BandWagon Magazine - January 2024 - COLLUR by BandWagon Magazine

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COLLUR BANDWAGMAG.COM Publisher

ELY CORLISS

art director

CARTER KERNS

Editor

BANDWAGON STAFF

CONTRIBUTORS

DAN ENGLAND JACK ZIMMER LANDON UNGERMAN

BANDS AND MUSICIANS Submit your MUSIC for review: BANDWAGON MAGAZINE 802 9TH ST. GREELEY, CO 80631

AQUILES MUSIC review

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CITRA

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CITRA

In My Head Landon Ungerman

BandWagon Magazine

Denver rock band CITRA is catapulting into the new year with their new single, In My Head. The band’s local reputation as a gritty, high-energy crew with an irrefutable radio sound is furthered by this track, but what makes it stick out is its honest, self-assured message. As individuals and as a band, “the now” is a time characterized by change, growth, and loss, and this single serves as a declaration to look forward amidst it all. The track starts with a bold culmination of cannon-fire snare drum blasts and a fanfare of guitars before falling into a soothing blend of upbeat instrumentation and candid vocals. Lead singer Bran Arndt opens the song with the lyrics, “We are living in the now... struggling to get past the why, and find out how...” setting the tone for the rest of the song and the journey that CITRA and many others will embark on in the new year.

The chorus strikes the listener as the drums gain speed, and the guitar rhythms add a bounciness to the track that pulls listeners through it as Arndt sings, “Welcome to the past, it’s dead!” The ironic reality of the phrase is a staple of the song’s theme, mirroring the difference between what we want to tell ourselves and what we need to tell ourselves amidst change. The genius of CITRA and collaborator Tyler Imbrogno, a long-time Denver producer and engineer, shines in the chorus, with an array of musical voices: eager drum patterns, an excited guitar melody, and a steady bass rhythm, all coinciding to form a pure, polished track. Both the song and the singer deliver an impressive range of emotion and energy, pulling the listener in and out of introspection and immersion into the music. Spatial vocals and a strong crescendo drive the music toward an unexpected explosion following the first chorus. A choir of guitars and voices makes the second chorus and finale to the song feel like all the previous musical moments of the track are artfully happening at once. At its minimal lows and its dense highs, In My Head is a declaration of doing what is best for oneself: healing old wounds, living in the now, and leaving the past alone. As a promising first single in a collection of fresh tracks to come in 2024 from CITRA, In My Head achieved everything it set out to. In My Head is available for streaming now on all platforms!

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COLLUR

A COLLUR-FULL PIECE BY JACK ZIMMER

n 2023, COLLUR’s journey as an artist resembled that of an explorer venturing into uncharted palettes of styles and melodies. His words began painting a canvas that deepened in shades and hues as the year progressed. As he navigated through various musical genres, each track released was like a brushstroke, adding complexity and depth to his artistic identity. This creative evolution led to a series of popular singles, including "DON’T TRIP!", "BUBBA", "RUBIX", and

"OCULUS", culminating in a collection that resembled a diverse art gallery by year's end. Our recent insight into COLLUR's activities as 2023 drew to a close revealed an artist still passionately adding brushstrokes to the auditory canvas. Since our last meeting, COLLUR has exhibited remarkable growth and a strong, semi-perfectionist work ethic. He describes himself as, “I’m a really big doer,” a trait evident in his continuous output of mu-

sic and live shows. Despite challenges, such as resistance and skepticism from his fellow UNC students in Greeley, COLLUR has been innovatively bridging gaps between communities. He achieves this by transforming his headline shows into more than just concerts – they are vibrant community gatherings with themes, free food, mocktails, and cash prizes, all alongside performances by local artists. This effort to connect and resonate with his audience, especially the youth,

demonstrates COLLUR's dedication to not just music, but to fostering a sense of belonging and unity. Bears R Back, slated for January 26th at the Moxi Theater in downtown Greeley, epitomizes COLLUR’s vision of community unity. Inspired by his newfound contentment in Greeley, COLLUR aims to “bridge the UNC community to the greater Greeley community.” He envisions Bears R Back as an annual event, a fusion of students and local music fans. COLLUR aspires for the show to become a self-sustaining community tradition.

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN NORTHERN COLORADO ON JANUARY 26TH, THE BEARS R BACK EVENT AT THE MOXI THEATER IS A MUST-ATTEND. COLLUR PROMISES THAT THERE’S GOING TO BE SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY AT THE SHOW, BECAUSE, LET’S FACE IT, COLLUR IS LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED AS HE PAINTS THE PATH BEFORE US INTO 2024. AND, LET’S JUST SAY, IT’S LOOKING QUITE COLLUR-FULL. AS WE STEP INTO 2024, COLLUR'S JOURNEY IS A BEACON OF CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY IN THE MUSIC SCENE, PROMISING A YEAR FILLED WITH INNOVATION, CONNECTION, AND OF COURSE, EXCEPTIONAL MUSIC

