On the show this time, it’s the brilliant intensity of the veteran New York City band - Blonde Redhead. Blonde Redhead is a legendary independent alternative-rock band. They’ve been making music, and records on their own terms since 1994. The consistent core of the band is Kazu Makino and twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace. Between them they cover vocals, keys, guitars and drums. They sometimes work with collaborators - most often occupying the position of bass player. Their band has truly...

On the show this time, it’s the Rock n Roll Revival of the Hives. The Hives have been rocking fans across the world since the 90’s, when they released their first demo, “Sounds Like Sushi.” Their over-the-top energy and memorable hooks were apparent from the start – as was their wacky sense of humor – need a punk ode to constipation? Yeah you got it. They dress up fancy in black and white suits. They play fast loud punk rock music. Their live shows are legendary. And ever since they put out...

On the show this time, it’s the Rock n Roll Revival of the Hives. The Hives have been rocking fans across the world since the 90’s, when they released their first demo, “Sounds Like Sushi.” Their over-the-top energy and memorable hooks were apparent from the start – as was their wacky sense of humor – need a punk ode to constipation? Yeah you got it. They dress up fancy in black and white suits. They play fast loud punk rock music. Their live shows are legendary. And ever since they put out...

On the show this time is inspiration from the music of Yemen, played with the homemade instruments of El Khat. El Khat is the musical brainchild of Eyal el Wahab, a Yemeni man who grew up in Tel Aviv. He makes his own instruments in the tradition of impoverished people all over the world. The band is named after the drug – Khat – a stimulant chewed like tobacco across the Middle East and in Africa, and you’d better check where you are before partaking. Its legality varies by location, as...

On the show this time is inspiration from the music of Yemen, played with the homemade instruments of El Khat. El Khat is the musical brainchild of Eyal el Wahab, a Yemeni man who grew up in Tel Aviv. He makes his own instruments in the tradition of impoverished people all over the world. The band is named after the drug – Khat – a stimulant chewed like tobacco across the Middle East and in Africa, and you’d better check where you are before partaking. Its legality varies by location, as...

On the show this time, it’s the compelling “collage-rock” of Montreal’s TEKE::TEKE. TEKE::TEKE is a rock band from Montreal, with the twist being that they play in the style of 1960’s and 70’s Japanese movie soundtracks. It is a big band - 7 musicians - and their diverse backgrounds help to drive their eclectic modern take on the psychedelic rock they use for inspiration. The name TEKE::TEKE refers to the classic sound of surf guitar, and originally, they formed to honor Japanese surf legend...

On the show this time, it’s the compelling “collage-rock” of Montreal’s TEKE::TEKE. TEKE::TEKE is a rock band from Montreal, with the twist being that they play in the style of 1960’s and 70’s Japanese movie soundtracks. It is a big band - 7 musicians - and their diverse backgrounds help to drive their eclectic modern take on the psychedelic rock they use for inspiration. The name TEKE::TEKE refers to the classic sound of surf guitar, and originally, they formed to honor Japanese surf legend...

On the show this time, it’s the avant-garde sitar of Anoushka Shankar. Anoushka Shankar is a master musician, as well as being a composer and producer. She studied with her famous father - Ravi Shankar - who had a smaller instrument made for his 7 year old daughter. She made her professional debut at thirteen, and over the years she has reinvented sitar music, playing with musicians from various genres, cultures and geographies, looking for new situations and contexts to use its inimitable...

On the show this time, it’s the avant-garde sitar of Anoushka Shankar. Anoushka Shankar is a master musician, as well as being a composer and producer. She studied with her famous father - Ravi Shankar - who had a smaller instrument made for his 7 year old daughter. She made her professional debut at thirteen, and over the years she has reinvented sitar music, playing with musicians from various genres, cultures and geographies, looking for new situations and contexts to use its inimitable...

On the show this time, dance your butt right off with London producers Jungle. British dance-music producer-musicians Jungle have figured out the recipe. They’ve been making hook-laden rump-shakers since before their oddly titled full length debut - 'Jungle.' Technically they’ve been doing it since forever - they’ve been friends since they were little kids. Massive grooves like “Busy Earnin',” “Casio,” and “Keep Moving” set the standard. They’ve got placements in TV, film, and video games,...

On the show this time, dance your butt right off with London producers Jungle. British dance-music producer-musicians Jungle have figured out the recipe. They’ve been making hook-laden rump-shakers since before their oddly titled full length debut - 'Jungle.' Technically they’ve been doing it since forever - they’ve been friends since they were little kids. Massive grooves like “Busy Earnin',” “Casio,” and “Keep Moving” set the standard. They’ve got placements in TV, film, and video games,...

On the show this time, dance, chant, and fight back with Scottish band Young Fathers. Young Fathers are pop, grimy electronica, organic percussion, and Afro-Scottish indie. They rap. They chant. They sing. They do what they want. They've been making music together since they were teens, back in 2008. Their latest record - the Scottish Album of the Year for 2023 - is called 'Heavy Heavy' and is available on Ninja Tune Records. Recorded 09/27/2023. I Saw Drum Geronimo Rice Watch the full...

On the show this time, dance, chant, and fight back with Scottish band Young Fathers. Young Fathers are pop, grimy electronica, organic percussion, and Afro-Scottish indie. They rap. They chant. They sing. They do what they want. They've been making music together since they were teens, back in 2008. Their latest record - the Scottish Album of the Year for 2023 - is called 'Heavy Heavy' and is available on Ninja Tune Records. Recorded 09/27/2023. I Saw Drum Geronimo Rice Watch the full...

