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Tuesday, Mar 1 2022, 7AM
Kicking off Women's History Month here in KEXP today!
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This song was originally written by Al Bell (known also as co-owner of Stax Records), and recorded by The Staple Singers in 1972. The song hit #1 in the US and has been sampled and interpolated into many modern songs across several decades.
Santogold is the debut studio album by Santigold (who performed as Santogold at the time of the album's release in 2008).
Santogold was written and recorded in the span of eight weeks. When working on the album, Santigold aimed to defy boundaries and genre classifications, and the expectations from a black woman to sing R&B. She says she was "able to work with all these genres that are typically sub-cultural, like dub or punk or something, and then, by writing in a way that had hooks, made it accessible to everyone."
santigold.com
When this track came out in 2013, Afropunk wrote that, “at first glance one might take Janelle Monae’s new track Q.U.E.E.N. as a funky new leading single to her upcoming album “The Electric Lady.” It is that, but the music video is loaded with subtle imagery and intriguing subtext—alluding to historical Black iconography and examining the paradox of museum culture—while playing with the ideas of Afro-Futurism and the past being reignited to usher us into a future with a multitude identities and equality, which, according to Monae, is more than just being added to the equation, but a fully equal, valued member of society.”
bit.ly
Watch the music video here: youtu.be
www.jmonae.com
When asked in April 2021 what Little Simz wanted listeners to take away from the light she had shed on the social injustices emphasised in this song, she replied:
"People can take away whatever they feel, I think that’s the beautiful thing about art. It’s open for interpretation and whatever resonates with you the most will stick. So I kinda just like to leave it open, I’ve spoken my truth."
bit.ly
Little Simz shared a live performance recorded exclusively for KEXP and chatted with Gabriel Teodros in August 2021.
Watch the full performance & interview, including "Introvert" here: youtu.be
www.littlesimz.com
Thao & the Get Down Stay Down visited KEXP to play a few songs and discuss this album back in 2016 - Check it out here: www.kexp.org
Frontwoman Thao Nguyen told KEXP’s Sound and Vision about how her latest album, Temple, is about coming out to her Vietnamese family and processing her family’s story of war. “It’s about the idea of existing as my full self and that full self is also acknowledging my heritage and who I come from and my culture,” Nguyen says.
Learn more about how KEXP is pushing boundaries while centering Asian and Pasifika voices locally and nationally in conversation with the Asian and Pasifika diaspora:
www.kexp.org
Psych-rock album "Now" was the joint project of Kim Jung Mi and Shin Jung-hyeon, known to some as "Korea’s godfather of rock."
Learn more about the album here:
lightintheattic.net
"‘Comment Te Dire Adieu’ is from the 27th of Francoise Hardy’s 29 Vogue EPs. Multi-lingual Françoise also recorded the song in Italian and German, but never in English. Shame."
acerecords.co.uk
Lush formed in 1987 when close friends Miki Berenyi and Emma Anderson (who were in other bands previously) joined Chris Acland’s band, Baby Machines. After bassist Steve Rippon joined the band, they changed their name to Lush and a year or so later, original vocalist Meriel Barham (later of Pale Saints) left the band and Berenyi to take over the duties at the mike.: mylifeinmusiclists.ca
Brand new music from Wet Leg!
Despite the song's upbeat sound, Rhian Teasdale says Angelica is "laced with disenchantment."
bit.ly
wetleg.bandcamp.com
Wet Leg will be among many awesome artists performing at THING! Festival at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, WA August 26-28th.
thingnw.org
Cult-classic single "Mind Your Own Business" isn't just a song, it's a dare.
Featuring the dueling vocals of Julz Sale and Bethan Peters, both deliver with attitude and power.
Julez Sale passed away in September of 2021, but her contribution to punk, post-punk and music will be felt forever.
Lizzy Mercier Descloux cover of "Fire" from The Crazy World of Arthur Brown.
Not only was Lizzy a talented poet, painter, actor, and self-taught musician, she was also an influential figure in the New York underground scene in the 70s. pitchfork.com
"Can you play some Patti Smith for my best friend Courtney?"
from Michele in West Seattle
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We are observing the start of Women's History Month here on KEXP! Be sure to stay tuned throughout today as KEXP's awesome women DJs bring you the best tunes!
www.kexp.org
“After spending the last five years writing about grief, I wanted our follow-up to be about joy,” Zauner said regarding Jubilee, her third album. “For me, a third record should feel bombastic and so I wanted to pull out all the stops for this one. I wrote ‘Be Sweet’ with Jack Tatum from Wild Nothing a few years ago. I’ve been holding onto it for so long and am so excited to finally put it out there.”
Jubilee was KEXP listeners' top album of 2021!
Watch Japanese Breakfast's Live on KEXP At Home session: www.youtube.com
"Can you play Bellys Feed the Tree? It's my bday today. I want this song played at my memorial too."
