Even the robins and wrens were singing along upon hearing the crisp harmonies, groovy guitar riffs and rich basslines drifting across the library plaza Wednesday, May 7. “Melodies of May,” KXSU’s spring in-studio concert, brought some life into a cool spring evening with live music from local artists, tabling from student organizations and a Thing Festival ticket giveaway. 

KXSU holds in-studio concerts quarterly, with winter quarters being a “Music and Market” collaboration with Fashion Club featuring local artists selling their work. “Melodies of May” had a further focus on student organizations, with Fashion Club selling zines and posters alongside Re-Mixed, the multi-racial student association. KXSU also had their usual booth selling CDs, vinyls and KXSU merch such as t-shirts, key chains and mini totes. 

Third-year Communication and Media Major and Program Director at KXSU Mars Nelson was excited about on-campus organizations’ involvement in KXSU events and encouraged interested parties to reach out. 

“We’re trying to be more of a resource for the orgs on campus. Like if you have an event and you want music, we’ll DJ. If you want to table at our event, we’re always willing,” Nelson said.

Nelson credited Jenia Viles, a second-year business management major and music and promotions director of KXSU, with much of the event’s planning. Viles also tabled for GrammyU, a program that provides opportunities for emerging creatives and music professionals. 

Kicking off the night was Meldrop, a funk R&B group with a smooth indie sound. Since the group met as bussers in Tacoma’s Lobster Shop and discovered their shared passion for music in 2023, Meldrop has been bringing a unique surf-rock groove to Seattle’s scene. Meldrop also played Fall Fling at the University of Washington last September with The Dare and Laundry Day.

Their upcoming EP “Melodaze” will be unveiled at a release show at Madam Lou’s on May 24.

“It’s always fun to be on my campus because people are always chilling out there, and you get to play music for them. People are just walking by which is really nice. We got to roll down the hill too!” River Esqueda, lead guitarist and singer for Meldrop, said.

Keeping the show’s energy up was King Youngblood, a heavy soul band featuring a cellist and distinctly punk sensibilities. The band had been involved with KXSU since its beginning, with KXSU having hosted King Youngblood for their first on-air interview, as well as having been the first college radio station to play their music. King Youngblood also played at two previous KXSU in-studios. 

Founding member, leader, vocalist and guitarist of King Youngblood Cameron Lavi Jones is also the creator of the “Black and Loud Music Festival,” an annual event celebrating and centering Black-fronted bands. The festival is coming up on its fourth year in Seattle, playing at the Crocodile this Sept. 13th. There was an additional festival this past April for the debut of  “Black and Loud New Orleans,” bringing the event outside Seattle for the first time. 

King Youngblood continues to have an illustrious and focused career, with their first new single since their debut album “Big Thank,” being unveiled at a release/tour kickoff party May 23 at Baba Yaga. Their next full-length album, “Outrun Your Shadow,” is set to be released later this year. Additionally, the band has a comic book titled “AFROTHUNDA,” with an EP soundtrack and audiobook that goes along with it. They will be releasing the comic’s sequel along with another EP soundtrack this year. 

“Our whole ethos with King Youngblood is reclaiming rock music for Black and Brown people.

I feel like in the world of comics, there’s a very similar thing of always trying to have a little bit more representation that is just allowing people to just have fun with it too,” Jones said.  “Especially considering that with the EP, there is a lot of really serious music on it, songs that are very vulnerable and very personal. But it’s also really exciting to be able to have a vehicle for just being a little bit more human about things too.” 

Closing out the night was Isaiah Banks and Friends, an R&B neo-soul artist with a guest group made up of guitar, drums, bass, keys and backup vocals. With strong roots in the Seattle scene, Banks enjoys jamming across the city at local spots like the Rabbit Box. Banks will be singing with the Joint Souls May 15 at Sunset Tavern. Banks will also be starring as Bobby in The Village Theatre’s production of the Color Purple, opening May 27. 

“Not only do I want music to be my job, you know, because I gotta eat somehow, you know, but I want to just continue to get better. I want to be able to use music to my fullest potential,” Banks said. “I want to be able to play any instruments I need. I want to be able to sing any song that I want to. I want music to be so easy for me, like, I want to breathe it, honestly.”

Music enthusiasts and local songbirds alike found something to enjoy at last week’s KXSU in-studio. As the sun set over the dancing attendees and mesmerizing musicians, springtime was off to a strong and lively start.