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Monday, Apr 5 2021, 7AM
"In the Pines", also known as "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?", "My Girl" and "Black Girl", is a traditional American folk song originating from two songs, "In the Pines" and "The Longest Train", both of whose authorship is unknown and date back to at least the 1870s. This live version by Nirvana, based on Lead Belly's interpretation, was recorded during their MTV Unplugged performance in 1993.
RIP Layne Staley of Alice in Chains, who died on this day in 2002. Watch video of this performance where Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) stepped in for Layne Staley's vocals here: www.youtube.com
Love hearing this Alice In Chains. Today is my first day back teaching first grade & I’m nervous... the music helps! Ty! 💕
-Katherine
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In 2013, "Nutshell" was ranked No. 9 on Rolling Stone's readers' poll "The 10 Saddest Songs of All Time". The lyrics were written by vocalist Layne Staley. Bassist Mike Inez said, "Layne was very honest with his songwriting. And in "Nutshell," he really put everything in a nutshell for everybody. That song still gets me choked up whenever I play it. I get a little teary-eyed, and sometimes when we're doing the arena runs especially, they'll have some video footage of Layne. And I look and see me and Jerry [Cantrell, vocals and guitar] and Sean [Kinney, drums] looking the wrong way. We're not looking at the audience, we're looking back at Layne, and it's pretty cool that there's still that song for us. Yeah, it's just a sad thing."
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Alice in Chains performed "Nutshell" live on MTV Unplugged: www.youtube.com
The title track off of their second collaborative album. Giddens tells Rolling Stone, " [This record] is really more about family and, “What does it mean to be an expatriate? To have two homes and none all at once?” We were thinking about that a lot. Neither one of us are Irish. We’re living in Ireland, both cut off, so these songs were a way that we could form our own little unit."
bit.ly
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rhiannongiddens.bandcamp.com
Recorded for the soundtrack album of music from the 2000 American film 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?', written, directed and produced by the Coen Brothers and starring George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, and John Goodman.
This cover of Vic Chesnutt’s “Flirted With You All My Life” was originally the B-side to the 7" “Persona Non Grata” but hasn’t been officially available online until now.
“I had the pleasure of seeing Vic perform many times over the years and from a young age,” Conor Oberst said in a statement. “I can truly say he deeply changed my worldview and what it meant to write a really unique and thought provoking song. One of the greatest ever. Always missed. Here is our humble version of one of his best.”
“This is a new song about an old frenemy. Not Paul McCartney or Westerberg,” Berninger said of the new track. - bit.ly
Damien Jurado announced he has started a new record label, Maraqopa Records, which will release his new record this May.
damienjurado.com
Angel Olsen has announced a new box set called Song of the Lark and Other Far Memories. The release—out May 7 via Jagjaguwar—includes her last two albums, All Mirrors and Whole New Mess, as well as a bonus LP with bonus tracks, alternate takes, remixes, a cover of Roxy Music’s “More Than This,” and more. The box set will also come with a 40-page book. “It feels like part of my writing has come back from the past, and another part of it was waiting to exist,” Olsen said of the box set in a statement. bit.ly
For John Rachel in NC, who says, "I’m sitting here with my mom in her final days after fighting for two years with cancer. She told my brother and me this weekend she couldn’t do it anymore, and has gone downhill quickly since. I just tuned in and I guess I was guided to for a reason. Thanks for being here. You help me remember I’m not alone."
Once described by Van Morrison as "one of those songs where you can see the light at the end of the tunnel... I don't think I can elaborate on it any more than that."
New music from Rostam Batmanglij who you may know as a founding member/producer of Vampire Weekend.“‘4Runner’ captures the intimate thrill of a road trip with someone special,” Rostam said of the track in a release. “A 12-string acoustic guitar and booming percussion match the sunshine and breeze of a drive across the West Coast, a queer love story unfolding alongside it. Isolated from the outside by car doors and a blaring stereo, they experience the euphoric aura of the sun and wind from within a world that is theirs alone.”: bit.ly
Long-running trip hop group, Morcheeba recently announced their new album ‘Blackest Blue,’ due to arrive on May 14, 2021. Check out pre-order options here: morcheeba.bandcamp.com
British trio London Grammar are releasing a new album, "Californian Soil," this Friday, April 9th. Enjoy Live Video from the stunningly beautiful London Grammar KEXP In-Studio in 2013, hosted by Cheryl Waters: bit.ly.
Pitchfork put this song at number 34 on their Top 200 Tracks of the 90s. It was the lead single from their sixth album "Republic," out on this day in 1993. bit.ly
For 9 year old Olive from Kathleen in British Columbia:
This title translates from French as "Tell Me A Story," but here at KEXP we all know it as "The Frog Song":
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"As adults hardened by the years of experience, it is hard to envision the world detailed in the lyrics, but through the sincerity of her voice – yes, just her voice alone – but also the sincerity in how she recites the narrative, with such genuine BELIEF in this narrative, it is truly a moving thing to behold. And by the power of empathy and the connection with this girl, through her voice and vocals, you can now transport to her openness, to her imagination, and believe the narrative as well.
And thus, you shall become a frog." : bit.ly
For Max on his first day back to school!
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This song was written by Freddie Mercury, inspired by watching the 18th stage of the 1978 Tour de France passing Montreux, where the band were recording Jazz in the Mountain Studios.
Kristin (in Southern California) says, "Good morning! My son Theo heads into his very first day in his elementary school this morning. So much missed this year but he's so excited to see what kindergarten is all about in person, we are grateful. I'd love to dedicate 15 to 20 by the phenomenal handclap band to get him in the mood as he gets ready this morning!"
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Phenomenal Handclap Band are a psychedelic soul band from New York City. Their first full-length record, Phenomenal Handclap Band, was released in 2009 on Friendly Fire Recordings in the US.
Luscious Jackson's first release "In Search of Manny" was the first non-Beastie Boys release on the young Grand Royal Records. So from the very start, Luscious Jackson's primary following were Beastie Boys fans looking for something else to get into. When the word came out that Luscious Jackson's drummer Kate Schellenbach had been one of the original Beastie Boys, more interest swirled around LJ.: www.beastiemania.com
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"Naked Eye" was the first single off 1996's 'Fever in Fever Out.' It would end up landing in the top 20 of the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. Here's the video! www.youtube.com
Happy 12th birthday to Nelle in Portland!
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"Impossible Weight" was #1 in KEXP's Top 90.3 songs of 2020, as selected by our listeners!
Listen to this episode of KEXP's Isolated Tracks, where we talk to Jessica Dobson from Deep Sea Diver. KEXP Audio Producer Julian Martlew dissects the sounds that make up the song "Impossible Weight" from the album Impossible Weight: www.youtube.com
Annie Clark, who you may know as St. Vincent, performed on Saturday Night Live this past weekend. Check out her performance of this song here: youtu.be
British record label BBE Music announced their David Bowie tribute album Modern Love, out May 28. Helado Negro has shared his offering from the compilation: a cover of Bowie’s 1977 Low song “Sound and Vision.” You can also find this track on Bandcamp: heladonegro.bandcamp.com
This is the first album in David Bowie's Berlin Trilogy, which sees Bowie as a tragic figure. The album's first side is a beautiful futurist ruin, littered with holes left purposefully unfixed, while the blank, instrumental second side feels like a calculated attempt to kill the author.
pitchfork.com
Brand new track from Cold Cave, who have announced their new EP 'Fate In Seven Lessons' will be out out June 11 on Heartworm Press. coldcave.bandcamp.com
According to Spin magazine (February 1989), Andy Bell would sometimes introduce this song on stage by saying: "When I was a little girl, I asked my mummy, 'Can I be gay when I grow up?' She replied, 'Yes if you show a little respect." - bit.ly
Don Yates says, "This impressive fourth solo album from the former frontwoman for the Catalon band Ojos De Brujo is a seamless blend of traditional folk elements with hip hop and electronic beats and textures." You can read many KEXP new music reviews here: www.kexp.org
Brand new track from the local Seattle Soul jazz trio. delvonlamarrorgantrio.com
Polyrhythmics played a full live performance for KEXP in 2017. Enjoy their set here: kexp.org.
