Swoon-worthy Swede Jens Lekman offers a first dance contender for your wedding, LA dance-punks Sextile are on hand to overstimulate you in a good way, Mike Baggetta, Mike Watt, & Stephen Hodges (mssv) are ready to perform as the post-punk power trio of your dreams, and more.
Jens Lekman – “Candy From a Stranger”
Congratulations! You’re getting married and Swedish singer-songwriter Jens Lekman is performing a sweet song at your ceremony. Lekman’s new album, Songs for Other People’s Weddings, is borne of a strange reality wherein fans began asking him to perform at their nuptials. Then again, he kind of opened the door for this behavior by titling a 2004 song “If You Ever Need a Stranger (To Sing at Your Wedding).” Click play for a joyful track featuring sweet keys, bright brass, and heartfelt lyrics delivered through Lekman’s singular baritone.
Sextile – “Kids”
LA dance-punk duo Sextile are here for overstimulation (complimentary). This track pairs a driving-force BPM with 2000s-style EDM and sexy-cool vocals for an all over ace result. If this is your thing, you’re gonna want more. And lucky you, the full album yes, please is out now.
mssv– “On And On”
In this straightforward and satisfyingly lowkey rock track, singer and bandleader Mike Baggetta sings “all I want is a seat at your table.” And that’s exactly what you’ll want when you hear who makes up mssv: Stephen Hodges (percussionist) has played with Tom Waits, Mavis Staples, and our dearly-missed David Lynch; bassist Mike Watt is best known a founding member of Minutemen and has also played with the Stooges.
This one’s just fun. With puppets, a theremin, and accordion chords guiding chant-along vocals—you simply can’t go wrong. BUT La Banda Chuska takes those elements and makes ‘em even more than the sum of their parts. The Brooklyn outfit self-describe as a “collision of psychedelic surf rock and Peruvian cumbia.” Just trust us, click play, and then click save.
What kind of public radio station would we be if we didn’t take note of new activity in the Philip Glass universe? The prolific composer’s work takes on new life in the steady hands of pianist Vanessa Wagner, who has dedicated much of her career to studying and embodying the minimalist masterpieces. Her collection Philip Glass: The Complete Piano Etudes is due for release on Sept. 10.