The Crooked Rugs
Hear & Now, the fifth fulllength album from Ft. Collinsbased psych rock band The Crooked Rugs is a lesson that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Living in a house built on southern rock, The Crooked Rugs tap into that great open road feeling served with a hot slice of Americana. While they carry the badge of a psych rock band, the “psych” is often left behind to make room for sweeping western guitar riffs and driving grooves.
What’s fun about Hear & Now is how oddly positive it is. This positivity serves the album well as songs like “Leo” and “Chasin’ the Wind” set a lovely pace, and “Shortbread Gateway” channels all the cool parts of ‘60s psychedelic rock. Even in some of the subdued moments like “Moab” and the first part of “Leave it Alone,” things could easily get moody, but then they
shift in very earnest direction.
Formed in 2019, this fivepiece is made up of vocalist/ guitarist Jayce Haley, drummer Nolan Brumbach, keyboardist Jay LeCavalier, and brothers Rex and Finn Stowers on guitar and bass, respectfully. Though it is their fifth album, Hear & Now is a remarkable step forward for the band in terms of overall tone and confidence. Recorded by the band with the help of Shane Zweygardt (Alysia Kraft, Dead Pioneers), sonically the band delivers a stunning album with a warmth that removes it from the present. Songs like opener and title track “Hear & Now” and “Diddly” in particular capture the fun loving spirit of the album, choosing expansive instrumental vamps over a hyper focus on vocals.
It also puts into focus a shift in how musicians and audiences are interacting with psych rock as a genre. It seems that the overwhelming fuzzed out sensory experiences that made up psych rock shows five years ago are shifting into jammier spaces with more emphasis on skill and musicality. Turns out under all that paisley print and leather in 2018 were musicians who wanted to display how good actually they are.
Fast forward to 2025 and what we are seeing is the psych rock needle has swung so far around that we’re The Allman Brothers territory, and frankly I’m here for it.
Laura Giagos BandWagon Magazine
ALBUM REVEW
ALBUM REVEW
BIG RICHARD
IS SERVING UP
It’s an understatement that Colora do-based bluegrass band Big Richard is on the ascent. Launched from what was slated to be a one-time festival supergroup in 2021, the four-piece band harnessed a meteoric rise that so far has landed them dozens of national festival appearances, shared stages with industry veterans like Railroad Earth, and a New Year’s Eve show at the Ryman opening for Old Crow Medicine Show. Their new album Girl Dinner reveals the band to be more than just powerhouse performers; they are also prolific songwriters and storytellers adding their own voices to the rich tradition of bluegrass and americana music.
guitar). “The crowd response from our first show was enough to tell me this idea was bigger than us as individuals and that Big Richard had staying power,” says Sims. After the band’s first appearance at McAwesome Fest in 2021, they quickly lined up slots at WinterWonderGrass and RockyGrass based on word of mouth about the new project. What followed was a whirlwind of tour dates crisscrossing the country over the past three years. Though the band is known for a savvy and sometimes provocative online presence
audience development strategy “feels pretty ‘old school’ at this point, after spending hundreds of hours in the van trying to build our audience around the country.”
Though the band built early buzz through their creative renditions of unexpected covers, like Radiohead’s “Creep” and Pink Floyd’s “Time,” their first studio album includes eleven original songs written by the members. “We have individually and collectively crafted and arranged these songs
and made something definitively our own, a representation of ourselves as a group,” says Sims. The album is a dazzling showcase of the members’ virtuosic musicianship, brimming with gorgeous four-part harmonies, inventive arrangements, and blazing solos; any fans of creative acoustic music will find plenty to love. But the band connects most deeply on the album’s vulnerable moments, holding space for complex topics with the
care of seasoned songwriters. “Darlin Honey,” sung and written by Adams, is a standout sharing the complexities of long-term relationships. “The Missing Stair,” written by Bonnie Sims with co-writers Melody Walker and Phoebe Hunt, mourns the pain of generational trauma.
“This band is a culmination of influences from the bluegrass, old time, folk, and amer-
icana traditions,” says bassist Hazel Royer. “That ties us into this music because this tradition has a long history of fusing different styles and creating new things.” Equipped with their fresh take on this history, and armed for life on the road with a mountain of van snacks (apple sauce packets, popcorn, cases of Crystal Pepsi, to name some favorites), Big Richard is ready to serve up Girl Dinner to their growing audience.
