KCSU LIVE In-Studio

Indigo Jones is a local R&B artist from Denver. His whole family makes or plays music, including his older brother Leewater, another R&B artist currently based in Phoenix, AZ. Jones grew up listening to gospel music, and R&B artists like Boyz II Men, so R&B came naturally for when he started performing. He met DJ MnM, a Denver DJ, when they played at the R&B Jam Fest, an event that showcases local R&B artists and gathers a community of talented musicians all in one place. She had moved to Colorado from Georgia for grad school; the two had great synergy from the start, and they decided to keep working together, with DJ MnM spinning his tracks next to him. Jones pulls inspiration from Dru Hill/Sisqó, Ty Dolla $ign, and his brother, Leewater. DJ MnM tunes herself to her crowds and finds ways to get everyone's heads nodding, and pulls inspiration from DJ Jazzy Jeff and DJ Puffy. Jones' released a short EP called "Wholesome Heathen Vol. 1", and is planning on releasing another project called "Ultraviolet Passion" soon. 

Indie/psychedelic-rock band Sour Magic consists of Eliseo Salinas, Mauro Hernandez, Drew Morse, and Jay Waldrop. All hail from out of Colorado, from Louisiana to Kansas to Texas to Venezuela; Sour Magic found each other through Facebook and Craiglist ads when they all moved. Morse, on bass, and Waldrop, on drums, met first, beginning their music journey by playing in an office of a warehouse. Hernandez and Salinas came later, bringing in the guitars and vocals. They find inspiration from bands like Tame Impala, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, and The Beatles, and write their songs based on vibes and energy first. Sour Magic is very involved in the local FoCo and Denver music scene, producing their own music videos which feature other local bands like Moonlight Bloom and Los Toms. They have an album coming out June 13th called "The Hive", surrounding the themes of bees and humans, and what makes us so similar. Their single "Silver Sands", which made its debut on KCSU's airwaves, drops May 23rd. Sour Magic is playing at The Squire Lounge in Denver on May 10th, and holding their album release party at Skylark Lounge on June 13th. 

Moving from New England to Boulder, Nic Lussier is vocalist/guitarist for local indie rock band The Brazen Youth. Downey Chase is his solo folk project, releasing his first single in May 2024. Lussier was surrounded by music growing up, as his dad and brother are both musicians. The Brazen Youth was originally a Red Hot Chili Peppers' cover band, but transitioned to original songs and even had the opportunity to perform on Live & Local back in 2019. Lussier has written folk songs throughout his time with TBY, but kept them in his back pocket in hopes he'd use them later; Downey Chase was just the thing. He gets inspiration from Bob Dylan and Adrianne Lenker, and tries to write songs every single day. He's made connections with people like Anna Frick, a local sound engineer and mixer, and Carson McHaney, a fiddler who played on his debut album. Downey Chase's solo album "Downey Chase" was released back in October 2024, and he has new music coming this summer.

Wunderbus is a project by Jalen Thompson, otherwise known as KCSU's 2023-2024 Music Director. Growing up in Missouri, Thompson was surrounded by music while in school, and they began playing in their middle school band. They were hooked and quickly began scouring their community for opportunities to keep playing music; they were in a jazz band and a rock band, playing keyboard and singing for the first time. Once they moved to Colorado and started attending CSU, Thompson began to explore contemporary classical and connect with the local scene. Joining Thompson is Raemi Morin, Thompson's partner and CSU music therapy alum. Morin grew up being classically trained, wanting to play violin but ended up with piano, clarinet (band kids all around!), and finally guitar in college; she names Thompson as one of her inspirations to break out of the rigidity of the classical genre. Now a CSU graduate, Thompson is always trying to find new music and do things when they feel called to do them. Wunderbus is their "playground", helping them remember how much music means to them and what they can achieve with their passion. Wunderbus is planning on releasing new music around May, 2025!

