Kate Graves

“Kate Graves writes little songs.. Sometimes they are sparse…sometimes filled with lots of little words.  Often they are written about things like tasting sweet orange  on your lips and wanting to kiss someone so that they might experience tasting sweet orange on their lips.

Kate Graves likes kissing. And singing.  She hopes you will listen in and sing along.”

Kate joins us in the studio with Colorado’s own Jami Lunde & Jamie Mitchell.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Elyse Miller

“Colorado songwriter Elyse Miller has performed at numerous music festivals alongside world class artists such as nine-time Grammy Award winner, Asleep at the Wheel. She has made multiple appearances on radio and television stations like KRFC, KCSU, Fox 31, and Channel 2 News. A seasoned entertainer, with over 15 years of stage experience, Elyse Miller has built a diverse performing career in theatre, music, and dance. Her unorthodox songwriting exhibits a hint of musical theatre and a variety of influences from Etta James to John Mayer. Her voice has been described as “soulful, rich, warm,” “beautifully haunting,” and “like butter.” With “whip-smart lyrics” and “a playful sense of humor,” Elyse Miller is powerfully provocative, mischievous, and irreverent, as she candidly questions society’s norms and challenges her audience to find their own answers. Unconstrained by traditional song-form, her striking melodies stay with you well past the last listen.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

“Singer. Songwriter. Folk and Rock musician. Michael Kirkpatrick is a modern day minstrel. He sings about nature, dreams and sensuality. The original music comes to you straight from Michael’s soul–unfiltered, passionate and true. Michael often covers other artists material, but only after finding that special character that makes the song his own.

Michael’s main instruments of choice to accompany his rich bass voice include the acoustic guitar and mandolin–although he has been seen with electric guitars, lap steel guitar, the sitar, hammered dulcimer and electric mandolin. Aside from performing as a solo artist, you can catch Michael on stage with his Folkadelic Rock band The Holler!”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Robert Cline Jr. at KRFC Radio
Photo courtesy of Angel Mountain Media

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Happy Holidays from Fierce Bad Rabbit
Photos courtesy of Darren Mahuron

“Fresh, energetic and intelligent, Fierce Bad Rabbit takes you on a journey so interesting that you don’t want it to ever end. From the opening notes of “Everything Is Alright”, the first track on their eponymous debut EP, through the infectious melody and lyrics of “YOU!” off of their 2012 EP, “Live and Learn,” you know you’re in for something new and captivating. Tightly woven tapestries of notes and well-crafted lyrics delivered with disciplined passion by frontman Chris Anderson, who also plays guitar and keyboards, combined with the powerful yet perfectly nuanced viola and supporting vocals of Alana Rolfe, the rock-solid rhythmic backbone of Dayton Hicks on bass and Max Barcelow on drums create a constantly changing yet consistently fulfilling musical experience for the listener.

Photos courtesy of Darren Mahuron

The vocals themselves may occasionally make you think that you could be listening to a new project from Brandon Flowers of The Killers or Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem. The band clearly shares the influences of such indie favorites as Arcade Fire and The Shins, and there is a certain kinship with other leading-edge artists like The National, Iron & Wine and Band of Horses. But the music this Ft. Collins, Colorado-based quartet makes is all their own, and the more you hear it the more it comes across as a brilliant amalgamation of many musical styles and structures. Alternately joyful and somber, forceful and laid back, playful and contemplative, their songs challenge you to decide whether you should stand and listen intently or grab the person next to you and dance the night away.

Formed in 2009, the band released two solid recordings in scarcely more than a year: the self-titled debut EP and a full-length, 15-song sophomore effort, “Spools of Thread”. After making an immediate impact on the increasingly sophisticated and crowded Colorado music scene, playing to packed houses at local hot spots in Ft. Collins, Denver and elsewhere and drawing large crowds at busy festivals like the Westword Music Showcase and UMS, the band is now touring extensively, including appearances at America’s preeminent independent music gathering, South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, the storied Viper Room in Los Angeles, California, and many, many more.

Listen once and you’ll be impressed. Listen again — and see them perform live — and you will be a fan. From that point on you’ll want to see them again and again, and you’ll join the growing ranks of people eager to see what happens next for this talented group called Fierce Bad Rabbit.”

Find FBR at www.facebook.com/fiercebadrabbitmusic  or www.reverbnation.com/fiercebadrabbit

Photos courtesy of Darren Mahuron

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

While in Colorado, Judith Avers has consistently rocked the stage or appeared on albums with other great talents including The Fray, Born in The Flood, Yonder Mountain String Band, Hazel Miller, Gregory Alan Isakov, Holly Near, Glen Phillips, John Sebastian, Devotchka, John Magnie (Subdudes), Liz Barnez, Nina Storey, and songwriting legends Gary Harrison, Tia Sillers, Mark Selby, Randy Sharp, Mark D. Sanders, and Gary Chamberlain among others.

