Colorado Music Buzz Magazine April 2014

MANAGING PUBLISHERS Keith Schneider Keith@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com Christopher Murphy CMurphy@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com MANAGING EDITOR Tim Wenger 303-725-9359 TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com WEBSITE EDITOR Tim Wenger TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com WEBMASTER SwamiSez Web Design Swami@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com SENIOR WRITERS Brooke Angelo, Chris Daniels, Angela Kerr Brooke Layman, Leah Parker, Jason Payne Norm Provizer, The Swami, Tru Blue, Stu Wilf PHOTOGRAPHY Jenn Cohen, Ted Davis, Alex Geller Ray Tollison

ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES Angela Kerr - 720-849-9697 AKerr@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com Dion Miller - 720-933-8002 DMiller@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com Eric Frank - 7262-470-2759 EFrank@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com EVENT AND MAGAZINE MARKETING Chris Murphy 720-429-8717 CMurphy@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com WEB ADVERTISING Keith Schneider 303-870-7376 Keith@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com LEGAL Stephen Replin - 303-322-7919 SReplin@ReplinRhoades.com

GENERAL INQUIRIES Info@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com SPONSORSHIPS / OTHER Please email us a written request proposal for all inquires to Editor@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

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.

Artists may submit press kits/CDs for review by mail. Please email requests for coverage directly to the editor and copy the writer of your choice in your musical style.

Colorado Music Buzz Magazine, LLC P.O. Box 2739, Littleton, CO 80161

Colorado Music Buzz Magazine is published monthly by Colorado Music Buzz Magazine LLC (Publisher) and distributed to over 650 locations throughout greater Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and surrounding areas.

Reproduction in any manner in whole or in part without express written consent of the Publisher is strictly prohibited. Views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher or its staff. Colorado Music Buzz Magazine LLC does not limit or discriminate based on ethnicity, gender, age, disability status, spiritual beliefs, familial status, or national origin, and does not accept editorial content or advertisements that do.

THE LYRIC

and doing exactly that.

Featuring Mosey West’s “The Next Breakdown”

CMB: So would you classify yourselves as video game nerds first, or musicians first?

Mosey West is gaining stream with the new EP Bermuda, and since our review of the record in our January issue, we’ve fallen in love with the track “The Next Breakdown.” Therefore, we figured we’d dig deeper into the lyrics and see what the band had to say about their meaning, origin, and their music in general.

CMB: You seem to be talking about traveling, maybe touring. Give us the lowdown on these lyrics.

MW: The song was written about the opening band, drinking, staying in shitty hotels, wasting time and all the things that go along with playing music. I started writing the lyrics while on tour in Texas and finished it after I got back. The song is about always looking forward to something, but not being sure what that is until it’s over.

Denver Chiptune Society Breaks Ground at 7th Circle

by Tim Wenger

TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

MW: The lyrics are meant to be distant, but also fun to sing whether we’re playing in front of 30 people or 300. The song is really more about the overall vibe to me.

I really like the driving rhythm and Andrew Berlin’s mix on the EP. I’m not good at writing happy songs because they often seem hokey or meaningless.

What exactly is “Chiptune” music? Well, as it turns out, Denver has a community of musicians (and possible old-school gamer nerds) who would love to tell you all about it. It is genre of music made entirely with old video game sounds. CMB wanted to know more, so we went straight to the source- Denver Chiptune Society’s Eric Brown.

CMB: Is there anything specific that you channel when you are writing songs, or does it just kind of hit you?

CMB: First things first, give us a background on chiptune music and how it came to be, for those not familiar.

MW: Sometimes lyrics can take a long time. Sometimes I’ll have a cool melody, but I have trouble writing any words. Other times, I’ll have an idea of something to write about and I can pick up a guitar and write a song in only a few minutes.

I wrote most of “The Next Breakdown” while driving and made up the rest at practice. Once the right tempo was figured out everything else sort of fell into place.

DCS: Chiptune music began arguably as far back as the 70s, back when computers and consoles were built with dedicated sound chips to generate sounds and music. It has grown and evolved over these last few decades, in recent years has seen a boom in popularity largely due to the increasing availability of free (or dirt-cheap) software and hardware. Many genres of music are written in the Chiptune style, so nowadays it’s usually best to think of Chiptune as a medium rather than a music genre. It remains largely underground but has been slowly trickling it’s way into the mainstream, with retro fashions becoming popular and “8-bit sounds” in pop music.

CMB: The lyrics seem almost depressed or distant at times, is that what you were going for?

CMB: Would you say there is an overall message to your music?

MW: No, I just try and write songs that people can relate to and would like to hear while driving their car or hanging out at a bar with their friends. I’m not trying to change the world, I just want to have a good time and make good records.

CMB: What is coming up for the band?

MW: We are playing at the Hi-Dive in Denver on 4/10 with Lydia Loveless.

We’ll be at Hodi’s in Fort Collins on 4/4 with Von Stomper and again on 4/26 for FOCOMX. We’ve got some festival dates booked for the summer and we’re working on scheduling a few tours. We plan on getting back in the studio to being working on the next album in the next few months.

CMB: Where can we find the music?

MW: You can check the band out at moseywest.com Our music is for sale on iTunes or streaming on Spotify and if you live on the front range you can get our latest EP ‘Bermuda’ at Twist & Shout in Denver, Bizarre Bazaar in Fort Collins, or Albums on the Hill in Boulder.

Online: moseywest.com The Next Breakdown

by Mosey West have we been here before? well I guess it made no difference for this place and the last nobody paid much attention to the game on tv or the bartender’s glasses there’s an opening band throwin touchdown passes all night long

hotel rooms fallin down in the lobby we’ll make an old friend and we ain’t sayin sorry for the tips that we left or the mess in the hallway we were driftin away in the mornin too early for the next breakdown the next breakdown

we’re rollin back north and my eyelids are heavy from the weight of the world that’s already unsteady I was out of my mind and I’m out of your money I’ve got nowhere to be for an hour and twenty and the next breakdown the next breakdown

the house where we stayed when we woke up too early and the sirens all rang in my brain it was hurting is it part of the game? or a lesson I’m learning you know I can’t stay I’m already late for the next breakdown the next breakdown

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Part of the appeal of Chiptune from an artist perspective is pushing the hardware to the absolute limits, to extract as much as possible out of such a limited sound palate, so there is a strong emphasis on composition. Another part of the appeal is the sense of nostalgia associated with the sounds, flashing back to playing Mario Bros or whatever growing up. However, there are plenty of younger kids getting into Chipmusic that don’t even have this nostalgic attachment, but can enjoy and appreciate it as an art form all on it’s own, because of its unique defining characteristics. There are obvious close ties with the video game world, but for many this association is meaningless and irrelevant.

CMB: How did the artists that make up the Denver Chiptune Society come together?

