John Richards

Hey Wednesday, welcome to The Morning Show! Thanks to all for the good mail day postcards! Serena in Los Altos, CA wrote to request "Under the Pressure", saying: "I first heard this song on KEXP, then fell in love with it when it was used in Season 5 of BoJack Horseman. Now I wanna dedicate it to the firefighters risking their lives now, and anyone trying to live in uncertain times."

For the Everett Family, who wrote: "We love KEXP! Keep it going....the music will help / is helping us get through this terrible, awful, horrible, no good year! Thanks for being there and reminding us we are not alone. It helps!" -- Hi John, Thank you and thank Serena for such a great request to start out your show today. I've not been able to listen to your show for a few weeks because of work, but I miss you something fierce. 2020 just keeps doing 2020 things and we are all feeling the pressure. Sometimes... well you know, just about all you can do is cry. And now you hit me with "Sad Captains." Kudos John Richards! Much love, Karen

After more than a decade away, Manchester trio Doves has released their fifth studio album! dovesofficial.com

Another mail day request! Thanks Soquel in California. Long live mail!

Multiple postcard requests for "Impossible Weight" by Deep Sea Diver! Deep Sea Diver plays LIVE on the lawn this Friday!!!

"Hi! I'm Lily Ashley. I live in Dallas Texas! My mom said you would take song suggestions if we told you guys a little bit about ourselves. I'm 10 years old. I race BMX. I'm on a factory LDC. I really like horses and dogs. I love listening to music when I clean. I have 3 songs I really like. Dance Yrslf Clean, LCD Soundsystem. Maps, Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The Frog Song, M83"

New single from this Brighton band, Dana Margolin or Porridge Radio, who played an exclusive set recorded at home KEXP a few months ago. See it here: www.youtube.com

New single from Sunflower Bean! - www.sunflowerbeanband.com

Released on this day in 1969

"Hi! Normally, I’m pretty upbeat and have been about this whole 2020 thing. But today, something about the rain and the gloom and the Wednesday ness is getting me way way down…working from home (lucky to have work), but still…a low day…not sure if Joy Division would help or hurt, but if you could work it into the mix? I know I’m not alone, but sometimes, still… Thanks for helping us through these low times. I know I--- we—can all make it. I didn’t want to request Joy Division “Isolation” because normally I’m the one who does the cheering up, but as they say, sometimes, if there’s a smile on my face… Keep up the great vibes and be well! Lew in Woodinville"

"My dad devoted 30 years to the USPS. He's gone now but I like to think, if there is some sort of after-life, Dad is up there just waiting to Punch Trump and De Joy right in their fat faces. Please play LCD Soundsystem "someone great" in honor of former Searttle Postmaster John G. Mulligan. Thanks for everything you do! - Brendan in Snoqualmie"

"Request! I'm On Fire (Live) - Bruce Springsteen. This song is SINGLE-HANDEDLY getting me through quarantine (like...god, Bruce, same) Violet (they/them), 17, SEattle. Hell yeah physical mail! Honestly, though what could be more punk than supporting the postal service."

Future Islands have shared new single 'Moonlight', from their upcoming sixth album 'As Long As You Are'. future-islands.com

This song gives me continual goosebumps. Enjoy the rain John and Sparkle Motion 😎-- Neil -- School of Seven Bells performed "Half Asleep" live in-studio at KEXP last year. www.youtube.com

Greetings! Will you please play Sylvan Esso's "Uncatena?" In one of the loneliest times of my life constantly on the road for work I'd listen to this song and my heart would cry out at the line "all i want from you is a leter and to be your distant lover. That is all I can offer at this time..." I was desperate for connection and this song helped me get through that time. Thanks! Alex

SAULT have just released a new album called UNTITLED (Rise). It's the mysterious UK group's fourth album in two years! saultglobal.bandcamp.com

London based artist Archie Fairhurst is Romare. romaremusic.bandcamp.com

Hey Kaitlin & Daniel, Thanks for the REN AND STIMPY postcard! "Boy, Ren, if you think you're happy now -- wait'll you hear this! This is how I feel every time I play IDLES for a friend ... please play COLOSSUS! You are not alone! heart Kaitlin & Daniel"