A.M. Pleasure Assassins has been good friends with KCSU for many years. Originating in 2010 after Jared Meyer's band Rad Vibes came to a conclusion, A.M. Pleasure Assassins began as a 90s rock band, pulling inspiration from bands like Modest Mouse and The Smashing Pumpkins. Jared, also a visual artist, made a collage with old vintage magazines that just happened to have the phrase "A.M. Pleasure Assassins" within it, and he snagged it as the band began to come into fruition. Developing over the decade into something more indie bedroom experimental, their new album "Cloudy, Black, Red, and All Over" was recorded in a home studio. Jared chats about some influences for their songs, including "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert M. Pirsig and "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn. He shows off his extensive list of possible band names, and shows appreciation for his involvement with the Fort Collins Music Association. 

Safekeeper is one of Fort Collins' most well-known bands. Called "slacker rock", Safekeeper was created with a ragtag group of friends, with all the frontmen being Zachary Visconti and Matt Scorca. On Live & Local, Zach and newest member Gail McDonald-Crook play a few of their songs, including "us little devils", "western slope", and "ono". The two reflect on how Gail joined the band through intense enthusiasm watching Safekeeper at The Atrium, as well as how they came about playing music professionally, with both having roots as middle school band kids. Gail was also involved at KCSU years ago, so they reminisced about the On-Air studio and how much has changed since they graduated.

Describing their genre as "mysterious noise", psych-rock band The Crooked Rugs is no stranger to KCSU. Established in 2019, the band is prominent to the Fort Collins music scene and has evolved their sound over the years together. Back when the band was first getting started, they performed for KCSU's "Live In-Studio" with their song "Ska"; now, they're opening for Babe Rainbow at The Gothic and going on tour with Boogarins. The Crooked Rugs' "Live & Local" episode welcomes the band back to the studio, navigating their time together through questions of rehearsals, inspirations, and dream venues. Their performance portrays their synchronicity, complex chords, and impressive finger-picking guitar techniques. 

Originally from Chicago, Johnny Speaks found his voice with a drum set in his garage as a kid. His voice grew as he did, and as he followed his career of being a plant geneticist, he started writing his own songs in college and finally performed in 2022 at The Atrium. His new EP, "JJ", looks at his familial relationships and the small details of his shared stories with them. His "Live & Local" performance is full of joy and passion, and is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Local Music Director Riley Hilbert, otherwise known as DJ Retrograde, chats with Autumnal once again for this episode of Live & Local.

CSU's Bassic A Capella got the opportunity to perform and interview live on air at KCSU with DJ Mae. The group talks about their history, what they love about acapella, and sing songs mixed by the performers themselves.

Local Music Director Riley Hilbert, otherwise known as DJ Retrograde, talks with Erich Albrecht of Robot Tennis Club and Feed Lot for this episode of Live & Local.

Local Music Director Riley Hilbert, otherwise known as DJ Retrograde, sits down with Animal Future for this episode of Live & Local.

Local Music Director Riley Hilbert, otherwise known as DJ Retrograde, chats with Mystee for this episode of Live & Local.

Local Music Director Riley Hilbert, otherwise known as DJ Retrograde, chats with local band Ducki for this episode of Live & Local.

Local Music Director Riley Hilbert, otherwise known as DJ Retrograde, sits down with folk musician Blake Rouse for this episode of Live & Local.

Local Music Director Riley Hilbert, otherwise known as DJ Retrograde, interviews local band from Denver, Horse B*tch, for this episode of Live and Local.

Local Music Director Riley Hilbert, otherwise known as DJ Retrograde, talk with Fort Collins band Sex Wax for this episode of Live and Local.

Local Music Director Riley Hilbert, otherwise known as DJ Retrograde, chats with Broghan Foster of The Athletics for this episode of Live & Local.Live & Local is available to listen to anytime on our website and major streaming services, and is live on the air every Sunday from 11-1 p.m.

