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Wednesday, Aug 8 2018, 6AM
It's David Howell Evans' birthday today - yes, The Edge is 57!
The National performed live for KEXP this past November - relive the moment on our YouTube channel bit.ly
Pedro The Lion will play Neumos on Friday, November 23rd. www.davidbazan.com
From 2013, here's Bob Mould performing live on KEXP in the Bumbershoot Music Lounge. bit.ly
Chastity, is from Whitby, Ontario and is the creative outlet of Brandon Williams
Iron & Wine are following up their 2018 Grammy-nominated full-length 'Beast Epic' with the EP, 'Weed Garden'.The six-song EP features material that was part of the writing phase for 'Beast Epic', but for various reasons went unfinished. ironandwine.com
From 2012, here's The Shins performing "Caring Is Creepy" live at the Moore Theatre for KEXP donors bit.ly
Rumor has it that we will have a surprise guest at 7:30 am today. I'll give you a hint, his name rhymes with Ben Gibbard!
Rubblebucket is a Brooklyn based indie-dance pop band and you can see them at Neumo's on Friday, November 9th! www.rubblebucket.com
Smell that? You smell that? Vinyl, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of vinyl in the morning. Sweet, sweet vinyl.
Go see him at Bumbershoot 2018! Moses plays on Friday, August 31st. www.bumbershoot.com
Pro Tip: Don't stare at the sun. It is ok to stand in the sea.
Here's a live version recorded in Oakland last year. bit.ly
Live version from earlier this year. Recorded at Rockwood Music Hall, no, I have no idea where that is. bit.ly
This one goes out to Clara who is currently working on a project called Miles to Go. She will be cycling 2200+ miles from Philly to Marfa, TX to take photos and record the ambient sounds along the route. You can learn more about her project here bit.ly
Here you go Lisa. You and your friends are not alone.
Watch Alexi Murdoch performing "Orange Sky" at Easy Street Records bit.ly
Requested by some dude named Ben...who's live in the booth! deathcabforcutie.com
Thanks to Ben Gibbard and Kshama Sawant for talking to us about saving The Showbox. How can you help? sign the petition bit.ly, call city council (206) 684-8888 and call the Mayor's office (206) 684-4000. Also, there's a meeting today at 2 pm at City Hall and on Monday, the entire council will vote on Kshama Sawant's ordinance to save The Showbox - the meeting starts at 1:30. Info on her ordinance is here bit.ly #savetheshowbox
Catch Cumulus live at the Mercer & Summit Block Party on August 18th! www.cumulusband.com
The Love Language's new album, 'Baby Grand', is out now!
N.W.A released their debut album, 'Straight Outta Compton', 30 years ago today. The album reached platinum status with no airplay support and without any major tours and eventually reached triple platinum sales status. It's considered to be one of the greatest and most influential hip-hop records by music writers and has had an enormous impact on the evolution of hip hop.
It's our 808 drum machine special! kicking it off is "Planet Rock" - an icon of the hip-hop, breakdance and electronic music cultures. The song is credited with pioneering the genre and developing the electro style, building on the work of Kraftwerk, Yellow Magic Orchestra, and George Clinton, combined with distinctive Roland TR-808 beats, and helped pave the way for other genres such as techno, house and trance.
The “TR” in the Roland TR-808 stands for “Transistor Rhythm”. Its distinctive sound comes from the fact that it actually uses analogue sound synthesis instead of digital sampling to create its drum tones. Just like with keyboard synthesizers, this device works by tweaking and sculpting white noise and various waveforms. These raw tones are processed through envelopes and filters until they are shaped into the classic 808 drum kit. Every time one of the drums gets triggered, that sound is generated from scratch, which causes a slight bit of variation. This means that you never get the exact same drum sound twice.
Japanese electronic instrument manufacturer, Roland, only produced the TR-808 between 1980-1983. The original intent was for it to be used by musicians as a way to help with recording demos without the help of a real drummer. Despite it's low price, it didn't sell well because of it's "toy-like" drum sound. excellentreceptionblog.wordpress.com
True fact: the Roland TR-808 has been used on more hit records than any other drum machine
After building approximately 12,000 units, Roland discontinued the 808 after its semiconductors became impossible to restock. units remain in use around the world and you can pick one up right now on eBay for $3500
This song's instantly recognizable loop has been sampled by many rap and hip-hop artists such as Missy Elliott's "Lose Control", and Poison Clan's "Shake Whatcha Mama Gave Ya". The loop was originally created and/or inspired by Kraftwerk as used in their composition "Hall Of Mirrors." And, yes Virginia, that is the 808 on da' beats
"Brass Monkey" samples "Bring It Here" by Wild Sugar and the Roland TR-808 drum machine sat in for this session.
When they recorded "Tainted Love", the drum machine they wanted to use was broken, so they borrowed a TR-808. Good call! www.soundonsound.com
The TR-808 inspired a lot of musicians, including Jamie XX who uses it on this track. Talk about inspiration - the band 808 State took their name from the TR-808!
Luna's 'Penthouse' was released 23 years ago today. It was ranked the 99th best album of the 1990s by Rolling Stone
Sub Pop Count Up #1215 is 'Vessel', the third studio album by Frankie Cosmos, the stage name of American singer-songwriter Greta Kline, released on March 30, 2018 on Sub Pop. On Sub Pop? Wow, what a coincidence!
Sub Pop Count Up #1216 - Moaning's self titled debut album which was released on March 2, 2018. www.subpop.com
The Sub Pop Count Up Quad Play continues! Coming in hot at #1217, it's Hot Snakes smoking album 'Automatic Midnight' released on January 19, 2018
Thanks to Louie (age 7) and Evelyn (4 and three quarters years old) for stopping by today and requesting "Piano Man" - our music future is in good hands!
It's the spuds from Kent State! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever plays Bumbershoot on Saturday, September 1st. www.bumbershoot.com
From last September, it's The Church performing live in the KEXP studio! bit.ly
Soft Science plays Lo-Fi this Friday with Fotoform and New Age Healers. You can also catch them at Kirkland Summerfest on Sunday, August 12th.