In Our Headphones

Latest Episodes:

Travis Holcombe on Ezechiel Pailhes and Curating 24 Hours of Music Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Host Evie Stokes sits down with Travis Holcombe, the former KCRW DJ behind his own independent radio station, Freaks Only. The duo bond over their shared history in Los Angeles, the genesis of Freaks Only, and what it’s like for Holcombe to curate 24 hours’ worth of music by himself. Holcombe also shares a new song from Paris-based artist Ezechiel Pailhes, the track’s Brazilian influences, and the thrill of finding new music.
“Pas tant d'chichi ponpon” comes from Ezechiel Pailhes’s latest album, SOL, out now via Circus Company.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Listen to the full songs on KEXP’s “In Our Headphones” playlist on Spotify or the “What’s In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at headphones@kexp.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Richards on Boy Deluxe and Running with Dark Wave Music Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

Host Evie Stokes sits down again with DJ John Richards, host of The Morning Show on KEXP and The Runcast. This time, they dig deeper into The Runcast and one of John’s recent mixes focusing on dark wave and industrial music. The two bond over their love of the genres and why they’re so good for running. John shares one of his favorite recent dark wave tracks, “Energy is Power” by Boy Deluxe.
Subscribe and listen to The Runcast with John Richards.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Listen to the full songs on KEXP’s “In Our Headphones” playlist on Spotify or the “What’s In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at headphones@kexp.org

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Richards on The Runcast and the Motivating Power of Michelle David and the True-Tones Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Host Evie Stokes sits down with DJ John Richards, host of The Morning Show on KEXP and The Runcast. Evie and John dig into the genesis of The Runcast, why running means so much to John and his listeners, and what to expect from the series. They also discuss John’s on-the-nose song pick, “Running” by Michelle David and the True-Tones.

“Running” comes from the album Soul Woman, out now via Record Kicks.
Subscribe and listen to The Runcast with John Richards.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Listen to the full songs on KEXP’s “In Our Headphones” playlist on Spotify or the “What’s In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at headphones@kexp.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perfume Genius on the Genius of L’Rain Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

In this special bonus episode, host Evie Stokes sits down with Perfume Genius to talk about a song that he’s obsessed with right now. The two gush over their love of L’Rain, her fearless arrangements, and her sludgy cycle class she used to promote her new album.
“soulless cycle” comes from L’Rain’s latest album, fata morgana, out now via Mexican Summer.
Perfume Genius plays Seattle at Town Hall on Sept. 28, 2026.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Photo by Mackai Sharp
Listen to the full songs on KEXP’s “In Our Headphones” playlist on Spotify or the “What’s In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at headphones@kexp.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bandsplain's Yasi Salek on the Insane Sounds of ear Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Host Evie Stokes sits down again with Yasi Salek, the host of the podcast Bandsplain. The two dig into Salek’s love of IDM and experimental music and the mystery surrounding her latest favorite discovery, the band ear.
“They’re really collage artists…it gives me a mystical feeling when I listen to it,” Salek says, describing the group’s music.
“Ne Plus Ultra” comes from the band’s latest self-released album, Rumspringa.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Photo by Tommy Pointer
Listen to the full songs on KEXP’s “In Our Headphones” playlist on Spotify or the “What’s In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at headphones@kexp.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bandsplain's Yasi Salek on Why She Loves Badvril Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Host Evie Stokes sits down with Yasi Salek, host of the Bandsplain podcast, to talk about what's been playing in her headphones lately. The two chat about their shared love of Madonna and Warpaint, how it feels to be the music-recommending friend in the group, and a new song from San Francisco band Badvril. Salek shares the band's song "Golden" from their new album Lethal, out now via Share It Music.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Photo by Lupe Pacheco Gomez
Listen to the full songs on KEXP’s “In Our Headphones” playlist on Spotify or the “What’s In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at headphones@kexp.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carl Newman of The New Pornographers on EXEK’s Psych Grooves Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

Host Evie Stokes sits down again with Carl Newman of The New Pornographers to talk about the music that’s moving him. The two talk about coming across bands late, what it’s like when people “prefer your old albums,” and why Newman loves the Australian sextet EXEK.

Newman shares the band’s song “You Have Been Blessed” from their latest album, Prove The Mountains Move, out now via DFA Records.

Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy

Listen to the full songs on KEXP’s “In Our Headphones” playlist on Spotify or the “What’s In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at headphones@kexp.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carl Newman of The New Pornographers on Michael Beach and Melbourne Psych Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Photo by Jamie Wdziekonski

Host Evie Stokes sits down with Carl Newman of The New Pornographers to talk about the music that’s moving him. The two chat about life on the road and having Michael Beach’s music recommended to him by a collaborator. Newman shares Beach’s connections to the Melbourne psych music scene and why his song “Poison Dart” grabbed him so much.

The song comes from Beach’s latest album, Big Black Plume, out now via Goner Records.

Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy

Listen to the full songs on KEXP’s “In Our Headphones” playlist on Spotify or the “What’s In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.

Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at headphones@kexp.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

El Sonido’s Albina Cabrera on Austin TV’s Explosive Post-Rock Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

Host Evie Stokes sits down again with KEXP DJ and host of the El Sonido: Cancioneros podcast, Albina Cabrera, to talk about the music that’s moving her. Albina also shares more about KEXP’s upcoming Aqui y Ahora programming, a month dedicated to amplifying the contributions, resilience, and music of Latinx, Hispanic, and Latino-identified communities worldwide.
This time they talk about one of Albina’s favorite bands: Mexico City’s Austin TV. She shares the journey from being a longtime fan to seeing and hosting the band for Live on KEXP sessions. She shares “La Ilusión Del Tacto” from the band’s latest album, MA, out now via ATV RECS.
KEXP celebrates Aqui y Ahora from Sept. 15–Oct. 15. Find out more information at kexp.org/aquiyahora. You can also subscribe to El Sonido: Cancioneros wherever you podcast, or watch the videos with English subtitles on our KEXP Podcasts YouTube channel.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Listen to the full songs on KEXP’s “In Our Headphones” playlist on Spotify or the “What’s In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at headphones@kexp.org.

Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

El Sonido’s Albina Cabrera on aLex vs aLex’s Mesmerizing R& Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

Host Evie Stokes sits down with KEXP DJ and host of the El Sonido: Cancioneros podcast, Albina Cabrera, to talk about the music that’s moving her. Albina also shares more about KEXP’s upcoming Aqui y Ahora programming, a month dedicated to amplifying the contributions, resilience, and music of Latinx, Hispanic, and Latino-identified communities worldwide.
Albina’s first selection this week comes from the New York- and Berlin-based Guatemalan artist aLex vs aLex. Evie and Albina gush over the project’s lush sound and aLex vs aLex’s role in the current R&B revival.
KEXP celebrates Aqui y Ahora from Sept. 15–Oct. 15. Find out more information at kexp.org/aquiyahora. You can also subscribe to El Sonido: Cancioneros wherever you podcast, or watch the videos with English subtitles on our KEXP Podcasts YouTube channel.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Listen to the full songs on KEXP’s “In Our Headphones” playlist on Spotify or the “What’s In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.
Support the podcast: kexp.org/headphones
Contact us at headphones@kexp.org.