KGNU Music

Taylor Sims and Chris Elliott join KGNU’s Morning Sound Alternative to share live music and talk about bluegrass, community, and life on the road. The duo discusses their upcoming appearances at the Midwinter Bluegrass Festival (Feb. 13–15 in Northglenn), the legacy of the longtime winter gathering, and Sims’ involvement in multiple festival projects and workshops. They also preview Sims’ forthcoming solo album, reflecting a wide range of acoustic, string band, and electric sounds, and perform several original songs live in the studio. (Air Date: 1-20-2026)

Blockhead joined KGNU’s Music Director Indra Raj to discuss his career as a producer, from his early work with Aesop Rock in the 1990s to his long-running output of instrumental albums. He talks about how music distribution and listening habits have changed over the years, how those shifts affect artists today, and what goes into his live performances. The interview also covers his upcoming releases and his KGNU Presents show at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver on Saturday, January 31. (Recorded 1/20/2026)

KGNU’s Wendy Mills talks with Glen Phillips about his 40-year career with Toad the Wet Sprocket, his solo work, and life as a working musician. Phillips reflects on the band’s early years, the challenges of growing up together, and how their relationship has evolved over time.

The interview includes live in-studio performances, discussion of Phillips’ weekly songwriting game and how it shaped his most recent record, and an update on his touring schedule, livestreams, and upcoming projects, including a new acoustic Toad the Wet Sprocket album. (Air date: 12/10/25)

Studio Session: Mad Dog Friedman and George Williams of Reckless and Blue by KGNU Music

Studio Session: Drunken Hearts by 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 band reflects on the importance of passing musical traditions down through family, the role of music in everyday life across Zimbabwe, and how African music fosters unity and healing. The session highlights the power of community, heritage, and storytelling through sound, offering listeners a rare and intimate look into a living musical tradition (November 29, 2025).

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 directly from legends like B.B. King, Etta James, John Lee Hooker, and Charlie Musselwhite. The interview weaves together personal stories, reflections on the healing power of blues music, and memories of Boulder’s organic music spaces—including the influential Outlook Hotel era. Soderman also shares music from past projects, discusses his ongoing work at Roots Music Project, and highlights the importance of supporting local musicians and community-driven spaces (November 28, 2025).

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 of her family live. The conversation explores the group’s newly released Christmas album, which blends Irish-language songs, reimagined Celtic Woman classics, rich vocal harmonies, and new musical influences while honoring the ensemble’s roots. Carlin also shares insights into performing at altitude, her creative process, and the evolving sound of Celtic Woman as they look toward the future with new members and renewed energy (November 26, 2025).

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 songs, they chat with Neil about returning to Colorado, their upcoming show at Swallow Hill, their ties to the New York roots-music community, and their plans to wind down after their final performances of the year. With warm banter and tight musicianship, the session captures the band’s signature blend of bluegrass energy and playful charm (November 22, 2025).

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-life experience, transforming heartbreak into positivity, and the joy of performing with a well-rehearsed band that connects deeply with its audience. The interview also highlights the growing reggae community in Denver, including organizers DJ Reese and DJ Andy Flex, who discuss recent Caribbean fundraising efforts, the formation of Denver Conglomerate, and their mission to expand Caribbean cultural events in Colorado. Spanner Banner closes with heartfelt condolences to the family of Jamaican icon Jimmy Cliff, honoring his lasting legacy (November, 2025).