KGNU Music

In this interview, Hawaiian musician and kumu hula Josh Chang speaks with KGNU’s Rodger Hara about his deep cultural roots, multigenerational family legacy, and the upcoming hula concert in Longmont, Colorado. With ties to Oʻahu, Maui, and the Big Island, Chang has spent over a decade teaching hula in Boulder and surrounding communities. The Longmont performance—set for June 21 at the Vance Brand...

In a lively and heartfelt interview with Dan Willging, Andy “the Tie-Dye Guy” and musician Eben Grace shared exciting details about the upcoming Rail on the River Arts and Music Festival, happening June 26–28, 2025, at the scenic Parish Ranch near Longmont, Colorado. Celebrating its fifth year, the festival offers a magical setting with shady trees, open dance areas, and vibrant decorations. With...

In this interview on the Morning Sound Alternative, Joanne Cole speaks with legendary pianist and Little Feat co-founder Bill Payne about the band’s latest release, Strike Up the Band, their upcoming performance at Winter Park’s Blues From the Top festival, and Payne’s decades-spanning musical journey. Payne reflects on his influences—from Little Richard and Leon Russell to Ray Charles—and shares...

Fort Collins honky-tonk duo Sugar Britches stopped by the KGNU studio to chat with Dave McIntyre about their upcoming double album release—one full of originals and the other a collection of unconventional covers. The band shared the inspiration behind several new tracks, including “Bamboozled,” “Victimless Crime,” and “Old Man in the Band”. With performances lined up around Colorado, including at...

In this interview with Sam Fuqua on MSA, Uli from Ozomatli discusses the band's 30th anniversary and the launch of their 30 Revolutions Tour, which kicks off in Boulder, Colorado. Uli reflects on the group's longevity, attributing it to a collective mindset, equal sharing of responsibilities, and healthy conflict resolution. He also highlights how their sound has evolved through years of global tr...

Santa Cruz-based duo Poi Rogers joined Greg Schultz for a lively in-studio session to share music from their upcoming album and discuss their evolving musical journey. Formed during the pandemic as a side project from the Carolyn Sills Combo, Poi Rogers blends Hawaiian steel guitar, western swing, and vintage Americana into a fresh, nostalgic sound. They talked about their new 10-inch vinyl releas...

Harpist and composer Margot Krimmel joined Fergus Stone on Seolta Gael for a live session of Celtic-inspired music and conversation. Performing traditional and original pieces, Krimmel showcased the versatility and emotional depth of the harp, including selections like “Blackbirds and Thrushes” and her own composition “The Road to South Stream.” She reflected on her path into Irish music, the uniq...

In this KGNU interview, folk music icon Cris Williamson reflects on the 50th anniversary of The Changer and the Changed and her upcoming show at Swallow Hill. She discusses the album’s lasting impact, the founding of Olivia Records, and the challenges and triumphs of touring in the early days. With warmth and insight, Williamson speaks to the enduring power of music as a force for personal and soc...

Singer-songwriter Micki Balder joined Sanford Baran live in the KGNU studio to share heartfelt songs from her latest album and reflect on the emotional depth in her songwriting. Known for crafting “sad songs for happy people and occasionally happy songs for sad people,” Balder discussed how she finds joy in embracing both light and dark emotions through music. She performed three originals—“Take I...

Ratas en Zelo, an all-female accordion punk band from New York, joined DJ Blackcat on Sleepless Nights to discuss their 11-year journey in the punk scene. Known for their energetic performances and unconventional sound—punk with accordion and no guitar—the band reflected on recent shows in California, including a massive arena gig with comedian Felipe Esparza. They also shared excitement about ope...

La Manu and El Sebas, hosts of the radio show ¡Corriente!, sat down with the incomparable Natalia Lafourcade. In this interview, the Mexican singer, songwriter, and producer opened the doors to her creative universe to talk about CANCIONERA, her latest album released on April 24, and about the CANCIONERA Tour, which has already brought her to stages in the United States. Natalia spoke about the al...

Tony Newton, legendary bassist and producer, shares his journey from playing with John Lee Hooker to becoming a key figure in Motown at just 17. He reflects on touring with Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, recording hits like "Baby Love," and the dynamic artistry behind Motown's sound. Newton emphasizes the skill of session musicians in adapting their playing to enhance each artist’s unique style...

Singer-songwriter Alexa Wildish joined KGNU live at the Boulder Farmers Market for a heartfelt interview and performance, sharing stories from her eclectic musical journey. From her early days performing on cruise ships to earning a spot in the Top 20 on The Voice Season 24—where all four judges turned their chairs—Alexa has carved a unique path marked by resilience, artistry, and deep emotional c...

