Ken Pomeroy joined KGNU to talk with DJ Aaron Benko about her current tour with Madison Cunningham, including an upcoming show at Denver’s Bluebird Theater. She discussed the challenges of touring during uncertain times, her recent acting debut on FX’s Reservation Dogs, and how her song “Bound to Rain” and others were featured on the show. Pomeroy also shared stories behind recording with John Moreland, working closely with guitarist Dakota McDaniel, and hinted at a new record in progress ahead of a busy festival summer.
(Air Date: 1/12/2026)
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Transcript:
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
All right, here on KGNU, we just heard from Ken Pomeroy — Bound to Rain, a new release from her. Or actually, maybe not new, but we do have Ken Pomeroy on the phone. Ken, can you hear me?
Ken Pomeroy:
Yes, I can. Hello!
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
How are you?
Ken Pomeroy:
I’m great.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
What an honor to talk with you today.
Ken Pomeroy:
Oh my gosh, yeah. Thank you for having me.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
I cannot wait — you’re playing here on Saturday at the Bluebird.
Ken Pomeroy:
Yes.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
That’s so cool. And I guess you’ll be in Boise tomorrow?
Ken Pomeroy:
Yes. We’re currently in Seattle, and we’re going to drive to Boise today, then play tomorrow, then drive to Salt Lake, then Santa Fe, and then Denver.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
Wow. Those are some long trips.
Ken Pomeroy:
Yeah. Thankfully, it’s a beautiful part of the country.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
What are you listening to in the van?
Ken Pomeroy:
We’ve mostly been listening to podcasts — maybe unfortunately, current events. We try to keep up because it feels like crazy things always happen when we’re on tour, and we need to be aware of what’s happening in the cities we’re in.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
Yeah, that makes sense. Something similar happened when you were supposed to go on tour with Flight — different, but still disruptive.
Ken Pomeroy:
Yeah, definitely. It’s always crazy.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
Is it hard to be on tour right now, trying to play music while everything else is happening in the world?
Ken Pomeroy:
Yeah, it’s very weird. You have this sense of dread, and then you have to go play your little songs and hope that it helps in some way. I usually acknowledge things if something big has happened. When we played Portland the day after the Renee Nicole situation, I acknowledged what had happened and that I disagreed with it. The world is crazy right now, but I’m very thankful to be playing music.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
I’m thankful to hear it — it really does help.
Another thing you’ve been doing: you were on FX’s Reservation Dogs as an actor, right?
Ken Pomeroy:
Yeah, which was brand new for me. I had never acted before, and that was the first — and probably last — time. I was very out of my comfort zone, but I’m so glad I did it. It was such a cool experience.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
Where did you film?
Ken Pomeroy:
All of it was filmed in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
Have you been watching the show, or is it weird to watch something you were part of?
Ken Pomeroy:
It’s kind of both. I had to watch out of curiosity because I hadn’t seen any of the scenes yet, so I was finding out how my acting was at the same time as everyone else.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
How did “Bound to Rain” come together with the show?
Ken Pomeroy:
I had written that song beforehand. Sterling Harjo, the creator of the show, messaged me asking if I had any new songs. I sent some voice memo demos, and he helped me with the self-taping because I didn’t know how to do it. When I was at his house doing the self-tape, I played him that song and “Days Getting Darker,” and he ended up putting both of them in the show.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
That’s such a smart move — it makes me want to watch the show even more.
Ken Pomeroy:
Thank you. It was super cool.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
You’re on tour for a few more days with Madison Cunningham.
Ken Pomeroy:
Yes.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
When you play live, is it just you and Dakota McDaniel?
Ken Pomeroy:
Yes, just me and Dakota. Sometimes we do a full band like the recordings, but for tours like this we do the duo setup, and it’s really fun.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
I’ve seen videos — it sounds great. Dakota is an incredible guitarist.
Ken Pomeroy:
He’s so good. He played almost every instrument on the record, so he’s very skilled.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
And then you’re touring with Shane Smith on the East Coast next?
Ken Pomeroy:
Yes, that’ll be in February. After that, we’re working on the new record and will be recording toward the end of that. Lots of new things coming.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
And at least three or four festivals this summer.
Ken Pomeroy:
It’s a festival summer, I’ll tell you that.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
Including Big Ears.
Ken Pomeroy:
We’re so excited. It’s been on our radar for a long time, even just to attend, so we’re thrilled to be playing it.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
One thing I always forget when listening to your music — there’s also a college basketball statistician named Ken Pomeroy. How often does that come up?
Ken Pomeroy:
Very often. I kind of want to reach out to him because he has to know. Maybe we arm wrestle or something for content.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
That’s an amazing alternate universe.
Ken Pomeroy:
It’s insane.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
I’m really excited for your Denver show at the Bluebird with Madison Cunningham. Is there anything fans should bring or think about before coming?
Ken Pomeroy:
Just bring yourselves. Listening to Madison every night has been more than a treat — her new record is amazing, and it’s an honor to be on the road with her.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
We have a couple of tickets to give away, and I’m about to play “Coyote” with John Moreland. Can you tell us about recording with him?
Ken Pomeroy:
It was last-minute. The song was already done, and I’ve been a fan of his my whole life. I cold-messaged him and sent the song, asking if he’d like to sing on it. A few days passed and I thought it wasn’t going to work out, but then he replied and said absolutely. He came into the studio and recorded his part in one take. It was incredible to watch.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
You both sound so alive on that track — the blend is perfect.
Ken Pomeroy:
Thank you so much. I was so honored.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
You also revisited some songs from your first album on this new record.
Ken Pomeroy:
Yes, some of them really stuck with me.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
It adds a lot of depth — the new album feels very polished.
Ken Pomeroy:
Thank you so much.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
Thanks so much for calling in, Ken. I’ve been awestruck by Cruel Joke and listening to it nonstop. I’m excited to see you in Denver and can’t wait to hear what’s next.
Ken Pomeroy:
Thank you so much. The last time we were in Denver, we played with Jake Xerxes Fussell about three years ago, so it’s been a while.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
I missed that show — now I have regrets.
Ken Pomeroy:
No worries. This one will be good.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
Thank you so much for calling while you’re on the road. Have fun in Boise, drive safe, and we’ll see you at the Bluebird on Saturday.
Ken Pomeroy:
Thank you so much for having me on.
Aaron Benko (KGNU):
Cool — I’m going to play “Coyote” now and then give away some tickets. Thanks again, and we’ll see you soon.