On the show this time, it’s the meticulous indie-folk songwriting of Gregory Alan Isakov. Gregory Alan Isakov is a singer-songwriter sure. But he’s also a farmer. His market farm in Boulder, Colorado provides produce to around a hundred CSA members, a couple of chefs, and a food bank. The man is really into growing the perfect lettuce mix. That’s why it’s rare to find him on tour in the summer. But - when you have a new full length album, five years in the making, it’s time to dust off the...

On the show this time, it’s the meticulous indie-folk songwriting of Gregory Alan Isakov. Gregory Alan Isakov is a singer-songwriter sure. But he’s also a farmer. His market farm in Boulder, Colorado provides produce to around a hundred CSA members, a couple of chefs, and a food bank. The man is really into growing the perfect lettuce mix. That’s why it’s rare to find him on tour in the summer. But - when you have a new full length album, five years in the making, it’s time to dust off the...

On the show this time, it’s doom, data, and reverberation appreciation with Frankie and The Witch Fingers. Frankie and The Witch Fingers returned to KEXP’s studios in support of their 7th studio record. It’s been an 11-year run already for the Bloomington, Indiana band, now based solidly in the thriving Los Angeles psych-rock scene. What started as a one-man-band - Dylan Sizemore on guitar, vocals, and stomping away on a kick drum - has evolved and adapted into a 6-piece prog/post-punk...

On the show this time, it’s doom, data, and reverberation appreciation with Frankie and The Witch Fingers. Frankie and The Witch Fingers returned to KEXP’s studios in support of their 7th studio record. It’s been an 11-year run already for the Bloomington, Indiana band, now based solidly in the thriving Los Angeles psych-rock scene. What started as a one-man-band - Dylan Sizemore on guitar, vocals, and stomping away on a kick drum - has evolved and adapted into a 6-piece prog/post-punk...

When your family name is synonymous with afrobeat activism, what do you do? For Femi and Made Kuti, the only option is to continue the Legacy, of course. On this episode of Live on KEXP, the father/son duo carry on what Fela Kuti started in the ‘70s - the dissemination of not just sharp political criticism but also immense joy through music. Recorded 05/11/2021. Pà Pá Pà (Femi Kuti) Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am (Made Kuti) Stop The Hate (Femi Kuti) Free Your Mind (Made Kuti) Watch the full...

When your family name is synonymous with afrobeat activism, what do you do? For Femi and Made Kuti, the only option is to continue the Legacy, of course. On this episode of Live on KEXP, the father/son duo carry on what Fela Kuti started in the ‘70s - the dissemination of not just sharp political criticism but also immense joy through music. Recorded 05/11/2021. Pà Pá Pà (Femi Kuti) Trouble Sleep Yanga Wake Am (Made Kuti) Stop The Hate (Femi Kuti) Free Your Mind (Made Kuti) Watch the full...

On the show this time, it’s the cinematic piano and electronics of Hania Rani. The Polish pianist’s latest album, 'On Giacometti,' is out February 2023 on Gondwana Records.  She continues to expand on her film score ambient classical atmospherics, using electronics and her clear wistful voice. In this episode, we touch on Rani's origin story and influences and then get right to the music as these works are a bit longer. This performance features 3 previously unreleased pieces, and one -...

On the show this time, it’s the cinematic piano and electronics of Hania Rani. The Polish pianist’s latest album, 'On Giacometti,' is out February 2023 on Gondwana Records.  She continues to expand on her film score ambient classical atmospherics, using electronics and her clear wistful voice. In this episode, we touch on Rani's origin story and influences and then get right to the music as these works are a bit longer. This performance features 3 previously unreleased pieces, and one -...

On the show this time, it’s the detail driven divinations of The Mountain Goats. The Mountain Goats are a definitive independent band. John Darnielle has been releasing music under that name since 1991. He started out taping straight onto cassette, with a boombox, and over the years has returned to that medium - lo-fi for sure, but oddly high in emotional fidelity. He’s also worked with engineers - in particular with Tiny Telephone’s John Vanderslice, and is now equally comfortable with...

On the show this time, it’s the detail driven divinations of The Mountain Goats. The Mountain Goats are a definitive independent band. John Darnielle has been releasing music under that name since 1991. He started out taping straight onto cassette, with a boombox, and over the years has returned to that medium - lo-fi for sure, but oddly high in emotional fidelity. He’s also worked with engineers - in particular with Tiny Telephone’s John Vanderslice, and is now equally comfortable with...

On the show this time, it’s the powerful 60’s and 70’s influenced instrumentals of the mighty Budos Band. The Budos Band is now on their 9th release - 6 albums and 3 EP’s - and they are also now on their own label - Diamond West. They were already recording on their own, in their own studio, and they were living a bi-coastal existence with some members in California. So, it really is an organic move, amicably splitting from their origin story label Daptone Records to do their own thing....

On the show this time, it’s the powerful 60’s and 70’s influenced instrumentals of the mighty Budos Band. The Budos Band is now on their 9th release - 6 albums and 3 EP’s - and they are also now on their own label - Diamond West. They were already recording on their own, in their own studio, and they were living a bi-coastal existence with some members in California. So, it really is an organic move, amicably splitting from their origin story label Daptone Records to do their own thing....