Now based in West Virginia, Judith continues to amaze everyone touring nationally with, not only her brilliant songwriting and angelic delivery, but her beauty and grace embodied by the incredible artist she has become. We are thrilled to have her back in the KRFC studio! www.JudithAvers.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Beats Noir on KRFC 88.9FM Live@Lunch July 2012

*  Paul Mullikin-Vocals, Keys, Guitar  * JT Nolan-Vocals, Guitars*  Matt Skellenger-Electric Bass  *  Dave Miller-Drumset and Laptop *

“JT Nolan and Paul Mulikin are polar opposites.  They are different in almost every way, which in turn is the inspiration for Beats Noir!

Raised in the back office of his father’s small factory, Nolan was exposed to music through the Chicago bar and club scene at an early age.  Instead of hiring a baby sitter, Nolan’s father packed up his kids and brought them to see some of the best blues and rock Chicago had to offer.   At the age of 13, Nolan finally received his first guitar and made his debut by performing Eddie Van Halen’s “Eruption”.

Meanwhile, Paul Mullikin grew up surrounded by music of a different sort.  His mother and father, a violinist and cellist respectively, saw to it that classical music permeated their west Denver home, and Paul found himself following in their footsteps as he began studying multiple instruments at the age 10. An almost obsessive fondness for music quickly developed, and he made his debut as a percussion soloist with the Colorado Symphony in 1997 at age 13.

The classical prodigy and the gritty guitarist met nearly a decade ago, but they never imagined starting a Hip-Hop project.  In 2010, experimentation began, and the music grew organically as the two passed ideas back and forth. Foundations of infectious beats were made, jazz melodies with bluesy slide guitar were added, a variety of percussion instruments with intricate rhyme schemes met classical piano and riff-heavy rock guitar.   Matt Skellenger added some funky bass lines, soon opposites connected and Beats Noir was born.

The fruits of their endeavors are found in “13 Tracks From The Dark Side of The Beat”, the self-produced and recorded album from Nolan,  Mullikin, and Skellenger.  They find themselves in the company of highly accomplished and equally eclectic musicians. Rounding out the rhythm section is Dave Miller, who is no stranger to experimentation.  Shawn King of Devotchka fame added beats and horn lines.  Flobots producer Kyle Jones added some final touches to the mix.

With the start of 2012, Beats Noir is busy working on a new album and continuing to attract new fans with their electrifying live shows.

Find them on the word wide web at www.beatsnoir.com  * www.reverbnation.com/beatsnoir  *  www.facebook.com/beatsnoir

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Rock, Rhythm, Blues and a Whole Lotta Soul out of Fort Colins, Colorado. Mama Lenny & the Remedy vocals start off nice and soft, and then we finish nice and rough. With reviews like “The Soul! My God the Soul!” and “A sound unlike anyone else’s”; How can you go wrong! If you’re into kick ass vocals, soul stirring lyrics, face melting guitar solos, or pretty girls in sequins, we’ve got you covered. If you’ve got a fever, we’ve got the Remedy!

Laniece Micek-Schleicher “Mama Lenny” – Lead vocals
Ben Prytherch – Bass
Ken Monks – Guitar
Jeff Blayney – Drums
Thalia Stevenson- Keyboard / Vocals
Greta Cornett – Trumpet
Amanda Hofer-Ernst – Vocals
Kelly Keeler – Vocals

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Andrew Schneider, Marty Rein, Brian Hull & Drew Jostad at KRFC with Spenser the dog after the radio show -Photo courtesy of Angel Mountain Media

Brian Hull has been performing music professionally for the past few decades. You may have enjoyed his vocal stylings with Mark Sloniker at Jay’s Bistro or with one of his bands at other venues around town. In the early 90′s he moved from Texas to Fort Collins with his band Ezra’s Poundcake. In ’97 he founded the popular funk/soul/and jazz band Meadowlark Jivin’. Currently working on mixing their third CD,  Meadowlark Jvin’ has two CDs out , “Have you ever seen Meadowlark Jivin?” and “It’s the Groove”. Both CDs are in the KRFC library and receive regular spins on various DJ shows. In recent years, Brian has done a lot of solo gigs and he enjoys the variety of playing in a solo or duet format in addition to with the full band. “Playing solo has challenged me to really get my act together and know my songs like the back of my hand.”, Brian explains.   With Marty Rein (bassist-Liz Barnez, 3 Twins, Escape Goats)  accompanying him, Brian performs original music you won’t hear with the band, an a capella song based on a Rumi poem and a few other popular tunes that Brian puts his own spin on.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Chimney Choir at KRFC. From left - Carl Sorensen, David Rynhart, Kris Drickey & Kevin Larkin

“Since forming in December of 2010, Chimney Choir has released two EPs and embarked on four tours in the US. Although steeped in American and World folk music, the trio is not afraid to experiment – embracing psychedelic synths, performance art, and found percussion (including a Samsonite suitcase, ladder, and a typewriter). Chimney Choir is a true collaboration – members change instruments, blend their voices in harmony, and share lead vocal and songwriting. The critically acclaimed (feather) EP was recorded in an architectural antique warehouse, which gives a hint at the unique character of their sound. Their second EP, (turtle), was released only 3 months later. The new live album, (ladder), was recorded in front of an audience in an old pipe organ chapel and will be released on February 25. The band will be touring throughout the States and Europe in the coming months.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download