I’m Patrick K., aka DJ PK, and I host the Space 101.1 FM radio show Seattle Sound Check, which airs every Sunday from 1–2 PM. Seattle Sound Check highlights artists who are playing live in the Seattle area in the coming weeks, with a strong focus on local Northwest artists and new and noteworthy releases. I share artist and upcoming show details on Space 101.1’s real-time playlist, so be sure to check that out if you want to dig deeper into who’s playing where and when. Archived episodes of the show are always available at Space101FM.org (just click the button below)
One of the things I love most about the “playing live soon” format is that planning each show exposes me to a lot of new music — and inevitably leads me to going to more live shows. Recently, I struck up a conversation at a concert with someone wearing a “Support Live Music” shirt who told me that live music “was their church.” That really resonated with me. Great music lights me up and fuels me like nothing else, and there’s something uniquely powerful about experiencing it live, in a room full of people who feel the same way.
One of the many reasons I love living in Seattle is the sheer volume of talented Northwest artists, and the number of live shows you can catch around town on any night of the week. I’ve especially been enjoying the Magnuson Park Live! shows hosted by Space 101.1, as well as the live music series at Conor Byrne Pub presented by the station. I love that Space 101.1 provides a platform for up-and-coming bands to play live and to be heard on the radio. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the incredible music scene we have here — support artists by catching a live show and putting some money directly into their pockets.
Choosing just ten favorite records from 2025 was tough, so I went with a lucky 13 instead. Northwest artists are marked with an (L).
DJ PK’s Favorite Records of 2025
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- Great Grandpa — Patience Moonbeam (L)
- Big Thief — Double Infinity
- Stereolab — Instant Holograms on Metal Film
- Sharon Van Etten and the Attachment Theory — Sharon Van Etten and the Attachment Theory
- Coral Grief — Air Between Us (L)
- Mike Berenyi Trio — Tripla
- Deep Sea Diver — Billboard Heart (L)
- Tomo Nakayama — Ocean (L)
- Antibalas — Hourglass
- Jay Som — Belong
- Rocket — R Is for Rocket
- The Beths — Straight Line Was a Lie
- Horsegirl — Phonetics On and On
