KGNU Music

Selasee & The Fafa Family joined KGNU’s Indra Raj for a live performance. The group showcased their unique blend of reggae and West African Highlife music, inspired by Selasee’s Ghanaian heritage and personal experiences. They also discussed their upcoming fourth album, "Determination", set for release in 2025 (Interview date: 12/9/2024)

KGNU’s Hannah Taub hosted Colorado singer-songwriter Logan Farmer in the studio. Logan, joined by Zachary Visconti, discussed his creative process and shared insights into the themes of his music, highlighting the influence of the climate crisis. He also mentioned a new album set for release next year (Interview date: 12/11/2024) Photo: Ben Ward

Henhouse Prowlers joined KGNU’s Dave McIntyre to play some live music and discuss their upcoming performances in Colorado. The band spoke about their cultural ambassador work through the State Department’s American Music Abroad program. They highlighted the unique bluegrass history in the Czech Republic and spoke about the power of music to connect cultures (Interview date: 12/6/2024)

Chuck from High Lonesome joined KGNU’s Dave McIntyre to discuss the band’s self-titled debut album and upcoming performances. Chuck performed a few covers and original songs and talked about his appreciation for the Lyons music community (Interview date: 12/6/2024)

LAPOMPE, a Colorado band known for their eclectic combination of gypsy swing, blues, and soulful originals, joined KGNU’s Doug Gertner for a studio session. The band discussed their wide variety of influences, from the music of Django Reinhardt and the "hot club" style of early 20th century jazz to Colorado bluegrass (Interview date: 12/2/2024)

Liver Down the River, a Colorado-based band known for their unique bluegrass sound and high-energy performances, joined KGNU’s Neil Smart in the studio. They performed a few songs and previewed their show at the Goosetown Tavern (Interview date: 11/23/2024)

Grant Livingston of Colorado-based band River Spell joined KGNU’s Shawna Sprowls to discuss the group’s music and upcoming shows. The four-piece band, known for their improvisational style and original songs, has become a fixture in Colorado's vibrant music scene. Grant shared insights about songwriting, the band’s collaborative process, and their winter schedule, including shows at the Velvet Elk...

KGNU’s Ginger Perry chats with Colorado musicians Duncan Coker and Sarah Adams. They highlight their co-hosted performance at the Roots Music Project in Boulder. Both artists, who lead their respective bands, discussed their latest releases, musical styles, and creative processes (Interview date: 11/15/2024)

KGNU’s Sanford Baran interviews pianist Simone Dinnerstein. Dinnerstein speaks about her latest project, 'The Eye is the First Circle', a multimedia performance combining Charles Ives' Concord Sonata with her father Simon Dinnerstein’s painting, the "Fulbright Triptych". The project, inspired by Emerson’s philosophy of perpetual growth and transformation, intertwines music, visual art, and persona...

Kitchen Dwellers, a bluegrass band from Bozeman, Montana, joins KGNU's Greg Schultz in the studio. The band performs tracks from their latest album Seven Devils. The album, released earlier this year, is their most collaborative work yet, inspired by themes of good vs. evil and modeled after a modern-day Divine Comedy (Interview date: 11/14/2024)

Boulder-based band Whisper States, led by Chad Molter, joins KGNU’s Indra Raj for a studio session. The band performs a few tracks from their self-titled debut album released in September. Chad shares his journey as a first-time band leader, drawing lyrical inspiration from his 12 years working in homeless services. He highlights influences from ‘60s pop singles and his musical roots in Washington...

