MANAGING PUBLISHERS Keith Schneider Keith@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com Christopher Murphy CMurphy@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com MANAGING EDITOR Jennifer Cohen 303-895-1351 JCohen@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com MANAGING EDITOR Tim Wenger 303-725-9359 TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com ASSOCIATE EDITORS Max Giffin- NoCo Music Max MGiffin@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com Darnell Teague- The #Definition DTeague@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com WEBSITE EDITORS Tim Wenger TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com Jennifer Cohen JCohen@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com WEBMASTER SwamiSez Web Design SwamiSez@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com SENIOR WRITERS Axe, Kingmi Baby, Corey Blecha, Joel Center Jenn Cohen, Shatarra Camacho, Chris Daniels Ryan Edwards, Jonathan McNaughton Nathan Schmit, Charlie Sullivan, Darnell Teague Torch,Tim Wenger, Harrison Welshimer PHOTOGRAPHY Miles Chrisinger, Jenn Cohen, Ted Davis Doug Leavy, Mark Palmer ADVERTISING & MARKETING INQUIRIES Sales Manager Brett Finn - 719-217-9771 BFinn@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com Advertising@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com Marketing Manager Chris Murphy 720-429-8717 CMurphy@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com Account Representitive Ryan Edwards 970-381-4366 REdwards@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com WEB ADVERTISING Keith@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com 303-870-7376
GENERAL INQUIRIES Info@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com SPONSORSHIPS / OTHER Please email us a written request proposal for all inquires to Editor@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com with the subject line including the words “Sponsorship proposal”
CMB Submissions and Advertising Policy Colorado Music Buzz welcomes submissions, advertisements and sponsorships from those connected to every musical genre and style, as well as the general public. Due to our publication’s community focus, article content and advertisements containing nudity, drug references, profane words/visuals, or sexually exploitative material will not be accepted. Please feel free to voice any concerns you may have and collaborate with us to adapt what you would like to present in a way that respects both our all-ages audience and your artistic integrity. We are here for the music, and we are here for you.
10
March 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Not Just Lipp Service: A Brief Look Into the World of Eliot Lipp
drum machines and gear. We needed a place together, so we put it all together and share the space. It works out really well because we are usually not all in there at the same time.
SHume@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
CMB: Can you talk about your Dub Selekta Mix?
by: Stephan Hume
CMB: Your work as an electronic music artist is becoming increasingly popular, worldwide. What’s up and coming for you? Eliot Lipp: From one of my latest records, I contacted producers that I respect. I wanted to hear remixes of my songs, and they just came in. They are called the “Rabbit Snake Remixes.” I also have some pretty sweet cover art done by Daniel St. George for it, too. His stuff fits really well with how the music sounds. I am also working on some new music, haven’t set any official release dates as of yet.
EL: On my SoundCloud I have a bunch of DJ mixes that I have been going through, and I’m putting together a batch of tracks that I
EL: My Facebook page is cool because everyone is there, but the website is very rich with information. It’s the best place to direct people to; twitter is good too. I am more about connecting with fans than just it being a numbers game. I know what to play in their city because they are talking about it. I would rather connect with people and see what they want. I’ve got my own taste and my own style that I am creating. After I do that, I put it out into
CMB: Where are you now? EL: In New York City, just got back from tour. Did some shows with Emancipator. Going into the studio everyday and working on new music. Just touching up. Usually after tour I like to go hang out with a bunch of friends. CMB: Do you have a “go-to” studio in NY? EL: Yeah, I’ve got this place in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, with some other people. We all collect
am listening to [for] a mix. There is one I put together called “Apocolipps.” I wanted the heavier, most epic tunes I put together. This one is a bit more mellow, a little more laid back. There are some unreleased tracks on there as well, such as the “Underwater Bedroom Mix,” and the “Summer Trap Mix.” I really dig those. Sometimes I become aware of when I am trying to slow down a little bit, being sure not to oversaturate my SoundCloud with music because I am always creating something new. CMB: What do you want to direct people to?
Tone Dynamix Presents Valentine’s Day Soiree @ Herman’s Hideaway
by Jonathan McNaughton photo credit Mark Palmer
JMcNaughton@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Herman’s Hideaway was the place to be for the Valentine’s Day Soiree on February 14, 2013. Sid Madrid was on stage when I arrived, and he had the crowd pumped with his lyrical savvy. The track “Ounce of Malt Liquor” featuring Turner Jackson delivered a song that is a party anthem type track and had everybody grooving to the beat. Sid Madrid’s other stand out song was “Toastin,” featuring U.T.I.C.A. which was the final, song of Madrid’s set Next up was the group Travellers Music, which is two emcees, JEF and Alltrueistic, and DJ 4th Eye. Travellers music had an eccentric performance capped off with their track “Hard to Say.” On the track the group shows their storytelling ability with power and thought provoking lyrics. The other song in their performance that stood out was the track “Everybody Knows Your Name,” which discusses the desired level needed to reach a point where everybody essentially knows your name.
12
EL: I try to push myself to be productive, you know. It’s not so much about being busy. To me it’s about setting goals for myself, and to be realistic with those goals. It’s nice to keep a steady flow. These days there is so much going on in music. It’s one thing to over saturate, but you need to stay busy or people forget who you are. But at the same time you have to be able to search for inspiration and find new ideas. You gotta be able to speak about your emotions and stay in it. But on top of it you have to make a career about it. I have found what I like, trying to apply skill to it and get people to hear it, and I am trying to make a living in it as well. My suggestion for how to be successful is to work on it every day and absorb as much information from everyone that you talk to. Immerse yourself in both the studio and the music world, people that can push to your social media, etc. At the same time you are doing all of that, you have to fine tune your own sound and try to create something original. It’s a combination of things, but aside from that you just have to bust your ass and don’t give up.
CMB: How was Squaw Valley? EL: I had this whole run playing mountain towns. It was really fun, I like going to the mountains and being in the snow. The guys from Foster the People were DJing before I went on during the tour, which was something totally different, you know. I am always excited to go out to Colorado. I make sure to take some time to snowboard while I am out there.
success?
The next group to take the stage was Lama Live, comprised of two New York native emcees’ blends, with a free electric band from
the atmosphere to see if people like it. I don’t worry about genre or why people like it or not. It is what it is. I kind of like that about it. Once I release it I let go of it, whatever it becomes, I don’t have anything to do with it. I like reading reviews. It is interesting because a lot of times I never know what I am going to read. Especially after listening to it so many times, it’s hard to imagine what it sounds like to fresh ears. CMB: A lot of our readers are musicians, many are working musicians. Can you talk about your work ethic and life style a little bit? What are your suggestions for Colorado. Lama Live brought a whole different element to the show by using live instruments to perform their songs. The performance was amazing, and it was just a warm-up for the band who played (and won) the next day at Battle of the Bands: Bandwagon 4 at the Reserve Casino in Central City. Wandering Monks flipped the whole vibe of the venue with their conscientious rhymes. On the track “Sole Purpose,” the duo gives a detailed account of what they believe is their sole purpose in life. In between songs, the group engaged the crowd with their world beliefs and other thoughts that are going on in their lives. The other stand out song from the performance would have to be the song “Courage” where the duo displays their storytelling ability and paints an elaborate portrayal of true courage. DJ Cavem headlined the show and he kept the same vibe that Wondering Monks left the crowd with. DJ Cavem talked about his travels as well as his dissatisfied feeling about the state of the world. He played a lot of snippets of songs but cut a lot of them short to continue expressing his views. The highlight of the performance was when DJ Cavem had a friend of his, Shanae, get up on stage and sing two of his songs with him. Shanae had a delightful voice that the entire venue seemed to appreciate. The show was awesome. On a day that was supposed to be dedicated to lovers, Colorado came out and showed these local artists some much needed support.
March 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
The people that are constantly pushing are the ones that make things happen. As long as you do that you can make things happen. There are many mediocre musicians who show up and are available so they get hired. There are so many other things that go into it than just talent. People think that if their music is good enough, it will just happen for you. Even when you get a record deal, if you don’t step in and take control, someone else is gonna do it for you and it’s not gonna represent you or your project. You’ve gotta be hands on in order for things to represent you. And it’s important because it’s the most original thing you have. That’s what will set you apart from everything: skill, talent, and persistence.
D Girl the Bombshell Artist Introduction
by Darnell Teague & Jonathan McNaughton DTeague@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
D Girl the Bombshell is a 22-year-old female emcee who started her career young, but strong. By 13, she was writing R&B songs, which progressed into her writing and recording hip-hop music by 14. She just found something more interesting and groundbreaking in hip-hop. While moving between Colorado and Nebraska, the Bombshell has gained attention and respect from the rap communities in both states. By the age of 20, D. Girl’s talent has become recognized on a larger scale as she was nominated for Best Female Artist in 2010 at the 2nd Annual 5280 Awards. She has been recognized for her dynamic performances all over Colorado. Shortly after that, D. Girl was nominated for Best Female Hip Hop Artist of 2011. In September of 2011, D. Girl dropped her freshman mix tape titled Mascara Music and is currently working on the sequel Mascara Music 2. At the 3rd Annual 5280 Music Awards in December of 2011, she won the award for Female Artist of the Year. She also has made an appearance in The Denver Post, which recognized her as one of the 10 hip-hop artists that put Denver, CO on the map. Throughout her experiences, D. Girl has learned that perfection is not a goal that can be accomplished overnight, but with the right motivation, she can be one of the biggest names in the music and entertainment industry.
Venue of the MonthHerbs HIdeout by Ryan Edwards
REdwards@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
On one random Saturday night, I walked into Herbs Hideout with a few friends of mine. None of them had heard of or knew where the venue was. And one of them said it best, “This is it? I thought this was a liquor store.” While it’s not easy to see, and maybe overlooked because of the Marquis Theatre and the Irish pub Scruffy Murphy’s across the street, Herbs has been around since the ’70s, and might be the only venue that dedicates most of its time and energy to local musicians, with live music six days a week, and DJs on Mondays. “I want to give them work, I want them to have gigs to play,” said Robbie Lorr, co-owner of Herbs commenting on why most of the bands are local. Lorr has a wide appreciation for Colorado’s local music and welcomes any genre to come in since he’s been running Herbs the last 11 years. Lorr has also allowed local bands to audition on Sundays to see if they would be a good fit to play on busier nights of the week. On two of those busy nights, I walked in to speak with the local musicians that are attracted to this unique venue. Adam Robinson is in the band Kinetix and is a well-respected regular at Herbs. I’ve spoken with
Illegal Pete’s Raises Money for Bands to Hit SXSW
Robinson about other venues in the past, and wanted his thoughts on Herbs and why people should check it out. Robinson commented that he loves the staff, the drink specials, and the solid PA system for a small stage, but also admires the other musicians that come and go. “There are always good musicians on stage,” he said. And when I asked him about how he feels about playing at Herbs? “The most fun I have playing at any bar in Denver.” Going off of that, I felt inspired to go in again
that week and speak with the band Jump the Shark. The Denver locals found themselves playing at Herbs for the first time, and had fresh thoughts about the venue after they performed. While they like the vibe of the crowd and felt the PA system was legit, they wish there were better drink specials for the band that plays that night. But despite that, when I asked band member Johnny Schleper if they would play at Herbs again? “Pretty sure we have a date there in May already booked.”