DCS: There is an inherent sense of community amongst Chiptune artists and fans alike, and once you understand the basics, you’re in the club. There’s a huge, thriving online community so when I moved here from Nashville I knew I couldn’t be the only one in town doing it. I’m honestly not sure how we came together, it was one at a time for sure but I know for a fact Craigslist was involved. Eventually we decided to form a little club to play some shows together and try to spread awareness.

Little by little we’re getting our act together

April 2014 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

DCS: Heh, I can’t speak for everyone but... we are performing artists, who enjoy writing and performing music. Don’t get me wrong, we’re definitely nerds too, you sort of have to be in some way to develop a passion for archaic computing technology... the Chiptune thing is just something that clicked with us but I wouldn’t doubt we’d all still be making music had we not discovered it. I actually spend almost zero time playing videogames myself these days (gasp!), but VG soundtracks make up a large part of my music listening library.

CMB: Any BITPARTY events coming up this summer, following the March 26 concert?

DCS: More than likely! We’re just taking things one step at a time for now, but the plan is to get to a point where we’re hosting semi-regular events (6-7 times a year) without using all the same artists over and over.

CMB: Where can I check this music out online?

DCS: There’s plenty of stuff available on every social network you can think of, but a good place to start would be the “big three” of Chipmusic netlabels 8bitpeoples, Ubiktune, and [the sadly now-defunct] Pause. All three of these labels have released insane amounts of amazing music for free, under various Creative Commons licenses. They also play a huge role in the organization of the world’s premier Chiptune events and festivals, where artists and fans from all over the globe get together to dance the night away, and to finally put a face to an Internet handle.

CMB: Walk us through the process of creating a tune.

DCS: The process varies from individual to individual, and there are many different approaches depending on which sound chip you decide you want to work with. There’s a bit of a learning curve familiarizing yourself with a new piece of software, and opening it up for the first time can be extremely daunting, but it’s a lot easier than you think to get the hang of it.

With the plethora of available tutorials and information online, total artist transparency and their willingness to explain things 1-on1 in great detail, and the copious amount of LEGALLY free software being actively developed, the only barriers to entry are your motivation and willingness to learn.

CMB: Any other info you’d like to share?

DCS: Yes! I actually started a blog called LearnToChip.com, an initiative to demystify the art of Chiptune and to help newcomers get started in the right direction. There are a few decent articles on there right now but I had to abandon it a while back due to other obligations, I intend on picking it back up and making regular updates in the next few weeks. Worth a read if you would like to learn more!

Online: facebook.com/denverchiptune

bands at the same time.”

Preneur of the Month

by Angela Kerr and Leah Parker

AKerr@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com cfi@msudenver.com

Since joining her first band in 2007, Adrienne Osborn has been in nearly every type of band structure you can imagine: a 7-person consensus-driven band, one truly 50/50 joint-venture band, one band that was 50/50 on paper but not in reality, a 5-person democratic band, two bands where she was the leader and final decision maker, and one band where she was just along for the ride as a backup singer.

She’s been lead singer, backup singer, keyboardist, bassist, and even a drummer.

As far as band roles, she’s been a booking agent, private client liaison, sound engineer, website builder, business manager, general manager, chart maker, band leader, merchandise buyer, songwriter, lyric writer, producer, and graphic designer. This May marks the five year anniversary of her business, Performance High, a vocal training and artist development studio. It’s our pleasure to introduce our April 2014 BuzzPreneur, Adrienne Osborn.

When asking Adrienne why she left the IT industry she replied, “I wanted to do something different than software development– write a book, become a teacher, I didn’t know. In 2006, my entire Boulder office was laid off, so I had time to look at my life and figure out the next move. On a hike that summer, I suddenly remembered my childhood dream of being a singer.

And that was the beginning of the next chapter.”

Adrienne’s background in music is extensive.

She has been in three cover bands, two original bands, a jazz quartet, a live karaoke rock band, and collaborative writing/recording relationships with 1015 people. She also received stage training from Tom Jackson Productions in Nashville.

Adrienne shared that Performance High focuses on popular styles of music. Although they work with all levels, they particularly love working with singers who are starting to perform or are already out performing.

Adrienne shared that Performance High has worked with quite a few of the Front Range’s lead singers, from American Idol finalist Casey Abrams to Denver artist Roniit to the lead singers of Pride in Pieces, Of Ashes, Starcar Sunday, and many others. On the artist development side, she works with new and experienced performers to help them understand and own the tools of the stage, understand their options within the music industry, and develop a more powerful show. Performance High has tremendous talent behind the scenes consisting of people who have been doing music their entire lives. Producer/ engineer Justin Long is an Atlantic Records artist with national touring experience and lots of engineering and production credits. Kristin Henry has masters’ level study in vocal pedagogy, Rebecca Harrold and William Hughes have advanced voice degrees and over 10 years of experience teaching voice, and Caitie Gutierrez has a degree in music therapy.

As Adrienne continues to elaborate, we asked why performance coaching and artist development is so important, “We all know the music industry has been turned on its head. It’s always been important to put on a good live show, but now that other sources of

income have dried up, the income from live shows is more important than ever before. If you can put on a good show, and connect with people emotionally, then you’ll sell more stuff and more people will return to your next show.” It is Adrienne’s opinion that without a good live show, you’re going to fight for audience and venue time against bands that have one.

We inquired as to other areas in which a band might focus and Adrienne pursued the business and networking facets. As Adrienne and her partner Jason Long will address the Own It Music Mastermind Series on April 8, 2014, with a panel discussion entitled, “Designing your Band Band Member Roles and Organizational Structure” – she responded, “There’s the business and networking side, which is why CREATE MSU Denver’s Own It Mastermind Series is doing what they’re doing.

Sure, you can focus only on your craft. That’s a totally valid option. You just have to think about what your priorities are.

There’s nothing wrong with making music just because you like making music, if you aren’t concerned with getting it out in front of people.”

Finally, as we asked for Adrienne’s advice for musicians on the rise, she said: “My first piece of advice is to be a good person. If you burn bridges, you might be surprised how quickly you’re faced with not being able to cross a particular river. I got burned by someone a few years ago, and over time I’ve heard others say similar things about that individual, using terms like scorched earth policy.” She felt that a reputation will precede you when doing business; if you treat people well, if you give freely with no strings attached, she believes it comes back to you in great, unexpected ways.

Her next piece of advice is to think of the whole journey as a marathon, not a sprint. If you’re in this music industry as a career, you have to think in terms of years and decades, not months. Don’t use yourself up in the first two years as you can burn yourself out. She reiterates pace yourself as it going to be a long run. Adrienne believes in building a big, strong foundation, so that when your moment comes, there’s a lot for people to check out.

Addressing Adrienne’s goals for the future for both Performance High and her own musical career, we heard about her plans to start filming a pop/rock vocal training product as her teaching schedule is getting too packed and she wants to be able to serve rock and pop singers that she can’t fit into her schedule.

We should see this product in the summer.

