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.
El Sonido’s Albina Cabrera on aLex vs aLex’s Mesmerizing R&
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 ce...
Lucha Luna on Tamara Flores’ Empowering Anthem for "Badass Women"
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with Seattle duo Lucha Luna to talk about the music that’s moving them. This time, the group shares their mutual love for Tamara Flores’ empowering anthem, “CHINGONA,” and what it means to be a “badass woman.”
“To have, like, a chingona energy comes from your ancestors, comes from the people behind you,” Lucha Luna singer Eva Vazquez says. “People that are holding you through it… It reminds me of my mom and my auntie, and the women that I came from that are chingonas. I’d love to feel that sometimes I have that...
Lucha Luna on the Healing Power of Helado Tropical
Host Evie Stokes sits down with Seattle duo Lucha Luna to talk about the music that’s moving them. First up, the duo talks about their love for Helado Tropical, the collaborative project from Helado Negro’s Roberto Carlos Lange and Reyna Tropical’s Fabi Reyna. The duo talk about opening recently for Helado Tropical and why they love their song “Déjate Caer.”
“It just found me at the right time,” Lucha Luna singer Eva Vazquez says. “And it moved me to tears, and I think when music does that, it really reminds me, ‘Wow, music is healing.’”
Arlo Parks on Oscar Farrell’s Beautiful Approach to UK Garage
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with Arlo Parks to talk about the music that’s moving her. This time she’s embracing her underground dance influences with a song from London-based artist Oscar Farrell and how dance influence influenced her own recent album, Ambiguous Desire.
“There’s something so beautiful about these textures,” Parks says of Farrell’s song “Don’t Play With Me.” “I feel like I’m a sucker for these UK garage influences that are made a little bit wonky and weird.”
“Don’t Play With Me” comes from Farrell’s 2026 album, Birds Fly In, out now via...
Arlo Parks on the Magic of Chanel Beads
Host Evie Stokes sits down with Arlo Parks to talk about the music that’s moving her. First up, she talks about her admiration for Chanel Beads’ Shane Lavers and how she first fell in love with his music after seeing him live. She shares how much she particularly adores his song, “The Coward Forgets His Nightmare.”
“There’s something magical about the way he combines organic and synthetic instruments,” Parks says of the song. “It feels really rich and alive and unique.”
The song comes from Chanel Beads’ latest album, Your Day Will Come, out now via Jagjaguw...
Packaging on Cindygod’s Godlike Production
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with Seattle and Colorado-based band Packaging to talk about the music that’s moving them. This time they’re paying tribute to their peers in the Denver project Cindygod. The two bandmates discuss working with Cindygod on their own music, but also the inspiration they take from their friend and their songwriting/production wizardry.
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.<...
Packaging on Cutouts’ Insane Goldfrapp Cover
Host Evie Stokes sits down with Seattle and Colorado-based band Packaging to talk about the music that’s moving them. First up, they talk about Nation of Language offshoot band Cutouts and how they completely reimagine Goldfrapp’s 2003 hit and how the song speaks so well to the world as it is today.
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/headp...
Genesis Owusu on Mandy, Indiana’s Propulsive Sound
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with Ghanaian-Australian rapper Genesis Owusu to talk about the music that’s moving him. Owusu talks about discovering Mandy, Indiana, using their music to practice learning French, and what excites him about the band’s furious sound. “Cursive” comes from Mandy, Indiana’s latest album, URGH, out now on Sacred Bones 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 p...
Genesis Owusu on Boko Yout’s Chaotic Energy for the Mundane
Host Evie Stokes sits down with Australian rapper Genesis Owusu to talk about the music that’s moving him. Owusu shares his love for Swedish band Boko Yout and the band is able to turn the mundane aspects of life into something sonically chaotic. “9-2-5” comes from the band’s latest album, GUSTO, out now on Hoopdiggas Recordings.
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...
Hrishikesh Hirway on Ken Pomeroy’s Perfect Song
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with Song Exploder host and musician Hrishikesh Hirway on the music that’s moving him right now. This time Hirway brings a track from singer-songwriter Ken Pomeroy. He describes Pomeroy’s “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothes” as a perfect song and talks about his own collaborations with her. Pomeroy’s Cruel Joke is out now on Rounder 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...
Hrishikesh Hirway on the Light and Sweetness of Emily Hines
Host Evie Stokes sits down with Sound Exploder host and musician Hrishikesh Hirway on the music that’s moving him right now. Hirway shares a story about the kinship he feels with his Keeled Scales labelmate – and later collaborator – Emily Hines and his love for her song “My Own Way.” The song comes from Hines’ latest album, These Days, out now on Keeled Scales.
