KXLL Tune In

Kristen Ford, queer singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, kicked off her North American tour for her latest album “Pinto” at the Crystal Saloon on August 30. Delivering a blend of indie rock and folk, the show was the first in her eight-stop tour spanning Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California.

Originally inspired by acts like Ani DeFranco and Blink-182, Ford picked up the guitar at 14 and has been crafting her own genre since.

In an interview with KXLL ahead of her show, Ford described her work.

“It is really freeing to be a solo artist. I do live looping, and a lot of different effects pedals to layer harmonies and guitar effects,” Ford said. “I don’t want to be one of those people that say ‘You can’t define my music,’ but I just like music.”

? Listen back to the full conversation below.

Arkansas songwriter Willi Carlisle stopped by KTOO to play his original tune, “Boy Howdy, Hot Dog!” as part of KTOO’s Red Carpet Concert series. The song was inspired by things his uncle said to him while growing up.

Created in collaboration with Justin Smith of Rusty Recordings in Gustavus, this video is part of our Red Carpet Concert series, an ongoing music video project by KTOO Public Media. Watch this video and other Red Carpet Concerts, including QUEENS, at KTOO.org

The eight-person choral ensemble QUEENS stopped by KTOO to perform a new composition by Juneau songwriter Marian Call titled “Know-So” as part of KTOO’s Red Carpet Concert series.

The all-woman lineup included Wendy Byrnes, Elizabeth Ekins, Zoe Grueskin, Rashah McChesney, Cate Ross, Asia Ver, and founding artist Taylor Vidic.

Created in collaboration with Justin Smith of Rusty Recordings in Gustavus, the video is part of our Red Carpet Concert series, an ongoing music video project by KTOO Public Media. Watch this video and other Red Carpet Concerts, including Nicole Church and Sarah Hamilton, at KTOO.org.

Juneau songwriter Nicole Church, stopped by KTOO for a Red Carpet Concert during the Alaska Folk Festival. Her new song “Howl” is about longing, attachment, and the loneliness of an unrequited love.

Created in collaboration with Justin Smith of Rusty Recordings in Gustavus, the video is part of our Red Carpet Concert series, an ongoing music video project by KTOO Public Media. Watch this video and other Red Carpet Concerts, including Sarah Hamilton and Snow Children, at KTOO.org.

The Juneau hip hop duo Radiophonic Jazz  stopped by KTOO during Alaska Folk Fest to record their new single “Aquamarine” during the 2019 Alaska Folk Festival.

The group is made up of Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Arias Hoyle and Juneau performing artist Chris Talley. The pair has collaborated on the song and video “Zibit” with Tlingit & Haida’s Tribal Family & Youth Services department through its Native Connections program.

Created in collaboration with Justin Smith of Rusty Recordings in Gustavus, the video is part of our Red Carpet Concert series, an ongoing music video project by KTOO Public Media. Watch this video and other Red Carpet Concerts, including Foghorn Stringband, at KTOO.org.

It’s not hard to find something to do during the Alaska Folk Festival.  Once again, your friends at KTOO tried to make it easy and list the downtown evening venue schedules all in one place. As these things go, we’ll be updating the schedule daily with changes, new events, and start times as we learn more.

Monday

• Alaskan Hotel and Bar – Sand Witches 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday

• Alaskan Hotel and Bar – Jack Garton and Demon Squadron at 9:00 p.m.
• The Narrows Bar – Sammy Borrous’ Blacklisted at 8:00 p.m.
• The Rendezvous – Alaska and  Arkansas: Willi Carlisle & Daniel Firmin at 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday

• Alaskan Hotel and Bar – Old Time Jam 7:00 p.m.
• The Narrows Bar – Jizzle Fizzle at 8:00 p.m.
• The Rendezvous  – Open Mic with Alex K at 9:00 p.m.

Thursday

• Alaskan Hotel and Bar – Open Mic with Teri Tibbett sign up at 9:00 p.m.
• The Narrows Bar – Thursday Night Jazz at 7:30 p.m.
• Northern Light United Church – A Night of Queens at 7:00 p.m.
• Red Dog Saloon – Bluegrass Bus with Jeremy Kane  at 8:30 p.m.
• The Rendezvous  – Rumblefish at 9:00 p.m.
• The Rookery – Hizel and the Jay Birds at 5:30 p.m.
• Salt – Sean Tracey at 6:00 p.m.

Friday

• Alaskan Hotel and Bar – Hog Heaven at 7:00 p.m. The Shoot Dangs at 10:00 p.m.
• Red Dog Saloon – Goldwing opening for Burnt Down House at 9:00 p.m.
• The Rendezvous  – Big Chimney Barn Dance at 10:00 p.m.
• Salt – John Unzicker & Alyssa Fischer at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday

• Alaskan Hotel and Bar – Jizzle Fizzle at 7:00 p.m. Fog Horn String Band at 10:00 p.m.
• Red Dog Saloon – Gamble and the high Costa livin’ at 10:00 p.m.
• The Rendezvous  – Raisin’ Holy Hell at 10:00 p.m.
• Salt – Jocelyn Miles at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday

• Alaskan Hotel and Bar – The Shoot Dangs at 9:00 p.m.
• Red Dog Saloon – The Horsenecks at 8:30 p.m.
• The Rendezvous  – Sunday –  Burnt Down House at 8:30 p.m.

Alaskan Hotel & Bar

• Monday – Sand Witches 7:00 p.m.
• Tuesday – Jack Garton and Demon Squadron at 9:00 p.m.
• Wednesday – Old Time Jam 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday – Open Mic with Teri Tibbett sign up at 9:00 p.m.
• Friday – Hog Heaven at 7:00 p.m. The Shoot Dangs at 10:00 p.m.
• Saturday – Jizzle Fizzle at 7:00 p.m. Fog Horn String Band at 10:00 p.m.
• Sunday –  The Shoot Dangs at 9:00 p.m.

The Narrows Bar

• Tuesday – Sammy Borrous’ Blacklisted at 8:00 p.m.
• Wednesday – Jizzle Fizzle at 8:00 p.m.
• Thursday – Thursday Night Jazz at 7:30 p.m.

Red Dog Saloon

• Thursday – Bluegrass Bus with Jeremy Kane  at 8:30 p.m.
• Friday – Goldwing opening for Burnt Down House at 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday – Gamble and the high Costa livin’ at 10:00 p.m.
• Sunday – The Horsenecks at 8:30 p.m.

The Rendezvous

• Wednesday – Open Mic with Alex K at 9:00 p.m.
• Thursday – Rumblefish at 9:00 p.m.
• Friday – Big Chimney Barn Dance at 10:00 p.m.
• Saturday – Raisin’ Holy Hell at 10:00 p.m.
• Sunday –  Burnt Down House at 8:30 p.m.

Rookery 

• Thursday – Hizel and the Jay Birds at 5:30 p.m.
• Saturday – Songwriters Showcase hosted by Mountainside Open Mic  3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
• Sunday – Songwriters Showcase hosted by Mountainside Open Mic  3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Salt

• Thursday – Sean Tracey at 6:00 p.m.
• Friday – John Unzicker & Alyssa Fischer at 6:00 p.m.
• Saturday – Jocelyn Miles at 6:00 p.m.