OpenAir Sessions

Back in November 2023, Host Alisha Sweeney joined Scottish trio Young Fathers in their dressing room before they opened for Depeche Mode at Ball Arena on their massive US tour. The band's 2023 album, their fourth, Heavy Heavy was nominated for the Mercury Prize in music---a prestigious UK title that they first were nominated for AND WON in 2014! They also just made history in their home country by winning their third Scottish Album of the Year award being praised for its raw energy and emotional depth! Members Alloysious Massaquoi, Kayus Bankole and G. Hastings talked with Alisha for our show Live Cuts about recording their new record during lockdown, their bond which started when they were teenagers, and they also share some of their favorite live moments from performing at festivals last summer.

When you have the chance to have a chat with one of the most accomplished producers in popular music today, you drop what you're doing and prep a few questions. Afternoon host Jason Thomas spoke with songwriter / super producer / frontman / all-around nice guy Jack Antonoff recently and a few of the things they touched on was how important Jack's local music scene was to him growing up, production techniques, and how special playing at Red Rocks can be.

They were voted your favorite Local 303 act of 2023, and we invited them to the Performance Studio for a chat and a killer set of original music, here's IPECAC! Local Music Director Alisha Sweeney sits down with the band to talk their 2023 self-titled EP and a tease on the EP that's to come, the band's childhood origins, and being inspired by fellow Colorado musicians. Stick around to hear some brand new, unreleased songs. Turn it up! Songs performed: "Everyone Deserves Love" "IPECAC" "Here on Business" "5th and Grime"

After hearing soul singer Abraham Alexander fill a room with is sweet, powerful vocals you wouldn't believe that he didn't start singing until only 7 years ago. One of the moments that started his whirlwind career was being in the right time and place. He recounts being in the studio recording with Leon Bridges on his debut album. Now he's released his debut album into the world Sea/Songs (Dualtone Music Group). Watch or listen as Abraham Alexander talks with Host Alisha Sweeney about never losing childhood joy during his early years living in Greece, some of the most powerful stories behind his standout tracks, and how the full body of work embarks on a journey of growing up with his brothers and the time they spent together.

If you've had a chance to see rapper Genesis Owusu live, you might describe his performance as electric, heart-pounding, explosive. Fans got to witness all of that and more in the intimate venue of Globe Hall in Denver on a crisp November evening. We, here in the Indie Lounge, get a special performance from Genesis Owusu ahead of that show. He performs new tracks from his genre-less third LP STRUGGLER and sits down with Host Will Carlan. Songs performed: "Leaving The Light" "Tied Up!" "Stay Blessed"

Denver based singer-songwriter Jordin Dearinger committed himself to an impressive feat over the summer of 2023: put out an original new song every single Friday. "What is for me is creating and connecting through music," he told us in the exclusive interview. Before reaching the goal, he sat down with us back in Pride Month to talk about his background in music and growing within the Colorado music community and to play a few of those brand new tunes. Songs performed: 1. "Heavy" 2. "Want Me Back"

Indie rock band Wildermiss may have made the move from Denver to Nashville recently, but the band hasn't lost that love for their hometown while being embraced by a new music scene. While on the road, Wildermiss has tried out new music and has received flows of positive support. Known for their joyous live shows and their catchy tunes, Wildermiss dominates their Live Session ahead of a headlining show at Infinity Park on September 23. Watch as their exclusive interview and hear brand new singles off their upcoming album Levitate (October 23).

Like many musicians, Denver band Kiltro had to pivot creatively during the pandemic. Isolation and chaos gave birth to the exploratory sound band members Chris Bowers Castillo and Will Parkhill produced on their 2023 album Underbelly. Freshly signed to national label 7S (along with Colorado bands Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and Wildermiss), Kiltro has been touring the US making themselves known and developing a unique live show to encapsulate the intimate and introspective sounds from their latest body of work. Watch as they perform dynamic arrangements of their singles off the new album and chat with Host Will Carlan about their growth.

Miya Folick talks her new album Roach and the catharsis of moving through feelings of heartbreak and over coming toxic cycles.

Born outside of Boston and now Loveland based, band Mystee made their debut in the Indie Lounge back in April. The frontwoman and founder, Ilana Held, told us this wasn't her first music project. Held ventured to Cardiff, Wales for a songwriting Masters program. While there she did what any musician would typically do: she formed a band. The band created songs and performed gigs, but eventually it came to a halt when Held was deported for violating her visa. This isn't the only wild story that led to Mystee's origins. Watch this latest session with the Local 303 alum to hear more about her and the band's pursuits and listen to some of their latest tunes stripped down.

DeVotchka has been a mainstay Colorado band for almost two decades. Known for their quirky instrumentalism and playful storytelling, their art has been celebrated beyond concert venues and has dazzled audiences in the theatre and on the big screen. Now, DeVotchKa takes on a new venture: performing alongside the Boulder Philharmonic. To learn more about the momentous collaboration members Nick Urata, Jeanie King, and Tom Hagerman chat with Boulder Philharmonic Executive Director Sara Parkinson ahead of their May 6th show. Also, watch as DeVotchKa performs a few songs from the arrangements spanning their expansive discography including a cover and the famous Little Miss Sunshine Soundtrack.

