Live on KEXP

In summer 2019, when the world looked vastly different, Hot Chip dropped their seventh full-length, ‘A Bath Full of Ecstasy.’ One of their strongest releases in years, the album marks the first time in their 19 years together that Alexis Taylor and Joe Goddard brought in outside producers to help round out their sound. With Philippe Zdar and Rodaidh McDonald by their side, the album is a blissfully cathartic release. Last September, Hot Chip dropped by KEXP to play three songs from ‘A Bath Full of Ecstasy’ as well as a throwback 2008 track. Join Troy Nelson to listen to them here on Live on KEXP. Recorded 09/19/2019 Hungry Child Bath Full of Ecstasy Spell Made in the Dark Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the very first Francophone band signed to Sub Pop, Corridor prove that they’re worth their salt with their third studio album, ‘Junior.' Released in fall 2019, the album expertly mingles woozy shoegaze and ethereal French vocals with tightly-wound angular guitars for a completely hypnotizing effect. Troy Nelson explores the history of the Montreal band and the swift making of Junior while the band plays a selection of songs off the record. Recorded 12/12/2019.  Agent Double Junior Grand Cheval Domino Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a long, community-driven career in music, Courtney Marie Andrews’ Grammy nomination for her latest album, ‘Old Flowers,’ feels more than well earned. The eighth studio album from the Nashville-based, Phoenix-born (and at one point Washington-dwelling) singer-songwriter is nominated for Best Americana Album at the 2021 Grammy Awards. A breakup record, through and through, the songs on the album convey the heartbreak and loneliness following the end of a relationship. For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson dives deep into Andrews’ rich musical biography, which traces back to when she was just 15 years old and playing in coffee shops. While the stages may have eventually grown bigger from there, Andrews’ focus on collaboration and community has remained strong. It’s a great reminder that music builds community and community builds musicians. Recorded 10/06/2020. Break the Spell If I Told It Must Be Someone Else’s Fault One of These Days Ships in the Night Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“It is not enough to say that justice takes time but it’s coming soon. Justice that is not exercised when appropriate is not justice.” These words from Pierre Dubois exemplify the ethos Chilean artist Ana Tijoux embodies in her politically charged music. With a rich and unconventional history, it’s difficult to unpack her life story in just 10 minutes but Troy Nelson makes that attempt.  Everything from her unorthodox childhood with fiercely intelligent parents that instilled the radical passion that would carry her the rest of her life to her time topping the charts as an MC with the group Makiza to her successful solo career is covered in this week’s Live on KEXP followed by a vivaciously strummed set that Tijoux recorded for KEXP during the pandemic. Her latest album, ‘Antifa Dance,’ is available on Firebrand Records. Recorded 10/01/2020. Sacar La Voz Shock Antipatriarca Calaveritas Cacerolazo Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode is brought to you by the letter “B,” with the brooding brutalism and bashing bombardment of Bambara. Using the beloved writing technique known as alliteration, Troy Nelson burrows into the biography of the Brooklyn-based band while also bestowing beholders with a brief background on the letter itself before the bands break into a blazing set, recorded live at KEXP right at the very end of the “before-times.” Recorded 03/04/2020. Serafina Death Croons Heat Lightning Stay Cruel Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sooner you start, the greater chance you have of doing something for half your life. This is something Frances Quinlan understands, as she’s on the verge of reaching the half-mark milestone for playing music. Beginning with the solo project Hop Along, Queen Ansleis in 2004, when she was in high school, Quinlan went on to release three records with the renamed full band Hop Along as well as a 2020 solo record, 'Likewise,' under her own name. For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson details Quinlan’s trajectory, her influences, and the people who helped her go from the basement to the studio. Recorded 03/05/2020. Detroit Lake Now That I’m Back Rare Thing Went to LA Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever take a bath in sound? Like a full-on gong-bathing sonic immersion? Well, that’s what the music of Kelly Lee Owens both sounds and feels like. It’s a complete sensory experience that melds electronica, dream pop, and techno with Owens’ heavenly vocals for an otherworldly encounter that’s possibly just as relaxing and centering (and certainly cheaper) than a day at the spa. For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson traverses Owens’ beginnings, from Wales to Manchester to London, where she made her first steps in the music industry, working at a record store and interning at XL Recordings. Forging connections with like-minded musicians led to her gaining the ears of influential people like Alexander McQueen, Bjork, and Jenny Hval and has made her a recent NME covergirl. Her latest album ‘Inner Song’ is available on Smalltown Supersound. Recorded 07/20/2018. 8 S.O. Lucid Anxi. (feat. Jenny Hval) Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Writing of reality, like all forms of truth-telling, is dangerous. That hasn’t stopped Brazilian musician Sessa from forging ahead and blending the imaginary with all-too-real scenarios. Laughing in the face of danger, his specialty is sensuality, honing in on the experience of sex in flowery yet less-than-veiled Portuguese terms on his debut album ‘Grandeza.’ For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson contextualizes Sessa’s work alongside the words of other influential Brazilians including poet Carolina Maria de Jesus, documentary filmmaker Eduardo Coutinho, and singer Erasmus to make a Brazilian lovefest (although perhaps not the kind Sessa’s typically referring to).Recorded 02/06/2020. Flor do Real Dez Total (Filhos de Gandhy) Infinitamente Nu Grandeza Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Rumi, “The Wound is the place where the Light enters you.” Iranian American band Habibi know this better than most and use their simple, catchy songs that blend garage, psych and surf with the Middle Eastern influences they grew up adoring to spread love, positivity and change. Led by Brooklyn-via-Detroit duo Rahill Jamalifard and Lenny Lynch, activism plays an integral role in the spirit and ethos of the band. Troy Nelson delves into how the Michigan music scene shaped their influences and the long-held cognitive dissonance within the US’s relationship to Iran. Recorded 03/06/2020. Angel Eyes Hate Everyone But You Stronghold Come My Habibi Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seattle-based collective Polyrhythmics specializes in a flavorful blend of progressive funk, psychedelic rock and modern afro-beat. As Troy Nelson explains in this week’s episode of Live on KEXP, it’s music for the "heads.” Their songs take time to unravel, rewarding patient listeners with a lush and intricate experience that defies the current song trends for something more gratifying. When the world is a whirlwind, don’t forget– take the time to let something develop. Listen to Troy Nelson wax poetic about the value of music “heads” as well as delving into the often-limiting current trends happening with music ahead of Polyrhythmics’ spirited set featuring four songs from 2020’s 'Man From The Future.’ Recorded 02/21/2020. Digital Cowboy The Cutdown Yeti, Set, Go Chelada Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.