Five fellas with roots firmly placed in their own blown-out, distorted demented dance party brand of soulful RnB. Formed in the end of November 2010 and originally from the coastal town of Ocean Grove the group has since gone on to play such music festivals as Meredith, Queenscliffe, Boogie and Falls. As well as supporting such acts as Gary Clarke Junior, Mac Demarco, Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, The Pixies, Earthless, Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks, Wavves and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard.
The Murlocs performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded April 15th, 2019.
Hearing Conor Oberst’s froggy, pain-dappled voice paired up with a frank, wispy lady like Phoebe Bridgers. On their self-titled debut as Better Oblivion Community Center, he’s pushing forty, learned and weary after nearly thirty years in the business, while she’s still in the first bloom of fame at twenty-four—and the intermingling of their fragile dispositions makes good sense. Oberst’s voice is always quivering like the last leaf on an autumn tree, while hers cocoons his like a silver lining, patient as a lullaby.
Better Oblivion Community Center performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded March 17th, 2019.
Songs: Dylan Thomas Didn’t Know What I Was in For Little Trouble Easy/Lucky/Free
After releasing 2016’s critically acclaimed Apocalipstick, Cherry Glazerr spent the next 18 months touring the world on their own steam. Between DIY All Ages venues, rock clubs, large festival stages, and massive theaters with some of the world’s best and most beloved bands (The Pixies, Flaming Lips, Slowdive, and The Breeders, among others), the band has really only stopped to work on their follow up, Stuffed and Ready. While furiously building the band’s sound and ideas, front person Clem Creevy enlisted Carlos de La Garza to be the band’s studio co-collaborator as they evolved the songs and refined the recordings.
Cherry Glazerr performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded March 7th, 2019.
Songs: That’s Not My Real Life, Self Explained, Daddi, Wasted Nun.
The Beths performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded October 2nd, 2018.
Our KEXP vid is up! Give it a look if you wanna see me:
– head bang my headphones off with a single bang🤘
– disintegrate into a nervous, mumbling mess💧
– be completely star struck by Cheryl
Songs: Future Me Hates Me Uptown Girl Little Death Happy Unhappy
Band Members
Elizabeth Stokes – Guitar and Vocals
Jonathan Pearce – Guitar and Vocals
Benjamin Sinclair – Bass and Vocals
Ivan Luketina-Johnston – Drums and Vocals
Going to see Bristol-based band Idles is just like going to a good therapy session. Sure, the show is louder than a traditional therapy session may be, but it’s probably just as inspiring, if not more so. Singer Joe Talbot leads the band in what has become their signature sound: seemingly angry yet incredibly uplifting punk rock. It’s not just a show, it’s an experience. Idles invite audience members on stage to sing, dance and even play instruments. They lead stage dives and give little nuggets of wisdom, all while playing music full of social and political commentary. The smaller the venue, the better for an Idles show—the intimacy makes you feel like not just a fan, but also a friend.
IDLES performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded October 4th, 2018.
Songs: Colossus Never Fight A Man With A Perm Television Danny Nedelko
If you are familiar with Jessica Lea Mayfield’s then you should need no incentive to check out her new album – it is quite possibly her best yet, combining all that is great about her previous recordings and even venturing into some lighter poppier territory than she has previously. Don’t let that fool you though, as this album features some of her darkest and most personal music, written as it was in both the aftermath and the full force of an abusive relationship. Mayfield has always been an incredible lyricist, with a twisted and unique world view that I suspect stems from her unorthodox upbringing. Never one to filter, here she hits home on track after track.
Many of the songs still feature “Make My Head Sing’s” grunge-tastic sound (Sonic Youth producer John Agnello and drummer Steve Shelley no doubt helping in that regard). “Wish You Could See Me Know” and “Meadow” rock out as if the 90s had never been away.
Jessica Lee Mayfield performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded February 2nd, 2018.
Songs: Wish You Could See Me Now, Offa My Hands, Meadow, Sorry Is Gone
The Dream Syndicate stopped by the studios of Seattle’s KEXP radio station in September while touring in support of the band’s excellent reunion album “How Did I Find Myself Here?”, recording a 35-minute session and interview that is now available for all to see.