Illegal Pete’s and Greater Than Collective will again be going down to Austin, TX to throw a few parties at SXSW. To help raise funds to throw the parties and help the bands get down to Austin, we are putting on a huge party at the Summit Music Hall on Saturday, March 9, 2013, from ���7:00pm until 11:30pm. KTCL Channel 93.3 is sponsoring the event. Buying a ticket to this show supports some of your favorite local acts playing at one of the biggest music industry events of the year. Thanks for your support. Acts include: The Epilogues A. tom collins You Me and Apollo Input Flashbulb Fires Eldren The Photo Atlas The Knew Fierce Bad Rabbit Post Paradise For those of you not going to the annual music festival, this show will give you a chance to experience what folks at SXSW will be seeing. We hope to see you there. Tickets available at ticketweb.com, all ages, $9.33
Grunge Rockers OTIC Release Single Recorded in Ohio with Universal
Band deals with proximity clause, other cancellations on road by Tim Wenger photo credit Lockett Photography
TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Denver rockers Otic, a three-piece grunge outfit, recorded their newest single “Shiver” in Columbus, Ohio, at Universal Recording Company. The group was contacted by Universal to fly out and record the single. They got in touch with Universal through selfpromotion, sending their music out emphatically, and were fortunate enough this time to be the right sound for the right person. They acquired an agent with the company, who was impressed with the band as much as he was with their sound. “I send us out anywhere and everywhere, and somehow our cd came across
[our agent’s] desk,” says Paige Parsons. “I had to interview with a bunch of people below him, and finally got to talk to him and they decided to keep working with us.” “Shiver” features intricate but hard-hitting guitar work under Parsons’ emotional, bawdy vocals, and despite its heavy, progressive tone that is Otic’s staple, is reminiscent of ’90s alternative. The band was offered a development contract by the label, and is debating their thoughts on it. In the meantime they are pushing the single everywhere they can, and hope to get back out to Ohio to perform in the band members’ hometowns of Columbus, OH, Chicago, IL, and Madison, WI. They had multiple shows booked in the Chicago area while they were out recording the single, including a show at the Hard Rock Café, but things did not go as planned. “We had three or four shows in a row, and the Hard Rock was one of them,” says Parsons. “They saw that we were playing these other shows the day before and the day after and they said that we couldn’t be playing
March 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
in the same state during that time frame. So we cancelled the other shows at the Elbow Room and Wonder Bar in Chicago.” The Hard Rock ended up cancelling on them, leaving them with only one show at Bernie’s Distillery for the entire trip. “About a month before we were going to leave, some big wig came in and bought out the venue and said they didn’t want the music,” says Parsons. The band hopes to get back out to the area this summer. Otic is also hoping to get local artists involved in their music by allowing them to submit artwork for consideration on their releases. “We want to do a competition with local artists to give us artwork,” says drummer Ryan. “We are trying to get in touch with artists.” There are three categories: t-shirts, a cover for the single, and the cover of the kick drum. Artists can contact the band and submit at oticmusic@gmail.com Online: reverbnation.com/otic
13
ReverbNation Featured Artists of the Month is back with four of the Denver area’s most unique sounds. This monthly feature, as those of you who have been following have surely noticed, gives an opportunity for artists who we haven’t previously had on our radar to get featured in the magazine, and has showcased everything from solo artists to death metal. This month’s selections were picked based on originality when compared to other submissions- each stood out to our staff here at CMB as something we don’t hear every day. Check out their ReverbNation profiles and listen to some tunes!
Joe Candelario is an experienced virtuoso guitarist, who has been performing in the Colorado music scene for over twenty plus years, most recently with the blues classic rock outfit the Joe C. Wails Gang, in 2002 the group was awarded instrumental song of the year. This opened the doors for Joe to dabble in instrumental compositions, and in 2006 Joe released a limited edition instrumental CD. In recent years, Joe has committed fully to these instrumental compositions leaving behind the blues classic rock genre, in favor for a more progressive technical melodic journey that focuses on elements of Prog-Rock, Jazz fusion, Classical, Flamenco, World, and Instrumental rock , with minor nods to his blues, and hard rock roots. Online: reverbnation.com/joecandelario They describe their music as “pop with nuts. Influenced by poppunk bands like Green Day, as well as the original punk sounds of The Clash, The Brixton Guns aim for a controversial sound and feel to their music. Their name comes from a song by The Clash called “The Guns of Brixton,” about the police violence and race riots in the southern district of London during April 1981.“The band handles every aspect of their music themselves, from promotion to recording. They recently started their own record label called Four Degree Records, on which they plan to record and release their music. “Music has become so boring,” said Brubaker, expressing a disdain for dubstep and other popular music. The Brixton Guns hope to take their own unique spin on the still-popular punk rock genre and change the way people listen to music. Online: reverbnation.com/thebrixtonguns The Ghost of Joseph Buck first appeared in the Fall of 2011. Guitarist and songwriter Joe Franzen gets inspiration from the connection we share as human beings that allows us to understand one another. The songs are real stories about real people. The Ghost of Joseph Buck has been filling venues with their haunting sound for the past year and a half. Those who listen to the group will be filled with feelings of humanity, empathy, hope and hopelessness. The sounds of Americana and folk interwoven with blues, gypsy, latin, country, and even a hint of classical create a unique musical sound that you’ll feel in your bones. Online: reverbnation.com/theghostofjosephbuck Nights on Venus began and grew out of a solo project by multiinstrumentalist/producer Craig “Professor” Thomas and made its first appearance in October, 2010 with the song “Perpetual.” Atmospheric, hypnotic, smooth, ethereal, and “brain-wavin” are words that have been used to describe NoV’s music. All instrumentals so far, he calls it “ether rock.” Over the course of his musical career, which has run parallel with his career in art, he has played keyboards in all styles from New Wave to Blues, to Classic Rock to Reggae. In the process he has been playing more guitar and bass now with Nights on Venus. Musical influences include: The Doors, Velvet Underground, Todd Rundgren, Roxy Music, The Cars, The Church, Brian Eno, Thelonious Monk, Love Tractor, Sigur Ros, and the Aqua Velvets, among others… Online: reverbnation.com/nightsonvenus
14
March 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
by Tim Wenger
by Tim Wenger
by Tim Wenger
by Tim Wenger
Jon Wirtz has got variety. In an age where there is a sub-genre for every sound, and all it takes to create a new style of music is to take any word and add “-core” to it, Wirtz bucks the trends and creates a sound derivative of many of the genres that no one wants to be a part of anymore. The record kicks off with a couple of soft numbers, very lounge-y with a bit of funk. Each instrument on the album--and there is everything from piano to steel guitar, organ to overly present drum beats--holds their own when the light shines on them. Wirtz has done a great job of accumulating a top-notch cast of musicians for this record. The song “Gratitude” even features the spoken word of Stephen Malloy Brackett.
Number Station has been throwing themselves on the CMB radar a lot recently, and they’ve struck again with their record Lonely Tonight. Mellow, almost pleasant vocals on top of thick guitar distortion and steady, at times raging, drums seem to be their specialty, and they have it down.
Fort Collins duo True Aristocrats throw down some very ambient experimental rock on their new album Mary Amygdala. Instrumentally, the music is somewhere between art rock and psychedelic; instrumental and weird, but also fast paced and captivating.
Rob Roper brings occasional violin and drum instrumentation out alongside his eloquent guitar work on his new record The Other Side of Nowhere. The title track is the most definitive of Roper’s sound: a bit slow, yet melodic; ambient, yet strangely catchy. It is acoustic rock with Roper’s own unique touch on it, and it echoes with Colorado flavor.
This record has the eternally pleasing and mellow sound of gospel, but refuses to be classified into just one style.
A bit of spoken word takes the show on “Country Western Singer,” and the track “Kiss and Be Gone” sounds like some ’90s grunge. The grunge theme actually comes to mind quite a bit throughout the disc, but never enough to solely define the band. The recording itself is grungy and sometimes sloppy, but what it lacks in over-the-top production, it makes up for in raw energy. Online: reverbnation.com/numberstation
Online: jonwirtzmusic.com
At times the songs are a bit hard to follow, which may be what makes them entertaining. Will Waylen and Tyler Lindgren certainly are not trying to appeal to the masses. A steady beat, often a non-instrumental sound, is the driving force in many of the songs, just about the only predictable element in their music. Artsy music like this can be oddly appealing, especially when your mind is not completely focused on it. Many instruments are at play on the record, as well as some trippy sounds and effects, making for a full-on experience of sound that won’t leave you feeling empty. I would not recommend falling asleep to this record; that is, unless you are trying to have some wicked lucid dreams.
Roper has been in Denver since 2000. The influence of Colorado culture is very present in his songs, especially the track “Let’s go to the Mountains.” His music sounds like what you would hear in a small high-country café, there are touches of country as well as some faster paced rock riffs that stand out at just the right times. The album is a great listen to put your mind in a happy, mellow mood, you may just catch yourself “Falling Into Heaven.” Online: users.qwest.net/~roperrobert/com// index.html
Online: truearistocrats.bandcamp.com
by Tim Wenger
by Tim Wenger
by Tim Wenger
Ryan Chrys has a pretty good name in Denver music, and it is only going to get stronger with his upbeat, extremely danceable new country album A Lick and A Promise. This record is real honky-tonk country, the way it is supposed to be, not the mainstream pop-country crap that has been flooding the genre of late.
by Tim Wenger
Denver acoustic rock trio Laroy and Co strike a new chord for Mile High music with their new full length Worth Reckoning. Well-placed harmonies define the vocals, with quick guitar riffs and fast picking backing them up. The opening track “This Charade” has the guitar bringing a Spanish feel; an interesting and catchy way to kick off the record.
Her voice is reminiscent of sixties folk music. Her guitar work is soothing and sits perfectly underneath her vocals. Mary Beth Cross has a record to define herself in Beyond Good and Evil. A good cross between folk and Americana, the album maintains a steady tempo and is an easy listen, bringing the mind in and chilling it out soft melody.
David James has got a voice to remember. He hits the highs and doesn’t bother too much with the lows. And appropriately so, as his group, Foxfield Four, hasn’t seemed to have too many of those lows since renaming itself from the David James Band last year.
The songs are often soft and emotional, at ease with what the group was feeling when they put them down, not trying to show off or sound like the radio. The lead guitar showcases some electric style soloing on tracks like “In Your Hands.” This will be a great album to drive through the mountains to, with the music painting imagery in the mind to match the visuals from outside.
The title track is the best song on the record, Cross’ voice sailing with the music to the perfect notes, emotional and deep, “beyond good and evil, beyond faith and hope.” Picturesque lyrics flow throughout the album, with Cross painting images in each song, leading smoothly into the next. It is a must-have record for the highaltitude folk lover.
