A Deeper Listen

Bobby McFerrin is the renowned vocalist and Grammy award-winning songwriter behind “Don’t Worry Be Happy.” He’s not the only notable McFerrin who has made waves in the music industry, though. KEXP’s Dusty Henry spoke with two of the McFerrins, Taylor and Madison, to learn more about their family history and how the siblings are continuing the McFerrin musical legacy. Support the show: https://www....

The Raincoats emerged from the London punk scene in the late ’70s and were one of the very first all-female bands who wrote and performed all their own music. Now, 40 years later, co-founding member Gina Birch has just released her first solo album, titled 'I Play My Bass Loud.' KEXP’s Janice Headley talks with Gina about the new release, her time with The Raincoats, and how Kurt Cobain got a copy...

KEXP's Martin Douglas explores the here and now of Black punk culture, featuring a handful of notable Black punks to tell their own stories and inspirations. He also sheds light on the Black origins of punk music, the importance of DIY, and how the ethos of punk culture unites "outsiders" of all kinds. Voices featured: Hanif Abdurraqib, author  James Spooner, filmmaker and graphic novelist Stephan...

Earlier this month, KEXP celebrated International Clash Day but KEXP’s Janice Headley wanted to celebrate the female-fronted bands of the time, who were truly making a revolution in the male-dominated late-‘70s London punk scene. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this month, KEXP celebrated a holiday we invented called International Clash Day. The Clash stood for a lot of things. As Clash member Joe strummer once said, “We’re anti-fascist, we’re anti-violence, we’re anti-racist, and we’re pro-creative. We’re against ignorance.” As part of the celebration, Larry Mizell Jr. chatted with The Clash’s videographer Don Letts about the band’s legacy and t...

Katherine Paul (KP) of Black Belt Eagle Scout talks about her connection to nature and her homeland in her new album, The Land, The Water, The Sky . The album was written after she moved from Portland back home to the land of Washington’s Swinomish Indian Tribal Community.  Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Union of Musicians and Allied Workers has published an open letter calling for higher pay for artists performing at SXSW. The letter says that over the past 10 years, showcasing artists have been paid either $250 dollars for a band, $100 dollars for solo artists, or get a free wristband for the festival. Letter organizer René Kladzyk (artist name: Ziemba ) talks about the list of demands. Alai...

KEXP DJ Kevin Cole recently attended Eurosonic in the Netherlands. It’s the largest music festival in Europe dedicated to new and emerging artists. Emily Fox caught up with Kevin to talk about the festival and some of the many artists that stood out to him.   Music discussed:  Caleb Kunle - “All In Your Head”  Avalanche Kaito - “Dabalomuni”  Adwaith - “Nid Aur”  Queralt Lahoz - “De la Cueva a los...

On January 27th, Lil Yachty dropped a surprise psych rock album called 'Let’s Start Here.' KEXP’s Emily Fox, Martin Douglas, Larry Mizell Jr., Marco Collins, Dusty Henry, and Jasmine Albertson discuss the record and how it isn’t as surprising as it might seem. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Arcs are out with a new record, 'Electrophonic Chronic.' It’s their first since their debut release in 2015. The band was formed by Black Keys guitarist and vocalist, Dan Auerbach. The late Richard Swift was also in the band. The Arcs member and co-producer Leon Michels talks with Emily Fox about how the record was recorded while Swift was alive and how “the process of finishing the record hel...

Seattle supergroup  Who Is She  (members of Chastity Belt, Tacocat, and Lisa Prank) were slated last week for a residency performing at the Kraken hockey games at Climate Pledge Arena. The band only made it one performance before they were asked to not come back after singing a song calling Amazon founder Jeff Bezos a “total jerk.” Prior to these developments, KEXP’s Dusty Henry did a tongue-in-ch...

A party in the Bronx on August 11th, 1973 is widely considered to be the birthplace of hip-hop. The art form has since touched every corner of our world and evolved into one of the most significant cultural forces today. This year, on hip-hop's 50th anniversary, we’re giving it a proper tribute.  50 Years of Hip-Hop is KEXP’s newest podcast. Hosted by Larry Mizell Jr, the series highlights a diffe...

