Live on KEXP

On the show this time, it’s the immaculately tailored imagery of Heartworms. Heartworms is the band project of London singer-songwriter Jojo Orme. She named it after one of her favorite bands - the Shins - 2017 album of the same name. The sound is threatening, dark, gothic even. Her lyrics walk a tightrope, beautifully balanced betwixt concrete imagery and abstract entendre. And she’s got a voice worthy of the poetry, dynamically moving from breathy whisper, to truly alarming shout. Her EP 'A Comforting Notion' is available on Speedy Wunderground Records. Recorded 03/18/2024. 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 immaculately tailored imagery of Heartworms. Heartworms is the band project of London singer-songwriter Jojo Orme. She named it after one of her favorite bands - the Shins - 2017 album of the same name. The sound is threatening, dark, gothic even. Her lyrics walk a tightrope, beautifully balanced betwixt concrete imagery and abstract entendre. And she’s got a voice worthy of the poetry, dynamically moving from breathy whisper, to truly alarming shout. Her EP 'A Comforting Notion' is available on Speedy Wunderground Records. Recorded 03/18/2024. 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 Colombian psychedelic funk of BALTHVS. BALTHVS is a psych-funk power-trio from Colombia. They can play surfy classics and straight ahead Cumbia, but they excel at trippy groovy psych-rock that references the sounds of the Middle East, especially Turkish music. Oh - and you can definitely dance to it. Their 4th album and latest release is called 'Harvest' and it is available on Mixto Records. Recorded 04/01/2024. 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 Colombian psychedelic funk of BALTHVS. BALTHVS is a psych-funk power-trio from Colombia. They can play surfy classics and straight ahead Cumbia, but they excel at trippy groovy psych-rock that references the sounds of the middle east, especially Turkish music. Oh - and you can definitely dance to it. Their 4th album and latest release is called 'Harvest' and it is available on Mixto Records. Recorded 04/01/2024. 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 hope and light of Australian singer and writer Angie McMahon. Angie McMahon’s new record is an ode to the simplest mantra - “One day at a time.” After the success of her first album she found herself struggling with anxiety and depression. She was diagnosed with ADHD. She moved out of her family home. She embraced being queer. She got really ill. She experienced panic attacks. She had to find a way through. Music and songwriting was one of the things that helped. The new album is filled with cautious hope, self forgiveness, and even joy - celebrating the small and great victories that are simply, somehow, doing what it takes to get on with living. It’s called 'Light, Dark, Light Again.' and is available on her own imprint through AWAL. Recorded 03/11/2024. 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 hope and light of Australian singer and writer Angie McMahon. Angie McMahon’s new record is an ode to the simplest mantra - “One day at a time.” After the success of her first album she found herself struggling with anxiety and depression. She was diagnosed with ADHD. She moved out of her family home. She embraced being queer. She got really ill. She experienced panic attacks. She had to find a way through. Music and songwriting was one of the things that helped. The new album is filled with cautious hope, self forgiveness, and even joy - celebrating the small and great victories that are simply, somehow, doing what it takes to get on with living. It’s called 'Light, Dark, Light Again.' and is available on her own imprint through AWAL. Recorded 03/11/2024. 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 anti-apathy activism of Chile’s Ana Tijoux. Ana Tijoux is a hip-hop artist, rapper, singer and songwriter. She is from France, with Chilean roots, but she represents a world-spanning perspective, a belief in the value of human life, in the equality we deserve, and in the necessity of fighting for those rights. She has just released her 5th solo album “Vida." It encompasses the political - borders, colonialism, and genocide - and the personal - being a woman, being brown, being exiled, and the grief of personal loss. “Vida” is available on Altafonte through Victoria Productions. Recorded on 03/20/2024. 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 anti-apathy activism of Chile’s Ana Tijoux. Ana Tijoux is a hip-hop artist, rapper, singer and songwriter. She is from France, with Chilean roots, but she represents a world-spanning perspective, a belief in the value of human life, in the equality we deserve, and in the necessity of fighting for those rights. She has just released her 5th solo album “Vida." It encompasses the political - borders, colonialism, and genocide - and the personal - being a woman, being brown, being exiled, and the grief of personal loss. “Vida” is available on Altafonte through Victoria Productions. Recorded on 03/20/2024. 