Live on KEXP

On the show this time, it’s the brilliant songs and transcendent singing of Seattle’s own Deep Sea Diver. Deep Sea Diver is at its core, the dynamic duo of guitarist and singer Jessica Dobson, and drummer Peter Mansen. They released their first EP in 2009, followed up by the albums History Speaks, Secrets, and Impossible Weight.  They played a live session in the Gathering Space at KEXP - with bandmates Elliot Jackson, Kristyn Chapman, and Michael Dondero - to celebrate their latest Billboard Heart. It is available on Sub Pop Records. Recorded May 19th, 2025. Billboard Heart Emergency What Do I Know Tiny Threads Shovel 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 brilliant songs and transcendent singing of Seattle’s own Deep Sea Diver. Deep Sea Diver is at its core, the dynamic duo of guitarist and singer Jessica Dobson, and drummer Peter Mansen. They released their first EP in 2009, followed up by the albums History Speaks, Secrets, and Impossible Weight.  They played a live session in the Gathering Space at KEXP - with bandmates Elliot Jackson, Kristyn Chapman, and Michael Dondero - to celebrate their latest Billboard Heart. It is available on Sub Pop Records. Recorded May 19th, 2025. Billboard Heart Emergency What Do I Know Tiny Threads Shovel 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 rich storytelling of Matt Berninger. Matt Berninger is, of course, the front-person for The National, a band that has been writing perfect songs to live your life to since they formed back in 1999. His first “solo” record, Serpentine Prison, was produced by Memphis legend Booker T Jones, and they started a label together to put it out. His latest offering is called Get Sunk and it is available on Book Records. Recorded May 18, 2025 Bonnet Of Pins No Love Breaking Into Acting Inland Ocean 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 rich storytelling of Matt Berninger. Matt Berninger is, of course, the front-person for The National, a band that has been writing perfect songs to live your life to since they formed back in 1999. His first “solo” record, Serpentine Prison, was produced by Memphis legend Booker T Jones, and they started a label together to put it out. His latest offering is called Get Sunk and it is available on Book Records. Recorded May 18, 2025 Bonnet Of Pins No Love Breaking Into Acting Inland Ocean 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, we’re celebrating our 500th episode! Thank you to all of you who have listened and supported the show over the last 10 years. We’re releasing this into the world just one day later in the year than the very first episode featuring Courtney Barnett dropped on September 14th back in 2015. Featuring six songs picked by the Live on KEXP podcast team.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the indie R&B of South Asian-American singer Raveena. She self-released her first EP Shanti in 2017, and the single “If Only” blew up, especially after an appearance on Berlin-based minimalist YouTube channel COLORSXSTUDIOS. Her latest is her third studio album Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain, available on the Empire imprint Moonstone Recordings. Recorded May 1, 2025 Rise Smile For Me Baby Mama If Only  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 indie R&B of South Asian-American singer Raveena. She self-released her first EP Shanti in 2017, and the single “If Only” blew up, especially after an appearance on Berlin-based minimalist YouTube channel COLORSXSTUDIOS. Her latest is her third studio album Where the Butterflies Go in the Rain, available on the Empire imprint Moonstone Recordings. Recorded May 1, 2025 Rise Smile For Me Baby Mama If Only  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 Nigerian Afrobeat of Seun Kuti and Egypt 80. Seun Kuti is Afrobeat royalty – the son of Fela Kuti, and the leader of Fela’s former band Egypt 80 since 1997. He’s released seven studio albums since then, playing saxophone and singing in addition to running the band. Their latest is Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) available on Record Kicks out of Milan, Italy. Recorded May 7, 2025 Stand Well Well T.O.P. Emi Aluta Bad Man Lighter 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 Nigerian Afrobeat of Seun Kuti and Egypt 80. Seun Kuti is Afrobeat royalty – the son of Fela Kuti, and the leader of Fela’s former band Egypt 80 since 1997. He’s released seven studio albums since then, playing saxophone and singing in addition to running the band. Their latest is Heavier Yet (Lays The Crownless Head) available on Record Kicks out of Milan, Italy. Recorded May 7, 2025 Stand Well Well T.O.P. Emi Aluta Bad Man Lighter 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 Peruvian-influenced, rock n roll-cumbia, of Chicha Libre. Chicha Libre is the Brooklyn-based psychedelic-cumbia band, formed by Olivier Conan in the early 2000’s.  They are non-traditional, avoiding claims to specific authenticity.  Instead they borrow what sparks interest, absorbing not only Peruvian chicha, but also Afrobeat, Cuban danzón, and parts of North American country music.  They’ve released an EP - Cuatro tigres, and two studio albums - Sonido Amazonico! and Canibalismo - all available on Bandcamp and their own Barbés Records imprint. Recorded May 6, 2025 Tres Pasajeros Danza De Los Simpsons Danza Del Millonario El Borrachito Popcorn Andino 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 Peruvian-influenced, rock n roll-cumbia, of Chicha Libre. Chicha Libre is the Brooklyn-based psychedelic-cumbia band, formed by Olivier Conan in the early 2000’s.  They are non-traditional, avoiding claims to specific authenticity.  