KGNU Music

Violinist Maria Dueñas joins KGNU’s Sanford Baran to discuss her new album, Homage to Heifetz, inspired by the legendary violinist Jascha Heifetz, whose recordings she heard as a child growing up in Granada, Spain. The album revisits Heifetz’s celebrated pairing of Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole and Korngold’s Violin Concerto, recorded with conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, alongside intimate miniatures performed on Heifetz’s own 1731 Stradivarius.

Dueñas reflects on Heifetz’s influence, the balance between technical perfection and spontaneity, and her determination to honor his legacy without simply imitating him. She also talks about her musical partnership with Dudamel, the importance of creativity and improvisation for performers, and leaving Spain at age 11 to pursue her musical education in Germany and Vienna. At the heart of the conversation is her hope that young musicians discover what she considers most important: a lasting love of music. (Air Date 8/31/26).

New Orleans roots, Fort Collins connections, and decades of musical camaraderie come together in this lively KGNU studio session with The Iguanas. The band talks about its origins, its longtime ties to the Colorado music scene, and members Joe Cabral, Rene Coman, Rod Hodges, and Doug Garrison’s years playing in the Alex Chilton band. They also share the secret to surviving decades on the road, discuss plans for a new record, and talk about their regular Sunday-night residency at the Carousel Bar in New Orleans.

Along the way, The Iguanas perform several songs live in the Kabaret Studio, including “La Llanta” and “Para Donde Vas.” The band was in Colorado for a KGNU Presents show at The Fox with Ozomatli. (Air Date 8/27/26).

Singer-songwriter Scott Seskind joins KGNU for a live studio session ahead of his upcoming performance in Boulder. Scott shares several original songs and talks about his longtime connection to the local music scene, his songwriting process, and his work at the jail, where he leads writing groups and teaches guitar.

In conversation with Greg Schultz, Scott reflects on self-expression, community, and the challenges people face when returning to life outside of jail. He also discusses his years in Boulder and his history performing on the Pearl Street Mall. (Air Date 8/27/26).

Australian folk ensemble The Heart Collectors joined KGNU’s Wendy Mills in the studio during their 2026 U.S. tour. The group shared music from their Space Between album, including “Hold On” and “Kite Song,” and talked about their love of harmony, Celtic and Irish musical traditions, songwriting, and their evolving sound.

The band also reflected on the joy of connecting with audiences and communities around the world, their deep affinity for Colorado’s mountains, and their plans for new music, including their forthcoming sixth studio album. (Air Date 8/24/26).

Four Mile Fest organizer and Boulder musician Zach Hedstrom joins KGNU’s Uncle Jeff to discuss the second annual festival in Four Mile Canyon. Hedstrom talks about the event’s roots in Boulder County’s rich mountain music community, the local musicians featured across two days, and the volunteer effort that made the festival possible.

The conversation also highlights the festival’s wide-ranging musical lineup, including bluegrass, rock, funk, singer-songwriters, Indian classical music and reggae. Hedstrom discusses bringing acclaimed tabla player Anubrata Chatterjee to the festival and the surprise appearance by reggae legends Third World, while Uncle Jeff shares some of his favorite performances from the weekend. (Air Date 8/26/26).

Fin Greenall of Fink joins KGNU’s Jessica Numbers for an acoustic studio session ahead of the band’s Denver show at the Bluebird Theater. Greenall discusses Fink’s evolution from his beginnings as a DJ to the band’s current acoustic indie-folk sound, as well as the making of the latest album, The City Is Coming to Erase It All, in Cornwall.

Greenall also reflects on his long relationships with his bandmates and former label Ninja Tune, the importance of honesty and creative independence, and how music can help people through difficult times. The session features acoustic performances of “Wishing for Blue Sky,” “Memorize Your Senses,” and “Two Magpies.” (Air Date 8/26/26).

Sixteen-year-old New Orleans pianist River Eckert speaks with KGNU’s Joanne Cole ahead of his Colorado debut at the Nederland Wine & Jazz Fest. He talks about growing up surrounded by New Orleans musicians and music and his early start on piano. He also mentions his father’s influence and the musicians who have shaped his playing, including Fats Domino, Huey “Piano” Smith, Dr. John, James Booker, Professor Longhair, Jon Batiste, and Harry Connick Jr.

Eckert also talks about his connection to New Orleans’ musical tradition and his experiences performing outside his hometown (Air Date 8/21/26).

Reggae Bloodlines host Dj Soul Rock speaks with Ansel Cridland of The Meditations ahead of the group’s September 12th performance at the Caribou Room in Nederland. Cridland reflects on more than five decades in reggae, from his early recordings and the formation of The Meditations to working with artists and producers including Bob Marley, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Dobby Dobson, and The Congos.

Cridland also discusses the struggles behind the music, including industry exploitation, the loss of his longtime bandmates Danny Clarke and Winston Watson, and his determination to keep The Meditations’ music and message alive. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the power of reggae to teach, uplift youth, break down barriers, and bring people together. (Air Date 8/22/26).

Alex Ammons and Laura Goldhamer of Bathtub Mary join Indra Raj in KGNU’s new studios for a live session featuring songs by Ammons, including “The Thread,” “The Canticle of Consent,” and “Crone.” The two musicians also talk about their musical journeys and their connections to Colorado’s vibrant music community.

Ammons shares the story behind the Honey House Concert Series, an intimate backyard concert series bringing local musicians and audiences together in Denver. They also discuss Goldhamer’s work as a clawhammer banjo player and the Hive Choir, a community singing project. (Air Date 8/19/26).

Colorado singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Katie Mintle joins KGNU’s Doug Gertner for a live studio session featuring songs by Bob Dylan, Sierra Ferrell, Willie Nelson, and an original, “Paradigm.” Katie talks about her musical roots, from discovering Celtic music and learning the harp as a child to busking on Boulder’s Pearl Street at age 11, and how the pandemic helped shift her focus toward guitar, songwriting, and the folk world. She also discusses her work as a backup vocalist, visual art, recent releases, and the process of finding her sound as an emerging artist (Air Date 8/18/26).