KGNU Music

DJ BLED welcomes the Chihera Family Band into the KGNU studio for a special live session celebrating Zimbabwean music, tradition, and family. Spanning three generations, the family performs traditional mbira music and shares the cultural meanings behind each song, explaining how music is used to welcome communities, celebrate milestones, and connect with ancestors. Throughout the interview, the ba...

KGNU’s DJ Steve Cser sits down with longtime Boulder blues musician Paul Soderman for an in-depth conversation about his decades-long journey through music, community, and the Colorado blues scene. Soderman reflects on arriving in Boulder in 1988, the open stages and blues jams that shaped his career, and formative experiences working with the Monterey Jazz and Blues Festivals, where he learned di...

KGNU’s Rodger Hara speaks with Mairéad Carlin of Celtic Woman from her home in Derry ahead of the group’s North American Christmas Symphony Tour and their upcoming performance in Denver. Carlin reflects on rejoining Celtic Woman after the pandemic, her long history performing in Colorado, including multiple appearances at Red Rocks, and the special connection she feels with Denver, where members o...

KGNU’s DJ Neil Smart hosts Brooklyn-based bluegrass trio Damn Tall Buildings for an upbeat early-morning studio session ahead of their sold-out performance at the Chautauqua Community House. The band—Max, Avery, and Sasha—deliver lively live renditions including their original “I’ll Be Getting By,” the classic “Kentucky Waltz,” and the crowd-pleasing party tune “Big Ball in Brooklyn.” Between song...

KGNU’s DJ Soul Rock welcomes internationally acclaimed reggae artist Spanner Banner for an in-studio conversation ahead of his Denver performance. Known for classics like Life Goes On, Michelle, and What We Need Is Love, Spanner Banner reflects on his 30-year musical journey, his creative process, and the deep family roots he shares with fellow reggae legends. He speaks about writing from real-lif...

KGNU’s DJ Jack Armstrong hosts Boulder-based punk/emo trio Shorts for a high-energy studio session and listening party celebrating the release of their new EP. Band members Zane Manning, Graham Lauren, and Ari introduce themselves, talk about their roots in Boulder’s DIY scene, and reflect on the importance of venues like Unit Five in building community for emerging punk bands. Throughout the inte...

Singer-songwriter Liz Barnez stopped by the KGNU studios to celebrate the release of her long-awaited new album Wholehearted. In conversation with DJ Meredith Carson, Liz shared stories behind the record’s eight-year creation, including collaborations with members of The Subdudes, Bonnie and Taylor Sims, John Macy, and a circle of family voices woven into the autobiographical title track. She also...

Singer-songwriters Tim and Jenny Ostdiek joined DJ Indra Raj in the KGNU studio ahead of their performance at the Sound Post Sessions Mixtape Series in downtown Longmont. Fresh off their recent marriage, the duo discussed their musical partnership, the rich Front Range songwriting community, and how collaborative spaces like Sound Post Sessions nurture local artists. Tim performed songs from The L...

Legendary violinist, composer, and educator Darol Anger joins KGNU’s Joanne Cole to discuss his long, genre-spanning career—from co-founding the David Grisman Quintet to his work with Turtle Island String Quartet and his current ensemble, Mr. Sun. Anger shares the inspiration behind the group’s newest project, a bold and joyful re-imagining of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn’s 1960 jazz-big-ban...

DJ Soul Rock speaks with Catherine Jackson of the Colorado Caribbean Social Club and Eton Pearcy of Jam Rock Events about their community-led relief efforts following the recent hurricane in Jamaica. Both guests describe the severe conditions on the ground, the urgent need for supplies, and the overwhelming support coming from Colorado’s Caribbean community, local businesses, and restaurants. They...

Banjo virtuoso Andy Thorn chats with KGNU's Brian Eyster about his upcoming Leftover Salmon shows over Thanksgiving weekend, his journey from North Carolina to Colorado's music scene, and the unique traditions he’s built with the band. Andy shares insights on his love for Clawhammer banjo, his new Clawhammer album, and the creative process behind his original tunes. He also talks about the unforge...

Master oud player Rahim AlHaj joins EC Erb to discuss his lifelong journey of using music as a bridge across cultures and conflicts. From his Grammy-nominated collaboration Ancient Sounds with Amjad Ali Khan to his latest album One Sky with Sourena Sefati, AlHaj reflects on how music expresses shared humanity, connects people beyond borders, and keeps stories of compassion and resilience alive. He...

