Song of the Day: Fernando - Save Me

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJ’s think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is "Save Me" by Fernando from the 2015 album Leave The Radio On on Fluff and Gravy Records.

Fernando - Save Me (MP3)

Portland by way of Argentina musician Fernando has released seven studio albums over his succesful career, working with members of Beck, Eliot Smith and M. Ward in the process. He has explored and blended Americana roots, country, rock and folk in his various projects, and has found success within all the genres. Yet album Leave The Radio On may be his most triumphant work, as it follows a battle with an illness that left the album in the works for more then three years. Opening album track "Save Me" provides a first glimpse at the album and an excellent introduction to Fernando's work for those unacquainted. It features a jangly guitar riff and slightly flanged vocals backed by a subtle organ and a rumbling country bass line. A wave of distortion soon crashes in though, providing the vocals and guitar with a rougher, more menacing aesthetic and adding a sense of chaos to the song that is only further highlighted by Fernando's repeated questioning of "Who's going to save me?" The song is a melting pot of Fernando's influences, pieced together expertly in a way few musicians can. If "Save Me" is any indication, Leave The Radio On will have been well worth the wait.

Fernando has a handful of tour dates coming up, including a stop in Seattle at Conor Byrne in Ballard on October 23rd. Find out more on his website and Facebook page. For now, watch Fernando perform "Watchtower" below: