BandWagon Magazine - May 2021 by BandWagon Magazine

MUSIC reviews LVDY PG. 4 MLADY PG. 6 VYNYL PG. 8 The Beeves PG. 10 Cole Scheifele PG. 10

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ERICA BROWN

LVDY Gold

Valerie Vampola

BandWagon Magazine

The Denver-based acoustic duo LVDY (pronounced “lady”) show what beautiful sounds two women and a guitar can make on their full-length album, Gold. In 11 songs, Kathleen Hooper and Aubrey Mable give us tight harmonies, the sway of natural acoustic pop refrains and a warm folk ambience. The first track on the album, “Running Wild,” features dreamy vocal harmonies and long spaces of

acoustic instrumental music which allow the dual voices to breathe, sinking into our ears. LVDY’s harmonies are the main attraction throughout, sweeping in the same way a string section can in an orchestra. In “Change,” Hooper and Mable push the roles of their ensemble, using vowels and background lyrics to convey other instruments. The “oo’s” feel like electric guitars, while the (actual) acoustic guitar plays a percussive counter melody, and in the background, a “we want a change” chant sounds like yet another rhythmic guitar groove. “Change” showcases the creative ways these women use their sparse instrumentation to create full sounds. When they do offer other instruments, such as the sprinkles of piano and strings in “Gold” and “Magic Maker,” they do so in small increments so as to compliment, and not distract, from their minimalist aesthetic.

When those other instruments are added, their music leans in the direction of 90’s femme acoustic singer-songwriters such as Aimee Mann, Natalie Imbruglia, the Indigo Girls or others you might discover at Lilith Fair. But regardless of instrumentation, LVDY’s Hooper and Mable maintain a traditional

folk pop sound, highlighting the two of them as musicians and songwriters. LVDY will play two free outdoor performances at Dairy Block in Denver’s LoDo district on Saturday, May 22 from 7-9 pm and Sunday, May 23 from 3-5pm. More at lvdymusic.com

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MLADY

Maladaptive Daydreaming Valerie Vampola

BandWagon Magazine

Denver-based Mlady’s full Maladaptive length album Daydreaming feels like its title: an atmosphere of vivid dreams told by lead singer Hannah Beeghly, accompanied by washy, pop orchestration. The record favors reversed reverb and atmospheric textures to fill out the sound of Beeghly’s forlorn, direct delivery. Songs such as “Sadder Days” and “When Do You Know” start with synthesized effects, placing the listener in a dreamlike headspace, and peaking with Beeghly’s vocal bravado. The guitar outset of “Anymore Anymore,” a simply strummed song with heavy reverb, builds to dense harmonies which keep us dreaming. Beeghly’s sweeping melodies and ever-changing high-to-low voice accentuate that tranquil, spacy dizziness.

While Mlady’s music conveys the feeling of dreams, the lyrics reflect vivid storytelling. “Class of 09” tells a story about running into a crush while in high school, passing each other in the cafeteria and standing next to each other at a football game. Despite her attraction, she knows that it will be unrequited or pointless, possibly due to the impending graduation. In “Soda,” Beeghly sings about a lover to whom she’s addicted, comparing them to her favorite bubbly beverages and confetti cake, which she craves more than other, worse vices like smoke. The choice of soda shows how she feels her lover is sweet and refreshing, yet not toxic, though unhealthy. The lyrical specificity illustrates clear images, story and feelings, complete with clever wordplay to complete the chorus: “You’re soda – you’re sodalightful.” Wanting to express dreamy atmospheres with lucid thoughts, Maladaptive Mlady gives Daydreaming to us in the real world. It’s a soothing, sonic means to escape the present moment and process the desires and thoughts that swim deep down inside. For more, check out www.mladymusic.com

VYNYL

“The World Is On Fire, and I’m Lonely” Gabe Allen

BandWagon Magazine

their first EP, Pink, 2021’s aptly titled The World Is On Fire, and I’m Lonely is full of grit without losing any of the hookiness of the band’s earlier work. The EP’s opener, “sex/drugs/ therapy,” makes a good case as the perfect bittersweet summer soundtrack into the final stretch of the pandemic: “This is the antisocial summer scene, oh, you give me everything I don’t need. Cheap perfume seeps into me. I just wanna believe in sex, drugs, therapy.”

