John Richards

Thank you so much for playing Maggot Brain! My all time favorite guitar song. You guys are the greatest radio station in the world! Trey -- Mark, a Registered Nurse at Harborview digging the song and says "I am not alone." Damn right yer not. -- Mindy writes: YES! What a great song to hear in the morning. Thanks. -- Damn I love that song. So haunting. It is your opener... Where are you taking us today??? Thanks for the music. Brant in Dallas -- Hey Wednesday, it's time for The Morning Show! Legendary Funkadelic guitarist Eddie Hazel recorded his Maggot Brain solo in one take. George Clinton describes the recording session in his 2014 memoir: "I told him to play like his mother had died, to picture that day, what he would feel, how he would make sense of his life, how he would take a measure of everything that was inside him and let it out thought his guitar. “I knew immediately that he understood what I meant,” Clinton wrote. “I could see the guitar notes stretching out like a silver web. When he played the solo back, I knew that it was good beyond good, not only a virtuoso display of musicianship but also an almost unprecedented moment of emotion in pop music." -bit.ly

This song by Gunn-Truscinski Duo, the project of guitarist Steve Gunn and drummer John Truscinski, was inspired by Parliament-Funkadelic guitarist Eddie Hazel. “For as long as John and I have played together, we’ve talked about Eddie Hazel’s guitar sound,” Gunn said. “The way he lets go on ‘Maggot Brain’ reaches beyond the large shadows of rock and roll guitarists that were so happening at the time. Hazel’s use of the echoplex is inventive, and ultimately, has been extremely influential for decades. I am by no means trying to copy the man’s style, I wouldn’t know how, but I did feel a dedication was in order because we’ve talked about him so much over the years.” - bit.ly

Jon in Brooklyn writes: I got this ... up LOUD! LOVE this morning show so far. My neighbors are going to kill me. Just what I needed and I didn't even know it. -- missionofburma.com

This name for this Boston band was inspired by a friend's car. More here: www.allmusic.com

RIP Elliott Smith, who died 17 years ago today. Read more about his tragic and mysterious death here: bit.ly

Sean from Columbus, OH writes: Was away from my computer when I heard the Quivers remake of Belong. Had to come running back to turn it up. ----------------- Elana writes: heard this yesterday and i was hoping you'd play it again. favorite song on the album. this cover is stunning. perfect background for me to finish my postcards to voters in swing states. -- Melbourne-based Quivers have reimagined REM's Out of Time, covering it in its entirety for Turntable Kitchen: bit.ly

"The song describes a time in everybody’s life that make you lose faith in yourself, in someone else, or in life itself and you just need to hear from someone that one day everything will be OK again. That no matter what, with time and patience we all will be OK.” Read more from our interview with them, over on the KEXP blog: www.kexp.org

Lea Porcelain's take on the Bruce Springsteen classic! The London-via-Berlin duo recorded the track as a Christmas gift for their family. bit.ly

One of my most distinct memories from my early childhood is laying on the red carpet in my dad's living room, listening to Where Is My Mind being introduced on the radio with a young boy shouting, "This is my dad's favorite band, THE PIXIES!!!" I remember thinking how cool it was that this radio station let this kid scream on air, how cool it was that a DJ's son knew his dad's favorite band, how cool it was to like the Pixies. That early memory informed so much of my music taste, even now as an adult, and also my admiration for the Morning Show and KEXP. Happy whatever day it is! Nora -- Where is my mind? Way out in the water See it swimmin'

We've just got our hands on new music from one of last year's big surprises, Nilüfer Yanya. It's a single from a forthcoming EP, called "Crash." Yanya explained. “Last year, doing a lot of touring I found myself becoming more and more anxious each time I boarded a plane, something which was new for me as I’ve never had a fear of flying. With each flight we took it felt like the turbulence was getting worse and I was convinced my luck was due to run out." The Feeling Lucky? EP is out 12/11 via ATO.

Hello kexp DJ, my name is True. I am hanging out with my family and we are wondering if you could play "With Or Without You" by U2? Thank you. We love listing to you guys.

Brandi live! While in quarantine, Carlile has performed several virtual concerts from her Washington home. "It’s a mad world, but we’re in this together," she said before signing off. "Vote."

