In Our Headphones - podcast cover

In Our Headphones

From independent music station KEXP, In Our Headphones brings you the songs DJs, artists, and others just can't get enough of. Join host Evie Stokes and guests as they introduce you to new music, with added insight into the artists behind the records.

Episodes

A message from In Our Headphones

We’ll be back in May with a brand new format! Hosted by Evie Stokes. Produced by Lilly Ana Fowler. Mastered by: William Myers Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. 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 informatio...

Mar 24, 202521 secEp. 46

Eddie Chacon, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and Little Simz

KEXP DJ and Seattle-based musician Noel Brass Jr. joins host Evie Stokes to talk about his own band Afrocop, Eddie Chacon and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Plus, KEXP music director Chris Sanley shares a new song from British rapper Little Simz. Songs featured: Eddie Chacon - “Let the Devil In” Unknown Mortal Orchestra - "earth 1" Little Simz  - “Flood'” Hosted by Evie Stokes. Produced by Lilly Ana Fowler. Mastered by: William Myers Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. L...

Mar 17, 202517 minEp. 45

Woomb, Jacob Alon, and John Glacier

KEXP DJ Kevin Cole joins host Evie Stokes to talk about the Eurosonic music festival, and cemetery folk. Plus, KEXP music director Chris Sanley shares a new song from London-based rapper, poet and producer John Glacier. Songs featured: Woomb - “To Never Fear the Sun” Jacob Alon - "Fairy in a Bottle" John Glacier and Sampha  - “Ocean Steppin'” Hosted by Evie Stokes. Produced by Lilly Ana Fowler. Mastered by: William Myers Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Listen to...

Mar 10, 202513 minEp. 44

Oddly, Heartworms, and Obongjayar

KEXP DJ Lisa LeClair joins host Evie Stokes to talk about Oddly, Heartworms and women with loud guitars. Plus, KEXP music director Chris Sanley shares a new song from Nigerian singer Obongjayar. Songs featured: Oddly – “Alligator” Heartworms - "Extraordinary Wings" Obongjayar - “Not in Surrender” Hosted by Evie Stokes. Produced by Lilly Ana Fowler. Mastered by: William Myers Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Listen to the full songs on KEXP's " In Our Headphones ...

Mar 03, 202512 minEp. 43

De La Soul, Flying Lotus and Lust for Youth

KEXP DJ Prometheus Brown joins host Evie Stokes to talk about a new, old De La Soul track, and a surprise Flying Lotus EP. Plus, KEXP associate music director Alex Ruder shares a new song from Danish artists. Songs featured: De La Soul (Feat. Choklate) – “Bigger” Flying Lotus (Feat. Dawn Richard) - “Let Me Cook” Lust for Youth & Croatian Amor (Feat. Purient) - “Dummy” Hosted by Evie Stokes. Produced by Lilly Ana Fowler. Mastered by: William Myers Edi...

Feb 24, 20259 minEp. 42

Ela Minus, Franz Ferdinand and Damon Locks

KEXP DJ Abbie joins host Evie Stokes to talk about Ela Minus getting her through the pandemic, and Minus' new album. Plus, you'll hear all about Abbie's Franz Ferdinand fan card! KEXP music director Chris Sanley shares a new song from Chicago multidisciplinary artist Damon Locks. Songs featured: Ela Minus – “Upwards” Franz Ferdinand – “The Doctor” Damon Locks - “Click” Hosted by Evie Stokes. Produced by Lilly Ana Fowler. Mastered by: William Myers ...

Feb 17, 202511 minEp. 41

Larry Mizell, Jr.: Kendrick Lamar, Tom Noble, FKA twigs

KEXP DJ Larry Mizell Jr. joins host Evie Stokes to talk about Kendrick Lamar, Los Angeles and the devastating fires there. KEXP music director Chris Sanley shares new FKA twigs. Songs featured: Kendrick Lamar – “Dodger Blue” (feat. wallie the sensei, siete7x, roddy ricch) Tom Noble – “Please Take Me There” FKA twigs - “Girl Feels Good” Hosted by Evie Stokes. Produced by Lilly Ana Fowler. Mastered by: William Myers Editorial director: Larry Mizell J...