"Hi John - Today is my turn for a covid 50th birthday. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from the lockdown it’s that no one is immune from anxiety or depression. I really want to thank you for helping us all feel part of something bigger in these times where we often feel so alone. Of all the amazing artists you’ve introduced us to over the years, none has been more important to me than IDLES! I’ve watched your in studio with them countless times - I saw them the night prior in Portland and to say I was blown away is an understatement. If you can fit it in this morning, could you please play A Hymn off their new album. And if it’s not to much trouble, play the radio call out by Joe where he complains about how early it is. 😀Long live the open minded! Eric"

Latest album from Los Angeles band HEALTH. youwillloveeachother.com

Request for John! "After 19 years of living in Seattle my family and I relocated to Atlanta three years ago. I dislike summers in the South, to put it mildly, and am always happy to see them end. year feels a little different.. Thank you for everything KEXP does!"

"Are you waiting To feel good?..." Shame are back with their first new music since 2018! shamebanduk.bandcamp.com

Californina band Tune-Yards are back with "nowhere, man", their first new single in over two years. The song name is a reference to the Beatles song of a similar name, and the video features Charlie Chapin–inspired footage. tune-yards.com

Here is a performance from the ex Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty! www.youtube.com

Jazz immortal John Coltrane was born on this day in 1926. Watch an animation of one of his last interviews...very cool. www.youtube.com -- Michelle writes with a quote from John Coltrane and an anecdote about President Obama: “I know that there are bad forces, "Coltrane said. "(f)orces that bring suffering to others and misery to the world. I want to be the opposite force. I want to be the force which is truly for good.” In 2009, a new President was elected and in the private residence of the White House he hung a candid portrait of Coltrane snapped by the photographer Jim Marshall, showing the saxophonist in a particularly pensive moment backstage in 1966. A few weeks later, the Coltrane family received a photo of the President contemplating the image, with the inscription: “…from a huge fan of your father’s, Barack Obama.” Thanks for keeping the music alive! Stay safe, all, Peace.

A legendary musician who pioneered the genre of soul music during the 1950s, Ray Charles was born on this day in 1930!

Originally recorded by Dylan in 1963, Dylan re-recorded the song as a duet with Johnny Cash in 1969. That recording became the opening track on 'Nashville Skyline', Dylan's ninth studio album.

Detroit singer/songwriter Sixto Diaz Rodriguez, known professionally as Rodriguez, performed "Sugar Man" at the Triple Door in Seattle as part of KEXP's VIP Club concert series in 2009: www.youtube.com

Puzzle People, the eleventh studio album released by The Temptations, was released on this day in 1969.

Charles Bradley passed on this day in 2017 at the age of 68. "Stay Away" is a cover of Nirvana's "Stay Away".

Originally titled "Pay to Play" (later renamed "Stay Away").

The Jesus and Mary Chain cover! Trompe le Monde is the fourth studio album by Pixies, released on September 23, 1991.

Thanks for the postcard Serena in CA, who wrote: "The West Coast needs rain! How 'bout "Happy When it Rains" by Jesus & Mary Chain? Hope this finds you well and with clearer skies in the future."

For Sydney. You are not alone. Here's Brandon Summers of The Helio Sequence performing live in the KEXP studio in 2018: www.youtube.com

"Good morning John and crew, I was wondering if you could fit in Beirut's Nantes. The last 6 months have been so weird. In some ways it's been a real downer to not go on the family camping trips that were planned or to big family gatherings. On the other hand, working from home has given me the opportunity to spend so much more time with my wife and son. I also discovered KEXP shortly after the pandemic started. I get excited about turning on the Morning Show each workday. I've discovered a lot of new music that has been released since I've been busy adulting. Thank you for that. Aaron in Sacramento"

Request for Scruff McBuff! "Saltwater" by London band Geowulf was a KEXP Podcast Song of the Day! More here: www.kexp.org

Matt Berninger's rendition of The Cure's 'In Between Days' which appeared on the compilation Good Music to Avert the Collapse of American Democracy, available last Friday for 24 hours only as part of the Bandcamp Fridays series. All of the comp’s proceeds will be given to Fair Fight, a voters’ rights organization that promotes fair elections around the country through voter education, election reform and combating voter suppression. fairfight.com

The perfect girl is a strange girl, according to this song on The Cure's seventh studio album.

Request for Pat in Bothell who writes: "Getting a late start to the day (and if feels pretty good). Any chance something off the new Bob Mould album can fit into the last hour? What I've read/heard about it has me very excited."