Local Music Director Riley Hilbert, otherwise known as DJ Retrograde, sits down with local band Autumnal for this episode of Live & Local. 

Local Music Director Marie Pohl, otherwise known as DJ Roadrash, and 2023-24 Local Music Director Riley Hilbert, otherwise known as DJ Retrograde, sit down with Bleak Mystique for Live In-Studio. They chat inspirations for music, how the band came to be, and what they think of the Colorado music scene.

2022-2023 Local Music Director Marie Pohl, otherwise known as DJ Roadrash, sits down with Bellside E to discuss his journey into music, his influences and his life growing up as a Nigerian immigrant, and his unique ways of breaking into the music scene.

KCSU Local Music Director Marie Pohl talks with Robot Tennis Club for KCSU's bi-weekly Live In-Studio performance.

KCSU's Local Music Director Marie Pohl sits down with Cameron Olver for KCSU's bi-weekly Live In-Studio performance. 

Local Music Director Marie Pohl chats with local queer femme punk band "Rotten Reputation" on this episode of Live In-Studio.

KCSU's Local Music Director Marie Pohl sits down with Denver based Hiphop artist Schama Noel to discuss his Twitter vitality and much more!

DJ D-Lone and DJ Road Rash run through responses from local bands about what things they had questions about when they were getting going. Not just for bands, but for anyone looking to get more involved.

This week on "KCSU Live In-Studio," local music director Dillon King hosts Tiny Human, a three-piece punk band out of Denver. The band has songs that address tough subjects like homelessness, losing a parent and identifying as non-binary. Even though it is a newer band, it has already gained a level of respect within the community in Fort Collins and Denver. Songs - Billy's Fast Food Hell, Reconnoitering The Rim, Salt and Sand, (Untitled), Dad's Song, Liaison of the Piaison

This week on "KCSU Live In-Studio," KCSU's local music director, Dillon King, sits down with the creator of the new Fort Collins music podcast "Posted Rodcast." The pod just got going a few months ago and has been running at full steam.In this episode, they talk about the evolution of the project and what they hope to achieve in the coming future. A project like this shows the potential future of the Northern Colorado music scene as a community that evolves to find new ways to support artists.The podcast creators volunteer their time for what they hope will be a biweekly podcast that has music and interviews in an open format. The podcast can be found on Spotify and YouTube.

This past weekend before KCSU's very first Fools Fest, local music director Dillon King brought in Peter Koschnitzke of Cosmic Problems and Hannah Rust from HYGEIA to talk about their musical experiences. 

This week on the "KCSU Live In-Studio" podcast, local music director Dillon King sits down with Ash Redhorse, aka Josh Hart, a local musician from Denver who now lives in Fort Collins. Redhorse's current project is more rock and roll compared to the hip-hop/rap that he did before. The collection of songs featured in this episode is about the conflicts and concepts of love spoken directly from the soul. Songs in order "Hardcore Boy", "Home", "Time", "NYC", "Lost", "I Liked You Before", "Emilia Rose"

Local music director Dillon King interviews local musician Matt Dooley this week for the "KCSU Live In-Studio" podcast. Dooley is a dedicated frontman for not just one local band, but currently four, mostly within the hardcore scene. His band Old Skin just released its first EP, "Towering Monolith of Flesh," on March 11. His other bands are Sinister Pig, Violent High and Trench Knife. 

Michael "Blasti" Gormley runs the non-profit Blast n' Scrap here in Fort Collins. The multi-media venue is a catalyst for the DIY scene and gives good people good opportunities. He has partnered with several other non-profits to help foster community efforts. This week KCSU local music director, Dillon King, sat down and talked about the past, present and future hopes for the organization.

Shadow Work is a three-piece band currently based out of Denver after moving separately from Boise, Idaho. This week they bring psychedelic rock to the KCSU Live In-Studio show to promote their upcoming album that will be released this fall.The song titles in the order played are: Trashcan Parade, Fox in the Coop, Warm Tones, Abelia, and Old Cartoons.Contact the band at [email protected].

