The Shins - Full Performance (Live on KEXP)

[@williamsmithington3157]

This man is a rare talent. A great instrumentalist, songwriter, and performer. This music makes me happy.

[@MatiasHerranz]

Couldn't have said it any better. 100% agreed!

[@mounsterchef]

And also a bit of a dick, but yeah.

[@aurelianocapone]

@@mounsterchef who isn't? :)

[@mounsterchef]

@@aurelianocapone Well, all of us are potential dicks but the difference between someone who you call that and someone who you don't is that the first ones have already shown their dickness. But I mean, I guess it's not an exception in the music world, definitely a nice guy compared to other artists

[@aurelianocapone]

@@mounsterchef What exactly are you referring to? I mean, I know that you could call him a dick for casually abandoning his bandmembers. But I think he has good reasons for that. He always wanted to do his own kind of music and as faar as I know it was or is no secret to all (former) shins members. So it is kind of a risk joining the shins, because you have to be aware of the potential of being replaced.

[@seanclancy2587]

His voice is 15 years younger than he looks. It's crystal clear and in excellent in every sense of the word.

[@Machiventa]

Sean Clancy he doesn't look that old, jeez. I know what you mean though ha

[@davidletterman7786]

Sean Clancy He doesn't look a day over 80. maybe 85. At most.

[@seanclancy2587]

Alright alright... I have burned my incense and offerings in a sign of penitence to the James Mercer, the God of music. May your dominions and powers increase forever and ever amen.

[@jayMane62]

Sean Clancy This just makes me soo happy

[@oreokookie1000]

@@davidletterman7786 I heard he was 83. They said he drank for 30 years, but had a liver transplant , now he's on the raw green food diet....he studied under the juice-man.

[@fcjefe]

James Mercer is the full package: genius composer, wordsmith, talented guitar player, and brilliant singer. He's phenomenal!

[@deprofundis3293]

James, I doubt you would ever see this, but your music consistently gives me either chills, a sense of calm, a desire to dance, or cry. All in the best way. You're amazingly talented!

[@driftwud1978]

exactly how I feel about the Shins music.

[@GoldenKennyBania]

When you watch him sing his songs stripped down like this it makes you appreciate his talent even more, both writing and performing.

[@elliotlp]

0:33 Australia | 7:34 September | 14:55 Simple Song | 21:38 It's Only Life

[@muserek69]

0:33 Australia 7:34 September 14:54 Simple Song 21:37 It's Only Life

[@jakegs8097]

This guy!!!! 84 likes, dude's famous

[@jotohomomoto]

How the fuck does he sing like that? I’ve listened/loved the shins for years but I’ve never seen them (him) perform or even what they look like! Seeing him perform; i never fully grasped how unique and complex his melodies are.... his songs are his voice & that guitar, fucking amazing

[@flamingnugsg6272]

He is just truly talented. One of the Greats.

[@UrbanomicInteriors]

I find James Mercer's music is so original and unique when it comes to melodies.

[@aewilson95]

James Mercer is a national treasure

[@Michael-hc2vs]

Nah. He's a worldwide treasure.

[@CatchingYourCloudsxx]

James is my spirit animal.

[@mocktheturtle5910]

Lol, same. xD

[@lechedoe]

These notes he's singing are soo hard to hit and maintain, respect

[@daveelswick677]

His voice is so damn peaceful. Love him and The Shins so much.

[@NewOldStock369]

Mercer the Bob Dylan of contemporary times.His lyrics provoke great imagery,and a voice like honey.These acoustic versions are some of my favorites they or he should release an all acoustic album...nothing like just man and his guitar.

[@lauravognar4253]

I get all choked up when I hear these songs. My favorites!

[@TheGonnzzo]

it's people like james who make me want to learn how to play the guitar and attempt to sing. just looking at him i see a humble, incredibly talented human, just like all of us are. thank you james for being yourself and a role model for others.

[@enjoybrad81]

Chris Gonzalez Not all of us are humble, just sayin.

[@calnasset3273]

Boo Radley let's be real... not all of us are talented either

[@enjoybrad81]

Cal Nasset No, but I was actually referring to the "incredibly talented humans", as he described. I know quite a few that are nothing close to being humble, but thankfully most of them are very humble and down to earth :)

[@4000Wiggins]

Man, Simple Song always gives me goose bumps. Love it.

[@jessicabrown964]

i listen to kexp.org all day at work, while helping people find work in another big city, thanks to Sheryl Waters for interviewing one of my favorite artists~

[@mypepsi10]

I've loved both The Shins and Broken Bells for such a long time without knowing he was the lead singer for both bands!

[@derrikferguson3219]

What a realization.

