KGNU Music

Dan Willging of KGNU interviews cowboy poet Lindy Simmons about her upcoming performances at the Colorado Cowboy Gathering in Golden. Simmons shares how her poetry evolved after marrying into a multi-generational ranching family in southwestern Colorado, drawing inspiration from ranch life, rodeo culture, local coffee shop storytelling, and Western history. She discusses the importance of authenticity in cowboy poetry, her published work and upcoming book, and her involvement in historical preservation. The interview concludes with Simmons reciting a poem about Pearl Hart, the last stagecoach robber of the American West, highlighting her focus on uncovering unique and often overlooked stories—especially those of women in Western history.

(Air Date: 1/17/26)

Lauren Frihauf stopped by the KGNU Denver studios to perform live and talk about her upcoming KGNU Presents show with Sturtz on March 7 at Chautauqua Community House. She played original songs including “Wild Card,” “Scorpion,” and “One Thing Always Leads to Another,” and discussed her musical roots in Colorado, her time on season 19 of The Voice (working with Gwen Stefani and John Legend), and her current projects.

Frihauf also shared details about Road Pony, a new country collaboration formed with Megan Burtt, and previewed unreleased music slated for release in the coming months. The interview wrapped with a live performance of “Hang Your Weary Heart,” a Road Pony song, and a ticket giveaway for the March 7 show.

(Air Date 2/2/26)

Lauren Friedhoff stopped by the KGNU Denver studios to perform live and talk about her upcoming KGNU Presents show with Sturtz on March 7 at Chautauqua Community House. She played original songs including “Wild Card,” “Scorpion,” and “One Thing Always Leads to Another,” and discussed her musical roots in Colorado, her time on season 19 of The Voice (working with Gwen Stefani and John Legend), and her current projects.

Friedhoff also shared details about Road Pony, a new country collaboration formed with Megan Burtt, and previewed unreleased music slated for release in the coming months. The interview wrapped with a live performance of “Hang Your Weary Heart,” a Road Pony song, and a ticket giveaway for the March 7 show.

(Air Date 2/2/26)

KGNU host Jessica Numbers sits down with DJ and music industry veteran Peter Wohelski to discuss the roots and resurgence of ambient house, chill-out culture, and community radio. Wohelski reflects on the early rave era, highlighting influential artists such as Future Sound of London, The Orb, and The Shamen, and explores how experimental electronic music bridged dance floors and listening spaces.

The conversation also traces Wohelski’s work with Detroit techno pioneer Carl Craig and Planet E Communications, including the Inner Zone Orchestra and the Geology compilations. Looking ahead, Wohelski shares his perspective on the renewed interest in vinyl, long-form DJ sets, intentional listening, and non-commercial radio as meaningful alternatives to algorithm-driven music culture.

(Air Date: 1/24/26)

Amulets, the solo project of Portland based audio and visual artist Randall Taylor, joined KGNU’s Indra Raj to talk about his long evolving approach to ambient and experimental music. Taylor discusses his musical roots in bands and solo projects, the evolution of Amulets, and his distinctive use of handmade cassette tape loops and live processed guitar. He also reflects on documenting his process online, the collaborative nature of his current tour with Midwife, and how ambient and experimental music has grown over the past decade. Amulets performs at a KGNU Presents show at the Chautauqua Community House on Tuesday, February 10th with Midwife and Sun Swept. (Recorded 2/5/2026)

DJ Jules welcomed Freya to the KGNU Boulder studio for a live in-studio performance on the Morning Sound Alternative. Freya shared music centered on themes of joy, connection, peace, and reverence for the Earth, along with insights into their creative philosophy and upcoming album Kiss Me Verdant Green. The conversation explored finding beauty amid hardship, staying connected, and using music as a force for healing and peace. Freya also performed several songs live and highlighted an upcoming appearance at Longmont Public Media.

(Air Date: 1/22/26)

King Cardinal joined DJ Jules on KGNU for a live in-studio performance and conversation about their upcoming third album. The band shared that they are releasing the record in a nontraditional way: making the full album available immediately on their website and Bandcamp (pay-what-you-want, with vinyl), while releasing songs gradually on streaming platforms. They discussed the album as a creative shift from their earlier Americana-folk sound, embracing more experimentation, textures, synths, and collaboration. The band performed several new songs, including Waste My Time and Cracks in the Sidewalk, and announced their album release show at the Bluebird Theater, along with a community scavenger hunt for free tickets via their Instagram.

(Air Date 1/13/26)

Ken Pomeroy joined KGNU to talk with DJ Aaron Benko about her current tour with Madison Cunningham, including an upcoming show at Denver’s Bluebird Theater. She discussed the challenges of touring during uncertain times, her recent acting debut on FX’s Reservation Dogs, and how her song “Bound to Rain” and others were featured on the show. Pomeroy also shared stories behind recording with John Moreland, working closely with guitarist Dakota McDaniel, and hinted at a new record in progress ahead of a busy festival summer.

KGNU’s DJ Jules caught up with Jeff Franca of Thievery Corporation to talk about his experimental electro-dub project, DUBLDRGN, ahead of a live show at the Velvet Elk in Boulder. Franca shared insights into the improvised, dub-influenced set he’s creating with producer and keyboardist Bom Lee, blending live instrumentation, reggae roots, and spontaneous sound manipulation. Drawing inspiration from dub pioneers like King Tubby and Scientist, the project embraces experimentation and in-the-moment creativity. The conversation highlights Boulder’s vibrant music community and invites listeners to experience a unique, one-night-only performance. (Air Date: 1-20-2026)

On KGNU, fiddler and vocalist Bronwyn Keith-Hynes spoke about her upcoming Valentine’s Day weekend performance at Midwinter Bluegrass and her excitement about returning to Colorado with her band. She discussed how her current touring group came together gradually through local Nashville shows and a weekly residency at Dee’s following the conclusion of her time with Molly Tuttle’s Golden Highway. Keith-Hynes also talked about her latest album, I Built a World, including the title track, which she discovered by chance while driving through Kentucky and hearing it played live on the radio. The song, written by Matt Parsons, became the centerpiece of the album.

During the KGNU interview, Keith-Hynes reflected on stepping more fully into a lead singer role while continuing to play fiddle, and how that shift has changed her relationship to the music. She also shared thoughts on playing twin fiddles, the strength of the current bluegrass scene, and the role of music education in supporting younger musicians. Keith-Hynes described recording I Built a World with some of bluegrass’s most respected players as a major milestone and noted that a new album is nearly finished, with plans to introduce new songs during her upcoming Colorado performances.(Air Date: 1/24/2026).