Denver-based band Exhaler joined Iris Berkeley live in KGNU’s cabaret studio to share three songs, including the singles Effigy, Cognac, and an unreleased track currently titled Postnasal Drip. The group, made up of students from the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, discussed their origins, influences, and the creative process behind their upcoming debut LP, due out this fall. Blending jazz training with experimental rock and socially conscious lyrics, they aim to challenge listeners while keeping their music accessible. They also promoted their upcoming show at Larimer Lounge on July 25 with Indigo and Pat Falcon. (Studio Session: 7/21/25)
Iris Berkeley: You’re here on the Afternoon Sound Alternative on KGNU. That was Broken Glass from Exhaler’s third record Return to Zero. I’m Iris Berkeley, and it’s just past 1:30 here in our Denver studios. We’ve got a lot going on in the next room — the gentlemen of Exhaler are live in our cabaret studio, bringing all their gear and good vibes.
They’re playing a few songs from their upcoming debut LP, due out this fall, and they’ve got a show coming up this Friday, July 25th, at the Larimer Lounge with Indigo and Pat Falcon. I’ll let them introduce themselves.
Exhaler: Howdy. Thanks for having us!
Iris: Absolutely thrilled. Who’ve we got in the room?
Exhaler: Mr. Grady Dion on electric guitar, Elan Jimenez on electric bass, the venerable Bryson Miller on drums, the legendary Julian Horn on electric guitar, and Mr. Drew Tilbrook on saxophone and percussion. I’m Trevor Briggs — I play synthesizer and sing.
Iris: It’s been a blast listening to you all warm up. You’ve got three tracks for us today. What are we about to hear?
Exhaler: We’re starting with a track that’s already out — it’s called Effigy. The other two will be on the upcoming record. Effigy is about living in a world where everything feels broken — institutions failing us, misused funding, that kind of thing.
Iris: I think a lot of people can relate to that. Let’s hear it.
(Exhaler performs “Effigy” live)
Iris: If you’re just tuning in, this is the Afternoon Sound Alternative on KGNU. I’m Iris Berkeley, and I have Exhaler live in the studio playing tracks off their soon-to-be-released album. Do I have that right?
Exhaler: Yeah, it’ll be a couple of months — probably this fall.
Iris: How’s the process going?
Exhaler: Really well. We’ve released an EP and a few singles in the past couple of years. We’re proud of those, but this album is more refined — more intentional and crafted.
Iris: And it shows. That first track was powerful. You’ve got a great origin story — you all met at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, right?
Exhaler: Yep — during orientation week. We started as a four-piece in the basement. I was originally playing guitar — not very well — so we added Julian, who brought a lot of great compositional ideas. Drew joined more recently on sax.
Iris: How long have you all been playing together?
Exhaler: Coming up on three years now.
Iris: That’s impressive. You’re clearly playing instinctively with each other now. How does that feel?
Exhaler: It feels great. We’re all sort of adjacent to the jazz world, so we’re used to improvisation and listening closely — responding in real time. That really helps us gel.
Iris: Are you still at DU?
Exhaler: Yep, one more year left for all of us. We’re all recording and production majors, except Drew — he’s a saxophone performance major.
Iris: So you’ve got a band full of producers — that’s either a dream or a nightmare.
Exhaler: Honestly, it’s both!
Iris: I assume you’ve learned a lot from each other in terms of production and evolving your sound?
Exhaler: Definitely. We each bring different influences and technical perspectives.
Iris: Does the new record have a name yet?
Exhaler: [laughs] We’re not ready to announce that. Soon.
Iris: Where can people follow you for the update?
Exhaler: Instagram’s the best — we’re @inhaler.band. We’re also on TikTok.
Iris: And you’re playing this Friday?
Exhaler: That’s right — Larimer Lounge with Indigo and Pat Falcon. Doors at 5:00 PM.
Iris: What are we hearing next?
Exhaler: This one’s called Cognac.
(Exhaler performs “Cognac” live)
Iris: That was Cognac, live in the cabaret studio. I almost want to hear that again. Tell me about it.
Exhaler: It’s about trying to maintain a social persona — performing a version of yourself. I feel like I’ve just cracked the surface of the crème brûlée that is my twenties. There’s a lot of anxiety that comes with putting on a social performance.
Iris: Cracking the crème brûlée of your twenties — that’s my quote of the day. I feel that hard. What’s your writing process like?
Exhaler: It’s different every time. Cognac started as a bass idea. At first I thought it was great, then I wasn’t sure, but we jammed on it, reworked it, and ended up really proud of it. That’s often how it goes.
Iris: I’m hearing all kinds of musical influences. Who inspires you — or what’s your guilty pleasure?
Exhaler: We’re drawn to music that lives between comfort and discomfort. Bands like Chat Pile come to mind. The new Cameron Winter record too — we’re all really into that. There’s a lot of great new music that challenges listeners, and we think that’s important.
Iris: How do you keep people engaged while making them a little uncomfortable?
Exhaler: You offer the ear something familiar, and then you twist it — subvert expectations just enough to provoke a reaction.
Iris: For folks coming to see you this Friday, what can they expect?
Exhaler: We’ll play the three tracks from today, plus some slower, faster, and definitely louder ones. We’re still tweaking a few things — workshopping some of the new album.
Iris: Final question before I let you play us out — what’s next for Exhaler?
Exhaler: We’ll all graduate in a year, and then the plan is to stick around and make another record — or two.
Iris: Two years from now, what conversation are we having?
Exhaler: Probably still about crème brûlée.
Iris: I love that. Alright, one last track — what’s this one called?
Exhaler: Postnasal Drip. That’s the working title, at least.
Iris: Sounds like a perfect summer vibe. Can you introduce the band one more time?
Exhaler: Sure — Drew Tilbrook on sax, Julian Horn on guitar, Bryson Miller on drums, Elan Jimenez on bass, Grady Dion on guitar, and I’m Trevor Briggs on synth and vocals.
Iris: We’ve had Exhaler live in the studio ahead of their July 25th show with Indigo and Falcon at Larimer Lounge. It’s been an absolute pleasure. Thank you for hanging out in our sweltering summer studios.
Exhaler: Thanks so much for having us!
Iris: You can hear this session again soon on KGNU.org. Tell your friends, tell your family — one more song to close us out. Thanks again, Exhaler!