[@ah-ie9dy]

​@@derrikferguson3219lmao glad I'm not the only one who's also discovering this 10 years later

[@KennethWilliamElkington]

James IS "The Shins". Brilliant - incredible depth; a lyrical journey.

[@letitialyons8959]

My favorite writer now...Stuff he has written speaks from eternity. ..I read that the Shins were Albuquerque- based, but I KNEW they were from the Pacific NW,...Something about the music here...The pictures that came to mind with the songs were from here. ..You won't find a Sphagnum Esplanade anywhere outside the Amazon like you'll find in the Pacific NW, either...Just beautiful cool music...

[@benjamincarney9875]

Even sitting 40 rows back didn't stop this guy from changing my life with his incredible music

[@jasonkesser]

Oh my god, you can do no wrong James. Even your humility is lyrical. Thanks for getting me through two decades.

[@Neatoworkshop]

What I love about James is he hides profound, sometimes depressing concepts in a facade of up beat poppy melodies

[@jasonkeppery3403]

It's amazing how he can pull that off! Absolutely Brilliant and Beautiful!

[@raho2005]

Cheryl is a great Host, such comfy sessions. And thanks for letting me discover awesome music like this diamond, kexp!

[@mocktheturtle5910]

This is poetry. You can tell that James Mercer is pouring out his emotions and experiences into his songs. It's absolutely beautiful when a person writes or performs music for himself/herself/other people and not for mass attention. I am awestruck.

[@BlytheG]

If you try to be inclusive with your art, it will never fully resonate with the masses or stand the test of time. Only by being intimately personal can one make something truly universal. Great songwriters like Mitchell, Simon, Dylan, and Mercer understand this better than anyone.

[@mocktheturtle5910]

Indeed. :D

[@bjm1777]

Sorry for replying 6 years after, but this is really nicely put, and got me thinking. Cheers!@@BlytheG

[@taggd28]

That rendition of September literally just brought tears to my eyes. Or maybe it's just seeing him sing it. God I love you James.

[@DMBandit69]

I have decided that Simple Song is the most perfect song I have ever had the pleasure of listening to over and over and over and over....

[@thefeelcompany]

Miss this guy...I loved discovering The Shins. Amazing songwriting.

[@Daarko15]

One of the most brilliant/talented musicians over the past 20 years.

[@KawhackitaRag]

When he starts humming or cooing between 9:07 and 9:15, coupled with the gorgeous, otherworldy chord progression, this is one of the most incredibly moving things I've ever heard in music!

[@cj4ebay]

James Mercer is amazing. Live and otherwise. He really sets a high benchmark, and I'm thrilled he does all his own producing

[@21Million]

Had to watch this video multiple times. Great job!

[@gustavosoares4771]

fantastic! I´ve never ever! heard someone play the guitar like that and the sound it´s so smoth, makes you wanna go to the beach! LOL

[@dudeathischair22]

simple song is such an amazing track, it makes my heart swell up every time i hear it :')

[@CaptainKronkers]

Australia is my favorite song!

[@euclidbuffalo7641]

What a great interview and performance! Wish I would have seen it 8 years ago

[@varnishyourboard]

Man, I just got in to the Shins recently. this guy is so talented and soulful and...that...that unknown factor too. Props.

[@raymondmyers2287]

I'm glad. I've been into the shins for some years now and it's surprisingly rare for me to see people have interest in them.

[@Emka877]

Raymond Myers True that.

[@angadbawa4302]

That unknown factor is the ability to make u feel nostalgic from the first listen

[@richieroma]

Fascinating and terribly underrated songwriter is Mercer. Respect!

[@SupersonicChip]

I love James...such a great soul, singer, musician and a true artist...

[@launiz]

The greatest melodic genius since Brian Wilson

[@smallestcharles]

God he’s incredible

[@peppermonster1]

He always makes me feel happy!

[@johnwaynes4417]

Perfect tempo and timbre. Amazing

[@charlottesweb1113]

His voice is so unique- truly talented! Thanks KEXP

[@heysatan8]

He's perfect.

[@dylanhaif88]

Thank you KEXP for everything you show me!

[@petestrat07]

Nectar to my ears and soul :-)

[@mahoganylawson8683]

This song will always be my favorite. Plus the way he preforms it is great.

[@TheDrSeussable]

I'll never forget the time i was listening to Port of Morrow in the car on a road trip and happened to drive past that sign, just by coincidence.

[@moldytrash]

forever love this set. so beautiful.

[@elizmanandhar1]

man, he pulls it off so easily. i mean without the band! and it's still so beautiful!

[@moonbeanification]

DANG James writes gorgeous songs ! He paints all over the canvas with his melodies ... superb performance ♥♥♥

[@nickfernandez7563]

I remember the first time I heard this song, there was an immediate feeling of nostalgia. Like I was a kid again. I don’t know what it is about this song but their music does shit like that to me. Such an amazing group of people.

[@pdxgolfer]

Wow, I love this radio station. Thanks for sharing these great performances!

[@GoldenKennyBania]

A master of his craft. Such a pleasure to watch.

[@_Blasfemie]

There's no better place to find good singers than KEXP.

[@11ellie7]

Such an innocent voice :)

[@marcoshuerta7255]

James Mercer has now gained far more respect after seeing this performance. I really enjoyed The Shins, but now it's just even more of a significance. 5 stars.

[@bezilliox]

3 of my favorite songs from Port of Morrow, and the first song i fell in love with by the Shins a few years ago - Australia! great set

[@drakebunch9807]

I'm about to see The Shins. I'm so stoked.

[@klausscherbarth7862]

his brilliant voice is already working unplugged. the complex melodies on cd reminded me on the artrock of queen, the cure and smashing pumkins.

[@fcjefe]

James Mercer is so talented and sounds incredible live.

[@moacir27]

Pure,pure, talent. Amazing!

[@CRBanfield]

Such a modest voice

[@macewinduhugs3036]

Very impressive voice though.

[@TehPenguinofD00m]

My personal favorite thing about James Mercer has definitely got to be the lyrics. the poetry in each song is just fantastic (:

[@jarmstrong026]

God dang it! This makes me happy!

[@EmanuelHahn]

glad people actually listened to the whole thing!

[@Skaterbun]

Wow such talent! So original,mercers voice is heavenly

[@hallifaxv]

wow he looks so good and so likable , someone you could fell in love with

[@plaartla]

one of the greats. ever. and never again.

[@carlosrobinson8132]

incredible... every song is incredible... love it

[@drummersulli]

Pop Ballad he mentions at 13:12 is "For A Fool." Avant-garde one is "Bait and Switch." Psychedelic one is "Port Of Morrow."

[@diggingowngrave]

Just saw them in Phoenix on Friday, SO GOOD!

[@melodywithawhy]

Looove Australia.

[@batbawls]

.. and love is the ink in the well when her body writes.

[@xtcxtc123]

thakyou - what a wonderful show and honest performance from james who must be the best song -writer since porter. the word is that it's not the shins it's a jm album - well weren't they all"

[@valeriecs358]

Simple song just breaks my heart!

[@shnootch]

Melody master.

[@josephstalin7803]

He really fucking is hahaha, inspired the hell out of me

[@urdiepak]

@0:34 - Australia @7:35 - September @14:55 - Simple Song @21:38 - It's Only Life

[@cheeseburgur817]

Yeah so I was feeling hungover, first thing I do is listen to this bad boy and what do ya know? I am hungover free! :D Thanks James. :P

[@un-dos-tres-mambo]

incredible, his voice is like 18 years old well done grandpa

[@Bigbadpandaa]

I LOVE JAMES MERCER

[@gamaholic05]

An amazing talent!

[@stephaniebedsaul8763]

pure. magic. ❤️

[@davidolson1243]

Awesome. Tough song and you nailed it!

[@youandwhosearmy6339]

He's a top guy, he plays his bar A-shape chords with the little finger like me : )

[@napalm_rn1295]

he's got the voice of an angel

[@Heatherosie]

I completely agree! I'm going to watch this performance like ten more times. And yes - this version of It's Only Life is fantastic! Have you seen the video? They just released it on Pitchfork. Check it out!

[@igorkurtz3843]

Mercer, Tweedy, Yorke. the holy trinity.

[@joeczucha5686]

Defo Mercer and Yorke. Didn't really rate Girls Aloud...

[@vosphalt]

Was thinking this when I started going Shin crazy this past year

[@jeremyschep3589]

Mercer, Tweedy, Brock, Gibbard, Martsch and Yorke make up my pantheon

[@WGBHMusic]

Would love to get these guys in our studio in Boston.

[@modfather1965]

Friggin' brilliant. Also love the fact that he's playing "my" Gibson Southern Jumbo guitar...

[@infectedkhaos]

James Mercer IS The Shins.

[@allysehueymusic]

THE BEGINNING IS HILARIOUS.

[@chrisgoose3788]

God I miss these simpler times, and fuck they felt far from it back then. Sorry kids

[@Pablo-sr5bx]

This is great.

[@hendersonskater]

September reminds me of Jackson Browne

[@Cardguy18]

He acted in a movie so crass and awkwardly cast, even he could be the star.

[@cpalmese5]

cant wait to see them in tucson on october 3rd! YAYYYY!

[@wrnerd101]

hes thes best singer i know of.