Indra Raj interviews local singer-songwriter Lewis Turner on KGNU’s Morning Sound Alternative, where he performs live and shares his path from growing up in Masonville, Colorado, to becoming an emerging folk artist. He discusses starting music as a teen, the emotional core of his songwriting, and how listener connections shaped his direction. Turner highlights his upcoming album Second, a more raw, indie-folk project centered on change and time, and previews an intimate Boulder performance along with future shows.
(Air Date: 4/29/26)
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Transcript:
Indra Raj: I am so glad to be welcoming into the studio live here on the Morning Sound Alternative our very special guest, Lewis Turner. Welcome, Lewis.
Lewis Turner: Thank you for having me.
Indra Raj: Great to have you here. I’m excited to chat with you about an upcoming show and a new album. Before we do that, could we hear some music from you?
Lewis Turner: Yeah, definitely.
[Music]
Indra Raj: Lewis Turner, live in the KGNU studio today. That’s a beautiful piece of music. Is that off your new album?
Lewis Turner: That’s actually not. It’s on a future record, hopefully coming out next year.
Indra Raj: You’re already ahead. Let’s back it up a little bit. Lewis, are you from Boulder?
Lewis Turner: I’m not from Boulder. I’m from Masonville, Colorado, just outside of Fort Collins.
Indra Raj: Tell us about your journey with music, from growing up in Masonville to where you are now.
Lewis Turner: It’s been an interesting journey. I grew up in Northern Colorado around musicians, especially folk music. My parents weren’t musicians, but they loved music, so I saw a lot of live shows. I started writing music in high school, around 15 or 16, and performing at 17 or 18. It’s been about five or six years now.
I’m on my second record, coming out in mid-May. I’ve come a long way, but I still have a long way to go. I’m writing a lot these days.
Indra Raj: Was there something that prompted you to start writing music at that age?
Lewis Turner: Not one specific thing. I’ve always been a pretty deep-feeling kid. I wrote lyrics in high school but didn’t have an outlet until I learned guitar. A lot of my songs are bits and pieces of experiences, representing broader feelings.
Once I started performing, I felt connected to something bigger. One memory stands out: after a small brewery set when I was 19, someone told me a song reminded him of his late wife. That made me want to keep writing. Even if it’s just one person, making someone feel seen is what matters.
Indra Raj: That connection is so important. You have a new album coming out May 22nd called Second, and you’ll be performing at Stone Cottage Studios in Boulder this Friday. Let’s hear another tune.
Lewis Turner: Definitely. This one is off the record. It’s a song I released recently.
[Music]
Indra Raj: You’re tuned into KGNU Community Radio, Morning Sound Alternative. We’re live with Lewis Turner. Tell us about this second album. How does it differ from your first release?
Lewis Turner: The interesting thing about being an artist is what I call the “creative delay.” The songs on this record are two or three years old. I spent over two years making it with a great team in Fort Collins, Denver, and Boulder.
My first record helped me learn the process. I worked with Andrew Berlin at The Blasting Room and learned a lot that I applied here. This new record reflects change—people changing, time passing. It’s more raw and more rooted in indie folk compared to my first record, which leaned toward folk-pop.
There’s a mix of field recordings tracked directly to tape and fuller band arrangements. I worked with great session musicians, so there’s a wider range of sound. It contrasts with my live performances, where I usually play solo.
Looking ahead, I’m continuing to explore a more folk-oriented sound and experimenting with new collaborators.
Indra Raj: That freedom to explore is such a gift. What did you learn from recording your first album that you applied to this one?
Lewis Turner: On my first record, I approached things very traditionally. It was expensive, but I learned a lot. Those songs were written over about five years.
What I really learned was the overall process—how to polish and craft songs. There’s a big difference between playing a song live and building a recorded version with layers, session musicians, and production choices. You also think about how songs flow together as an album and the overall emotional arc.
It’s easier said than done, but I try to keep things as organic as possible. I admire artists who can move between raw, simple versions and fuller arrangements. Variety is important to me.
Indra Raj: You’re performing at Stone Cottage Studios in Boulder. What will that show look like?
Lewis Turner: It’ll be a fully acoustic set. Since the record features a full band, I like offering a different experience live. I’ll play songs from the album and some new material.
I’ll be joined by a friend, Chloe from the band Prairie, who will open with a solo set. It’s an intimate room, so it should be a really special experience.
Indra Raj: Do you have other shows coming up?
Lewis Turner: Yes, I’m playing in Salida next Friday at a brewery, and I’ll have more shows in Fort Collins and Denver in the coming months.
Indra Raj: Let’s hear one more tune before we let you go.
Lewis Turner: This is another song from the upcoming record. It hasn’t been released yet. It’s called “I’m Not the One.”
[Music]
Indra Raj: We’ve been listening to Lewis Turner live in the KGNU studio. He’ll be at Stone Cottage Studios in Boulder this Friday and has more shows across the Front Range. How can people keep up with you?
Lewis Turner: The best way is my website, lowisturnermusic.com. There’s a newsletter signup there, and you can also find me on social media at LewisCashTurner.
Indra Raj: Your new album Second comes out May 22nd. We’ll make sure to get it here at KGNU. Thank you so much for being here.
Lewis Turner: Thank you for having me.
Indra Raj: Great to have you. We’re going to keep things going.
