{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreieeihed5v2bsrxjzag3spsvh46yfrfclclmajiscipg3sd5gz4bdy",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:lzc7nco5fw647ailjf2tkp5h/app.bsky.feed.post/3mm7sbzfqqep2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreiewsp6aqdycksft4ry4sbuguup556dtadsg336od43vdjhmbhtvny"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/webp",
    "size": 69626
  },
  "description": "Known for his endless championing of artists and in-depth conversations about craft and life, DJ Kevin Cole's work embodies music as medicine. 'In RADIOHEART: The Drive & Times of DJ Kevin Cole,' he finally takes a turn as subject. ",
  "path": "/radioheart-dj-kevin-cole-review/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-19T16:20:46.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.vinylapothecary.net",
  "tags": [
    "KEXP",
    "Iceland Airwaves",
    "YouTube",
    "Radioheartfilm.com"
  ],
  "textContent": "If there ever was a presence to keep you company en route to your destination, it's DJ Kevin Cole. Whether you're stuck in Seattle's rush hour traffic or decompressing thousands of miles away, you can count on Kevin to be your musical tour guide.\n\nThe warm and welcoming steward of KEXP's Sunday \"Variety Mix,_\"_ and formerly \"Drive Time,\"__ DJ __ Kevin Cole, has __ spent decades on the airwaves, sharing his love of music from _and_ to all corners of the globe. Known for his endless championing of artists and in-depth conversations about craft and life, Kevin's work embodies music as medicine. To me, Kevin has been a towering figure in the Seattle music scene, but I am glad I finally learned more about the life behind the voice. Until now, I'd enjoyed his Sunday show on occasion and appreciated his pure enthusiasm for music, old and new, and storytelling on social media.\n\nIn _RADIOHEART: The Drive & Times of DJ Kevin Cole_, Kevin finally takes a turn as subject. In the new documentary directed by Peter Hilgendorf and Andrew Franks, Kevin's storied career is carefully explored. The feature traces Kevin's Minneapolis beginnings at First Avenue to his founding of the alternative radio station REV105, then his stint at the then-blossoming Amazon music store, to his current home at KEXP (formerly KCMU).\n\nOriginally intended as a short video celebrating Kevin's retirement from a 50-year music career, the DJ's life demanded a feature treatment once the interviews started rolling in. Who else do you know who was spinning at Prince's private parties back in the day? And what a vast life change between the eclectic underground scene of the Twin Cities and the tech industry beast in '90s Seattle!\n\nThe life and times of DJ Kevin Cole could probably fill several documentaries, honestly, but directors Hilgendorf and Franks manage to condense Kevin's story to a little under an hour and a half. Interspersed with archive footage, animation (by Eric Kassel), and an amazing soundtrack, _RADIOHEART_ does Kevin justice.\n\nAmong the luminaries and artists who appear in the documentary are Kevin's partner, Shawn Stewart (REV105, KMTT, WXPN), Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü, Sugar), Jessica Dobson (Deep Sea Diver), Megan Jasper (Sub Pop Records), Matt Vaughn (Easy Street Records), Andy Jassy (Amazon), Steve McClellan (First Avenue), and Kevin's fellow KEXP DJs, John Richards, Cheryl Waters, and Eva Walker.\n\nWhile many documentaries about seminal figures focus on the mythology of their subjects, _RADIOHEART_ is not afraid to show Kevin's vulnerabilities alongside his accomplishments. In between Kevin's career milestones, the film gets candid about his battles with addiction and depression. Kevin, among his vast record collection, demonstrates an astounding amount of self-reflection on the opposite side of the mic. However, the film takes an optimistic route by celebrating Kevin's journey to sobriety and his healing through music, and how he, in turn, helped others on their healing journeys.\n\nAs much as _RADIOHEART_ is an ode to Kevin, it is an ode to the art of radio itself.\n\nIn an increasingly algorithmic and automated world, _RADIOHEART_ amplifies the importance of humanity in curation and music discovery. What often makes radio special is the ability to connect with listeners. To me, the beauty of new music is when a person shares why it matters and how it makes them feel.\n\nFor instance, a major section of the documentary is dedicated to Kevin's passion for Icelandic music. Inspired by the work of Sigur Rós, Kevin embarked on a mission to the island to share its artists and culture with the world. Since then, he has been a staple at the Iceland Airwaves music festival and has recorded over 300 sessions with Icelandic artists. One of the most notable success stories is Of Monsters and Men, whose videos on KEXP's YouTube went viral. To date, their videos are some of the most viewed, and the band has since signed with Universal and toured worldwide.\n\nAt the same time, the documentary serves as the story of beloved institution KEXP.\n\nThe film presents KEXP's rise from a scrappy college radio station to a global platform that pioneered internet streaming, the two-week show archive, and live performance broadcasts. An independent organization, the station's DJs have the freedom to curate their own sets. And unlike most commercial stations, KEXP's DJs delve into the hard topics that most other stations shy away from on air. Additionally, the station continues to break new artists locally and from abroad. It has also become a popular tour stop for visiting musicians.\n\nThere is no way to mention KEXP's growth without Kevin. Through his passion for spreading the gospel of good music, he has helped the station remain a mainstay online and on local dials. Luckily for me, as a Seattle resident, I am glad I can exist in the same space as both.\n\nAlthough DJ Kevin Cole has retired from his daily show duties, he still hosts \"Variety Mix\" on Sundays. But with so much musical joy to spread, how can one be truly retired?\n\nFor more information about Radioheart and where to catch upcoming screenings, visit Radioheartfilm.com.",
  "title": "Music is the Answer in 'RADIOHEART: The Drive & Times of DJ Kevin Cole'",
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-19T17:53:14.913Z"
}