The album was cut in Nashville, appropriately, but is full of Colorado love, and features Angie Stevens as well as Seth and Josh Larson of Something Underground as guest musicians. Additionally, the fast-moving “fun” element that stands out on each song on the album screams with Colorado flavor. The second track, titled “Give” is proof of that. Chrys’ songs sound like what you would hear on a rippin’ Saturday night at the Grizzly Rose, and if you listen closely, you can hear elements of rock and, maybe even some alternative on tracks like “My Town” and “When Love Fades.”
Online: laroyandco.com
Online: marybethcross.com
Online: ryanchrys.com
Their new EP Weatherman kicks off with Mathenee dropping some rhymes on the opening track alongside James and the pianodriven pop rock that they have become so affectionately known for, and it adds a bit of extra flavor to the sound that we already expect from the group. The second track “Money” is an upbeat and slightly satirical number, adding a double “fun” element to an already exciting band. The EP, as a whole, is just what we anticipated from Foxfield Four: danceable, energetic, and full of James’ signature classic musicianship. Picking up the disc is advised so that you can stay a step ahead of the packed dance floor the next time you catch them out on the scene. Online: foxfieldfour.com
March 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
16
by Jenn Cohen Like a lot of bands, T Shirts for Tomorrow originated with two friends playing acoustic guitars in a basement. And, like a lot of bands, members came and went as the number of instruments increased. Eventually, someone got a drum kit, then an electric guitar, someone else plays kick-ass piano, and before you know it, you’ve got a band. In 2008, Ethan Gilbert (vocals) and two friends in a basement, and as I talk with at a little studio called The Blasting Gilbert. We really didn’t think anything got a drum kit, and I got an electric a while, making loud, awful noises. and started writing stuff that Folds Five, but Brandon and with it.”
Brandon Preece-Rose (drums) were those them today, their “basement” is in Fort Collins, Room. “We both liked to play guitar,” says cool would come from it. After Brandon guitar, we blew up his basement for [Then] we added piano and bass sounded like the Fray and Ben I wanted to get a little heavier
Getting from where they now came with a handful Now comfortably unified, consists of Gilbert, (bass), and Jeremy
started to where they are of member transitions. T Shirts for Tomorrow Preece-Rose, Joe Fox Silva (guitar).
States Gilbert, “Almost and started playing bass, Jeremy joined the band.” Ground (Music Festival), a job with Lockheed as on Facebook that a friend’s guitar player, and Jeremy interested.”
two years ago, Joe came in andaboutfourmonthsago, Adds Fox, “After Higher our old guitar player took an engineer. Ethan posted band was looking for a commented that he might be
“Once Jeremy came in,” said it a little bit more. He threw down Adds Gilbert, “We’re all a bunch have a very perverted sense of humor. and Brandon, Joe and I—just to break as possible, just to see if people could hang. cheek, just to see how he’d respond.”
Preece-Rose, “he just upped the riffs we always imagined.” of jokesters, we like pranks, and we We had auditioned a couple of people, the ice—wanted to make it as awkward When Jeremy got there, Joe kissed me on the
“I didn’t know that,” says Blevin. “We told him to learn to covers before he came in,” says Ethan, “which he didn’t.” “I’m the type of person, I don’t like learning covers. This is the first band I’ve ever played a cover in,” says Silva. “And we love covers,” interjects Ethan. “May Day, Blink, New Found Glory . . . Jeremy left, and we auditioned another kid, and it just wasn’t the same. Immediately when we played with Jeremy, there was a connection. We all got along, and we played well together. It was right.” And the name, T Shirts for Tomorrow? “Ethan and Brandon were practicing. Brandon’s mom put his clothes on Ethan’s amp, and when they started playing, the clothes fell off. Brandon said, ‘Hey man, that’s my t-shirt for tomorrow,” says Fox. “It just stuck.” Now they’re back in the Blasting Room, recording their second effort, Miss Forever Alone, which is also the name of one of the five tracks on this CD. “A lot of people say that they’re ‘forever alone,’ that there aren’t people out there for them,” says Fox. “But in reality, there are people right in front of them. It’s not that there’s no one out there for you, maybe your personalities just differ. That’s how it translates for me. Also, it was the first song we wrote all the way through with Jeremy.” “I wanted the message to be, ‘Don’t take the people around you for granted,’ says Gilbert, who wrote the song. “Especially guys and girls, when they’re looking for that relationship, they set their standards so high. But if you take the time to look at all the amazing people around you, you realize that you just need to enjoy the people already in your company.” Recognizing that each person has something unique to contribute to the band is something they’re proud of. While Gilbert writes all the lyrics, he says, “The music is a culmination of all of us; we’re all influenced by different things. Joe likes jazz buzz/funk bass, Brandon has a country background, Jeremy has his unique influences, and two of my biggest influences are Justin Timberlake and Michael Jackson. “Instead of having one composer with other artists just going along with what the composer is saying, we all come together to make something that we—the four of us together— love,” says Gilbert. “It’s our souls to bare for the audience, not somebody saying, ‘Oh, I’ll play this because he told me to.’” “That’s one of the reasons I was so stoked to be a part of this,” says Silva. “Coming from another pop-punk project, and seeing pop-punk bands starting to fall off, there was really only one [band] who was resilient through all of the member changes. Everyone plays a specific role in the music structure. Not only are these the coolest dudes I’ve met in awhile, they really, truly, made me feel like I found a place to write the music that I want.” T4T is fairly specific on the impression they hope to leave with their audience and fans. Says Gilbert, “We want people to leave and be like, ‘Wow!’ It’s happened to us a couple of times. We saw Go Radio and Yellowcard, and it was such an experience. You know the songs, but seeing them live . . . how they are on stage, and the experience they create, it changes your whole perspective. Literally, the next day, I wanted to go in and quit my job and say, ‘Sorry, I’m only playing music.’ “You never know if there’s a young kid [in the audience] and it’s his first concert. We want to be those people who inspire them to pick up a guitar. And we’re all about making that personal connection. We don’t ever want to be that band where, we get off stage and we go chill in our van,” says Gilbert. “We’ve all had that experience of meeting a band, and having high aspirations of what it would be like to talk with them, and getting a sour taste after it,” says Silva. “You still love their music, but that always sticks in your mind. Like, ‘Hey have you heard that new album? Yeah, I remember that one time he was a dick.’” “On the flip side,” adds Fox, “we all got to meet Go Radio; and apart from the fact that they’re all amazingly talented musicians, we were the locals on that show, and we talked to their drummer for almost four solid hours. They were the coolest dudes—we hung out in the green room with them, and they talked with us about touring and management and labels, and it was a turning point for us. So that’s how we want to be.”
They have an endorser (Monster Energy) who gives them guitars at some of their bigger shows. They, in turn, give them away to the young kids at their shows. “Who knows,” says Gilbert, “maybe after that show they’ll pick up a guitar and think, ‘Man, that was so inspirational, I want to do this.’” “Yeah, I think all of us can name our first album and first concert,” says Fox. “Mine was From Under the Cork Tree, and oddly enough, Sister Hazel.” “Further Seems Forever, Chris Carrabba,” adds Silva. “My first rock concert—because I was all country before rock—was Green Day, American Idiot.” Gilbert’s first “venue concert” was Maroon Five at the Fillmore. “He’s [Adam Levine] such a good performer, you get lost in his voice, and you take for granted how good he is at guitar. That’s what influenced me to want to sing and play guitar. The other was Intermission. They were a local band, with Brandon Whalen (My Body Sings Electric). It was the first band he was ever in, and I saw them at the church in Arvada with Synthetic Elements. That was, literally, the first concert I ever went to.” “Our first EP was The Outside Looking In,” says Fox. “We recorded that here (Blasting Room) with Andrew Berlin, aka Vanilla Nice. It was a really good mile marker in getting to where we are now.” Adds Ethan, “The first time we tracked [up here], we were all in that nervous, ‘We’re in the Blasting Room,’ star-struck state. Andrew and Joey (Barba) really eased our nerves, and taught us a lot about writing, and just making sure things were interesting from start to finish. They really helped us turn the curve into making better music.” Miss Forever More was set to drop this month, but T4T was asked to tour for a month with Dangerous Summer, starting on March 3 at the Summit Music Hall. . Congratulations to T4T for landing their first legitimate tour, and finishing their CD. Look for the release after their month-long tour; of course we’ll keep you posted when it drops, and if you see these guys hanging out after their set on the 3rd, say hi! Take them to Denny’s for breakfast! “The only time we’re serious is when we have to go the restroom. Practical jokes are fine, but not when anyone is using the restroom, or sleeping,” says Fox. “But if you fart on someone’s pillow before they go to sleep, that doesn’t count,” interjects Preece. All jokes aside, their main goal, according to Gilbert, is “for people to know that we’ve been through [a lot of the same] things that other people have been through. We want to be the soundtrack for how people feel.” Online: tshirts4tomorrow.com
“I’m the type of person, I don’t like learning covers. This is the first band I’ve ever played a cover in,” says Silva. “And we love covers,” interjects Ethan. “May Day, Blink, New Found Glory . . . Jeremy left, and we auditioned another kid,anditjustwasn’tthesame.Immediatelywhen we played with Jeremy, there was a connection. We all got along, and we played well together. It was right.”
Between The Lines: Waging Heavy Peace: A Hippie Dream by Neil Young by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Neil Young is a visionary; he was back in the ’60s and ’70s, and his memoir “Waging Heavy Peace” is proof that he still is today, cranking away at his uber-sustainable Lincvolt project as if it is the single most important passion of his jam-packed 70 years on the planet. He begins the book with a look into model trains, continues through many discussions about cars and how they can and should become more energy efficient, delves into his rich (but often plagued with health problems) family life, and even throws in some talk about, what is it that he is known for? Oh yeah, his music. Young has spent more time in the studio than most of the musicians who make up modern genres combined, and although he admits that he can, at times, be hard to work with, the products of all that recording time have made him an undeniable legend of rock. Throughout the book, Young speaks of many of his favorite and most memorable times in the studio, and paints a vivid picture of the personalities that surrounded him so well that I was almost brought to tears when he spoke of their passing. At times he rambles, he has a penchant for going on tangents, and the chapters are short and often completely unrelated. But for a memoir
T he Case Against Award Shows by Kingmi Baby
KBaby@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Eddie Vedder said it beautifully at the 1996 Grammys. Pearl Jam had just won Best Hard Rock Performance for their song “Spin the Black Circle.” They walked up on stage and Vedder said, “I don’t know what this means, I don’t think it means anything.” Honestly, in this writer’s eyes, that’s exactly the truth. This is something I think about every year around this time. In January and February we have the People’s Choice Awards, the Golden Globes, the Grammys, and the Oscars, all of which are enjoyable to watch, but do they really mean anything? No. Hell, with the exception of the People’s Choice Awards the fans don’t even really have a say in the nominees and winners, and the fans are really the only ones that matter, right? It’s a show, it’s supposed to be entertaining, but somewhere along the line we gave them this value that they really don’t deserve. They became this big event that validates art as “worthy,” they became the judges of what’s “good” by giving out awards like Best New Artist, Best Album, and Best Movie. It drastically enhances the popularity contest aspect of art, which is, lets face it, the ugly venereal-diseased side of art; in that, if you get an award, you’re invited back to give it to some else next year, thus continuing the cycle and transmission of CTDs (Critically Transmitted Diseases). For example: Regardless of how popular they
24
of nearly five hundred pages, that seemed to be okay, preventing the reader from becoming burned out on one subject or another.
