In Our Headphones

Miiesha - "Made for Silence," from the 2022 self-released album Smoke & Mirrors Though still in her early-20s, R&B artist Miiesha is already a five-time ARIA nominee (like the Australian GRAMMYs) and NIMA (National Indigenous Music Awards) award-winning artist. Her 2019 debut LP, Nyaaringu, explored themes of growing up in Woorabinda — an Aboriginal community in Queensland — with interludes of her late Grandmother's voice woven between the songs. ("For me, she was and always will stay with me as the strongest voice in my life, so I felt she had to be a part of this with me," Miiesha told Stack in 2020.)  On today's Song of the Day, Miiesha continues to explore her grief at the loss of her grandmother, as well as examine her complex relationship with her mom.  "I wasn't in a good place in my journey [when I wrote this song]. This was around the time that my Nana passed, and I was also going through a tough time with my mum. My writing sessions were really dragging on because I was going through it; I remember thinking that I didn't even want to do music anymore," she tells Refinery 29. "For me, 'Made for Silence' is about that rollercoaster relationship with my mum. The song is me expressing my exhaustion towards our arguing and tension. Like, can you be quiet for one second and just listen to me?! Writing the lyrics and singing them has been really healing for me because it was so emotional to even just vocalize the things I'd been feeling. And for my mom to hear it... that's done so much for me." Read the full story at KEXP.org         Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bobby Sanchez - "the premonition (lethalneedle)" from the 2023 album Melancholy Tgirl on Harawiq Records "Indigenous people is who I pray for / The past can be painful so we face forward" A veteran Song of the Day featured artist, American-Peruvian Indigenous songwriter Bobby Sanchez kicked off 2023 with their sixth EP, titled Melancholy Tgirl. The three-song release continues Sanchez's mission of using art to speak out for Indigenous rights, as well as for LGBTQ+ rights, environmental preservation, immigration, and more.  Sanchez's Indigenous blood originates from Ayacucho, Peru; she was born and raised on Lenape and Siwanoy land. Sanchez found her voice through poetry at seven; by age 15, she was attending poetry slams and open mics, which soon evolved into hip-hop compositions. Today's Song of the Day features fierce verses against a delicate looped piano piece, resulting in an empowering, thoughtful groove.  Read the full story at KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s Song of the Day picks, as chosen by DJ Miss Ashley, coincide with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. While Indigenous Peoples’ Day is recognized on October 9, KEXP will be paying tribute to Indigenous artists throughout the whole week here and throughout the rest of our podcasts and programming. Learn more about our Indigenous Peoples’ Day coverage.  Warning: This write-up touches on topics of suicide.  In 2019, Statistics Canada delivered an alarming report about the Indigenous suicide rate crisis – finding that Indigenous people in Canada are three times more likely to die by suicide than non-Indigenous Canadians. This troubling data reflects the harrowing experience and conditions not just in Canada, but for Indigenous people across the globe.  Jeremy Dutcher commemorates this experience in his heart-wrenching song “Ancestors Too Young.” The enigmatic songwriter is known for their dazzling blend of their classical training and pop songwriting. Dutcher, who is from the Tobique First Nation, will often sing in Wolastoqey. But on this song, Dutcher sings in English. Against a beautiful backdrop of piano, organ, strings, and smattering drums, Dutcher’s voice pleads and aches. Less of a sentimental song and more of a dire asking – why? Why does this have to be this way? On the chorus Dutcher soars with the refrain “Ancestors too young, where do they go?”  Dutcher’s powerful plea is a needed revelation for the masses. As he says in the song, this epidemic is not something that should be ignored until more pass away. There is urgency in Dutcher’s voice, just as their should be urgency in all of us to wake up and make change and reconcile the perpetuated conditions that have led to this tragic moment in history. - Dusty Henry Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s Song of the Day picks, as chosen by DJ Miss Ashley, coincide with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. While Indigenous Peoples’ Day is recognized on October 9, KEXP will be paying tribute to Indigenous artists throughout the whole week here and throughout the rest of our podcasts and programming. Learn more about our Indigenous Peoples’ Day coverage.  Mali Obomsawin is an award-winning jazz musician from Abenaki First Nation at Odanak. Though she only just released her debut album, Sweet Tooth, in 2022, her rise and acclaim has been meteoric. She’s been called one of the top 10 emerging jazz artists by GRAMMY.com, earning critical acclaim from NPR, The Guardian, and JazzTimes. She also received the International Folk music Association’s Rising Tide Award in 2022.  