As of late April, 2021, #poppunk had 580 million views on TikTok. Widespread angst and isolation during the pandemic combined with crossover albums from popular artists like Machine Gun Kelly have given a new life to the genre that boomed from behind the closed door of every pre-teen’s bedroom at the turn of the millenia. In Denver, a hyperactive, fashionforward group is making music that could just be the cutting edge of this resurgence. Though VYNYL strayed into synth-pop territory with

The lead single, “heart//break” first lulls you into a false sense of security with a plinky synth riff and breathy vocals from lead singer John Tyler. Soon though, palmmuted guitar crunch melts into a delicious nu-metal riff soaring into a crescendo that’s impossible not to full-body mosh to. The rest of the EP follows suit. Catchy melodies are paired with crisp production and colossal energy. The band takes a brief foray into mellower territory with the R&B infused soft rock anthem “quite like you,” and closing track “easy+target” devolves into Tame Impala-esque psychedelia.

The album’s theme is focused and consistent. Again and again, Tyler laments over backsliding into a dysfunctional, but comfortable relationship. Weed and delusion numb the pain, but, beneath it all, something is wrong. Whether or not you harbor a nostalgic love for

pop-punk, The World Is On Fire, and I’m Lonely will leave you with earworms for days. It’s the perfect pop-packaged dedication to the shared trauma of the past year. Stream The World Is On Fire, and I’m Lonely on all platforms now and visit vynyl.net for more.

SINGLE REVIEWS by Gabe Allen

THE BEEVES - “Roger”

It’s hard to listen to the Beeves on headphones. Not because their music is uninteresting (it’s excellent), but because you so badly want to be there to experience the frenzied emotion that ripples beneath each lyric, riff and beat. In a time devoid of live performance, The Beeves are a band purpose-built for the stage. The trio’s new single, “Roger,” is no different. Ian Ehrhart delivers each line with such dramatic conviction that you will hold on

to every word. Behind him, the band rips, swells and falls with the dynamism of a much larger ensemble. While their last single, “Mercy Be,” saw the Beeves access a more restrained sound, “Roger” marries the band’s maturing musicality with the manic spirit that first seduced Northern Colorado audiences. “Roger” is out May 17, 2 years after their first full-length Adam & Beeve. pre-save the single at show.co/NFw5sOD

COLE SHEIFELE - “Back Then”

Cole Scheifele writes heartbreaking music. The kind you listen to on repeat after a bad breakup or on the ride home from the last day of summer camp. The kind that makes you nostalgic for the last time you were truly, deeply sad. In his latest single, “Back Then,” he sings about feeling trapped in a cycle of losing love. “Haven’t I burnt this bridge with the same damn match and flames, and haven’t I said I’d change?”

Scheifele delivers a soaring melody with unrestrained emotion. Behind his voice, an ambient brew of siren-like drones creates texture while he keeps time on an acoustic guitar. For a real treat, you can watch the music video, which features a stripped-down acoustic performance of the song in broodingly dark blackand-white. Check out “Back Then” and more from Scheifele at colescheifele.com

Ron: Weekdays 6am - 10am 1. Colorado Sound Music Meetings – Every month we give you a chance to hear unreleased music and let us know if it fits on 105.5. Come join our monthly virtual meetings! coloradosound.org 2. Honoring Memorial Day – From Noon to 1pm each Memorial Day, Margot and The Colorado Sound honor those who’ve given their lives for our country with our annual 1-hour special of songs and sounds of remembrance. 3. BIFF is back! – The Colorado Sound is again an official sponsor of the Boulder International Film Festival June 24-27. Great films, great talks, great venues indoor & out! www.BIFF1.org 4. Live music is back too! – In early April, live music shows started getting announced at a frantic pace. The Colorado Sound Presents event calendar keeps you up to date with a lot of them! coloradosound.org/calendar/ 5. Summer is nigh! – Sometimes it was warmer than it should have been, sometimes the snow fell later than it should have. But in 4 weeks, it’s officially Summer!