Ladi Lo-Key - Artist Introduction
Long time fans of Young will undoubtedly appreciate the tales of specific concerts, songs, and people; even those who are only familiar with his radio hits will find some interesting stories of rock star livelihood. He talks about drug use in his stories as if the reader knows the exact feeling and terminology; this book is not for those who shy away from real life stories. It is not for those who are a fan of standing in line, as Young has lived about as free a life as could be imagined, and the fortunes of being a rock star are blatantly presented throughout the book.
DTeague@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
The reader follows Young’s progress from a broke musician eating macaroni every night to a multi-millionaire with beach houses and a collection of classic cars, something he discusses with no shame or sympathy, almost as if he always knew it would end as it did. He talks in detail about his son’s health problems, the acquaintances he has made with everyone from fellow rock stars to Internet entrepreneurs, all with the careless reflection of a stoned hippie carrying on over living room conversation. The book is, despite its length, a relatively quick read, as long as you can follow the mind and memories of a man who has lived a very full life. He presents his views without being offensive, tells his stories like they need to be told, and gives respect to the people who have helped him be what he is, the old rocker who barely avoided burning out and refuses to fade away. Online: neilyoung.com/wagingpage.html
are, does everybody really think that we couldn’t have found a better band than Fun. to call the “Best New Artist”? I think if we took all the music that was released in 2012 and gave it all an honest look, we could have. But that’s beside the point. The real point I’m trying to make is how can you give awards to something like art? How do you rate it? On a scale of how well it connects to people? On a scale of how many records sold? The thing is, you can’t. Just because I don’t think Fun. is a good band, doesn’t mean someone else can’t find them to be amazing. So why should we listen to a board of people we don’t know? Why listen to anyone? Art isn’t about awards or sales, it’s about the connection between an artist and someone else, and people connect to different things. Would a metal head love “Call Me Maybe”? Probably not, and they’d likely feel guilty if they did and not tell anyone. The point is, everybody has a different opinion and you can’t tell someone that his or her opinion is good or bad. It’s an opinion. It’s true to them, whether or not it’s true to anyone else. So the case against award shows is that you can’t put a label on art saying that it’s better than anyone else. That defeats the purpose of art. It’s not about who is the best, it’s about that connection, that magic that happens when you hear a song or see a movie that you really love for the first time. That’s the only real way to rate art, and it has to be for you, not for others.
Jahni Denver’s Hip Hop Wednesdays Rock Herman’s by Jonathan McNaughton & Darnell Teague
JMcNaughton@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Jahni Denver’s Hip-Hop Wednesdays Vol. 4 @ Herman’s Hideaway on February 13, 2013, started off with a bang, courtesy of the comedic relief of young stand-up comedian Rick Bryan. By the time the crowd pulled themselves together, the first act hit the stage, which was Turner Jackson. Jackson hit the stage with his gritty-meets-glamour style. He hit the crowd with an energy-packed performance that started the show off right. Jackson’s act was followed up by a performance from Hyp Hop Sells that also featured D-Rell. This performance blew the venue up with that party vibe, move-your-body music. The
March 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
by Darnell Teague & Jonathan McNaughton Ladi Lo-Key, the newest artist of A-Co Recordz team, is well on her way to becoming a savage female rapper. Ladi Lo-Key gets this beastly attitude from her east coast roots. Born and raised in Newark, NJ, her parents knew she was special and gave her a different, but great, name, Sadiyyah that, in Arabic, means a “Gift from Allah”. Little did her family know about all the gifts that she had in store for them. As a child, Lo-Key began singing and dancing for fun. When she started high school she was in choir and quickly became a favorite, winning several solos and then becoming a member of the top choir in high school. As an Aries born female, new things came natural to her. She started out beat boxing and rapping during pregame huddles before her basketball games. Her first real test came when she and two other friends put together a female group called Bo$$ Bitches. Unfortunately the ladies broke up, but Ladi Lo-Key never quit. She eventually teamed up with the mastermind of A-Co Recordz, Albeez 4 Sheez, and she’s featured on a number of tracks. Her debut solo album fittingly titled Back N Action, was influenced by the likes of artists such as Shawnna, Lil Kim, RahDigga, Da-Brat, MC Lite, Salt N Peppa, and Queen Latifah. Her CD is bound to cause more than just a commotion; it will cause the first earthquake in Aurora history! Ladi Lo-Key is currently working on three new projects; the first to drop will be a collaborative project with her ace boon Koo Qua dropping April 2013. The second Mix Tape is scheduled to be dropping in the summer 2013, entitled Controlled Chaos. Be on the lookout, this album will be loud! The third album is Mixx Tape of Mixx Tapes which will be Ladi Lo-Key on some of the hottest beats in the industry, and is scheduled to drop towards the end of this year. Ladi Lo-Key, keeping listeners on their toes!
stand out song of the performance had to have been “Moscatto & the Chief” ft. D-Rell which exemplified the chemistry between the two artists. Cay La Vie was next up on the stage, and his performance was something to see. This young man was full of energy and enthusiasm as he precisely recited his lyrics. The future definitely looks bright for this young emcee. CollieRad followed up Cay la Vie’s performance with a slight change in sound with his insightful, storytelling type flow. The vibe was mixed for this performance but the sound was good. King Muse was up next and kicked the energy level back into high gear with his entertaining performance. Stepping up next was JJ-Ill who let his heart out to a crowd that, although was starting to deplete in size, still held groove to the music. Jahni Denver surprised the crowd with a special performance that featured Rawbee, which ended the show off right.
David Baty is Denver’s Reggae Lush: Don’t Get Between Him and His Passion by Tim Wenger photo credit Stephanie Sullivan
TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
David Baty is becoming a household name, at least in Denver’s music scene. The front man of reggae rockers Coral Thief, Baty has spent much of the last year on the road and of recent has begun focusing more on solo work. Colorado Music Buzz caught up with Baty and got the inside scoop on what’s going down and what’s coming up.
years but haven’t had the chance to, so now it’s finally time. On the album I’ll have my good friends Cameron Goldsberry on bass and Chance Conger on drums. With this group of guys nothing can go wrong. Starting in April, I’ll be hitting the road once again, touring up in the Northwest states, continuing through out the mid west in support of my new album. Big things are gonna be happening in 2013. CMB: What is your take on Denver’s music scene? DB: I love the Denver music scene. Tons of great bands coming out of here right now. I like how on any given night you can always find a great local show to go to. It’s a great place to be and a great scene to be apart of.
CMB: Talk a little about how you got into doing solo work. DB: In March of 2010, my friend Chris Howells and I started the reggae/rock band, Coral Thief. Since the forming of the band, we’ve been fortunate enough to play numerous great shows including SXSW, and tour as much as possible all over the mid west and the United States. I’ve toured a bunch in the past; so being out on the road is something I’ve always loved. Starting in October of 2012, I began to venture out on my own. I love playing shows with a full band, but sometimes it becomes a little hard to sync up schedules to hit the road. My passion is for music and at this point in my life, I’ve given up everything to pursue it. CMB: What do you have coming up? DB: Right now, I’m getting ready to start the recording of my first solo album, due out in spring of this year. I’m recording it with Derek Keith at DK Studios in Salt Lake City, Utah. I’m really looking forward to this album. A lot of these songs, I’ve been wanting to record for
CMB: How is it living in the RV? DB: I finally moved out of the RV. Actually, I had to get rid of it. Touring around the country can get old at times so the RV came in handy. It was a home away from home. I remember the first time we went out of town in that thing, being able to park in someone’s driveway and just live it up.... so awesome. But that convenience came with a price, pulling our trailer we were looking at 4 mpg, so it wasn’t in my best interest to keep it any longer. I do miss it though. CMB: What else do you want to put out there? DB: First of all, I would like to thank my family, friends and fans for giving me their constant support. It means the world to me to have all the support from everyone when I’m away from home. And lastly, be on the lookout for my new album coming out in spring of this year. You can also keep up to date on tour schedules, videos, pictures and much more at davidbatymusic.com.
A-Oks Celebrate Five Years
their five-year anniversary. Of course, I knew that their shows tend to get a bit rowdy (at one such occasion I was sure that some momentumriding punk had broken my kneecap), but the pure pandemonium that erupted at the Marquis was all but anarchy.
If you’ve attended a ska show in Denver in the last half-decade, chances are good that the A-Oks played it. In that time, this group of local kids with a passion for music and madness has been one of the only constant sources in our fair city of raw, radioactive ska punk. We’re talking about the kind of energy that brings a wave of panic to the heart of any conservative soul who wanders into a live show. This is the kind of band that will put on a party, no matter what.
At first glance, the night was fairly typical; energetic ska/punk being performed to a crowd of mildly angst-filled kids. As the night progressed past the openers, however, things would change - drastically. As soon as the A-Oks hit the stage, it was as if a bomb went off in the soul of every member of the crowd. Deafeningscreams accompanied enthusiastic applause, and there was a sense of pride that one could feel in the air around them. Denver’s ska scene had shown up in full force to support the band they’ve known and loved for five years running.
by Joel Center JCenter@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
The few A-Oks shows I’ve got under my belt did not help to prepare me for the celebration that these people had planned for
There was no denying the feeling of community in the room, an emotion that was only reinforced when a video was projected onto the wall as a tribute to everything this unlikely group of friends and musicians had become. Complete with fan interviews and footage from shows in years past, the video managed to draw up some moisture from the tear duct of a six-foot tall, denim-and-studs clad fellow next to me. He wasn’t alone. Once everyone had finished reminiscing, they were anxious to launch into the next halfdecade with everything they had. To say that I wasn’t reminded of a small-scale riot would be a lie. There were more limbs than realistically possible hurtling around the middle of the floor, all of them feeding off each other in order to spin faster, harder. There are signs around the stage prohibiting clever and resilient fans from stage diving and/or crowd surfing. Immediately following the first note blasted straight to our eardrums by the A-Oks, there was a unanimous agreement amongst the crowd members that these signs were to be paid absolutely no attention, not tonight. From that point forward, there was guaranteed to be at least one person floating ecstatically on a sea of hands, arms, and heads all struggling to simultaneously support their own maniacal dancing and the weight of their fellow concert-goers. One look at the stage, and you could tell that the band couldn’t have been happier with the situation. Resistance never even crossed their mind. In fact, once they realized how much party potential there was in the room, they began executing clever ways of manipulating it, receiving absolute approval and cooperation
March 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
from their devoted audience. Soon a whole crowd of excited fans were dancing on stage right alongside the musicians. If one of these stage-bound fanatics knew the words and had a bit of audacity (liquid or otherwise), they would jump right in and sing alongside into one of the “actual” band members’ microphones. Community, at this point, was transformed into family. It was the A-Oks family-band night at the Marquis, and everyone – with the possible exception of some stressed-out security staff – absolutely thrived in it. Regardless of the amount of people I saw get elbowed, punched, kicked, head-butted, or otherwise assaulted by a bodily appendage (there was even a Marquis-sized “wall of death,” at which point every possible variety of body-to-body collision was achieved), by the time the A-Oks had finished their set, there was not a single fan that wasn’t smiling. It was the kind of process that cleanses your soul and rejuvenates your stamina. This was certainly a night of great success not only for the band themselves, but for any person lucky enough to have heard the sounds and gone through the experience that is the A-Oks. Five years in, and this is surely just the beginning.
