A Deeper Listen

As part of our Northwest Classics series, KEXP DJ Marco Collins talks with music journalist Charles R. Cross about the legacy of The Postal Service and how the group’s method of producing music remotely is relevant during COVID-19. We also hear Ben Gibbard’s new track, "Life in Quarantine."

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Many Seattle-area venues say they can only muster 8-9 weeks of being closed amid coronavirus until they have to shut down permanently. Washington State’s governor has extended shelter in place orders until at least May 4, which will put local venues at about the eight week mark. Even if venues can open on May 4, they won’t have performances ready. Venues often have to book performances months in advance and many musicians have cancelled their tours completely for 2020. Members of the newly formed Washington Nightlife and Music Association talk about the current state of music venues and the five steps that need to happen in order for them to survive. Plus we hear from listeners about the songs that make them hopeful.

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M. Ward has just released a new album called 'Migration Stories.' He talks about his family's personal story of migration and the other migration stories he's been told or read about along the way that inspired the new record. 

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Since the coronavirus pandemic hit, musicians have cancelled their tours and venues have closed indefinitely. This episode explores how musicians and artists are taking their craft online to reach their audience. We report on how Twitch, a platform most known for streaming video games, has become a place for musicians to monetize their livestream performances. Musician Hollis Wong-Wear talks about how her performances and presentations at SXSW were cancelled due to COVID-19 and how she’s now taking her music and “Hollis Does Brunch" series, where she combines food and performance, to Youtube and Twitch. Meanwhile, Seattle choreographer Kate Wallich has found great success taking her “Dance Church” classes online amid COVID-19, with 10,000 streams a class. We also hear what songs are helping listeners get through social isolation.

Check out Hollis Wong-Wear's "Hollis Does Brunch" series on YouTube or Twitch

Catch one of Kate Wallich's "Dance Church" live streams

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We explore the stories of three musicians who work day jobs to supplement their work as artists. First is Lesli Wood, who fronts the band Skates! As a lawyer by day, she used to have to hide her tattoos and neon hair in court in order to be taken seriously. Then, we meet Mark Arm of the iconic Seattle grunge band, Mudhoney. His day job is stuffing records and managing the warehouse for the record label his band is on, Sub Pop. Lastly, we talk to Geo. He’s best known for his Seattle hip-hop group, Blue Scholars, but his main job now is running two acclaimed café/bars in Seattle called “Hood Famous."

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.