Denver-born singer, pianist, and songwriter Chantil Dukart stopped by KGNU’s Kabaret Studio for a live performance and conversation with Doug Gertner ahead of her May 1st album release show at Dazzle.
Dukart performed several songs from her new album, Shantel and the Dukes of Art, and discussed the inspiration behind them, from the bittersweet realities of living alone to finding freedom after a relationship ends. She also shared her journey from Denver to Alaska and the University of Miami, her work with Indigenous artists including Pamyua and the Native American Big Band, and why recording her latest album live with the full band gave it a warm, organic sound. The session closes with “Molly Mine,” a song inspired by a near miss with the 2024 Molly Kathleen Mine disaster. (Air Date 4/6/2026).
Listen to the local gold here:
Transcript:
Doug Gertner: Right now, I will ask Chantil to please kick us off with a tune before we chat. Take it away.
Chantil Dukart: Performs “Hot and Cold.”
Doug Gertner: Chantil Dukart live at KGNU this morning, warming us up for her upcoming show at Dazzle in Denver on May 1st with a song I’m presuming is from her new album. Chantil, welcome back to KGNU.
Chantil Dukart: That’s a good presumption, Doug.
Doug Gertner: What did we just hear? Tell us about that one.
Chantil Dukart: “Hot and Cold” is a song I wrote back when I used to have roommates, which I don’t anymore. That’s why the next song I’m playing is called “Living Alone.”
A lot of the songs I write are about the places we live.
Doug Gertner: Mm-hmm.
Chantil Dukart: I think the last time I was here I played a song about the home loan dilemma that many of us independent, self-employed people face.
Doug Gertner: Yes, especially the artist dilemma of how to live in a city that’s been good to you jazz-wise but could be a little better in terms of housing and affordability.
I mentioned that you’re a local artist, and we first met in this very studio when you did a session for our live local program, Kabaret. Refresh us on your story. Where did you start playing piano? Where have you lived? What are the highlights of the Chantil Dukart backstory?
Chantil Dukart: Heck yeah. I was actually born here in Denver, Colorado, and lived here for the first eight years of my life. I remember the Broncos with John Elway.
Then I moved to Alaska to be closer to my mom’s family. My mom is Native American. She’s Tsimshian and Sugpiaq. The terminology has changed over the years as communities have moved away from colonial names, though my Certificate of Indian Blood still says Aleut.
Doug Gertner: Say those tribal nations again.
Chantil Dukart: Tsimshian is from Southeast Alaska. If you’re familiar with totem poles and formline art, that’s their traditional artistic style. Sugpiaq is from farther north. My grandfather lives in Cordova.
They’re related to the Inuit people, which is interesting because I tour with an Inuit band now, and they’ve taught me a lot about that side of Native culture.
Doug Gertner: One of the many worlds your piano-playing fingers are involved in is Indigenous music. We’ve talked about that before. Thanks for covering those names again.
You’ve been in Colorado and Alaska, but I also associate you with Florida.
Chantil Dukart: That’s correct. I went to the University of Miami to study jazz, and I absolutely loved Miami. I dream about the beach. I used to live a block away from it.
Doug Gertner: Since Miami, you’ve played with a lot of people. What are some of your favorite stages you’ve shared?
Chantil Dukart: Playing at the Kennedy Center with the Native American Big Band was probably the highlight so far. I’ve also played at Stanford University.
I tour with another Native group called Pamyua. They perform Inuit soul music, and I play both bass and keyboards with them. We’ve performed at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and in many rural communities that don’t often get professional live music.
Doug Gertner: That must be very rewarding.
We’re going to talk about your new recording in a bit, but what about your earlier recordings? What can people check out?
Chantil Dukart: I’ve released three albums.
In the Beginning was recorded in Miami with my friend Pat Howard, who’s the producer and drummer for Magic City Hippies.
Then there’s Shantron Universe, which I mixed, mastered, and produced myself. It’s lo-fi EDM built around my superhero alter ego, Shantron, who’s a little braver than I am.
My last album was Lady and the Champ, recorded here in Boulder at Violet Studio with Chris Wright. It’s about the balance between feminine and masculine energy.
Doug Gertner: Check those out. I can’t wait to hear about the new album.