-- Heidi
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Tanya Donnelly (Throwing Muses, The Breeders) started Belly after the Breeders, and apparently, the songs on this classic album were originally intended for the second Breeders album.
bit.ly
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Belly performed a great set Live in the KEXP Studio back in 2018. View it here: youtu.be
"Good Morning,
Dan here from England. Loving the vibes so far today. I Discovered Beabadoobee on KEXP last February during lockdown and got to see her play at Leeds Festival in August and she was fantastic. Is it possible to play Beabadoobee “Worth It”
Many thanks,
Dan"
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Born in the Philippines and raised in London, Bea Kristi began recording music as Beabadoobee in 2017. “‘Worth It’ is simply about teenage infidelity and the mistakes one can make when they’re tempted to do things,” Beabadoobee said of the song. “It’s a bit of a confession song but also an understanding that it’s a part of life.”: www.youtube.com
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beabadoobee performed Live on KEXP at Home back in May, chatting with DJ Morgan. Watch it here: youtu.be
"Hi Morgan! Can you play Bros by Wolf Alice? My friend group met at their show in 2016 and we’ve been going to shows ever since then! Wishing all of them, you, and myself a great women's month! "
- from listener Noelle
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Lead singer Ellie Rowsell shared that the video for 'Bros' is “ an ode to childhood imagination and friendship and all the charm that comes with that”. Check out the heartwarming video here: www.youtube.com
Wolf Alice have performed a few times in the KEXP studio. They stopped by The Morning Show March 2015: bit.ly and The Midday Show in 2017: bit.ly
wolfalice.co.uk
For Nina on Beacon Hill!
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"9 to 5" was written and performed by the iconic Dolly Parton for the 1980 comedy film of the same name.
This was also Betty White's favorite song. ♥️
Riley sings a story about Mrs. Johnson, a "Harper Valley widowed wife" whose teenage daughter, a student at the junior high school, comes home one day with a note for her mother signed by the PTA secretary, in which they scold her for "wearing your dresses way too high", for reports about her drinking and running around with multiple men, and that she shouldn't be raising her daughter that way. Outraged, Mrs. Johnson decides to pay an unannounced visit to the PTA, who happened to be holding a meeting that afternoon. To the PTA's surprise, Mrs. Johnson, again wearing a miniskirt, walks in and addresses the meeting, exposing a long list of indiscretions on the part of the members, most of whom were in attendance. en.wikipedia.org
American folk and pop singer-songwriter, painted, and musician Norma Tanega was a very cool gal. She worked for a short time at a mental health clinic, where she sang and played songs for patients. She was also a summer camp counselor. When Brooklyn-based producer Herb Bernstein saw Tanega performing while visiting the camp one summer, he was so impressed he helped get her first record produced, which included her first single "Walkin My Cat Named Dog."
Yola will be playing on Sunday, April 10, 2022 at The Showbox.
bit.ly
The British "queen of country soul," Yola, born Yolanda Quartey, released her sophomore album, 'Stand For Myself,' on July 30th. It was produced by Dan Auerbach.
iamyola.bandcamp.com
John Richards selected the title song as a KEXP Song of the Day. Download for free and subscribe to the podcast here: www.kexp.org
Today is Mardi Gras!
Second Line is the sixth studio album by New Orleans-based songwriter Dawn Richard. Richard says, "‘bussifame’ is a nod to the way New Orleanians 'run our words together when we speak' (‘bust it for me’).
Dawn Richard shared a live performance recorded exclusively for KEXP and spoke with Gabriel Teodros in April 2021. Watch the full Live on KEXP at Home session here:
youtu.be
dawnrichard.bandcamp.com
From New Orleans, Tank And The Bangas' single “Stolen Fruit” is a soulful single that honors Black History Month.
www.tankandthebangas.com
"My Lovin'" contains a sample of the guitar riff from the James Brown song "The Payback", which is looped throughout the entire song and forms the basis of the melody.
envoguemusic.com
"Hi Morgan!
Happy XY Day! Can you please play Schoolhouse Rock's Sufferin' til Suffrage? Thank you!"
Tracey, Amplifier in Seattle 💕✨✌️
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We're kicking off International Women's History Month on KEXP today!
www.kexp.org
Thanks for being here!
Did you know it was American R&B group The Pointer Sisters who say the vocals for the pinball counting song on Sesame Street? Women are amazing.
Here is an excerpt from a letter written in 2003 by Walter Kraemer, the song's composer and producer:
"Those were indeed the Pointer Sisters. All four of them. At the time only three were performing regularly and I recall budgeting for just the three when June showed up at the session with the rest. It was a bonus. The basic track was performed by San Francisco Bay Area musicians and since there were to be eleven pieces of animation I had the track structured to accomodate three different lead instrument overdubs to give the pieces some variety. On some numbers Andy Narell plays a steel drums solo, on others Mel Martin plays a soprano sax solo, on the rest… I forget. Much credit should go to Ed Bogas for interpreting my melody ideas and for the musical arrangements."
boingboing.net
Here’s what Ibibio Sound Machine’s Eno Williams had to say about “Electricity”:
"Even in trying times, 'without love, there’s no electricity.' This one started out as an idea to mix Afrobeat with Giorgio Moroder–style synth vibes. The end section with Alfred’s korego (Ghanaian 2-stringed folk guitar) solo was already there when we got into the studio, but then we added the big kick drum that happens underneath and Owen from Hot Chip’s crazy drum machine percussion at the end, which gave it a futuristic Afro feel when mixed with the more talking drum parts."