Feb 10, 202512 minEp. 40

Adwaith, Roshâni and SPELLLING

KEXP DJ Morgan Chosnyk joins host Evie Stokes to talk about Welsh indie rock and the French festival Trans Musicales. KEXP music director Chris Sanley shares some of the best of Bay Area artist SPELLLING’s music. Songs featured: Adwaith – “Miliwn” Roshâni – “Donya do Roozeh” SPELLLING - “Portrait of My Heart” Hosted by Evie Stokes. Produced by Lilly Ana Fowler. Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr. Our theme music is Gospel for a New Cen...

Feb 03, 20258 minEp. 39

Evie Stokes: Σtella, DARKSIDE, Fat Dog

Evie Stokes, host of Drive Time, joins Isabel for an exciting announcement about this series! She then shares four songs - three new and one foundational - that have been in her headphones lately. Songs featured: Σtella - “Adagio” DARKSIDE - “S.N.C.” Fat Dog - “Peace Song” The Crystal Method - “Comin’ Back" Listen to the full songs on KEXP's " In Our Headphones 2024 " playlist on Spotify or the “ What's In Our Headphones ” playlis...

Jan 27, 202518 minEp. 38

Back Next Week

In Our Headphones will return with a new episode, plus a special announcement, next week! Stay tuned. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 20, 20251 min

Bonus: Introducing "Live on KEXP"

In Our Headphones will be back next week with song recommendations from Evie Stokes, host of Drive Time. But this week, we'd like to share another KEXP podcast: Live on KEXP. It highlights one of KEXP's world-class in-studio sessions every week, starting with an introduction from host Troy Nelson. On this episode, we hear a mind-melting session from Cambodian psych-rock group Dengue Fever. You can watch all KEXP live sessions on YouTube. And subscribe to Live on KEXP wherever you listen to podca...

Jan 13, 202528 min

KEXP's Top Played Albums of 2024

For this episode, we feature a conversation hosted by Emily Fox that first aired on KEXP’s radio show Sound & Vision. It was a conversation with DJs Troy Nelson, Evie Stokes, and John Richards about the five top played albums on KEXP in 2024. Counting down from number five, Emily discusses each album with the DJ who played it the most. Top Played Albums of 2024: Fontaines D.C. - Romance  Ibibio Sound Machine - Pull The Rope Angélica Garcia - Gemelo  Khruangbin - A LA S...

Jan 06, 202529 minEp. 37

Goyri: Grito Exclamac!ón, Gloory Hole, Amyl and The Sniffers

This week, we’re introducing you to Goyri, KEXP’s newest DJ and the co-host of El Sonido, KEXP’s modern Latin music show. He delivers a powerful collection of post-punk, dance, and an alt-rock classic from Mexico City.  Associate Music Director Alex Ruder closes out the show with an infectious slice of uplifting pure pop.  Grito Exclamac!ón - “El Squash” Gloory Hole - “Huir en Vano” Amyl and The Sniffers - “U Should Not Be Doing Th...

Dec 30, 202423 minEp. 36

The Christmas Edition with Brian Foss

DJ Brian Foss (and his wife/DJ assistant Cyndi) deliver a fun holiday edition of In Our Headphones, featuring everything from pop to soul to psych. Brian is KEXP’s longtime Christmas guy, having hosted the “Punk Rock X-Mess” for over 20 years on the punk show Sonic Reducer, and hosting “No Standards Christmas” on December 25th for over a decade.  Music Director Chris Sanley closes out this Christmas episode with a melancholy track for the season.  Thanks L...

Dec 23, 202426 minEp. 35

KEXP’s Songs of the Year (2024)

It’s that list-making time of year! So for this episode, we've brought together 12 KEXP DJs and tastemakers for a sonic collage of the best new music from 2024. We hear from each DJ about one song that rose above the rest, getting a diverse sampling of the year in music. From hardcore to reggae to ambient and everything in between, this episode is sure to bring something unexpected for even our most voracious listeners. Songs featured: Mk.gee - “Dream Police” (DJ Alex’s p...

Dec 16, 202435 minEp. 34

Albina Cabrera: Winona Riders, Dum Chica, Alcalá Norte, Carolina Durante

Albina Cabrera returns to the podcast for a very ”roquera” episode, spotlighting four new tracks from Argentina and Spain with elements of shoegaze, psychedelic, and punk, partly inspired by her recent travels. She also shares the 2020 song she keeps coming back to from the riot grrrls of Madrid. And Music Director Chris Sanley talks about the moving tribute that Sade Adu wrote for her son (her first new music in six years) as part of TRAИƧA, the 8-part compilation record celebrating trans artis...