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...
Snail Mail on Peel Dream Magazine’s Dazzling Dynamics
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with Lindsey Jordan of Snail Mail to talk about her love of Peel Dream Magazine. The two discuss how Jordan found the band via recommendation from her friend Soccer Mommy, how their latest album Rose Main Reading Room evokes the feeling of New York, and why the band’s song “Four Leaf Clover” resonates with Jordan so much. Rose Main Reading Room is out now via Topshelf Records.
Produced by: Dusty Henry
Mastered by: William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our...
Snail Mail on Loving Her Tour Mates Armlock
Host Evie Stokes sits down with Lindsey Jordan of Snail Mail to talk about life on the road touring behind her latest album, Ricochet, and the music that’s moving her right now. The two geek out over Jordan’s tour mates, Armlock, and what it’s like getting to share the stage every night. “Strobe” is the band’s latest single, out now on Run For Cover Records.
Produced by: William Myers and Dusty Henry
Mastered by: William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones"...
Gelli Haha on Experimental Optimism of Nymphlord
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with indie pop sensation Gelli Haha to share music from a fellow Angeleno. The two get into Gelli’s friendship with Tia Rabinovitz, aka Nymphlord, and the band’s off-kilter optimism. “Garden” comes from Nymphlord’s latest album, Shedding Velvet, out now on Lauren Records.
Produced by: William Myers and 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/headp...
Gelli Haha on the Infectious Sounds of Chinese American Bear
Host Evie Stokes sits down with indie pop sensation Gelli haha to talk about that music that’s moving her. The two dig into the life in Los Angeles, Gelli’s spectacular tour, and why she loves Seattle band Chinese American Bear. Chinese American Bear’s song “No No Yeah Yeah (不不好啊好啊)” comes from their latest album Dim Sun & Then Some, out now on Moshi Moshi Music.
Produced by: William Myers and 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...
Mikaela Davis on Hannah Cohen and the Beauty of the Catskills
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with musician Mikaela Davis. This time, they chat about Davis’ love for Hannah Cohen’s music. She reflects on how she and Cohen both live in the Catskills and talks about the magic of the area as well as the making of her own recent album, Graceland Way, out now on Kill Rock Stars. Cohen’s track “Dusty” comes from her 2025 album Earthstar Mountain, out now on Congrats Records.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by: William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In...
Mikaela Davis on the Genius of Melody’s Echo Chamber and Hayao Miyazaki
Host Evie Stokes sits down with musician Mikaela Davis to dig into Melody’s Echo Chamber, a favorite pick for guests on this podcast. Davis talks about her experience listening to Melody’s music – both as a fan as well as appreciating it on a technical level. She also shares some wisdom from anime filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki about what it means to find balance in the world. “Broken Roses” comes from Melody’s Echo Chambers’ 2025 album Unclouded, out now on Domino Records.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by: William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Listen to the...
DJ Jenn on Re-Discovering Underground Post Punk Icon Anne Clark
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with Sonic Reducer co-host DJ Jenn to dig deeper into the depths of punk. This time Jenn brings a new remix from the recent reissue of post-punk icon Anne Clark’s 1984 album Our Darkness. Jenn talks about her love of finding new “old music,” Anne Clark’s legacy, and why her music still resonates so much today.
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”...
DJ Jenn on the Fiery Heat of Australia’s Station Model Violence
Host Evie Stokes sits down with Sonic Reducer co-host DJ Jenn. Jenn braves the daylight hours to sit down with Evie to talk about all things punk and her recent discovery of the Australian band Station Model Violence. She shares the song “Heat” from the band’s 2026 self-titled debut album, out now on Static Shock 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 podcas...
DJ Kevin Sur on Youth Rock Band War Pigs and Their Anti-Fascist Anthem
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with DJ Kevin Sur, host of KEXP’s Sounds of Survivance. This time, he brings in a new track from the L.A. duo (plus their dad) War Pigs. The band is fronted by two kids, a third-grader and a seventh-grader. Evie and Kevin dig into how much the duo rips, their coolness at such a young age, and finding hope for the future in the next generation. War Pigs’ debut album, Breakfast Music, is out now.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by: William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
DJ Kevin Sur on the Powerful Unpredictability of UK Band Modern Woman
Host Evie Stokes sits down with DJ Kevin Sur, host of KEXP’s Sounds of Survivance. Kevin brings in a new song from the UK Band Modern Woman and shares how the song's unpredictability and tension stopped him in his tracks. “Dashboard Mary” comes from Modern Woman’s latest album, Johnny’s Dream World, out now on One Little Independent 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.
