Isabel Khalili sits down with Brian, Jenn, and Dr. West, hosts of KEXP’s punk show Sonic Reducer, to celebrate its 20th anniversary. After reminiscing about the origins and evolution of the show, each DJ shares a new short, fast ‘n loud track they’re excited about. Plus, we hear about the show’s namesake song and what makes it an all-time great.
As always, we end on one standout release from KEXP’s Music Director team. This time, we hear about a sprawling track with an unconventional story from Associate Music Director Alex Ruder.
Songs featured:

Jean Mignon – “Cause I'm Scared”
Candy Apple – "Pull the Plug"
Powerplant – "She (Misfits Cover)”
Dead Boys – "Sonic Reducer"
pigbaby – "Texas Girl"

Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify.
Listen to Sonic Reducer with Jenn, Brian, and Dr. West every Saturday at 9-midnight PT, or anytime on the 2-week archive, at KEXP.org or the KEXP App.
Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili
Mixed by: William Myers
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear
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.

Sonic Reducer: Jean Mignon, Candy Apple, Powerplant

Finding good new music can be a full time job, so let KEXP help! In Our Headphones brings you five song recommendations every Monday, straight from KEXP’s DJs and Music Directors. We learn stories and insights about the artists, make connections between the music and the world around us, and get to know the diverse roster of DJs that make up the KEXP airwaves. Join hosts Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili on this never-ending journey of music discovery.

Music

Music Commentary

Isabel chats with DJ Miss Ashley about four songs that are playing in her headphones lately and one foundational track that ties them all together. Plus, Ashley shares a protest song that doesn't hold back. Then, KEXP Music Director Chris Sanley shares one standout release that’s an early summer bop.
Songs featured:

Mumu Fresh – “Be Good To You" 
Tierra Whack – “Shower Song"
Beyoncé – "Texas Hold 'Em"
Lauryn Hill – “To Zion”
Macklemore – "Hind’s Hall" 
Ginger Root  – "No Problems"

Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify or the “What's In Our Headphones” playlist on YouTube.
Listen to DJ Miss Ashley live every Sunday from noon to 3pm Pacific Time, or anytime on the 2-week archive, at KEXP.org or the KEXP App.
Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili
Mixed by: Emily Fox
Mastered by: William Myers
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear
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.

DJ Miss Ashley: Mumu Fresh, Tierra Whack, Beyoncé, Macklemore

Overnight DJ Mike Ramos shares some songs that have been in his headphones lately, from a dirty-south-tinged track that’s an early contender for “Song of the Summer” to a chiptune jam named for an early virtual pet. Plus, KEXP Music Director Chris Sanley shares her own “Song of the Summer,” a standout release recently added to KEXP’s rotation.
Songs featured:

Tommy Richman - "MILLION DOLLAR BABY"
Seiji Oda - "A Gentle Gigg"
Young Miko - "tamagotchi"
Nia Archives - "Forbidden Feelingz"
Fcukers - "Bon Bon"

Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify, or on the KEXP website. 
Listen to Mike Ramos on Monday nights / Tuesday mornings from 1-5 AM PT, and on-demand via the KEXP website and app.
Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili
Mixed by: Emily Fox
Editorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear
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.

Mike Ramos: Tommy Richman, Seiji Oda, Young Miko

Janice Headley chats with her work BFF Sharlese, host of Mechanical Breakdown, about the four (dark) songs playing in her headphones lately. They also chat about World Goth Day, airing all day on KEXP Wednesday May 22 (and available on the archive for two weeks after). Plus, KEXP Music Director Chris Sanley returns from Radio Camp with a standout release recently added to KEXP’s rotation.
Songs featured:

Nina Belief – "Siren of Silence"
Gwendoline – "Conspire"
Police des mœurs – "Commencement"
Eleven Pond – "Watching Trees"
Fontaines DC – "Starburster"

Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify, or on the KEXP website. 
Listen to Mechanical Breakdown with Sharlese, every Friday night (Saturday morning) from 1-3 AM PT, or anytime on the two-week archive, at KEXP.org, or the KEXP App:
https://www.kexp.org/shows/mechanical-breakdown/
Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili
Mixed by: Emily Fox
Editorial Director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear
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.

Sharlese: Nina Belief, Gwendoline, Police des mœurs

To celebrate the start of “Pushing Boundaries,” KEXP’s programming for Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Isabel Khalili chats with Diana Ratsamee. Diana is the host of Eastern Echoes, KEXP’s weekly show exploring music of all styles from Asia and the Asian diaspora. They talk about the 1980’s Lao song that connects Diana with her family’s story, plus three new songs that span the globe, from brain-tingling electro-punk from Southern China to Middle Eastern surf rock.
And, as always, we hear about one standout release recently added to KEXP’s rotation, straight from KEXP Music Director Chris Sanley.
Songs featured:

Sothy – “Lam Seung Bang Fai”
South Acid Mimi – “The End”
Habibi – “On The Road”
TamTam –  “Ramble In the Rainbow”
Mei Semones – “Tegami”

Listen to the full songs on KEXP's "In Our Headphones 2024" playlist on Spotify.
Listen to Eastern Echoes with Diana Ratsamee every Thursday at 7-10pm PT, or anytime on the 2-week archive, at KEXP.org or the KEXP App.
Hosted and produced by: Janice Headley and Isabel Khalili
Mixed by: Emily Fox
Editorial director: Larry Mizell Jr.
Our theme music is “好吗 (Hao Ma)” by Chinese American Bear
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.

Sonic Reducer: Jean Mignon, Candy Apple, Powerplant

Download our free app to listen on your phone