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Jewish composers behind top Christmas songs, best non-traditional Christmas tunes and Christmas covers Dec 24, 2019

Show notes

We hear how Jewish composers wrote many of the most popular Christmas songs, including "White Christmas," "Let It Snow," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and more. KEXP’s Brian Foss shares his favorite non-traditional Christmas songs and KEXP’s Owen Murphy and Troy Nelson share their favorite covers of Christmas songs.

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

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Angel Olsen, ‘Switched on Pop’ and cover songs Dec 17, 2019

Show notes

Angel Olsen discusses her latest album, ‘All Mirrors,’ how her rising fame has tested her closest relationships and the strength of learning to be on her own. Producer John Congleton breaks down the production of Angel Olsen’s song, “All Mirrors.” The hosts of the ‘Switched on Pop’ podcast break down the musical elements of some of the decade’s top pop hits as discussed in their new book, ‘Switched on Pop: How Popular Music Works, and Why it Matters.’ KEXP’s Owen Murphy and Troy Nelson talk about how some of the best songs came about accidentally in recording studios, and how Miya Folick takes Death Cab For Cutie’s song, “I’ll Follow You into the Dark” to another level in her cover version of the song.

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

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The dark side of K-Pop, SYML on overnight pop stardom, Madame Gandhi on the power of femininity Dec 10, 2019

Show notes

The coauthor of Bloomberg’s story, “K-Pop’s Dark Side: Assault, Prostitution, Suicide and Spycams” talks about how the K-Pop music industry functions and how it’s been riddled with controversies this year. We learn how a suburban dad became an indie pop star overnight under the name SYML, and what that name means to him. Madame Gandhi talks about misogyny in pop culture and why it’s important to value feminine energy in leadership. We explore why Vashon Island off the coast of Seattle is home to so many big name musicians.

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

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“We breathe in melancholy and we breathe out joy” – Highlights from Iceland Airwaves 2019 Dec 03, 2019

Show notes

John Richards talks about his favorite performances at Iceland Airwaves and the financial struggles musicians are facing in that country. Icelandic musicians discuss how the harsh weather impacts their creativity, why there seems to be such a high concentration of musicians in the small country and how so many musicians collaborate across bands and projects.

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

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Brittany Howard, Thunderpussy, Mary Lambert and Hollis Wong-Wear on channeling their experiences through music Nov 26, 2019

Show notes

Brittany Howard says her song “Goat Head” is about society’s reaction to her parents’ interracial marriage in Alabama. She also talks about the “gay R&B song” she wrote about musician Georgia Anne Muldrow. Thunderpussy talks about female empowerment and diversifying their sound on their new EP, ‘Milk It.’ Mary Lambert says her experiences of mental health and sexual assault weave through her latest album, ‘Grief Creature.’ Hollis Wong-Wear talks about how poetry and her mother’s hustle starting up a Chinese restaurant as an immigrant inform her music career.

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

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Death and Music Nov 19, 2019

Show notes

We share stories of loss and how music can help us heal and process our grief. We’ll hear stories from listeners, musicians and John and Amy Richards.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iceland’s DIY music scene Nov 12, 2019

Show notes

KEXP’s Dusty Henry talks about Iceland’s DIY music scene and how it’s more about doing it together than doing it yourself. A panel discusses Iceland’s music culture, music's impact on Iceland’s economy, and how Iceland helps financially support musicians. Panelists are: Sólveig Matthildur, from the band Kælan Mikla; Hlynur Guðjónsson, the Icelandic Trade Commissioner for North America; and Sigtryggur Baldursson, managing director for Iceland Music and founding member of the Björk-fronted Icelandic band The Sugarcubes.

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

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“No Music for ICE,” why only 2% of music producers are women, industry fallout of Lil Peep’s death Nov 05, 2019

Show notes

Sudan Archives shares why she fuses violin with electronic beats on her latest album. Minnesota rapper Dessa describes spending two years working with neuroscientists to train her brain to get over her ex. We’ll explore why only 2% of music producers are women and how some indie artists are working to buck that trend. Macklemore protégé Travis Thompson will talk about collaborating with three generations of Seattle hip hop artists on his latest album. Seattle musicians past and present will weigh in on why they signed the “No Music for ICE” pledge. Pitchfork’s Marc Hogan will talk about a court case that blames Lil Peep’s overdose death on the rapper’s management, and what that would mean for the music industry.

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

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The mysterious disappearance of musician Jim Sullivan, Rudy Willingham talks samples Oct 29, 2019

Show notes

Jim Sullivan was a struggling LA singer/songwriter in the 60s and 70s. In 1975 he left for Nashville to see if he could catch a break there. But on the way, he disappeared in the New Mexico desert and was never seen again. Matt Sullivan of Light in the Attic records talks about the mysterious disappearance and how he discovered Jim Sullivan’s music and rereleased it decades later. Seattle’s Rudy Willingham talks about how he uses collage in both art and music, and discusses how he finds the samples he uses in his songs. This week’s “Day Job” segment features Lindsey Kaghan of the band Salt Lick speaking about her job at a barbershop.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vagabon, Kim Gordon and Jónsi Oct 22, 2019

Show notes

Vagabon will talk about her latest album and the meaning behind her song, “Every Woman.” Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon will fill us in on how materialism, LA culture and her “trashy aesthetic” influenced her first solo record, ‘No Home Record.’ Jónsi & Alex talk about touring on their 10-year-old album, ‘Riceboy Sleeps,’ after their recent romantic breakup. Jónsi (also of Sigur Rós) discusses moving to LA to make pop music. In this installment of our series, “Day Job,” we speak with a musician who works at a call center for their 9 to 5. We hear about how the Austin-based organization Black Fret is coming to Seattle to help financially support musicians.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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