On the band side, Adrienne O is releasing not one but two EP’s this summer. Two EP’s equals an album, but they’re conceptually different, so they are being released separately. The first one, Lines, to be released on June 14 at the Walnut Room, consists of the best songs people have come to love at her shows. Adrienne commented, “The second EP – which may end up a full-length album, because we’re on fire creatively right now - is a more exploratory, conceptual, groove-based, danceable album. It’s a bit inspired by Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories. It’ll have a perfect atmosphere for summer festivals.”

Online: arienneo.com

Eat The Sun Keep Trucking

by Charlie Sullivan

CSullivan@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

Some people might call this a musician’s band, I call it great music and a gratifying listening experience.

Denver’s experimental/prog/math rockers Eat The Sun bring the music to you in a way most musicians often ponder in their minds. The crew starts you out fast and pretty and eases you into a polyrhythmic world of chaos. The band looks at it as more of a therapeutic release of energy.

“Our songs are like journeys,” says Matt Sandoval (guitar, vocals), “They take you on little trips that we all need to help break up the monotony of the daily grind.”

“I like to get moving a just let it out when I’m performing, you just can’t act like that in public,” says Dan Beliveau (bass, hype-man), “People would be backing away wondering what’s up with this guy.”

“We give Dan plenty of room on stage,” adds Dave Sandoval (guitar, percussion, vocals), “We give him center stage and let him work his magic.”

The brothers Sandoval and Beliveau have known each other since they were kids and emigrated from northern Virginia, the D.C. suburbs, to the Denver area about five years ago.

“We’ve playing in bands since middle school,” relays Matt, “But we were never all together in the same

Tyler Stanfield Signs With Two Roads Management

Eat The Sun formed five years ago and stepped it up about two years ago. They’d been writing and performing their tunes and it was time to lay down some tracks and through the process created In Case Of The Flood a stellar three song EP of electric mayhem reminiscent of The Mars Volta and King Crimson.

“We produced, recorded, and engineered the first release in the old music building at September High School in Boulder,” says Dave, “About a year ago we hooked up with Michael Zucker at Differential Studios, liked how things went, and laid down the ground work for our next release.”

With Zucker handling the mixing and mastering the collaboration birthed A Tribute To Kenneth Bruce Gorlick, key in on “Sword Chong” and “Brenda”. The release was a praiseworthy six song EP showcasing the acoustic side of the band. The subtler acoustic approach exposes just how talented these lads are.

“We haven’t had much luck finding a drummer that fits the bands needs,” relays Dave, “It seems the majority of good drummers in Denver are already playing in two or three bands.”

“We like doing the acoustic shows,” says Beliveau, “The shows have allowed us to augment and develop our material taking it to another level.”

The bands live shows are electrifying to watch as the creative process plays out and the outfit creates and performs new material for the forthcoming Expand And Collide a full length album due for release at the end of the summer. The plan after the release is to take it on the road and get the music out to the masses. If you’re a gifted drummer looking for a good gig get in touch with the band it would be a beneficial experience.

“Music, once admitted t the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.”

April 14th 7:00 PM at Seventh Circle Music Collective, Colorado Springs w/Lisabi, Cloud Catcher, Into The Hollow Mile High Festibowl: April 18th 7:00 PM- 8:00 PM, Armoury, Larimer St, Denver for you?

Tyler Stanfield making more than a ripple with his music these days. With a solid schedule of gigging and recording since he has embarked on his solo career has landed him a deal with Two Roads Management to handle his business affairs. Below are the details of what down and how.

TS: Well hopefully a lot! They have already put me in the studio with Ahrue Luster (Ill Nino, Machinehead). Which is cool because this is a totally new direction genre wise for him and myself. They have revamped my business plan, and are currently redesigning the website. Along with managing my business affairs and oversight but with my own creative control.

It’s the type of management we as artists look for. This year will be full of Radio Promotion, National Touring, Festivals and Placement.

CMB: How did this deal come to be?

Who plugged you in,or how did you make the connection?

CMB: What are the plansfor the Spring and Summer?

TS: It kind of just happened. I have known Scottie Flint and Melissa Lycan through the musicscene for awhile. We just started taking about filling in some dates here and there and a business relationship grew. I was stoked to find out that they had merged their companies and were taking on the top talent in the city.

Their bands were doing great. Ultimately though Management is about trust. I have seen a lot in this business and believe that they are looking out for the artists they represent.

TS: The first thing I’m working on is getting some new music finished and out.We plan on doing some cool spider web tours and regional bursts all over the country.

Of course always coming back home to beautiful Colorado. We will continue to release singles throughout the year leading up to a full length album to be released on a TBD distro label.

I’m gonna be busy but I am excited for what this year brings so stay tuned!

by Tim Wenger photo credit JazzminWindeyPhotography.com

TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

Online: facebook.com/tylerstanfieldmusic, tylerstanfield.com

CMB: What are they going to be doing

April 2014 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

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Eyedea Worx Featured Artist- You Me and Apollo

by Brooke Laymam

editor@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

Are you familiar with the Fray, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, and the Lumineers? We love these bands, right? Colorado based bands that make it big are great because we get to listen to them on the radio and brag about them at the same time. What could be better?

Our February featured artist, You Me and Apollo, is nothing short of amazing and has all of the potential to be the next name in lights from the Mile High City. They were asking for a little bit of help through crowdfunding to record and release a full-length album at the end of March.

Warm and fuzzy is the first thought that comes to mind when listening to You Me & Apollo.

Ring leader Brent Cowles draws you in with his passionate vocals that make you feel like you are hearing what maple syrup would sound like if it sang out loud. Not to mention the incredible harmonies on songs like “I don’t want to be loved” which add layers of depth (or more like pancakes if we are sticking to our food analogy theme).

You Me & Apollo create a vibe that takes a 30-something like me back to the days of MTV’s 120 minutes. I can practically see their video following Blind Melon’s “No Rain.” Even their live shows the band relaxing in their converse sneakers and thrift store plaid shirts on a beat up old couch like the one I had in my college apartment.

Unfortunately we can’t promote their upcoming shows because the band is packing up and traveling to Memphis to record what is sure to be the next played out disc in your CD player.

Come on kids, jump on the bandwagon and support these local rockstars and help them record in the same studios that supported badasses like the White Stripes and Bob Dylan.

Let’s help them make their dreams come true…. Ok, break.

Online: youmeandapollo.com

Ground Above Zero- Light It Up and Pray For Rain

by Charlie Sullivan

CSullivan@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com

Ground above Zero’s freshman release, Light It Up and Pray For Rain, will hit the streets on April 18, 2014. The quasi metal artists first release (and long anticipated) is a solid effort from beginning to end. The powerful sonic assault kicks in on the opening track, “Hide And Seek (Ophelia)” and doesn’t let up. The band soars on “Raven’s Voice” and “Riot” as the assault continues. Heather Haas-Prestridge vocals are spot on and the band rocks the house, literarily, I cranked this one up and rattled a few pics off the wall. The project was recorded and mixed at Evergroove Studio with the assistance of Brad Smalling and the sound is impeccable, not a lot to complain about here. The crew also enlisted the assistance of local legend Tim Kaminski (Yerkish) who provided vocals and lyrics on “Discontent”. I give the release a great big local thumbs-up. The the crew should pat themselves on the back for a job well done and get busy on their next release, I’m already jonesing’. CD release show, April 18, 2014, 7:00 PM, Walnut Room.

