KGNU Music

Fergus Stone welcomes musicians Beth Gadbaw and Margot Krimmel to KGNU for a conversation about Celtic music, harp traditions, and the stories behind their longtime musical partnership. The duo discusses Scottish mouth music, their inspirations, and how folk traditions connect people across cultures.

Gadbaw and Krimmel also share stories from their travels, their experiences as performers, and their upcoming show at Swallow Hill. They reflect on the joy, history, and community found through traditional music (Air Date 4/29/26).

Boulder-based band Big Pinch joins Andy Zicklin for KGNU’s Afternoon Sound Alternative for a live studio session and conversation about their music, influences, and the growing DIY alternative scene in Boulder. The band members, Will, Burke, Andy, and Ari, talk about their beginnings, their mix of '80s and '90s rock influences, and the independent venues and communities that support local music.

The group also discusses their recently released songs, upcoming recordings, and the story behind the band name before performing tracks including “Cordyceps,” “Red Dog,” and “Wriggles Nature” live in the studio (Air Date 4/29/26).

Ahead of their April 29 performance at Summit in Denver, badbadnotgood sat down with KGNU to discuss the band's musical evolution, the lasting influence of jazz, hip hop, and sampling on their sound, and the importance of collaboration in their creative process. The conversation also explores the changing landscape of the music industry, from AI and streaming to community organizing and independent venues, as well as the role artists can play in supporting one another and engaging with the world around them. The band closes by sharing recommendations for new music, celebrating community radio, and encouraging listeners to support local arts and culture (Air Date 4/28/26).

Joanne Cole welcomes members of Colorado's Groove Goddesses into the KGNU studio for a lively conversation about the band's history, musical influences, and upcoming performances. The all-women ensemble shares how the group has evolved since its founding in 2005, blending blues, funk, soul, rock, R&B, and original music into a dynamic live show.

The band discusses its appearance at the Boulder Roots Music Project festival, highlights the creative work of its members both within and outside the group, and reflects on the collaborative spirit that has kept the Groove Goddesses going for two decades. Along the way, Joanne features music that has inspired the band, including selections from Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Sarah Vaughan, the Neville Brothers, Sam & Dave, and Louis Jordan (Air Date 7/17/26).

Meredith Carson welcomes Texas singer-songwriter Vincent Neil Emerson for a live studio session at KGNU. Visiting Denver while on tour for his newly released album, Emerson talks about his roots in Canton, Texas, his journey from open mics to major stages like the Grand Ole Opry, and the stories behind his songs. He performs selections from his new record, including “Jet Plane,” “Living in the Past,” and “Little Wolf’s Invincible Yellow Medicine Paint,” along with Elizabeth Cotten’s classic folk song “Freight Train.” Emerson also shares insights into his songwriting process, performing solo versus with a band, and working with legendary songwriter and producer Rodney Crowell (Air Date 4/24/26).

Lucy Moore joins Meredith Carson in the KGNU studios for a wide-ranging conversation ahead of this year's Mountain Fam Jam in Gold Hill. They talk about Lucy's musical roots in the O'Brien and Moore family, growing up around KGNU and Colorado's folk scene, becoming the event's music director, and carrying forward the tradition of the longtime "Charles" concert.

The interview also features live performances by Lucy, including Townes Van Zandt's "Buckskin Stallion" and Tim O'Brien's "Edge of the Storm," along with stories about family, touring, song collecting, and the community that has shaped her musical life (Air Date 7/17/26).

Corgi Cartel stopped by the KGNU Boulder studio for a high-energy live session and conversation with DJ Jules. The Denver-based band talked about how they came together, their blend of funk, rock, jazz, and metal influences, and the supportive Colorado music scene that encourages genre-crossing creativity. They also shared details about their upcoming album, previewed new original songs, including "Breakthrough" and "Hand Grenade,” and discussed upcoming performances around Colorado. The session features three live performances showcasing the band's dynamic horn-driven sound and infectious energy (Air Date 4/21/26).

Neil Gillette and Lauren Douglas preview the 2026 Elizabeth Celtic Festival, taking place July 18–19 at Casey Jones Park in Elizabeth, Colorado. They discuss the festival's Scottish Highland Games, world-class athletic competitions, Highland dancing, pipe bands, live Celtic music, hands-on workshops, family activities, and opportunities for visitors to experience Celtic culture firsthand. The conversation also highlights the festival's welcoming atmosphere, its history of hosting world-record-setting athletic performances, and what attendees can expect throughout the weekend (Air Date 7/15/26).

Jackson Cloud stopped by the KGNU studios for a live session and conversation with host Indra Raj, performing songs from the band's debut album, Twisted Faces, and sharing the story of how the Boulder-based group came together. Frontman Jackson Cloud discussed writing and recording the album as a solo project before assembling the band with the help of Stone Cottage Studios, while the group reflected on their musical influences, creative process, and plans for new music. They also talked about Stone Cottage Studios' role in supporting the local music community and highlighted upcoming live performances at the Velvet Elk and the Fox Theatre (Air Date 4/16/26).

Ahead of Gnoss's first-ever Denver performance at Swallow Hill, KGNU's Rodger Hara spoke with vocalist and guitarist Aidan Moodie about the band's origins, musical influences, and distinctive blend of Scottish traditional music with contemporary folk and subtle electronic elements.

Moodie reflects on growing up in Orkney, meeting his bandmates while studying traditional music in Glasgow, and how the band's commitment to writing original material took shape during the COVID lockdown. He also shares the story behind the name "Gnoss" and offers a preview of what audiences can expect from their debut Denver concert (Air Date 4/15/26).