KGNU Music

Rainbow and Mesa of Save the Merc join KGNU to discuss efforts to keep the Jamestown Mercantile, a beloved community gathering place, in local hands. They share plans to raise funds to purchase the property, discuss the Merc’s role as a hub for live music, arts, culture, and community events, and highlight the lineup of local and regional musicians supporting a November 18 benefit concert at the Boulder Theater (Air Date 10/26/26).

Composer and conductor Eric Whitacre joins KGNU’s Sanford Baran to discuss Eternity in an Hour, his new recording inspired by four lines from William Blake’s poem Auguries of Innocence. Blending choir, cello, piano, and electronics across eight movements, Whitacre explores how small fragments of sound can open up vast musical worlds. In this conversation, he reflects on the meditative power of music, the beauty of imperfect sounds, the empathy and connection found in choral singing, and his hope that listeners will find a moment of stillness in an age of constant distraction (Air date 10/26/26).

In this KGNU interview, DJ Soul Rock of Reggae Bloodlines talks with Jamaican reggae artist Aza Lineage about her debut album, Rebel Datta, a decade-long musical journey rooted in reggae tradition and guided by themes of self-discovery, spirituality, empowerment, and social awareness. Aza reflects on the influence of Jamaica’s rich musical culture, her collaborations with reggae legends Johnny Osbourne and Lone Ranger, and the mentorship of the iconic King Jammy. She also explores the importance of sound system culture and her vision of honouring reggae’s roots while carrying the music into the future (Air date 10/24/26).

In this KGNU interview, host Karl Kumli speaks with Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, founder and leader of the acclaimed Irish traditional band Altan, about the music, stories, and community that shaped her Donegal roots. Mairéad reflects on collaborating with Dolly Parton, the all-star group Tea with the Maggies, and the evolution of Altan over more than four decades. She also shares memories of the traditional music sessions that nurtured generations of musicians and discusses Altan’s new album, Donegal, ahead of the band’s October 24 performance at the Parsons Theatre in Northglenn, Colorado (Air date 10/22/26).

KGNU’s DJ Jules chats with legendary keyboardist Melvin Seals ahead of his upcoming Colorado shows with JGB. Seals reflects on decades on the road, his roots in gospel music production, and his love of opera and classical music, which continues to inspire his improvisational style. He shares how musicians create space for one another, feed off each other’s energy, and keep the music growing and evolving with every performance. It is a lively conversation about musical discovery, life on the road, and what audiences can look forward to at the Boulder Theater on October 30 and 31 and the Aggie Theatre in Fort Collins on October 29 (Air date 10/20/26).

KGNU's DJ Jules welcomes members of The Burroughs for a special live in-studio performance featuring songs from their upcoming album, Apocalypse Tech. The band discusses the album’s evolution into an apocalyptic discotheque, blending ’90s electronic and techno influences with hard-hitting rock and roll. They also share insights into their collaborative songwriting process, their musical influences, including funk legend Betty Davis, and their commitment to music education. Listen for live performances of “Howlin’ at the Moon,” “Shake Your Skeleton,” “Betty,” and “Clock It,” along with a preview of the band’s upcoming album release show at Washington’s in Fort Collins on November 7 (Air Date 10/13/26).

Frontier Ruckus’ Matthew Milia talks with KGNU’s Indra Raj about the band’s Michigan roots, their eclectic blend of folk, bluegrass and pop influences, and the role of dense, detailed lyricism in their music. Milia reflects on the band’s evolution, his love of ’90s pop, and finding a renewed sense of joy in music after years of touring. Frontier Ruckus returns to Colorado for two intimate shows, including an October 9 performance at eTown Hall in Boulder, with former bandmate Anna Burch rejoining the group for the first time in years (Air date 9/30/26).

Blues guitarist and singer Tommy Castro talks with KGNU’s Dan Willging about his long connection to Colorado audiences, his Bay Area blues influences, and his latest album, Closer to the Bone. Castro reflects on his mentor Johnny Nitro, the San Francisco blues scene, and the musicians who shaped his sound. He also previews his upcoming album, Can’t Stop Now, an all-original project produced with Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, and shares the deeply personal story behind the songs. Castro performs at Denver’s Oriental Theater on November 17 (Air date 9/29/26).

The Zucchini Brothers made their live debut on KGNU’s Old Grass, Gnu Grass from the Boulder Farmers Market, bringing an eclectic mix of bluegrass classics, old-time tunes, and plenty of humor. Nick Forster, Justin Hoffenberg, and James Armington shared songs by artists including Ola Belle Reed, the Stanley Brothers, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, and Jimmy Driftwood, along with stories about KGNU, bluegrass traditions, and the local music community.

The session also featured fiddle-and-banjo music, audience interaction, and reflections on KGNU’s long history of supporting bluegrass and local musicians. From workers’ songs to ghost stories and classic songs of love and loss, the Zucchini Brothers kept the farmers market, and the radio, moving with their first-ever performance together (Air Date 9/26/26).

In this interview, Rodger Hara speaks with director andBoulder Ensemble Theater Company (BETC) ensemble member Candace Orino and actor Michael Morgan about The Weir, Conor McPherson’s acclaimed play set in a rural pub in northwestern Ireland.

Orino and Morgan discuss the play’s themes of storytelling, community, and connection; the process of casting a company of strong storytellers; and the challenges of capturing the distinct accents and rhythms of rural Ireland. Orino also describes the production’s scenic design, dramaturgical preparation, and transition from the Savoy in Denver to BETC’s Boulder space.

The Weir opens at BETC in Boulder on October 9, following its Denver run at the Savoy. (Air Date 9/23/26).