In this week's KCSU Live In-Studio podcast, local music director Dillon King sits down with Miles Stevenson. Stevenson is the guitar player of up-and-coming local Fort Collins band Hospital Socks, and the two sat down to talk about the DIY community and what makes it so special.You may have heard of Stevenson's dad, Bill Stevenson. King sat down with Miles Stevenson to talk about his interesting position in Fort Collins' own local DIY scene along with his personal connection with the professional world. They talked about many of the local bands they've grown to love and the extremely supportive community that surrounds them.

David Miner is a communications major at Colorado State University. Before moving to Colorado, he grew up in the Seattle, Washington, area, only playing with his Marshall Stack in his basement. Now you can find him playing shows up and down the Front Range along with his band.His first album was inspired by historical fiction. He sings about this in his song "Virginia Dale," which tells of the best stagecoach hand until his own self-destruction led to his demise.Another song based on history is called "Silver Valley," which is the title track and name of his first album, and "Telling Me" is about a character whose self-inflicted struggle was in order to provide for his family.Recently Miner's inspiration for writing songs has changed. During the interview, he tells KCSU's Dillon King how he prepared to record 10 songs that he called the headlines of his life.

For the first in-studio of the semester we welcome back CSU student and singer-songwriter Kayla Katz. In this episode, Kayla Katz plays three original songs and chats with us about how her music has grown over the last few years and what inspires her.

From the mind that brought you "Cancellation Compilation" and the riveting album "Spruce Aly" comes a new project by Sunnnner called "Sunnnner." Formerly known as Sad Bug, Sunnnner is a Boulder-based band that offers you "sweet tea for your parched throat" and unapologetic activism through music, merch and social influence. Sunnnner vocalist/manager, Sebastian 'Rane' Miranda, is the overseer of many different projects, including "DIY Casual." These livestreams helped keep the local music scene afloat during quarantine. You could watch, tip and enjoy local bands from the comfort (and safety) of your own home."Sunnnner" is the band's newest album and will release officially on June 15. This project showcases grit, honesty and beauty, reminding listeners to appreciate all the little moments that make up life. The dripping nostalgia of house-shows-past echoes throughout each track and encapsulates how late nights, cigarettes, bonfires and drinking with your much cooler friends feel. When you can't sleep, Sunnnner is a walk in the park on a cold winter morning, leaving you pining for a specific moment in time to live over and over again.You can listen to "Forever" off "Sunnnner" in this exclusive interview with Rane. KCSU station manager Asher Korn sits down to learn more about Sunnnner's various hats and to explore bright, hopeful dreams of the future; cloudy storms of the past; and what drives someone to constantly create and selflessly give back to the community. A special thank-you to our local music director, Maddy Erskine, for editing and publishing this podcast and for creating the cover art featured. Intro music: "FORTUNE" demo by Sunnnner (from S/T album)Featured song: "Forever" by Sunnnner (from S/T album)

Sofia and Charlie have known each other since kindergarten and have gone from playing Legos to writing and self-producing their first EP, which came out in December of 2020. In this segment, modrn performs its new and unreleased song, “out of reach,” for the first time. The band also performs its songs “complicated” and “apology.”

"Hotel Wifi" has grown from a small solo project started in Smith's room to a full band project that Smith leads. After playing a house show pre-pandemic, "Hotel Wifi" began growing in popularity in the Fort Collins scene and has gotten to play multiple socially distant shows. In this segment, Smith talks about the inspiration behind the name Hotel Wifi, what it’s like to play in multiple bands and the meaning behind the lyrics they write. Songs: “Athena’s Theme,” “The Moon is a Lesbian,” “Horsetooth Heart” and “The Quing is Dead” performed live by Hotel Wifi.

