John Richards

Happy Amplifiers Love Day 2022! Becca from South Park wrote - It got me through the early days of the pandemic -------------------------------------------- After viewing a rough cut of Into the Wild, Eddie Vedder quickly went to work writing songs for the film, Into the Wild. After three days, he gave director Sean Penn a range of material to work with. Vedder said that Penn "gave [him] a lot of freedom," and added that "the biggest thing was trust, which was just kind of unspoken." He also said that having to write songs based on a narrative "simplified things." He said, "There were fewer choices. The story was there and the scenes were there."

"I've struggled to find a sense of belonging and home for as long as I can remember, but music has always provided something similar to what I've heard other people describe as home. "Don't Follow" has become a song that helps me make sense of the discomfort and chaos in searching for a sense of belonging." - Benedetto, San Pedro, CA

"The first time I heard this was on KEXP. The words spoke to me and I was in love. Since then I’ve become a big Elbow fan." - Shelly, Lynnwood WA --------------------------------------------- "One day like this a year would see me right..." Our own Owen Murphy interviewed Elbow in 2019 about staying hopeful: tinyurl.com

"It owns. Y’all know" - Joey, Seattle We know, Joey, we know!

"I lived the experience they're talking about, almost to T, it's a bit creepy. :-)" - John, Idaho Falls

"Good morning John! I amplify for so many reasons! I love the immediacy of being able to reach out to higher conscience human being djs with kind hearts and souls who broadcast through music a real time reflection of our collective societal longing for peace, harmony, healing, good will and good vibes towards one another. Kexp stands at the edge of the chasm of chaos and self destruction that humanity appears to be hurtling toward and calmly says: NOT TODAY! There is always hope! Now listen to this: and then you play Pink Floyd's "fearless" after my daughter was born via emergency c section 4 years ago and shook me to the core. Thank you to Morgan, Cheryl, you and everyone At kexp. (Side note: liverpool's first epl match is tomorrow as I know you support the reds!) thanks John!" - Spencer in Sodo

"I chose this song because I happened to be listening to John In The Morning the day that he first played this song. I fell in love with it. I listened to it over and over. I listened to the album over and over. I love how KEXP can be so instrumental in getting new music out into the world. I also love how John Richards has exposed me to so many amazing artists and songs out there. He's my favorite DJ and I try not to miss his shows as much as I can. What I love most about John, though, is his vulnerability on air. John talks about things that others don't. He makes you feel important as a listener and amplifier and his "You Are Not Alone" message really helped me throughout the pandemic. Kudos, John, for how awesome you are. The Morning Faithful love you!" - Katie in Connecticut

Requested by Henry in West Seattle. He's 9 and been an Amplifier for 9 years!

Ken always writes "ahhh, the Friday song." I won't do it. Nosiree, will not. Nope. Not gonna happen. :)

"It’s a banger" - Dan, Springfield PA

"I came to the realization a few days ago that, after many years of hearing them occasionally but never listening to them too closely until tuning into KEXP regularly, I think I love The Cure. Thanks for helping me come to this realization John!" - Devin in Chicago

Happy Amplifiers Love Day 2022! Whether you’ve been an Amplifier for years, just joined today, or if you’ve had to start and stop your Amplifier gift as life changes—today we’re saying thank you for keeping KEXP in your heart from month to month, year to year. We hope you feel our gratitude not just today, but every day of the year. Happy Amplifiers Love Day!

"I started listening to KEXP regularly on April 9th 2021. You played one of my favorite songs, Flagpole Sitta. My very good friend Warren, who is a die hard KEXP fan, texted me and told me he was listening too and that the song always reminds him of me. I was instantly hooked to your show and KEXP as a whole. I became an Amplifier two months later during the one day drive. I literally listen to KEXP over ten hours a day, every day. I honestly don't know what I would do without you guys in my life. Music truly does heel. Thank you for making my mornings so enjoyable. I would love to here that song by the wonderful Harvey Danger, if you have time to fit it in." - Kevin, Everett WA This also goes out to Ryan in OKC and Mindy!

