Seattle native Eva Walker, the charismatic vocalist/guitarist for rising rock band The Black Tones, will take over as host of KEXP's local-music show Audioasis on September 8, the Seattle radio station announced this morning. Walker succeeds Sharlese Metcalf, who ran the popular program—which airs every Saturday from 6 pm-9 pm on 90.3 FM and at kexp.org—for 10 years. Metcalf will occasionally fill in on Audioasis, but her main focus moving forward will be on expanding and improving KEXP’s Community and Education work.

In a press release, Walker said:

I believe in discovering, listening and experiencing music as much as possible. I’m beyond excited to start at KEXP as the host of Audioasis. It’s a big responsibility, because Audioasis is the window through which so many are introduced to local music. I want listeners to hear the real Northwest, the underrepresented voices of the many Northwest communities of all backgrounds and genres, not just what they're used to hearing. I have a big love for Seattle music - from Jimi Hendrix to Jimmy James - and can’t wait to discover even more, learn and grow with the KEXP audience

Look for a wide-ranging interview I conducted with Walker and Love Battery's Kevin Whitworth on Slog in the near future.