In Our Headphones

Archers of Loaf - “Raleigh Days,” a 2020 single on Merge Records. It's been over 20 years, but indie rock kings Archers of Loaf have returned with the single "Raleigh Days," their first new music since 1998's LP White Trash Heroes. Originally formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1991, the band exploded on to the scene with their debut album Icky Mettle and the hit single "Web in Front", which landed them a highly-coveted appearance on MTV's Beavis & Butthead. Read the full post on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Earle & The Dukes - “Devil Put the Coal in the Ground” from the 2020 album Ghosts of West Virginia on New West Records. In 2010, the Upper Big Branch coal mine in Raleigh County, West Virginia exploded, killing twenty-nine of the thirty-one miners present at the time. It's been called one of the worst mining disasters in American history. And it inspired the latest album from veteran singer/songwriter Steve Earle, titled Ghosts of West Virginia. The project originated with the off-Broadway play Coal Country, written by playwrights Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, who approached Earle to compose the score. While the play had to cancel its run in New York City due the coronavirus, Earle will release the songs as his 20th studio album on May 22nd via New West Records.  Read the full post on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Throwing Muses - “Dark Blue” from the 2020 album Sun Racket on Fire Records. Alt-rock icons Throwing Muses return with their first new album in seven years, the fiery tenth full-length Sun Racket, out September 4 via Fire Records. The group originally formed in the early '80s, with it's current line-up of Kristin Hersh, drummer David Narcizo, and bassist Bernard Georges holding steady since the '90s. Recording the new album brought everybody back together from their respective coasts.  “Sun Racket has always been geographical," Narcizo confirms in a press release. "...a transplanted southerner in New England crash landing in California. A West Coast sound at New England scale, dragged back down to the south where the elements got more aggressive but now with deeper roots.” Read the full post on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

B-Band - "Kavire Del” from the 2013 self-released album Napichideh (Uncomplicated) B-band formed in Tehran, Iran in 2009, combining alt-rock with Persian folklore. Dr. Nasim Niknafs, Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Toronto, points out in an interview with Ethnotes that "when you transliterate this name into Farsi, it has another meaning, which translates roughly to 'without any boundaries.' In addition, B-Band is the name of a guitar pickup company. One name, many layers!" Today's featured track is a cover of the '70s-era single “Kavire Del” by Marjan, which itself was a cover of a French/Turkish song performed by Ajda Pekkan. Read the full post on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Liraz - “Zan Bezan” from the 2020 album Zan on Dead Sea Recordings Liraz Charhi's family emigrated to Israel during the '70s at the brink of the Iranian Revolution. Nearly 50 years later, it's still a major influence in the music she writes under the name Liraz. "Music in Iran in the ’70s was characterized by resistance to traditional music and a desire to find a universal sound," she explained to the Haaretz Newspaper. Today's Song of the Day translates to "Women, Sing" — it's a call to action for women to join her personal revolution. According to Liraz, "The fight for women’s freedom of expression is in my DNA." Read the full post on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bahram - “گوشت (Goosht)," a 2019 single on Peeleh Records The Huffington Post declared him one of the "50 people shaping the culture of the Middle East." Bahram Nouraei — who records simply as Bahram — uses hip-hop to call out the current political climate of Iran. His breakout single was titled "Nameyee Be Rayees Jomhour" (translating to "A Letter to the President"), which openly criticized the sixth president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Bahram has since relocated to Stockholm, Sweden. Earlier this year, he launched today's featured track, titled “گوشت (Goosht),” produced by Peymandegar and featuring album artwork by Setareh Malekzadeh. On March 20th, he released a new EP titled Gozaar (Transition), out now via Peeleh. Real the full post on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Salome MC - “Odium” from the 2017 self-released album Excerpts from Unhappy Consciousness Salome MC is Iran's first female rapper, and her LP Excerpts from Unhappy Consciousness is the first full-length Persian hip-hop album produced by a woman. This is all the more impressive when you learn that in 2007, the Iranian government denounced rap, with the Ministry of Culture shutting down recording studios where these albums are made, raiding record stores where this music might be sold, blocking websites, and even arresting the artists themselves. Released in 2017, Excerpts from Unhappy Consciousness is the culmination of two years work, said to be an "autobiographical concept album that explores a woman's journey in the light of Hegel's Unhappy Consciousness, with each track correlating to a stage of dialectical life of spirit." Read the full post on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SarrSew - "Farewell, Warden.” from the 2018 album Girih: Iranian Sound Artists on Zabte Sote When Tehran-born, Paris-based artist Sara Bigdeli Shamloo isn’t recording as half of the duo 9T Antiope, she records solo under the name SarrSew. While previous SarrSew tracks were composed for theatre and film (Shamloo was studying Theatre Directing at Tehran University before she dropped out), today’s Song of the Day marks her solo debut single, a haunting, somber chant sung in English over an eerie, yet meditative lullaby until it culminates in an erratic blur of feedback.  Read the full post on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eyelids - "The Accidental Falls" from the 2020 album The Accidental Falls on Jealous Butcher Records When Larry Beckett offers up his lyrics to you, it's hard to say "no." Beckett was a long-time collaborator with legendary singer/songwriter Tim Buckley, and even wrote the lyrics to the now-iconic and heavily-covered 1969 single "Song to the Siren." He's also the father of the kid who's best friends with Chris Slusarenko's son, putting this creative connection into place. Slusarenko is a member of Portland supergroup Eyelids, which features members of The Decemberists, Guided by Voices, Elliott Smith, Quasi, and Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks. Eyelids' latest album, The Accidental Falls, is a 13-song collection utilizing Beckett's lyrics, produced by fellow Portland resident, R.E.M.'s Peter Buck. For the title track, Beckett drew from the works of 18th and 19th century German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe for "probably the most rocking translation of Goethe's work to date." Read the full post on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cable Ties - "Sandcastles" from the 2020 album Far Enough on Merge Records. Melbourne punk trio Cable Ties return with the album Far Enough at the end of the month, their second album overall, but their first for Merge Records. The Australian group made their debut in April 2015, performing at Wetfest, an annual non-binary-inclusive music festival spotlighting bands emerging from Melbourne's D.I.Y. scene. Since then, they've emerged from the underground with their intense, cathartic anthems. On today's featured track, the call-and-response vocals of guitarist Jenny McKechnie and drummer Shauna Boyle may call to mind the interplay between Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney, but Cable Ties bring a more '70s-post punk influence, channeling bands like X-Ray Spex and The Raincoats. Read the full post on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - "Cars In Space," a 2020 single on Sub Pop. Melbourne, Australia's Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever return with the single "Cars In Space," which — along with last year's singles “In The Capital” and ‘“Read My Mind” — marks their first new music since their debut LP Hope Downs.   Much like Hope Downs, "Cars In Space" is a jangly piece of pop, harkening back to the '80s Australian indie-pop heyday. The group's dueling vocals are in play, adding another level of tension to a song band member Fran Keaney says "follows the swirling words and thoughts before a break-up." Read the full post on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamilton Leithauser - “Here They Come” from the 2020 album The Loves of Your Life on Glassnote Records. Following his 2016 collaboration with Vampire Weekend's Rostam, Leithauser returns this year with The Loves of Your Life, an album produced, recorded, and written all by himself. “All of the songs on my new record are about people,” he explained in a press statement. “Individual, real people. Some are strangers I’ve met, but a lot are friends.” In the case of today's Song of the Day, the friend in particular "tends to run from his problems. When the going gets tough, he tends to just cut and run. The song is about the specific moment when the lights are coming up in a movie theater where he’s been hiding out all day, and life’s complications are just coming back into focus.” Read the full post on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yumi Zouma - “Cool for a Second” from the 2020 album Truth or Consequences on Polyvinyl. Dream pop quartet Yumi Zouma have returned with the new album Truth or Consequences, their first for new label Polyvinyl Records but their third overall.  Today's Song of the Day is a swoon-inducing electro-pop piece with an '80's-style beat. It's hard to believe the song was almost scrapped. Ryder explained, via a press release, "The song was demoed in Los Angeles and then long forgotten, destined for the scrap heap. A spark of inspiration from Josh in the introduction reestablished that for us, the most conspicuous of melodies are often hidden in modest beginnings.” Read the full post on KEXP.orgSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perfect Son - Lust - from the 2019 album Cast on Sub Pop.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FLOHIO - WAY2 - a 2019 single on ALPHA.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FVLCRVM - Words - a 2018 single on Universal Austria.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

