Live on KEXP

On the show this time, it’s the whip-smart emotional storytelling of Indonesian singer-songwriter - NIKI. NIKI is Nicole Zefanya, born in Jakarta Indonesia, now based in the USA. She started making music pretty young, teaching herself to play guitar at the age of 9. She had a pretty happening Youtube channel going, playing her own songs from home, and then she won a contest at the age of 15 - unbelievably - to open for Taylor Swift for the RED tour in Jakarta. She moved to the states to go to college at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. She connected with the management company and record label 88rising, who would release her first singles. Her latest album is called 'Buzz' and it is available on 88rising. Recorded June 27, 2024. Tsunami Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the whip-smart emotional storytelling of Indonesian singer-songwriter - NIKI. NIKI is Nicole Zefanya, born in Jakarta Indonesia, now based in the USA. She started making music pretty young, teaching herself to play guitar at the age of 9. She had a pretty happening Youtube channel going, playing her own songs from home, and then she won a contest at the age of 15 - unbelievably - to open for Taylor Swift for the RED tour in Jakarta. She moved to the states to go to college at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. She connected with the management company and record label 88rising, who would release her first singles. Her latest album is called 'Buzz' and it is available on 88rising. Recorded June 27, 2024. Tsunami Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the loud bark and deep bite of Philadelphia rock band Mannequin Pussy. Mannequin Pussy is a punk rock band from Philadelphia, originally formed by school-friends Thanasi Paul and singer “Missy” Dabice as a drums and guitar duo back in 2010. Reforged and remade, the current lineup makes intense meaningful music, powered by a full band commitment to the sound and the show, ignited by Missy’s voice, and augmented by the ears of producer John Congleton. Their latest album is called 'I Got Heaven' and it is available on Epitaph Records. Recorded July 11, 2024. Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the loud bark and deep bite of Philadelphia rock band Mannequin Pussy. Mannequin Pussy is a punk rock band from Philadelphia, originally formed by school-friends Thanasi Paul and singer “Missy” Dabice as a drums and guitar duo back in 2010. Reforged and remade, the current lineup makes intense meaningful music, powered by a full band commitment to the sound and the show, ignited by Missy’s voice, and augmented by the ears of producer John Congleton. Their latest album is called 'I Got Heaven' and it is available on Epitaph Records. Recorded July 11, 2024. Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the Cambodian psych rock of Los Angeles band Dengue Fever. Dengue Fever was formed in 2001 in Los Angeles by brothers Ethan and Zac Holtzman. They had both fallen in love with Cambodian psych-rock music, one while traveling there, the other through the record store he was working at in San Francisco. They recruited musicians from the Los Angeles scene who shared that passion. The final lucky stroke was meeting a star - Cambodian singer Chhom Nimol in a nightclub in Long Beach. Their latest album is called 'Ting Mong' and it is available on Tuk Tuk Records. Recorded 07/17/2024. Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the Cambodian psych rock of Los Angeles band Dengue Fever. Dengue Fever was formed in 2001 in Los Angeles by brothers Ethan and Zac Holtzman. They had both fallen in love with Cambodian psych-rock music, one while traveling there, the other through the record store he was working at in San Francisco. They recruited musicians from the Los Angeles scene who shared that passion. The final lucky stroke was meeting a star - Cambodian singer Chhom Nimol in a nightclub in Long Beach. Their latest album is called 'Ting Mong' and it is available on Tuk Tuk Records. Recorded 07/17/2024. Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See 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 Yasra Mansour and producer/ guitarist Brice Bottin. They met through music, and 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 composing music together, the idea being, they would make a rock band, playing rock music, but with these instruments taking the place of bass and guitar. They recorded their first album 'Nayda!' and released it in 2020. Their latest is called 'Swaken', and it is available on Real World Records. Recorded 07/30/2024. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See 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 Yasra Mansour and producer/ guitarist Brice Bottin. They met through music, and 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 composing music together, the idea being, they would make a rock band, playing rock music, but with these instruments taking the place of bass and guitar. They recorded their first album 'Nayda!' and released it in 2020. Their latest is called 'Swaken', and it is available on Real World Records. Recorded 07/30/2024. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the good-times shake-your-booty belongingness of Sinkane. Sinkane is the large band solo project of Sudanese-American musician Sinkane, née Ahmed Gallab. The music incorporates flavors from multiple genres, but always lands squarely in the danceable zone. A meaningful message rides shotgun in the party machine, with positive vibes, inclusivity, supportiveness and hope flowing out into the world. His latest album is We Belong, available on City Slang Records. Recorded June 5, 2024. Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the good-times shake-your-booty belongingness of Sinkane. Sinkane is the large band solo project of Sudanese-American musician Sinkane, née Ahmed Gallab. The music incorporates flavors from multiple genres, but always lands squarely in the danceable zone. A meaningful message rides shotgun in the party machine, with positive vibes, inclusivity, supportiveness and hope flowing out into the world. His latest album is We Belong, available on City Slang Records. Recorded June 5, 2024. Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the mesmerizing post-punk shoe-gaze of Brooklyn band DIIV. DIIV is a heavy, thinking-person’s rock band formed by Zachary Cole Smith in Brooklyn NY back in 2011. They released 3 albums on Captured Tracks and survived member changes, stints in rehab, almost calling it quits, and a reorganization to a more democratic structure to get to this point. They have released a new full-length album, 'Frog In Boiling Water,' which is available on Fantasy Records. Record 06/11/2024. Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the mesmerizing post-punk shoe-gaze of Brooklyn band DIIV. DIIV is a heavy, thinking-person’s rock band formed by Zachary Cole Smith in Brooklyn NY back in 2011. They released 3 albums on Captured Tracks and survived member changes, stints in rehab, almost calling it quits, and a reorganization to a more democratic structure to get to this point. They have released a new full-length album, 'Frog In Boiling Water,' which is available on Fantasy Records. Record 06/11/2024. Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, - flip that indie pop on its head with the music of Camera Obscura. Camera Obscura is an indie Scottish band from Glasgow. They’ve been making music together since 1996, though they took some time away from the band following keyboardist Carey Lander’s illness and eventual death from cancer. They reunited in 2018, to play a festival -cruise show - the Boaty Weekender - with fellow Glaswegians Belle & Sebastian. A few years later, they announced some new music and a tour, and their latest album Look to the East, Look to the West is available on Merge Records. Recorded June 7, 2024 Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, flip that indie pop on its head, with the music of Camera Obscura. Camera Obscura is an indie Scottish band from Glasgow. They’ve been making music together since 1996, though they took some time away from the band following keyboardist Carey Lander’s illness and eventual death from cancer. They reunited in 2018, to play a festival -cruise show - the Boaty Weekender - with fellow Glaswegians Belle & Sebastian. A few years later, they announced some new music and a tour, and their latest album Look to the East, Look to the West is available on Merge Records. Recorded June 7, 2024 Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, the Miki Berenyi Trio plays some classic Lush songs and some brand new music too. Miki Berenyi is a founding member and the eventual lead singer of the legendary shoegaze band Lush. She wrote a book about her childhood, and her life leading up to forming Lush, as well as the unvarnished reality of playing in a band in the 90s. Thanks to the book, and being continually asked to play music at book events, she formed a trio. They have a single, “Vertigo,” out on Bella Union. Recorded 06/04/2024. Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, the Miki Berenyi Trio plays some classic Lush songs and some brand new music too. Miki Berenyi is a founding member and the eventual lead singer of the legendary shoegaze band Lush. She wrote a book about her childhood, and her life leading up to forming Lush, as well as the unvarnished reality of playing in a band in the 90s. Thanks to the book, and being continually asked to play music at book events, she formed a trio. They have a single, “Vertigo,” out on Bella Union. Recorded 06/04/2024. Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, when drummers collide, the music of Lol Tolhurst and Budgie. Lol Tolhurst is a founding member of the band The Cure, playing drums and later keyboards. Budgie is a founding member of The Creatures, along with Siouxsie Sioux, after playing with Siouxsie Sioux and the Banshees for 9 albums and 17 years. Together with Irish producer Jacknife Lee they have a new project, and an album titled 'Los Angeles' available on PIAS Recordings. Recorded 06/04/2024. Los Angeles Travel Channel Uh Oh We Got To Move A Forest Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, when drummers collide, the music of Lol Tolhurst and Budgie. Lol Tolhurst is a founding member of the band The Cure, playing drums and later keyboards. Budgie is a founding member of The Creatures, along with Siouxsie Sioux, after playing with Siouxsie Sioux and the Banshees for 9 albums and 17 years. Together with Irish producer Jacknife Lee they have a new project, and an album titled 'Los Angeles' available on PIAS Recordings. Recorded 06/04/2024. Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the timeless freedom and fearlessness of Feist. Feist is the moniker of Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Leslie Feist. She’s been making music since she was a teenager, her first punk rock band winning a battle of the bands back in 1993. She toured with that band, until she was forced to take a 6 month break from singing due to losing her voice. She became the bassist for a friend's band. She became the guitarist in another band. She wrote songs and when she was ready, released her debut solo record in 1999. Her latest album released in 2023 is called “Multitudes” and is available on Polydor Records. Recorded 05/24/2024. Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s the timeless freedom and fearlessness of Feist. Feist is the moniker of Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Leslie Feist. She’s been making music since she was a teenager, her first punk rock band winning a battle of the bands back in 1993. She toured with that band, until she was forced to take a 6 month break from singing due to losing her voice. She became the bassist for a friend's band. She became the guitarist in another band. She wrote songs and when she was ready, released her debut solo record in 1999. Her latest album released in 2023 is called “Multitudes” and is available on Polydor Records. Recorded 05/24/2024. Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.