Kexp Live Performances Podcast

This summer, Minneapolis-based synth-pop band Poliça released their sixth studio album Madness via Memphis Industries Records. When they stopped by KEXP in July to play songs off the record, frontwoman Channy Leaneagh spoke with Cheryl Waters about the incorporation of a new band member of sorts, an anthropomorphic production tool designed by producer Ryan Olson and the sound-artist Seth Rosetter called “AllOvers(c)” which added an eerie element to the band’s icey sound. For an extra gift, we’re sharing a snippet from labelmates Tokyo Police Club’s KEXP in-studio session from 2008. Recorded 07/07/2022. Sweet Memz Blood Madness Amongster Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago’s KAINA makes dreamy indie R&B songs that serve as affirmations of joy for the Guatamalen-Venezuelan artist. She released her impressive sophomore record It Was a Home back in March, featuring collaborations with Helado Negro, Sleater-Kinney, and Sen Morimoto. She stopped by KEXP over the summer to play a gorgeous set of songs off the record and spoke with Gabriel Teodros about coming up in Chicago’s youth music programs, the role family plays in her new record, and building a home. As an extra gift, we include a snippet from Sen Morimoto’s KEXP in-studio session from last year featuring KAINA on backing vocals. Recorded 06/20/2022. Anybody Can Be In Love Good Feeling Friend of Mine Golden Mirror Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago’s KAINA makes dreamy indie R&B songs that serve as affirmations of joy for the Guatamalen-Venezuelan artist. She released her impressive sophomore record It Was a Home back in March, featuring collaborations with Helado Negro, Sleater-Kinney, and Sen Morimoto. She stopped by KEXP over the summer to play a gorgeous set of songs off the record and spoke with Gabriel Teodros about coming up in Chicago’s youth music programs, the role family plays in her new record, and building a home. As an extra gift, we include a snippet from Sen Morimoto’s KEXP in-studio session from last year featuring KAINA on backing vocals. Recorded 06/20/2022. Anybody Can Be In Love Good Feeling Friend of Mine Golden Mirror Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the nearly 30-year lifespan of Arizona-bred band Calexico, they’ve incorporated a bevy of Latin sounds into their personal brand of rock and roll. As frontman Joey Burns told DJ Miss Ashley in this episode of Live on KEXP, “I felt like North America needs to get over itself and embrace diversity. Felt good to raise the middle finger to people who are uptight.”  Their new record, El Mirador, continues that path of world-inspiration despite being confined to a home studio made out of shipping containers during the pandemic. This episode sees the band play four songs off the new album for their latest of many performances for KEXP. Recorded 06/05/2022. Caldera Then You Might See Rancho Azul Cumbia Del Polvo Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the nearly 30-year lifespan of Arizona-bred band Calexico, they’ve incorporated a bevy of Latin sounds into their personal brand of rock and roll. As frontman Joey Burns told DJ Miss Ashley in this episode of Live on KEXP, “I felt like North America needs to get over itself and embrace diversity. Felt good to raise the middle finger to people who are uptight.”  Their new record, El Mirador, continues that path of world-inspiration despite being confined to a home studio made out of shipping containers during the pandemic. This episode sees the band play four songs off the new album for their latest of many performances for KEXP. Recorded 06/05/2022. Caldera Then You Might See Rancho Azul Cumbia Del Polvo Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the release of his debut album Eulogy for Evolution fifteen years ago, Ólafur Arnalds has become something of a mainstream success, earning placements in films like The Hunger Games and Looper and receiving a Grammy nomination for his 2020 song with Bonobo “Loom.” All of this may be surprising considering he makes instrumental, piano-based soundscapes that don’t exactly scream “mainstream.” But the emotion he’s able to convey through his music reaches a wide range of people who maybe wouldn’t necessarily gravitate towards instrumental music. This summer he stopped by KEXP for an emotional performance that, according to his conversation with Cheryl Waters, is about being ready for love and opening your heart to the possibility of it. This performance, as well as prior KEXP performances by frequent Arnalds collaborator Nils Frahm and Icelandic icon Jonsi, are included in this week’s episode. Recorded 06/09/2022. Happiness Does Not Wait Momentary Saman We Contain Multitudes Support the show: https

Since the release of his debut album Eulogy for Evolution fifteen years ago, Ólafur Arnalds has become something of a mainstream success, earning placements in films like The Hunger Games and Looper and receiving a Grammy nomination for his 2020 song with Bonobo “Loom.” All of this may be surprising considering he makes instrumental, piano-based soundscapes that don’t exactly scream “mainstream.” But the emotion he’s able to convey through his music reaches a wide range of people who maybe wouldn’t necessarily gravitate towards instrumental music. This summer he stopped by KEXP for an emotional performance that, according to his conversation with Cheryl Waters, is about being ready for love and opening your heart to the possibility of it. This performance, as well as prior KEXP performances by frequent Arnalds collaborator Nils Frahm and Icelandic icon Jonsi, are included in this week’s episode. Recorded 06/09/2022. Happiness Does Not Wait Momentary Saman We Contain Multitudes Support the show: https

