KEXP’s Dirk Whitebreast on School Fair, the Māori Music Scene, and His Love of Death Metal

Host Evie Stokes sits down again with Melanie C—yes, Sporty Spice herself—backstage at the Portola Music Festival in San Francisco to hear about the music that’s moving her. This time, she gushes about Violet Skies, what it’s like to watch her work in person, and the majestic nature of her solo work. Melanie also reveals how she finds music and her favorite parts of getting into DJing.Produced by Dusty HenryMastered by William MyersProduction support: Serafima HealyListen 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/headphonesContact us at [email protected] the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Evie Stokes sits down with Melanie C – yes, Sporty Spice herself – backstage at the Portola Music Festival in San Francisco to hear about the music that’s moving her. The two talk about Melanie’s newfound love for DJing, marriage, and why she loves ​​Melé’s  song “Ay Si.”Produced by Dusty HenryMastered by William MyersProduction support: Serafima HealyListen 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/headphonesContact us at [email protected] the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Evie Stokes sits down again with KEXP DJ Dirk Whitebreast, one of the hosts of KEXP’s Indigenous music show Sounds of Survivance. This time, Dirk brings in a new track from School Fair and dives deep into the Māori music scene. The two also dig into Dirk’s biggest love: death metal. Produced by Dusty HenryMastered by William MyersProduction 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 show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Evie Stokes sits down with KEXP DJ Dirk Whitebreast, one of the new hosts of KEXP’s Indigenous music show Sounds of Survivance. The two talk about Dirk’s background in music, his work with Daybreak Star Radio, and KEXP’s Indigenous Peoples Day programming. As a special treat, Dirk also brings in two songs for this episode, one each from Amisut and Hun Lynch. Produced by Dusty HenryMastered by William MyersProduction 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/headphonesContact us at [email protected] the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Evie Stokes sits down again with Travis Holcombe, the former KCRW DJ behind his own independent radio station, Freaks Only. This time around, Holcombe shares his love for the artist SHEE and their song “Woman” featuring deadream. The two gush over the song’s blend of house, funk, and exceptional grooves. Produced by Dusty HenryMastered by William MyersProduction 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/headphonesContact us at [email protected] the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 HenryMastered by William MyersProduction support: Serafima HealyListen 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/headphonesContact us at [email protected] the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 HenryMastered by William MyersProduction support: Serafima HealyListen 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/headphonesContact us at [email protected] the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 HenryMastered by William MyersProduction support: Serafima HealyListen 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/headphonesContact us at [email protected] the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 HenryMastered by William MyersProduction support: Serafima HealyPhoto by Mackai SharpListen 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/headphonesContact us at [email protected]. Support the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 HenryMastered by William MyersProduction support: Serafima HealyPhoto by Tommy PointerListen 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/headphonesContact us at [email protected] the show: https://www.kexp.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.