Local musician and composer Ben Sloan joined Indra Raj live in the KGNU studio for a conversation and performance ahead of his March 7 show at the Glob DIY space in Denver. Sloan discussed his creative process blending drums, electronics, and sampled sounds, as well as his work in film scoring and animation. He shared stories about his musical influences, including Tony Allen and Kassa Overall, an...

Banjo master Kyle Tuttle joins KGNU’s Neil Smart to talk about his upcoming appearance at Swallow Hill’s Banjo Fest on November 15, where he’ll lead workshops and perform alongside Pete Wernick, Chris Coole, and The Lowest Pair. In this conversation, Tuttle shares his laid-back approach to teaching, his plans for new music, and life as a new dad balancing touring, recording, and Monday nights at N...

Wood Belly joins Sam Fuqua live on The Morning Sound Alternative ahead of their Halloween show at Globe Hall in Denver. The band performs live in-studio and talks about their ten-year journey and plans to take a break after this final show in their current lineup. They share details about the event—featuring Tonewood String Band, Ridgeliners Duo, and a costume contest with a year-long concert pass...

Singer-songwriter Nina de Freitas joins Indra Raj live on The Morning Sound Alternative ahead of her November 6 performance at the Chautauqua Community House Series. Nina performs several songs, including her upcoming single “Madness Everlasting.” She discusses her Brazilian roots, her musical upbringing with musician parents, and how moving to Denver inspired a creative renewal after her former b...

Joanne Cole interviews bassist and composer Eric Thorin about The Pugilist, an experimental theatrical production debuting at the Dairy Center for the Arts on November 1st. Thorin, a longtime Colorado musician known for his work in bluegrass and Celtic music, reads an excerpt from the script, giving listeners a glimpse into the show’s dramatic tone. The conversation ends with a discussion about th...

On KGNU’s Afternoon Sound Alternative, host Greg Schultz welcomes Shawn Hess, a singer-songwriter from Laramie, Wyoming, for a live in-studio performance. Hess plays several original songs, including Till It Ain’t, Roadhouse Blues, A Tear for You, and Harvest Me. Between songs, he discusses his background in music—from blues and psychedelic rock to folk—his 2024 album Wild Onion, and his upcoming...

On KGNU Jazz Lives, host Rodger Hara speaks with actress Essence Anisa Tyler and pianist Jodel Charles about their performances in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill at the Arvada Center. Tyler portrays Billie Holiday in the singer’s final 1959 performance, while Charles plays piano onstage and takes a small acting role. They discuss their artistic backgrounds, how they connected with director Ch...

Teja Gerken joins KGNU by phone to discuss his solo fingerstyle guitar approach, which blends folk, jazz, classical, and extended techniques. He discusses his musical influences, his studies in the Bay Area, and the importance of experiencing live music. Gerken reflects on composing for guitar, avoiding obvious patterns, and developing ideas deeply. He also previews upcoming Colorado performances,...

Composer and bandleader Adam Bartczak joins PiSa the Evening Star on KGNU’s Heavy Set to discuss his song “Little Clyde,” inspired by his young son’s mischievous hammer adventure. He talks about how teaching influences his composing, and announces the 11th annual holiday show on December 22 at The Pearl (formerly the Mercury Café), where the new album was recorded. Bartczak also plans to record an...

Briana Harris, saxophonist for the nine-piece Colorado funk and soul band The Burroughs, calls in to promote their performance at KGNU’s Funk Fundraiser on November 8th at the Velvet Elk Lounge in Boulder. She describes the band’s energetic “sweaty soul music,” aimed at getting audiences dancing in a communal live atmosphere. The Burroughs have a new single, “Dat Booty,” that was released on Octob...

Ben Pisano joins DJ Jules live in the KGNU studio for his first in-studio performance in nearly a decade. He introduces his indie rock/dream-pop project and promotes an upcoming November 6 show at the Chautauqua Community House, featuring synths, guitar, and electric violin. Between performing three songs (“Palindrome,” “Holden,” and “Revenant”), he discusses nervousness around recorded performanc...

KGNU’s Indra Raj speaks with Portland-based guitarist and composer Marisa Anderson, known for her striking blend of American roots traditions and experimental textures. In this conversation, Anderson reflects on her evolving relationship with the guitar, the influences that have shaped her sound, and her upcoming solo performance at The Savoy in Denver on Thursday, October 23, part of the MAS Pres...

Singer-songwriter Will Thomas, of the band River Mann, joined Meredith Carson live in the KGNU studio for an intimate set and conversation. He performed three original songs, including an autumn-inspired piece and one written in Taos, New Mexico, showcasing his poetic and reflective songwriting style. Thomas discussed River Mann’s upcoming shows—Roots Music Fest at Stone Cottage Studios in Boulder...