Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore joined KGNU for a live broadcast from the Boulder Farmer’s Market during Radio Week to share music and stories from their decades-long career on the Front Range. They performed songs from their new album Lost in the Crowd, a collection of covers inspired by audience requests during the pandemic. The duo reflected on their early ties to KGNU, including benefit shows in the 1980s, and expressed gratitude for the station’s continued support. Listeners can find their new album exclusively at mollieobrien.com and on Bandcamp. (Local Gold: 5/21/25)
Indra Raj: Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore, welcome!
Mollie O’Brien: Thank you!
Indra Raj: It’s great to have you here. Are you having fun?
Mollie O’Brien: We’re having fun. It’s such a beautiful day—great to be out here live broadcasting.
Indra Raj: It’s great to have you both. You have a new album?
Mollie O’Brien: Yes!
Indra Raj: Lost in the Crowd, right?
Mollie O’Brien: Right.
Indra Raj: We’re going to talk a little about that, but first, we’d love to hear some music.
Mollie O’Brien: Okay!
(music plays)
Indra Raj: It’s so great to have you both here. Thank you—Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore. Just making sure I’m getting everyone’s names right! You have a new album out, but you also have a long history here on the Front Range, even with KGNU. Tell us how you got here.
Mollie O’Brien: I moved here in 1980. I was just talking to Fergus—he’s sitting over there on stage—and we were remembering the first benefit I did for KGNU back in 1981 at the UMC on campus. I was in a band called Prosperity Jazz Band with Washboard Chaz, Barbecue Bob, Otto Coke, and Larry Wooster. Fergus’s band played too, along with Quarter Moon and a band called Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers. It was a fun night! I’ve been doing stuff with the station ever since.
Rich and I have been playing together for eons. Do you want to say something, Rich? This is Rich Moore—my husband and the guitar player.
Rich Moore: Here I am, folks! Good afternoon—wherever you are. Perhaps it’s evening where you are, or early morning, around the world—whoever, wherever, whatever you are, hello!
Mollie and I have been playing since ’81 or ’82, on and off. And today, well—we drove here.
Indra Raj: How many albums have you two put out together?
Mollie O’Brien: I think we’ve made about 16 albums together over the years. I’ve also recorded with my brother, Tim O’Brien, and we’ve had family band projects. We’re always grateful to KGNU for playing our music. Thanks to everyone at the station.
Indra Raj: And thank you for the great music! So, your new album Lost in the Crowd—the first song you played is also the first track on the album, right?
Mollie O’Brien: Yes, that’s right.
Indra Raj: Is the album all covers?
Mollie O’Brien: Yeah, it’s all songs we’ve been doing since COVID. People would ask, “Are you selling a copy of that song you played tonight?” Eventually we thought, what the heck—let’s just record them. So that’s what we did. It’s available on my website, mollieobrien.com, and we’d love to sell a copy to you.
Indra Raj: All right, let’s hear a little more music from Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore. We’re live at the Boulder Farmer’s Market this afternoon, listening to local musicians, including these two incredible artists.
Mollie O’Brien: This next song is one I’ve been singing for a long time. I used to perform it with the Prosperity Jazz Band. It’s a tune by Eddie Jefferson and a great example of Vocalese.
(music plays)
Indra Raj: Thank you! You’re listening to Mollie O’Brien and Rich Moore live here at the Boulder Farmer’s Market. You’re with KGNU during our special live broadcast for Radio Week—a week full of events, special programming, and ways to get involved and support KGNU here on the Front Range.
You looked like you were going to say something, Mollie?
Mollie O’Brien: I was just wondering—how’s the patron experience today?
Indra Raj: I’m so glad you asked! We have a great lineup. Patrick Dethlefs is coming—he’s a local musician, songwriter, and a great friend of KGNU. Alexa Wildish will also be joining us—she’s an incredible talent. And Sarah Banker, a musician from Nederland, will be here too. She’s performed at KGNU before, and we’re excited to have her back. I reached out to a bunch of people—many couldn’t make it, but we’re so glad that you two could!
Mollie O’Brien: Thank you.
Indra Raj: It’s great to be here. It’s the middle of Radio Week, and there’s still so much happening. Tomorrow is our birthday!
Mollie O’Brien: Oh yeah—happy birthday!
Indra Raj: Woo! In the morning, we’ll have an open house at the Boulder station—4700 Walnut Street—and in the evening we’ll celebrate at the Velvet Elk Lounge with our big birthday bash. DJs, dancing, birthday treats, a silent auction, photo booth—it’s going to be a fun time. And yes, there will be cake—really delicious cake, donated by the local bakery Sweet Sisters. Huge thanks to all our partners and supporters this Radio Week, and especially to wonderful musicians like Mollie and Rich.
Mollie O’Brien: Thank you! It’s been great to be here.
Indra Raj: Before we close, tell us the name of your new album and how our listeners can find it.
Mollie O’Brien: The album is called Lost in the Crowd. It’s on Remington Road Records, and it’s available at mollieobrien.com and on Bandcamp. You won’t find it anywhere else—it’s just from us, and we’re happy about that.
Indra Raj: That’s what we love—local, independent, community-driven music. We’re live here at the Boulder Farmer’s Market, saying hi to folks, spinning the prize wheel, and enjoying great local music. Let’s hear one last tune from you.
(music plays)
