Singer-songwriter Penelope Jane joined Meredith Carson on KGNU’s Morning Sound Alternative for a live in-studio session ahead of the release of her debut album Evergreen. Joined by her sister Emilia on fiddle and harmony vocals and her father on guitar and mandolin, she performed several original songs, including “Smoke in the Mountains,” “Wish That I Could Love You,” and “Unforgettable.”
Penelope shared that she began writing songs just a couple of years ago and has since been performing around the Boulder area. Now a student at Berklee College of Music, she draws inspiration from folk and bluegrass artists like Sarah Jarosz, Molly Tuttle, and John Prine. (Air Date 1/9/2026)
Listen to the studio session here:
Transcript:
Meredith Carson: We have Penelope Jane in our KGNU studios. She’s a young songwriter who has written a collection of songs and recorded them on a new CD, which she’ll release at a concert Sunday night. Good morning, Penelope Jane.
Penelope Jane: Good morning.
Meredith Carson: How are you this morning?
Penelope Jane: I’m doing great. Excited to be here.
Meredith Carson: We’re excited to have you. You have your sister with you—Amelia.
Penelope Jane: Emilia.
Meredith Carson: Emilia. I managed to confuse that, even though you just introduced yourself. And your dad, whose name I won’t attempt since I already got one wrong.
Penelope Jane: That’s okay.
Meredith Carson: This is the band, Penelope Jane. Let’s start with a couple of songs.
Penelope Jane: This first song is called “Smoke in the Mountains.”
(Song performance)
Penelope Jane: That was “Smoke in the Mountains.” This next one is “Wish That I Could Love You.”
(Song performance)
Meredith Carson: Penelope Jane, live in the KGNU studios. Those were beautiful songs. You wrote those and most of the others on your upcoming record?
Penelope Jane: All except one—we have a Gillian Welch cover on the album.
Meredith Carson: Great choice. Penelope plays mandolin and guitar, writes the songs, and is joined by her sister Emilia on harmony vocals and fiddle, and their dad, Chipper, on guitar and mandolin.
Do you prefer Penelope or Penelope Jane?
Penelope Jane: I mostly go by Penelope.
Meredith Carson: When did you start writing songs?
Penelope Jane: Pretty recently—about two years ago. I got really into it and started writing a lot. It’s something I’ve been enjoying a lot.
Meredith Carson: Have you been performing these songs around town?
Penelope Jane: Yes, around the Boulder area, including the Boulder Farmers Market.
Meredith Carson: Chipper, did you guide them toward instruments, or did that happen naturally?
Chipper: It happened naturally. We had instruments around the house, and I played guitar and mandolin. They both started on fiddle at a young age since smaller instruments are available. Penelope later picked up mandolin around age 13 during the COVID shutdowns, and it became a real focus for her.
Meredith Carson: That’s great to hear. Could we hear another song?
Penelope Jane: This is an original called “Unforgettable.”
(Song performance)
Meredith Carson: You’re off to a strong start. Who are your musical influences?
Penelope Jane: I listen to a lot of folk and bluegrass. Some of my favorites are Sarah Jarosz, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, and artists like John Prine.
Meredith Carson: Did playing instruments or songwriting come first?
Penelope Jane: I started with instruments and singing. Then I wanted to play my own songs, so I began writing.
Meredith Carson: Are you part of a musical community?
Penelope Jane: I’m a freshman at Berklee College of Music, so I’ve been playing with a lot of other musicians there.
Meredith Carson: Tell us about your new album.
Penelope Jane: My first album, Evergreen, comes out on January 11. It will be available on streaming and CD. We already released two singles: “Wish That I Could Love You” and “Smoke in the Mountains.”
Meredith Carson: Is there a release show?
Penelope Jane: Yes, it’s at Sure Violins in Louisville. Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:00.
Meredith Carson: Let’s hear one more song.
Penelope Jane: This is the title track, “Evergreen.” Thank you for having us.
(Song performance)
Meredith Carson: Penelope Jane, live in the KGNU studios. Thank you so much for coming in.
Penelope Jane: Thank you for having us.
Meredith Carson: Where can people find you?
Penelope Jane: My website is penelopejanemusic.com, and I’m on social media as well.
Meredith Carson: Thanks to all three of you—Penelope, Emilia, and Chipper—for joining us.
Penelope Jane: Thank you.