Margot: Weekdays 10am - 3pm Goth music & subculture have been satirized in the media since they started becoming popular in the 80’s. Initially a minimalist offshoot of post-punk, Goth often explored dark themes & imagery. This month, for The Colorado Sound’s Top 20, we want to know your favorite Goth song. Tell us at coloradosound.org. 1. A Life Less Lived (The Gothic Box), Various Artists – Though this box set was released 15 years ago, it remains a thorough overview of the Goth music scene in the 1980’s. It features songs by Joy Division, Siouxsie & The Banshees, and Bauhaus among others. 2. South Park, Season 12 Episode 14: The Ungroundable - This episode of South Park pokes gentle fun at the Goths and goes to great lengths to explain the difference between Goth kids and Vampire kids. 3. Music 101 : Goth Rock – You can listen to this archived Music 101 episode for another overview of Goth music. Listen here beta.prx. org/stories/256928

4. A Brief History Of Goth by Dan Adams – Search for this title on YouTube for an illustrated history of Goth. 5. The Castle Of Otranto by Horace Walpole - This 1764 novel is considered to be the father of all modern Goth ideas.

Stacy: Weekdays 3pm - 7pm Wolves and rocks and gorillas, oh my! And Avalanches too... 1. Meow Wolf opening soon! - This artist collective started in Santa Fe and opened their Vegas location in February. Denver is next! Think: a jungle gym, haunted house, children’s museum, and immersive art exhibit combined via a variety of media. To hold you over until opening day, try their interactive art ride Kaleidoscape at Elitch Gardens. meowwolf.com/visit/denver. 2. Atlas Obscura the podcast – Want to travel but only have 15 minutes? This podcast is your audio guide to the world’s strange, incredible, and wondrous places. Co-founder Dylan Thuras and a bevy of reporters explore unusual wonders, and fascinating people every Monday through Thursday. 3. More Red Rocks shows announced! – Red Rocks keeps adding shows! This summer look for: Diplo, Lucero, Mt Joy, Michael Franti, Big Head Todd, and the Avett Brothers. If you have tickets for a show that was postponed, make sure to check the YEAR – they’re also announcing summer shows for 2022! redrocks.co 4. Colorado Avalanche celebrates 25 years in Colorado! - Skating to a live (albeit relatively small) crowd has ignited the Avalanche game! The team’s playing well, they have a shot at winning their third President’s Cup and have a goalie who may end up in the hall of fame. Yes, please and thank you! 5. Godzilla vs. Kong (GVK) – Need a good escape movie? Check out GVK, the 36th movie in the Godzilla franchise, dating back to 1954. Let that sink in. Whether you’ve seen them all or never thought Godzilla was for you, this 200-million-dollar movie may not be high art, but it is awesome fun.

Benji: Weekdays 7pm - 10pm NPR is turning 50 years old. I was asked to nominate and write about some of the best songs that came out in 1971. For the complete list of songs, clivk over to npr.org/sections/music-features. My nominations are: 1. Rolling Stones: “Brown Sugar” – Perhaps the greatest opening guitar riff in the history of Rock and Roll. Recorded in Muscle Shoals over a brief 3-day layover. The song oozes everything that is great about rock music. 2. David Bowie: “Changes” – From the Bowie record Hunky Dorky which made him a superstar, the song embraces Bowie’s lifelong philosophy that change is inevitable, good, and unavoidable. 3. Bill Withers: “Ain’t No Sunshine” – Bill Withers’ voice is as smooth as silk. Even when he goes up in his range the vocal quality never wavers. Backed with a group strong enough to match his voice, the song will always be one of the greatest examples ever recorded of the pain that comes from a breakup. 4. Aretha Franklin: “Rock Steady” – Aretha shows us why she will always be the queen of soul. From the greasy, opening bass line to the tight rhythm and powerful background singing, this song combines funk and soul to create a masterpiece. 5. Gil Scott-Heron: “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” – In just over 3 minutes, Gil Scott-Heron showed the ridiculousness of what society values. By giving lip service to everyone and everything from Bullwinkle to Spiro Agnew, Heron proved his point: unless the revolution gave “your mouth sex appeal,” it would not be televised.

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PUMP UP FESTIVALS GET THE OK IN VACCINATED NOCO

fter a guest asked how he was doing, Justin Watada sighed through a tired laugh. “I’ve had better years,” he said.

