Indie rockers and former Tacoma locals Widowspeak released their sixth studio album The Jacket in Spring 2022 as a semi-concept album loosely telling the story a chain stitcher turned New York rocker. Vocalist Molly Hamilton relayed to Cheryl Waters in this episode of Live on KEXP the story behind the album before launching into four dreamy tracks off the record as well as professing their love for radio (which we don’t mind one bit).

Recorded 07/28/2022.

1. While You Wait
2. The Drive
3. True Blue
4. Everything Is Simple

Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul bring politics to the dancefloor but it’s not as depressing as you might think. Instead the heavy topics of racism and xenophobia are handled with humor and wit on the Belgian duo’s debut Topical Dancer and their KEXP in-studio session is a hip-swinging celebration full of wry laughs and groovy basslines. 

For an extra dose of international electronic grooves, we also share an excerpt from our 2016 session with Mexico City-based duo Sotomayor.

Recorded 05/20/2022.

1. Blenda
2. Stop Making Sense
3. Haha
4. Ceci n’est pas un cliché

Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul bring politics to the dancefloor but it’s not as depressing as you might think. Instead the heavy topics of racism and xenophobia are handled with humor and wit on the Belgian duo’s debut Topical Dancer and their KEXP in-studio session is a hip-swinging celebration full of wry laughs and groovy basslines. 

For an extra dose of international electronic grooves, we also share an excerpt from our 2016 session with Mexico City-based duo Sotomayor.

Recorded 05/20/2022.

1. Blenda
2. Stop Making Sense
3. Haha
4. Ceci n’est pas un cliché

Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This summer, Minneapolis-based synth-pop band Poliça released their sixth studio album Madness via Memphis Industries Records. When they stopped by KEXP in July to play songs off the record, frontwoman Channy Leaneagh spoke with Cheryl Waters about the incorporation of a new band member of sorts, an anthropomorphic production tool designed by producer Ryan Olson and the sound-artist Seth Rosetter called “AllOvers(c)” which added an eerie element to the band’s icey sound.

For an extra gift, we’re sharing a snippet from labelmates Tokyo Police Club’s KEXP in-studio session from 2008.

Recorded 07/07/2022.

1. Sweet Memz
2. Blood
3. Madness
4. Amongster

Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This summer, Minneapolis-based synth-pop band Poliça released their sixth studio album Madness via Memphis Industries Records. When they stopped by KEXP in July to play songs off the record, frontwoman Channy Leaneagh spoke with Cheryl Waters about the incorporation of a new band member of sorts, an anthropomorphic production tool designed by producer Ryan Olson and the sound-artist Seth Rosetter called “AllOvers(c)” which added an eerie element to the band’s icey sound.

For an extra gift, we’re sharing a snippet from labelmates Tokyo Police Club’s KEXP in-studio session from 2008.

Recorded 07/07/2022.

1. Sweet Memz
2. Blood
3. Madness
4. Amongster

Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago’s KAINA makes dreamy indie R&B songs that serve as affirmations of joy for the Guatamalen-Venezuelan artist. She released her impressive sophomore record It Was a Home back in March, featuring collaborations with Helado Negro, Sleater-Kinney, and Sen Morimoto. She stopped by KEXP over the summer to play a gorgeous set of songs off the record and spoke with Gabriel Teodros about coming up in Chicago’s youth music programs, the role family plays in her new record, and building a home.

As an extra gift, we include a snippet from Sen Morimoto’s KEXP in-studio session from last year featuring KAINA on backing vocals.

Recorded 06/20/2022.

1. Anybody Can Be In Love
2. Good Feeling
3. Friend of Mine
4. Golden Mirror

Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chicago’s KAINA makes dreamy indie R&B songs that serve as affirmations of joy for the Guatamalen-Venezuelan artist. She released her impressive sophomore record It Was a Home back in March, featuring collaborations with Helado Negro, Sleater-Kinney, and Sen Morimoto. She stopped by KEXP over the summer to play a gorgeous set of songs off the record and spoke with Gabriel Teodros about coming up in Chicago’s youth music programs, the role family plays in her new record, and building a home.

As an extra gift, we include a snippet from Sen Morimoto’s KEXP in-studio session from last year featuring KAINA on backing vocals.

Recorded 06/20/2022.

1. Anybody Can Be In Love
2. Good Feeling
3. Friend of Mine
4. Golden Mirror

Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the nearly 30-year lifespan of Arizona-bred band Calexico, they’ve incorporated a bevy of Latin sounds into their personal brand of rock and roll. As frontman Joey Burns told DJ Miss Ashley in this episode of Live on KEXP, “I felt like North America needs to get over itself and embrace diversity. Felt good to raise the middle finger to people who are uptight.” 

Their new record, El Mirador, continues that path of world-inspiration despite being confined to a home studio made out of shipping containers during the pandemic. This episode sees the band play four songs off the new album for their latest of many performances for KEXP.

Recorded 06/05/2022.

1. Caldera
2. Then You Might See
3. Rancho Azul
4. Cumbia Del Polvo

Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the nearly 30-year lifespan of Arizona-bred band Calexico, they’ve incorporated a bevy of Latin sounds into their personal brand of rock and roll. As frontman Joey Burns told DJ Miss Ashley in this episode of Live on KEXP, “I felt like North America needs to get over itself and embrace diversity. Felt good to raise the middle finger to people who are uptight.” 

Their new record, El Mirador, continues that path of world-inspiration despite being confined to a home studio made out of shipping containers during the pandemic. This episode sees the band play four songs off the new album for their latest of many performances for KEXP.

Recorded 06/05/2022.

1. Caldera
2. Then You Might See
3. Rancho Azul
4. Cumbia Del Polvo

Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since the release of his debut album Eulogy for Evolution fifteen years ago, Ólafur Arnalds has become something of a mainstream success, earning placements in films like The Hunger Games and Looper and receiving a Grammy nomination for his 2020 song with Bonobo “Loom.” All of this may be surprising considering he makes instrumental, piano-based soundscapes that don’t exactly scream “mainstream.” But the emotion he’s able to convey through his music reaches a wide range of people who maybe wouldn’t necessarily gravitate towards instrumental music.

This summer he stopped by KEXP for an emotional performance that, according to his conversation with Cheryl Waters, is about being ready for love and opening your heart to the possibility of it. This performance, as well as prior KEXP performances by frequent Arnalds collaborator Nils Frahm and Icelandic icon Jonsi, are included in this week’s episode.

Recorded 06/09/2022.

1. Happiness Does Not Wait

2. Momentary

3. Saman

4. We Contain Multitudes

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.