When Kay Redden moved to Seattle from Garland, Texas, she made it her mission to connect with her newly adopted home through music. So, in searching for meaning after mother’s death in April 2015, she launched Den Tapes, spending countless hours hand-dubbing cassettes. It wasn’t long before local bands gravitated toward her down-to-earth, community-oriented approach to music distribution. 

This year, she’s marking the label’s tenth birthday with a compilation titled What Else is Sacred? A Compilation of Grief, as well as a curated two-day lineup at Den Fest on August 8 and 9 at Sunset Tavern. 

KEXP’s Dusty Henry spoke with Redden to explore the label’s ten-year history through five standout albums. 

“I am anti Seattle Freeze,” Redden says in the interview. “I don't believe in it. There are too many transplants here now for it to be real. I want to make a community that actually welcomes you with open arms.” On that note, when it comes to Den Fest, she advises showgoers: “Come and be prepared to dance a little bit. If you don't like dancing, stand at the back,” she laughs. 

Support the show: kexp.org/deeper  

Redden's picks for must-listen Den Tapes albums:

New Album by Happy Times Sad Times

Switch Hits by Various Artists

Skin by Wild Powwers

Passe by Oruã

Pistons of the Ages by M.A. Sampson

Photo Credit: Ashley Dickerson

When Kay Redden moved to Seattle from Garland, Texas, she made it her mission to connect with her newly adopted home through music. So, in searching for meaning after mother&rsquo;s death in April 2015, she launched Den Tapes, spending countless hours hand-dubbing cassettes. It wasn&rsquo;t long before local bands gravitated toward her down-to-earth, community-oriented approach to music distribution.&nbsp;
This year, she&rsquo;s marking the label&rsquo;s tenth birthday with a compilation titled What Else is Sacred? A Compilation of Grief, as well as a curated two-day lineup at Den Fest on August 8 and 9 at Sunset Tavern.&nbsp;
KEXP&rsquo;s Dusty Henry spoke with Redden to explore the label&rsquo;s ten-year history through five standout albums.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I am anti Seattle Freeze,&rdquo; Redden says in the interview. &ldquo;I don't believe in it. There are too many transplants here now for it to be real. I want to make a community that actually welcomes you with open arms.&rdquo; On that note, when it comes to Den Fest, she advises showgoers: &ldquo;Come and be prepared to dance a little bit. If you don't like dancing, stand at the back,&rdquo; she laughs.&nbsp;
Support the show: <a href="http://kexp.org/deeper">kexp.org/deeper</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
Redden's picks for must-listen Den Tapes albums:
<a href="https://happytimessadtimes.bandcamp.com/album/new-album">New Album</a> by Happy Times Sad Times
<a href="https://dentapes.bandcamp.com/album/switch-hits">Switch Hits</a> by Various Artists
<a href="https://wildpowwers.bandcamp.com/album/skin">Skin</a> by Wild Powwers
<a href="https://orua.bandcamp.com/album/passe">Passe</a> by Oru&atilde;
<a href="Pistons%20of%20the%20Ages">Pistons of the Ages</a> by M.A. Sampson
Photo Credit: Ashley Dickerson

On A Deeper Listen, host Emily Fox and other storytellers from KEXP talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.

On A Deeper Listen, host Emily Fox and other storytellers from KEXP talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.

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