Watada’s been through 17 Greeley Stampedes (as the head of media relations years ago and now as its general manager) and this year’s been the toughest. Yes, this year, even with the good news that there will actually be a 2021 Stampede. That’s because he still doesn’t know exactly what the Stampede will be this year. The event’s changed more times than the restrictions surrounding COVID-19. That, as we all know by now, is a lot. “We are on version 10 of our budget this year,” Watada said. “We

BY DAN ENGLAND

are 80-some days away, and there’s still so much unknown.”

UNC’s Concert Under The Stars says the same thing. Yay!

So, yes, there will be a Stampede this year: a multi-day event, at the usual time, even operating on Fourth of July weekend, with the goal of five evening concerts and some rodeos. There will also be a Greeley Arts Picnic at the end of July, a Neighborhood Nights series and even a Greeley Blues Jam on June 5. In many ways, these events will look and feel like the same events you loved before the virus wiped out everything fun last year.

But exactly what they will look like, or, more importantly, sound like, remains to be seen, even with the news that all state restrictions on outdoor gatherings were lifted.

Even more big events look promising, such as High Plains Chautauqua, who claim via their website that 2021 will be “better than ever.”

That’s the hard part for Watada and other organizers. In fact, it makes this year even harder than 2020 when they had to cancel everything. Last year was a bummer. This year feels more like chaos. Let’s dig in.

THE GREELEY STAMPEDE

GREELEY BLUES JAM: JUNE 5

SOUTHERN AVENUE

while the Main Stage prepares for the This Memphis band’s frontwoman and next big name. drummer are sisters, and the band’s Other new stuff includes a Kansas founder/guitarist Ori Naftaly hails from City sanctioned barbecue contest, beer Israel. Their significant following here is tasting and a whiskey and cigar event. thanks to many Moxi shows and Naftaly’s “For a couple of years now we’ve numerous appearances at the Jam. been trying to add value to the event,” JIMMY HALL DeWitt said. “We hope to attract a That could make it the first festival Harmonica player known for his work different crowd who doesn’t realize the that happens in all of Colorado, said with Wet Willie, which had the huge hit Blues Jam is so cool. They maybe check Pam Bricker, who founded the festival “Keep On Smilin’” in 1974. out the barbecue event and then they with her husband, Al, and still has a hear the music and go, ‘What’s that?’ I’m JOHNNY SANSONE major part in running it with him. Most excited about music again.” other festivals pushed themselves to Veteran and multi-instrumentalist from New Orleans. The Blues Jam hopes to have a late summer or early fall to play it safe. Friday night pub crawl downtown as “We have this wonderful opportunity,” ERICA BROWN AND THE well, which will happen outdoors, at Bricker said. “All we need to do now is CAST IRON QUEENS least, even if indoor restrictions remain say it’s going to happen.” Brown, another Greeley favorite, brings in place. That won’t affect the lineup, as her all-women group with Emily Nelson, The Island Grove Arena will still have it’s essentially the lineup who was an artist with Greeley ties. sod covering the dirt floor, and there’s supposed to play in 2020, said John still more than enough room to distance REMAINING LINE-UP: DeWitt, the chairman of the Jam, as they King Cake (formerly the Movers and everyone if that’s what is needed, retained everyone except for one act. Shakers), the Grace Kuch Band, Kerry Bricker said, or a portion of the audience Here’s a quick preview: who desires to. Sometimes there are Pastine & The Crime Scene. advantages to having an older audience: RONNIE BAKER BROOKS There will be a second, smaller stage, “They will all be vaccinated,” Bricker The 2021 headliner is a Chicago blues which may feature local acts, enough to “keep the music going,” DeWitt said, said. “I’m feeling very positive.” guitarist and well-respected solo act. emember, these are huge events, with thousands of people, national acts, attended by people from all over the world. They take a year to plan. And yet, the Blues Jam decided basically a month before the event that “it’s time to get back to the party,” as they put it in a news release.

