John Richards

Happy birthday to Michael Stipe, born on this day in 1960! Michael Stipe is an American singer, songwriter, musician, film producer, music video director, and visual artist. Stipe was the lead singer of R.E.M. from their formation in 1980 until their dissolution in 2011.

Happy birthday to Bernard Sumner, English singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and founding member of Joy Division and New Order, born on this day in 1956!

Happy birthday to Scottish musician, songwriter, composer, record producer, audio engineer, and co-founder of Cocteau Twins, Robin Guthrie, born on this day in 1962! During his career, Guthrie has performed guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums and other musical instruments, in addition to programming, sampling and sound processing.

Happy birthday to Mark Hollis, co-founder, lead singer and principal songwriter of the band Talk Talk, born on this day in 1955. Hollis wrote or co-wrote most of Talk Talk's music, including hits like 'It's My Life' (1984) and 'Life's What You Make It' (1986). He died on February 25, 2019 at the age of 64. -- Read KEXP's tribute to the late Mark Hollis, who died in 2019 at age 64. It features videos from Talk Talk and Hollis' solo career: www.kexp.org

Happy birthday to English singer and songwriter, Beth Gibbons of Portishead, born on this day in 1965! Today is a big day to be born.

Happy birthday to this album! Eurythmics released Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) on this day in 1983. -- Featuring Annie Lennox on vocals, this track topped at #23 in the US. Said Lennox: "The video is basically a little cameo story. I would say 'Love Is A Stranger' is a song about love objects. The concept of love in relationships is very often a person projecting what they want onto another person. We are all in love with the idea of love but what we want is not always good for us. We might get obsessed with something very dangerous. I wanted to put these ideas into a pop song." Music Video: youtu.be

This song is a tribute to Jim Morrison’s love for the soul food serving diner, Olivia’s on Venice Beach. It is an ode to Morrison’s drunken nights and early mornings. Because he often stayed at Olivia's too late, the staff had to kick him out, thus the lines "let me sleep all night, in your soul kitchen". The track was featured on The Doors' self-titled debut album, released on this day in 1967. The guitar riff in the song is a homage to the horn section of James Brown’s “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag.”

A couple months ago, John received this amazing email from Russia: "Hi, my name is Vasily, I'm from Moscow, Russia. You know this scary country with nuclear weapons, walking bears, caviar, etc. My band is called Zorkiy,(It's actually my surname, in Russian it means "the one with sharp eyes"and we made our first english-language release about a week ago. After the quarantine, and all that is happening in Russia today, we understood that we want with all our hearts to try and make something that would be interesting for the world and people in different countries, so we worked hard and made our first record. For a lot of years we, here, are watching KEXP as a window to the woderful world of amazing new music and we always wanted to become a part of it. It's my honest dream and hope that you' ll find some time to listen to our record." Here are the links to their release: music.apple.com open.spotify.com www.youtube.com

Just Mustard was one of Stereogum's Best New Bands Of 2019, based on the strength of their debut album, Wednesday. The Irish 5-piece is preparing to follow up with a new record and will be touring with Fontaines DC later this year. bit.ly justmustard.bandcamp.com

Warpaint’s JennyLee is releasing the second single of her ‘Singles Club’, featuring A-side ‘Tickles’ - which was produced and mixed by Trentemøller - and B-Side ‘Heart Tax’. “I love, love, love collaborating with Trentemøller…he never ceases to amaze me!” JennyLee says of ‘Tickles’. “And more often than not, I usually like his version of the song better!”

"Last November, Pom Pom Squad hopped on tour with ’90s alt figureheads Nada Surf after “meeting” over Twitter. Now, the two bands have teamed up for a perfectly executed collaboration: Pom Pom Squad have leaned even further into their punk-rock cheerleader pastiche, entirely remaking Nada Surf’s 1996 “Popular” music video, with band leader Mia Berrin playing all of the key characters. Adding to the video’s authenticity, Pom Pom Squad actually filmed at the same high school as the original video. (Also appearing in the clip is the school’s real cheer squad and football team, presumably in on the song’s irony.) Even better, Nada Surf’s Matthew Caws joins Pom Pom Squad’s Mia Berrin on vocals. Aysia Marotta directed the video." (bit.ly) Remake Music Video: youtu.be Original Music Video: youtu.be

The War on Drugs will be performing at The Paramount Theatre on Monday & Tuesday, Feb 21-22, 2022. bit.ly From The Guardian's review of the new album: 'I Don’t Live Here Anymore' once again feels gloriously expansive, a series of meticulously crafted soundtracks for cruising down never-ending highways, as if the everyman euphoria of Springsteen were underpinned by the motorik propulsion of Neu!. The 1980s soft-rock and synthpop influences seem more pronounced this time around, however, variously summoning the spirits of Simple Minds, Bryan Adams, Bruce Hornsby and Kim Carnes, without ever sounding derivative. The effect, especially on "Harmonia’s Dream" and the title track, can be mesmerizing.' -- bit.ly