Before we get there, I saw you talking with our music director, Indra Raj. She’s been asking everyone what’s something people would be surprised to learn about them. So I’ll ask you the same question.
Chantil Dukart: I’m a huge tomboy. I always have a football in my car, and I can throw a pretty good spiral with both my left and right hand. I’m usually at Wash Park running around throwing a football.
Doug Gertner: Raised on the Broncos in the John Elway era.
We’re live in KGNU’s Boulder Kabaret Studio with Chantil Dukart ahead of her album release show at Dazzle in Denver on May 1st.
Chantil Dukart: Performs “Living Alone” and “Best Thing.”
Doug Gertner: Chantil Dukart live at KGNU and at Dazzle on Friday, May 1st.
Talk about what we just heard. “Living Alone” is pretty self-explanatory.
Chantil Dukart: It is. I think a lot of people live alone even though it wasn’t what they imagined for their lives. There’s a sad beauty to it, though. I enjoy my clean little apartment.
Doug Gertner: There are definitely benefits. It’s poignant, but it also has humor. The first time I heard you I thought of Dave Frishberg and Mose Allison. Humor is a thread that runs through your music.
Then there was “Best Thing.” Tell us about that.
Chantil Dukart: I wrote it about someone I parted ways with, and it was ultimately for the best. Sometimes relationships ending makes life lighter. You feel like you can breathe again.
Doug Gertner: Three songs from the new album: “Hot and Cold,” “Living Alone,” and “Best Thing.” Tell us more about the album.
Chantil Dukart: It’ll be available on all the streaming platforms.
It’s called Shantel and the Dukes of Art because it’s the first album where I recorded the whole rhythm section together in the same room. We recorded it in two days.
I love that approach because it has a much more organic, old-school groove than recording everyone separately. We’d grill chicken during lunch breaks and just enjoy making music together.
Doug Gertner: Shantel and the Dukes of Art is your local band. Who’s on the record?
Chantil Dukart: The core is piano, bass, and drums. Then we added Nate Miller on horns.
We recorded at Tom Amend’s studio. He also played organ and bass clarinet. One track has a real Pet Sounds-style vibe.
Aaron Daniels mixed and mastered the album, and he even played piano on one track. I’ve never had another pianist play on one of my albums before, but this time I was just happy to make music with my friends.
Doug Gertner: Will there be physical copies?
Chantil Dukart: No. I’m releasing it digitally. Instead of CDs, I’ve focused on making merchandise like tank tops and hoodies.
The album cost around five or six thousand dollars to make, so I’ll probably have a donation link for anyone who wants to support it.
Doug Gertner: I had to ask because I wanted a signed copy.
Here’s the information: Chantil and the Dukes of Art perform Friday, May 1st at Dazzle at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Doors open at 5:30, the show starts at 6:30. Tickets are available through Dazzle and at chantilmusic.com.
What can people expect at the show?
Chantil Dukart: Prepare to be razzle-dazzled.
I’ll have Khalil Brown on drums, Will Gaines on bass, and Jesse Shantor on saxophone from Banshee Tree. It’s a fantastic band.
I always feel like I play more magically on a real acoustic piano, and Dazzle has a Steinway, so I’m excited.
Doug Gertner: Before we wrap up, thanks to George Figs behind the glass, as well as Indra and Carrie.
Chantil, thanks for joining us again. We’ll see you at Dazzle.
Chantil Dukart: Thanks, Doug.
I’ve got one more story. This next tune is called “The Molly Mine Song.” I wrote it after my dad, my best friend, and I drove down a 20-mile dirt road to tour the Molly Kathleen Mine.
My dad had recently retired and loves photography, so we stopped many times along the way. I was trying to practice patience.
We arrived about 30 minutes after 24 people became trapped in the mine.
Doug Gertner: That was the mine disaster where one employee died and people were trapped for hours.
Chantil Dukart: Exactly. If we’d gotten there on time, we would have been in that group.
Doug Gertner: I’m glad you missed that, and I’m even happier that it inspired a song.
Chantil Dukart: Performs “Molly Mine Song.”
Doug Gertner: Chantil Dukart with “Molly Mine” from her new album, premiering at Dazzle on May 1st. Thanks again, Chantil. We’re out.