...Ripley Johnson on the Jazz Magic of The MerKaBa Brotherhood
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with Ripley Johnson of Wooden Shjips, The Rose City Band, and Moon Duo. This time he brings some new music from his hometown of Portland with the psychedelic jazz of The MerKaBa Brotherhood. Evie and Ripley talk about their love of jazz, listening to music on the road, and what inspires him about music he couldn’t imagine playing himself. “Obelisks (Sun Clocks)” comes from The MerKaBa Brotherhood’s latest self-titled album, out now on Mississippi Records.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by: William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Lis...
Ripley Johnson on the Trippy Sounds of BCMC
Host Evie Stokes sits down with Ripley Johnson, the musician and songwriter known for his work in Wooden Shjips, The Rose City Band, and Moon Duo. He brings in a song from Chicago duo BCMC and talks about the intricacies of the band’s process and their analog recording methods. “Kaleidosmoke” is from the band’s forthcoming album, Stash, out June 26 via Drag City.
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 Headph...
Faerie Born on Magical Sprites and Deadbeat Beat’s “Peach Sprite”
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with Bree McKenna and Robin Edwards of Seattle duo Faerie Born, a band themed around Sarah J. Maas’ popular A Court of Throne and Roses romantasy series. This time the group shares a new track from Detroit’s Deadbeat Beat which, it turns out, is about the soda Sprite and not magical sprites. The song comes from the band’s recent album From Here to Ohio, out now on We Are Time Records.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by: William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Listen to the fu...
Faerie Born on ACOTAR and the Gorgeous Sounds of Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore
Host Evie Stokes sits down with Bree and Robin of Seattle duo Faerie Born. The group takes inspiration from Sarah J. Maas’ wildly popular romantasy book series A Court of Thorns and Roses. The three chat about their mutual love of the books, playing fantasy conventions, and their debut album Morally Grey. They also share a song from Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore, the stunning “The Four Sleeping Princesses.” The song comes from the Barwick and Lattimore’s latest album Tragic Magic, out now on InFiné Records.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by: William Myers
Production support...
KEXP DJ Greg Vandy on the Beautiful Mystery of Mia Wilson
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with KEXP DJ Greg Vandy, host of our Sunday morning roots radio show The Roadhouse. The two talk about a new track from Los Angeles-based songwriter Mia Wilson. The two talk about the magic of finding music without any context and the wondrous beauty of Wilson’s 70s California sound. Wilson’s self-titled debut is out now on Royal Oakie 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...
KEXP DJ Greg Vandy on the Adventurous Spirit of Sonny & The Sunsets
Host Evie Stokes sits down with KEXP DJ Greg Vandy, host of our Sunday morning roots radio show The Roadhouse. Greg talk about his earliest days getting into KEXP with a cassette demo and his love for Bay Area group Sonny & The Sunsets. He talks about the band’s adventurous spirit, including writing whole albums for fictional bands and their most recent album recorded in Senegal with Senegalese musicians. “Something To Hold On To” comes from the group’s 2025 album, The Diving Kind, out now on Rocks In Your Head Records.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by: Will...
Seattle Band Black Whales on Deary’s Dreaminess
DJ Larry Mizell Jr. fills in for Evie Stokes this week to sit down with Seattle band Black Whales. The duo talk about their love of dreamy music, raiding their dad’s record collections, and how it led them to falling in love with music like London group Deary. Deary’s “Seabird” comes from their 2026 album, Birding, out now via Bella Union.
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...
Seattle Band Black Whales on Overcoming Health Struggles and Luke Temple’s Songwriting Genius
DJ Larry Mizell Jr. fills in for Evie Stokes this week to sit down with Seattle band Black Whales. The group recently put out their first album in 11 years, A Guide To Photographing The Sun. Singer Alex Robert details coming back from a serious health episode and finding solace in music. They also share a song from Luke Temple and gush about his songwriting prowess. Temple’s “Echo Park Donut” comes from his 2026 album, Hungry Animal, out now Western Vinyl.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by: William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Listen to the...
Kassa Overall on Marquis Hill and Jazz “Having a Moment”
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with jazz musician Kassa Overall. Kassa talks about his time in the jazz scenes between Seattle and New York and some of the great talents working today. This time he brings in “Sweet Surrender” by Marquis Hill and talks about the idea of “jazz having a moment” and how he interprets that idea. “Sweet Surrender” comes from Marquis Hill’s latest album, (Beautifulism) Sweet Surrender, out now on Black Unlimited Music Group.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by: William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Listen to the full songs on...