The Steve Wynn-led band — which recently reunited on-stage with original bassist Kendra Smith performs four songs off “How Did I Find Myself Here?”, including the spiraling jam of a title track. Those guitar tones are incredible. Especially on How Did I Find Myself Here, it’s just exploding with a wild energy.
Dream Syndicate’s guitar-based indie rock sounds great today, though if you’ve been following Steve Wynn that won’t surprise you. Steve has drafted in his Miracle 3 front man instead and a real bonus is producer ChrisCacavas’s unobtrusive keyboards. Where they are more prominent his touches are deft and support the guitar-based sound which typifies this fine outfit. It’s fine American indie guitar-rock without any bombast or posturing, it’s smart and really well-honed.
The Dream Syndicate performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded September 30th, 2017.
Songs: Glide, Out Of My Head, Filter Me Through You , How Did I Find Myself Here?.
Courtney Marie Andrews spent over nine months of 2017 on the road, with multiple trips across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. That’s nothing new for Andrews, though. She’s been touring relentlessly since leaving her Arizona hometown at 16. It’s a life that inspired much of her 2016 breakthrough album, Honest Life. While that album’s themes spoke to the isolation and rootlessness inherent in a life on the road, most of its songs were actually written during an intentional, extended break. The success that followed its release, however, didn’t afford her the same break to write the material for her new album.
Courtney Marie Andrews performing live in the KEXP studio. Recorded September 7th, 2016.
Songs: How Quickly Your Heart Mends, Irene, Table For One, Rookie Dreaming,
Kevin Morby has carved out a niche over the course of four solo albums as a generous songwriter and lyricist, a chronicler of details from city and rural life. Morby’s latest album, “City Music”, finds him reflecting on city landscapes and experiences, as well as old friends which take the form of ghosts. “Come to Me Now,” is emblematic of Morby’s gift of imbuing songs with an air of religiosity, using space and gaps to conjure images of spectral lovers and rotted city structures.
City Music was Morby’s first album recorded with his talented live band, which consists of amazing Meg Duffy (guitar), Justin Sullivan (drums), and Cyrus Gengras (bass). Recorded near Stinson Beach, California, and produced by the ubiquitous Richard Swift, the album greatly benefits from the symbiotic relationship between players and instruments. Duffy’s guitar, in particular, adds layers of texture and melody, ringing softly against Morby’s resonant voice. Though not as guitar-laden as the titular “City Music” or “Crybaby,” the guitar rings in and out of earshot acting as Morby’s past love, glistening organ and drums taking the track to its conclusion.
KEXP presents Kevin Morby performing “City Music” live at The Triple Door as part of KEXP’s VIP Club concert series. Recorded August 21, 2017.
Songs: City Music, Crybaby , 1234, Aboard My Train, Destroyer, I Have Been To The Mountain, Parade, Downtown’s Lights, Beautiful Strangers,
On their third full-length album, the Barr Brothers (featuring core members and actual brothers Brad and Andrew Barr, and Sarah Pagé) retain their set-up of bluesy, wild, fuzzed-out guitars, percussion derived from just about anything than makes a sound when hit, and amplified harp. Whereas their self-titled debut fell more in an amplified folk tradition, and 2014’s Sleeping Operator dabbled in hypnoses, Queens of the Breakers looks inward, featuring some of the best personal and reflective lyrics Brad Barr has ever written. It’s an exciting evolution from a band whose sonic curiosity never ceases to amaze me. The Barr Brothers performing “Queens Of The Breakers” live at Breakglass Studios during POP Montreal 2017. Recorded September 16th, 2017.
Songs: You Would Have To Lose Your Mind, Kompromat, Queens Of The Breakers, Song That I Heard It Came To Me
The Barr Brothers performing “You Would Have To Lose Your Mind” live at Breakglass Studios during POP Montreal 2017. Recorded September 16th, 2017.
The Barr Brothers performing “It Came To Me” live at Breakglass Studios during POP Montreal 2017. Recorded September 16th, 2017.
The Barr Brothers performing “Kompromat” live at Breakglass Studios during POP Montreal 2017. Recorded September 16th, 2017.
Well, I'm dyslexic so writing about something I love: Music, might help but it's most likely just full of mistakes. That title is also lyrics from The Drones song called I Don't Want To Change. Oh, my name is William and thanks for having a look.
