Song of the Day: Hotels - Linnette

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on The Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, is “Linnette” by Hotels, from their 2016 self-released album, Night Showers.

Hotels - Linnette (MP3)Seattle's Hotels shuttered their doors for the past four years, but are proudly back in business. The project, led by musician Blake Madden, ended as a live band in 2012, allowing him to rest, reflect, and recoup. He began taking music theory and composition lessons so he could better communicate his musical ideas. Meanwhile, he joined Purple Mane, Seattle's Prince tribute band. And, slowly, but surely, the new LP, Night Showers, had taken shape.

With renowned producer Erik Blood at the helm, the dark, yet ethereal sound of Hotels is more refined than ever. And, like Blood's latest album Lost in Slow Motion, tracks spotlight an assembly of local talent, including Irene Barber. (In an interview with MyNorthwest.com, Madden says, "I wanted to work with Irene from forever ago, then Erik started working with her while I was out of action and I got insanely jealous, but hey, let’s just say we had the same good idea.") Today's featured track features Taryn Rene Dorsey, Selena Whitaker-Paquiet, and Nicole "Coco" Peoples of the now-defunct local band NighTrain, whose voices add a soulfulness to this '80's-style pop jam. You can certainly detect the Prince influence over a sophisticated James Bond-like cinematic sound.

The band celebrated their album release last weekend at Lo-Fi, but keep an eye on their Facebook for future shows. In the meanwhile, enjoy a throwback to 2009 when the band performed on Quilty 3000's show.