SOUTHERN AVENUE

FRIDAY FEST: MAY 28 - SEPTEMBER 17

ridays are fun again in Downtown Greeley, as the city’s promotional association announced the return of Friday Fest starting May 28. The free event features live bands, the famous Go-Cup service that allows residents to carry a cup of alcohol along the 9th Street Plaza and other fun. “Of course, if our numbers spike and we start overwhelming our healthcare system again, things

could change. But as it stands today, we are moving forward,” said Alison Hamling, chairwoman of the association. “We strongly encourage vaccinations to help ensure this season will be possible and we will not have to cancel.” Friday Fest, unlike other events, doesn’t have a way to control crowd numbers, as it’s free and doesn’t offer a controlled entrance and exit. But the space itself should allow people to evenly spread out on the plaza, Hamling said, according to

their own comfort level. Friday Fest should run until September 17. Highlights besides its Blues Jam kickoff on June 4 include the Greeley Stampede’s kickoff on June 18. The season’s full lineup isn’t set yet, but the Greeley Friday Fest Facebook page will be updated accordingly.

PHOTO: PEARY SCHROEDER

GREELEY STAMPEDE: JUNE 24 - JULY 4

he state’s new comparatively relaxed regulations, with the promise of more as long as cases drop, gives the Stampede hope for a fun time. Cases were actually on the rise nationwide in April, but more and more people are getting vaccinated. “It’s looking better and better every day,” Watada said, who could use the good news. Even so, he still expects capacity limits. He wants a safe event. “It doesn’t mean we will go from 0 to 60,” he said. “Right now, even if everything is wide open, we will have capacities and stuff like that. It’s a tricky situation. We know there’s some consumer confidence we have to get back.” Even if Watada wants those limits, they leave the Stampede at a disadvantage as some states such as Texas are 100 percent open. It’s hard to say what that means for concerts, although the

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Stampede still wants to present five nights of shows with national acts. He doesn’t know what the capacity will be for those shows, and that makes negotiating hard when some artists are taking big money to perform in places with no restrictions. “We are reworking with some of the artists,” he said. “It’s an unfortunate mess, although I understand the artists’ position. They

haven’t been working for the last year either.” The goals remain modest this year, Watada said, even as last year delivered a financial hit to the organization. “Our board hopes to make $1 and cover all expenses,” he said – only partially joking. “That would be a success.”

BRAD ARNOLD: 3 DOORS DOWN

GREELEY ARTS PICNIC: JULY 24 & 25

ndrea Haring probably could have picked a better year to run the City of Greeley’s largest entertainment events for the first time. But the special events coordinator for decades, Rhonda Welch, retired last year. Oof. Haring, however, is excited about the fact that the city will have a Farmers Market as well as the arts picnic and

a Neighborhood Nights series, which presents a free movie and a fun live music act in a Greeley park.

there may not be chairs for music fans, as patrons should bring blankets to sit on. There may or may not be food vendors, and she doesn’t know if there will be a kickoff concert the Friday before the two-day event.

The event should, however, look like the Arts Picnic of years past, with vendors and live music similar to what they’ve had before – i.e. local and regional bands that offer some culture as well as good music. But the vendors could be spaced out, and

People are eager to get out, however, and she knows, because of that, the event should be a success no matter how it’s presented. “We typically don’t go over 250 for Neighborhood Nights, but this summer, who knows? People are itching to get out,” Haring said. “We will do everything in our guidelines to make all of it safe, but we also want to offer a little joy.”

ARTS PICNIC ENTERTAINMENT

any other festivals across most of it is outside, it should be good Colorado have either pushed their to go, meaning there shouldn’t be many dates to September or still are hoping to restrictions on crowd sizes. offer more information soon. The Arise music festival in Loveland Ely Corliss said he hopes to have had an “Arise Online” concert on Earth more information on his May Play event Day, April 22, and the website says they by May 1, including lineups, but so far he will have an announcement soon. Finally, plans to have the street music festival Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest, one in downtown Greeley on May 28, the of the biggest events of the year, usually opening night for Friday Fest. Since has its event in mid-August. Last year

it was canceled, but this year it may go on: The website says to check back for updates and that it’s still too soon to say whether they can host their festival. But it also says, in one of the understatements of the year, “We are missing live music, and we know you are too.”

This story was reported in a partnership with The NoCo Optimist.

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