KGNU Music

Renowned classical guitarist Xuefei Yang spoke with KGNU’s Sanford Baran ahead of her Colorado Music Festival debut on July 27, where she will perform Rodrigo’s Concerto de Aranjuez with the festival orchestra. Xuefei reflected on her deep personal connection to the piece, which she first played for the composer himself as a teenager in Madrid. She also discussed her new album, Chapeau Satie, whic...

Mark Flanagan welcomed Erika Wennerstrom and Beth Harris of the Heartless Bastards to the KGNU studio ahead of their Colorado shows. The band, known for their blues-rock foundation and eclectic musical influences, performed a few live songs and discussed the evolution of their sound and lineup. Erika shared the band’s origin story, including a pivotal moment involving The Black Keys and a demo res...

In this interview on Reggae Bloodlines, Ewket speaks with Ras Julio, director of the House of Rastafari at the Rototom Sunsplash festival, calling in from Rome, Italy. Ras Julio discusses his extensive work in promoting Rastafari culture through music, education, and humanitarian efforts. He shares insights into the 30th anniversary of Rototom Sunsplash—Europe’s largest reggae festival—highlightin...

On July 7, 2025, the Boulder-based funk fusion band Canyon Collective joined KGNU’s Afternoon Sound Alternative for a lively in-studio performance and interview with Cal Huss. Drummer and bandleader Zach Hedstrom shared the band’s origin story—an organic evolution from jam sessions and parties in Four Mile Canyon—and introduced their debut album Live From the Mines, recorded live inside a hidden g...

Eton Pearcy of Jam Rock Events shares his passion for reggae and the importance of combining quality music with strong business practices to build a sustainable reggae scene in Colorado. He discusses challenges working with Jamaican artists and the need for professional systems. Pearcy highlights the upcoming Sizzla concert on September 20th at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver as a key eve...

Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lily Henley joined Doug Gertner in the KGNU Kabaret Studio alongside musical partner Duncan Wick to share her unique fusion of Ladino and American folk traditions, often described as "Ladino Americana." Henley discussed her Sephardic heritage, her deep dive into the Ladino language and culture—including a Fulbright year in Paris—and her process of writin...

Singer-songwriter Kelsey Waldon joined Doug Gertner on KGNU ahead of her July 9th performance at the Larimer Lounge in Denver. Waldon discussed her deeply personal new album Every Ghost, which explores themes of addiction, generational trauma, and healing. Released on John Prine’s Oh Boy Records, the album reflects Waldon’s roots in Americana and country music, and her evolving sound. She also sha...

In this lively KGNU interview, host Joanne Cole welcomes jazz and blues vocalist Deborah Stafford to discuss her upcoming July 16th performance at Dazzle, Denver’s premier jazz club. Stafford shares her journey from a lifelong love of singing to launching a professional music career 25 years ago. She reflects on discovering blues through local jam sessions and her deep admiration for Etta James, w...

In this KGNU interview, Sanford Baran speaks with acclaimed composer Joan Tower and saxophonist Steven Banks about their collaboration on Love Returns, a new saxophone concerto premiering at the 2025 Colorado Music Festival. Inspired by the loss of Tower’s husband, the piece evolved from her earlier work Love Letter and marks a more emotionally open chapter in her music. Tower and Banks discuss th...

In this lively and heartfelt interview, Texas songwriting legend Ray Wylie Hubbard joins Greg Schultz to discuss his upcoming performance at Denver’s Bluebird Theater on July 10, presented by KGNU. Hubbard reflects on his early days busking through Colorado in the '70s with a banjo-playing friend, his deep connection to places like Red River and Taos, and the joy of sharing the stage with his tale...

In this KGNU interview, Rodger Hara speaks with Gail Neil Gillette and Lauren Douglas, organizers of the Elizabeth Celtic Festival, taking place July 19–20 at Casey Jones Park in Elizabeth, Colorado. Gillette, a festival founder, shares the event’s origins in 1993 and its evolution into a full-scale celebration of Highland games and Scottish culture, featuring athletic competitions, Highland danci...

Baltimore-born DJ and producer Karizma joined DJ Swingsett on KGNU’s Afternoon Sound Alternative to talk about his musical roots, career, and new projects. Raised in the church and drawn to music from an early age, Karizma began DJing at 13 and producing by 17, creating original tracks for fashion shows. He spoke about mentorship from legendary Baltimore figure DJ Spen and honing his craft with th...