Online: groundabovezero.com Meagan ChandlerSensual

by Tru Blu

Trublu@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com

The world is full of beats and rhythms that most of us only get brief glimpses of as we exist within the vast universe that music encompasses. Meagan Chandler’s experience as a touring Flamenco Singer, expressive arts educator and performance artist translate into a diverse and ethereal mix on. Her musical influences are apparent across the 13 tracks of the album, and include gypsy, reggae, jazz, hints of country, flamenco, rock, the middle-east and more. She is a talented songstress and her sensual, sexy, playful, powerful and tender writing throughout the album reflects a feminine genius that can only come with life experience and knowledge.

Meagan’s world of beats give you the idea that her musical journey has just begun to be revealed. We look forward to more!

Online: meaganchandler.com

Dead End Drivers

by Tim Wenger

TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com

The Spot Studios has been working with some solid talent lately, and Dead End Drivers are right up there at the top.

A smorgasbord of musical talent, the four new tracks from DED take mainstream alternative rock and mix in a bit of country twang, indie soul, and pop flair for good measure. The

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result, emanating from start to finish on the new disc, is a pleasing blend of modern music that is impossible not to tap your toes to.

The strongest song is a cover of the song “She Said,” a bit heavier than the rest that is reminiscent of nineties mainstream rock with ripping lead guitar work. The guys have been gaining a good deal of publicity lately, which should continue with strong promotion of these new tracks.

Online: deadenddrivers.com

Disgrace The Traitor-To Pick Ourselves Up

Anchorage

by Tim Wenger

TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com

Experimental altrockersAnchorage dropped their second release, an upbeat, danceable, and emotionally stimulating EP, on March 21 at the Hi-Dive. The record is very well done- instead of relying solely on ubercatchy hooks and sing-along vocals to attract a trendy audience, Anchorage lets their pure talent do the talking.

Double guitars drive a heavy sound, mix in heart-felt lyricism, bass and drums and they have dropped an album that bridges a gap between metal, indie, and classic alternative circa The Cure. The songs bleed passion, hard work, and a bright future for a Denver band that is already walking the long and insatiable quest of the musician’s life.

Online: anchorageofficial.com

In The Whale- Nate

by Tim Wenger

TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com

In The Whale is on fire right now, and their heavy-hitting, moshable new EP Nate, the follow up to Eric, which was released last fall, is only going to add more fuel to the fire.

by Tim Wenger

TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com

Disgrace The Traitor is Mike Trujillo, who gained some fame in the scene with Take To The Oars before leaving the group last March. He dropped his debut solo EP To Pick Ourselves Up March 13 at Larimer Lounge, and the record is not what you’d expect. Flashes of hard alternative rock stand tall throughout, mixed with some of the finest lyricism Denver has seen in years.

The EP starts off with a bang with “River of Freedom,” featuring heavily distorted guitar riffs reminiscent of The White Stripes and thrashing drum beats. The tempo of the record changes (including the danceable, pop-rock influenced track “Ugly Side,” my personal favorite) but the melody remains strong and Trujillo’s voice takes the listener on a ride that you will want to hit again and again, like an emotional roller coaster of musical bliss. To Pick Ourselves Up is the strongest alt-rock release we’ve heard in 2014.

Online: facebook.com/ disgracethetraitormusic

The CongressWhatevr You Want

by Brooke Layman

editor@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com

Speaking of fire, the strongest track on the record is aptly titled “Lake of Fire.” Front man Nate Valdez shows his mastery of that fine line between the squealing, high-pitched vocals that so many indie rockers employ and a darker, sinister sound, and it fits his pictorial lyricism perfectly. This new recording further separates In The Whale not only from the hords of indie and alt-rock in Denver but also the mainstream rockers like The White Stripes , proving once again that In The Whale rightfully stands in a league of their own. As Valdez screams on the fist-bumping track “Robert Johnson,”- Burn, baby, burn.

Eyedea Worx recently printed the second release of “Whatever You Want” from The Congress. I am one lucky gal to be able to help produce these projects and write reviews about them.

Online: inthewhalesucks.com

The obvious favorite track for me was “Keep Virginia” which happens to be the state where I was born and raised. The Congress captured the feeling of a July afternoon covered in the perspiration that comes with that thick cloud of humidity that is Virginia in the summer. I was transported back home to a dock on the water and the smell of honeysuckle in the air.

Traitors to the Queen

by the Swami

Swami@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com

A very solid new band has begun it’s emergence into our burgeoning music scene. Traitors to the Queen showcases a great blend of indie pop that has a commercial quality that is rare to find in newer developing bands these days. A two man show consisting of Nick Larsen and Zac Schmidt, - the guys bring the flavor of Death Cab for Cutie with brilliance that goes beyond the normal influences. The Melancholy synth work, propels the lyrical visions into full flight along with candid words that are truly heartfelt.

Online: traitorstothequeen.com

April 2014 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

As soon as I put this album in my player I started tapping my toes and chair dancing. The title track, “Whatever You Want,” was the perfect way to start my afternoon. From there I was wooed by the unexpected and somehow eerily romantic harmonies on “Walls” and then seduced by the slow passion of “Impatiently.”

I love how each of the songs tells a story which is sometimes hard for rock and roll bands to accomplish. But best of all, you can tell that these guys had a blast recording this album which is perfectly mixed and mastered. Brownie points to Mark Fuller, John Macy and Scott Lane of Macy Sound Studios.

If you took all of your favorite rock and roll legends, threw them in to a blender and topped it off with caramel sauce, you would the The Congress.

The Congress will be playing April 5th at the Bluebird Theater in Denver.

performers who were virtual household names. Still, jazz remains rather a stranger in its own land.

Bishop Mane Bishop Mane is one of the hardest working artist I’ve seen since joining and becoming Vice President of Izomnia Ent Bishop Mane has been grinding heavy to create a buzz in Colorado before he takes on the world. This guys level of motivation to become the top artist reflects in his music and hustle setting out to always please the people who loves him (fans).Bishop Mane has recorded over 30 songs since February with his leading single “Diva” Featuring Fred Nice and Kali the young 23 year old definitely has big plans for the music scene and I definitely feel is going to be the next big thing to hit the industry.

Online: reverbnation.com/bishopmane

Branden Abeyta

Branden Abeyta (born July 29, 1985) is a singer/song writer/performer.

