Den Tapes Celebrates 10 Years of Seattle Music with Den Fest
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 DickersonSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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White Lotus Actor Michael Imperioli on Lou Reed, Buddhism, and Antiquity
Michael Imperioli, the actor known for his roles in The Sopranos and The White Lotus, is also the guitarist of a three-piece indie band called Zopa. Their latest album, Diamond Vehicle, came out in early 2025. KEXP’s Martin Douglas spoke with Imperioli about how he started playing music, the influence of Buddhism in his songwriting, and his fondness of The Beatles, Lou Reed, and The Smiths. “When you play with people for a long time, hopefully something gels,” Imperioli says of Zopa’s music. “It took a while to get there, but I’m happy with how it came out.” Support the show: kexp.org/deeper photo by Kayla RoccaSupport the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Bonus: Wu-Tang’s Final Chamber
July 18, 2025 was the last day of Wu-Tang Clan’s farewell concert tour, The Final Chamber. One of their stops was at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena, where KEXP’s Dusty Henry, Martin Douglas, and Larry Mizell, Jr. rapped alongside thousands of fans. We recap the concert and pay tribute to the group’s decades-long legacy. “Wu-Tang Clan is our generation’s equivalent of the Beatles — it’s not even close,” Martin asserts in the conversation. “They basically created an entirely new style out of an existing form of music. They wrapped up this whole mythology inside of it, from the use of samples to the aliases to, of course, the logo.” Photo Credit: Kyle Christy Support the show: kexp.org/deeper Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Marlon Williams Amplifies Te Reo Maori in Dynamic New Album
Marlon Williams, singer-songwriter from New Zealand, uses his deep vibrato on more than a dozen new original songs written entirely in the Indigenous language Te Reo Maori. It was a years-long endeavor, with songs featuring collaborators like KOMMI and Lorde. KEXP contributor Celine Teo-Blockey spoke with Williams in Sydney, Australia last month. He was attending the premiere of the album’s accompanying documentary, Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua – Two Worlds. “A big goal for the record was to see what Maori is capable of across different musical worlds,” Williams says in the interview. “Where can this language prove itself? Having now made this record, this makes me want to push it into other areas, too. It feels like a real starting point, not a finish.” Support the show: kexp.org/deeper Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Artificial Go Answers a Toddler’s Burning Questions
Cincinnati-based trio Artificial Go released their sophomore album, Musical Chairs, in May 2025. Their blend of post-punk riffs, danceable rhythms, and faux British accents has made them one of the most exciting groups on the scene. During their live shows, singer Angie Willcut wears a marching band uniform and literally marches around the audience. Their patently unserious attitude is exactly what we need right now. KEXP’s Dusty Henry teams up with his 3-year-old daughter to drill down on the big themes in this music project. “My favorite color is red,” Willcut asserts in the interview. “If I did drive a convertible, I would want red because every day I like to wear the color red, so the convertible would match all my outfits.” When pressed, Willcut added: “Periwinkle wouldn’t match my red outfits as well.” Photo Credit: Paul L Carter Support the show: kexp.org/deeper Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/sound/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.
Österreich