British songwriting and production duo Jungle have announced their new album "Loving in Stereo." The follow-up to 2018’s "For Ever" arrives on August 13th and it’s available for preorder: shop-us.junglejunglejungle.com
Jungle are scheduled to play the Moore October 22nd: www.stgpresents.org
For Alexander, 8, in CT.
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Ahh, 2019, when '5' would be the first time SAULT surprised us. They've since dropped two more excellent albums since this release. We still don't really know much about them.
Avant-garde cosmic sounds from Senegal, “Yaral Sa Doom” is a groundbreaking album spanning borders and musical scenes. Inspired from West African tradition, Sufi praise songs, spiritual jazz, and dub rhythms, the effect is a genre defying entry in outernational sound. Hypnotic percussion loops across sweeping pads, call and response chants echoes layer over electronic beats, and children’s voices sing out to recordings of crashing waves.
wauwaucollectif.bandcamp.com
Just a little something to break the monotony on this Sunny Monday morning in Seattle - www.youtube.com
Brittany Howard covering Jackie Wilson!
“I first heard ‘Higher and Higher’ in Ghostbusters II,” Howard recalled.. “I became a huge fan of the song and of course of Jackie Wilson’s version. My solo band started playing the song on tour and it became one of those special moments of the show where you could feel the entire room locked in and the energy reaching the next level. I chose to release this song because it reminds me of those special nights with my band and for its message that through love we can be lifted up higher and higher.” - bit.ly
For Aaron in Sacramento!
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"Vamos" appears on Pixies' next two releases after 'Come On Pilgrim': re-recorded with Steve Albini for their first full-length album, Surfer Rosa, and as a live B-side on their first single, "Gigantic".
Legendary UK label 4AD is celebrating their 40th anniversary (which was technically last year) with "Bills & Aches & Blues," a new compilation album in which current artists on the label cover songs by other artists on the label, which is out now. One recent single from the compilation is this tUnE-yArDs cover of The Breeders’ “Cannonball.”
bit.ly
Snapped Ankles return to the forest, but it’s not as they left it. Trees planted in neat rows. A well-ordered monoculture with access roads and heavy machinery. The smell of greenwashed money in the air. There’s no sign of the ancient woodland they emerged from on debut album, Come Play The Trees. And it’s far cry from the gentrified East London they found themselves hawking on Stunning Luxury. All is not well in the face of progress. Welcome to the Forest Of Your Problems.
snappedankles.bandcamp.com
"Girl U Want" has been covered by Soundgarden, Superchunk, Zombie Ghost Train, Doomriders, the Freelance Whales, Chancho en Piedra and I:Scintilla.
First, I have to let you know how much I love each and every person working at KEXP. Music is at the core of who I am and anytime I tune in, I know there are people at the other end who feel the same way. KEXP feeds my soul. Thank you.
Second, I just listened to the Brand Carlile-Soundgarden collab of Black Hole Sun. Got whole body chills and teared up a bit. I never knew Chris but I miss him. He wasn’t supposed to leave us so soon. I love seeing our Seattle family keeping the music alive and honest.
When you have a spare moment, could you please play Brandi and the Boyz singing Black Hole Sun?
Sending lots of love your way,
- Jennifer
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Watch Brandi Carlile with Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil, bassist Ben Shepherd and drummer Matt Cameron (and Peter Frampton on guitar) as part of a Chris Cornell Tribute Concert in 2019: bit.ly
Layne Staley, 35 years old, died on this day in 2002. The lead singer, occasional rhythm guitarist and co-songwriter of the rock band Alice in Chains, which he founded with guitarist Jerry Cantrell in Seattle, Washington in 1987.
Kurt Cobain, age 27, died on this day in 1994. American musician, artist, songwriter, guitarist and poet who formed Nirvana with Krist Novoselic in 1987 and established it as part of the Seattle music scene and grunge genre.