25
Scarletta’s Aubrey Collins Mixes Nashville with Denver Roots by Tim Wenger photo credit roughstock.com
TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Denver has furnished a crop of accomplished, wellknown musicians over the last several years, including some who have done the majority of their work outside of the Mile High City. Aubrey Collins of the Nashville, TN, country outfit Scarletta is one of those, who, in addition to her current base in Nashville, has spent time working in LA. We had a chance to catch up with Collins after the band’s most recent tour, which brought them through Denver January 31. Collins grew up in Littleton, CO, and has been involved in music since a young age. “When I was a kid, my mom put me into vocal lessons,” she says. Her family was very into music, and exposed her to country as well as rock and roll as a young kid. “I feel like country music is like a diary,” says Collins. “I knew since I was twelve years old that country is what I wanted to do.” “I was in the Colorado music scene from the time I was twelve years old until I was fifteen,” says Collins, “then I started touring around from the time I was fifteen till I was seventeen.”
Colorado for Sony Records and they were like, ‘You know, you have more of a rock voice, more of a rock background.’ I kind of was just listening to the big wigs, seeing as how I was so young and didn’t really know how to find my own path. Moving to LA was awesome, it opened my eyes, it made me who I am today and taught me a lot, but it wasn’t really where I wanted to be. I wanted to be in country music.” A phone call from Keith Burns of Trick Pony in the summer of 2006, asking if she would be interested in coming to Nashville to audition for the group caught Collins’ favor right away. Collins ended up getting the job and moved to Nashville in January of 2007. She was a part of the group for nine months, and then took a year off of music. “It just wasn’t the right fit, I had a lot of stuff going on,” says Collins. “I got back into it, and got a publishing deal. I met (fiddle player) Nathan Stoops out one night while singing in Nashville. I was so broke that I had to do sessions here and there doing background vocals,” Collins says. “I was singing with a friend of mine, Nathan was out hanging out, and they came up to me after the gig and said, ‘I’d really love to talk to you about doing something on the side.’” She wasn’t sure right off the bat, but was quickly convinced that this was the opportunity she had been waiting for. “It was so right, so perfect,” says Collins. “I went and met up with them one night, and we didn’t even rehearse any songs, I just started singing. Everything fell into place, the harmonies were perfect, and here we are 3 ½ years later!”
Like so many rock star hopefuls, Collins made the move to LA. At only fifteen, the move seemed like the next logical step for an aspiring career musician, and although she began working with some major record labels including Interscope Records, she longed to return to her country roots. “I felt like I wasn’t really doing the right thing,” she says. “I did a couple showcases in
The group will be on tour the rest of the Winter and Spring, keeping busy playing gigs at least on the weekends. They will also be performing the National Anthem at the Daytona Motor Speedway, and hope to be back in Colorado in the next few months.
Pressure Point USA: Yeah! We’re More Than A Little Fed Up
love. They do this effectively in the song “Peace” with its growling chorus, “No more war!!” The troupe also isn’t above telling you about God’s love for you in the song “Without Love.”
CSullivan@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
“We support our troops, our country, people’s rights, but we don’t like the path out government has taken us down nationally or globally,” relays Young. “The brutality of it all bothers us.”
by Charlie Sullivan
Disgruntled, disgusted, or just plain fed up with the state of the union? Then this is an act you’ll want to put on your radar. Local hard rockers Pressure Point USA has a message to deliver, and they want you to hear it. The band sends their message to you via their heavy unabashed hard rock, and the poetic (at times) rappish’ vocal stylings of Kirk Young. The music is guitar driven, with a heavy, melodically dense bass and drum backbeat filling out the sound. “We want people to know that we’re disgusted with the current state of affairs in our country, among other things,” stated Young. “We don’t want people to think we’re angry, but we want people to hear what we have to say.” Listening to the lyrics of Young’s compositions, you’ll pick up on “Founding Father Quotes” that have been meticulously worked into verses of the songs. The song “Dirty Whore,” off of their first album Pressure on the G, sums up the outfits’ feelings without reservation. The crew is tired of the governments’ bully tactics, and the fact that they’re selling everybody and everything out. The band wants to send you a message of peace and
26
Online: scarlettamusic.com
The band has been performing on the local scene for about two years; five months with the current line-up: Gene Hartwig (guitar), John Ladd (guitar), Kelly Morse (drums), and Sergey Pogossov (bass) round out this politically charged and talented crew of musicians. The crew loves their live shows, they’re not just a band, they are entertainers. They can get a little crazy and 8 locally in the ReverbNation Hard Rock category. The outfit is garnering a little attention from national acts as well. By the time you read this, the band will have opened for L.A. Guns at Casselman’s. On the horizon they’re on the bill at the Gothic on March 22, 2013 and will be opening for Powerman 5000 at Moe’s BBQ, S. Broadway on May 1, 2013. Above all else, the band wants you to know they love what they’re doing and love for people to come out and share that with them. Catch up with them at an upcoming show; this is a great local act.
Between the Covers-Angry Chick Rock by Torch I am sitting at the Grammys and when they went to commercial the audience watched highlights of past shows. I was watching Melissa Etheridge just nail a tribute to Janis Joplin, and I hear a guy behind me say how he likes when she sings stuff like that but hates it when she sings that “Angry Chick Rock.” Wow, smack! There it was, so suddenly clear to me, why I like what was deemed “Angry Chick Rock”. I am too damn polite! I grew up not expressing anger; in my family if something was wrong, we talked about it. I was raised in a family and society where we were really focused on not hurting other people’s feelings. It was a time of embracing diversity, like Kermit said, “It’s not easy being green.” What I didn’t learn was, when it was okay to get mad and how to do it. I’ve tried yelling twice in my life and both times it felt stupid. I love music, and sometimes someone’s lyrics say exactly what I would like to say, for instance during my divorce, writers Glen Ballard and Alanis Morissette penned, “Does she know how you told me you’d hold me Until you died, till you died But you’re still alive And I’m here to remind you Of the mess you left when you went away It’s not fair to deny me Of the cross I bear that you gave to me You, you, you oughta know” Sheryl Crow’s “Strong Enough” I have sung with great cathartic enthusiasm in my car, while crying in traffic. “God, I feel like hell tonight Tears of rage I cannot fight I’d be the last to help you understand Are you strong enough to be my man? Nothing’s true and nothing’s right So let me be alone tonight ‘Cause you can’t change the way I am Are you strong enough to be my man? Lie to me I promise I’ll believe Lie to me But please don’t leave Don’t leave Don’t leave” I give thanks to these women who have the courage to say what falls so silently for so many of us. The issue, however, isn’t gender, as we have all been lied to, had our hearts broken, and we struggle for the simplest ways to express it. Why isn’t it conversely called or thought of as “Angry Dude Rock”? Beck did a brilliant bit with “Loser” “Baby’s in reno with the vitamin d Got a couple of couches, sleep on the love-
March 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
seat Someone came sayin’ I’m insane to complain About a shotgun wedding and a stain on my shirt Don’t believe everything that you breathe You get a parking violation and a maggot on your sleeve So shave your face with some mace in the dark Savin’ all your food stamps and burnin’ down the trailer park Yo. cut it. Soy un perdedor I’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me?” I raise a flag to the writers who stand strong, to the songs that empower us when we need it most. When asked what songs really struck a chord with you in times of joy or sorrow, most everyone has a list, and usually a specific line that tells a part of their life story. It doesn’t matter the gender of the singer songwriter but truth in what was said. The irony here was that Etheridge was singing “Piece of My Heart,” hmm, wouldn’t that qualify as “Angry Chick Rock”? (Thank you Jerry and Burt for writing it!) Oh, come on, come on, come on, come on! Didn’t I make you feel like you were the only man -yeah! Didn’t I give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can ? Honey, you know I did! And each time I tell myself that I, well I think I’ve had enough, But I’m gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough. I want you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it, Take it! Take another little piece of my heart now, baby! Oh, oh, break it! Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, oh, have a! Have another little piece of my heart now, baby, You know you got it if it makes you feel good, Oh, yes indeed. “Piece of My Heart” is a romantic love song written by Jerry Ragovoy and Ber Burns and originally recorded by Emma Franklin in 1967. The song came to greater mainstream attention when Big Brother and the Holding Company (featuring Janis Joplin on lead vocals) covered the song in 1968 and had a hit with it. The song has since been remade by several singers, including hit versions by Faith Hill in 1994 and Melissa Etheridge in 2005.” Wikipedia
2013 ULTIMATE MUSIC XPERIENCE (UMX) PRESENTS LOCAL TALENT, A NEW LOCATION, AND FREE FUN! by Fena Flores
Intern@chundenver.org
The 2013 Ultimate Music Xperience (UMX) is a free, two-day battle of the bands where you can take part in deciding which of the local,
primarily undiscovered, solo and group acts will play at one of the largest music events in the state: the CHUN Capitol Hill People’s Fair. This year, UMX is moving to a new location, the Celtic Tavern, and with prize giveaways, celebrity emcees, music, and fun, it’s an event you won’t want to miss. The Celtic Tavern, located in LODO at 1801 Blake Street, offers a great menu from which attendees can order lunch or dinner while they jam out to an eclectic array of music. During UMX, attendees have a chance at winning one of several prize giveaways and rubbing elbows with celebrity emcees from 99.5 The Mountain.
Ryan Chrys Goes Country with New Solo Record by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Ryan Chrys is back with a new solo album. The record is heavy on the country, a slight departure from Chrys’ previous work with Demon Funkies, but it is his second solo release. The cd will be released at The Walnut Room on April 5. The album was recorded in Nashville, TN, at the home of Tesla drummer Troy Lucketta. “I went down there and my friend connected me with some great session players,” says Chrys. “We cut eleven songs in two days and did overdubs on the third day. It was awesome.” The session players, introduced to Chrys by Lucketta, helped him lay down the album. On day three, fiddle and banjo were also added to the songs.