Dec 09, 202432 minEp. 33

The Ambient Break: KMRU, Austyn Wohlers, Evan Chapman, Nala Sinephro, Mark McGuire

In this episode, we make space for calm with a selection of new ambient tracks curated by KEXP DJs and editorial staff. We hear from Alex Ruder, host of the ambient and neo-classical show, Pacific Notions, about where his interest in ambient music began and the first song he ever played on his show. Then, we get recommendations that play with heavy distortion, post-rock, jazz, and field recordings. Songs featured: Helios - “First Dream Called Ocean” (Alex Ruder’s foundational ambient pick) KMRU ...

Dec 02, 202429 minEp. 32

Darek Mazzone: SANAM, Warsaw Village Band, Buzz Ayaz

Darek Mazzone – KEXP’s longtime host of Wo’Pop, our Modern Global music show – takes us on a melodic journey from Cyprus to Lebanon to his homeland of Poland on today’s episode, concluding with a track that transcends all language for him. And Music Director Chris Sanley shares a haunting, hypnotic, moody song from a Danish-Chilean composer, collaborating with a Copenhagen-based artist. Songs featured: SANAM - “Ya Nass” Warsaw Village Band - “Kalinowy Mostek/Bridge of Wayfarer Tree” Buzz' Ayaz -...

Nov 25, 202433 minEp. 31

Troy Nelson: Freak Slug, Cults, Casino Hearts

This week, we welcome Troy Nelson, Variety Mix DJ and host of the KEXP podcast, Live on KEXP . Not only does Troy share some recent faves with a ‘90s vibe, but stories of casino concerts, a childhood best friend turned Grammy-nominated producer, and discovering a post-punk gem behind a “one-hit wonder.” Our Music Director Chris Sanley closes things out with a magical, mystical track from two Annas that’s sure to transport you. Songs featured: Freak Slug - "Spells" Cults - “Crybaby" Casino Hearts...

Nov 18, 202434 minEp. 30

DJ Jewel: Nice Biscuit, Nolan Potter, Black Moth Super Rainbow

In this episode, we hear from KEXP’s queen of psychedelia and host of Astral Plane, DJ Jewel. She shares the mellow yet mind-bending tracks that have been easing her into shorter and darker days. She also talks with Isabel about the way psych music bends time, how you can find ego death in a good jam session, and the krautrock roots of much of the psychedelia that’s popular today. Music Director Chris Sanley then shares a song that’s been bringing her a sense of calm amidst chaos. Songs featured...

Nov 11, 202428 minEp. 29

Sean: James K, Alex Kassian, Safe Mind

Variety Mix DJ Sean brings a dreamy, synth-heavy vibe to the show with his song choices, including a nod to an influential Krautrock guitarist and a salute to an ‘80s Scottish new wave duo who helped set the standard for his picks. And Associate Music Director Alex Ruder spotlights the latest from a long-running Detroit-based artist/producer/composer whose latest LP is a showcase of masterful collaborations. Songs featured: James K - “Blinkmoth (July Mix)” Alex Kassian - “A Reference to E2-E4 by...

Nov 04, 202427 minEp. 28

Atticus: Chelsea Wolfe & Boy Harsher, Dummy, MJ Lenderman

To kick off this late October episode, Atticus brings us into the spirit of his favorite holiday with a Chelsea Wolfe track remixed by Boy Harsher - a perfect goth/dark wave pairing for Halloween. He also shares some dizzying psych-pop, his favorite lines from a singer-songwriter with “goofy and smart” lyricism, and the story of how he first discovered The Cramps’ Halloween classic. Atticus hosts a Variety Mix every Friday morning (aka late Thursday night) from 1-5am and will be doing a Hallowee...

Oct 28, 202429 minEp. 27

Bonus: Introducing KEXP's "A Deeper Listen"

In Our Headphones will be back next week with song recommendations from Atticus. But this week, we'd like to share another KEXP podcast: A Deeper Listen. It’s hosted by Emily Fox and every week it features a conversation with an artist bringing you deeper into their music. After hearing about their inspirations and the experiences that inform their work, you’ll find yourself hearing their music in a whole new way. On this episode, Emily talks with Alynda Segarra of Hurray for the Riff Raff about...