He has won 4 prestige’s awards including the 2009 USA Songwriting Competition Honorable Mention for his song “Hypnotized” in the rap genre, the 2011 USA Songwriting Competition Finalist Award for Best Original Song “Spread My Wings & Fly”, the 2012 USA Songwriting Competition Finalist Award for Original Song Of The Year “Hands Up”, however his most reputable award includes the 2010 USA Songwriting Competition 1st Place Award in the r&b genre for his song “Retail”. Abeyta was born in the rugged neighborhood of Commerce City, Colorado known for its high crime rates and heavy drug use in the 80’s, but Branden seemed to overcome all obstacles with the help of his loving parents, sibling and music. Branden Abeyta has been very passionate about his art and has captured the attention of the music scene and made love to the hearts of music enthusiasts throughout the art of entertainment.

Online: reverbnation.com/brandenabeyta Tru Tecknique Originally from San Diego California, currently living in Boulder Colorado.

Never knew my father because he tried to kill my mom when I was 2 he went to prison. Grew up fighting with my step father, when I started winning the fights I was no longer welcome in that home and so I was on my own at age of 15, I learned a lot about myself in those years when I had no one to count on. spent some cold nights alone in the snow before I started selling drugs to generate some form of income and worth. Was a rough time, but the life lessons that generated from this harsh reality were priceless. during this time I was able to express myself through my freestyles. Which I did for a very long time before I started writing. I think it helped me develop a unique style.

Roots & Rhythm

Online: reverbnation.com/trutecknique

Roots & Rhythm has done some big projects lately working with Todd Edmunds (of the Tel Arc Artist Otis Taylor band) on tuba, JD Kelley on trombone, Rod Buckner (Buckner Funken Jazz) on trumpet and Mikey Smith on organ for a big New Orleans project. This was filmed and featured at the recent Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Pimps of Joytime after party.Roots & Rhythm is also a featured band of the Blue Roots Denver Blues & Jazz feature film to be shown in 5 screenings for the 2014 Five Points Jazz Festival Film Series. These screenings will feature Roots & Rhythm performing live before a screening at the prestigious McNichols Civic Center Building in downtown Denver. Roots & Rhythm really started making their mark when given the opportunity to be featured on Momma Kat’s Show for a 2 hour special on Roots & Rhythm and their original music.

Online: reverbnation.com/rootsrhythm

WHY JAZZ MATTERS: TRACK 1

by Norman Provizer

editor@ColoradoMusicBuzz.comr

While no one has ever invited me to walk down a red carpet, I did get to walk next to one when I attended the 50th edition of the Grammy Awards back in 2008. The show was filled with artists from Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis to Beyonce, Rihanna, Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys and John Legend – with a live satellite performance from Amy Winehouse thrown in as well. Daft Punk was also there with Kanye West and it was the first time I had a chance to see the French techno-duo live.

But for me, as a life long jazz fan, the highlight by far was pianist Herbie Hancock accepting the Album of the Year award for River: The Joni Letters. As the great jazz pianist Hancock said, it was the first time in 43 years that a jazz recording walked away with the coveted Album of the Year Grammy. Back then it was the bossa-nova collaboration between jazz saxophonist Stan Getz and Brazilian guitarist/ singer Joao Gilberto that took the prize. In 2008, it was Hancock’s tribute to the music of Joni Mitchell that went home with the award.

One might quibble, of course, with some details. After all, during the 43-year draught for jazz, two singers, who are, to say the least, strongly influenced by jazz (Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett) won for Album of the Year, while the jazz-trained, if pop-oriented, pianist/singer Norah Jones won it in 2003 for Come Away with Me released on one of the most famous labels in jazz history, Blue Note Records. On top of that, arranger/composer Quincy Jones, who has deep roots in jazz, also walked away with the award in 1991.

In any case, the recognition given to jazz, America’s great cultural creation that has captured the imagination of the world, is more than welcome, especially when you consider that in 2008 jazz (in all its forms) represented just over one percent of recording sales in the United States. Two years after Hancock’s win, the young, jazz bassist and vocalist Esperanza Spalding also delivered a shock wave when she captured the Grammy for Best New Artist over

With a shrinking and aging audience in America, jazz might strike some as a dinosaur. But think about this. Daft Punk won the Album of the Year Grammy in 2014; and if you look at the personnel on the recording beyond Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers, you find a host of jazzrooted players who were also on stage performing at the Grammy celebration.

There were bassists James Genus (who has worked with Denver’s fourtime Grammy recipient and jazz singer Dianne Reeves), Nathan East, Chuck Berghofer, guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. and drummer Omar Hakim (who was part of Weather Report, co-led by the jazz master Wayne Shorter, as well Sting’s group) along with horn players. And this is nothing new. After all, the house band at Motown Records, heard on hit after hit, was made up of players who grew up in the jazz tradition.

The Smithsonian’s Museum ofAmerican History has declared April to be Jazz Appreciation Month; and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, in 2011, proclaimed April 30 to be International Jazz Day. In the past, the massive jazz event associated with the day has been held in Istanbul, Paris, New Orleans and the United Nation’s headquarters in New York. This year’s event is in Osaka, Japan.

So, if you haven’t given jazz a listen, this might be a good month to give it a try and see why it has so captured the world. You can hear a sampling of the music anytime at KUVO-FM (89.3). In terms of live music, some of the significant, national acts on tap for the month are: the superb and highly original jazz singer Rene Marie (April 5-6); the masterful pianist Brad Mehldau and his trio (April 6); the genre-jumping band Kneebody (April 7); the Denver-base, internationally known crossover saxophonist Nelson Rangell (April 12); the legendary jazz-rock guitarist Larry Coryell (April 17-18); saxophonist Charles McPherson (April 19); the famed saxophonist/composer Benny Golson (April 24); Jason Marsalis with his Vibes Quartet (April 25); saxophonist Joe Lovano’s US 5 band (April 26-27); and the high powered The Bad Plus trio (April 29-30). With the exception of Mehldau (who is at the Boulder Theater, 303-786-7030), Golson (who is at Mount Vernon Country Club, 303-526-0616) and Marsalis (who is at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 303-987-7845), the artists listed are all appearing at the city’s premier jazz club – Dazzle (303-839-5100).

As part of the Ken Burns television documentary Baseball, writer Gerald Early argued that “there are only three things America will be known for 2,000 years from now when they study this civilization; the Constitution, jazz music, and baseball.” It’s easy enough to find a copy of the Constitution and get to a Rockies game. And there’s also a lot of jazz around to discover for yourself why Early just might be

My Wooden LEG Hailing from Romania, MY Wooden LEG blends Balkan rhythms and Gypsy melodies with the old world sounds of a traveling circus band, c.1920-1935. From military marches to dark tangos, turbo-folk to polka punk, MY Wooden LEG inspires a strange, new dance.

Black-labeled for prying at the public and contra-banded for conspiring with clowns, MWL has been deported.

Online: reverbnation.com/mywoodenleg

April 2014 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

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third Fridays each month.