But all that doesn’t do Obomsawin’s work justice. Sweet Tooth bridges the celestial connections between jazz and traditional indigenous music, embracing the freedom of expression that both traditions allow, using sounds instead of words to articulate feelings. Sweet Tooth bridges traditional songs from Obomsawin’s life with new original compositions. One of the latter comes with “Lineage.” A sprawling instrumental, the song gives the feeling of traversing space and time in the way that only great jazz can do. As a bassist by trade, Obomsawin’s composition digs deep into the low feelings of searching and feeling your way through life. Matched with the song’s title, you can feel an exploration of her past and possibly even the future. When her voice does come in and out throughout the song, it feels like a grounding in this deep, immersive, swell of the universe.  Believe the hype, maybe even take it further. Obomsawin is tapping into something greater than herself on this record and it’s a joy to experience. - Dusty HenrySupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speedy Ortiz - "You S02," from the 2023 album Rabbit Rabbit on Wax Nine Records On today's Song of the Day, Speedy Ortiz songwriter Sadie Dupuis finds inspiration in season 2 of the Netflix series You. She explains in a press statement: "Mostly when I’ve met my musical heroes, they’re kind and principled people. But occasionally someone whose work I love(d) reveals themselves to be anti-union, or anti-’woke,’ or some other gear-grinding ugliness. That’s who I wrote ‘You S02’ about, the song’s frenzied guitar and synth solos mirroring the crazymaking intensity wafting off people who act like that. In the TV show You’s second season, the main character moves from New York to LA in hopes of a fresh start, but (spoiler) remains a murdering psychopath. Changing cities won’t make you a hero if you still treat others badly."  The track can be found on the band's fourth LP (and first new one in five years), Rabbit Rabbit, out now via Wax Nine. The album was co-produced by the band and Sarah Tudzin of Illuminati Hotties. Read the full story at KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

nour - "wana," a 2023 single on Ra Records On her debut EP Daydreaming, Egyptian artist Nour shares a sparkling synth-pop, with lyrics in both Arabic and English.  After discovering fellow Egypt-based producer Kubbara on Instagram, Nour sent him some lyrics and a beat, igniting the creative fires behnd today's Song of the Day.  The song is about empathy. "It's someone agreeing with the same thing you're going through," she explains in an interview with SceneNoise. "So, if someone says 'wana,' it's like saying: I'm going through the same thing, too, so we're both in the same boat." With that said, she adds that the song can be interpreted in more than one way. "That's what makes it special, in my opinion." Read the full story at KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tara Clerkin Trio - "The Turning Ground," a 2023 single on World of Echo On today's hypnotic and dreamy Song of the Day, the Bristol-based band Tara Clerkin Trio draw influence from the dub-step-heavy influences of their backyard (think Portishead and Massive Attack), combined with their own past as the eight-piece psych-folk group the Tara Clerkin Band. (“You could say the Tara Clerkin Trio started mainly because everyone else un-joined the Tara Clerkin Band,” Clerkin tells Loud & Quiet. “A lot of the other members went traveling or had babies, so we’re basically the leftovers.”) The track will appear on the five-song EP titled On the Turning Ground, out November 3rd via World of Echo, the partner label of the esteemed London record store of the same name.  Read the full story at KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Little Dragon & April + Vista - "Rebels," from the 2023 album Slipping Into Color on Ninja Tune Grammy-nominated quartet Little Dragon are about to head out on tour with Washington D.C. duo April + VISTA, and what better way to kick off the tour than with a collaborative release? The EP, titled Slipping Into Color, is out now via Ninja Tune Records. “On a recent trip to the US we got to hang with April + VISTA and we couldn’t resist their sound," Little Dragon explain in a press statement. "This EP represents an intense week of diving deep into the musical universe together with them.” April + VISTA add, “Working with Little Dragon on this EP was nothing short of a dream. It’s an experience we’ll always cherish.” Read the full story at KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emi Pop - "Lo Sé," a 2023 self-released single Now based in Seattle, Emi Pop began her musical journey in her home of Puerto Rico. Following stints in bands like Mely y Los Poppers, and local groups Famous Lizards and 38 Coffin, Emi Pop has ventured out on her own with her debut single "Lo Sé." The track is an irresistible blend of punk and pop, punctuated with some new wave-y keyboards. As she writes on her Instagram, "It was about time I put my music out into the world — this song is just one of many more to come." Read the full story at KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.