PHOTO: JASON INNES
BANDWAGON PHOTO OF THE MONTH | PHOTO: CASEY MASON @VAPIDHAUS KAOTICUS | ORIENTAL THEATER | DENVER, CO | 1/ 3 / 25
DONNY BENÉT
FULFILLS YOUR 'INFINITE DESIRES'
BY LAURA GIAGOS
Italiano disco-funk bass provocateur Donny Benét, hailing from Sydney, Australia, has carved a distinctive presence in the indie music scene. Often positioned on the fringes, Benét’s infectious bass-driven dance grooves and hypnotic charm have made him unmistakably unforgettable. With his now-iconic skullet and handlebar mustache, Benét (real name Ben Waples) has captivated audiences worldwide with his unconventional style and solid disco tracks since the release of his debut album, Don’t Hold Back, in 2011.
A lot has changed for Benét since then. He’s released five more studio albums, collaborated with numerous artists, toured extensively across the U.S. and Europe, launched his own record label, and become a father—all while proudly maintaining his signature look. “To put it politely, I’m an interesting-looking person, so I have to make sure my music is really good,” Benét laughs. “My thing has always been: Would I listen to this music if it were by someone else? Yes. Would I enjoy it if it were a fat, middle-aged dude jumping around? Yes. That ticks all my boxes. I’ve been middle-aged since eighteen. I haven’t changed my look since I was twenty-five. I look at old photos of me aging, and I say, ‘Yeah, I still look the same.’”
Currently on tour supporting his sixth studio album, Infinite Desires, Benét’s look has remained consistent, but his music has evolved in ways that elevate him far beyond mere gimmickry. His career has always been steeped in tongue-in-cheek humor, leaning heavily on his distinctive appearance. Early on, he gained notoriety for his humorously seductive songs, though he admits that his recent work has taken on a more restrained tone. Reflecting on his debut album, Benét acknowledges the heavy influence of Prince’s early career, though, like Prince, he has grown beyond the provocative material that once defined his work.
His 2018 album, The Don, was a breakthrough moment, propelled by the hit single “Konichiwa,” which boasts an impressive 8.9 million streams on Spotify. The Don marked a turning point, with Benét’s tours expanding and his fan base growing. He followed its success with 2020’s Mr. Experience, though the release was complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These albums symbolize not only his artistic growth but also the evolution of the Donny Benét persona. “The Don was this young Casanova. I was in my mid-thirties, and my friends were discovering Tinder after breaking up with long-term partners. They were trying to get laid, and it went just terribly for them,” Benét laughs. “For Mr. Experience, I had just had a kid, and
there’s a line in the song ‘One Night in Paradise’ where I say, ‘There comes a time when sleep is the new sex.’”
Like many musicians, the COVID lockdown disrupted Benét’s touring plans and scrambled the release of Mr. Experience. To stay connected with fans, he turned to social media. “I got on Instagram quite early. I was in a band called Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders, along with another artist, Kirin J Callinan. We all curated our pages back when social media was fun, you know? People were taking pictures of their lunches or sharing screen grabs of songs they made.”
This early embrace of social media proved fortuitous, as Benét’s unique persona resonated with an increasingly global audience. “It was a really fortuitous avenue to go down. At that time, all the platforms had basically opened their algorithms to keep people entertained and distracted. Since then, and you probably hear this from every single artist, probably one of the most frustrating things to do now is trying to reach your audience on a platform that you built.”
Before fully embracing his debonair alter ego, Benét made a living as a freelance jazz musician and teacher in Australia. He took up the bass at around twelve, after his father, a fellow musician and teacher, bought one for $400—a significant expense at the time. “It would sit outside my room in its box, and it had the price, $400. And every time I leave my room, I'd see $400, and I feel guilty so I was like, I better learn this thing,” Benét reminisces. His passion was ignited when his father brought home a cassette of the 1980s British TV show Rock School, featuring funk legends Bootsy Collins and Nile Rodgers. For a young Benét, that tape was transformative.
CATCH DONNY BENÉT LIVE AT THE AGGIE THEATRE IN FORT COLLINS, CO. ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH 2025
Now 44, Benét is thrilled to be in the U.S. on a solo tour, performing in cities he’s never visited before, including Boulder and Fort Collins, Colorado. “Coming to America, I’ve never had a bad experience. I find Americans patient, warm, and charming—and definitely brash.”
TOP 6 BANDS BATTLE FOR GLORY, COMMUNITY, AND DREAMS
BY SAWYER MATZ
Six bands, one winner, one festival, $1,000, and one night—jam-packed with thrilling and good-natured rivalry. BandWagon presents The Road to Wondergrass: Battle of the Bands. Held for the second year at the wonderful Mercury Cafe, a Colorado staple, this is a night sure to excite, entertain, and hopefully introduce some fresh artists to your playlist.
