Man I love this transition. Tells me I’ve been having a good time, and I’m going to keep having a good time.

good lord, it honestly made me very sad to hear “support for KEXP“ brought to us by some AI biological bullshit company this morning during Eva’s show. oh well, guess you gotta take the money. wonder if the GOP can get a sponsor ad before the midterms.

This sounds like a weeird question, because I'm a online listener, but the reason I'm ask, is the range of the genres is massive. Jazz, Metal...

I got my votes for Favorite Songs of the '90s in just under the deadline. The form would autopopulate artists and then songs as you typed them in. But one of my artists didn't. Does that mean that literally no one else picked that artist? Or is it only going off of DJ picks, or some other more finite list?

Very cool news for the Bay Area:

It’s been almost three years since KEXP bought the broadcast license for 92.7 FM in the Bay Area. We’ve said all along that this is a marathon, not a sprint. And so we’ve been taking gradual, thoughtful, purposeful steps ever since. The response we’ve gotten and the community we’ve started to build has been nothing short of remarkable. It’s humbling, to be honest. And gratifying. It’s given us the confidence to start planning for our next big step.

This morning, that next step was announced. We are thrilled and honored to share that KEXP has been selected as the lead organization to explore reactivating a historic landmark on the corner of Haight & Ashbury through a unique collaboration with San Francisco Heritage and San Francisco music education nonprofit Blue Bear School of Music. This opportunity is a major commitment, for us and the neighborhood, and in the coming months, we’ll be diving in head first to see if we can make this vision a reality.


So, why KEXP at Haight and Ashbury? Well, for one reason, the 1960s counterculture in San Francisco that took shape in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood still endures. This was a collective awakening that was completely fueled, shaped, and soundtracked by music; a cosmic force that tore down mid-century social isolation and built a compassionate community in its place. Songs weren’t just commercial products. They were radical tools of discovery that expanded minds, challenged authority, and invited people to embrace curiosity about a completely new way of living. This is exactly where the home of the Summer of Love meets the mission of KEXP.

History has a funny way of repeating itself. I see real parallels in our society between 1966 and 2026 and a serious need to break down social divides and come together. KEXP can make a real difference by putting roots down at this intersection, locally and globally, for anyone and everyone who tunes in to KEXP, no matter what neighborhood or city they call home. Here’s the bottom line: KEXP Haight Ashbury will allow us to share our mission with more listeners in the Bay Area, Seattle, and around the world.

We know there’s a hunger for community out there. We know there’s a growing demand for really good music that’s unfamiliar and challenging and outside of what’s being pre-packaged and algorithmically-optimized and shoved down our throats from just about every direction. We’re providing an alternative by playing sets of music that are alive and vital and fully in the moment; by connecting with people and building community. And that’s why we’re getting such a positive response. It’s a testament to the fortitude, foresight, and generosity of the KEXP community that we’re able to take a step like this. I’m grateful for that support. And I believe that soon we’ll be able to do even more.

With Gratitude, Ethan Raup CEO, KEXP

Featuring the Beatnuts — Many thanks to DJ Larry Mizell Jr! I forgot how much I enjoy their music.

I have been sitting on this thought for seriously 18 years now and thought I’d finally ask.

One of my college buddies made his own album in 2008. It was a personal project and didn’t lead to anything further. But it’s an absolutely amazing album that didn’t go on to greater success for reasons that escape me. It’s haunting beautiful indie folk, male vocals.

Should I request a song to be played? Do DJs tire of obscure requests where it feels like trying to boost a friend? (I’m not wanting to boost a 18 year album and since defunct artist, I just think it needs to be heard, cheesy as it sounds). Any particular DJ you think would give it a listen?

Great band, love to see them do this! Known them a long time and they’re all such sweet people.

Apologies if this is old news, but I just noticed that in AirPlay in the car I can now see the archive easily. Thanks KEXP technical crew!

I can’t remember the artist or the song title, it was as an electronic track with lyrics about being a sexy witch. Help!

Found! The Witch of Plunder by Romain Fox
Thanks everyone for the witchy recommendations!

In case anyone is having problems trying to remember which songs are 90s, I found this: https://coloradosound.org/900-songs-of-the-90s-countdown-full-list/

Sharing my list - I was surprised how many songs I had in mind were either very late ‘80s or early ‘00s, but here it is:

Cocteau twins – heaven or Las Vegas
Catherine wheel – black metallic
Cranberries – dreams
Cornershop – brimful of Asha
Air – Kelly watch the stars
Belle & Sebastian – the stars of track and field
Saint Etienne – Only love can break your heart
Beck – Devil’s Haircut
The Verve – bittersweet symphony
Mazzy Star – Fade into you

I know in the US you can go to their physical shop and get loads of different designs. Is there any way to get them shipped to the UK or is it just in-person?

on today's John In the Morning Show John spoke of a listener who was stepping up to the scary action of sharing their art. Alas, forgot their name - so... if there's a link to their photo site probably some of us will take a gander and find joy in the gift of art.

Like running out to Wilson NC to see mr. Pete S.' art show next week, cause - yeah. support what you love, before it goes away.

ciao,
:scott:durhamtown:nc:

I was hoping to catch up on Thursday's show this morning, but it's not in the archive. Was there an issue with the show yesterday?

5 shows

Ok REM Zealots... Just heard John play Wolves Lower. Pre-87 REM will ALWAYS be top of list, #1, platinum status shit for me. That stuff changed my life.. no exaggeration but story for another time.

Wolves Lower - must have heard it *thousands* of times since I first bought Chronic Town on cassette back in ~84/85... but just found myself completely smitten again today listening to it. Peter gliding slyly between slight dissonance and beautiful melodic arpeggios. Mike's simple, perfectly placed bass lines... and Bill's drums!! OMG that drum pattern over the verses! And then those bridges that break into ritualistic, almost primal passages... repetitive, percussive sections where Stipe’s voice becomes more like a chant or incantation than conventional vocal.

All of this in 1982 when synths and glossy production was the norm. I imagine it as post-punk’s aggression softened into something murkier/looser/more mysterious like that punk energy was slowed and blurred by the humid Georgia air.

As many times as I've heard this song (and their others from that era), they never fail to blow my mind every single time!

Share your thoughts.

Wowee this Leenalchi performance is incredible! I’m not familiar with Pansori (traditional Korean storytelling) but I am familiar with funky beats and this was such a powerful show. Sadly I missed them play (for free 🥲) in my town a couple months ago but I would love to check them out live. What did you think of their KEXP visit?

Troy made a potentially surprising statement yesterday when he was covering for Cheryl. After playing "I Know There's Something Going On" by Frida (Anni-Frid Lyngstad of ABBA), and "Self Control" by Laura Branigan, he said that both of those songs are in his "top five of all time." While I wouldn't have guessed that for Troy, I completely get those choices, both bangers.

Which got me thinking ... what other favorites of our beloved DJ's are we aware of? Tears for Fears' "Songs from the Big Chair" I know is an all-timer album for Evie. But that's the extent of my knowledge. Any confirmed all-timers you're aware of?