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, electronics fight guitars in the post-prog noise-rock of SISTEMAS INESTABLES. SISTEMAS INESTABLES is an instrumental trio from Santiago de Chile. They are finishing a trilogy of EP’s which will comprise their full-length-release at the end of 2024. The first EP, 'oppidum,' which means “town” is about cities - powerful and aggressive. The second, 'homines,' meaning “people” is about humans - perhaps it is more emotional. The as yet unreleased third EP is about nature and will be more organic. Their music is available on Bandcamp, and through the label LeRock Psicophonique. For this performance the band played two songs from their 2018 release, 'O,' and one from the EP 'homines.' Recorded 03/12/2024. 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, electronics fight guitars in the post-prog noise-rock of SISTEMAS INESTABLES. SISTEMAS INESTABLES is an instrumental trio from Santiago de Chile. They are finishing a trilogy of EP’s which will comprise their full-length-release at the end of 2024. The first EP, 'oppidum,' which means “town” is about cities - powerful and aggressive. The second, 'homines,' meaning “people” is about humans - perhaps it is more emotional. The as yet unreleased third EP is about nature and will be more organic. Their music is available on Bandcamp, and through the label LeRock Psicophonique. For this performance the band played two songs from their 2018 release, 'O,' and one from the EP 'homines.' Recorded 03/12/2024. 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 low-end chaotic pattern-math of Taiwan’s Elephant Gym. Elephant Gym is siblings KT and Tell Chang on bass and guitar, and drummer Chia-Chin Tu. They met in high school, forming the band in 2012. They say the “elephant” refers to their emphasized agile bass guitar, and the “gym” refers to the physical and mental workout that is Math-Rock. Their music is a delicate balance of jazz, funk, and classical elements, unafraid to venture into catchy pop, or the shreddingest of shredding math-rock riffs. Sometimes the members of the band are counting in different time signatures. Simultaneously… YES. It’s surprisingly accessible given its complexity, due to an openness to the arrangements and their gorgeous tonal palette. Their latest albums are 'Dreams' and 'World,' both available through Topshelf Records. Recorded 03/14/2024. 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 low-end chaotic pattern-math of Taiwan’s Elephant Gym. Elephant Gym is siblings KT and Tell Chang on bass and guitar, and drummer Chia-Chin Tu. They met in high school, forming the band in 2012. They say the “elephant” refers to their emphasized agile bass guitar, and the “gym” refers to the physical and mental workout that is Math-Rock. Their music is a delicate balance of jazz, funk, and classical elements, unafraid to venture into catchy pop, or the shreddingest of shredding math-rock riffs. Sometimes the members of the band are counting in different time signatures. Simultaneously… YES. It’s surprisingly accessible given its complexity, due to an openness to the arrangements and their gorgeous tonal palette. Their latest albums are 'Dreams' and 'World,' both available through Topshelf Records. Recorded 03/14/2024. 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 a very special throwback episode, featuring a live performance from Oakland’s own, R&B singer - Raphael Saadiq. Raphael Saadiq is a multi-instrumentalist, particularly deadly on bass - his first big gig was playing bass for Sheila E, who was opening for … Prince. He formed the multi-platinum group Tony Toni Toné with his brother and cousin. None of them are named Tony. He’s produced massive records for people like D’Angelo, TLC, and the Roots. And, he’s put out 5 solo records. Most of this show is from his 2008 release 'The Way I See It.' For this performance, the KEXP video team captured Raphael and his stellar live band at the Bumbershoot music festival in Seattle. Recorded 09/06/2009. Love That Girl Watch the full Live on KEXP (from Bumbershoot) performance on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it's a very special throwback episode, featuring a live performance from Oakland’s own, R&B singer - Raphael Saadiq. Raphael Saadiq is a multi-instrumentalist, particularly deadly on bass - his first big gig was playing bass for Sheila E, who was opening for … Prince. He formed the multi-platinum group Tony Toni Toné with his brother and cousin. None of them are named Tony. He’s produced massive records for people like D’Angelo, TLC, and the Roots. And, he’s put out 5 solo records. Most of this show is from his 2008 release 'The Way I See It.' For this performance, the KEXP video team captured Raphael and his stellar live band at the Bumbershoot music festival in Seattle. Recorded 09/06/2009. Love That Girl Watch the full Live on KEXP (from Bumbershoot) performance on YouTube. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show this time, it’s a set of music from Bay area producer DJ Shadow. DJ Shadow grew up in Northern California in the 70’s and 80s, in the original Star Wars era, spending all his lunch money on comics and sci-fi movies and music. He fell in love with hip-hop, and began to make it however he could. He didn’t know any MCs - so he gravitated to the musical side - sampling and scratching. He released his debut 'Endtroducing' in 1996 and has been changing the game one cool sound at a time ever since. His latest is called 'Action Adventure' and is available through Mass Appeal. Recorded 01/24/2024. 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 a set of music from Bay area producer DJ Shadow. DJ Shadow grew up in Northern California in the 70’s and 80s, in the original Star Wars era, spending all his lunch money on comics and sci-fi movies and music. He fell in love with hip-hop, and began to make it however he could. He didn’t know any MCs - so he gravitated to the musical side - sampling and scratching. He released his debut 'Endtroducing' in 1996 and has been changing the game one cool sound at a time ever since. His latest is called 'Action Adventure' and is available through Mass Appeal. Recorded 01/24/2024. 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 mesmerizing instrumental magic of Circles Around The Sun. Circles Around The Sun is made up of guitarist John Lee Shannon, bassist Dan Horne, keyboardist Adam MacDougall, and drummer Mark Levy. The band originally formed around guitarist Neil Casal, for the purposes of performing original music written for the intermission of the Grateful Dead’s Fare Thee Well reunion shows. After Neil died in 2019, the band has persevered, and continued to make incredible music - getting back in the studio and embracing experimentation, creativity and trust. Their latest is called 'Language' and is available through Royal Potato Family. Recorded 10/13/2023. 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 instrumental magic of Circles Around The Sun. Circles Around The Sun is made up of guitarist John Lee Shannon, bassist Dan Horne, keyboardist Adam MacDougall, and drummer Mark Levy. The band originally formed around guitarist Neil Casal, for the purposes of performing original music written for the intermission of the Grateful Dead’s Fare Thee Well reunion shows. After Neil died in 2019, the band has persevered, and continued to make incredible music - getting back in the studio and embracing experimentation, creativity and trust. Their latest is called 'Language' and is available through Royal Potato Family. Recorded 10/13/2023. 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 cinematic indie-pop of songwriter Caroline Rose. Caroline Rose is an uncompromising, ever morphing, creative force. They’ve been putting out music since 2012. Originally it was a folky Americana sound, with acoustic guitar, pedal steel and mandolins - though Caroline’s lyrics were already potent with insight, entanglements, despair or dgaf ennui. Artistic evolution has been de rigeur since, and their latest is polished pop-music, as likely to feature the jitter of electronica as it is to sweep in with Hollywood strings. Consistently though, the album covers have been…Rose colored. The blood-red kind of roses. The new album cover features a rose-red blindfold. It’s called 'The Art of Forgetting' and is available on New West Records. Recorded 04/28/2023. 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 cinematic indie-pop of songwriter Caroline Rose. Caroline Rose is an uncompromising, ever morphing, creative force. They’ve been putting out music since 2012. Originally it was a folky Americana sound, with acoustic guitar, pedal steel and mandolins - though Caroline’s lyrics were already potent with insight, entanglements, despair or dgaf ennui. Artistic evolution has been de rigeur since, and their latest is polished pop-music, as likely to feature the jitter of electronica as it is to sweep in with Hollywood strings. Consistently though, the album covers have been…Rose colored. The blood-red kind of roses. The new album cover features a rose-red blindfold. It’s called 'The Art of Forgetting' and is available on New West Records. Recorded 04/28/2023. Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.