“Conform, go crazy or become an artist.” DC-based musician Bartees Strange understands this sentiment well. As an artist, he’s pushing the boundaries of music by refusing to conform to one genre which, especially for artists of color, tends to be incredibly limiting. With influences ranging from At the Drive In to The National, Strange is reinventing what it means to be a “Black artist.” 

For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson dissects Strange’s history and influences to uncover how he became the revolutionary artist he is today.

Recorded 12/09/2020.
Mustang
Boomer
In A Cab
Far
Stone Meadows

Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube

&ldquo;Conform, go crazy or become an artist.&rdquo; DC-based musician Bartees Strange understands this sentiment well. As an artist, he&rsquo;s pushing the boundaries of music by refusing to conform to one genre which, especially for artists of color, tends to be incredibly limiting. With influences ranging from At the Drive In to The National, Strange is reinventing what it means to be a &ldquo;Black artist.&rdquo;&nbsp;
For Live on KEXP, Troy Nelson dissects Strange&rsquo;s history and influences to uncover how he became the revolutionary artist he is today.
Recorded 12/09/2020.
<ol>
<li dir="ltr">Mustang</li>
<li dir="ltr">Boomer</li>
<li dir="ltr">In A Cab</li>
<li dir="ltr">Far</li>
<li dir="ltr">Stone Meadows</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZYRt1IrO14">Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube</a>

Live on KEXP brings you the very best of KEXP’s world-renowned live in-studio and remote performances. Each week, we’ll bring you a new live session, from emerging artists to well-established acts, spanning styles, genres and cultures. Full video of all Live on KEXP performances available at youtube.com/kexp.

Live on KEXP brings you the very best of KEXP’s world-renowned live in-studio and remote performances. Each week, we’ll bring you a new live session, from emerging artists to well-established acts, spanning styles, genres and cultures. Full video of all Live on KEXP performances available at youtube.com/kexp.

Live on KEXP

Bartees Strange

New York

Better Days

Baby Says

On the show this time, it’s a stripped down performance from post-garage rockers The Kills.

The Kills met back in the late 90’s when singer Alison Mosshart was staying in London during a tour with a previous band, and met her upstairs neighbor Jamie Hince. She loved his guitar playing and insisted that they be in a band together. That didn’t happen right away, but they kept in touch, and began writing together, and sharing 4 track demos of stuff, from when they were apart. Once her band broke up, Alison moved to London, and the band that would become The Kills formed in 2001, recording as VV and Hotel until they picked the band name. They play hard hitting heavy music, with one foot in bluesy garage rock, the other in epic cinematic noir-pop. It’s glitzy and dirty and always so dang cool. Their latest album is 'God Games' and it is available on Domino.

Recorded 02/07/2024.
New York
Better Days
103
Baby Says
Fried My Little Brains

Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.

On the show this time, it’s a stripped down performance from post-garage rockers The Kills.
The Kills met back in the late 90’s when singer Alison Mosshart was staying in London during a tour with a previous band, and met her upstairs neighbor Jamie Hince. She loved his guitar playing and insisted that they be in a band together. That didn’t happen right away, but they kept in touch, and began writing together, and sharing 4 track demos of stuff, from when they were apart. Once her band broke up, Alison moved to London, and the band that would become The Kills formed in 2001, recording as VV and Hotel until they picked the band name. They play hard hitting heavy music, with one foot in bluesy garage rock, the other in epic cinematic noir-pop. It’s glitzy and dirty and always so dang cool. Their latest album is 'God Games' and it is available on Domino.
Recorded 02/07/2024.
<ol>
<li>New York</li>
<li>Better Days</li>
<li>103</li>
<li>Baby Says</li>
<li>Fried My Little Brains</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_NbKcuTU1E">Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.</a>

The Kills [Performance & Interview Only]

The Kills

Full Performance

Mass Love

Defeat

Vine

Ophrys

Drift

Design

On the show this time, it’s the experimental electronic pop of producer and singer-songwriter Glasser.

Glasser is the project name for California based singer, composer and producer Cameron Mesirow. She released 'Apply' - her first EP under that name back in 2009. She’s been working at her own pace ever since, and developing her sound, an original blend of electronic and dance music, with influence from folk traditions, dream pop, trance, jazz and even spoken word. It’s all tied together by her nimble, melodic singing voice. Her latest is called “crux” and is available on One Little Independent.

Recorded 12/20/2023.
Mass Love
Defeat
Vine
Ophrys
Drift
Design

Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.

On the show this time, it’s the experimental electronic pop of producer and singer-songwriter Glasser.
Glasser is the project name for California based singer, composer and producer Cameron Mesirow. She released 'Apply' - her first EP under that name back in 2009. She’s been working at her own pace ever since, and developing her sound, an original blend of electronic and dance music, with influence from folk traditions, dream pop, trance, jazz and even spoken word. It’s all tied together by her nimble, melodic singing voice. Her latest is called “crux” and is available on One Little Independent.
Recorded 12/20/2023.
<ol>
<li>Mass Love</li>
<li>Defeat</li>
<li>Vine</li>
<li>Ophrys</li>
<li>Drift</li>
<li>Design</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH82pKEAYjw">Watch the full Live on KEXP session on YouTube.</a>

Bartees Strange

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