Kexp Live Performances Podcast

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 juggernaut - now featuring Nikki “Pickle” Smith from Death Valley Girls and Nick Aguilar, previous touring drummer for Mike Watt of the legendary Minutemen. The new album is called 'Data Doom' and is available on Greenway Records. Recorded 08/31/2023. Empire Burn Me Down Mild Davis Futurephobic Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 juggernaut - now featuring Nikki “Pickle” Smith from Death Valley Girls and Nick Aguilar, previous touring drummer for Mike Watt of the legendary Minutemen. The new album is called 'Data Doom' and is available on Greenway Records. Recorded 08/31/2023. Empire Burn Me Down Mild Davis Futurephobic Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 - “Buka” - from her 2020 release, 'Home.' Recorded 07/09/2022. 24.03 Ghosts Komeda Part 3 Buka Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 - “Buka” - from her 2020 release, 'Home.' Recorded 07/09/2022. 24.03 Ghosts Komeda Part 3 Buka Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 full-studio productions. The band has changed over the years too, but at the moment is a wonderfully cohesive group - Peter Hughes on bass, Matt Douglas on sax/keys and 2nd guitar, and rockin’ Jon Wurster on drums. His latest is “Jenny From Thebes” - his 22nd full length album, and it’s available on Merge Records. Recorded 08/08/2023. Make You Suffer The Slow Parts on Death Metal Albums Clean Slate Hostages Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener

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 full-studio productions. The band has changed over the years too, but at the moment is a wonderfully cohesive group - Peter Hughes on bass, Matt Douglas on sax/keys and 2nd guitar, and rockin’ Jon Wurster on drums. His latest is “Jenny From Thebes” - his 22nd full length album, and it’s available on Merge Records. Recorded 08/08/2023. Make You Suffer The Slow Parts on Death Metal Albums Clean Slate Hostages Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener

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. Continuing their run of epic-sounding cinematic instrumental dramas, their first release on this imprint is the EP 'Frontier’s Edge.' Recorded 08/25/2023. Frontier’s Edge Crescent Blade Long in the Tooth Gun Metal Grey Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Continuing their run of epic-sounding cinematic instrumental dramas, their first release on this imprint is the EP 'Frontier’s Edge.' Recorded 08/25/2023. Frontier’s Edge Crescent Blade Long in the Tooth Gun Metal Grey Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the experiment-Americana of Boise, Idaho’s Trevor Powers and his band Youth Lagoon. Youth Lagoon returns, renewed and refreshed to the studio and to the road. After the project's debut in 2011, and the following 2 albums, songwriter Trevor Powers announced the end of the band after only 5 years, in 2016. He needed to move on, and released two albums under his own name. Never say never though - after surviving some severe unexpected health problems in 2021 Trevor found himself reconnecting with the parts of himself, he had left behind. Self-acceptance and love brought a new perspective, and he resurrected Youth Lagoon with the release of the latest album 'Heaven Is A Junkyard,' available on Fat Possum Records. Recorded 07/13/2023. Rabbit Prizefighter Deep Red Sea Idaho Alien Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the experiment-Americana of Boise, Idaho’s Trevor Powers and his band Youth Lagoon. Youth Lagoon returns, renewed and refreshed to the studio and to the road. After the project's debut in 2011, and the following 2 albums, songwriter Trevor Powers announced the end of the band after only 5 years, in 2016. He needed to move on, and released two albums under his own name. Never say never though - after surviving some severe unexpected health problems in 2021 Trevor found himself reconnecting with the parts of himself, he had left behind. Self-acceptance and love brought a new perspective, and he resurrected Youth Lagoon with the release of the latest album 'Heaven Is A Junkyard,' available on Fat Possum Records. Recorded 07/13/2023. Rabbit Prizefighter Deep Red Sea Idaho Alien Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time it’s Palestinian-Jordanian band 47SOUL.  47SOUL is named for the year 1947, which was the year before the Palestinian Nakba and the last year people could move freely from place to place in Bilad Al-Sham, or The Levant. The band fuses a traditional Arabic dance form - Dabke - with electronic hip hop, rock, reggae, and reggaeton to create what is known as Shamstep. This is refugee art, this is anti-border music. The band often says - “Every land is a holy land, seeking recognition.”  Recorded 09/23/2019. Machina Gamar Marked Safe Intro To Shamstep Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s a celebration of connection - to lineage and to land with Black Belt Eagle Scout. Black Belt Eagle Scout is the recording project of Katherine "KP" Paul.  She’s been steadily creating indigenous-Swinomish-woman meets Pacific-Northwest indie-rock-and-punk since her self-titled debut EP in 2014.  Her 3rd full length and latest album “The Land, The Water, The Sky” is available on Saddle Creek Records. Recorded 05/08/2023. Fancy Dance Nobody Don't Give Up On the River Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s a celebration of connection - to lineage and to land with Black Belt Eagle Scout. Black Belt Eagle Scout is the recording project of Katherine "KP" Paul.  She’s been steadily creating indigenous-Swinomish-woman meets Pacific-Northwest indie-rock-and-punk since her self-titled debut EP in 2014.  Her 3rd full length and latest album “The Land, The Water, The Sky” is available on Saddle Creek Records. Recorded 05/08/2023. Fancy Dance Nobody Don't Give Up On the River Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the new motorik psych-pop of Seattle’s own Spirit Award. Spirit Award is the creative project of singer / guitarist Daniel Lyon. He combines catchy energetic post-punk psych-pop with pensive analytical lyrics, arriving at a surprisingly loving and accessible sound, considering the weight of the content. His all star cast of collaborators includes co-producer Trevor Spencer, bassist Chris Jordan and drummer Andrew King. Their latest album 'The Fear' is available on Share It Music. Recorded 05/18/2023. Western Violence Pushing Forward Unlock the Door Guilt and Shame Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the new motorik psych-pop of Seattle’s own Spirit Award. Spirit Award is the creative project of singer / guitarist Daniel Lyon. He combines catchy energetic post-punk psych-pop with pensive analytical lyrics, arriving at a surprisingly loving and accessible sound, considering the weight of the content. His all star cast of collaborators includes co-producer Trevor Spencer, bassist Chris Jordan and drummer Andrew King. Their latest album 'The Fear' is available on Share It Music. Recorded 05/18/2023. Western Violence Pushing Forward Unlock the Door Guilt and Shame Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the next generation of Tuareg music - the desert rock of Tamikrest. According to their bio, in the Tamasheq language, Tamikrest means “connection.”  The group members come from Mali, Niger, Algeria and France.  Their music takes root in Ishumar “rebel music” Rock, or Tuareg Blues….and it flowers - expanding as they explore and include their ever widening set of influences. Their singer Ousman Ag Mosa lives, as he says, “everywhere in the desert” - because he is a nomad. Generally he walks somewhere south of Algeria and north of Mali.  The Tamasheq people want to preserve their culture, their way of life, and their land.  He sings in Tamasheq, to keep their poems, history and the music alive.  Their latest album “Tamotäit” is available on Glitterbeat Records. Recorded May 31, 2023 Awnafin Azawad As Sastnan Hidjan Imanin bas zihoun Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the next generation of Tuareg music - the desert rock of Tamikrest. According to their bio, in the Tamasheq language, Tamikrest means “connection.”  The group members come from Mali, Niger, Algeria and France.  Their music takes root in Ishumar “rebel music” Rock, or Tuareg Blues….and it flowers - expanding as they explore and include their ever widening set of influences. Their singer Ousman Ag Mosa lives, as he says, “everywhere in the desert” - because he is a nomad. Generally he walks somewhere south of Algeria and north of Mali.  The Tamasheq people want to preserve their culture, their way of life, and their land.  He sings in Tamasheq, to keep their poems, history and the music alive.  Their latest album “Tamotäit” is available on Glitterbeat Records. Recorded May 31, 2023 Awnafin Azawad As Sastnan Hidjan Imanin bas zihoun Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it's the danceable dreamtronica of producer/DJ Nabihah Iqbal. British musician Nabihah Iqbal is a true music-lover. She plays multiple instruments, produces, DJs, and she has a degree in African history and ethnomusicology. (She’s a lawyer too, by the way.) She can rock you on guitar or push you out onto the dance floor with equal panache. She overcame a mountain of obstacles and setbacks to create her latest record. It is called 'Dreamer' and is available on Ninja Tune Records. Recorded 06/05/2023. Dreamer This World Couldn't See Us Gentle Heart Closer Lover Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.