Canadian artist Rochelle Jordan has been making downtempo R&B for over a decade now, blending 90s pop, vintage UK house and garage, electronic and progressive hip-hop for a unique and sensual sound. During her in-studio session for KEXP earlier this summer, she spoke with Larry Mizell Jr. about the inspirations behind her new record, 'Play with the Changes,' and played a dazzling set of four songs off the album. As a bonus, we share a snippet from our 2019 sessions with acclaimed R&B artist Georgia Anne Muldrow and Declaime. Recorded 06/08/2022. Already Dancing Elephants Lay All Along Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian artist Rochelle Jordan has been making downtempo R&B for over a decade now, blending 90s pop, vintage UK house and garage, electronic and progressive hip-hop for a unique and sensual sound. During her in-studio session for KEXP earlier this summer, she spoke with Larry Mizell Jr. about the inspirations behind her new record, 'Play with the Changes,' and played a dazzling set of four songs off the album. As a bonus, we share a snippet from our 2019 sessions with acclaimed R&B artist Georgia Anne Muldrow and Declaime. Recorded 06/08/2022. Already Dancing Elephants Lay All Along Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese-born, Vancouver-based musician Yu Su makes propulsive and evocative electronic that intends to bridge the gap between her motherland and her new Pacific Northwest home. On this episode of Live on KEXP, the composer, DJ, and sound artist speaks to Mike Ramos about the significance of the title of her latest album, Yellow River Blue, her tough journey towards feeling comfortable in her new home, and how accessibility to electronic programs helped her on her journey towards the pop dance sound she found on the new record Recorded 06/02/2021. Xiu Klein Gleam Melaleuca Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube This episode was originally published on September 28, 2021.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese-born, Vancouver-based musician Yu Su makes propulsive and evocative electronic that intends to bridge the gap between her motherland and her new Pacific Northwest home. On this episode of Live on KEXP, the composer, DJ, and sound artist speaks to Mike Ramos about the significance of the title of her latest album, Yellow River Blue, her tough journey towards feeling comfortable in her new home, and how accessibility to electronic programs helped her on her journey towards the pop dance sound she found on the new record Recorded 06/02/2021. Xiu Klein Gleam Melaleuca Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube This episode was originally published on September 28, 2021.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Formerly known as A Tribe Called Red, The Halluci Nation's Tim "2oolman" Hill and Ehren "Bear Witness" Thomas make what is often labelled as “powwow-step,” blending hip hop, reggae, moombahton, and dubstep with elements of First Nations music. The result is a type of dance music that’s powerful in its ability to be both fun and carry an important message. The duo chat with Gabriel Teodros about amplifying activist voices then play a whirlwind set of nine songs for this week’s Live on KEXP episode. As a bonus, we also share a track from Alaskan Indigenous artist Ya Tseen recorded for Live on KEXP at Home in 2021. Recorded 05/06/2022. JHD Ba Na Na The OG Crow Hop Fresh & Clean Land Back Bread & Cheese The Offering Tanokumbia Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Formerly known as A Tribe Called Red, The Halluci Nation's Tim "2oolman" Hill and Ehren "Bear Witness" Thomas make what is often labelled as “powwow-step,” blending hip hop, reggae, moombahton, and dubstep with elements of First Nations music. The result is a type of dance music that’s powerful in its ability to be both fun and carry an important message. The duo chat with Gabriel Teodros about amplifying activist voices then play a whirlwind set of nine songs for this week’s Live on KEXP episode. As a bonus, we also share a track from Alaskan Indigenous artist Ya Tseen recorded for Live on KEXP at Home in 2021. Recorded 05/06/2022. JHD Ba Na Na The OG Crow Hop Fresh & Clean Land Back Bread & Cheese The Offering Tanokumbia Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooklyn-based band Lucius blew into the KEXP Live Room back in June with a barrage of bedazzled instruments and beguiling harmonies. Speaking with Cheryl Waters, vocalists Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig spoke about how divorce, the pandemic, and their friendship with each other influenced their latest album Second Nature in the midst of a set of songs from the 2022 record. As an added bonus, we connect the dots between Lucius and their recent collaborators The War on Drugs and Brandi Carlile to share snippets of the two artists’ prior KEXP in-studio sessions from 2017 and 2018, respectively. Recorded 06/10/2022. 24 The Man I’ll Never Find Promises Next to Normal Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooklyn-based band Lucius blew into the KEXP Live Room back in June with a barrage of bedazzled instruments and beguiling harmonies. Speaking with Cheryl Waters, vocalists Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig spoke about how divorce, the pandemic, and their friendship with each other influenced their latest album Second Nature in the midst of a set of songs from the 2022 record. As an added bonus, we connect the dots between Lucius and their recent collaborators The War on Drugs and Brandi Carlile to share snippets of the two artists’ prior KEXP in-studio sessions from 2017 and 2018, respectively. Recorded 06/10/2022. 24 The Man I’ll Never Find Promises Next to Normal Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in May, Barbi Recanati made the massive journey from Buenos Aires to Seattle to not only play an incredible in-studio session but also to announce, alongside KEXP’s Albina Cabrera, that KEXP would be making a similar journey for a four-day music festival highlighting the diverse sounds of Argentina. That festival just wrapped on September 23rd but Recanati’s in-studio is getting some extra love on this week’s Live on KEXP. Before playing three songs off her Grammy-nominated, Gardel Award-winning album Ubicación en Tiempo Real and one off her debut solo EP, 2018’s Teoría Espacial, Troy Nelson gives us some background on the feminist singer, songwriter, guitarist, podcaster, and record label-owner. For an extra boost of Latinx sounds, we’re also featuring a snippet from Y La Bamba’s KEXP in-studio session from 2017. Both artists have songs included on KEXP’s new compilation album, Live at KEXP Volume 10. Recorded 05/25/2022. Que No En La Frenta Para Darte Frágil Watch the full Live on KEXP sessio

