Live on KEXP

On the show this time, it's the futuristic rock drama of Guadalajara band Descartes a Kant. When Guadalajara-based group Descartes A Kant created their most recent album, 2023’s After Destruction, they actually made something much bigger. They built an entire concept and universe in which humans struggle to remain human in the face of relentless simulated reality. Their music is post-punk meets indie rock with incredibly intricate electronics. And you’ll want to make sure you check out the video for this one at some point, too. Recorded October 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 futuristic rock drama of Guadalajara band Descartes a Kant. When Guadalajara-based group Descartes A Kant created their most recent album, 2023’s After Destruction, they actually made something much bigger. They built an entire concept and universe in which humans struggle to remain human in the face of relentless simulated reality. Their music is post-punk meets indie rock with incredibly intricate electronics. And you’ll want to make sure you check out the video for this one at some point, too. Recorded October 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, cha cha cha with the 60’s and 70’s Latin rock of Mexican band Enjambre. Enjambre started in California, but now hail from Mexico City. The core of the band is family - the Navejas brothers handle bass, guitar, keys, and vocals. They released their eighth studio album Noches de Salon in 2023 through De Gira, which leans heavily into a romantic, 70s, vibey groove. Recorded October 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, cha cha cha with the 60’s and 70’s Latin rock of Mexican band Enjambre. Enjambre started in California, but now hail from Mexico City. The core of the band is family - the Navejas brothers handle bass, guitar, keys, and vocals. They released their eighth studio album Noches de Salon in 2023 through De Gira, which leans heavily into a romantic, 70s, vibey groove. Recorded October 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 Ólafur Arnalds, and Janus Rasmussen making music together as Kiasmos. Kiasmos make experimental electronica, born in the cold geography of Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Ólafur Arnalds is a composer and producer, known for his work combining electronic beats and loops with organic string and piano sounds. He’s made 5 solo albums and created music for soundtracks, and he’s collaborated with bands as varied as Heaven Shall Burn, and Bonobo. Janus Rasmussen is in the band Bloodgroup, and creates his own melodic experimental music in Reykjavik. They started together in 2009, releasing their self-titled full-length in 2014. Their latest album together is simply titled “II” and is available on Erased Tapes. Recorded November 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 punk rock marimba of Son Rompe Pera. Son Rompe Pera was formed in 2017, by brothers - Kacho and Mongo Gama. They built up their skill on their father’s marimba, playing the streets, the markets, and weddings. The “Pera” in the band name is from their mother’s name “Esperanza.” They hail from the suburbs of Mexico City and proudly combine traditional music, cumbia, and rock to create their own powerful style of music. They have performed all over the world, from Vive Latino to Coachella. Their latest album is “Chimborazo” available on AYA Records. Recorded October 15, 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 belligerent bombast of Brooklyn dance-punk rockers, Gustaf. Gustaf is an exciting, dance-your-cares-away, punk rock band, with the additional benefit of being stylish, sophisticated, and occasionally downright funny. The 5-piece group is based in Brooklyn, and signed to Royal Mountain Records. Their latest is called “Package Pt. 2". Recorded November 6, 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 belligerent bombast of Brooklyn dance-punk rockers, Gustaf. Gustaf is an exciting, dance-your-cares-away, punk rock band, with the additional benefit of being stylish, sophisticated, and occasionally downright funny. The 5-piece group is based in Brooklyn, and signed to Royal Mountain Records. Their latest is called “Package Pt. 2". Recorded November 6, 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 punk rock marimba of Son Rompe Pera. Son Rompe Pera was formed in 2017, by brothers - Kacho and Mongo Gama. They built up their skill on their father’s marimba, playing the streets, the markets, and weddings. The “Pera” in the band name is from their mother’s name “Esperanza.” They hail from the suburbs of Mexico City and proudly combine traditional music, cumbia, and rock to create their own powerful style of music. They have performed all over the world, from Vive Latino to Coachella. Their latest album is “Chimborazo” available on AYA Records. Recorded October 15, 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 punk rock marimba of Son Rompe Pera. Son Rompe Pera was formed in 2017, by brothers - Kacho and Mongo Gama. They built up their skill on their father’s marimba, playing the streets, the markets, and weddings. The “Pera” in the band name is from their mother’s name “Esperanza.” They hail from the suburbs of Mexico City and proudly combine traditional music, cumbia, and rock to create their own powerful style of music. They have performed all over the world, from Vive Latino to Coachella. Their latest album is “Chimborazo” available on AYA Records. Recorded October 15, 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 sexy 60’s and psych of the Mystery Lights. The Mystery Lights are inspired by 60s and 70s psychedelic music, but not defined by those old styles. They also pull from their original Salinas, California punk rock scene, and from DapTone style R&B, country, and Hip Hop. Now based in New York, the band has embraced working with Daptone alumnus and super-producer Wayne Gordon. Always groovy, always high energy - their latest is called “Purgatory” and is available on Daptone Records. Recorded November 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, it’s the sexy 60’s and psych of the Mystery Lights. The Mystery Lights are inspired by 60s and 70s psychedelic music, but not defined by those old styles. They also pull from their original Salinas, California punk rock scene, and from DapTone style R&B, country, and Hip Hop. Now based in New York, the band has embraced working with Daptone alumnus and super-producer Wayne Gordon. Always groovy, always high energy - their latest is called “Purgatory” and