In the first live in-studio of the semester, local music director Maddy Erskine welcomes Miranda Fling, local indie-pop singer-songwriter, into the station. Miranda Fling is a student at Colorado State University who has been making a name for herself this past year in the Fort Collins music scene. On March 1, she released her first album, "Wishful Thinking." Fling recorded this album almost entirely in her basement. In this segment, Fling chats about how she aimed to create a dream-like sound in her songs by layering vocals and instruments. As a songwriter, Fling draws inspiration both from her deeper emotions and from lighthearted daily events. Songs: “Cities,” “Mulberry Street,” “Someone Else" and “It’s Fine” performed live by Miranda Fling. Podcast cover: Maddy Erskine

In this week’s virtual in-studio, local music director Maddy Erskine interviews Denver-based band Black & White Motion Picture. This genre-bending alternative rock band formed back in 2018 and released its self-titled album this past October. While the band misses playing live shows, the pandemic forced the members to take some time to write, record and perfect their music. With a wide variety of influences and musical inspirations, Black & White Motion Picture aims to write music that is relatable and makes listeners feel less alone at the end of the day. Songs: “Retro Heartbreak,” “RX” and “3AM” by Black & White Motion Picture Photo: Courtesy of Black & White Motion Picture Design: Maddy Erskine

In this segment, Maddy Erskine interviews Jay LeCavalier about his second full-length solo album, "Slow Transformations," and the hard work and inspiration behind it. Some of you may know LeCavalier as the keyboardist for The Crooked Rugs, but in this self-recorded folk album, LeCavalier sings and plays acoustic guitar, keys, auxiliary percussion, etc. "Slow Transformations" is a great representation of LeCavalier's talent as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. The first two songs played are “Feels like Nothing” and “The Houseplant Song,” which are both relatable, down-to-earth tunes. The last song and title track of the album, “Slow Transformations,” is a lyrical deep-dive into the changes we all go through as people. In the interview, LeCavalier emphasizes the importance of this track and the changes he has gone through as a person, even since his last album. Songs:  “Feels like Nothing,” "The Houseplant Song” and "Slow Transformations" by Jay LeCavalier.Photo: Isaac RomeroPodcast Cover: Maddy Erskine

In this local music segment, Maddy Erskine talks to local country singer David Miner about his new album, "Silver Valley". 

In this virtual in-studio, Maddy Erskine chats with Denver shoegaze artist Isadora Eden about what drew her to making indie music and her new EP, “All Night.” Isadora Eden recorded a live version of her song "Choke" for this segment. Also featured are her songs "Bones" and "By Now" from her EP "All Night."

In this special local music segment, Maddy Erskine chats with Glass Cases bassist and vocalist Alex Van Keulen about the band's new single "Chemicals."

In this virtual in-studio, Maddy Erskine interviews band members of The Runaway Grooms about their past shows and what's in store for the group in the future. This segment features recordings of live performances of "Carry Me Home" and "See Where You Land" by The Runaway Grooms.

In this episode, Maddy Erskine chats with local band Lucid Blues about how their band formed, their inspirations, and their upcoming live show. Since the band could not come in live due to COVID restrictions, they recorded some live songs for us to listen to! Songs: "Nostalgia", "Seafoam Dream", and "Dreams In Color" by Lucid Blues.

In celebration of local band The Crooked Rugs new album "IT!", Maddy Erskine chats with band members Nolan Brumbach and Jayce Haley about the inspirations behind the album, and all the fun and hard work that went into the making of "IT!". Songs: "Let Me Down", WHO", "Good Intentions", and "IT!" by the Crooked Rugs Original Podcast Photo: Alden Bonecutter

In this very special local music segment, Maddy Erskine interviews the one and only Intergalactic Funk Cowboy! The Intergalactic Funk Cowboy is a one man band from Steamboat, Colorado that has been creating syntheziser funk operas since the early 2000s. Get ready to blast off into a world of funkiness, and learn more about how the Intergalactic Funk Cowboy battles the various elements of anti-funkiness, both in music and in real life.