The Musical Intuition of Great Curators | Laurie Kaye & Kevin Alexander on Discovery

What happens when a legendary radio insider meets a modern-day playlist curator? In this episode of Just Press Record, host Matt Zeigler brings together Laurie Kaye, the last person to interview John Lennon, and Kevin Alexander, the music-obsessed mind behind the On Repeat Records Substack. Together, they explore the emotional power of music discovery—from transistor radios under the covers to Substack playlists in your inbox. With stories that span from David Bowie and Mick Jagger to record store revelations and underground concerts, this episode is a love letter to curation, connection, and the soundtracks of our lives.🎧 What We Cover• Laurie’s unforgettable interview with John Lennon hours before his death• Kevin’s mission to recreate the magic of musical discovery in the streaming age• The power of DJs and how radio shaped identity and culture• Why playlists are passports—and why curation still matters• Laurie’s chance encounters with Bowie, Jagger, the Ramones, and more• Kevin’s record store job and the thrill of hidden A&R gems• The joy (and danger) of having only one tape to play• Why some artists grow on us—and why others never click• How both guests try to spark that “lightning in a bottle” moment for others• The emotional gravity of being a tastemaker and passing music forward• Local music shout-outs, mixtape rituals, and the timeless role of live shows⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Why Laurie Kaye and Kevin Alexander Needed to Meet01:00 – Laurie's Early Love of Radio and Discovery Through Headphones02:15 – The Day Laurie Interviewed John Lennon05:00 – Radio Contests, Winning Stones Tickets, and DJ Magic08:30 – Kevin on Portland Radio and the Magic of Community Airwaves10:00 – The Role of DJs in Shaping Identity14:30 – Laurie’s First Radio Job and Her Beatles Special18:00 – The Art of Curating Playlists: Then and Now22:00 – Kevin’s Weekly Substack and the Joy of Editing for Others25:00 – Local Band Love: Molly Hammer and the Midnight Tokers27:30 – From Dive Bars to CBGB: How Discovery Happens31:00 – The Grateful Dead Debate: From Hate to Love (or Not)38:00 – Getting Stuck With One Tape: Musical Imprinting44:00 – Kevin’s Record Store Stories and Promo Bin Finds46:00 – Surprise Phone Calls: Mick Jagger and David Bowie49:00 – Talking Heads, Dick Clark, and Behind-the-Scenes Memories53:00 – Ramones Memories and Their Love of The Beatles57:00 – Little Richard, Wedding Offers, and Musical Mentors1:00:00 – Joe Angel: The Mentor Who Changed Laurie’s Life1:04:00 – What It Means to Curate for One Person1:07:00 – Double Fantasy, John & Yoko’s Love, and Missed Dinners1:10:00 – Final Music Recommendations and Emotional Reflections