is available on Daptone Records. Recorded November 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, it’s the Mercury Prize winning indie-rock of English band, English Teacher. English Teacher is an English Band from Leeds and Lancashire - both in the north of England and about 2 hours apart. They sort of re-formed from an earlier version of the band in 2020, and released the single “R&B” featuring a shout out to a certain radio station in Seattle. The buzz from that got them some radio play, and they eventually released their first EP Polyawkward in 2022. Their sound has gelled into an original blend of mathy punk, spoken word, and sweeping noise-pop orchestration, in support of the mesmerizing voice of singer Lily Fontaine. Recorded September 27th, 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 Mercury Prize winning indie-rock of English band, English Teacher. English Teacher is an English Band from Leeds and Lancashire - both in the north of England and about 2 hours apart. They sort of re-formed from an earlier version of the band in 2020, and released the single “R&B” featuring a shout out to a certain radio station in Seattle. The buzz from that got them some radio play, and they eventually released their first EP Polyawkward in 2022. Their sound has gelled into an original blend of mathy punk, spoken word, and sweeping noise-pop orchestration, in support of the mesmerizing voice of singer Lily Fontaine. Recorded September 27th, 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 propulsive poise and complexity of Nilüfer Yanya. Nilüfer Yanya is a British singer-songwriter, from an artistic family with Turkish and Barbadian heritage. She writes pensive songs, centered around her breathy contralto and her original guitar style. You could sit and think about the equivocal lyrics, or you could get off your ass and dance. Her latest is “My Method Actor” - as in she is her own, method actor - sort of learning to be herself by inhabiting herself fully. For this performance she played 5 songs from the album, which is available on Ninja Tune. Here’s Nilüfer Yanya - Live on KEXP. Recorded October 26th, 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 propulsive poise and complexity of Nilüfer Yanya. Nilüfer Yanya is a British singer-songwriter, from an artistic family with Turkish and Barbadian heritage. She writes pensive songs, centered around her breathy contralto and her original guitar style. You could sit and think about the equivocal lyrics, or you could get off your ass and dance. Her latest is “My Method Actor” - as in she is her own, method actor - sort of learning to be herself by inhabiting herself fully. For this performance she played 5 songs from the album, which is available on Ninja Tune. Here’s Nilüfer Yanya - Live on KEXP. Recorded October 26th, 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 emo-math, jangle-pop of Wuhan band Chinese Football. Chinese Football is a 4 piece indie-rock band formed in 2011. The name was indeed inspired by Midwest legends American Football, and the 2 bands have even played together. Their music has elements of emo, math-rock, indie-rock and punk. Their latest release is “Win or Lose”, the 3rd in a trilogy of albums based on a fictitious video game. The first was “Here Comes a New Challenger?” followed by “Continue?”. The albums all have killer anime style covers, by the illustrator Space Layout, inspired by Streetfighter 2. The lyrics sort of follow the trials and tribulations of singer Xu Bo’s dream of becoming a rock star, and the band touring the world. There’s a humility to the lyrics that borders on self deprecation, what they call “the hesitation which follows failure.” Once the band fires up though, there is no hesitation, they deliver tight jangly, intricate riffs, poppy harmony, and a danceable groove. Recorded October 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 emo-math, jangle-pop of Wuhan band Chinese Football. Chinese Football is a 4 piece indie-rock band formed in 2011. The name was indeed inspired by Midwest legends American Football, and the 2 bands have even played together. Their music has elements of emo, math-rock, indie-rock and punk. Their latest release is “Win or Lose”, the 3rd in a trilogy of albums based on a fictitious video game. The first was “Here Comes a New Challenger?” followed by “Continue?”. The albums all have killer anime style covers, by the illustrator Space Layout, inspired by Streetfighter 2. The lyrics sort of follow the trials and tribulations of singer Xu Bo’s dream of becoming a rock star, and the band touring the world. There’s a humility to the lyrics that borders on self deprecation, what they call “the hesitation which follows failure.” Once the band fires up though, there is no hesitation, they deliver tight jangly, intricate riffs, poppy harmony, and a danceable groove. Recorded October 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 jazz, it's Afrobeat, it’s KOKOROKO. KOKOROKO is a big band - 7 musicians - brought together by trumpeter and vocalist Sheila Maurice-Grey and percussionist and co-musical director Onome Edgeworth. They started the band partly because they both believe in the importance of Afrobeat. It encompasses a cultural legacy of politics, activism, community, and also serves as collective memory. It’s extra important to the children of dual heritage, to the Africans living in London, and to all the people who yearn for connection to their roots. Their track “Abusey Junction” blew up on the internet after its release on a compilation of new London jazz. Their latest release is the EP Get the Message, available on Brownswood Recordings. Recorded October 23, 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 jazz, it's Afrobeat, it’s KOKOROKO. KOKOROKO is a big band - 7 musicians - brought together by trumpeter and vocalist Sheila Maurice-Grey and percussionist and co-musical director Onome Edgeworth. They started the band partly because they both believe in the importance of Afrobeat. It encompasses a cultural legacy of politics, activism, community, and also serves as collective memory. It’s extra important to the children of dual heritage, to the Africans living in London, and to all the people who yearn for connection to their roots. Their track “Abusey Junction” blew up on the internet after its release on a compilation of new London jazz. Their latest release is the EP Get the Message, available on Brownswood Recordings. Recorded October 23, 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.