DJ SEAN (SEAN MORROW; KEXP)
Current top 5 tracks:
Sign Libra, âTeleopsis Dalmanniâ [off Closer to the Equator] (Antinote, 2018)
"Written for the Latvian National Opera in Riga by musician and composer Agata Melnikova, aka Sign Libra, Closer to the Equator is a terrific tropical-themed synth pop journey. TIP!"
Flora FM, âEternal Huron Shadowsâ [off Discovery in the Atomic Garden] (Argot, 2018)
"Seattleâs Flora FM released two stellar EPs this year (be sure to check out his Flora FM EP on Vanity Press, too), both among my favorite releases of 2018, and Iâm including this track because it capped off his deliriously fun closing set at the rave recently, and now itâs stuck in my head (shouts, secondnature, too!)."
RĂłisĂn Murphy, âJacuzzi Rollercoasterâ [off Jacuzzi Rollercoaster/Canât Hang On] (The Vinyl Factory, 2018)
"'Jacuuuuuziiiiiii Rollercoasterrrrrrr'⊠like, what a great kind of nonsensical chorus thatâs cool as hell at the same time, right? Murphyâs had an illustrious, if underrated career, both with her solo work and time with Moloko, but 2018 saw the Irish artist on an extended hot streak teaming up with Maurice Fulton on four deliciously-rich dance 12-inches. Slinky, sophisticated, groovy and elegant, 'Jacuzzi Rollercoaster' is a low-key anthem for the dance floor and headphones."
Coco & Clair Clair, âNaomi & Kateâ (self-released, 2018)
"Clever and fun bubblegum rap from Atlanta duo Coco & Clair Clair, I really hope they get famous. Also check out 'Mercury in Retrograde,' 'Knife Play,' and '99 Demons.'â
Anna Domino, âLand of My Dreamsâ [off East and West] (Les Disques Du CrĂ©puscule, 1984)
"I became obsessed with this Aretha Franklin cover last year when East and West got reissued, and that obsession was reignited, sadly, after the First Lady of Soulâs passing earlier this year. Itâs the best kind of cover that pays tribute to the original and offers a new take on this beautiful song. Maybe play it when you have a quiet moment to yourself, because feelings."
Crew/label affiliation: "KEXP [90.3 FM; kexp.org]."
Styles played: "My weekly show is a variety mix, so itâs a little bit of everything, but my bread and butter is indie-pop and shoegaze, with weird electronic, ambient, and dance music sprinkled in. I love being on in the middle of the night because you can really stretch your legs and thereâs all types of people listeningâwaking up overseas, late-night workers, fellow no-sleep freaksârepresenting a spectrum of energies and moods I can play to. Basically, if youâre drunk or an insomniac, I have you covered!"
DJing philosophy: "Take chances, play lots of new stuff, try to make a connection with the listener, play music you wonât hear elsewhere and dreamy sets that feel like youâre in a movie. (Tangerine Dream Risky Business vibes, 'ya know?) When I first started really getting into music, I discovered KEXP while living abroad, so I ended up tuning in at crazy hours. DJ Shani, whose time slot I now do, in particular shaped my approach. So, yeah, engendering breathless anticipation for my sets at the expense of sleep and sanity, something like that. Modesty is important."
Format: "Mostly digital, but I still use CDs a lot and love digging through the vinyl library at the station, mostly because itâs so fun to read all the snarky comments and contemporary opinions from past DJs scribbled on the jacket covers. Straight up streaming songs off Bandcamp and YouTube happens pretty regularly, too, hah. I love that our listeners send in lots of requests and take chances themselves."
Worst request: "Frank Zappa. Iâm sorry, I just canât stand Frank Zappa. I play most requests, but please, no Zappa."
Upcoming events: "I donât play out very often, so catch me on the radio every late night Wednesday/early Thursday 1 am-6 am PST. Send requests! (But no Zappa.)"
