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KGNU Music

24/7 Music from KGNU Radio in Boulder + Denver.

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00:13:10

Interview: Xuefei Yang

KGNU Music ·

2025/07/18

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, which reimagines the works of Erik Satie for solo guitar, blending classical and cabaret influences. Xuefei

00:36:02

Studio Session: Erika Wennerstrom of Heartless Bastards

KGNU Music ·

2025/07/17

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 rescued from a junk email folder. They also reflected on the creative process behind their most recent

00:10:05

Interview: Ras Julio

KGNU Music ·

2025/07/16

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—highlighting its rich blend of musical performances, cultural seminars, and social initiatives. He also talks about

00:33:28

Local Gold: Canyon Collective

KGNU Music ·

2025/07/11

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 gold mine on New Year’s Day. With a rotating lineup of musicians and a mission to get people dancing,

00:49:27

Interview: Eton Percy Jamrock Events

KGNU Music ·

2025/07/09

Eton Percy 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. Percy highlights the upcoming Sizzla concert on September 20th at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver as a key event supporting community causes. He emphasizes collaboration among artists, promoters, and venues to keep

00:35:42

Studio Session: Lily Henley

KGNU Music ·

2025/07/09

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 writing new melodies for centuries-old lyrics. The duo performed live in studio, offering songs that blend

00:13:14

Interview: Kelsey Waldon

KGNU Music ·

2025/07/09

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 shared memories of Prine, including their duet on a Nanci Griffith song and a memorable bourbon tasting

00:09:09

Interview: Deborah Stafford

KGNU Music ·

2025/07/08

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, whose music forms the heart of her upcoming tribute show. The conversation touches on the history of jazz

00:19:08

Interview: Joan Tower and Steven Banks

KGNU Music ·

2025/07/05

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 their close working relationship, made possible by conductor Peter Oundjian, and how their shared

00:08:55

Interview: Ray Wylie Hubbard

KGNU Music ·

2025/07/05

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 talented son and longtime collaborator Paul Pearcy. He also talks about his recent projects, including

00:08:31

Interview: Elizabeth Celtic Festival Organizers

KGNU Music ·

2025/07/03

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 dancing, and pipe band performances. Douglas highlights the diverse music programming, ranging from

00:07:12

Interview: Karizma

KGNU Music ·

2025/07/03

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 the Basement Boys. Karizma previewed a track from his upcoming album Can’t Call It, due out on R2 Records,

00:16:51

Interview: Peter Oundjian

KGNU Music ·

2025/07/03

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 power of live music. He describes programming as a journey designed to spark curiosity and connection,

00:14:21

Studio Session: Twisted Pine

KGNU Music ·

2025/06/26

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 about tour stops in places like Carbondale and Buena Vista, upcoming shows at the Velvet Elk Lounge and

00:07:19

Interview: Flamy Grant

KGNU Music ·

2025/06/25

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 Church explores those themes and made a surprising appearance on the Christian music charts. A winner of

00:16:36

Interview: Will Marsh

KGNU Music ·

2025/06/25

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 describes The Integration Ensemble as a genre-crossing project that fuses Indian classical music with

00:04:47

Interview: Scott Bauer

KGNU Music ·

2025/06/24

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 and energetic atmosphere. In addition to the music, attendees enjoyed a beer garden, games, and

00:10:24

Interview: Zack Kopp

KGNU Music ·

2025/06/24

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 Kesey, and the Merry Pranksters, and his mythic status as the driver of the Further bus. Kopp shares

00:03:04

Interview: Nga Han

KGNU Music ·

2025/06/21

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 about the possibility of performing live in Colorado. (Interview: 6/14/25)

00:30:51

Studio Session: Jeff Cramer

KGNU Music ·

2025/06/20

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, recorded at The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, and their live album Live at the Bluebird, captured during

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