Hey, John and morning show crew. It's been a rough couple of weeks recently, especially as Summer was only a weird fever dream this year as we now head into Fall/Winter. It snowed this Monday in Madison. Love to hear Alexi Murdoch's Orange Sky as a reminder that even as the sun sets earlier and I see less people out and about, we are not alone. -Mason in Madison -- Erin writes: My roommate from college and I would listen to this song (Orange Sky) about 3-4 times a day. Drinking tea this morning brought me back to that, snow in upstate NY, feeling homesick but being together. I texted my still dear friend old roommate who now lives in Montana and reminded her I love her and she's not alone. ❤️

How about some Mad Season? Sounding tremendous this morning. Man I love this Mad World tune. Thanks John

By request!

Good morning, John. I would love to hear Hoover Dam by Bob Mould. Thanks! Stevie B from Seattle

Back in 1985, 35 years ago today, Simple Minds released their 'Once Upon A Time' album!

Back in 1983, that's 37 years ago today, The The released "Soul Mining."

Hey John good morning from NYC, hope YOU are doing well today! - You are not alone.. thanks so Much for a great set this morning .. As an amplifier guy , I was thinking today would be a great day to request a oldie but great song I’ve played for years when I need a pick me up - XTC ‘s 1982 Senses Working Overtime - which in 2020 by title alone is spot on.. Stay Strong! -Kris in NYC

Good morning John! I'd love to hear some Planet Telex by Radiohead at work. Thanks!! -RC

Planet Telex got sampled for Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip's Letter From God to Man. www.youtube.com

The opening verse is sung by a friend's eight-year-old daughter, Jasmine Veillette, but was later lip-synched in the video by a young boy. Here's the video: www.youtube.com

Stay with me Let's just breathe...

Darrell in Wichita writes: John, Nice to hear Secret Machines. I could tell the guitar licks from the late Benjamin Curtis. -- "Everything Starts" features contributions from the late Benjamin Curtis, the band’s founding guitarist and brother of singer Brandon, who died aged 35 in late 2013 following a diagnosis of T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. “When I close my eyes and listen to “Everything Starts” I see three guys in a room playing music,” says Secret Machines’ drummer Josh Garza. “I see Ben, Brandon and me… we’re all playing our instruments, we’re all smiling and it’s probably a bit too loud.” - bit.ly

Ok this is one of my favorite songs and I have NEVER heard it on the radio ❤️❤️❤️❤️ thank you 🙏🏻 - Tamara -- John, it is so rare i listen to your show live these days with schooling from home happening. (I listen to the archives at night.) It has been a treat to listen live the last hour or so. You are playing my jams and my heart is so full. Hoover Dam to Your Silent Face. Thank you thank you. Hope you get a break from the additional challenges. Much gratitude from Maine, Beth -- Morning John, On this Seattle-like day here in NYC New Order’s “Your Silent Face” just made my day. Perfect timing ! Thank you again for providing a great set of music today. Looking forward to tomorrow’s 70’s day. Thank you for making KEXP the place to listen, vent, feel & heal. Stay safe as YOU are not alone. Anthony

Morning John, Today is my wife Karin & I's 1 year Wedding Anniversary and the 4 year anniversary of our 1st date at Julius, at an old man gay bar in the West Village that serves great fries, if possible could you please play LCD Soundsystem’s ‘Dance Yrself Clean’ or anything dance-esque because these days who couldn’t use a spontaneous dance party! Also, thanks to you & all of the fine people at KEXP for being you and for all that you do!! I feel like pre-pandemic I hadn’t really been listening to KEXP as much since moving to San Francisco from Brooklyn, maybe it’s the fact I was in the same time zone as y’all or the fact I no longer work a 9-5 job; but since the pandemic KEXP has been on a lot more in in the house, which has been a great friendly, and comforting familiarity during these times; and I absolutely love the addition of Larry Mizzell, Jr. to the daily lineup. Thanks again for everything y’all at KEXP do! cheers, jes Hoffman

Today's Song of the Day! www.kexp.org

Colombian born, Brooklyn based Ela Minus has shared the latest single from her debut album, acts of rebellion, called “dominique.” Her new album, recorded in her Brooklyn apartment, is out this Friday, October 23, via Domino.

I didn’t know I needed OMD until you played OMD 😀🌈 Stacey -- Yay!!! ❤️❤️❤️this OMD song! Thank you for playing, huge infusion of happiness..... 😊 Holly -- Remember when OMD played live on KEXP? bit.ly

Such a great set today. If you wanted to play Tears for Fears real quick, I wouldn't be mad 😬 -Nikki -- John, Just a quick message to say you're killing it this morning. New Order, OMD, Tears for Fears... the best. Thank you. Steven in Folsom, CA