Kexp Live Performances Podcast

DJ John Richards drops by to tell you about KEXP's Song of the Day podcast, where you get a DJ-curated song delivered straight to your feed each weekday. You also get to learn some context around the song, right there in the episode description. To enjoy this convenient mode of music discovery, subscribe to KEXP's Song of the Day wherever you get your podcasts. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taking the massive title of First Band to Play Live at KEXP Since the Start of the Pandemic, Nation of Language are more than deserving. While they only just released their first record in 2020, the Brooklyn-based band are making a giant splash with their modern take on new wave. The band chats with John Richards about adapting to post-Covid live shows before jumping into a stellar performance of songs off their new record A Way Forward. Recorded 10/13/2021. Across that Fine Line Wounds of Love This Fractured Mind The Wall & I Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taking the massive title of First Band to Play Live at KEXP Since the Start of the Pandemic, Nation of Language are more than deserving. While they only just released their first record in 2020, the Brooklyn-based band are making a giant splash with their modern take on new wave. The band chats with John Richards about adapting to post-Covid live shows before jumping into a stellar performance of songs off their new record A Way Forward. Recorded 10/13/2021. Across that Fine Line Wounds of Love This Fractured Mind The Wall & I Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With her recent Grammy nomination, Arooj Aftab has made headlines as the very first Pakistani woman to be nominated for the gilded gramophone. While the Best New Artist nomination may be a geographical success, Aftab spoke to Cheryl Waters about how “art can transcend geographical location” and how access to art and the ability to cultivate relationships with other artists is why she’s called New York home for the past 15 years.  Aftab’s latest record, Vulture Prince, is the third from the Berklee College of Music alum and sees her taking influence from South Asian classical music, jazz, and minimalism for a soothing and spiritual record that deserves every ounce of praise. Her four-song set for KEXP with guitarist Gyan Riley and harpist Maeve Gilchrist showcases her transcendental work. Recorded 09/24/2021. Baghon Main Suroor Diya Hai Mohabbat Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With her recent Grammy nomination, Arooj Aftab has made headlines as the very first Pakistani woman to be nominated for the gilded gramophone. While the Best New Artist nomination may be a geographical success, Aftab spoke to Cheryl Waters about how “art can transcend geographical location” and how access to art and the ability to cultivate relationships with other artists is why she’s called New York home for the past 15 years.  Aftab’s latest record, Vulture Prince, is the third from the Berklee College of Music alum and sees her taking influence from South Asian classical music, jazz, and minimalism for a soothing and spiritual record that deserves every ounce of praise. Her four-song set for KEXP with guitarist Gyan Riley and harpist Maeve Gilchrist showcases her transcendental work. Recorded 09/24/2021. Baghon Main Suroor Diya Hai Mohabbat Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson details Mackenzie Scott’s unique trajectory from Southern Baptist band kid to the subversive indie rocker best known as TORRES. While the path to her latest album, 2021’sThirstier, has been long and occasionally bumpy, the common theme of her successes seems to be her connections with creative women. In conversation with Cheryl Waters, Scott recounts how her wife Jenna Gribbon had an incredible influence on getting herself together during the early days of the pandemic to make the sultry, joyous songs that make up Thirstier. Recorded 09/27/2021. Are You Sleepwalking? Don’t Go Putting Wishes In My Head Big Leap Thirstier Watch the full Live on KEXP session here Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson details Mackenzie Scott’s unique trajectory from Southern Baptist band kid to the subversive indie rocker best known as TORRES. While the path to her latest album, 2021’sThirstier, has been long and occasionally bumpy, the common theme of her successes seems to be her connections with creative women. In conversation with Cheryl Waters, Scott recounts how her wife Jenna Gribbon had an incredible influence on getting herself together during the early days of the pandemic to make the sultry, joyous songs that make up Thirstier. Recorded 09/27/2021. Are You Sleepwalking? Don’t Go Putting Wishes In My Head Big Leap Thirstier Watch the full Live on KEXP session here Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finally touring behind her latest Waxahatchee record, Saint Cloud, a year and a half after its release, Katie Crutchfield stops by KEXP to play songs off the album and speaks to Cheryl Waters about the factors that led her to change up her sound and why she wants to “keep it difficult to describe.”  Emily Fox also chats with Crutchfield for Sound & Vision about addiction and codependency and the role sobriety played in the making of Saint Cloud. Recorded 09/16/2021. Can’t Do Much Lilacs Ruby Falls Fire Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finally touring behind her latest Waxahatchee record, Saint Cloud, a year and a half after its release, Katie Crutchfield stops by KEXP to play songs off the album and speaks to Cheryl Waters about the factors that led her to change up her sound and why she wants to “keep it difficult to describe.”  Emily Fox also chats with Crutchfield for Sound & Vision about addiction and codependency and the role sobriety played in the making of Saint Cloud. Recorded 09/16/2021. Can’t Do Much Lilacs Ruby Falls Fire Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For musicians Melina Duterte and Ellen Kemper, the collaborative project Bachelor is not just one of musical expression but also friendship. The week they took away from their solo projects - Jay Som and Palehound, respectively - to make the EP Doomin’ Sun was full of not just music-making but also cooking, hot tubbing, TV watching, and just general bonding. Speaking with Cheryl Waters, the duo share memories of that incredible week, insight into their record-making process, and their thoughts on why they make such great collaborators and friends.  