Reflecting on his artistic journey, COLLUR's 2023 persona contrasts sharply with his earlier days. Since starting in January 2021, his extensive discography reflects his ambition to “make [him]self important, in a way.” His creative process is spontaneous and immersive, with COLLUR admitting, “I find myself writing in the most random places.” This journey, from his initial steps in the industry to his current status, showcases his resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges. Looking forward to 2024, COLLUR's ambitions are sky-high. He plans to “release a project and pair it with a statewide tour,” and hints at a potential collaboration for a small EP. His aspiration is to continue evolving his unique sound, a blend of hyper-pop and electronic dance music, while expanding his audience and headlining shows across the state. In 2024 we can expect much more material to be added to his discography. His journey is not just about producing hit tracks; it's about creating a legacy that resonates with fans and fellow artists alike. Wherever COLLUR goes, he enjoys bringing others there with him. His attitude and friendliness have helped him develop relationships with other local artists as he attempts to perform more and more. One of his biggest goals for the new year is to make “the music continue pushing [the] boundaries that it is pushing.” He wants his sound to keep growing in this distinct direction where the blending of hyper-pop elements and electronic dance music make it unique to the local scene. In doing this, he hopes to continue to promote his shows and headline events around the state; all while striving to grow his fan base and meet those out there who may not been able to see him perform live. At the heart of COLLUR’s ethos is the simple yet profound goal of creating good music, something he appears to do effortlessly. For him, “the end goal is to just make a good song,” something he seems to do naturally every time. With plans to release three new songs early in 2024 and more throughout the year, his fans should stay alert for the year to come.

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AQUILES

BY DAN ENGLAND

Aquiles cried as he prepared to record the song Burn It All, so much so that the producer gave him a few minutes to let the tears flow. This was not unusual for the Broomfield artist, known across northern Colorado by one name, just like Shakira or Beyonce. “Sometimes I listen to a song and think, ‘Wow, I was in a dark place,’” Aquiles said. “But that song helped me get out of it.” This is why Aquiles decided to start writing songs on his own after a successful career playing covers in tribute bands since he moved here in 2007. He made good money in bands such as Maiden Denver, an Iron Maiden tribute, and perhaps his most famous, Blood Pollution, when he began to question his role in life. He is now 39, a time when many of us do that, and the pandemic helped spur the internal searching, as it did for many of us as well. But as Aquiles began writing songs during the shut-in, as a way to week out spiritual growth, he found an answer: If his own songs could make him cry even as they helped him through bad times, just imagine what they could do for others.

“SOME WANT TO GET THE GIRL OR GET POWER OR BE RESPECTED,” HE SAID. “BUT IF I TOUCH PEOPLE’S HEART, THAT’S MY PURPOSE IN MUSIC. IF THEY SAY THEY CARE ABOUT WHAT I WROTE ABOUT, THAT’S WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE TO ME. “SONGWRITING IS A CONVERSATION WITH MYSELF. IT’S MY THERAPY. EVERY TIME I WENT TO THERAPY IT MADE IT. BUT MUSIC IS A THERAPY, AND IT RESONATES WITH OTHERS AS WELL AS MYSELF.” Aquiles, who calls himself “a messenger for emotions,” says songwriting is now his purpose in life, so much so that he no longer plays in Blood Pollution. The breakup was a bit ugly, and it’s not something he wants to get into. He still has a job, his main gig as an interpreter for medical offices, so he won’t go broke, but gigs have

been harder to come by, and he’s OK with that. “I don’t want to be trapped in a box,” Aquiles said. “I don’t want to play by anyone’s rules.” Aquiles refers to that statement both to talk about how his songwriting has freed him as an artist, but it also refers to the type of music he plays. Aquiles loves hard rock and metal — his life changed, he said, the first time he heard Guns and Roses’ “Appetite for Destruction” — and his music reflects that. But he’s also a Latin artist. Latino music is a part of his heritage. He grew up in Ecuador, and his love of music was burnished by the dances his parents took him to as a child. His parents would sway to the music, and he would watch the cumbia bands play. “I do embrace my American background,” Aquiles said, “but I am 120 percent Latino, bro.” He is a Latin musician, and he is a metal musician. He recently played one gig in December at the Moxi, with Los Mocochetes, a Chicano Funk band; but he also will open for the hard-rock band Hinder, known for “Lips of an Angel” among others, on Jan. 23 at the Aggie in Fort Collins. Sometimes he brings his two sides together and many other times he doesn’t. He did for a single he released last month, a harder version of Brenda Lee’s “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” that he sings in Spanish. He recorded it after deciding to embrace Christmas because he didn’t want his two daughters, aged 8 and 12, to suffer over his bitterness. “I had issues with Christmas my whole life,” Aquiles said. “Not getting presents and seeing the secure lives other kids had. The season was just a reminder of that. This song is my way of healing that. I hope this song brings people together.” His latest single, The Devil Comes At Night, like many of the singles he plans to release soon, also show his harder side. The song comes from a riff he wrote that his grandfather encouraged him to finish. He wrote the song using the folklore his grandfather used in stories as a way to honor him. He hopes to record Latin music later this year and produce it. He also hopes to play more gigs with his original material mixed in with some covers. Maybe he can make you cry too.

BANDWAGON PHOTO OF THE MONTH | PHOTO BY: RIGHT EYE PHOTOGRAPHY UNDERSEER | MOXI THEATER - DOWNTOWN GREELEY | 12/15/23

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED With your help, we can create a community where everyone has the chance to thrive. Your gift will create opportunities for individuals and families across Weld County to succeed. Make Your Year-End Donation Today! UnitedWay-Weld.org/Yearend 970-353-4300 PO Box 1944, Greeley, CO 80632 814 9th Street, Greeley, CO 80631