Phil Elverum (Mount Eerie, the Microphones) wrote two albums following the death of his wife, Geneviève Castrée. Castrée was a musician, illustrator and cartoonist who was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer four months after giving birth to her first child. She passed away the following year. This week, Elverum discusses the odd enhanced recognition he got from his albums that were written about death. KEXP DJ Kevin Cole talks with an old friend, former radio station program director and musician Jay Mathews about how he used music to cope with his terminal cancer diagnosis. KEXP DJ Cheryl Waters talks about her ongoing recovery from tongue cancer. Listeners share their personal stories of music and cancer.

Read the full interview with Phil Elverum

Read KEXP's piece about the life and works of Geneviève Castrée

Read Kevin Cole's interview with Jay Mathews

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