Denver Loft Sessions Gain Steam on Denver 8 TV

by Tim Wenger

TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

Denver 8 TV, our local Denver municipal access television station and video service provider operated by Denver Media Services, has launched a TV show highlighting local musicians. The show, entitled Denver Loft Sessions, began airing in February of this year with new episodes biweekly, debuting a new episode on the first and

The station and its operatives, including CIO Frank Daidone, wanted to provide the service not only for the musicians they bring in but for music and culture fans in the city who might enjoy the programming. “It came to be out of a need for this entity and the city to reach an audience that was beyond the C-Span and public affairs programming,” said program director Allen DeLollis. “The city is involved in a lot of different arenas. The music business in Denver is seen as a growing and viable economic generator. To tap into that and tap into that audience, that’s where it was created from.”

Each selected band is invited down to the studio inside the Denver City & County Building to do an intimate thirty minute performance followed by an interview. The footage is then edited and compiled into an interesting and personable format complete with professional imaging and presentation to be aired on Denver 8 TV. Their first tapings began in November, allowing the staff to have a backlog of bands to air on the show. “We try to get ahead and bank a lot of things so that we can have programming that we know will be there so that we can keep going,” says producer David DiManna. their EP, and I like the band,” said Mack. “They get play on KTCL, and I’m sitting in a coffee shop here in Parker one day and they’ve got music playing in the background. The girl who is the barista here says ‘Oh I know that band!’”

Mack had her introduce him to a member of the band. “She connected me with the bass player Jared (Hornbeek). As time went on with my involvement with the Creative District and I saw a need for fundraising, I got the brilliant idea of, why not a concert? Why not bring these guys here? They’re well liked in Colorado, well played in Colorado.”

The Unlikely Candidates to Perform at Parker Fundraiser

by Tim Wenger

TWenger@ColoraoMusicBuzz.com

The PACE Center in Parker will be hosting a benefit for Parker’s Creative District at Old Town on April 25. Featuring Atlantic Records artist The Unlikely Candidates from Fort Worth, Texas and local Parker rockers Viretta, the event is the first of its’ kind in Parker and seeks to raise $8-10,000 for the Creative District.

“It will be the first fundraiser for that district that will allow us to raise matching funds for the grants that we have already been targeted for,” said Don Mack, Chairman of the Finance Committee for Parker’s Creative District at Old Town. Tickets for the event are available at PACEcenteronline.com or by calling 303-8056800.

Event headliners The Unlikely Candidates have been touring nationally and gaining a good following in the Denver area, including Mack himself. “I’ve been listening to them for six or seven months now, since they released

14

After inquiring about booking the band for the event, Mack went to Clear Channel and asked them to get behind the event with airtime for the band. He also asked local merchants in Parker if they would support the event and received a unanimous yes. “The next thing you know, I’m putting together a concert,” says Mack.

Mack and his team hope to turn this into a strong annual fundraiser for the Creative District, something that the citizens of Parker look forward to and get behind each year.

“We’ve talked about starting to create some kind of an annual music event here in Parker that would benefit that district,” says Mack.

“This is kind of the proving ground. It’s given me a big education on what it takes to put together a show. But that’s where I’m going with it, I’m going to try and create something on an annual basis.”

The event is sponsored by VINE Wine Bar, KTCL Channel 93.3, Tailgate Tavern, Hall Brewing Co., and This Is Entertainment, who will be bringing in a photo booth for the event to boost social media activity. “It’s kind of an interactive photo booth,” says Mack. “People can go in there with their friends and take selfies and it’s all computerized so they can instantly link it to Twitter or Facebook plus print out a full-color copy right on the spot.”

Online: facebook.com/ theunlikelycandidtatesatPACEcenter

DiManna, whose background includes music and show production, handles much of the back-of-house work for the show.

“There’s a person we work with here at the city, but he’s real connected with bands, says DiManna. “He knows a lot of bands, he parties with them. That’s been one hydrant of feeding us. Also, since we launched our Facebook page, that’s where we get probably 80% of our response.”

Bands contact the crew through the page and through email. DiManna then sends them a standard response of requirements and what they are looking for. “We launched it about a month before the show premiered with some teaser clips and snippets of the show, sound bites from the interviews,” drector/editor Bill MacAllister. “We’ve been populating the Facebook page every week. Right now, we are airing bi-weekly so during that week leading up to the new show we post some more teasers and snippets of the interviews.”

Bands must have video of themselves to be considered for selection. “They’ve got to submit to us video clips from a performance,” says DiManna. “It can be from a club or whatever.

We don’t accept thematic music videos.”

The material performed on the program must be original material. Once selected, the band is scheduled a time to come down for

Dogfish Brewing Co. Beer and Music Mashup To Hit Ogden

by Tim Wenger

TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

Beer and music go together like peas and carrots, especially in Colorado where the craft beer scene and music scene are among the strongest in the country. So strong, in fact, that Delaware’s Dogfish Head Brewing is coming to town to host a Beer-Music-Mashup event at the Ogden Theatre on Wednesday, April 9. The event will feature select Dogfish Head and other American craft brews on tap and live music from My Body Sings Electric, Deerpeople, and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Tickets for the event are $20 in advance, $25 DOS and can be picked up at ogdentheatre.com. CMB got the scoop from Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione.

CMB: Give us the background on Dogfish Head Brewery and how you guys came to be.

SC: Dogfish founder Sam Calagione is as big of a music geek as he is a beer geek. The brewery was founded with the mission of making off-centered ales for off-centered people in 1995.

Our holy trinity is original beer, original food and original music. We only book original music at our pub—just last week we had Jonathan Richmond and in June we have Bob Mould playing.

And dogfish is the first craft brewery to do a Music Series of beers. Including our Collabs with Miles Davis Estate, Bonnie Prince Billy, Robert Johnson, Deltron 3030 and the Grateful Dead.

CMB: We love the lineup for this show- did you handpick the bands,

April 2014 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

the performance and interview. The shoots generally take place on Saturdays.

In addition to working on the Denver Loft Sessions, the video crew from Denver Media Services is responsible for filming at all Denverrun parks, meaning that they get to film all of the stars that hit Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre each year. “One of the things that people may not know about us is that, when you go to a show Red Rocks, 90% of the video that you watch on the screen, those are our crews,” said DeLollis.

“I’ve been doing shows up there for almost seven, eight years,” said DiManna. “We did 72 shows last year.”

DiManna and the crew hope the Denver Loft Sessions will continue to grow in popularity and sustain momentum for years to come. “We’re certainly hoping that it’s going to keep trucking along and keep going,” he says. “I have an inventory right now of easily close to fifty bands who we’ve been in touch with. We want to cater to the artists that play Denver and Boulder.”

Episodes play at the following times (MST): Friday @ 8:00 pm and 11:30 pm Saturday @ 10:30 am & 11:00 pm Sunday @ 9:00 pm Tuesday @ 3:00 pm Wednesday @ 12:30 pm or how/why were they selected?

SC: We worked closely with the Ogden on talent recommendations – we gave them a feel for who we are as a brewery and as music lovers and generated the lineup collaboratively. ( We) love clap your hand,s its awesome music to drink beer too.

