Live on KEXP

On the show this time, it’s the northern African desert-blues of Etran de l’Aïr. The group is a family band from the city of Agadez in Niger, who got their start playing weddings. They play guitar-driven desert blues - made for dancing. They sing in chorus, in Tamasheq, filling the air with glorious celebratory Saharan music. Their latest album is 100% Sahara Guitar available on Sahel Sounds out of Portland Oregon. Recorded April 7, 2025 Ighre Massina Imouwizla Amidinine  Agrim Agadez Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the northern African desert-blues of Etran de l’Aïr. The group is a family band from the city of Agadez in Niger, who got their start playing weddings. They play guitar-driven desert blues - made for dancing. They sing in chorus, in Tamasheq, filling the air with glorious celebratory Saharan music. Their latest album is 100% Sahara Guitar available on Sahel Sounds out of Portland Oregon. Recorded April 7, 2025 Ighre Massina Imouwizla Amidinine  Agrim Agadez Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the danceable singalong punk-rock of Scottish band Franz Ferdinand. They released their debut single in 2003. They followed it up with “Take Me Out” in early 2004. After a slow start, the song caught on, partly thanks to heavy rotation on MTV. They were awarded the Mercury Prize, and their debut album sold millions of copies. They’ve been on a steady roll since, recently releasing their 6th studio album The Human Fear available through the Domino Recording Company. Recorded March 23rd, 2025 Jacqueline Song No You Girls Black Eyelashes Hooked Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the danceable singalong punk-rock of Scottish band Franz Ferdinand. They released their debut single in 2003. They followed it up with “Take Me Out” in early 2004. After a slow start, the song caught on, partly thanks to heavy rotation on MTV. They were awarded the Mercury Prize, and their debut album sold millions of copies. They’ve been on a steady roll since, recently releasing their 6th studio album The Human Fear available through the Domino Recording Company. Recorded March 23rd, 2025 Jacqueline Song No You Girls Black Eyelashes Hooked Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it's the heavy-rock of alt-metal pioneers, Helmet. Helmet was formed in 1989, in New York City. Guitarist Page Hamilton was there to study Jazz at the Manhattan School of Music. He auditioned for and then joined Band of Susans. He brought a few of his own songs to the band, but even though they liked the songs, they were not a fit for the Susans. There was nothing to do but form his own band. We don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that rock music was changed forever. Helmet’s tunings, rhythms, and chord voicings are startlingly original, and easily as heavy as anything that came before or after them. Their most recent album is 2023’s LEFT, released through earMUSIC, and their 2024 covers and live tracks compilation Move On. Recorded March 5, 2025 Wilma's Rainbow Repetition Dislocated Milquetoast Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it's the heavy-rock of alt-metal pioneers, Helmet. Helmet was formed in 1989, in New York City. Guitarist Page Hamilton was there to study Jazz at the Manhattan School of Music. He auditioned for and then joined Band of Susans. He brought a few of his own songs to the band, but even though they liked the songs, they were not a fit for the Susans. There was nothing to do but form his own band. We don’t think it’s hyperbole to say that rock music was changed forever. Helmet’s tunings, rhythms, and chord voicings are startlingly original, and easily as heavy as anything that came before or after them. Their most recent album is 2023’s LEFT, released through earMUSIC, and their 2024 covers and live tracks compilation Move On. Recorded March 5, 2025 Wilma's Rainbow Repetition Dislocated Milquetoast Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're re-airing a session from Ya Tseen from 2021. Activist, thinker, contemporary artist, and musician Nicholas Galanin entwines his experience as an Alaskan indigenous person and passion for social and environmental justice with falling in love and the birth of a child for his debut album as Ya Tseen. Titled Indian Yard, the record is a collaboration between himself and the many artists that see Galanin as a friend including Otis Calvin III (who you might know as OC Notes), Benjamin Verdoes, Shabazz Palaces, Nick Hakim, fellow Indigenous Alaskan singer and songwriter Qacung, and Alaska’s biggest rock stars Portugal. The Man. Recorded 07/05/2021. Knives Close the Distance A Feeling Undefined Light the Torch At Tugáni Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we're re-airing a session from Ya Tseen from 2021. Activist, thinker, contemporary artist, and musician Nicholas Galanin entwines his experience as an Alaskan indigenous person and passion for social and environmental justice with falling in love and the birth of a child for his debut album as Ya Tseen. Titled Indian Yard, the record is a collaboration between himself and the many artists that see Galanin as a friend including Otis Calvin III (who you might know as OC Notes), Benjamin Verdoes, Shabazz Palaces, Nick Hakim, fellow Indigenous Alaskan singer and songwriter Qacung, and Alaska’s biggest rock stars Portugal. The Man. Recorded 07/05/2021. Knives Close the Distance A Feeling Undefined Light the Torch At Tugáni Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the Indonesian funk of Ali. Ali formed in 2021, playing 70s soul, disco, and afrobeat with elements of Arabic and middle eastern music. They released their first single “Dance, Habibi” that same year. They followed up with their debut album Malaka in 2023 on Anukara records. Embracing the connection between Indonesian and Arabic culture, they explored the overlapping music, fashion, and textiles, which led to the name of their latest self-released EP, Patterns. Recorded March 19, 2025 Pulse Al Janoub Orient Blue Lotus Downtown Strut Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the Indonesian funk of Ali. Ali formed in 2021, playing 70s soul, disco, and afrobeat with elements of Arabic and middle eastern music. They released their first single “Dance, Habibi” that same year. They followed up with their debut album Malaka in 2023 on Anukara records. Embracing the connection between Indonesian and Arabic culture, they explored the overlapping music, fashion, and textiles, which led to the name of their latest self-released EP, Patterns. Recorded March 19, 2025 Pulse Al Janoub Orient Blue Lotus Downtown Strut Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.