Keep the Car Running is based on singer, Win Butler’s, childhood nightmares of somebody--or something-- “coming to take me away”. In his imagination he crosses rivers and mountains and is always on the move, urging for the car to be ready at all times. (bit.ly)

The Beatles famously performed this song from the rooftop of Apple Records on January 30, 1969, footage of which serves as the climax to their Let It Be documentary film. Knowing it would get shut down pretty quickly, the group kept quiet about the performance, which was designed to promote the single and provide an ending for their film. They got in three takes of "Get Back" before police pulled the plug. The plan worked: Not only did they get their film ending, but the audio (including their banter) was used on various edits of "Get Back" to give it a live feel and add some character. At the end of this album version, we hear cheering, followed by McCartney saying, "Thanks Mo" in response to Ringo's wife, Maureen, who was clapping. Lennon then says, "I'd like to say thank you on behalf of the group and ourselves, and I hope we've passed the audition." This part came from the live rooftop performance.

According to frontman Yannis Philippakis, Wake Me Up is meant for the dance floor. Foals wrote the song during the second lockdown in London, as they had access to a small studio. "Obviously as everyone knows, it was a pretty bleak time and it was kind of depressing and we didn't really want to add to any of that heaviness," said Philippakis, describing the new track's process. (bit.ly) Foals stopped by the KEXP studio back in 2013! Check out the full performance: www.youtube.com wakemeup.foals.co.uk

"Good morning and happy new year! Today is my oldest son's Duncan’s 19th birthday-his last few years (as so many kids' years) have been so hard. I'd like to hear Wild Time by Weyes Blood or Born Slippy by Underworld, if you can fit one in. 🥰 Leslie in Sammamish Happy Birthday, Duncan! -- According to Karl Hyde, this song was written after a night out in Soho at a pub called the "Ship." "A drunk sees the world in fragments and I wanted to recreate that," said Hyde to the Guardian. "I was walking around Soho with a notebook and camera, just observing things. In those days I'd open the book whenever a musical idea inspired me. Rick [Smith] came up with a rhythm and I started singing over it. The vocals were done in one take. When I lost my place, I'd repeat the same line; that's why it goes, 'lager, lager, lager, lager.' The first time we played it live, people raised their lager cans and I was horrified because I was still deep into alcoholism. It was never meant to be a drinking anthem; it was a cry for help. Now I don't mind. Why Born Slippy? It was a greyhound we won money on." (bit.ly)

The soundtrack for the week after the holiday break. -- Teenage Sequence is Dewan-Dean Soomary, a London musician who used to be in bands like King Blues and Bleach Blood. As Teenage Sequence, Teenage Sequence is his danceable reaction to a world that does not honor his life and perspective. Listen to "All This Art: The Story of Teenage Sequence" here: soundcloud.com

"Girls on Film" was released in 1981. This song is best known for its video, which was the first extended video ever made and was quite racy. In an interview on the band's Greatest Hits DVD collection, Simon Le Bon says that the controversy over the song's notoriously raunchy music video eclipsed the song's message of fashion model exploitation. The video was directed by Lol Creme and Kevin Godley, who were the leaders of the group 10cc and also recorded as Godley & Creme. bit.ly Watch the video here: youtu.be

The fifth album from Vancouver BC post-punk group, Spectres. spectresvancouver.bandcamp.com

The song was semi-recently featured in the 2017 movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming, where it was played during the homecoming dance. The song’s theme of fleeting affection suited the scene nicely as Peter Parker seemed to have a moment with his date, but then had to vanish to save the day.

For Jeff from Ohio! -- Happy birthday everyone!

New music from Chastity Belt! Be sure to check out KEXP's Jasmine Alberton's article about the making of the new video for "Fake": www.kexp.org --- chastity-belt.bandcamp.com

Karen O described this song as "a love song to despair." She added: "It's a feeling that you have that visits you time and time again. It's an incredibly uplifting song , though, about wanting to run away from certain darkness in your life."

The latest from London-based Jessica Winters. The new EP 'More Sad Music', is about being addicted to love and the battles with that. jessicawinter.bandcamp.com

The drums on this song (performed by Dave Grohl) are quite similar to the drum track to "My Hero", also performed by Grohl. --- Check out John's exclusive KEXP interview with Trent Reznor: www.kexp.org

Dave Grohl tributes this song to everyday heroes. The sentiment on this track is simple. You don’t have to be rich, or famous or successful to do something good or heroic.