N3ptune has taken Colorado by storm for the past few years. It started with a school collaboration between students N3ptune and Rusty Steve, and they soon realized it was a destined match. Together they created high rock tunes influenced by hip-hop with a hint of pop and released their debut album Renaissance in 2021. Visiting the performance studio for the first time the trio of N3ptne, Rusty Steve on guitar, and Average Johnny (anything but average) DJing give an explosive set of four songs. An exclusive first listen of their song "Shadow" debuts in this session as well. Full interview by Local Music Director Alisha Sweeney, where she breaks down the songs and talks their recent Nuggets half-time show performance and what we can look forward to from N3ptune! Setlist: 1. "Wedlock" 2. "Black Horse" 3. "Shadow" 4. "Misery Loves Company"

The brotherly duo make up Hermanos Gutiérrez and have been playing guitar together since childhood, influenced by their Ecuadorian heritage. Getting back to those roots they reflect on family and tradition on their 2022 critically acclaimed fifth studio album "El Bueno Y El Mano", freshly signed to Easy Eye Sound Records. We welcome them to perform a few songs stripped down off the album for the first time in the Indie Lounge and an interview with Host Bruce Trujillo.

After three years of no touring, Metric is back on the road promoting their latest album Formentera. With advice from their label, the band also waited to put out the record in 2020 stating the pandemic. The themes of the album aren't all heavy and pandemic related, but it's a "coming to terms" album says lead singer Emily Haines. There are moments on the album that make you want to hold loved ones close and reflect on the world and everything that matters most to the listener. Watch as Host Will Carlan brings up old memories for the band and explores the thoughts behind the latest album. Special stripped down performances of tracks from Formentera and their very first album Fantasies.

From Public Defender to rising soul superstar comes an artist you should have on your radar: Danielle Ponder. Ponder grew up in a music-filled family and participated in many bands before eventually venturing out on her own. Fresh off the release of her debut album Some Of Us Are Brave, the singer has been touring all over the world opening for St. Paul & the Broke Bones and Marcus Mumford. Her powerful vocals and infectious personality captivated audiences and sparked curiosity in her art. She has a unique way of connecting with her audiences whether in a large auditorium or in an intimate venue. Watch as Danielle Ponder breaks down tracks on the album with Host Demi Harvey and performs an exclusive stripped down set.

With their third studio album if I never know you like this again (Rough Trade) the album details happy accidents to heartbreaking experiences as it flows through the singer's life through the last few years. Watch a full performance of stripped down songs from the album in the Indie Lounge as well as an interview with Host Alisha Sweeney.

What is it like when a musician meets one of their favorite artists of all time? A dream come true happened for singer-songwriter Mondo Cozmo when he got an email from icon Bruce Springsteen. Mondo Cozmo grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (same as Springsteen) and was also a blue collar worker. The similarities were apparent and Mondo Cozmo has taken inspiration from his upbringing and the music of rock icons. Watch as Mondo Cozmo talks about his brand new album This is for the Barbarians and performs a stripped down set.

Rock trio Dehd are discovering who they are on their third album Blue Skies (May 27, Fat Possum). "This album came together organically," says vocalist Emily Kempf. The album is about joy and being around friends, especially since being isolated in the pandemic. Expanding on the creation of the album a few of the band's members elaborate on how this album was about discovering Dehd's sound in an exclusive interview with Host Alisha Sweeney with performances of a few of the singles off the record.

Straight from the Coachella desert to our live studio are British rockers IDLES to perform and talk about their latest album CRAWLER.

alt-J chats about their new album "The Dream" and performs singles "U&ME" and "Hard Drive Gold".

Performing a few songs acoustically for the first time, Arlo Parks visits the Indie Lounge!

Fresh off the release of the deluxe version of "Deadpan Love", multi-instrumentalist Cautious Clay talks touring and the origins of his love for music.

Matthew Myers, frontman of indie folk band Houndmouth, takes a deep dive into 2022 album 'Good For You' and performs "Mackenzie" acoustic for the first time.

Spoon's Britt Daniel drops by to talk about the band's 10th and latest album, 'Lucifer on the Sofa,' its Texas origins, and just where he got all that swagger.

"Making lemonade out of lemons" German duo Milky Chance talks working through the pandemic creating new tunes and fine tuning old ones.

For the first Live Session in nearly two years, British singer Beabadoobee plays three acoustic songs spanning her discography.

Fires, coronavirus, and the chaotic year of 2020 isn't stopping Bob Mould from speaking his truth on LP "Blue Hearts".

Up and coming artist Anjimile's first LP focuses on the queer experience and self-discovery.

"It's a scary thing to question what you're doing," Deep Sea Diver frontwoman Jessica Dobson talks re-discovery ahead of new album.

Singer-songwriter Laura Veirs talks grieving and healing on new LP "My Echo".

Indigenous folk singer Samantha Crain talks about the release of her sixth LP "A Small Death".

Soulful singer Lianne La Havas talks about her new self-titled album.

Katie Crutchfield taps into her country roots and getting sober on her fifth Waxahatchee album, “Saint Cloud.” We caught up with Crutchfield from her home in St. Louis about re-discovering her voice and creating a brighter album than those past. Listen to the full interview above.

On Air Host Bruce Trujillo interviews Laura Marling and breaks down themes in her newest LP "Song for Our Daughter"

Down Time performs singles off their new LP "Hurts Being Alive" in Live Sessions.

Colorado Springs hip-hop group, The Reminders, stuns in studio performance.

Denver's Ramakhandra breaks down their indescribable sound during interview with Host Bruce Trujillo.

Denver supergroup The Grand Alliance perform new songs for Live Sessions.

Denver band The Still Tide visits the performance studio fresh off the release of debut album "Between Skies."

Denver folk-pop singer Joel Ansett talks breaking out of his comfort zone on the new album A Place I Knew Before and being inspired by the indie folk bands of the Northwest.

The folk-soul duo Overcoats, comprised of JJ Mitchell and Hana Elion, have experienced plenty in the three years since their debut release, and all of that struggle and wisdom has found its way into their new crop of songs.

Colfax Speed Queen is ready to make 2020 their year filled with new music and a ton of live performances.