As you might have noticed, the pictures I gathered on my most recent visit to the KEXP stacks were exclusively from the local section, and I feel like I've been learning a lot of our fair city's history that simply living here for 12+ years has not been enough to absorb. Case in point: Somehow I've gotten this far in my life as a Seattleite without having heard of the musical phenomenon known as Richard Peterson. Peterson playing his trumpet on the street was a regular sight around sporting events in this city for decades, until he retired from busking just a few months ago to focus on playing the piano indoors. Not having witnessed Richard Peterson playing his trumpet outdoors, can I ever call myself a true Seattleite?
The charm of Peterson's 1982 debut's cover, including the artist's hand-written notes on it ("TO RADIO STATION KCMU-FM FROM RICHARD PETERSON. PLEASE 'AIR' PLAY ME AT TIMES, THANK YOU!"), combined with the KCMU DJs' unanimous adulation, just warmed the cockles of my heart. Now I have to go back to the station and listen to this thing, as I don't know where else I can find a copy.
"An organically conceived masterpiece, unmarred by even one bad cut. Side 2 is a classic.""Incredible!"
"A trusting record. Play it!!"
"THE BEST ALBUM AT THE STATION. **** EVEN AUTOGRAPHED."
There's not much information out there about the '80s Seattle band Mondo Vita. Their leader Eric "Travis" Wilson (who has been working as a musician in Las Vegas for the past decade) claims on his own web site that the band "appeared on every TV station Seattle had to offer. They also populated th…
Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Afterno…
It's hard to believe it's already been three years since the release of the Fleet Foxes album Helplessness Blues (voted #1 album of 2011 by KEXP listeners). Frontman Robin Pecknold took to Facebook yesterday to share an update:
For anyone who’s curious, this is a short Fleet Foxes update – been a w…
Room Nine were, it seems, a pretty big deal in Seattle in the late '80s; like Diamond Fist Werny, they were another band doing their own thing — with their own lighting designer! — while it probably seemed like everyone around them was churning out noisy, grungy rock. Room Nine broke up not long af…