Local Singer/Songwriter Drew Schofield Selected in Guitar Center’s Singer Songwriter 2 Competion by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Colorado Music Buzz reviewed Drew Schofield’s album Away We Go in our January 2013 issue, saying that, “His melodies are basic, allowing the vocals to shine through, but never lacking that captivating sentiment
30
And if you want to continue the fun after the show, you won’t have to venture far thanks to the Celtic’s convenient downtown location. Many local solo artists and bands including the up-and-coming acts Broken Tongues, Lindsay O’Brien Band, and Thief River will grace the stage and battle against each other. The roughly 60 acts throughout the two-day event provide attendees an exciting opportunity to get a taste of local Colorado talent. Attendees can show their support for their favorite acts and become a part of the selection process for the musical line-up for the 2013 People’s Fair. Every vote counts at UMX, and the acts are counting on you to help them get the winning vote. “Once again, we are amazed at the caliber of talent of the bands who have applied to perform at the People’s Fair,” said CHUN Assistant Director Andrea Furness. “We are looking forward to seeing 60 of the highest scoring acts (from our listening party) perform at the Celtic in LODO.” Come and be a part of a Colorado tradition! The 2013 UMX is on March 23 and 24 from 11am-5pm, both days. For the complete UMX schedule (subject to change) please visit www. chundenver.org and click on UMX under the
The 2013 UMX is sponsored by the Celtic Tavern/Delaney’s, Miller Lite, 99.5 The Mountain, Westword, 9NEWS, Pepsi Bottling Group, Dog House Music, and Happy Llama Event Print Specialists. The 42nd Annual CHUN Capitol Hill People’s Fair is presented by Miller Lite and 9NEWS. Associate Sponsors include Pepsi Bottling Group, Xfinity from Comcast, The Denver Post, Republic National Dist. Co., and Entercom Denver stations 99.5 The Mountain, KOSI 101, Studio 1430 AM and Alice 105.9. State Farm and the City of Denver are Supporting Sponsors of the People’s Fair.
song “Stand & Be Counted.” The video was filmed in the parking lot at Sports Authority Field @ Mile High. “It’s a cool and continental concept,” says Chrys. “Cop cars came and I thought, ‘Oh shit, I’m going to have to shut it down,’ but they ended up just hanging out and watching!” This is Chrys’ first real music video. The video can be found by searching for “Ryan Chrys” on YouTube. Chrys talked about the differences of recording solo as opposed to working with a band. “Right now I’m concentrating on my solo work,” says Chrys. “Demon Funkies is still a band and still has some things going on, but all my effort and concentration right now is on my solo work. It’s where my heart is and where my better song writing is.” The record release will also feature Johnny Barber on the bill. The record can be picked up at the show and on iTunes.
Chrys has also made a music video for the
Online: ryanchrys.com
necessary to push the desired emotion effortlessly across the table, an easy grasp for Schofield’s audience.” CMB is not the only new fan of Schofield’s music, as he has been chosen by Grammy Award winning producer John Shanks as one of the top 10 national finalists in Guitar Center’s Singer-Songwriter 2 competition. The finals take place March 2 at Hotel Café in Los Angeles, California. Schofield flew out on February 26 to get settled and tour the Fender guitar factory and Henson Studios.
much more established careers than me and huge fan bases, so I quickly forgot about the competition. But this past Tuesday I received a phone call confirming that I had been hand selected by Grammy Award winning producer John Shanks as a top 10 finalist out of 13,000+ entrants! I was totally shocked.”
“Back in October, I submitted a video of an original song to Guitar Center’s national competition “Singer Songwriter 2,” which was a search for undiscovered talent across the US,” says Schofield. “After I submitted my music, I checked out some of the other entrants and saw some incredibly talented folks with
People’s Fair tab. UMX winners will play at the 42nd Annual CHUN Capitol Hill People’s Fair, which is June 1 and 2, 2013.
The final competition will be decided by Shanks and a panel of judges, using the following criteria: (i) melody, vocal ability and music; (ii) commercial viability of song and entrant; (iii) emotional and creative quality of music; (iv) song lyrics; (v) entrant entertainment value; and (vi) reaction of the crowd at the grand prize round. The winner of the competition receives a four-song EP produced by Shanks and the opportunity to perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Additionally, the winner
March 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
receives $10,000 in cash and a slew of other prizes. The recording will take place in May. “I’m just astounded right now and honored to make it to this point,” says Schofield. “I’m so grateful to my friends, family, and fans who have encouraged me along on this journey. I love music and would love to devote more time to my songwriting, recording, and touring. I’m excited to see what doors this could open for me as an independent artist.”
Online: drewschofieldmusic.com, http:// songwriter.whooznxt.com/
The Manager’s Corner by Chris Daniels
CDaniels@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
I’ve managed my own band since the 1980s and despite the amazing change in technology, success in the music business is built around four tried and true elements: great music, really hard work, and timing (often mistaken for luck). The other key element is getting the help you need to make that luck happen. These days that help is everywhere. The book I wrote for my UCD class on artist management is called “DIY: You’re Not in it Alone” and that is exactly what you need to understand. The Grammy Awards, and you say, “I don’t give a crap about that, they have nothing to do with music!” Well, let me encourage all those DIY artists out there to take another look; not at the TV show, but at what it’s all about. First and foremost, the TV show is about performance – big ass extravaganzas – the Grammy’s are an award for making a great recording, a killer record, having nothing to do with the TV stage show. This year, I was a co-nominee for my songwriting and as a featured soloist with Jazz greats Mark Oblinger, Al Jarreau, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Hubert Laws and many more for a “Best Children’s Album” nomination. It was a “bucket list” thing for me but it turned into a huge learning experience. We did not win and neither did any other Colorado nominee, including our friends in the Lumineers. Does that matter to me? In my humble opinion no, because I listened to the other nominees for “Children’s Album” and honestly we had the best “recording.” But that is not how it works. So let me give you a little tour through what I think is important to understand about the Grammys using a different category, “Best Americana Album” that both my solo record Better Days and the Lumineers were in, (the Lumineers were also up for “Best New Artist”).
Youth Media Studio Breaks Ground in Denver editor@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Flobots.org, the Playing for Change Foundation, and Denver Housing Authority are building a state-of-the-art Youth Media Studio right here in Denver! We broke ground on April 10, 2012 and we plan on making our dreams a reality in August 2013 when we open our doors. Things are going to get pretty wild, in the best way possible!
Americana is a very big category. There were 123 albums that got nominated in the 1st round (not an actual Grammy nomination), out of somewhere around 8,000 Americana releases in 2012. Other artists in that category that did not make it to an actual nomination included Bob Dylan, John Hiatt, Dwight Yokum, to name a few. The Grammy voters voted on the 123 in October; these are musicians, producers, and
engineers etc. who have all worked on major releases of some kind or other--major label or independent. Five actual Grammy nominees were chosen and they included our buddies the Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, the Avett Brothers, John Fullbright, and Bonnie Raitt. That means that Bob Dylan and John Hiatt and all those others did not get nominated. Bonnie Raitt won. I hear you saying, “See, it’s all about the old fogies.” That had something to do with it, but the fact is it was the best recording of those who were nominated (my humble opinion), and it had a great deal to do with a long career and this album as a capstone.
were new young bands. Second, young independent artists ARE winning. Check out Skrillex winning on YouTube.Third, it teaches you what the industry means by “best song” and “best record” and “best album” and why those are all different. Song is the songwriting award, record is for the recording of one single song (track), and album is for the album as a whole – all the tracks and concept etc. Last, the Grammys are really about where the “power” is in the music business, and where it is shifting. So let’s go back to our buddies the Lumineers. They didn’t win Americana but why didn’t they win “Best New Artist?” As you know Fun. won that award. They were nominated for six awards in total. So why did the Lumineers not take it home? Many possible reasons, but here is my 2 cents, or “what I learned at the Grammys about the music business.” Fun.’s new album, their second, is on Fueled by Ramen which is a subsidiary of Warner Brothers Records, one of the last of the BIG THREE. Fun. was the darling of Warner Brothers and that label put all the power of its publicity and marketing engine into that release. Timing: the Lumineers peaked
in January with appearances on major shows like Saturday Night Live, after the Grammy voting was done. I believe these two factors, plus some others including the fact that Fun.’s hit single that won and the band are fantastic, are why the Lumineers did not win. Was their record the best record? I don’t know. But what I do know is that the Grammys are a barometer for where the industry is right now, and that place is shifting from older established artists to young new artists; many of them independent, and that’s pretty great for Colorado. First, artists like myself and the Lumineers are all getting noticed on a national level. Second, Colorado is not pigeonholed to one sound like Seattle. We have the Flobots, the Fray, the Lumineers, 3oh3, Tennis – you name it - who are ALL breaking out and who are all different. Third, we have the BEST venues for live music of any part of the country, and promoters like AEG and Soda Jerk are going out of their way to give new young bands a shot. So take heart fellow DIY musicians in Colorado. Even though the Lumineers didn’t win either Grammy they were nominated for, they are--and we ARE-breaking out. We ARE making it to the Grammys as nominees, and we are winning Grammys. Record producer Tom Wasinger has won two Grammys in the past six years and he lives right here! Air Show Mastering has won a number of Grammys for their mastering work and they are a Boulder-based company.
So what is the take away for DIY artists like myself, or the Lumineers? (A) For god’s sake be yourself. Don’t try and be the next Mumford & Sons because there is a band already doing that. (B) There is a lot that the Grammys can teach all of us. First, new music IS getting recognized. Except for Raitt, all the others in theAmericana category
State-of-the-Art Recording Studio: We’re engaging some of Colorado’s most sought after musicians – including members of Flobots, OneRepublic, Flogging Molly, Devotchka and the Fray – to help us design a recording studio where they, themselves, would be proud to record! Relying on the design expertise of musicians and sound engineers, the recording studio will be designed to give students an unforgettable recording experience. Learn more about this incredible studio and keep track of progress by visiting flobots.org.
March 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
31
Mostly Harmless Podcast’s Damian Burford: “I didn’t want to listen to music. I wanted to listen THE QUICK RUN to people talk about music. . .” by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Damian Burford is a man of many hats, and in the Colorado Springs music community, he wears about all of them. His podcast, Mostly Harmless, has hit the 10,000 download mark. He has booked and promoted countless shows at the Triple Nickel Tavern and The Black Sheep (two of the Springs’ most infamous venues), and if this interview doesn’t shed enough light on how he feels, take a look at his Facebook posts when he’s stuck working the bar at a reggaerock concert. CMB: First things first. Let’s hear how this podcast got started, a little about your background, and how you began to get people’s attention.
CMB: Where do you eat after a show in the Springs? In Denver?
DB: In the Springs we use to frequent King’s Chef. It’s a late-night dining spot with gigantic concoctions of the best drunk food you’ve ever tasted. They’ve since redesigned their late-night hours to a “serve yourself” option, losing all the charm and becoming a hassle. The food is stil worth it, but you have to deal with a lot of club kid douche baggery. I’m hooked on Illegal Pete’s. If they had one down here, I’d be even more overweight that I already am. I’m also a huge fan of Marquis Pizza, and not just because I work for Soda Jerk. When you’ve had a few dozen
tall cans of Miller High Life, that pizza sits oh so well.
