KGNU Music

Mark Diamond and his band Stuck in Traffic joined KGNU for a live studio session celebrating the music of the legendary British band Traffic. During the interview with host Dan Willging, Diamond talked about his longtime passion for Traffic's blend of rock, jazz, and improvisation, the band's careful approach to recreating the music while adding its own voice, and the musicians who make up the pro...

Denver-born singer, pianist, and songwriter Chantil Dukart stopped by KGNU's Kabaret Studio for a live performance and conversation with Doug Gertner ahead of her May 1st album release show at Dazzle. Dukart performed several songs from her new album, Shantel and the Dukes of Art, and discussed the inspiration behind them, from the bittersweet realities of living alone to finding freedom after a r...

Kimberly Braun, founder of BLISS Sacred Sound Fest, joins Elena Klaver to discuss the vision behind this new community gathering celebrating the transformative power of sound. Braun shares how the festival brings together musicians, healers, educators, and practitioners from across the Front Range for a weekend of performances, workshops, and immersive experiences exploring sound, healing, and con...

Thomas Dolby joined Iris Berkeley on KGNU ahead of the Totally Tubular Festival at Denver's Mission Ballroom to discuss returning to the road with a lineup of iconic 1980s artists. He talks about reuniting the Lost Toy People to perform music from Aliens Ate My Buick, reflects on the creative energy of the decade, and shares why he thinks the music continues to connect with audiences across genera...

Jazz saxophonist and composer Alex Loran joins Rodger Hara to discuss The Quest, her debut album inspired by the timeless theme of the hero's journey. Loran reflects on growing up in Boulder, studying jazz performance at CU Boulder, and the mentors who helped shape her musical path. She also shares the stories behind several of the album's original compositions and previews her upcoming performanc...

For KGNU’s Afternoon Sound Alternative, Keith Colligan catches up with the singer and songwriter behind A Flock of Seagulls, who reflects on the band's unexpected four-decade career, their enduring popularity in the U.S., and what keeps them on the road. He also talks about the appeal of '80s nostalgia tours, performing alongside fellow new wave favorites including Thomas Dolby, and why fans of al...

Alex Thoele, best known as a member of the Colorado band Chain Station, stopped by the KGNU studio to perform songs from his debut solo album, Pocket Knife, and chat with Katherine Peterson. Between live performances of "Pocket Knife," "Thoele," and "Free Yourself," he shared stories behind the songs, reflected on growing up in small-town Illinois, and discussed his first solo release and album re...

Doppler Effect, a Denver-area high school rock band formed through Global Sound Studio, joins KGNU for a live in-studio session featuring original songs including "Godless Country," "Embers," "My Aphrodite," and "Getaway Train." Between performances, the band talks about finding one another through music, writing songs inspired by personal experiences and mythology, and using music as a way to bui...

Julie Koenig joined KGNU for a live studio session ahead of her appearance at the inaugural Atom Jazz Festival this August. Accompanied by bassist Domi Edson, the Fort Collins-based vocalist and educator performed several original compositions, including selections from her albums Intruder and Renaissance Woman. During the interview, Koenig discussed her musical journey from classical training in...

Indra Raj talks with Delvon Lamarr of the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio about life on the road, the group's recent tours through Europe and Japan, and why audiences overseas have embraced their blend of soul jazz, blues, R&B, rock, and more. Lamarr also shares the remarkable story of how he went from playing drums and trumpet to discovering the Hammond B3 organ almost by accident, and explains why the...

Sleep Club stopped by KGNU for a live in-studio session, sharing songs from both their previous Bellows EP and their upcoming debut album, Dweller, due out this October. Between performances, the Boulder-based band talked with DJ Jules about the origins of Sleep Club, the evolution from a solo project to a full band, upcoming shows, and their excitement about playing The Fest in Florida. They also...

CU Boulder country band Red Revival joined Ari Lubin on KGNU to discuss their formation, musical influences, and rapid growth from dorm-room jams to packed house shows and venue performances. The band blends country, Southern rock, indie, and classical backgrounds into a distinctive sound. They also shared how early collaborations and campus connections helped them quickly build momentum as a grou...

Ahead of his June 20 performance at the African Creators Festival in Denver, acclaimed Malian guitarist and singer Vieux Farka Touré joined Deana Bianco for KGNU's Afternoon Alternative to discuss touring, performing in the United States, and his recent collaboration with Khruangbin. Touré reflected on the long journey from Bamako to Colorado, shared why U.S. audiences hold a special place in his...