alyona alyona - Падло (feat. Alina Pash) - from the 2019 album ПУШКА on HitWonder.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La colère - La Plage - from the 2020 self-released album La Vague.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Acid Tongue - Bullies - from the 2020 album Bullies on Freakout Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ultraísta - Tin King - from the 2020 album Sister on Partisan Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BROKEN UP - Long Long Long - a 2019 single on Wave Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pottery - Texas Drums Pt I & II - from the 2020 album Welcome to Bobby's Motel on Partisan Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FACS - Teenage Hive - from the 2020 album Void Moments on Trouble In Mind Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chastity Belt - The Process - a 2020 single on Hardly Art.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wye Oak - Fear of Heights - a 2020 single on Merge Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drive-By Truckers - Thoughts and Prayers - from the 2020 album The Unraveling on ATO Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Waxahatchee - Fire - from the 2020 album Saint Cloud on Merge Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lady Lamb - Arizona - a 2020 single on Ba Da Bing!Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smokey Brights - Flash Your Lights (Rudy Willingham Remix) - a 2020 single on Freakout Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Midwife - Anyone Can Play Guitar - from the 2020 album Forever on The Flenser.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Moaning - Ego - from the 2020 album Uneasy Laughter on Sub Pop.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thrillhouse - One Of These Days - a 2019 self-released single.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cartalk - Wrestling - a 2019 single on DistroKid.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rocketship - What's the Use of Books - from the 2019 album Thanks to You on Darla Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poliça - Sea Without Blue - from the 2020 album When We Stay Alive on Memphis Industries.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TORRES - Dressing America - from the 2020 album Silver Tongue on Merge Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonah Mutono - Circulation - a 2019 single on True Panther/EQT Recordings.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reminders - Have It All - a 2020 self-released single.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy - This Is Far From Over - from the 2019 album I Made A Place on Drag City.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weyes Blood - Wild Time - from the 2019 album Titanic Rising on Sub Pop.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Stipe - Drive To The Ocean - a 2020 self-released single.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Courtney Barnett - Dead Fox - from the 2015 album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit on Mom + Pop.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kero Kero Bonito - When the Fires Come - from the 2019 album Civilisation I on Polyvinyl.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hotels - Sides - a 2019 self-released single.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MGMT - In the Afternoon - a 2019 single on MGMT Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dogleg - Fox - from the 2020 album Melee on Triple Crown Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonny Light Horseman - Deep In Love - from the 2020 album Bonny Light Horseman on 37d03d.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ratboys - Alien With a Sleep Mask On - from the 2020 album Printer's Devil on Topshelf Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Polyrhythmics - Yeti, Set, Go - a 2019 self-released single.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House of Feelings - Convo (feat. Dave Harrington) - a 2019 single on House of Feelings Records.Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.