Lauren Frihauf stopped by the KGNU Denver studios to perform live and talk about her upcoming KGNU Presents show with Sturtz on March 7 at Chautauqua Community House. She played original songs including “Wild Card,” “Scorpion,” and “One Thing Always Leads to Another,” and discussed her musical roots in Colorado, her time on season 19 of The Voice (working with Gwen Stefani and John Legend), and her current projects.
Frihauf also shared details about Road Pony, a new country collaboration formed with Megan Burtt, and previewed unreleased music slated for release in the coming months. The interview wrapped with a live performance of “Hang Your Weary Heart,” a Road Pony song, and a ticket giveaway for the March 7 show.
(Air Date 2/2/26)
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Transcript:
That’s Lauren Frihauf live in the KGNU Denver studio this morning, warming us up for her KGNU Presents show March 7th at Chautauqua Community House. I mentioned that your roots are here in Colorado. Anybody you want to shout out who might be tuned in today?
Lauren:
Maybe my mom and dad.
Hello to the Frihauf family. You’ve been on my radar for at least a half dozen years. One of the first things I learned about you was that you appeared on season 19 of NBC’s The Voice at age 16. I wonder if you wouldn’t mind connecting the dots for us — recounting your musical path from Byers, Colorado, to being a TV contestant. How did that happen, and what was that like?
Lauren:
I’ve always been in love with music. I was homeschooled on a farm, so I spent a lot of time writing songs and singing. Eventually I took voice lessons and joined School of Rock, and I knew that was my passion when I was about 13 or 14.
Doug:
Where was the nearest School of Rock?
Lauren:
An hour and a half away.
That explains a lot. How did you end up on The Voice, and what did it mean for your career afterward?
Lauren:
It was kind of on a whim. My vocal teacher got an email saying The Voice was casting. We sent in some videos, and I flew out for a producer round in Nashville in 2019.
Doug:
Who did you connect with on the show?
Lauren:
I ended up on Gwen Stefani’s team, and later got traded to John Legend.
I love that first tune you played. These days you front your own band. I’ve seen collaborations with AJ Fullerton and performances with Megan Burtt. I want to ask you about two words: Road Pony.
Lauren:
It was during the Christmas shows for Megan Burtt in 2024. We were driving up to Basalt for a show and started talking about how fun it would be to start a country band. We came up with the name, wrote a song that night, and it just started there.
Doug:
What’s the song called?
Lauren:
It’s called Coyotes in the Canyon.
I love that. Before we hear more music, where can folks find you online?
Lauren:
You can find me on Instagram, YouTube, and all the streaming platforms. I’ll be releasing new music soon, and it’ll also be on Bandcamp.
Lauren Frihauf is in the KGNU Denver studio and has a couple more tunes for us. Take it away.
Lauren Frihauf playing live for us on KGNU. We just heard “One Thing Always Leads to Another” and “Scorpion.” When you go high, I hear Joni Mitchell. Does she rank high on your list of influences?
Lauren:
I think she’s amazing.
Anything we should know about these songs? Are they originals, and are they coming out soon?
Lauren:
They’re not out yet. “One Thing Always Leads to Another” was recorded with my band last year, and it’ll be out in the next month or two.
We’re excited because KGNU Presents Sturtz with Lauren Frihauf on Saturday, March 7th at Chautauqua Community House. Talk a little about what folks can expect from the show.
Lauren:
I’m going to open solo, and Andrew and I talked about potentially singing a song or two together.
We have tickets to give away. Doors are at 7:30, show at 8. Learn more at chautauqua.com and kgnu.org on the KGNU Presents page. We have a pair of guest list tickets for the third person to email [email protected]. Put Sturtz Lauren in the subject line, include your contact info, and make sure you can attend the March 7th show.
Lauren Frihauf, thanks for stopping by KGNU. What are you going to play us out with?
Lauren:
I’m going to play a song called Hang Your Weary Heart. It’s a Road Pony tune.
Lauren Frihauf in the KGNU Denver studios. You can see Lauren Frihauf along with Sturtz at Chautauqua Community House March 7th, and you can compete for tickets at [email protected].
