John Richards

Chris in Hoboken writes in, Stolen from my nephew who is in the smoke in California "Really nice of California to just nail the ambiance of the apocalypse to go along with the apocalypse."

Released on this day 17-years ago in 2003. A follow-up is due any decade now.

Doves are back with their first new album in 11 years! dovesofficial.com

Editors performed live in the studio in 2018! Watch the full set here: www.youtube.com

Here's the story behind the song: www.loudersound.com

Big Thief frontperson Adrienne Lenker says this about the song, "Writing it was just one of those electric multicolored waves of connectivity just sweeping through my body..." - kexp.org

Boygenius (Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus) performed this cover of The Chicks for KEXP in 2018. Here's the full performance: www.youtube.com

One of two new songs from the trio of Anais Mitchell, Eric D Johnson (Fruit Bats), and Josh Kaufman (collaborator with The National/Craig Finn/Hiss Golden Messenger). www.bonnylighthorseman.com

Serpentine Prison is the first single from the upcoming debut solo album by The National frontman. Here's the video: www.youtube.com

Released 12 years ago today, Caught in the Trees is the eighth full length album by Seattle songwriter Damien Jurado. damienjurado.com

A touch of Donnie Darko for Andy in Milwaukee. -- LoserBoy, nearly exactly 20 years ago you played Mad World for me, thanks. You are not alone. - LabBoy (Theo Roe)

Newest release from Seattle band Weep Wave! weepwave.com

Good morning, what fresh hell will today bring? All I know is....I've been tired. Come on pilgrim... -Derek

How about a song I can bang my head against the wall while screaming. I'm tired of having to tell students, who are grown ass adults, that they need to keep their mask on while they are in the library. I'm tired of them rolling their eyes at me. I'm tired of telling the same damn people everyday. Vent over. The sun is out and it's not too humid yet, so I will take a quick stroll around campus while listening to the KEXP app! Kim in Indianapolis -- nationoflanguage.bandcamp.com

Hello all, It's my first day of school as a 1st year teacher and I'm nervous, excited, and praying my WiFi holds up. Can you play some Prince for me? I'd love a good dance party before my day begins. All the beat, Chelsey

Its a Prince Two-fer-Tuesday, Wednesday, for teachers everywhere, courtesy of Chelsey below.

For Peter in Westport, CT. who needed some M.I.A. as he has an MRI procedure.

For Ben and his boys. -- Lizzo performed live in our studios in 2017! Here's the full performance: www.youtube.com

The Budos Band will celebrate the 15 years from the release of their debut album with a new album, Long In The Tooth, out October 9th! thebudos.com

Wow! Haven’t heard Land of the Loops in so long. Thanks for the gift. Ed Milton, MA

Morning John! Best pandemic name for the show is "Apocalypse in the Morning." 😂 I just got 2 kittens last night and to celebrate, would you play Tacocat? Bridge to Hawaii plz. Thanks for all you do. You've been my pandemic constant companion. 🤗 -Jenny

Hi, John! My name is Mario, I’m 21 years old and I’m from Brazil. KEXP helped me so much during these crazy times. There are moments in life when something happens and changes it forever. You changed my life. So, I would like to request a song that represents all my gratitude for you all. The song is I Never Get Lonesome by Arthur Russell, because I never get lonesome with KEXP. You are not alone. Never. Thanks for everything.

It’s dark and orange and raining ash down here in Oakland. And I know that a lot of people have it even worse right now with these fires. I’d love to hear Life on Mars for another day moving through this orange hellscape. No offense to Mars. Thanks! Spencer -- John We are trapped under a smoke filled jaundiced sky this morning here in the Bay Area. The world is a sickly yellow orange...maybe music will help! Doctor: what do prescribe ? Something uplifting! I leave it to your professionalism. As always- keep it up! Brian in Oakland

Today is my first day back to work (as a nurse)from maternity leave. My husband is in the midst of getting diagnosed with a pretty serious medical condition. I'm so anxious I could explode, but I can't because I have 3 little kids. Anyway, if it works in your show, I'd love to hear that live version of Pearl Jam "Daughter/it's Ok" that you play sometimes. -Lindsay -- God I miss live music...Sounds great!!!Love Eddie and you too John! Thanks. -Genna

Maybe if I say it enough, it will be true! Today is day seven of virtual school for my autistic, dyslexic, hyper-active, anxious third grader. But just when I think I can’t do it anymore, my sweet boy drops this gem: “I’d rather get in bed and not doing school, but I’m frickin’ here.” May we all hang in there, and thanks for all you do, John! Adrienne

The Meadowlands is the third studio album by the Wrens, released 17 years ago today on September 9, 2003. We are all exhausted. You are not alone.

From the new album by Seattle band Naked Giants! They played live here in the studio in 2017. Here's the full performance: www.youtube.com

Hi John. Excellent music selections today. Thank you!! I just went running in the orangest light I’ve ever seen. On one hand it’s breathtakingly beautiful. On the other hand it’s petrifying and sad. It’s also giving me weird music cravings. Any chance you could play That’s the way, Led Zeppelin? I can’t get it out of mind. No worries if you cannot fit it in. Hope you and your team are well (as can be these days). Lee in SF

IDLES frontman Joe Talbot said, '"A Hymn" is a hymn that rejoices in the sinister flesh-eating virus of the pedestrian. It sings the tune of normal’s teeth sinking into your neck as you sleep stood up with your eyes open. Amen.” Album out September 25th! www.idlesband.com

"Corner of my Sky"! You win me over when you play this song. Wales is the final resting place of my parents, not far from where John Cale was raised. It feels like home to hear it. -Allison -- Kelly Lee Owens has teamed up with John Cale for, "Corner of My Sky," from her album 'Inner Song. ' Cale sings in both English and Welsh over Owens’ droning instrumental. kellyleeowens.bandcamp.com

Opening song from Songs of Love and Hate. www.leonardcohen.com

I would like to request a song featuring mandolin and/or fiddle in honor of the passing of "Grampa T" yesterday. He was not my actual grandpa, but he was like one to me and my siblings as well as anyone else who wanted/needed one. A kind and generous man, with a big smile for everyone he met. He was a great musician, both an old time fiddler and mandolin player. I can still hear his voice, and the strains of his bow on the strings in my head even though I haven't actually heard him play in over a decade. He was just a few months shy of his 92nd birthday. You will be missed! Thank you KEXP for helping us all to express ourselves in these difficulty times. Alicia

Steve Earle performed "Copperhead Road" live in the KEXP studio? Yes he did! Recorded February 21, 2015. www.youtube.com

From the movie "In the Name of the Father," a 1993 biographical courtroom drama film. It is based on the true story of the Guildford Four, four people falsely convicted of the 1974 Guildford pub bombings, which killed four off-duty British soldiers and a civilian. Here's the video: www.youtube.com

This set is AMAZING! My heart is lifted. Thank you. Marieke -- We want to thank you for giving us a dance party breakfast that got our homeschool day started off right! Prince and Lizzo rocked it just before my second and fourth graders were logging on and we just took a moment to dance and laugh. We needed that and going with the “you are not alone” mantra, I texted fellow moms to tune in and dance too. Thanks for keeping us uplifted, John! Got another dance song for recess break? 😉 Erica— NE Seattle mom at Thornton creek elementary school

Fourth studio album by American hip hop duo Run the Jewels! runthejewels.com

By request! "Electricity" is the 1979 debut single of the English group Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. It focused on society's wasteful usage of energy sources.: www.youtube.com