John Richards

Here's their session from 2013. www.youtube.com

Revisit when the local group stopped in to KEXP for a live performance in 2017 here: www.youtube.com

Slack conversation in the Sparkle Motion slack room: John: "you caught me at a bad time...so why don't you piss off" ....the delivery so good

Good morning John from Mario on Capitol Hill. Not sure if this is an okay request but the new James Blake – Godspeed is amazing if you're interested. Can’t wait to hang out at Live on Mars.

Well, John, you did it. I hope you’re proud. I was out on my daily sanity walk yesterday when you played “The Whole of the Moon.” And as the song just kept on building like a massive wave, I could feel the tears start to come. And then, the telltale catch in the throat. Why? Not sure. At this point, why the hell not, right? Is there a good reason not to cry these days? I pulled myself together—I was in public, after all. Next time I might not be so lucky. Music has the power to break us down…and put us back together again. We are not alone. Thank you for everything you do. Steve Hell’s Kitchen NYC -- Can you play The Chauffeur today? Either Duran Duran’s original or the Warpaint version. They both have an otherworldly feel that fits the current mood. Thanks! Be well, Timm

Good morning kind sir! Read the news (big mistake) and my silken thread from which I have been hanging is feeling very tired this AM. I would love to hear some Florence Welch this AM, maybe Hunger, maybe something deeper or her Try a Little tenderness cover. I am looking forward to hearing that SAULT, I have become obsessed with the last drop! Thank goodness for music, it is quite literally saving my life right now. Let’s hope we can all breathe some clean fresh air soon…I am sure we are both craving a workout! Be well! Best regards, Christine -- Thank you, John, for Hunger by Florence. Danced around and let all my emotions go. Just the release I needed this morning. 💛💛💛 -Jenny

One year ago today someone who was very loved decided they needed to leave this earth. Today and tomorrow are going to be hard and the music you are playing this morning is a message from beyond that he is ok. He is at peace. Thank you John and KEXP for making those who loved Spencer know they are not alone. Jules in Bremerton

Good morning, morning peeps! Thank you for the soundtrack through the foggy/smokey drive through my town this morning. Got teared up seeing the businesses still going and the ones like the candle guy, who had to close after 30 years and driving by the diner thinking of the last time I sat and had a carefree breakfast with a friend indoors. Really missing the little interactions we all have daily with others and certainly appreciating them a lot more. Thank you guys for all you do. 🎶❤️ -Helen

Good Morning! We have a birthday boy who is 8 today! Would you please play something fun for Soren this morning? Hope this enough notice- we have to start school at 8 so anytime before? Thank you!!! -Mary (Soren's mom and his dad Alex) and writing from Shoreline) -- What are the odds? Our son Søren turned 7 yesterday, just started school, and loves Björk. I told him you got his age wrong, so now he thinks you're playing the Sugarcubes just for him. Thanks John! You're on fire this morning and making day two of being laid off much happier. Thanks, Michele

200 days ago I decided to do the right thing and check myself into inpatient therapy rather than leaving the planet and my family behind. Since getting a job right out of there that lets me listen to music while I work I have not felt alone since and I have your sincerity to thank for that. My heart goes out to everyone who has lost someone and everyone struggling. Never be afraid to ask for help, and never feel like you are alone. -Ian

Play the whole album! Sending love & light!! Marisa Brooklyn, NYC -- Hi, I love this song! can't find it anywhere is it unreleased? Sparkle Motion: Comes out tomorrow Also, so good getting to tune in from austin, tx and listen. finally have some time to work and listen again as I have been virtually teaching my kiddos as well as working full-time as a single-mom. I hired a sitter and loving the space to listen again and work :) -Joey keep at it.

For Alex, who writes: listening from brooklyn. love ya miss ya mean it!

this song just brings me back to the craziest hardest times of my life but a good reminder that growing up is awesome actually. times are super hard for so many right now, but there are some things we can be grateful for- and great music is a huge one. youre the best! liz from bellingham ;)

Ooh. Again with brandi...it's gorgeous, and I'm still weeping from yesterday. Sigh. -Jessica, (our favorite science teacher)

Request for an Imaginary Producer in Shoreline, who has dogs wrestling at his feet. -- Yessss! Loving the Kacey Musgraves this morning!! Lydia -- There's the goosebumps -Derek

I've been digging SAULT thanks to KEXP and will never complain that you're playing more :) thanks!!! Happy to hear you on this morning John✌️💜👍 -Krispin

Love that Avalanches track. 🔥 Makes me want to hear Daft Punk, Chemical Bros, Donna Summer oooorrr RUDY WILLINGHAM! Amplifier Bob from Bellevue

One year old today. Follow Rudy on Instragram. Trust us. He is an amazing visual artist. www.instagram.com -- Every time I hear Rudy Willingham I think of Henry dancing around your lawn with his stuffy audience in attendance. That morning has been one of my best memories of this (bleepity bleep) year! Hooray for the bright lights of Lawn in the morning and happy Henry and Rudy Willingham shining in this hazy world! Much love! -Megan

Hi John! My niece Payton and I are enjoying your show and a dance off, which should count for her PE class today. Hugs from Oklahoma! -Courtney

Hope you are well. Cocteau Twins Heaven or Las Vegas turns 30 today. Want to play Pitch the Baby for me? Thanks for all you do. You bring joy to more people than you know. All the best, Edward who works for San Diego Opera

Consider supporting our favorite Mexican shoegaze band via their bandcamp page. mintfield.bandcamp.com

The night before they recorded this song, Paul McCartney created 16 tape loops of guitar sounds and odd vocals that he brought in to the studio to create some of the effects. Several people remember standing around the room holding pencils for the tape to loop around and back into the recording machine as the various sound effects and instrumentation were faded in and out. As for the vocals, John Lennon wanted them to hang in from the ceiling and spin him around the microphone. They instead opted to use a Leslie Speaker (they spin) to get the sound he desired, like a group of Tibetan monks chanting on a mountain top.

Miki from Lush has a new band called Piroshka and they were kind enough to join us at International Clash Day 2019 in London. www.kexp.org

Songs that sample this: Goldie, “Inner City Life”, Young MC sampled the break in his 1988 rap "Know How", mixed with Isaac Hayes' "Theme From Shaft". Sampled on the song "Funky" by DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist on their 2007 collaboration, "The Hard Sell". Rage Against the Machine interpolated parts of the percussion break in their cover of "Renegades of Funk". and of course, Beastie Boys with "Root Down."

Good morning! It's my 39th birthday today, and I'm stuck inside in smoky Portland with a house full of kids in online school. So I'm celebrating by taking the day off work and watching movies and listening to my favorite radio station. If you can work it in, I'd love to hear some Lizzo (Juice or Boys) or Beastie Boys (Sabotage or Root Down)--something to dispel the incessant feeling of doom. Thank you for all you do. KEXP gets me through so much. - Taylor -- This set is giving me life right now Thank you! -Elaine -- Just want to say this set kicks ass -Josh in NYC

Released on this day, 29 years ago...and yet your television still lives.

Names invoked Walter Scott Jerame Reid Phillip White Eric Garner Trayvon Martin Sean Bell Freddie Gray Aiyana Jones Sandra Bland Kimani Gray John Crawford Michael Brown Miriam Carey Sharonda Singleton Emmett Till Tommy Junior Yancy Jordan Baker Amadou Diallo