Recorded 08/10/2021. Back of My Hand Sick of Spiraling Anything At All Spin Out Stay In The Car Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For musicians Melina Duterte and Ellen Kemper, the collaborative project Bachelor is not just one of musical expression but also friendship. The week they took away from their solo projects - Jay Som and Palehound, respectively - to make the EP Doomin’ Sun was full of not just music-making but also cooking, hot tubbing, TV watching, and just general bonding. Speaking with Cheryl Waters, the duo share memories of that incredible week, insight into their record-making process, and their thoughts on why they make such great collaborators and friends.  Recorded 08/10/2021. Back of My Hand Sick of Spiraling Anything At All Spin Out Stay In The Car Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the easiest way to categorize Little Simz is as an emcee, her resume goes far beyond just her impeccable flow. For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson traces Little Simz’ history back to age 9 and dissects the various titles the UK artist has held including dancer, actor, and collaborator. Simz then chats with Gabriel Teodros about her faithful relationship with producer InFlo and working with the enigmatic collective Sault. Recorded 08/26/2021. Introvert Woman Venom I Love You I Hate You Rolling Stone Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While the easiest way to categorize Little Simz is as an emcee, her resume goes far beyond just her impeccable flow. For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson traces Little Simz’ history back to age 9 and dissects the various titles the UK artist has held including dancer, actor, and collaborator. Simz then chats with Gabriel Teodros about her faithful relationship with producer InFlo and working with the enigmatic collective Sault. Recorded 08/26/2021. Introvert Woman Venom I Love You I Hate You Rolling Stone Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At only 17-years-old Canadian singer/songwriter Kylie V has been writing and performing their personal brand of dreamy, pensive, lo-fi folk since they were 14. Chatting with KEXP’s DJ Abbie, they chart their humble beginnings in the Vancouver music scene, giving credit to surf rockers Peach Pit as a realization about the accessibility of making music and inspiration for diving into the local music scene to make their DIY rock star dreams come true. Their album 'Big Blue' is available on Bandcamp. Recorded 07/06/2021. On My Mind Solace Big Blue A Story If You Want It All Too Well (Taylor Swift cover) Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At only 17-years-old Canadian singer/songwriter Kylie V has been writing and performing their personal brand of dreamy, pensive, lo-fi folk since they were 14. Chatting with KEXP’s DJ Abbie, they chart their humble beginnings in the Vancouver music scene, giving credit to surf rockers Peach Pit as a realization about the accessibility of making music and inspiration for diving into the local music scene to make their DIY rock star dreams come true. Their album 'Big Blue' is available on Bandcamp. Recorded 07/06/2021. On My Mind Solace Big Blue A Story If You Want It All Too Well (Taylor Swift cover) Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For over 18 years, José González has been a master at constructing soft, contemplative guitar tunes. While, sonically, his latest album ‘Local Valley’ sounds much like his prior work, KEXP’s Larry Mizell Jr. chats with the Swedish/Argentinian musician about how his two children influenced him to inject more playfulness and creativity into his tunes, as well as write songs in his mother tongue of Spanish for the first time. Recorded 09/02/2021. Visions Swing Leaf Off/The Cave Head On El Invento Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For over 18 years, José González has been a master at constructing soft, contemplative guitar tunes. While, sonically, his latest album ‘Local Valley’ sounds much like his prior work, KEXP’s Larry Mizell Jr. chats with the Swedish/Argentinian musician about how his two children influenced him to inject more playfulness and creativity into his tunes, as well as write songs in his mother tongue of Spanish for the first time. Recorded 09/02/2021. Visions Swing Leaf Off/The Cave Head On El Invento Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chrystia Cabral conjures a mystical, magnificent dominion in the music she makes as SPELLLING. For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson uses multiple entendres to tell the story of her fascinating experimental journey from creating songs for crayons to gathering more than 30 musicians to join her for her latest and most fantastical record The Turning Wheel.  Recorded 06/17/2021. Little Deer Always Awaken Boys at School Sweet Talk Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chrystia Cabral conjures a mystical, magnificent dominion in the music she makes as SPELLLING. For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson uses multiple entendres to tell the story of her fascinating experimental journey from creating songs for crayons to gathering more than 30 musicians to join her for her latest and most fantastical record The Turning Wheel.  Recorded 06/17/2021. Little Deer Always Awaken Boys at School Sweet Talk Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mndsgn, the pseudonym of Ringgo Ancheta, is no fresh face on the music scene. Since 2009, he’s been collaborating with incredible artists across the board, from Suzi Analogue and Knxwledge to Prophet and Chai. For his latest Stones Throw record, Rare Pleasure, Ancheta created his most vulnerable album yet, which he opens up to KEXP’s Larry Mizell Jr. about in this week’s episode of Live on KEXP before jumping into a killer set of songs off the album. Recorded 06/09/2021. Hope You’re Doin’ Better Slowdance Medium Rare Colours of the Sunset Feelings Are...The Hardest Words To Say (Alphonso Johnson cover) Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.