A Deeper Listen

The psychedelic indie pop project Of Montreal has put out more than 20 albums since their debut in 1997. The latest album, 'Freewave Lucifer fck,' is an experiment in “painting with sound” through despair and euphoria. The band’s frontperson Kevin Barnes talks with Roddy Nikpour about their vision for their latest release.

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In our series about “breaking” artists on KEXP, Emily Fox talks to "The Roadhouse" DJ Greg Vandy about Courtney Marie Andrews and Daniel Norgren. She then talks to KEXP's resident jazz-expert, John Gilbreath, about Kassa Overall and Kris Davis.

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The Washington-born duo ODESZA is now out with their fourth studio album, 'The Last Goodbye.' Rachel Stevens talks to band members Clayton Knight and Harrison Mills about what Seattle means to them and to this album.

But first, Rachel and KEXP's resident ODESZA expert, Eva Walker, do a short review on the new album.

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Introducing a new Sound & Vision mini-series, “Break It," where we talk to KEXP DJs about how they “break” an artist.

Rachel Stevens talks to Marco Collins about Garbage, Weezer, and many more 90s darlings. Emily Fox talks to John Richards about the Lumineers, Phantogram, numerous other artists, and what it’s like to know Jimmy Fallon is listening.

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James Smith found out that Sir Elton John is a fan of his band Yard Act, so he had the courage to ask for a collaboration. KEXP’s Rachel Stevens asks James what it’s like to work with Elton John — and how you politely tell Elton John to try something a little different after the first draft.

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Miki Ratsula recently released a covers EP which changes lyrics of some of their favorite songs to be gender neutral. KEXP’s Rachel Stevens talks to Miki about what coming out as non-binary means for their life and music.

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Emily Fox talks with KEXP DJs Evie Stokes and Larry Mizell Jr. about the top five played songs of 2022 on KEXP thus far. Some are true bangers and some are because we are nothing if not loyal to the artists we love. Find out where your favorites have landed!

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Atlanta rapper, actor and activist Killer Mike released a new solo single called “Run” this week. It’s Killer Mike’s first solo release in a decade and his first music not produced by El-P, his partner in Run the Jewels, since 2011. The new song features Young Thug and an intro by Dave Chappelle. It’s also no coincidence that he released the song on the Fourth of July.

KEXP’s Larry Mizell Jr. speaks with Killer Mike about the continued struggle of being Black in America, and how it inspired his track “Run.”

Killer Mike says of the song, "it's relit a fire in me to make more records reflective of what I feel like is the Black experience in this country and beyond.”

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On June 24, 2022 the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade after nearly 50 years. The constitutional right to an abortion no longer exists. This news has shaken many communities, including the music industry. KEXP’s Rachel Stevens talks with Ani DiFranco, Adia Victoria, and Amanda Palmer about their experiences with abortion and the songs they’ve written about it.

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Zola Jesus breaks down a few songs from her new album, 'Arkhon.' She discusses her Russian and Ukrainian heritage, her battles with anxiety and depression, and how she uses music to heal. She also talks about some of the issues facing independent musicians, like the exhaustion of touring and releasing music without time to reflect, and trying to stay relevant in a society looking for viral hits.

“The only things that are being rewarded are the things that get the most popular and the only way to get popular is to stimulate the attention of people in a very immediate and primal way,” she says.

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