On the show this time, it’s the rich storytelling of Matt Berninger.  Matt Berninger is, of course, the front-person for The National, a band that has been writing perfect songs to live your life to, since they formed back in 1999.  His first “solo” record, Serpentine Prison, was produced by Memphis legend Booker T Jones, and they started a label together to put it out.  His latest offering is called Get Sunk and it is available on Book Records.

Live on KEXP, Episode 501 - Matt Berninger

On the show this time, it’s the brilliant songs and transcendent singing of Seattle’s own Deep Sea Diver.
Deep Sea Diver is at its core, the dynamic duo of guitarist and singer Jessica Dobson, and drummer Peter Mansen. They released their first EP in 2009, followed up by the albums History Speaks, Secrets, and Impossible Weight.  They played a live session in the Gathering Space at KEXP - with bandmates Elliot Jackson, Kristyn Chapman, and Michael Dondero - to celebrate their latest Billboard Heart.  It is available on Sub Pop Records.

Live on KEXP, Episode 502 - Deep Sea Diver

On the show next time, it’s the fresh original rock of English band Black Country, New Road. It's one of-a-kind sessions from your favorite artists, and from a few, you're about to discover.  From our studios in Seattle it’s Live on KEXP.

Live on KEXP, Episode 503 - Black Country, New Road (Promo)

On the show this time, it’s the fresh original rock of English band Black Country, New Road.
The London based group make delightful music, catchy but unpredictable, poppy - but with elements of classical music, cinematic scores, jazz, choral music, show tunes, and heavy rock.  And that’s really selling them short.  They play music.  Anything is on the table.  Their latest is called Forever Howlong and it is available on Ninja Tune Records.


Live on KEXP, Episode 503 - Black Country, New Road

On the show next time, it’s the inimitable smart-pop of legendary band - They Might Be Giants. It's one of-a-kind sessions from your favorite artists, and from a few, you're about to discover.  From our studios in Seattle it’s Live on KEXP.

Live on KEXP, Episode 504 - They Might Be Giants (Promo)

On the show this time, it’s the inimitable smart-pop of legendary band - They Might Be Giants.
They Might Be Giants have been making records since the early ‘80s, building a legion of hardcore fans, addicted to their charming, clever, catchy, and completely original sound. Since then, they’ve released a massive body of work. They are now on their 23rd full length album.  Their latest is called Book and is available on the band’s own Idlewild Recordings.

Live on KEXP, Episode 504 - They Might Be Giants

On the show next time, it’s the soul-filling songs of Choctaw Nation story-teller Samantha Crain. It's one of-a-kind sessions from your favorite artists, and from a few, you're about to discover.  From our studios in Seattle it’s Live on KEXP.

Live on KEXP, Episode 505 - Samantha Crain (Promo)

On the show this time, it’s the soul-filling songs of Choctaw Nation story-teller Samantha Crain.
Shawnee, Oklahoma native Samantha Crain is foremost a writer.  She’s got characters to introduce, stories to tell, and an original take on country-folk singer-songwriter music.  She has been making recordings since the mid 2000s, putting out her first EP The Confiscation herself, a collection based on 5 of her own short stories.  Her way with words has united a community of musicians who collaborate and contribute to her sound.  Now 7 full albums in, her latest is 2025’s Gumshoe, available on Real Kind Records.


Live on KEXP, Episode 505 - Samantha Crain

On the show next time, it’s the sunny 50’s theme songs of Japanese singer Yuma Abe.  It's one of-a-kind sessions from your favorite artists, and from a few, you're about to discover.  From our studios in Seattle it’s Live on KEXP.

Live on KEXP, Episode 506 - Yuma Abe (Promo)

On the show this time, it’s the sunny 50’s and 60’s movie theme songs of Japanese singer Yuma Abe.
Yuma Abe released his second solo album Hotel New Yuma in December of 2024.  It’s a concept album. The music is based on a fictitious variety show at a hotel “on a warm island, somewhere south of the country”, with Yuma himself as the host of the show. The songs on the record are the theme songs for the variety show.  It is available on White Noise Records.