"This is my first time requesting a song but I've been listening, to and appreciating you for many years. Sunday, August 7 marks the anniversary of the deaths of 2 of my best friends, 4 years apart and 16 and 12 years ago, respectively. I tried to think of a deep and meaningful song to request, that would honor them, each in their own way, but here I am requesting "My Drug Buddy" by the Lemonheads. Thanks for always brightening my day and hopefully, fitting in my request!" xoxo Dana Thank you Dana, you are not alone.

"This song is loaded with 90s nostalgia for me and always make me feel 16 and in love again." - Karin, Seattle --------------------------------------------------- This song's title was a kind of received as a joke. It had taken the Sundays a couple of years to follow up the debut album and the first single from the second album - this song - was "Goodbye" prompting the NME to say "Goodbye already? You only just bloody came back!"

Yikes, I don't know who requested this song, but you are my hero! Amplifier powered indeed!

Good morning, John, Long time listener, past volunteer, and long time donor here. Hope you can indulge me in a request please. My divorce came through this week, capping off 9 of the hardest and most illuminating months of my life. KEXP has gotten me through so many days - both in finding comfort in community and music and in unlocking joy as I commit to my own happiness. I don’t think I’ve ever heard this played on KEXP before, but Saint Dolly Parton’s Light of a Clear Blue Morning has pulled me through, reminding me that going through the dark times will free us and bring us to so much joy. Love if you could play that to remind everyone else that committing to yourself and your joy is not selfish, but instead is a beautiful thing. Best, Zan

Good morning John! I started listening to KEXP back in the 00s while I was living in Panama at a remote biological field station. I was so happy to be able to get amazing radio over the internet. As soon as I got a job that brought me back to the states I became an amplifier. I live in NY now and proudly wear my KEXP gear all the time and do my best to spread the good word. Last summer our covid bubble took a group vacation to Maine and a game of Pictionary included the category "sh t Justin says about KEXP". Can I request Sturgill Simpson's cover of "The Promise". During the early days of the pandemic when I was at home with my then 3 and 5 year old kids, you played that song and I turned into a complete puddle of tears with my kids. We've all been through so much and KEXP is like the Ted Lasso good feeling hug I need every morning. Thank you for everything. - Justin in NY

Here's the original. We are required to play this after the Sturgill Simpson cover. Them's the rules. -- When In Rome started out as a British new wave trio consisting of vocalists Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann, and keyboardist Michael Floreale. Farrington and Mann had been members of a locally popular band called Beau Leisure when they decided to strike out on their own. This song was from their debut LP in 1988 and was an instant hit, reaching #11 on the Billboard Top 100. However, it turned out to be their only major hit.

We hope to see you tomorrow at KEXP50! KEXP50 will include two stages in the courtyards adjacent to KEXP's Seattle Center studios and public Gathering Space, featuring live performances, a beer garden with ID, special commemorative merchandise, opportunities for community members to share their vision for the future of KEXP, food trucks, KEXP DJs spinning live on-air from the Gathering Space, special presentations from business supporters of KEXP, and the unveiling of the newest set of donor tiles on the side of KEXP's facility. Featuring !!! Sons of Kemet (in their last-ever US appearance) Thao (formerly of Thao and the Get Down Stay Down) Tomo Nakayama LIVt and a special surprise guest!

What a perfect request! See what I did there?

Great request! Enjoy an oral history of The Wrens' wonderful "The Meadowlands": bit.ly -- See The Wrens perform "This Boy Is Exhausted' live in 2009: www.youtube.com

Chris in Chicago wanted to hear some Love and Rockets. Here you go!

I remember first hearing this song in college. The changing meter and vocals kind of blew my mind in the way that only new art can. The band separated not long after I fell hard for their music, so I never thought I’d get to see them live. Flash forward to working at KEXP, where I’ve now gotten to meet and see them many times in the last few years since they got back together. It’s a feeling without a name, perhaps best described by a sense of synchronicity. This song still does it for me. ~ Steph (KEXP), Thomas and baby Ari in Wallingford