Headwaters

Four people sit next to each other while they play the fiddle and guitar.

Music

Four families, generations of music: A KAXE special celebrating Grand Rapids' musical legacy

Kari Hedlund

An open community jam in September 2026 was centered around the history and legacy of four families in Grand Rapids with deep musical ties to the area.

A man wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a fur coat points at fireworks in the night sky.

Music

Beyond the Voice: McKeon Hugh Roberts

Dan Gannon

Get to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from KAXE Board Member and After Dark host and volunteer, McKeon Hugh Roberts, aka Captain Keys.

Artwork for four new albums, three new singles, and one album from 1976.

Music

Fresh Picks: The moments 'In Between,' 'Nebraska' inspired, radical covers and 21st-century anxiety

Kari Hedlund, Malachy Koons, Dan Gannon

The KAXE Music Team on what's new from Wild Horses, Meshell Ndegeocello, Mary Gauthier, Greg Freeman, Zoe's Shanghai, Les Amazones d'Afrique and Dida Pelled.

Music

Beyond the Voice: Mark Klabunde

Dan Gannon

Get to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from On The River and After Dark DJ and volunteer, Mark Klabunde.

Artwork for five albums and three singles displayed in white square frames.

Music

Fresh Picks: Walloped, Leon x2 and MN folk 2 times, literal pub rock, vim & vigor, and Tom Petty's debut in '76

Kari Hedlund, Malachy Koons, Dan Gannon, Chelsey Perkins, Jennifer Barr

The KAXE Music Team on new releases from The Mary Wallopers, Humbird, Leon Bridges, Julia Jacklin, Jake Bugg, Kelley Smith, and Kings of Leon and Petty's debut as our Pick Of '76.

Music

Beyond the Voice: Will Owens

Dan Gannon

Get to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from On The River host and volunteer, Will Owens.

Artwork for four albums and three singles displayed in black square frames over a blurry blue-green background. In the top row from left to right: A person carrying a marimba on their back with the sun setting behind them, a hazy blue-green tinted photo of a woman wearing a red bandana, two people holding an upright bass and acoustic guitar inside a gold frame with red around it. In the bottom row from left to right: A woman in a dress with her arms above her head, a woman in a dark room with sun coming through a window, a pot on a hot plate with steam rising from it, and hard to make out red and white image of an amp with foliage around it.

Music

Fresh Picks: Just in time for Autumn, blues stew, marimba madness and MN blues-rock from '76

Kari Hedlund, Malachy Koons, Dan Gannon

The KAXE Music Team on new music from Angela Autumn, Son Rompe Pera, Cedar County Cobras, Kiko Mizuhara, Brandy Clark, Menahan Street Band and Meels. Plus, The Lamont Cranston Band in '76.

Music

Beyond the Voice: Michelle Bedford

Dan Gannon

Get to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from On The River DJ and volunteer, Michelle Bedford.

A collage of artwork for new albums and singles. They are displayed in square black frames.

Music

Fresh Picks: Jazz is alive, contrasting feelings, rockin' troubadour, Sub Pop MN, Sparks fly in '76

Malachy Koons, Dan Gannon, Andrew Dziengel

The KAXE Music Team on new music from Ezra Collective, Sylvan Esso, Pokey LaFarge, Downtown Boys, Valerie June, Willi Carlisle, and Ex:Re. Plus our Pick From '76, Sparks.

Two men in a radio studio sitting behind microphones. One is holding his arm out to take the selfie.

Music

Red Lake rapper says 'always be brave' ahead of Cass Lake release show

Malachy Koons

Thomas X, out with a new album Always Be Brave, stopped by KBXE with vocalist Animikii Fallsfeather. The album release party is in Cass Lake on Sept. 11, 2026.