Fall Fundraising Drive: In With the New

“I love hearing about new artists like Shovels & Rope, Tame Impala and First Aid Kit. If it weren't for KEXP I wouldn't hear about all these great bands and artists!” – Caitlin from Fremont

“I am always surprised by the new artists I find on KEXP. At all times of the day—at 5am or after a long day at work — I find inspiring music that motivates me.” – Michelle from Meadowbrook.

New music opens our ears, hearts and minds. The first time I heard Antony and the Johnsons, I was speechless. I couldn’t do anything else until I’d tracked down the name of the artist and figured out how to hear more of that haunting music. Fortunately, tools like KEXP’s real time playlist and the Favorites function on our iPhone app make it easier than ever to do just that.

Admittedly, there’s a little bit of wiggle room when it comes to “new” music and our Top Albums of the 21st Century countdown. I imagine we’ll hear highlights from recent records made by career artists like Kate Bush, Patti Smith and Bob Dylan. That’s cool, too. Plenty of KEXP Community members got just as excited by David Bowie’s 2013 comeback The Next Day as they did about breakthrough releases by baby bands like Parquet Courts and John Wizards.

But here’s a Fall Fundraising Drive definition of “new” we can agree on: if you’ve never donated to listener-powered KEXP before, and you make a gift right now, you’ll definitely be a new donor. And the rush you’ll feel from supporting the music you love will inspire you just as much as any new song or artist you’ve discovered on KEXP. Go on, try it and see:

There are so many ways to explore new music on KEXP: the Song of the Day Podcast, our YouTube channel, community events like the free Concerts at the Mural shows. Your gifts make all of those possible, and we are so grateful. Thank you! We love new music just as much as you do, and with your support we’ll keep bringing you as much of it as we can ... until it’s time for the Top Albums of the 22nd Century countdown!