Denver-born DJ and producer Average Jonny stopped by The Afternoon Sound Alternative with DJ Umo 1 to talk about his music journey, upcoming performances, and community work in Denver. Jonny shared how he began producing in 2011 before moving into DJing, discussed his longtime collaboration with artist Neptoon, and highlighted upcoming appearances around the city, including a set at Meadowlark.
The conversation also explored Jonny’s role as a co-owner of Fifth Coffee House in Five Points, where he helps organize community-centered events such as open mics, poetry readings, comedy nights, and DJ sets. Inspired by artists like Kaytranada and the Soulection collective, Average Jonny continues to blend music, culture, and community in Denver’s creative scene. (Air Date 6/18/26).
Listen to the guest DJ here:
Transcript:
DJ Umo 1: Without further ado, we have a special guest in the studio right now. We have my man, Average Jonny.
Average Jonny: What’s up?
DJ Umo 1: What’s up, Jonny? Thank you for coming to bless us on the KGNU airwaves.
Average Jonny: Absolutely. I appreciate you having me.
DJ Umo 1: How’s your day today? You enjoying the sun?
Average Jonny: Yeah, I am. I’m actually on my work break at Wax Trax right now. I told them I had to come through the radio station.
DJ Umo 1: Oh yeah, Wax Trax definitely supports KGNU. It’s over there on 13th Avenue in Capitol Hill.
Average Jonny: Yep.
DJ Umo 1: That’s what’s up. I met you a while ago, but let’s talk about you. Are you from Denver?
Average Jonny: I am, yes. Born and raised in Denver, in the Baker neighborhood.
DJ Umo 1: Nice. You’ve been doing music for a while. You’re a DJ, and you produce as well, right?
Average Jonny: That’s right. I’ve been producing much longer than I’ve been DJing. I started producing around 2011 and started DJing around 2017, so it’s been going on for a while now.
DJ Umo 1: Was it always under the name Average Jonny?
Average Jonny: Yeah, it’s been Average Jonny since the beginning.
DJ Umo 1: That’s a cool name.
Average Jonny: Thank you.
DJ Umo 1: First off, I have a special gift for you. I usually give these to my guests. I have a postcard for you. Can you describe it for the listeners?
Average Jonny: Yeah. This is a very Colorado postcard. We’ve got the Colorado flag in the background, columbines, moose, bears, and mountain goats.
DJ Umo 1: All right.
Average Jonny: Yeah.
DJ Umo 1: He’s a verified Coloradan. I had to verify him. You can keep that.
Average Jonny: Appreciate it.
DJ Umo 1: Nobody sends postcards anymore. I like giving people some of the postcards I have.
You were telling me earlier that you DJ for an artist named Neptoon?
Average Jonny: Yes, that’s right. Neptoon keeps me busy. We just got back from Orlando this past weekend.
DJ Umo 1: Really?
Average Jonny: Yeah.
DJ Umo 1: Can you describe his music? What genres does he work in?
Average Jonny: Absolutely. It’s a mix of a whole bunch of different sounds. He’s a pop artist at heart, but there’s a lot of blues influence, a lot of R&B, gospel, and electronic music. It all combines with Neptoon. He’s an incredible performer. We’ve been friends for a while now, and I’ve been DJing for him for about six years.
DJ Umo 1: Wow. You DJ other places too. I always see you at El Piñon on Colfax. You’re about to DJ at Meadowlark next week, right?
Average Jonny: It’s not my residency. L Brine and No Face have a residency there, and they invited me to come out. I’ll be DJing there on the 27th from 9 p.m. to close in the basement.
DJ Umo 1: Nice. That’s at Meadowlark on 27th and Larimer.
Average Jonny: Yeah. It’s going to be a good time. Come through.
DJ Umo 1: In RiNo, Denver, Colorado. What artists inspired you to start DJing?
Average Jonny: My favorite DJ-producer is Kaytranada. He’s incredible. I got introduced to him through Soulection and all the cool stuff they’re doing out in L.A. and around the world. They have a great roster of artists, and I’ve been following them for a while.
DJ Umo 1: Nice. Soulection has come to Denver a few times. I actually saw Joe Kay walking down the street randomly once. I knew it was him because he had the Soulection logo on his backpack.
Average Jonny: That’s crazy.
DJ Umo 1: I was like, “That’s that dude.”
Do you have anything you want to tell people?
Average Jonny: Absolutely. I’m also one of the owners and partners at Fifth Coffee House. We’ve been doing a lot of really cool events over there. We have our one-year anniversary coming up this weekend. Juneteenth celebrations are happening on Saturday, and our anniversary is on Sunday.
I’m always DJing over there. We do a lot of community events like open mic poetry and comedy nights. It’s been a real blessing to work in the Five Points area and serve the community.
DJ Umo 1: Right on. For those just tuning in, we’re speaking with Average Jonny.
Fifth Coffee House is in Five Points, across the street from Cervantes and the 715 Club. It’s a great area. I’ve been there a few times, and it’s an awesome, community-oriented spot. You all are really trying to push community engagement, and that’s what we like to hear on KGNU.
Average Jonny: Absolutely. I appreciate that, and I appreciate you coming through.
DJ Umo 1: Yeah, man. I’ll have to come get a latte.
Average Jonny: Yeah.
DJ Umo 1: Maybe today.
Average Jonny: Sounds good.
DJ Umo 1: Right on, Jonny. Let’s play some of your music.
Before we get started, I have a ticket giveaway coming up. KGNU presents Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom. I’m giving away a pair of guest list tickets. It’s an all-ages show, 16 and up.
Grammy Award-winning artist Cory Henry recently won Best Roots Gospel Album in 2025 for his deeply personal project Church.
I’m going to have Jonny hop into the mix.
Average Jonny: Let’s do it.
DJ Umo 1: All right. When the music starts, I’ll take the third caller to win tickets to see Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles on June 25. Give me a call when the music starts.
Respect to everybody locked into my show, The Afternoon Sound Alternative. I’m just going to stall a little bit while Jonny gets queued up.
Without further ado, we have Average Jonny dropping some gems right here on KGNU.
