Live on KEXP

Benjamin Booker's second album, Witness, finds the musician rallying his blues rock sound to call for respect and justice in troubling times while retaining the sharp musicianship that made his debut stand out. On his return to the KEXP Live Room, Booker joins Troy Nelson for four Witness songs and a conversation about writing songs in Mexico and visiting Third Man Records' headquarters. Recorded 9/11/2017 - 4 songs: The Slow Drag Under, Carry, Believe, Right On YouSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The North Carolina musician Sarah Shook had been buzzy for the past few years, but with Sidelong, her 2017 album, her profile appropriately raised with the collection of twangy, burning country songs. In fiery form, Shook and her band the Disarmers join Don Slack on Swingin' Doors to play four songs and discuss the origins of the group, . Recorded 9/27/2017 - 4 songs: Keep the Home Fires Burnin', Dwight Yoakum, Heal Me, The Bottle Never Lets Me DownSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In between playing seemingly countless shows and becoming one of Seattle's worst-kept-secrets, DoNormaal found time to craft Third Daughter, her second full-length and a stunning addition to her catalog. On her return to the KEXP Live Room, DoNormaal performs four tracks from Third Daughter and discusses the last year and her favorite poets with Stas THEE Boss. Recorded 9/21/2017 - 4 songs: Buckle, Magic Donormarl, Emotional, Plugged InSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He's one of America's most consistent journeyman songwriters, but Conor Oberst's 2016/17 companion albums Ruminations and Salutations are some of his best and most harrowing work yet. Performing four songs from those albums with a band, Oberst's songwriting is placed front and center in this session with Troy Nelson. Recorded 9/2/2017 - 4 songs: Barbary Coast, Afterthought, Mamah Borthwick (A Sketch), Till St. Dymphna Kicks Us Out  Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cigarettes After Sex is an evocative moniker, and it's brilliant that the El Paso, Texas group's sound is as vaporous, alluring, and nocturnal as they suggest. Joining DJ Morgan in the KEXP Live Room, Greg Gonzalez and co. perform four tracks from their self-titled debut. Recorded 9/8/2017 - 4 songs: K., Sunsetz, Sweet, ApocalypseSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Considering the members' other projects, Filthy Friends' collective resume is completely stacked - having Corin Tucker, Peter Buck, and Scott McCaughey in your ranks will do that - but it's remarkable how loose and low-stakes this performance of ripping guitars and pounding drums sounds. Joining DJ Morgan in the KEXP Live Room, the Portland, Oregon group show off their chemistry as friends and musicians with four songs from their 2017 self-titled debut. Recorded 9/8/2017 - 4 songs: The Arrival, Despierta, Ides October, BrotherSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pieces of Sky, Tomo Nakayama's latest record, is one of the Seattle veteran's most delicate and powerful works, reflecting on the nature of traveling and going through life during chaotic times. Backed by a full band in this session on the Morning Show with John Richards, Nakayama and his group play four songs and discuss the nature of playing gigs in airports and using music to stay positive in tough times. Recorded 9/7/2017 - 4 songs: Bright and Blue, Fourth of Julivar's, Undying Light, Pieces of SkySupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Named after the informal moniker of the musicians who helped him make the record, Floating Harmonies is one of Júnrus Meyvant's finest records, living up to its title's description of aqueous, serene melodies. Performing a stripped down set in the KEXP Live Room, Meyvant and his band play three tracks from the record (and an unreleased tune) and tell DJ Morgan about their year after the record's release. Recorded 9/2/2017 - 4 songs: Dwelling Side By Side, Mr. Minister Great, Floating Harmonies, Neon ExperienceSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's hard to think of a local band that's emerged as explosively this year on KEXP as Great Grandpa, but it's not hard to see why. The quintet write crunchy, catchy, and thoughtful songs, of which there are 10 on their stellar debut Plastic Cough. Four of those air during this session with on the Morning Show with John Richards which also features a story about how a band member eating pumpkin seeds led to the lyrics of “Teen Challenge”. Recorded 8/23/2017 - 4 songs: Expert Eraser, Fade, Teen Challenge, Favorite ShowSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I'm just writing to write and to let that be heard.” Luz Elena Mendoza says she processes events and experiences pretty quickly, and it shows in her songs, full of musical ideas with vibrant energy. The Y La Bamba leader clearly has a lot to say, and in this session with DJ Sharlese on Audioasis, she and her band play four new songs and discuss living through the darkness and the light, articulating your experiences, and striving to being nice to everyone. Recorded 8/17/2017 - 4 songs: My Death, Mujeres, 4-Loca, SoñadoraSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.