Live on KEXP, Episode 506 - Yuma Abe

On the show next time, it’s the dreamy psych-rock of Brooklyn band Crumb.  It's one of-a-kind sessions from your favorite artists, and from a few, you're about to discover.  From our studios in Seattle it’s Live on KEXP.

Live on KEXP, Episode 507 - Crumb (Promo)

On the show this time, it’s the dreamy psych-rock of Brooklyn band Crumb.
Brooklyn quartet Crumb started as a college band at Tufts University around 2016.  Singer and guitarist Lila Ramani had a collection of songs that pals Jesse Brotter (on bass and vocals), Bri Aronow (on keys and saxophone), and Jonathan Gilad (on drums) just loved. They experimented with playing them together.  They embraced a wide swath of influences, including indie rock, 60s psych, jazz, and Brazilian pop. Their latest is Amama, available on their own Crumb Records.



Live on KEXP, Episode 507 - Crumb

On the show next time, it’s the epic long-form rock of Texas band This Will Destroy You.  It's one of-a-kind sessions from your favorite artists, and from a few, you're about to discover.  From our studios in Seattle it’s Live on KEXP.

Live on KEXP, Episode 508 - THIS WILL DESTROY YOU (Promo)

Oh-So-Ritmico live vinyl set and interview on Supreme La Rock's Sunday Soul on KEXP during the Emerald City Soul Weekender.

Oh-So-Ritmico on KEXP's Sunday Soul with Supreme La Rock

The obnoxiously named Texas quartet, THIS WILL DESTROY YOU, started recording music in 2005 to have something to sell at shows.  Their first record which they were burning to CD-R themselves, was called Young Mountain. They released 4 more records, recorded with the brilliant producer John Congleton.  Musical and personal differences led to members leaving, and eventually to the current situation, where there are two versions of the band, each with one of the original guitarists.  This performance at KEXP features original member Jeremy Galindo, and songs from Young Mountain, S/T, and Another Language.  There’s one song from Jeremy and original bass player Raymond Brown’s new project - You, Infinite, available on Pelagic Records.

Live on KEXP, Episode 508 - THIS WILL DESTROY YOU

On the show next time, it’s the Northwest dream-pop of Sea Lemon.  It's one of-a-kind sessions from your favorite artists, and from a few, you're about to discover.  From our studios in Seattle it’s Live on KEXP.

Live on KEXP, Episode 509 - Sea Lemon (Promo)

this here is a groovy little rock song by my band Nonmodern.   

The World Won't Listen

Michael Grimes, synths / Douglas Wilkerson, drums / Brad Purkey, guitar and bass guitar / Colt Kraft, vocals

Mixed and Produced by Doug Wilkerson and Michael Grimes

Death Becomes the Light

On the show next time, it’s the ambient norteño of Mexico’s Kevin Kaarl.  It's one of-a-kind sessions from your favorite artists, and from a few, you're about to discover.  From our studios in Seattle it’s Live on KEXP.

Live on KEXP, Episode 510 - Kevin Kaarl (Promo)

California based vinyl dj. Half of Encounters of the Funky Kind collective on a galactic quest to bring some groovy tunes.

We inhabit a space somewhere on the outskirts of avant-jazz and punk rock, Dogs h8 Rats are genre defying, and full of surprises. The music is born of improvisational performances so with a little luck you'll catch the "mistakes and imperfections" now and then, or as Miles Davis once said "Don't fear mistakes, there are none" and that ethos is in clear evidence within the music of Dh8R's. The core of Dh8R's is made up of Douglas Wilkerson and Michael Grimes who collaborate with friends old and new."

❤️ Thank you for buying music from independent artists! We need to pay our rent and electricity bills, feed our cats, buy food, car insurance, and all that other stuff too...You can buy our music on Bandcamp.

I write songs, sing, and play guitar as a solo artist with a little help from my friends, and with my band Nonmodern.  Seattle based.  Also see Weather Theater, A Western Family, and Maxine

New tracks tagged #KEXP