Friday on My Mind: KEXP & Seattle Center present the 2013 Concerts at the Mural!

It’s time again for Friday on My Mind. Our weekly blog post where we look at videos centered around one common theme. This is a collaborative effort between KEXP and King 5 News.

Today we are proud to kick-off of this year’s Concerts at the Mural Series, presented by KEXP and Seattle Center. This series began in 2008 and every year it's been a wonderful summer experience for KEXP friends and family to come together during the tail end of summer to enjoy amazing live music. We’ll be presenting the Seattle community with four free shows every Friday during the month of August. Bring the whole family because it’s all ages and bring a blanket or lawn chairs for the open lawn seating. There will be a beer garden for those of you that are 21 and over and food options for your hunger. Today’s inaugural show is a collaboration with our friends over at No Depression, which will feature the best in Americana and Roots music.

And now, here are a few video highlights of some of the amazing artists who will playing this year’s Concerts at the Mural....

Mudhoney - Touch Me I’m Sick (Performed on KEXP from the Space Needle on 7/11/13)

Mark Arm and Steve Turner formed Mudhoney in 1988 out of the ashes of influential grunge band Green River, which also featured Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard. Named after a 1965 Russ Meyer film, the band continues to go strong and released their ninth studio album, Vanishing Point, just this past April. Mudhoney and KEXP have long had strong ties. Mark Arm is a former KCMU DJ and the band has performed on our airwaves many times, the most recent being a few weeks ago. In what was a first for all parties involved, KEXP & Sub Pop were proud to team up with the fine folks over at the Seattle Center to present Mudhoney performing live from the very top of the Space Needle all in celebration of Sub Pop’s 25th anniversary. The band will be teaming up with KEXP again to headline our August 16th Concert at the Mural along with up and coming local bands, The Grizzled Mighty and Dude York. To get you ready for that performance, here is the video footage of the band’s historic performance from up top of the Space Needle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=7OsJhFIYpPs

JD McPherson - North Side Gal (Performed on KEXP from Austin for SXSW on 3/16/12)

Singer-songwriter J.D. McPherson released his debut album, Signs & Signifiers in 2010. McPherson's music channels the 50's so much so that his sound has been described by many as a throwback or vintage in its style. He's performed his music on shows like David Letterman and Jay Leno, but has also stopped in at KEXP to perform a couple of times over the last few years. Prepare to be blown away when JD and his band tear it up tonight along with Rose Windows at GravelRoad. Now to prepare you, here is JD McPherson's performance of "North Side Gal" during our 2012 remote broadcast from Austin...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyMsYMSXO6o

Rose Windows - Indian Summer (Performed on KEXP on 11/24/12)

Rose Windows have built up quite a buzz since their formation during Fall 2010. This seven member outfit was kind enough to turn in a demo copy of their album to KEXP back in October of 2012, so their music has been familiar to and loved by KEXP’s listeners ahead of Sub Pop’s June 2013 official release of their debut full length, Sun Dogs. Rose Windows will be performing at tonight’s first Concert at the Mural for 2013, which we are proud to present with the Seattle Center and No Depression. This band is only going to continue to grow and become more well known. Make sure not to miss this show, as it may be one of the last times you’ll be able to see this up and coming band for free. Here is their performance of the song “Indian Summer” from their in studio appearance during Audioasis back in November...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_Hqr9qvtII

Honorable Mentions:

Cloud Cult - That Man Jumped Out the Window (KEXP field recording from Sasquatch 2012)

Cloud Cult are old friends of KEXP. Since the station and the band first crossed paths during the early 2000’s, we’ve had the honor of seeing them grow. This Minneapolis based group have been going strong since 1995 and we love them for so many reasons. Cloud Cult mastermind Craig Minowa and his wife and fellow band member Connie own an organic farm in northern Minnesota, where they run their label Earthology Records. Not only is the farm powered by geothermal energy and built with reclaimed wood, and recycled plastic, the label is non profit, which also only uses recycled materials. Earthology was responsible for the first 100% postconsumer recycled or made of certified organic materials and they donate their profits to environmental charities. Cloud Cult will be reuniting with the KEXP community during their headlining performance for the Friday August 9th edition of the Mural Series along with Seattle bands, Deep Sea Diver and Chastity Belt. Here is footage of Cloud Cult that our video team recorded during the 2012 Sasquatch! Music Festival out at the Gorge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc5mVWPwljc

Deep Sea Diver - Keep It Moving (Performed on KEXP on 11/12/12)

Deep Sea Diver began in 2007 as a solo project of Seattle based Jessica Dobson. Dobson has been a session musician for many favorite artists and bands of the KEXP airwaves such as Beck, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and the Shins. In 2010, Dobson’s husband Peter Mansen was added on drums, and John Raines on bass to form a full band. Come out to see Deep Sea Diver live at the Mural on the 9th, but until then, here is video of their performance from November when they stopped by the KEXP studios....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrrtgXOIn6E