DB: When I was a wee little lad living in the desolate wasteland that was my hometown of CMB: What’s your take on electronic music? Shreveport, Louisiana, I had a monthly subscription to WIZARD: THE GUIDE TO COMICS. I would read each issue over and over and over again. I was obsessed with comic books and I DB: Watching some asshole hit a button and dance around his laptop for two hours We have three military bases, the Air Force Academy, Colorado College and UCCS. The wanted to be a comic book writer when I grew up. At the time, I had come up with the brilliant and make a few thousand dollars?!? Ugh. It’s not my cup of tea..I don’t like it. landscape of the music scene here is forever changing. The children who grow up, and have idea that I could interview comic book creators, become friends with them and that would short cut my way into the Comic such a large part to play in the foundation of the music scene leave as soon as they can to the bright lights of the bigger cities. Book world. Only I didn’t know any comic book creators! It seems to be that life here is largely around the military and starting a family. As I moved into my teens, I discovered punk rock and ‘zines. That same little idea worked its way into my head and Radio rock and metal will always be the dominant force in Colorado Springs, but the reggae scene here has exploded in the I decided that the best way to be in bands was to interview them and befriend them. I poured myself over issues of last year. Those have been the big-ticket shows at the Black Sheep this year. The Triple Nickel has been doing really well with Flipside, Maximum Rock N Roll, and Punk Planet. I was 17 when Unwritten Law came into town and I got the chance to their new booking agent, Bryan Ostrow interview a few members and I was hooked. CMB: Let’s hear a couple of the best interviews/times/shows/etc. that Mostly Harmless had been a part of. The music scene in Shreveport was non-existent, and I got the chance to move to Colorado with a band I had become friends with, Raised Under Reagan. I jumped at the chance to get out of Louisiana and move to a state that had a DB: It’s been a surreal ride. I’ve been lucky that in my travels with Drag The River and working with The Triple Nickel Tavern, scene and support system. I started Mostly Harmless Magazine in 2001, but due to a number of false starts Issue #1 I’ve been able to make enough connections to nab some killer guests. With Andrew WK, I was expecting the madman, but did not see the light of day till 2006. Two issues saw the light of day. People seemed to LOVE the zine, but I couldn’t sell instead I was greeted with a quiet, well thought, humble man. advertising to save my life and the cost grew too great for me to continue that quest. I was close to being blackout drunk when I interviewed Red Fang, and they made fun of me the whole time. I was blackout In 2008, I conned JJ Nobody to allow me to take over for his departing talent buyer for the Triple Nickel Tavern in drunk when I interviewed Larry and His Flask and it is . . . ridiculous. Colorado Springs. I started meeting more and more of my punk rock heroes, but I was too busy booking and running shows to interview bands. I even wormed my way in to tour manage for Drag The River and Austin Lucas during my But looking back, my favorite episode will always be the interview with Micah Schnabel from Two Cow Garage. Talking about tenure at the Nickel. life, the universe, and everything with one of my best friends. After a few years working at the Nickel, I took a job as an Assistant Manager for The Soda Jerk owned venue: The Black Sheep. I suddenly went from running my own venue and wearing all the hats, to wearing far less hats. I had a ton of time CMB: Do you have a certain criteria for who you want to interview? Or is it just like, “Hell yeah, so and so responded on my hands and was looking for ways to fill those extra hours. to my email!” I began searching for a podcast in the vein of Marc Maron. I didn’t want to listen to music, I wanted to listen to people talk about music; their lives and their process, and how they became the people they have become. At the time I started the Mostly Harmless Podcast, I couldn’t find anything like that. There were a few shows that existed, but many of them relied on playing music and the standard radio format, or had god-awful quality.
DB: I’ve got to like the artist. I’ve only done one interview with an artist I was not fully aware of, and it is currently the lowest listened to interview. It wasn’t very good, and really half assed. I knew it then when I did it, but at the time I was attempting to have a weekly schedule. Now I don’t have a schedule and it’s driving me crazy. I’m working on setting up more Skype interviews, but without that looming deadline of a show coming up, it’s hard for me to get my ass in gear and make it happen. I’m a guy who absolutely needs a deadline. I’m not very good at playing my own boss!
The itch and the urge to interview bands and musicians slowly returned. On my last tour with Drag The River and Austin Lucas, I found myself in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on the back porch of Descendents guitarist Stephen Egerton’s “Suburban Home.” We were drinking whiskey and eating late-night BBQ. I listened to Austin and Stephen both regale their eerily similar stories of how meeting the band X helped inspire their musical careers.
DB: Today I listened to a ton of Dillinger Four. I’ve been obsessed with the Menzingers, Masked Intruder, Arliss Nancy and Tin Horn Prayer. The new Luther record is pretty fucking amazing too. I’ve regressed back to my 18- year-old musical tastes and really the only stuff interesting me is pop-punk these days.
CMB: What are you listening to these days?
CMB: What makes a great live show great, and not just another band playing another set? DB: I don’t have a clue. I could rattle off a few dozen ideas, but sometimes a great show is just a happy accident. I’m a punk rock kid at heart and I love three chords, played fast, with some fucking balls. Is that always enough? Not really. I like good songs, good people and good venues. I watched a stoner metal band the other night and they bored me to tears while everyone around me was blown away. “You need to smoke more pot!” is what a friend of mine said. It just depends on your cup of tea. I just like mine to taste like blood, sweat and PBR.
When I returned home, I slowly started to piece together my recording equipment, but it wasn’t until Chuck Ragan returned to Denver for a three-night stint that I decided to go for it. I had hosted Chuck at the Triple Nickel and reached out to him and his PR agent. I showed up to the CMB: What’s the best thing a band can say to get on a bill that they want to be a part of? Also, what turns Ogden Theater on the first night of his stint in Denver only a venue/talent buyer/sound guy off? to find myself NOT on the guest list! I was so excited and nervous about interviewing Chuck that I showed up a day DB: The best way for bands to get shows is to go to shows. It’s as simple as that. The venues and promoters early. Even better, the Ogden would not allow me to bring remember who we see out there each and every night and the more I see someone, the more I’m likely to in my recording equipment! Chuck is such a gentleman, remember them when it comes time to fill that slot. Plus, going to shows helps you make friends, and friends, if you and even though he was running behind and having a terrible day, he joined me in the lobby of the motel across the street are good, become fans. from the Ogden and we commenced the interview there. You’ve got to do more than just want to play a show. If you are serious about being in a band and working in music, it is a lot of I officially launched a month later with an interview with Micah Schnabel from Two Cow Garage, talking about his work. Bands need to bring people out to shows. That’s the short and long of it. If you can’t get your closest friends to come see newest solo record. The record was written as a suicide note and we talked about how, through the music, he was your band once a month, maybe you should rethink being in a band. brought back from the edge and healed. The episode exploded out of the gate and I’ve been running ever since. I’ve had a few hiccups here and there, but overall it’s been the best experience of my entire life. Nothing pisses me off more than a local band that does not promote a show, and then complains about how much money they make at the end of the night. Playing music is not enough, if you can’t do the work to bring your fans out, I can’t pay you. Sorry guys. CMB: What is the Colorado Springs music scene like? Was it pretty easy to get into working at the Nickel and Black Sheep? CMB: What’s next for the podcast? DB: Getting the job at the Nickel was dumb luck. I lived with the ska/punk outfit the Right Aways. I toured with them as well as the local post-punk hardcore band, Harrison Bergeron. I booked shows in my hometown of Shreveport and I wanted to get back into it. I started spending more time at the Triple Nickel. I had become friends with the booking agent, Ryan Kinder, who was leaving. He was a fan of the zine and my desire to be a part of something. Ryan talked JJ into letting me take over for him, and the rest was history.
DB: We’ve just crossed the 10,000 downloads/listens mark on the show. In the grand scheme of things, and compared to many other podcasts out there, that’s small fries. It’s dumbfounding to me that something I made attracted so many people. My short-term goal is to get back on track with a mostly weekly schedule. I’m currently vehicle-less, which makes that goal much harder, but we’re getting there. I’m working on combining my love of comics and interviewing more comic creators on the show!
After a few years of working at the Nickel, I had become close friends with the managers of The Black Sheep. The Sheep needed another assistant manager to help with the running of the shows. Again, I just happened to know the right people at the right time.
Long term? I’d love to do a live stage show. I imagine renting a small theater or venue and host a Conan-esque show with a variety of guests and musical performers. I’d like to make it a monthly thing in the vein of Grawlix. Throw it up on Youtube and just generally make an even larger ass out of myself.