For Reeder from Bainbridge Island. -- In a 1985 interview, Bush explained the meaning of this iconic song: "It's about a relationship between a man and a woman. They love each other very much, and the power of the relationship is something that gets in the way. It creates insecurities. It's saying if the man could be the woman and the woman the man, if they could make a deal with God, to change places, that they'd understand what it's like to be the other person and perhaps it would clear up misunderstandings. You know, all the little problems; there would be no problem."

"Good to hear you back this week, John. I'm not back to work yet. My holidays got extended because our daughter, Hazel Maeve, was born on Christmas Eve. We're listening to KEXP together this morning while mom sleeps in. Could you play Say a Little Prayer by Aretha Franklin for us? Thanks, Josh"

Covering Lee Fields and The Expressions! Seattle artist Shaina Shepherd performed at the 10th anniversary show for the Seattle Musicians for Children's Hospital (SMooCH 2021) last month. Be sure to check out Shepherd's KEXP live session from November! youtu.be Official Video for Shaina's version of Never Be Another You: youtu.be shainashepherdmusic.bandcamp.com

Curtis Harding will be playing at Neumos on Saturday January 29th! If Words Were Flowers is Harding's third album. The name behind the record is an ode to Harding's mother, who taught him to sing with feeling and to show love and appreciation for people before it was too late. She told him, “Give me my flowers while I’m still here,” and that statement stuck with Harding and carried into the new album's theme and title. (bit.ly) curtisharding.com curtisharding.bandcamp.com

More of The Doors, who released their debut self-titled album on this day in 1967! Light My Fire was the first song Robby Krieger, the guitarist of the band, ever wrote.

From Dave Place: "F!RES are comprised of members that have played in the Seattle bands : Brad, Satchel, Malfunkshun, Green Apple Quick Step, Hobosexual and others. The music on this record includes some beautiful contributions by our dear departed friend, Shawn Smith who joined us in the studio towards the end of our sessions on keys and background vocals. We are honored to present them to you and to KEXP in the hope you will play them for your dedicated audience and for Shawns devoted fans in Seattle and around the world. KEXP has always been a champion of our local scene in which Shawn will forever remain a legend. It is our true wish to continue to celebrate his life and musical legacy with these songs." firesofficial.bandcamp.com

Jane’s Addiction debut album 'Nothing's Shocking' was released in 1988! Farrell created the cover image, which features a sculpture of nude female conjoined twins on a rocking chair with their heads on fire. He hired Warner Bros. employees to create the sculpture, but – after learning how to create sculptures by watching them closely – fired them and created the artwork himself. "The idea came from a dream I had," he recalled. "There were these two women swinging back and forth. They were joined at the hip and shoulder, and their hair was on fire. I just went from there, and [girlfriend] Casey [Niccoli] assisted me. We had a fellow come and do a plaster body-casting of her, then we made the twins' hair and head gear from pipe cleaners. You'll notice the chair rocks from side to side, as opposed to back and forth, so we had to have that made specially. We also went shopping for fake eyeballs." Owing to the cover, nine of the eleven leading record store chains refused to carry Nothing's Shocking. It was issued covered with brown paper. bit.ly

Brooklyn's Bodega have announced their second full-length album, Broken Equipment, which will be out March 11th. "Sometime on tour near the end of 2019 I found myself reading and watching a plethora of self-help books and YouTube vids,” says the band's Ben Hozie, explaining the idea behind the lyric. “This started from a genuine desire for spiritual and physical improvement, but I soon started noticing how advertisements everywhere were utilising the language of self-help. I was being programmed. ‘You don’t have time to cook dinner tonight because you are too busy crushing it as a doer: You are creating next level content and don’t have time to hang out w/ friends or family this weekend so download this app and have ready-made food delivered to you for 29.99.’ This ideology of constant productivity forces you to treat your own body, mind, time, and friends as products to mine. As a result, the world becomes a smaller, duller place.” www.brooklynvegan.com

“Don’t Change” has been described as Australian band INXS' first international single. “Don’t Change” peaked at number 18 on the Australian Singles Charts and reached number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 17 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart. The Baltimore Ravens play “Don’t Change” at their home games when a call in their favor is being reviewed by the referees.

Watch Peter Bjorn and John performing live at KEXP in August 2016, hosted by Cheryl Waters: youtu.be www.peterbjornandjohn.com

For Kris in Edmonton. -- Ever wonder what happened to this band? You're not the only one: www.forbes.com

Good morning, happy Tuesday, and welcome to The Midday Show with Cheryl Waters! -- Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio will play The Crocodile on Friday, February 4th, 2022, before departing on a tour of Europe. Their new album, "Cold as Weiss," will be out on February 11th. -- This single was humorously inspired by guitarist Jimmy James. Delvon Lamarr explained: “On every DLO3 tour, at some point, we have to tell Jimmy James to pull his pants up,” Lamarr said. “After being blinded by his backside over and over and over again, we decided to write a song about it!”