled over 1000 times as of this writing including Hypnotize by The Notorious B.I.G.

psst, see below.

One of the thousand plus songs that samples Doug E. Fresh "La di da Di."

The 356th song that samples Doug E. Fresh "La di da Di." NOTE: We made that number up.

Sampled in "O.P.P." by Naughty By Nature...which we just played.

Happy 62nd birthday to Feargal Sharkey of The Undertones

Happy 61st birthday to Michael Bradley, bass player and radio host (The Undertones)

This song is 40 today and in the midst of a ridiculous mid-life crisis. Medallion neckless. (check). Camaro (check). Mustache? (check). Drakkar Noir cologne (check). Ew, dad!

On this day in 1980 Devo released the single "Whip It". The B-side was "Turn Around," covered by Nirvana.

thanks for playing this, brother.

Pete emoji texts at us "🔥🤘💀🤘🔥." so fire. fingers. skull. fingers. fire. FIRE. FINGERS. SKULL. FINGERS. FIRE.