Back in May, Barbi Recanati made the massive journey from Buenos Aires to Seattle to not only play an incredible in-studio session but also to announce, alongside KEXP’s Albina Cabrera, that KEXP would be making a similar journey for a four-day music festival highlighting the diverse sounds of Argentina. That festival just wrapped on September 23rd but Recanati’s in-studio is getting some extra love on this week’s Live on KEXP. Before playing three songs off her Grammy-nominated, Gardel Award-winning album Ubicación en Tiempo Real and one off her debut solo EP, 2018’s Teoría Espacial, Troy Nelson gives us some background on the feminist singer, songwriter, guitarist, podcaster, and record label-owner. For an extra boost of Latinx sounds, we’re also featuring a snippet from Y La Bamba’s KEXP in-studio session from 2017. Both artists have songs included on KEXP’s new compilation album, Live at KEXP Volume 10. Recorded 05/25/2022. Que No En La Frenta Para Darte Frágil Watch the full Live on KEXP sessio

London-based singer-songwriter Nilüfer Yanya quickly became an artist to watch with her 2019 debut, Miss Universe. The album was a thrilling exploration of her widely varied influences, diverse upbringing, and raw talent. This year’s sophomore album, Painless, finds her settling into a more focused sound without sacrificing any of the fervent power and emotional range that made her stand out in the first place. In this KEXP session, Yanya talks to host Cheryl Waters about how the collaborative process of the new album helped her trust her instincts and how she aimed to create a more sonically cohesive record. At the end of the episode, we revisit a song from her 2019 KEXP session. Recorded 05/23/2022. midnight sun the dealer L/R stabilise In Your Head (bonus) Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

London-based singer-songwriter Nilüfer Yanya quickly became an artist to watch with her 2019 debut, Miss Universe. The album was a thrilling exploration of her widely varied influences, diverse upbringing, and raw talent. This year’s sophomore album, Painless, finds her settling into a more focused sound without sacrificing any of the fervent power and emotional range that made her stand out in the first place. In this KEXP session, Yanya talks to host Cheryl Waters about how the collaborative process of the new album helped her trust her instincts and how she aimed to create a more sonically cohesive record. At the end of the episode, we revisit a song from her 2019 KEXP session. Recorded 05/23/2022. midnight sun the dealer L/R stabilise In Your Head (bonus) Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the late ‘90s, Chk Chk Chk have been making dancey disco-punk that, as KEXP’s Cheryl Waters puts it, has been “rewriting the rules of dance music for more than 20 years.” The band, currently made up of Nic Offer, Meah Pace, Mario Andreoni, Dan Gorman, Rafael Cohen, and Chris Egan, stopped by KEXP early this summer to play songs off their latest record Let It Be Blue. There, they spoke about leaning into circumstances and the intimate relationships between friends. Alongside that performance, we’ve included a snippet of their performance from KEXP’s 50th Anniversary Party as well as their 2017 performance at our Gathering Space. It’s an episode chock-full of Chk Chk Chk. Recorded 05/13/2022. This Is Pop 2 Panama Canal Storm Around the World Un Puente Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.