John Richards

Good morning Seattle, and welcome to the Thursday edition of The Morning Show. Have you turned your ballot in yet? Reach out with song requests during the show today at dj@kexp.org. After Willie Nelson agreed to a duet with Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), she stated about the collaboration for this Queen/Bowie cover: "At this point my mind was melting but I had to focus and pull a song out of the ether that was worthy of a living legend and spoke to the people in troubled times, not an easy assignment. Then like a bolt out of the blue ‘Under Pressure’ came to mind... I hope the song brings as much light to the listener as it has to me in dark times.”

Watch the sister duo performing this one live at KEXP in 2012 right here: www.youtube.com

Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol stated in a band video from 2013 about this song: ""Run” was written in 2000, wasn’t released until 2003 on Final Straw. All I really wanted from life was to be able to take care of my family: my mum and dad, my sister, my niece. So it was a song written about that, and any future family that I have of my own, of course... So it was a song about the future, written in a heightened situation, an imagined apocalyptic situation. Like, running for your life: what are the things you wanna take with you? Who are the people you wanna save? Who puts a light into your life?"

Third single released from the Manchester band's debut album, 'Lost Souls'

Watch U2 performing this fan favorite in front of about 40% of the global population during the Live Aid broadcast in 1985: www.youtube.com

Leonard Cohen cover that appears as the opening theme for the HBO documentary "I'll Be Gone In The Dark", a series about the Golden State Killer.

Leonard Cohen's take on the anti-fascist anthem composed in 1943 about the French Resistance in World War II.

"I wonder if you could fit in a song from Springsteen's "Nebraska" album. There is a line in Atlantic City this keeps haunting me, with Covid and the election: "maybe everything that dies someday comes back". Seems like a feeling a lot of us may have in this time of our lives. Sad and hopeful at the same time. Thanks!!" - Josh in West Seattle

'Feeling Lucky?', the follow-up EP to Nilüfer Yanya's debut that she released in 2019, is set to arrive on December 11th. Watch the video for "Crash" here: www.youtube.com

A 2020 mood, found on the group's 1983 sophomore LP

This debut album from Colombian musician Ela Minus is out now, and she produced, recorded, and performed 'Acts of Rebellion' entirely by herself. Find her here: elaminus.com

Happy 7th anniversary to Arcade Fire's fourth album 'Reflektor', released on this day in 2013!

Relax! This album is still only 36 years old as of today! Mark O'Toole wrote in some liner notes for this one - "Like, when people ask you what 'Relax' was about, when it first came out we used to pretend it was about motivation, and really it was about shagging." And no one was surprised.

Debut album from English band Black Country, New Road is due to arrive on February 5th 2021. Find this new single and pre-orders for 'For the First Time' here: blackcountrynewroad.bandcamp.com

Just signed to local label Sub Pop, London's TV Priest will see their debut album ‘Uppers’ arriving on February 5th 2021. Find them here! tvpriest.bandcamp.com

Jen in NYC writes: Hello! I'm in a very long early voting line in nyc. Would you mind playing something to make me forget that I'm cold and wet? 😂 I wish I had a boom box to share with the rest of the line. Thanks for the boost!! --------------- Brenda writes: Omg Fatima Mansions!!!!!!!! I need more in my life!!! ------------------- The original title for this album from the Ireland band was "Bugs Fucking Bunny" and we're not sure if that was a better option than 'Viva Dead Ponies'

“Tom Morello [of Rage Against the Machine] once told me that he had been thinking about forming a band when "Cult Of Personality" came out – it prompted him to do so,” Reid says proudly. “We were part of a genuine cultural change.” Read more of this interview about "Cult of Personality" here: bit.ly

Fantastic Negrito teamed up with Tarriona “Tank” Ball of Tank and the Bangas for this song. Fantastic Negrito says, " I want to warn them [young artists] that they are surrounded by people and companies who profit from the destruction of their minds, bodies, souls and ultimately their community. I’m a middle-aged guy. I have small children, so I try to be very careful about what I’m putting out into the universe. If I feel like I have some experience or wisdom on an issue, I try to make a contribution.”: www.youtube.com

Request from Derek! The Neverly Boys was created by Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio, and singer/songwriter Daniel Ledinsky. 'Dark Side of Everything' is their debut album, get it here: theneverlyboys.com

Hey John, great show as usual! I wanted to also say thanks for Lace Cadence and Rev. Dollars. Afrobeats is phenomenal and Rev. Dollars plays such an amazing range of tunes it's mind boggling. Can't wait to get back up to Life on Mars. We love hanging out there! Darren, looongtime Amper in Ballard -- This song pays tribute to English "punk poet," John Cooper Clarke. The band spoke to Apple Music about this one, "He’s just a proper punk, and one of the last remaining punks there is... he’s still going. He just does it how he wants to do it, and I think that’s quite admirable, as a creative." Find this English group here: heavenlyrecordings.com

"Good morning, John, this is Bridgid in PA. I am having surgery next Monday. My surgery and the election are causing me extreme anxiety. I am grateful to the KEXP community for showing me that I am not alone, and that I am listening with other music lovers around the world. I'd love to hear Gut Feeling by Devo, if you can fit it in. Thanks so much for everything you do!"

"My lovely wife and long, long time KEXP supporter Katey has a bday today. Any chance you could wish Katey in Magnolia happy birthday this morning? If you have time for a song Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely?" might be a good one, or your choice would be fine too. Thanks John, hope all is good with you" -Joe

Common just announced a new release that's set to arrive tomorrow, October 30th. He stated about the project: "A Beautiful Revolution Pt. 1 is affirmation. It’s recognition. It’s elevation. It’s music to go with a movement. Because the truth is, there is still so much work to do." More info here: www.thinkcommon.com

"It's getting harder and harder to say 'it's okay'" - Eddie Vedder asking for help from the audience during this performance at The Gorge. Don't forget you can ask for help too.

”Burning Too" was KEXP’s Song of the Day Wednesday and was chosen by 90.TEEN DJ Vega Vi for KEXP's youth-led Get Out The Vote campaign. Vega VEE is a visual artist, clothing designer, and junior karate instructor, whose imagination is fueled by music. Music brings out their fun side and serves as a shield when they are feeling overwhelmed. They believe music is one of the most empowering and expressive forms of art, and wants to help more youth find music that inspires. The 90.TEEN DJs also curated an episode of The Weekly Mix, which came out Friday, October 23rd. To stay updated, listeners can subscribe to Song of the Day and The Weekly Mix wherever they get their podcasts. www.kexp.org

Request from JB, who added: "It took me a while to realise that Ditch Digger is not necessarily a Halloween song. I mean nothing particularly scary about digging ditches - maybe they are building a road to a candy factory or Disneyland. Kind of like IDLES - every song sounds scary, but it is uplifting if you listen to the lyrics - weird."

This has been The Morning Show, Eva is up next to carry you through The Midday Show! Thanks for being here with us. Take care of yourselves out there, and don't forget to drop off your ballot if you haven't already. See you tomorrow for the Halloween edition of The Morning Show!