Oct 21, 202430 min

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Edition: Ghostkeeper, Ombiigizi, Liv Rion, Indian Giver

For this episode, we welcome back Kevin Sur (Kānaka Maoli) and Tory J (Quinault), hosts of KEXP’s global Indigenous music show. They share the origins of their show name, Sounds of Survivance, and how the notion of survivance relates to the music they play and informs a way of being. They bring a mix of new releases from Indigenous artists pushing the boundaries of sound, from experimental electronic to soul to hardcore, then share a lesser known track from the 70s group that brought the hit “Co...

Oct 14, 202433 minEp. 26

John Gilbreath: Shabaka, Afrocop, Wayne Shorter

Ahead of the 36th Annual Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle, we chat with John Gilbreath, long-time host of KEXP’s Jazz Theatre . He spotlights a few of the artists playing – offering everything from an R&B-infused song to a meditative flute-led track – and closes out his set with a classic from the great “Ambassador of Jazz” and the story of how he fell in love with radio. The Earshot Jazz Festival runs from October 17th through November 3rd in various venues throughout Seattle. Our Associate...

Oct 07, 202425 minEp. 25

Kelley Stoltz: Anna Erhard, Kim Deal, Robyn Hitchcock

This week, we meet Kelley Stoltz, one of KEXP’s newest DJs as the co-host of Vinelands, our Bay Area local music show broadcasting there on 92.7 FM. Kelley shares an ode to summer camp, an intended TV theme song from an alt-rock legend, a track he himself plays sitar on (an In Our Headphones first!), and the band who made his young rock star dreams come true. Our Music Director Chris Sanley closes out the show with a fantastic psych-pop song that takes you on an aural trip around the world. Anna...

Sep 30, 202430 minEp. 24

Gabriel Lopez: Lara Sarkissian, Darlynn, figure eight

For this episode, we welcome one of KEXP's newest DJs, Gabriel Lopez. Gabriel is the co-host of the weekly show Vinelands, which launched in August as part of KEXP's new Bay Area broadcast (92.7 FM), and spotlights music from the surrounding scenes. He talks about what's been exciting him about music from the Bay Area, then shares a dreamy and joyful ambient track from Oakland in the 90s that was recently rediscovered. He also recommends a track that bring West Asian folk into the club, talks ab...

Sep 23, 202429 minEp. 23

Albina Cabrera: Descartes a kant, La ciencia simple, Melenas, Los Cogelones

As KEXP kicks off Aqui y Ahora – our special programming for Latinx Heritage Month – we welcome Albina Cabrera back to the podcast to talk about the kick-off day's on-air programming, as well as KEXP’s Mexico City broadcast, taking place in October. We spotlight four of the bands playing the El Sonido Live event on October 19 at Foro Indie Rocks, covering everything from shoegaze to Indigenous punk. Plus, our Music Director Chris Sanley helps us celebrate Aqui y Ahora with one of the most upbeat...

Sep 16, 202422 minEp. 22

DJ Riz: Samora Pinderhughes, Meshell Ndegeocello, Tristan de Liège

Riz Rollins, also known as DJ Riz, recently celebrated 35 years at KEXP. He hosts Drive Time every Monday from 4-7pm Pacific Time and is one of the rotating hosts on Expansions, the Sunday night mix show originally inspired by trip-hop and acid jazz. His sets incorporate jazz, rock, hip-hop, funk, and everything in between, always with soul. To celebrate Riz's 35-year milestone, we get two extra song recommendations in this episode! Isabel joins Riz at his house to discuss 4 new songs and 2 old ...

Sep 09, 202431 minEp. 21

Lace Cadence: Gaba Cannal and Zaba, Drain, Felo Le Tee, Scotts Maphuma, and Thabza Tee

Lace Cadence is the host of KEXP’s “The Continent,” which showcases the many of genres and styles across Africa, from AfroBeats to Amapiano, Soukous to Mbalax. In this episode, Lace joins Janice to share two tracks – covering the spectrum of African house music, from a classic-style jam to Amapiano. (Plus, throws a curveball in the middle, with a nod to his ‘90s Seattle roots!) And speaking of “‘90s Seattle,” KEXP Music Director Chris Sanley shares the latest single from local trio Black Ends, w...

Sep 02, 202422 minEp. 20