Silent Bear joins KGNU’s Dr. dB in the studio. Silent Bear plays a few tunes and talks about the Audree Dillard All-Star Benefit Concert. The two discuss the importance of community support and the lineup of Front Range talent showing up for local musician Audree Dillard (Interview date: 11/8/2024)

The Hip Snacks, a Denver-based six-piece, joins KGNU’s DJ Jules for a studio session before kicking off their Colorado and Bethesda tour. The band plays a few songs from their recent release, "What Lies Ahead", and discusses their tour and journey as a band (Interview date: 11/12/2024)

Jocie Adams and Zach Tenorio Miller of Arc Iris speak with KGNU’s Doug Gertner. They explain the band's shift towards a fresh sound with their latest album, We Found Home. The duo also revisits their reinterpretation of Joni Mitchell's Blue, titled Foggy Lullaby, and iTMRW, a collaborative dance-music project with HDC Dance Ensemble (Interview date: 11/4/2024)

Denver musician Buudrow joined KGNU’s Doug Gertner for a studio session. Buudrow discussed his musical journey, and how he uses music as a way to preserve optimism through struggle. He played a few songs and previewed his performance at Swallow Hill (Interview date: 11/4/2024)

Multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter Dom Flemons joins KGNU’s Pete Miesel in the studio. Flemons discusses his KGNU Presents performance “The Bronze Buckaroo Film and Songster Show”. He also talks about the process of making his most recent album, Black Cowboys, and the deep and vast history of African American music in the early 20th century (Interview date: 11/10/2024).

KGNU’s Dan Willging interviews blues and soul artist ZZ Ward, diving into her career and upcoming tour. Ward discusses releasing her new EP "Mother" through Sun Records, an honor that connects her to the label’s rich legacy (Interview date: 11/1/2024)

KGNU’s Dave McIntyre interviews Chris and Kyle from Foggy Mountain Spaceship ahead of their performance at Oskar Blues in Lyons. They explain how they wanted to reimagine the banjo's sound by combining it with electric bass and drums, avoiding traditional string band setups. Their music combines elements of bluegrass, jazz, and rock, creating a unique sound (Interview date: 11/1/2024)

Kelsey from Wild Child and Sir Woman speaks with KGNU’s DJ Jules. Kelsey discusses the recent release of "Heaven", Sir Woman’s new album, and how her two projects express different musical identities. She also mentions her excitement about her North America tour with Wild Child (Interview date: 10/30/2024)

KGNU’s Joanne Cole chats with Ivan Strunin to discuss his new album, The First Day of December, featuring collaborations with Dirk Powell and Michael Doucet. Strunin shares his journey from classical violin to country and zydeco fiddle, inspired by legends like Stephane Grappelli, Sugar Cane Harris, and Django Reinhardt (Interview date: 10/22/2024)

KGNU’s Iris Berkeley speaks with composer Caroline Shaw ahead of her Denver performances with Gabriel Kahane and vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth. They will perform Friday, November 8th, and Saturday, November 9th at the Newman Center. Shaw, known for her Grammy and Pulitzer-winning work, discusses her love for music’s diversity, inspired equally by classical composers and contemporary artists. Sha...

KGNU’s Joanne Cole hosts musician Jon Ridnell of New Family Dog. They talk about the band’s upcoming release, "New Family Dog NOLA Sessions", recorded in New Orleans at Rhythm Shack Studios. Two singles are already available online, and the full album will be released on November 29th. Jon highlights the upcoming release show at Boulder’s Roots Music Project, and plays a few tracks with his band (...

Americana duo Mama’s Broke performs live on air, hosted by KGNU’s Kooter Jones. The duo, composed of Amy Lou Keeler and Lisa Maria, discusses their music journey, influences, and creative process. Mama's Broke has been playing together for over a decade, drawing inspiration from traditional bluegrass and roots music (Interview date: 10/10/2024).

Joanne Shaw Taylor, world-renowned blues guitarist, chatted with KGNU’s Greg Schultz. She discussed her latest album, "Heavy Soul", and her evolution as an artist over the years. Joanne also talked about her KGNU Presents show at the Boulder Theater on October 28! (Interview date: 10/23/2024).

Cabaret Diosa, unseen since 2006, joined KGNU’s D Rider for an interview. Cabaret Diosa enthralled audiences across the globe with their intoxicating concoction of Latin rhythms, theatrical pageantry, and psych-rock sensibility. They will reunite for one night only at the Boulder Theater on November 1st! (Interview date: 10/3/2024)