Live on KEXP

Tennessee-born, Brooklyn-based artist Valerie June fuses folk, soul, gospel, country, and blues for a blissful blend of Southern charm. Her latest release, 2021’s 'The Moon And Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers' is made up of “Songs with healing messages that keep our dreams a reality.” For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson delves into the lush new album, co-produced by Jack Splash (Kendrick Lamar, Alicia Keys, John Legend), before June delivers an intimate set of songs recorded in front of a roaring fire in an Airbnb. Recorded 02/07/2021. You And I Stay Call Me A Fool Landslide Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With two EPs and a seemingly endless number of accolades from nearly every tastemaker in the music industry under her belt, it’s an understatement to say that Arlo Parks’ debut album was highly anticipated. Released in January, ‘Collapsed in Sunbeams’ lives up to the hype and reflects the artist born Anais Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho’s compassionate, friendly, and poetic spirit. For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson traces Marinho’s journey from recording songs in her bedroom to sharing stages with heavyweights like Paramore before Marinho plays a mellow, vibey set of songs.Released 12/08/2020. Cola Green Eyes Eugene Black Dog Caroline Hurt Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malawi-born and Boston-based musician Anjimile has more resilience and fortitude than your average 27-year-old. After battling alcoholism, the queer trans artist turned to music during recovery which has produced a special gift in the form of their 2020 debut album, 'Giver Taker.' For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson delves into Anjimile’s fascinating life story and the influences that would push them towards becoming the self-described “boy king.” Recorded 02/08/2021. Your Tree Baby No More 1978 Maker Soothing (Laura Marling) Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Troy Nelson details in this week’s Live on KEXP,  Jean-Sébastien Yves Audet has created an incredibly large body of work for only 24 years on this planet. After putting out music under the names Un Blonde, Faux Fur, You Are Minez, Darren Wantz, and Zouk Fuck, his latest project as Yves Jarvis is probably his most palatable thus far. Intimate and evocative, the textured warmhearted songs that make up his latest release, 2020’s 'Sundry Rock Song Stock,' have captured a wide audience of ears and hearts. Get to know how the Canadian musician got to where he is now and listen to five songs from 'Sundry Rock Song Stock' recorded exclusively for KEXP. Recorded 02/11/2021. In Every Mountain Semula For Props Fact Almighty Victim Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A skillfully quick-witted musician, Stella Donnelly rose from the secluded coastal beaches of Perth to a world-touring artist by being uncompromisingly candid. Her debut album ‘Beware of the Dogs,’ released in 2019, sees Donnelly address misogyny and sexual assault in a direct but humorous way. For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson charts her journey from Wales to Australia to Secretly Canadian while Donnelly plays a stripped-down set of songs from ‘Beware of the Dogs.’ Recorded 04/03/2019. Old Man Tricks Beware Of The Dogs Watching Telly Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an effort to explain the context of the land from which the desert blues rockers Songhoy Blues reside, Troy Nelson delves into the meaning behind the commonly-used phrase, “From here to Timbuktu” and the history of the Malian city. From there, Nelson charts the progression of the trio that make up Songhoy Blues, from refugees to Nick Zinner collaborators to Glastonbury performers to major label signees. A journey just as expansive as their unique sound. Recorded 11/03/2020. Badala Dournia Worry Barre Ai Tchere Bele Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I meant to behave.  There were just too many other options.” While this quote comes from paranormal romantic thriller writer Darynda Jones, it could easily be applied to British producer and rapper Tricky. An early pioneer of trip-hop, he’s never been afraid of pushing boundaries. Troy Nelson delves into Tricky’s musical and personal evolution over the past 25 years on this episode of Live on KEXP before the British icon delves into a stirring four-song set featuring Polish singer Marta. Recorded 11/23/2020. Thinking Of Chills Me to the Bones Fall Please Breathe Me Right In Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Age is just a number. It’s irrelevant unless, of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine.” This Joan Collins quote sets the tone for this week’s Live on KEXP, which uses wine vintage as a metaphor for the incredibly difficult year in which Slow Pulp’s latest album, 'Moveys,' was made. Over the course of Spring 2019 until its release in October 2020, the band dealt with Lyme Disease, family emergencies, and a global pandemic while hammering out their debut full-length. Troy Nelson traces the Chicago band’s beginnings through the series of unfortunate events and until they landed (virtually) at KEXP in November 2020. Recorded 11/25/2020. Idaho Falling Apart Track Trade It Montana Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube KEXP is a listener-funded nonprofit, and we need your help to keep creating podcasts like this one. Donate to our Spring Drive today!Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Conform, go crazy or become an artist.” DC-based musician Bartees Strange understands this sentiment well. As an artist, he’s pushing the boundaries of music by refusing to conform to one genre which, especially for artists of color, tends to be incredibly limiting. With influences ranging from At the Drive In to The National, Strange is reinventing what it means to be a “Black artist.”  For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson dissects Strange’s history and influences to uncover how he became the revolutionary artist he is today. Recorded 12/09/2020. Mustang Boomer In A Cab Far Stone Meadows Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” So Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet. Or to put it another way - The ocean is big. For this week’s Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson compares the vast mysteries of the ocean with the immense magic of the massive city of Kinshasa, which is the second-largest city in Africa and boasts more people than LA. Kinshasa native Jupiter Bokondji is evidence of the rich talent coming from the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. His project Jupiter & Okwess fuses traditional Congolese music styles like soukous, rumba, and kwassa kwassa with more universal ones like rock, funk, and blues for something completely unique and yet wholly universal. Jupiter & Okwess’ KEXP session was recorded under threat of loss of electricity at any moment, in Kinshasa at an orphanage, as part of the no Child Sleeps Outside campaign.  Their latest album Na Kozonga (which means “I will Come Back”) is available on Everloving Records. Recorded 12/09/2020. Bakunda ULU Ofakombolo Musonsu Ekombe Na Kozonga (Nighttrain cover) Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTubeSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.