Especially their first and third albums.

CMB: What beers will be on tap at the event?

SC: DFH beers will be on 5 taps downstairs (specially priced at $5 a pint) and 8 taps on the second level for VIP guests! We will have 60M, Namaste, Sixty One, 90M, Midas Touch, Aprihop, Burton Baton, Indian Brown and our Music Collaboration Series beers that include Positive Contact (Deltron 3030), American Beauty (Grateful Dead) and Bitches Brew (Miles Davis).

CMB: Is this event going to become an ongoing thing? What gave you the idea to come to CO? SC: The Beer-Music-Mashup event is hosted to celebrate the Craft Brewers Conference which happens each year in a different city. Dogfish has held CBC concerts in past years with the Feelies and Dan the Automator. And will continue a big event celebrating indie music and beer at every CBC. That said, Dogfish Head is available in CO year round so there is always an event of some kind going on!

CMB: Where can we learn more about you guys and the event?

SC: dogfish.com

Visit Local Stores or GuitarCenter.com

Stu Wilf on the NEW Ernie Ball M Steel Electric Guitar Strings: THE STRINGS Being a long time fan of Ernie Ball, I was pleased to hear about their new line of ‘M Steel’ strings that were released at the 2014 NAMM show. I have been using the Slinky line for over 10 years without issue, but as of late really wanted to get something totally new and different. These brought just what I was longing for.

What perked my interest in these strings was the material being used.

These are constructed with a compound called maraging steel, made up of nickel, cobalt, molybdenum and titanium. This form of “aged” steel is extremely durable while retaining softer metal characteristics.

In its non-stainless variety (as these strings are) it is moderately corrosion-resistant, as well as resistive to stress corrosion leaving it a highly durable string. The maraging steel is also where they get their name “M Steel”. This is a very cool and unique material, and you will notice a different look to these strings as soon as you open up the package!

Being mostly nickel, the strings have familiar tone to the rest of the slinky line with a slight twist from the cobalt. The molybdenum and titanium in the alloy are non-magnetic so they do not have an impact on the interference of the magnetism of your pickups, but in the makeup help to allow the strings to resonate in a particular way, adding to the tone. There is a brightness to it that is not found in the classic Slinky line, but with superb undertones adding mellowness to the bite and tying the varying frequencies together.

A hex core allows for increased sustain, attack and resonance.

Though there is not a huge difference between round and hex core, have the flat surface area allows for greater impact as the notes are fretted by giving more surface area upon contact. This then directs the transverse waves to the fret in a more direct manner making it become slightly more “connected” to each fret. Doing so give the string opportunity to vibrate further for longer, resulting in your guitar actually sounding louder, without increasing any volume! (I have heard some people say they do not like the feel of a hex core string, but I haven’t been able to tell enough of a difference for it to dissuade me from using them).

I tested two sets of 10’s on two different guitars, both through my Vox. The first set I put on my 2005 American Standard Strat. I fitted this guitar with a brass nut, vintage bridge, original pickups and frets.

When I put the strings on, I could hear a pleasant uniqueness about the string that I didn’t expect but seemed to be slightly more tinny than anticipated. Ernie Ball had promoted it as not being overly bright, but the strings sounded a little strong in the highs while I was tuning up (possibly from the molybdenum and titanium). Once plugged into the amp, that was not the case. I had the feel of a brand new string without the tinny sound that typically sneaks into the amp! I tore through a few licks from Misirlou and Purple Haze and didn’t want to stop. The strings felt great and didn’t seem to want to stretch out super fast and kept excellent pitch and intonation.

The second guitar I was on was a custom build that I made, an all mahogany, ebony fingerboard, 25.5” scale 24 fret, neck-thru construction shred machine equipped with a set of Seymour Duncan Blackouts and an original Floyd Rose. It was the same start out on this one as the Strat, without being plugged in sounded tinny, but once the axe was amped up that was gone. I was extremely pleased with the way the stings reacted with the active humbuckers, a perfect marriage of low end aggression with the high end singing clearly. I went straight to the lead channel with this one and busted out some riffs from the Faceless, Pantera, and Origin. These strings held up flawlessly to the hard pounding of metal and the abusive dive bombs with the Floyd Rose. Staying in tune was not an issue after getting the strings a little more stretched.

Jason Payne on the Yamaha MOXF: Literally, from a seller standpoint, the Yamaha MOXF series keyboard workstation sells itself. With its new upgraded sound engine and expandable flash memory, it is great for work in the studio as well as live performances. The MOXF series features an extensive (expandable) library of over 1000 normal voices, including drum kits, piano, organ, and many others. If that’s not enough, you can load in your own sounds from collections that Yamaha or other third-party companies have released to meet your needs. It has the same sound engine as one of their flagship keyboards, the MOTIF XF Series Workstation. Now you get the MOTIF XF sounds without all the “bells and whistles”--its a lighter-weight, more compact, more affordable option. Yamaha boasts that the VCM (Virtual Circuitry Modeling) technology utilized in the MOXF series, simulates vintage EQs, compressors, effects, and stomp boxes so accurately--even down to the basic circuitry level. I feel that all workstation keyboards have a learning curve, and the Yamaha learning curve, in my opinion, is a little steeper than some of the other brands. If you are familiar with any of the other Yamaha workstations, the work flow is the same on the MOXF series. The MOXF houses a 16-part built-in sequencer that can get most sequencing jobs done. It also connects seamlessly to the computer via USB and can work as a MIDI controller and an audio interface. The MOXF is a great compliment to a computer recording set-up. If you want professional level quality in the gigging musician’s price range, the MOXF series is where its at.

Brooke Angelo on the Taylor GS Mini Mahagony: This Guitar is LOVE at first play. Working at a guitar store, I am able to try and compare many different guitars, and the Taylor GS Mini Mahogany acoustic is one that really stands out above the rest. The 2012 GS Mini Mahogany is a breed all it’s own. It features a solid Mahogany top, laminate Sapele back and sides, Sapele neck, an ebony fingerboard, Nubone nut and saddle, mini chrome tuners, pearloid dot inlays, and a smooth satin finish. From the first chord you play, you will notice the warmth, depth, and amazingly, the volume, that this guitar has to offer. I personally want a guitar that is small enough to take anywhere, but that will still maintain the tone of a full sized guitar. That is what the GS Mini offers - portability and amazing sound. The GS Mini is available in either a Sitka spruce top or (my favorite) the Mahogany top. The solid Mahogany top delivers a warmer tone than that of its brighter Spruce top counterpart. It sounds great for bluesy style or finger-style playing, but is still versatile enough that it sounds great no matter what style you’re playing. The smaller size and shorter 23 ½” scale length are nice as well, and make playing very comfortable and easy.

Taylor was practical in the construction of the Mahogany GS Mini because they used Sapele laminate back and sides.