Instead they borrow what sparks interest, absorbing not only Peruvian chicha, but also Afrobeat, Cuban danzón, and parts of North American country music.  They’ve released an EP - Cuatro tigres, and two studio albums - Sonido Amazonico! and Canibalismo - all available on Bandcamp and their own Barbés Records imprint. Recorded May 6, 2025 Tres Pasajeros Danza De Los Simpsons Danza Del Millonario El Borrachito Popcorn Andino 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 R&B-electronica solo record of Little Dragon front-human Yukimi. Yukimi is a Swedish singer and songwriter, known for starting the band Little Dragon with her high schoolmates and for her collaboration with Gorillaz on their Plastic Beach album. Her stunning vocals have been featured on tracks by DJ Shadow, De La Soul and Odesza. She’s performed with Jose Gonzalez, with whom she shares a hometown - they are both from the city of Gothenburg. She’s recorded a solo record titled For You and released it on Ninja Tune in 2025. Recorded April 30, 2025 Elinam Stream of Consciousness Sad Makeup Rules of School Runaway 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 R&B-electronica solo record of Little Dragon front-human Yukimi. Yukimi is a Swedish singer and songwriter, known for starting the band Little Dragon with her high schoolmates and for her collaboration with Gorillaz on their Plastic Beach album. Her stunning vocals have been featured on tracks by DJ Shadow, De La Soul and Odesza. She’s performed with Jose Gonzalez, with whom she shares a hometown - they are both from the city of Gothenburg. She’s recorded a solo record titled For You and released it on Ninja Tune in 2025. Recorded April 30, 2025 Elinam Stream of Consciousness Sad Makeup Rules of School Runaway 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 Guembri driven Moroccan rock of Bab L’ Bluz. Bab L’ Bluz is at its core a duo: singer/guitarist Yousra Mansour and producer/guitarist Brice Bottin. A shared love for Moroccan Gnawa music led them to learn how to play the Guembri – a kind of 3 stringed bass instrument – and its smaller relative the Awisha. They started a rock band, using those instruments to take the roles respectively of bass and guitar. They released their first album Nayda! in 2020. Their latest is called Swaken and it is available on Real World Records. Recorded May 5, 2025 Ila Mata Imazighen IWAIWA FUNK AmmA Hezalli  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 Guembri driven Moroccan rock of Bab L’ Bluz. Bab L’ Bluz is at its core a duo: singer/guitarist Yousra Mansour and producer/guitarist Brice Bottin. A shared love for Moroccan Gnawa music led them to learn how to play the Guembri – a kind of 3 stringed bass instrument – and its smaller relative the Awisha. They started a rock band, using those instruments to take the roles respectively of bass and guitar. They released their first album Nayda! in 2020. Their latest is called Swaken and it is available on Real World Records. Recorded May 5, 2025 Ila Mata Imazighen IWAIWA FUNK AmmA Hezalli  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 hook-laden, R&B chill-groove of English electronica producers Maribou State.  Chris Davids and Liam Ivory have been releasing music as Maribou State since 2011. They grew up just north of London, and started making music together when they met in school. In addition to creating their own music, they have had success as remixers for artists like Lana Del Ray and Fatboy Slim. They’ve built a community of musicians and collaboration is a large part of their process. Their latest offering is their third full-length album, Hallucinating Love, out now via Ninja Tune. Recorded April 4, 2025 Otherside Bloom All I Need Blackoak 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 hook-laden, R&B chill-groove of English electronica producers Maribou State.  Chris Davids and Liam Ivory have been releasing music as Maribou State since 2011. They grew up just north of London, and started making music together when they met in school. In addition to creating their own music, they have had success as remixers for artists like Lana Del Ray and Fatboy Slim. They’ve built a community of musicians and collaboration is a large part of their process. Their latest offering is their third full-length album, Hallucinating Love, out now via Ninja Tune. Recorded April 4, 2025 Otherside Bloom All I Need Blackoak 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 motorik psych-rock from a Japanese beach, with maya ongaku. They hail from the island of Enoshima, famed for a shrine to Buddhist deity Benzaiten. They play long-form psych rock, sometimes meditative, sometimes folky, sometimes jazzy. Their debut Approach to Anima features quiet singing, fingerstyle guitars, ambient recordings of bird calls, acoustic percussion, flute and saxophone, and spoken word. Their latest EP Electronic Phantoms leans more towards drum machines for the rhythm samples, and rich synth-tronica to balance the guitars. Both are available on Guruguru Brain. Recorded April 8, 2025 Anoyo Drive Melting Iyo no Hito  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 motorik psych-rock from a Japanese beach, with maya ongaku. They hail from the island of Enoshima, famed for a shrine to Buddhist deity Benzaiten. They play long-form psych rock, sometimes meditative, sometimes folky, sometimes jazzy. Their debut Approach to Anima features quiet singing, fingerstyle guitars, ambient recordings of bird calls, acoustic percussion, flute and saxophone, and spoken word. Their latest EP Electronic Phantoms leans more towards drum machines for the rhythm samples, and rich synth-tronica to balance the guitars. Both are available on Guruguru Brain. Recorded April 8, 2025 Anoyo Drive Melting Iyo no Hito  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.