In this interview, Peter Oundjian, Artistic Director of the Colorado Music Festival, previews the 2025 season at Chautauqua Auditorium. Highlights include performances of Brahms, Beethoven, Mahler, and world premieres by Joan Tower, Michael Abels, and Eric Whitacre. Oundjian emphasizes the festival’s balance of classic and contemporary works, the intimacy of the Chautauqua venue, and the emotional...

Boston-based band Twisted Pine joined host Cameron Henderson live in the KGNU studio during their Colorado tour to discuss their new album Love Your Mind and share a few live performances. The group—featuring Chris Sartori, Dan Bui, Kathleen Parks, and Anh Phung—talked about the evolution of their sound, calling this album their “final form” after years of artistic exploration. They also chatted a...

Flamy Grant, a Billboard-charting drag queen and singer-songwriter from Asheville, North Carolina, joined Meredith Carson on KGNU to share her story of blending music, identity, and faith. Known for her theatrical storytelling and original songs, Flamy discussed her upbringing in the evangelical South, coming out as queer, and finding her voice through drag during the pandemic. Her concept album C...

In this KGNU interview, guitarist and sitarist Will Marsh speaks with Indra Raj about his upcoming performance with The Integration Ensemble at the Salina Schoolhouse in Boulder. Marsh discusses his musical journey—from classical guitar training in Michigan to immersing himself in Hindustani music at CalArts and in India—and how those diverse influences now blend into his original compositions. He...

DJ Jules speaks with Scott Bauer from Chautauqua about Flatiron Sounds, a free, family-friendly music festival on the big green at Chautauqua. Flatiron Sounds was a community music festival held at Chautauqua in Boulder, bringing together people of all ages for a day of live music, food, and local vendors. The event featured a diverse lineup of bands spanning various genres, creating an inclusive...

Frank Dagnillo interviews local author Zack Kopp about his new book Rare but Serious, which includes an interview with Jamie Cassady, daughter of Beat Generation icon Neal Cassady. Kopp discusses Neal’s influence on Jack Kerouac’s spontaneous writing style and his pivotal role in both the Beat and hippie movements. They explore Neal’s time in Denver, his relationships with Carolyn Cassady, Ken Kes...

In this Reggae Bloodlines interview on KGNU, DJ Soul Rock speaks with roots reggae artist Nga Han, who calls in from Scotland. Nga Han shares his gratitude for safe travels and discusses his upcoming musical projects, including several 7-inch releases and a new album, The Living Stream, Chapter Two. He also hints at a limited edition dub plate of his track “The Prayer” and expresses excitement abo...

Jeff Cramer and his talented band stopped by KGNU’s Cabaret Studio for a spirited session on Morning Sound Alternative. Joined by guitarist Dave Devine, drummer Tyler Lindgren, and multi-instrumentalist Russ Smith, Cramer treated listeners to original songs, including the world debut of Gravity, inspired by reflections on space and our planet. The band discussed their 2024 album Forever Morning, r...

In this warm and lively interview, KGNU’s Meredith Carson chats with legendary pianist, singer, and songwriter Marcia Ball about her decades-long career, upcoming performances in Colorado, and her creative projects. Marcia reflects on her musical influences, including Professor Longhair, and shares stories from the road. She also highlights her community work with HOME (Housing Opportunities for M...

Salin, an innovative drummer, composer, and producer, joined Indra Raj on KGNU to share music that has shaped her journey. Blending Afrobeat, funk, jazz, and traditional Thai folk, Salin discussed how her global influences—ranging from Afro-polyrhythms to Thai and psychedelic rock—inform her unique sound. Salin previewed her upcoming Denver and Boulder shows, where audiences can expect an energeti...

The Ben Melius Trio joined DJ Jules live on KGNU for a fun, soulful session featuring originals and a George Michael cover for Pride Month. Ben, Matty Smart, Phil Chappell, and guest Dan Williams shared their musical influences, creative process, and upcoming shows in Black Hawk, Nederland, and Denver, inviting listeners to connect with their heartfelt sound. (Studio Session: 6/10/25)

TEN23, a talented youth rock band from the Global Sound Music Academy in Broomfield, joined Sam Fuqua live on The Afternoon Sound Alternative on KGNU. The group, made up of mostly high school students, shared insights about their collaborative songwriting process, their passion for their instruments, and their dedication to performing together. They discussed how they balance school with band prac...

Reverend Freakchild joined KGNU for a lively session filled with stories about his musical journey, from discovering the blues and the Grateful Dead to his admiration for Bob Dylan and the legacy of blues reverends like Gary Davis. He reflected on his neo-hippie days and the spiritual side of the blues, all while sharing live performances with Lisa Marie that brought soulful, healing energy to the...