Kevin Powell Talks Music, Metal Interviews, and the Art of Hosting The Kevin Powell Podcast
- Samantha Ann
- 7 hours ago
- 6 min read
I sat down with Kevin Powell for my S.A.M Series show here on DiaaniTV.com to talk about his journey into podcasting, unforgettable interviews with GWAR, Dethklok, A Killer’s Confession, and what it takes to keep a music podcast growing.
My Conversation with Kevin Powell: Music, Momentum, and the Interviews That Stay With You
For this S.A.M Series interview, I caught up with Kevin Powell, the voice behind The Kevin Powell Podcast. Kevin’s world is built around music, conversation, and the kind of unpredictable moments that make interviews feel alive. From his early days around iHeartMedia studios to unforgettable conversations with some of rock and metal’s most colorful personalities, Kevin opened up about what drives him, what challenges him, and why he hopes to keep doing this for as long as possible.
I wanted to start at the beginning. Before the podcast, before the interviews, and before the festival chaos, what first pulled you toward becoming a host?
Kevin Powell: Honestly, my love for all things music. I've been with iHeartMedia since my junior year of high school. Podcasts existed back then (wow I sound old), but didn't really boom until the late 2010's. I would hear different hosts in different studios at iHeart and I thought "yeah, I can totally do something like that" and ran with it.
Your show feels rooted in real conversations with artists rather than trying to follow a formula. How did the concept for your podcast come together?
Kevin Powell: My podcast isn't trying to reinvent the wheel or anything. I just love talking to bands. They all have a story to tell. I started by just talking to bands on YouTube until my VP of programming at the time picked it up and put it on the iHeart platform which really elevated everything.
Out of all the artists you’ve sat across from, which interviews have stayed with you the most?
Kevin Powell: I believe it's a three-way tie between Grodius Maximus of Gwar, Waylon Reavis of A Killer's Confession, and Brendon Small of Metalocalypse: Dethklok. Grodius came into the studio in his full concert getup. I was given no prep whatsoever which made it even funnier. I would ask questions and his answers were so off the wall I ended up throwing my ideas out and ribbing back and forth with him. Waylon was great as he was someone who actually wanted to talk. Some guests have time restrictions, aren't media trained, or just don't want to be there. Waylon didn't have any of those issues. If he didn't have a show later in the day, we could've talked for hours. The same can be said with Brendon Small. He's simply so intelligent I felt like I was a little kid learning from a master as he spoke.
A great interview can look effortless from the outside, but there’s usually a lot happening before the microphones turn on. How do you prepare before speaking with a guest?
Kevin Powell: It really depends on where I am. If I have an in-studio or remote guest I'm able to actually take my time and do my research on what they have coming up, their history, or fun facts about them. Sometimes at festivals, however; I have to pull questions out of the deep depths of my mind on the spot and hope for the best. Festivals are fun, but sometimes a tour manager or the media guy will see I am taking a break from scheduled interviews and approach me for something quick. Most times I do have somewhat of an idea of the artist as I try to stay up to date as much as possible with who's playing at the event I am currently at. I would be lying if I said I always 100% knew every song from all 200+ bands performing at these things, so you have to get creative on the fly.
Podcasting changes fast, and audiences change with it. What qualities do you think separate a good host from a great one?
Kevin Powell: I believe being adaptable and coachable are good qualities to have. Podcasts and audiences are constantly changing. What worked five years ago might not be relevant anymore. You have to know your audience but also know they will change. You have to want to learn with the business. That will set yourself up for success every single time.
Every host has that moment where the notes go out the window. Have you ever had an interview completely break away from the plan?
Kevin Powell: Absolutely. As mentioned earlier, I had to completely abandon my Grodius Maximus notes after so long because it was just THAT silly. Another that comes to mind was my interview with Mike Sanchez of Acid Bath. I had some notes on him and the band, but that was another conversation where as we talked, my next set of questions didn't make sense with the flow of the conversation so I had to switch things up on the fly.
Beyond promoting tours, albums, and new projects, what conversations are you most passionate about bringing out of artists?
Kevin Powell: Of course I want the artist to plug and promote whatever they have going on. A big tour, a new album, a new band, you name it. However every band has a story to tell, and advice they can share. I always ask bands no matter how long they've been around what advice they would share to a new band, because again being coachable is a great quality to have so why not let the pros coach us you know?
People hear the finished episode, but they don’t always see the work behind it. What are the biggest challenges of running a podcast on your own?
Kevin Powell: If you're doing EVERYTHING like I am on your own it really takes its toll mentally and sometimes physically. You have to be your own PR, advertising, media, writer, editor, publisher, scheduling, and manager all in one. I find some aspects fun, but I hope to one day have my own team of people so I can better enjoy life while also enjoying the podcast more.
Every interviewer has that one dream guest. Who is at the top of your list?
Kevin Powell: Phil Anselmo of Pantera/Down. I feel like we could really have a great conversation. I have a lot I could learn from the legend, but to share that knowledge with the world would be a dream.
To close it out, what do you want to say to the fans, followers, and listeners who continue to support you?
Kevin Powell: First of all, thank you. It's a struggle to do anything like this, but the positive feedback, comments, and talking with me at festivals really warms my heart. Second, keep listening and watching when you can as the momentum keeps building. Finally, I hope I can do this forever but I wouldn't be able to without people like YOU. So again, thank you, and we'll see you on the next episode of The Kevin Powell Podcast.
Conversations like this are exactly why I created the S.A.M Series. Every artist, host, creator, and storyteller has a journey worth sharing, and Kevin Powell’s story is a reminder that passion, persistence, and staying open to growth can turn a simple idea into something powerful. Whether he is behind the mic, talking with bands at festivals, or building momentum one episode at a time, Kevin continues to prove that real stories connect us.
Have a story that deserves the spotlight? I’d love to hear it. Visit diaanitv.com/sam-series to learn more about sharing your journey with me for the S.A.M Series here on DiaaniTV.com.
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