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The album, "Electricity," will be released on March 25th, 2022. You can pre-order it here: ibibiosoundmachine.bandcamp.com
"Tijoux was born in France to a French mother and a Chilean father in political exile during Pinochet's dictatorship. After the return to democracy, the family moved to Chile. She found a home in the emerging hip-hop scene of Santiago and first started rhyming in French, then later in Spanish."
anatijoux.bandcamp.com
Ana Tijoux featured Live on KEXP: bit.ly
anatijoux.bandcamp.com
A jazz-flavored song from the Propellerheads' first and only album, featuring the one and only Dame Shirley Bassey (best known for performing the theme song to Goldfinger) on vocals.
For listener Derek!
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X-Ray Spex were London punk rock band formed in 1976 featuring the "effervescently discordant" vocals of lead singer Poly Styrene, who was inspired to form a band by seeing the Sex Pistols. During their first incarnation (1976–79), X-Ray Spex were "deliberate underachievers", only releasing five singles and one album. But still, their first single, "Oh Bondage Up Yours!", is now a classic punk rock single, and album 'Germfree Adolescents' a classic album of the punk rock genre.
X-Ray Spex saxophonist Susan Whitby was only 16 when this song was recorded!
This LA fourpiece went viral after an epic performance at the LA Public Library last May. They have since been signed to Epitaph and recently featured in the film 'Moxie.'
Here is their LA Public Library Performance:
youtu.be
www.thelindalindas.com
For Vanessa and Maja!!!
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Pussy Riot released “Rage” in 2021 amid a surge of protests in Russia over the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
bit.ly
"Hey Morgan!
Happy March 1st & happy Womens History month! Kim Gordon, Kim Deal, Tanya Donnelly, Sade, Lauryn Hill, Patti Smith, Etta James, Billie Holiday, etc etc -- so many voices. Would love to hear Kool Thing. "Hey Kool Thing, I got something to ask you..."
Peace,
Amy in Baltimore
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Curious what KCMU DJs thought about Sonic Youth's 'Goo' when it came out in 1990? Check out the vinyl notes on Sonic Youth's 'Dirty' with KEXP's Review Revue: www.kexp.org
The Julie Ruin is the project of local, PNW rocker Kathleen Hanna from Bikini Kill and Le Tigre.
www.thejulieruin.com
"Hi Morgan! How is your super cute pupper? Pure lab or a mix? I have an almost 2 year old lab/hound mix and I'm always wondering what she looked like as a baby.
If you have time today, can you please fit in PJ Harvey? Perhaps 50 Foot Queenie?"
-Jayme, NJ
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Rid of Me is the second studio album by PJ Harvey and was released in May 1993, approximately one year after the release of her critically acclaimed debut album Dry. It marked a departure from Harvey's previous songwriting, being more raw and aggressive than its predecessor.
The songs on Rid of Me were performed by Harvey's eponymous trio, consisting of Harvey on guitar and vocals, Rob Ellis on drums and background vocals, and Steve Vaughan on bass. Most of the songs on the album were recorded by Steve Albini, and it was the last album they recorded as a trio before disbanding in late 1993.
Rid of Me was met with critical acclaim, and has been ranked at number 153 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (up from 406 on the list's previous edition).
The first music in four years from Bellingham's own ODESZA includes the original vocal from Betty LaVette's 1965 track "Let Me Down Easy" -- with guitars by KEXP's own Eva Walker!
“The idea of bringing two worlds together, that at first seem distant, has always been something we’ve been drawn to. It was an absolute honor to be able to work with Bettye’s voice over the course of writing the track. "
PS: If you haven't seen the music video yet to The Last Goodbye, you can watch it here (and see if you can spot KEXP DJ Eva Walker (also in local band, The Black Tones) rockin' out on bass!):
youtu.be
odesza.bandcamp.com
ONUKA (meaning granddaughter) is a Ukrainian electro-folk band, created in 2013 by Ukrainian musicians Yevhen Filatov and Nata Zhyzhchenko.
www.onuka.ua
Heaven or Las Vegas, Cocteau Twins' sixth studio album, is noteworthy for the musical evolution it displays. Many of the album's lyrics were about Elizabeth Fraser's newborn daughter Lucy Belle, particularly in "Pitch the Baby", which is about her experience in giving birth and welcoming a child.
Asobi Seksu was a shoegaze/dream pop group based out of New York. The group included vocalist Yuki Chikudate and James Hanna on guitar. They formed in 2001 self-releasing their first full length in 2002.
Although the band announced an indefinite hiatus in September 2013, they came together for a one-off show to open for Slowdive in Boston in October 2014.
For the wonderful Cheryl Waters, who will now be taking the lead next for the Midday Show!
Happy Women's History Month, and thanks for tuning in today!