The Air I Breathe & Capture The Crown w/Famous Last Words / This Romantic Tragedy / Forty Fathoms / Ice Nine Kills, Tue, March 5th Marquis Theater Denver, CO, $12 The Mercurial Two Paradox Afterlife, Walter, Yellow Dog Blues Band Wed, March 6 Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 7:30 pm Herman’s Hideaway Denver, CO 21 and over $3.00 - $6.00
The Fighting Jamesons w/Special Guests Thu, March 14, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $10 The English Beat w/The Aggrolites Fri, March 15, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm , The Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO This event is all ages $24.00 - $28.00
Anthony Ruptak w/The Stormcellars, Erik Arvoy March 6, 2013, Doors 8:00 PM, Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, 21 and over $5
Allegaeon w/Vale of Pnath / Dissonance In Design / Suns of Sorath / Artemesis Fri, March 15, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $8
Ivan & Aloysha w/Dana Falconberry, Wed, March 6, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 21 and over $10.00
Eddie Knolls Album Release Show with Turner Jackson Fri, March 15, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $8
H*Wood w/Special Guests Thu, March 7, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO
BEST OF THE WEST 4 SEMI-FINALS ~ ROUND 3 w/Calder’s Revolvers, James and the Devil, Clara Finn, Highline, Kid Kosmo, Fri, March 15, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm - Herman’s Hideaway Denver, CO, 21 and over $5.00 - $10.00
Twist & Shout and Radio 1190 Present: Psychic Ills w/Blues Control, FÖLLAKZOID Thu, March 7, Doors: 8:30 pm / Show: 9:30 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO 18 and over $10.00 Kink Ador w/Ivory Drive Thu, March 7, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $5 The New Rock n Roll Professionals, Piece of Mind (Maiden Tribute), North Side Tragedy, Ripsaw Susie, Daywish - Thu, March 7, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 7:30 pm, Herman’s Hideaway Denver, CO 21 and over $3.00 - $6.00 Letlive w/HRVRD, Night Versus, Conditions, Rescuer Fri, March 8, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $13 Robby Schechter & the Motion Detectors, Vine Street Vibes, Straight Nerdy Like A Cool Kid, Align Fri, March 8, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 7:30 pm - Herman’s Hideaway, Denver, CO, 21 and over, $5.00 - $10.00 Wandering Natives w/Andy Sydow, Fri, March 8, Doors: 9:00 pm / Show: 10:00 pm Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 21 and over $6.00 Salvador Santana w/ Izcalli / J.O.B. Fri, March 8, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $12 Truckasaurus / L.B.R.O w/ Plan B Rejects, The Rotten Riffs Sat, March 9, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm, The Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO This event is all ages$10.00 - $15.00
Ross Etherton & the Chariots of Judah and Jason Heller playing Red Cloud Songs the Reckless Nights, Fri, March 15, Doors: 9:00 pm / Show: 10:00 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 21 and over $6.00 State & Madison w/Attic Attack, Rags & Ribbons Sat, March 16, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $5 St. Patty’s Pot of Gold: P-Nuckle, Whiskey Tango, Skyfox Sat, March 16, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm, The Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO $10.00 - $15.00 Take to the Oars EP Release Party w/the Hate, The Ever Sat, March 16, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 21 and over $8.00 - $10.00 The Railbenders w/Casey James Prestwood & the Burning Angels, The McRae Sat, March 16, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 7:00 pm - Herman’s Hideaway, Denver, CO 21 and over $12.00 - $150.00 Il Cattivo Album Release Show w/Special Guests Sat, March 16, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $8 Frightened Rabbit w/The Twilight Sad Mon, March 18, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm , The Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO This event is all ages $16.75 - $18.00
Current Swell w/Special Guests Sat, March 9, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $10
Nile w/Kill Syndicate, Scalafrea, Orphans Tue, March 19, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm, The Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO This event is all ages $15.00 - $20.00
Radio 1190 Presents: Cotton Jones w/Parson Red Heads, Josh Dillard Sat, March 9, Doors: 9:00 pm / Show: 10:00 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 21 and over $10.00
Off with Their Heads & White Lung / Anchor Point Tue, March 19, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $10
Illegal Pete’s SXSW Pre-Party: Featuring The Epilogues, A Tom Collins, Photo Atlas, You Me and Apollo, The Knew, INPUT, ELDREN, Flashbulb Fires, Fierce Bad Rabbit, Post Paradise Sat, March 9, Summit Music Hall Denver, CO - $9.33
You Like This & Tone Dynamix Presents:: w/Sapient, Black Mask, Sketch The Cataclysm, Zac HB, Team Latchkey, Tue, March 19, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm - Herman’s Hideaway, Denver, CO 18 and over $5.00 - $8.00
BEST OF THE WEST 4 SEMI FINALS ~ ROUND 2 - Birch Street, Josh Blackburn, In Due Time, Aspen Hourglass, Ashen Embers, Sat, March 9, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm , Herman’s Hideaway Denver, CO, 21 and over $5.00 - $10.00 Midi Matilda w/Special Guests Sun, March 10,The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $8 Swingin Utters w/Special Guests Sun, March 10, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $13
Chelsea Grin w/Attila / Betraying The Martyrs / At the Skylines / Buried In Verona Mon, March 11, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $15 Otherwise w/Gemini Syndrome / Girl On Fire / Pull The Alarm Tue, March 12, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $12 THE ILL ONES w/MESN, Cavern Dwellers, Cleon Flight, C Moder, Riq Suavs Tue, March 12, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm - Herman’s Hideaway, Denver, CO 18 and over $5.00 - $10.00 Twist & Shout and Channel 93.3 Present: Anberlin w/Paper Route, All Get Out Tue, March 12, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm, The Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO This event is all ages$20.00 - $25.00 Otep w/One Eyed Doll / Picture Me Broken Wed, March 13, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $16
Jahni Denver, Miguel Lopez & The Denver 420 Rally Present: The Official 420-421 Fundraiser: JAHNI DENVER w/Yung Menace, Urban Hippie, Green House EFX, High Features, DJ Stretch Wed, March 13, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm - Herman’s Hideaway, Denver, CO 18 and over $10.00 fuel/friends blog, Swallow Hill Music & Hi Dive Presents: Marcus Foster w/Ruston Kelly Wed, March 13, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO,18 and over $12 - $14 Paris By Sea w/Lightlooms, Thu, March 14, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO 21 and over $6.00
Flyleaf & Drowning Pool w/Special Guests Thu, March 14, The Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $20
Balkan Beat Box w/Delhi 2 Dublin Sat, March 23, The Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $17 Radio 1190 Presents: Delicate Steve w/A Mouthful of Thunder Sat, March 23, Doors: 8:30 pm / Show: 9:30 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 18 and over $12.00 The Samples w/Solar, COLOR, Sweet Ball Peen Sat, March 23, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 7:30 pm - Herman’s Hideaway, Denver, CO 21 and over $15.00 - $162.00 All That Remains 26 March 2013 - 6:00PM, Fillmore Auditorium - Denver, Colorado Feyline International Presents: The Strands w/Matt Anton, Soma (feat. Jackie B & Aceoutrageous), M. Augustus, Wed, March 27, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm - Herman’s Hideaway Denver, CO, This event is 18 and over $5.00 Swing Hero w/Monroe Monroe, Orphans, Anchorage, Wed, March 27, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 8:30 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 18 and over $7.00 KMFDM w/Special Guests Wed, March 27, The Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $25 **2ND SHOW ADDED TO GOTHIC DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND**: Lindsey Stirling Wed, March 27, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm, The Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO $25.75 - $30.00 Allison Weiss w/Pentimento / Candy Hearts Wed, March 27, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $10 Soulfly w/Incite / Lody Kong, Thu, March 28, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $20 Andy Grammer Thu, March 28, The Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $20 Old Dusty Death w/Galaxy Express, the Burning Girls Thu, March 28, 2013Doors: 8:30 pm / Show: 9:30 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 21 and over $6.00 Greater Area Talent Presents:: Cellador w/Sanity’s Edge, Ground Above Zero, ORIFICE A Thu, March 28, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm - Herman’s Hideaway, Denver, CO, 21 and over $5.00 - $8.00 The Return of Magic Cyclops Fri, March 29, Doors: 9:00 pm / Show: 10:00 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 21 and over $6.00 The Cave Singers w/Pollens Fri, March 29, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm, The Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO This event is all ages $10.00 - $15.00 Reno Divorce w/MF RUCKUS, Monoco, Two Fisted Tango Fri, March 29, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 7:30 pm - Herman’s Hideaway Denver, CO, 21 and over $6.00 - $132.00
Soda Jerk Presents: K. Flay w/Input Wed, March 20, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 18 and over $12 - $14
Potato Pirates w/Plan B Rejects Fri, March 29, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $8
The 4onthefloor w/Special Guests Wed, March 20, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $8 Old Man Markley w/Special Guests Thu, March 21, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $12 Twist & Shout, Illegal pete’s and Radio 1190 Present: Bad Weather California w/the Blue Rider, The Blank Tapes, Hindershot, Thu, March 21, Doors: 8:30 pm / Show: 9:00 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 21 and over$10.00 Simian Circus w/Peaceful Peaches, Til It Hurts, Fragments of Silence Thu, March 21, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm - Herman’s Hideaway, Denver, CO 21 and over $3.00 - $6.00 Wax w/SplYt Thu, March 21, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $15 Album Release: Sudden Uproar w/Sideffect, Pressure Point, Swami, The Angry Hand of God, Fri, March 22, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm, The Gothic Theatre, Englewood, COThis event is all ages $10.00 - $15.00
The Next Arrival w/Special Guests Wed, March 13, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $5
Man Overboard & The Story So Far w/Tonight Alive / Citizen / The American Scene Sat, March 23, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $15
Radio 1190 and Fuel/Friends Blog present: Radiation City w/Brainstorm Tue, March 19, Doors: 8:30 pm / Show: 9:30 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 21 and over $6.00
Paradise Ducks w/Rachel & The Ruckus, INOTIO Wed, March 20, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 7:30 pm - Herman’s Hideaway, Denver, CO 21 and over $3.00 - $6.00
Junius w/Silver Snakes Mon, March 10, The Moon Room at Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $10
Sk3tchy Entertainment Presents: Just For Tits & Giggles 2 Thu, March 14, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm - Herman’s Hideaway, Denver, CO 21 and over, $8.00 - $10.00
French Montana w/Chinx Drugs, K!NG, Ray Reed Tue, March 19, The Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $20
Imagine Dragons - Night Visions Tour 23 March 2013 - 8:00PM, Fillmore Auditorium - Denver, Colorado Radio 1190 Presents: The Tooth & Nail Tour: Billy Bragg w/Kim Churchill Sat, March 23, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm , The Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO This event is all ages $30.75 - $35.00
Tech N9ne 22 March 2013 - 7:00PM, Fillmore Auditorium - Denver, Colorado Regret Night & Be Brave w/Special Guests Fri, March 22, The Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $10 Boldtype vs. Red Stinger an onstage duel: w/Boldtype, Red Stinger, No Bueno, Too Late For Tomorrow, Nemesys, Fri, March 22, 8:00 pm - Herman’s Hideaway, Denver, CO, 21 and over $5.00 - $10.00 Radio 1190 Presents: Fol Chen w/Royal Canoe, Fri, March 22, Doors: 9:00 pm / Show: 10:00 pm Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 21 and over $10.00 - $12.00 Peelander Z w/Special Guests Fri, March 22, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $10 Colorado Music Buzz Magazine and Reserve Casino Hotel Present: BandWagon 4 Final! Featuring Bop Skizzum, LAMA LIVE, The Sound Junkies, Qbala, Driftin’ Suns and Brittany Devens and the Gentlemen – Sat March 23rd, Lava Room, Central City CO, 21 and over NO COVER
Andrew McMahon Fri, March 29, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $30 A-Dre Productions Presents: The Denver Rock & Roll Pub Crawl – Featuring Bonnie and the Beard, Petals of Spain, Lil’ Thunder, Driftin’ Suns and Special Guests Sat March 30, Casselmans, Scruffy Murphy’s, The Meadowlark, Mile High Spirits and The Retro Room host this event for the Day Drinker and Live Music Lover in you, 3pm to 9pm. 2pm Pre-Registration @ Casselman’s. Colorado Music Buzz Presents: Driftin’ Suns CD Release Party w/ ELDREN , Petals of Spain Sat March 30, Casselmans Bar & Venue, Denver CO Doors 8pm $8 - $10 Twist & Shout and Channel 93.3 Present: The Joy Formidable w/Fort Lean Sat, March 30, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm , The Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO This event is all ages $18.75 - $22.00 Drop the Lime w/Special Guests Sat, March 30, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $16 Paganfest 2013 w/Ensiferum, Tyr, Heidevolk, Trollfest, Hellsot Sat, March 30, The Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $20 The Mavericks Mon, April 1, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm, The Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO This event is all ages $29.50 - $35.00 Twist & Shout and Radio 1190 Present: B Dolan w/ Special Guests! Men in Burka Mon, April 1, Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 18 and over $10.00 Radio 1190 Presents: Parenthetical Girls Tue, April 2, 9:00 pm - Hi-Dive, Denver, CO, 18 and over $10.00 The Metal Alliance Tour featuring Anthrax / Exodus / High On Fire / Municipal Waste / Holy Grail Tue, April 2, The Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO, $29.99 Jonny Craig w/Kurt Travis / Hail the Sun / The Seeking Tue, April 2, Marquis Theater, Denver, CO, $12 Sevendust w/Coal Chamber, Lacuna Coil, Candlelight Red Tue, April 2, Doors: 6:00 pm / Show: 7:00 pm, The Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO This event is all ages $30.00 - $40.00 Channel 93.3 presents: Cold War Kids Wed, April 3, Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm, The Gothic Theatre, Englewood, CO This event is all ages $20.00 - $23.00
MARCH 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
39