KGNU Music

Banjo player Kyle Tuttle joined Kooter Jones for KGNU’s Morning Sound Alternative for a live in-studio session with bassist Jeff Saunders. They performed original songs including “Not Quite Spring,” “I Wonder,” and “Saddle Up,” as well as a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.”

Tuttle talked about his musical background, starting on guitar as a child and later becoming a banjo player influenced by Béla Fleck, Earl Scruggs, and the jam band scene. Saunders discussed growing up in a musical family and his interest in collaboration. (Air Date 1/8/2026)

Blues guitarist and singer Ronnie Baker Brooks joins DJ Dan Willging on KGNU’s Blues Legacy ahead of his upcoming Colorado shows this February. In the interview, he talks about growing up as the son of Lonnie Brooks and being surrounded by blues legends like Koko Taylor and Buddy Guy.

Brooks shares details about his current band, his approach to touring and songwriting, and how he continues to build on the blues tradition. He also reflects on changes in the live music scene and what keeps him motivated on the road. (Air Date 1/2/2026)

DJ Jules hosts Corgi Cartel for a live in-studio session at KGNU, where the band shares details about their upcoming Denver shows, including a performance at the Black Buzzard, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, and a planned album release at Lost Lake. Formed about a year and a half ago through connections in the local music scene, the group blends influences from jazz, funk, metal, and artists like Cory Wong and Snarky Puppy to create a high-energy, genre-mixing sound. During the interview, they perform original songs from their upcoming album and highlight their goal of reaching new audiences while contributing to Colorado’s open-minded, supportive music community.

(Air Date: 4/21/26)

Indra Raj interviews local singer-songwriter Lewis Turner on KGNU’s Morning Sound Alternative, where he performs live and shares his path from growing up in Masonville, Colorado, to becoming an emerging folk artist. He discusses starting music as a teen, the emotional core of his songwriting, and how listener connections shaped his direction. Turner highlights his upcoming album Second, a more raw, indie-folk project centered on change and time, and previews an intimate Boulder performance along with future shows.

(Air Date: 4/29/26)

Wendy Mills interviews Sage Cook and Aera Fox about their shift from a fully produced band project to a more intimate acoustic duo while touring their latest album. They recount meeting in Boulder in 2013, falling in love quickly, and moving to rural Kansas to pursue homesteading, which shaped both their lifestyle and music. Aera’s entry into music began when she learned bass in a week for a benefit show, eventually leading to their current collaboration. They reflect on the contrast between their off-grid life and touring, their deep musical connection, upcoming Colorado shows, and the news that they are expecting their first child.

(Air Date: 4/27/26)

Dom Flemons, the “American Songster,” is a musician and historian who preserves and reinterprets over a century of American roots music. In this interview on KGNU, he discusses his research into overlooked artists and archives, his Black Cowboys project highlighting the hidden history of Black cowboys, and his mission to bring underrepresented stories to life through music and performance.

(Air Date: 4/22/26)

Dave McIntyre talks with John Magnie about his band The Grocery Story, which evolved from a story-driven musical into a harmony-rich group blending R&B, blues, gospel, and roots. Magnie also reflects on his Subdudes days and move from New Orleans to Colorado, emphasizing how collaboration and chance helped shape the band’s unique sound.

(Air Date: 4/3/26)

At the Big Ears Music Festival, KGNU’s Monte Dube spoke with Dalava co-creators Julia Úlehla and Aram Bajakian about their deeply personal, genre-blurring project rooted in Czech and Armenian heritage, ancestral song traditions, and experimental improvisation. They also discussed their latest album Understories, shaped by pandemic-era reflection, mythology, and a shared belief in music as a living, evolving practice of memory, descent, and renewal. (March 2026)

At the Big Ears Music Festival, KGNU’s Monte Dube interviewed composer and pianist Hania Rani about her musical upbringing in Poland, her evolution from classical training into experimental and electronic music, and her global career shaped by Berlin, Iceland, and major recording projects. She also discussed her new orchestral work Nonfiction, inspired by a rediscovered Warsaw Ghetto composer, and reflected on music as a way to create connection, resilience, and a sense of aliveness. (March 2026)

In this KGNU interview, Maria B Vibing speaks with Denver-based band Surprise Soup about their Midwest tour, their origins as a group, and their collaborative, genre-blending approach to songwriting. The band reflects on highlights from touring, including standout venues and cities, and emphasizes the importance of community in the local music scene. They also discuss organizing their DIY festival Soupstock, which brings together musicians, artists, and audiences in a shared creative space. The conversation highlights their growing presence in the scene and their upcoming performance at the Fox Theatre.

(Air Date: 3/30/25)