Singer-songwriter Sarah Banker joined Indra Raj live on KGNU at the Boulder Farmers Market to share music from her new EP Into the Heart and discuss her creative journey. Sarah highlighted self-discovery, love, and resilience. She spoke about her background in theater and cultural anthropology, and how both have shaped her approach to songwriting and performance. A longtime resident of Nederland,...

Singer-songwriter Patrick Dethlefs joined KGNU for a special live broadcast from the Boulder Farmers Market, sharing his signature blend of heartfelt folk music with a crowd of marketgoers and listeners. Performing originals like “Somewhere in Between,” “Why Not Try?” and “Daydream,” he gave audiences a taste of his upcoming album, recorded live during a snowed-in mountain retreat with longtime co...

Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore joined KGNU for a live broadcast from the Boulder Farmer’s Market during Radio Week to share music and stories from their decades-long career on the Front Range. They performed songs from their new album Lost in the Crowd, a collection of covers inspired by audience requests during the pandemic. The duo reflected on their early ties to KGNU, including benefit shows in...

In this KGNU Studio Session, singer-songwriter Macy Todd joins host Indra Raj for a warm and insightful conversation about her musical journey, creative process, and forthcoming debut album Pocket Change. Originally from Lawrenceville, Georgia, and now based in Austin, Macy shares stories of her early musical influences, growing up in a gospel-loving household, and how artists like Brandi Carlile...

In this interview with KGNU’s Sanford Baran, 17-year-old composer and pianist Vonn Vanier discusses his debut album Dawn, released May 16th on Montclair Records. Vonn shares how his early experience in the Grace Cathedral Choir and time spent self-studying during the pandemic shaped his unique musical voice. His work blends classical tradition with modern techniques, aiming for a balance between i...

Reggae icon Barrington Levy joined KGNU’s Reggae Bloodlines to celebrate 50 years in music and preview his June 5th show at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver. Known as the “Mellow Canary,” Levy discussed his roots, the power of reggae’s positive message, and his love for solo stage shows. He teased the debut of his new single “I Feel”, praised his longtime backing band Detour Posse, and sh...

In a captivating interview for KGNU, violist Richard O'Neill, cellist András Fejér of the renowned Takács Quartet, and celebrated pianist Marc-André Hamelin discuss their collaboration on the new Dvořák and Price Piano Quintets album, released on the Hyperion label. The ensemble reflects on the meaningful pairing of Dvořák’s beloved Piano Quintet No. 2 with Florence Price’s rediscovered Piano Quin...

Colorado-based musician Nicolette Andres joined KGNU to share live performances and insights into the rare tradition of Hardanger fiddle music from southwestern Norway. She discussed the instrument’s unique features, the foot-tapping rhythm essential for dancers, and her new album Hands, recorded in Boulder with support from the Alex Wilson Legacy Fund. Nicolette also spoke about the value of pres...

On April 30, 2025, KGNU welcomed Jamie and Davis Maynard of Stone Cottage Studios to discuss their newly expanded space on Boulder’s East Pearl Street and the studio’s evolving role in Colorado’s music scene. The father-son duo shared details about their intimate live performance sessions, artist development program Echoes from the Stone, and their efforts to support emerging musicians through hig...

Angel Corsi, a Front Range-based singer-songwriter, joined KGNU’s Morning Sound Alternative with Courtlyn Carpenter, Artistic Director of Soundpost Sessions, to discuss his upcoming performance in Longmont. Corsi will be featured in the Spotlight series, which pairs local artists with nationally touring acts—in this case, Tennessee’s Redd & The Paper Flowers. Carpenter shared that Soundpost Sessio...

In this interview for KGNU, DJ Umo 1 speaks with Zee Desmondes, singer-songwriter and one half of the R&B/soul duo The Jack Moves. Zee reflects on his musical beginnings, from childhood guitar lessons to self-taught piano and recent vocal training. He shares how he met bandmate Teddy Becks through New York’s skate and music scenes, eventually forming The Jack Moves and releasing their debut single...

In a recent interview with KGNU, singer-songwriter Lalo Hart discusses her musical journey, from growing up in Colorado to finding inspiration in Hawaii and the San Juan Islands. She reflects on how playing the ukulele opened the door to songwriting and how her husband’s encouragement helped her pursue music seriously. Hart shares two heartfelt songs, “It’s Just Love” and “Lay Me Down,” both captu...