(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen

BONUS – It’s Your Turn

On this special bonus episode of (SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen, audience members from our recent live taping at The Vortex share what the darkness means to them.

(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

BLK ODYSSY: Connected To the Frequency

BLK ODYSSY talks about the darkness and reshaping the light, and offers his insight on connecting to the best frequency.

This is a live podcast taping recorded at the Vortex on October 16th, 2025.

(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

What Texas voters should know before Election Day

With 17 constitutional amendments on the ballot next week, state officials are reminding Texans what to expect at the polls. We’ll talk with the Texas Secretary of State’s Office about dos and don’ts while voting.

Both Austin and Houston are facing financial strain, but their solutions couldn’t be more different: One wants to raise taxes, while the other wants to hold the line.

Austin DJ Laurie Gallardo, host of the podcast “SPF 1000: Vampire Sunscreen,” discusses Latinx goth culture, its roots in border life and the darker side of music and identity.

Avery Moore: Getting out of Mind Jail

Comedian Avery Moore discusses the isolation of loneliness and lack of self-worth, and the revelation of actually liking oneself.

(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

Alex Maas: Directions To See A Haunted House

Alex Maas of the Black Angels talks about the influence of childhood memories and raising a family during dark times.

(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas.

You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

Shakey Graves: The Necessary Counterpart To the Light

Songwriter Alejandro Rose-Garcia, better known as Shakey Graves, talks about the ways darkness and his mental health journey have shaped his music and his outlook on life. He also discusses the art of – and the anxiety behind – self-promotion, and the desire to connect with others.

(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. 

You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

Season 2 of (SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen starts September 12th.

Season 2 of (SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen starts Friday, September 12. On the podcast, host Laurie Gallardo is back to ask one question of her guests: What is the darkness to you? Or, what is dark to you?

In season 2, Laurie talks to musicians Shakey Graves, Kalu James, and the Black Angels’ Alex Maas. She talks to author and podcast host Kate Winkler Dawson, comedian Avery Moore, biological anthropologist Dr. Daniel J. Wescott, and more.

(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast and podcasts like it by donating at supportthispodcast.org.

Qi Dada: Before there was light

Qi Dada (Riders Against the Storm) explores what people can learn from the darkness, and reexamines the different meanings of “dark” across the board – from dubious origins to something that’s comforting and even enlightening.

(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org.

Credits:
Host, Creator, Producer: Laurie Gallardo
Producer: Elizabeth McQueen
Editing and Mixing: Jack Anderson
Original Music: Rene Chavez
Photo and Video: Michael Minasi
Art: Dave McClinton

L.C. Franke: Soundtrack For These Moments

L.C. Franke talks about embracing the darkness as inspiration, how it’s sparked his own creativity, and how darker things can be more intriguing – for better or worse.

(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org.

Credits:
Host, Creator, Producer: Laurie Gallardo
Producer: Elizabeth McQueen
Editing and Mixing: Jack Anderson
Original Music: Rene Chavez
Photo and Video: Michael Minasi
Art: Dave McClinton

Dawn Okoro: Floating In Portraiture

Dawn Okoro talks about the darkness within, resilience through core beliefs, and the journey of facing your fears – even if it means taking a fall.

(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org.

Credits:
Host, Creator, Producer: Laurie Gallardo
Producer: Elizabeth McQueen
Editing and Mixing: Jack Anderson
Original Music: Rene Chavez
Photo and Video: Michael Minasi
Art: Dave McClinton

Dusty Gannon: Fangoria Fan

Dusty Gannon of Vision Video talks with Laurie about how the darkness of goth music inspires him and how horror films help him deal with his own fears.

(SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org.

Credits:
Host, Creator, Producer: Laurie Gallardo
Producer: Elizabeth McQueen
Editing and Mixing: Jack Anderson
Original Music: Rene Chavez
Photo and Video: Michael Minasi
Art: Dave McClinton