Kassa Overall on Jazz, Hip-Hop and LA Rapper My Favorite Color
Host Evie Stokes sits down with Seattle (and New York) based jazz musician Kassa Overall. Kassa talks about falling in love with jazz and hip-hop and how he finds the common ground between both genres on his latest album CREAM. He also shares a song from LA rapper My Favorite Color and music that passes the car and home stereo test. “Sis” comes from My Favorite Color’s 2025 album, Elmer, produced by Nice Rec.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by: William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our...
KEXP DJ Sharlese on World Goth Day and Oakland Post-Punks Sympathy Flowers
Host Evie Stokes sits down with DJ Sharlese from Mechanical Breakdown on the eve of World Goth Day. Sharlese digs into what the idea of goth means to her. She also brings in a new song from Bay Area post punk group Sympathy Flowers and their song “Sworn to Silence.” The song comes from the bands 2025 album Dreams of Lurking Fear, out now on Cellofame 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...
KEXP DJ Sharlese on Dutch Darkwave Band Desinteresse
Host Evie Stokes sits down with DJ Sharlese from Mechanical Breakdown to talk all things dark wave, synth, and “wavy” music. Sharlese brings in a fresh find from the Netherlands – Dutch band Desinteresse. She shares their song “Zwart Wit” from their 2025 album, Onschuld, out now via Fabrika 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@ke...
Seattle Band Plash on Totorro’s Mesmerizing Math Rock
Host Evie Stokes sits down again with Seattle band Plash to get nerdy about some of their favorite math rock. This time the band brings in a song from the band Totorro (no, not the Ghibli character) and their song “Matthew’s Bridge.” The band talks about being labeled a “math rock” band themselves and talk about the future of the group. “Matthew’s Bridge” is from Totorro’s 2025 album, Sofa So Good, out now via Recreation Center.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by: William Myers
Production support: Serafima Healy
Listen to the full songs on KEXP...
Seattle Band Plash on Carlos Giffoni’s Amazing Ambiance
Host Evie Stokes sits down with emerging Seattle math rock band Plash to talk about their latest album i live alone and the music that inspires them. The band talks about their origins in the Seattle scene, playing drums with coathangers, and their method of writing in both English and Korean. They share “Dermis,” a beautiful expansive song by Carlos Giffoni featuring Mabbe Fratti. They dig into track and getting inspiration from music outside their own genre. “Dermis” comes from Giffoni’s 2026 album Pendulum, out now via Room40.
Produced by Dusty Henry
Mastered by: William Myers
Produc...
Chinese American Bear on Their Love of Breakbeats and Melody’s Echo Chamber
This week Larry Mizell Jr. fills in for host Evie Stokes to talk with Seattle band Chinese American Bear. The duo bonds with Larry about their mutual love of breakbeats with shoegaze guitars. All perfectly embodied in their song choice this week, Melody’s Echo Chamber’s song with El Michels Affair, “Daisy,” from her 2025 album Unclouded – out now on Domino 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 Yo...
Chinese American Bear on the Brilliance of Bleachers
This week Larry Mizell Jr. fills in for host Evie Stokes to talk with Seattle band Chinese American Bear. The three get into the husband and wife duo’s origins, embracing pop, and writing songs in two languages. They also share a recent favorite of there’s, the song “you and forever” by Bleachers” and dig into the brilliance of Jack Antonoff.
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 Yo...
Songwriter Liz Cooper on the Fiery Sounds of Robber Robber
Host Evie Stokes talks with songwriter Liz Cooper. The two dig more into the creation of Cooper’s latest album, New Day, and the life of a touring musicians. They also dig into Cooper’s bandmates band Robber Robber. Cooper shares “The Sound it Made” from Robber Robber’s latest album Two Wheels Move the Soul, out now via Fire Talk 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 YouTu...
Songwriter Liz Cooper on Getting Inspiration from New York Rapper Salimata
Host Evie Stokes talks with songwriter Liz Cooper. The two dig into life on the road, Cooper’s latest album New Day, and the music that’s moving her right now. Cooper shares one of her favorite new discoveries, New York-based rapper Salimata, and shares her song “Cake Up.” The song comes from Salimata’s 2025 album, The Happening, out now via 10k.
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 YouT...
KEXP Video Producer on the Viral Angine de Poitrine Performance
Host Evie Stokes talks with KEXP video producer Carlos Cruz to get more stories from the video team’s time in Rennes, France at Trans Musicales. This time they’re talking about the now famous session with Quebec-based micro-tonal masked math rock group Angine de Poitrine. Carlos talks about editing the band’s session, the experience seeing it live, and what the video crew gets excited when recording bands. He also shares the live version of the band’s song “Sherpa.”
Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphone...