Hammock releases their twelfth album on January 27, 2023. KEXP’s Roddy Nikpour speaks with Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson about their latest (and loudest) record, 'Love in the Void,' and also about managing a band that doesn’t rely on live shows to make ends meet.  Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KEXP’s Albina Cabrera speaks with music journalist Nuria Net and Songmess podcast's Richard Villegas about their favorite Latin albums of 2022.  Songs discussed include:   "Quien te llamó" by Mediopicky "La Combi Versace" by Rosalía "Tierra Zanta" by Trueno "Chrome" by Saramalacara "Andrea (feat. Buscabulla)" by Bad Bunny Read more here: https://www.kexp.org/read/2023/1/20/the-big-picture-looking-...

Minnesota’s Tall Paul recently released an album that chronicles the story of the Native American athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe was an Olympic gold medalist in track & field, a pro football and college football hall of famer, a professional baseball player, and so much more. Tall Paul talks with Emily Fox about his album, 'The Story of Jim Thorpe.' He also shares his views on the importance of r...

During the pandemic, Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, along with drummer Tom Skinner of Sons of Kemet, formed The Smile. The group recently stopped by the KEXP studios for a live performance that can be viewed in full on KEXP's YouTube channel. On this episode, KEXP DJ Morgan Chosnyk and KEXP’s Video Manager Jim Beckmann take us behind the scenes of the session and discuss The Smile's d...

Travis Thompson is a 26-year-old artist from Seattle. He put out an EP this fall and also made his acting debut on the hit show, Reservation Dogs. He talks about his new music and Indigenous representation on television and on the mic.   “When I pulled up on set, it was a crazy experience for me, but they were treating me like a famous rapper because they had all listened to me before,” Thompson s...

Michael Stein and Rod Ronquillo, the original DJs of KEXP’s northwest music show, Audioasis, share songs that were staples of Seattle’s music scene when the show began 40 years ago. Then, Audioasis’ current DJ, Eva Walker, shares songs that represent the scene today. In this episode, we also get a little history lesson in Seattle’s early jazz and funk scenes and beyond. Artists discussed:  The Hea...

Mix & Match is a mini series where we meet up with an artist and try to “mix” an adult beverage and “match” it with an artist. Today, KEXP’s Jasmine Albertson catches up with Deep Sea Diver’s Jessica Dobson over a drink. They talk about music and Jessica’s journey of meeting her birth parents.   Deep Ahumada Recipe  In a stirring vessel combine:  - 2oz mezcal  - .5 spiced simple  - 3 dashes az...

Mix & Match is a new miniseries where we meet up with a Seattle artist and try to “mix” an adult beverage and “match” it with an artist. Today, KEXP’s Jasmine Albertson brings us the first “Mix and Match” featuring local musician, Mt. Fog.   Here’s the recipe make a “Forest Fog”  - 1.5oz pisco  - .5 cardi simple  - 2 dashes black walnut bitters   - 2oz earl grey tea  - 2oz foamed oat milk   Su...

It’s Living Singles! The series where we talk to a KEXP staff member about three songs they’re really into right now. On this episode, Sharlese Metcalf—host of KEXP’s Mechanical Breakdown—brings us a very new wave edition. Songs featured in this episode:  “Heartbeat” by Nuovo Testamento   “Disconnected Lines” by RISK RISK   “Future Wonder” by Teenage Daycare   Support the show: https://www.kexp.or...

KEXP DJs Miss Ashley, Kevin Cole and Larry Mizell Jr. break down the top played albums on KEXP in 2022. The albums are:  #5: Beyoncé - RENAISSANCE  #4: Toro y Moi - MAHAL #3: Ibibio Sound Machine - Electricity #2: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Cool It Down #1: ODESZA - The Last Goodbye Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a very special Christmas edition of Living Singles, the series where we talk to a KEXP staff member about three songs they’re really into right now. On this episode, KEXP’s defacto Christmas DJ, Brian Foss, shares some non-traditional Christmas songs he’ll be playing on air on Christmas day. You can catch his show live from noon - 9pm PT on December 25th, at 90.3 FM in Seattle or KEXP.org / t...

Larry Mizell Jr. reflects on the hip hop artists we lost this year and beyond, in what MF Doom has called, “the world’s most strangest most dangerous occupation.”   Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Living Singles is the series where we talk to a KEXP staff member about three songs they’re really into right now. This episode features, KEXP’s Digital Content Manager. He admits to usually covering “super serious” music for KEXP, but he chose one song for Living Singles that’s playful and fun. Songs featured in this episode:  “Thousand Knives” by Thundercat (Ryuichi Sakamoto cover) “Stop Worry!”...