Denver-based indie folk duo Wife Swap stopped by the KGNU studio for a live session with DJ Jules on The Morning Sound Alternative. The pair performed several original songs, including “Dickinson,” “July,” “Nintendo,” and “Jubilee,” and shared stories about their collaborative songwriting process, musical inspirations, and the role harmony plays in their sound. They also discussed upcoming perform...

Ahead of his Fort Collins performance, reggae artist Perfect Giddimani joined DJ Soul Rock on KGNU’s Reggae Bloodlines to discuss life on the road, his latest music, and the message at the heart of reggae. Giddimani reflected on a successful tour, shared details about an upcoming album with producer Sinckee Beatz, and talked about his new single, “Chaba and Duduque.” He also spoke about reggae’s e...

Denver-born DJ and producer Average Jonny stopped by The Afternoon Sound Alternative with DJ Umo 1 to talk about his music journey, upcoming performances, and community work in Denver. Jonny shared how he began producing in 2011 before moving into DJing, discussed his longtime collaboration with artist Neptoon, and highlighted upcoming appearances around the city, including a set at Meadowlark. Th...

Greg Schultz welcomes Boulder-based band Ronjo V into the KGNU studio for a live session featuring songs from their forthcoming album, including "Calling Back," alongside selections from their recent release. Bandleader Ryan Joseph discusses his path from Austin to Colorado, his early recording work with Leon Bridges, producing local artists such as Sean Hess, and the creative process behind the b...

Keith Colligan welcomes Clay Rose and Don Ambory of Gasoline Lollipops into the KGNU studio for an intimate acoustic session and conversation about their upcoming appearance at SnowyGrass Music Festival in Estes Park. The band discusses the festival's community-centered atmosphere, the possibility of performing either an electric or acoustic set, and other summer performances on their schedule. Be...

Violinist and composer Tim Snider joins KGNU for an in-studio interview and live performance with host Meredith Carson. He discusses his musical background, from early classical training in a family of musicians to later influences in rock, flamenco, and global styles that shaped his improvisational approach. Snider shares the childhood experience that inspired him to pursue violin after seeing Se...

KGNU's Rodger Hara speaks with Boulder native and composer Daniel Weidlein about his wide-ranging career as a jazz musician, film composer, orchestrator, vocalist, and recording artist. A Fairview High School graduate who went on to study at USC's Thornton School of Music, Weidlein discusses his work in film scoring, chamber jazz, and international performance, as well as the creative influences t...

Austin-based Americana duo The Flyin' A's stopped by KGNU's Morning Sound Alternative to perform live and catch up with host Greg Schultz. The pair shared stories from their summer tour across the Southwest and Colorado, discussed their upcoming album recorded in Wells, UK, and reflected on working with acclaimed musicians including Lloyd Maines, Floyd Domino, Warren Hood, and Paul Pearcy. Listene...

The Barr Brothers joined Meredith Carson for KGNU’s Morning Sound Alternative for a live in-studio session during their Colorado tour, performing songs from their latest album Let It Hiss. The Montreal-based duo discussed life on the road, including their recent departure from Quebec, upcoming shows in Boulder and Denver, and a planned drive through the Southwest. They also reflected on their musi...

Wendy Mills welcomed members of Big Paddy into the KGNU studio for a conversation and live performance celebrating the band's 25th anniversary. The Colorado Celtic music mainstays shared stories about their beginnings busking on Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall, the evolution of the band over the past quarter century, and their deep connection to Irish musical traditions. The duo performed spirited ren...

Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist Jesse Roper stopped by KGNU ahead of his Colorado tour dates to talk with Ginger Perry about life on the road, touring across North America and Europe, and the eclectic musical influences that shape his sound. Roper discussed his recent success touring the U.S., his love of Colorado, and the stories behind songs, "Lady Luck" and "Daisy Wake Up," which he pe...

David Miller sits down with Brian Dillon of Bonfire Dub to discuss the band's upcoming EP, featuring three tracks produced by Dan Africano of Theory Corporation. Brian shares details about the release, including the title track, “Stars,” and reflects on Bonfire Dub's history with a live recording from a 2009 performance at Cactus Jack's in Evergreen. The conversation highlights the band's evolutio...