Nick Brunner

Hi! I'm Nick Brunner, Music Program Director.

I'm responsible for the music and hosts you hear on-air. Connecting you to music is a serious business around here (it happens to be a lot of fun too).

My goal every day is to make sure you hear the best mix of the songs and artists you already love while introducing you to new sounds — local, national and international — that’ll become your next favorite.

I love being able to share new and exciting sounds with people who like music. I think we can agree that there's much more to life than just the Top 40 and there's no better place to find it than public radio.

Be sure to visit often! And drop a line with your thoughts any time!

My favorite Iowa music destinations:

• Wooly's in Des Moines
• xBk Live in Des Moines
• Val-Air Ballroom in Des Moines

My most memorable concerts:

• Ben Folds at the Vic Theater in Chicago (Oct. 3, 2001 if you want to be precise). He leapt off the stage during "Rockin' The Suburbs" and landed on my face — the mic cable wrapped around my neck and I was nearly dragged up on stage!
• Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks at Harlow's in Sacramento, Calif. I was enamored with Malkmus' solo work (not to mention Pavement) and the album Real Emotional Trash had just come out. I was new to the state and excited to introduce my co-workers to the band. Jicks is a smallish venue, but never feels crowded, and that concert was just a great experience all around.
• Jenny Lewis at Freemont Theater in San Louis Obispo, Calif. Man alive what a good show. A pal and I made the three hour trek from Sacramento and stayed at The Madonna Inn (where serious kitch meets comfort). Jenny Lewis is a force and her stage show rivaled The Flaming Lips.

What I consider the best music (auto)biographies and memoirs:

• The Sparks Brothers — film by Edgar Wright
• Girl In A Band — memoir by Kim Gordon
• The Devil and Daniel Johnston — an unforgettable introduction to the musician by filmmaker Jeff Feuerzeig