On Friday, Jan. 31, six bands will go headto-head, fighting for their chance to win a $1,000 cash prize, an opening spot at the WonderGrass festival, festival passes for the whole band, and a bounty of festival swag. Grab your tickets now to witness this epic skirmish. The contestants? Graham Good & the Painters, Bear Hat, Dealer Takes Four, Ridgeliners, Clare Elich, and Bottlerocket Hurricane. These talented warriors will take the stage and face off to make a name for themselves, claim their rightful spot on the Winter Wondergrass opening stage, and have their share of the fun. These noble competitors need the crowd’s support to gain the winning edge.
The prospect of attending the revered WonderGrass Festival with their bandmates—and some extra cash in their pockets—is thrilling enough, but the opportunity to perform on the opening stage is something else entirely. This chance will have each band firing on all cylinders, ready to crush it. These worthy six have already savored a small taste of victory after being selected to compete. Now, they must dive in, armed and ready with their picks and sticks, to become the true champions. Who will it be?
EACH COMPETING BAND ANSWERED TWO QUESTIONS FOR US:
• What do you hope to get out of the competition?
• What is your favorite part about being a local group?
BOTTLEROCKET HURRICANE
1. We are excited about the competition and hope to gain new followers and recognition for our music. We are busting out some newer (& a never-played) tunes. We are competing with many close friends, so that's always fun. I want us all to win, and believe there is enough success for all of us as artists. It's an honor to have been invited.
2. My favorite part of being a local group is getting to play for people I love who have known me a long time and watched me “come up,” as they say. I personally came to music late in the game, and it has let me meet so many creative people I may not have met otherwise and given me amazing experiences. I’ve gone through many evolutions in my band lineup, and I feel this is the strongest supporting team of musicians I’ve ever played with. I am very blessed for that.
DEALER TAKES FOUR
1. We’re excited to gain valuable feedback from the Winter Wondergrass industry professionals and use it to elevate our performance. The chance to play one of our favorite festivals, Winter Wondergrass, in one of our favorite towns, Steamboat, is truly a dream come true. We’re also greatly looking forward to connecting with new bands in the Denver music scene and strengthening our community ties.
2. Without a doubt, it’s the local Denver music community. Despite its size and competitiveness, the scene remains supportive, welcoming, and refreshingly free of toxicity. We’re constantly inspired by the incredible talent here and cherish the friendships and connections we’ve built both on and off the stage.
GRAHAM GOOD & THE PAINTERS
1. We are hoping to connect with some new bands, make new friends, and play a kickass show that leaves people feeling hopeful. Playing Winter Wondergrass would also be super cool.
2. There seems to be a never-ending supply of talented musicians and songwriters here in Colorado. We’re happy to be in the middle of such great art. My favorite part is everyone’s willingness to support and be supported. It’s like a massage train—we’ll come see your band play, you’ll come see our band play. Let’s climb the ladder together.
RIDGELINERS
1. We’re excited to have this opportunity to perform for a new audience and showcase our blend of Americana-country. We’re looking forward to connecting with other great musicians, gaining some valuable experience, and sharing some of our new music!
2. We love being part of the local scene and having such a vibrant community right in our backyard. Being able to support local venues and businesses means a lot.
CLARE ELICH
1. You know, I’d obviously love to play at Winter Wondergrass, but the people that have come out of the woodwork in excitement for the battle itself has been so cool to see. Folks I haven’t connected with in years are planning to come out, and that’s such a big part of why I play music—to welcome folks into a space where they feel safe, silly, and seen. So hopefully, we will see that at the show and after.
2. Denver’s music scene, as I’ve experienced it—especially the folk and bluegrass scene— is a truly wholesome group of people. So it’s quite a treat to share creative space with inspiring artists and not necessarily have to live in Nashville or New York, etc.
BEAR HAT
1. We are honored to have been selected for the contest, and that in and of itself is a small victory for us. Bear Hat’s main objective is always to have an ass-kickin’ time playing our unique blend of original acoustics. We also hope to make some cool new friends and hear some great music along the way.
2. Just like in this contest, we are grateful to be surrounded by incredibly talented musicians in our local community. This drives us to a higher level of excellence in composing original material, thoughtful and productive rehearsals, and inherent professionalism in ALL of our performances.
THIS BATTLE OF THE BANDS PROMISES TO BE AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT OF MUSIC, CAMARADERIE, AND ELECTRIFYING PERFORMANCES. DON’T MISS IT!
CHECK OUT THE BANDS!
BOTTLEROCKET HURRICANE
RIDGELINERS
DEALER TAKES FOUR
GRAHAM GOOD & THE PAINTERS
CLARE ELICH
BEAR HAT
