Local musician Dominick Antonelli joined Indra Raj live in the KGNU studios to perform instrumental music and discuss his creative journey. Based in Longmont, Dominick shared how discovering alternate guitar tunings at age 16 shaped his intuitive, emotionally driven approach to music. He recently began studying in the Music and Recording Arts program at Front Range Community College, where he is expanding his skills in standard tuning, recording, and digital production using tools like Pro Tools and Ableton.
In addition to performing, Dominick integrates music with energy healing practices, including meditation and AcuDetox workshops. He has several upcoming local performances and is planning his first national tour, along with the release of a new instrumental album later this year.
(Air Date: 1/14/26)
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Transcript:
Indra Raj: Dominick Antonelli live in the KGNU studios. What a wonderful instrumental. I think we’re going to be doing mostly instrumentals today. Is that right?
Dominick Antonelli: Yeah.
Indra Raj: Wonderful. So you are a local musician based in Longmont, right?
Dominick Antonelli: Yeah. I’m between Boulder and Fort Collins and spend quite a bit of time throughout that area.
Indra Raj: Okay, great. And how long have you been in the area?
Dominick Antonelli: A little over seven years now.
Indra Raj: Great. Tell us a little bit about your history with music. How did you get to where you are now?
Dominick Antonelli: I grew up listening to a lot of music. My parents were very influential. I started playing when I was 12 and quickly realized that music was very important for processing internal things that I didn’t know how to vocalize.
When I was 16, I discovered alternate tunings on the guitar. There are hundreds of different ways to tune the guitar, and it mixes up all the notes on the fretboard. That scares some people, but for me, because I didn’t have the capacity to sit down and really study the instrument, it allowed me to develop a relationship with it through intuitive feeling rather than trying to mentally understand it.
I spent many years using my guitar as therapy, carving out different sounds and feelings. Those two words—carving and etching—really came alive for me this year because that’s what it feels like I’ve been doing, like a slow river carving out the rocks. That’s been a huge part of my journey. It’s been back and forth, believing in myself. This last year I decided to take it more seriously, so I started going to school at Front Range Community College. I’m in the Music and Recording Arts program now and learning so much in many different areas.
Indra Raj: Tell us more about that program. You mentioned it was something you wanted to talk about, and it wasn’t on my radar. I’ve lived in Colorado for many years and know about Front Range, but I hadn’t heard of this specific program.
Dominick Antonelli: They offer an associate’s degree as well as a Recording Arts certificate. I signed up for the associate’s degree, so I’m taking theory classes and private lessons. They also have recording classes using Pro Tools and Ableton. You get into the studio, learn how to patch the system, run microphones, check levels, and create headphone mixes. It’s very in-depth and amazing in many ways.
I’m diving into Ableton, which is a digital audio workstation, and it’s blowing my mind. I want to bring the acoustic world and the sonic textures of the electronic world together to create a beautiful soundscape with improvisation. I have some ideas.
Indra Raj: It sounds like changing the tunings on your guitar unlocked a new creative space for you, and maybe this program and these digital audio workstations are doing the same.
Dominick Antonelli: Most definitely. I’m also diving into standard tuning and studying it. It feels good to finally have the mental and emotional space to learn how everything works together.
Indra Raj: I love that you started with unconventional tunings and are now returning to standard tuning. It shows there’s not just one way to engage with music.
Dominick Antonelli: Thank you.
Indra Raj: Let’s hear another piece of music, and then we’ll chat more.
Dominick Antonelli: Sounds good.
Indra Raj: You are tuned into KGNU Community Radio. We are live in the studio with local musician Dominick Antonelli playing instrumental music for us this morning. Before that last piece, we were talking about your musical journey and the connection between your emotional and mental health and music. I was looking at your website and social media, and it seems like you organize events around energy healing with music. Can you tell us about that?
Dominick Antonelli: Yes. I practice an energy therapy called Chronic Healing, and I’ve been studying it for a while. It’s interesting because I started doing intuitive energy work and then began studying the structures behind it, which parallels music.
I’ve taken a break from hosting workshops recently, but earlier this year and for the two years prior, I was bringing people together. I also practice AcuDetox. You’ve hosted Ivanni from Natural Highs, a local nonprofit—she’s one of my teachers. I’m studying ear acupuncture for AcuDetox with her.
I bring together guided meditation, movement, journaling, group sharing, energy healing, and AcuDetox, with live acoustic instrumental guitar during the meditation. The music adds another layer of healing to the experience.
Indra Raj: Wonderful. You’re also putting a lot of energy into your music right now and have several upcoming events. Tell us about those.
Dominick Antonelli: I have a few local gigs coming up. Next week I’m playing at St. Vrain Cidery in Longmont on Saturday the 24th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The following week I have two gigs at Front Range Community College—one at the Larimer campus on Monday the 26th from 4 to 6 p.m., and one at the Boulder campus that Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
I’ll also be playing at Salt Road Brewing in Fort Collins on the 30th, Spirit Hounds in Lyons, a venue in Denver, and the Jamestown Mercantile in April. I’m also performing with the Boulder Guitar Society at the end of April.
Later this year, I’m planning my first national tour. It’s still being finalized, but I currently have shows lined up in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, California, Nevada, Washington, and I just booked a show in British Columbia this morning.
I’ll be on the road for about ten weeks and still have several weeks of shows to book.
Indra Raj: And new music releases?
Dominick Antonelli: I’m planning to release at least one new album by May. I’ll be working on it this semester at school. It will likely be an instrumental album. I do sing, but we’ll see what comes together.
Indra Raj: Wonderful. Let’s hear one more tune, and then we’ll talk about how listeners can find you.
Dominick Antonelli: Thank you.
Indra Raj: You are listening to the Morning Sound Alternative on KGNU. You’ve been listening to a live session with local artist Dominick Antonelli. Thank you so much for joining us today.
Dominick Antonelli: Thank you for having me, Indra.
Indra Raj: Tell our listeners how they can find out more about your work.
Dominick Antonelli: I have a Facebook page called Dominick Antonelli Music. Dominick is spelled with a “ck” at the end. I’m working on a website, but most events are posted on Facebook, Songkick, and Bandsintown. I also have a YouTube page with professionally recorded videos and a Spotify account where you can find my music.
Indra Raj: It’s been great to have you. We look forward to having you back at KGNU to hear about your tour and everything else.
Dominick Antonelli: Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.