The laminate back and sides are more durable, and will hold up against climate changes and humidity fluctuations better than solid wood can. An added bonus is the pickup available exclusively for the GS mini, which you can install in minutes to amplify your sound – The ES GO. It clicks into a preinstalled bracket at the neck beneath the sound hole, and gives you the opportunity to bring your sound to the stage.

What else could you need? Maybe, a bag to bring it with you wherever you go? Oh, well it comes with that too! You can bring the Mahogany GS Mini with you anywhere you decide to adventure, and it will even fit in the overhead compartment of a plane. So if you are searching for a new guitar and you are planning on playing in your room, on the stage, in the mountains, or on the beach, I recommend you look no further.

All in all, the acoustic Taylor GS Mini Mahogany guitar is, in my opinion, an achievement Taylor should be very proud of, and a guitar worth owning.

While these strings sounded great and played nice on both guitars, I believe that the dominant market for M Steel will be in the hard rock and metal community of musicians. These strings are designed for people who play hard and don’t want to have to worry about breaking strings every show while not sacrificing any of their tone.

April 2014 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

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by Tim Wenger Few (if any) names ring the proverbial bell of Colorado metal music as loudly as Denver five-piece havey hitters Kill Syndicate. Since their inception in the summer of 2004, Kill Syndicate has dropped two well-received full length albums, toured the country several times, and developed a loyal following that now sits impatiently waiting for the band’s upcoming record release and world-wide tour schedule.

Stylistically, the band has evolved quite a bit over the years, keeping current with the face of metal music as their own personal talents evolve. The new album is a showcase of this, and the band is more than ready to stamp it into the history books and hit the road. “It’s more of a metal-core style,” says long-time Kill Syndicate guitarist and Voodoo Productions founder Dave Zaharia. “It has definitely evolved into more of a Suicide Silence, White Chapel style.”

The band wanted to keep their sound modern and fresh while still maintaining their metal roots and appealing to long-time fans, something that many bands struggle with doing. The new record, which the band recorded themselves, is their attempt to do just that.

To help the sound move in the direction the guys wanted it to go, they brought in Jesse Volrath to take over the lead vocal duties last year. “It’s a lot heavier, a lot harder,” says Zaharia. This new record will be the band’s first since 2009, and will be dropped into the hands of eager fans worldwide who will also have to opportunity to catch Kill Syndicate touring in the United States, Canada, Australia, and throughout Europe. “It’s taken a little bit to put together just because we’ve had to make a few changes in technicality. (Our songs) have never been this technical. I’ve had to push myself to learn some things. Playing seven string guitar is already challenging, and when you’re trying to do sweeps and stuff that’s a little more into the now, it’s a little more difficult. To play that live and deliver the same stage presence that we’re known for takes a lot of practice.”

Dave Otero did the mastering on the album, which will be completed in June. Before the release, Kill Syndicate will be doing a two week stint in Canada.

Zion from Cradle of Filth also helped with production on the album. “He was willing to get in there and help us out a little bit,” says Zaharia. Despite many other offers from people wanting to work on the record, the band kept much of it within the inner circle. “We just didn’t want too many fingers in the pie. We’ve had so many offers from people that wanted to get involved, and we just weren’t sure if that was going to take away or add. We definitely wanted to be hands on ourselves and not have to many people pointing in directions we may not want to go in.”

Prior the record release, the band will be hitting Canada for a two week tour. “We’re going to play a little of the new stuff, but for the most part, we’re going to keep pushing the old stuff with the new influence,” says Zaharia. “Our vocalist now is redoing the music

a little bit in his own, but using the same lyrics. We’re trying to still capture the old sound so we’re not throwing people off too much that know the music.”

Following the release, the band will complete the rest of their appointed touring. The tours are organized

by Killshot Management out of Australia.

Kill Syndicate has been around since July of 2004, evolving out of the band Brutal Infliction. “The singer, myself, and the drummer decided we wanted to go a bit heavier. We changed the name, changed a bit of the style, and put out the World Suicide album,” says Zaharia. “We were signed to World Media Records pretty much nine months after the album came out. It did really well, especially overseas. We had distribution here in the US through Hapi Skratch Records.”

For the next album, Bleed Your God, Kill Syndicate left World Media Records to work with a label ran

by Brian “Head” Welch of Korn, who had by that time become a born-again Christian. From the way it appeared to the band, the label did not like the goat head that Kill Syndicate uses in its’ logo. “We’re not a Satanic band, but we use that goat head so a lot of people view that as Satanic,” says Zaharia. “I think we’re more of an agnostic band. He definitely was not down after we had already sort of worked a deal.”

Things fell apart with the label. “We understood what was going on, and the album was already ready to be released, so we went ahead and released it independently.”

The new record and subsequent tours will mark the first time Kill Syndicate has been outside of the United States, something they are very excited for and proud of. They also are excited to be keeping up with the evolution of the metal genre with this new record. “The biggest thing that we were looking for is to ensure we are reaching the masses with the new music,” says Zaharia. “It’s definitely a different sound.

I think the people that know the old Kill Syndicate to the new Kill Syndicate, it’s definitely going to take some embracing from the old Kill Syndicate fans.

The stage presence is all the same, the music is just a little bit different and the vocals are a little bit different.”

“I think the old sound was a lot more Lamb of God, which is now pretty much classic metal,” says Zaharia. “We want to stay into the now, not just to be with the trends, but I’ve embraced the music because I like it. We want to emulate that a little with keeping our original sound at the same time. It’s not easy to do, but I think we’ve accomplished it.”

The album will be distributed nationally and internationally with label support, and will be dropped in Denver at either the Gothic Theatre or Summit Music Hall. Stay tuned to the band’s website for up-to-date information. The band is sponsored

by Monster Energy, Silver Surfer Vaporizers, Severed Ink Clothing Online: reverbnation.com/killsyndicate

Death Bed Confession Death Bed Confession is an American heavy metal group based in Denver, Colorado, who formed in 2010. The band consists of lead vocalist David Groover, guitarists James Chandler, and Brian David, bassist Paul Henry, and drummer Dingo Holtz. The band was formed with the goal of putting out the music its members would like to hear. Some consider it a blen of the best aspects of heavy rock form the 70s to today.

Death Bed Confession released ther self titled debut album on January 12, 2011. After working on singles and EPs, their second full length album is expected to be completed in the spring of 2014. Although not a progressive metal band, this most recent album called American Muscle plays interesting games with typical time signatures, while keeping a powerful groove.

The band is included on the Metal Compilation Album released on Shred Rock Records and Interscop Records.

In2011, band received the most votes of any metal band with more than 32,000 votes to play the Vans Warped Tour in Denver, CO as part of the online battleofthebands.com.

The band’s first performance was at The Zonein Lafayette, Colorado in early 2011. On June 25, 2011 they performed at the famed Whiskey AGo-Go. In March 2012, the band successfully toured Europe with L.A. Guns (Tracii Guns version), Barbarian Twins (Norway) Hollywood Dirtbags (USA0, and Crusher (Switzerland.)

In May 2013, the band toured Norway with local bands Barbarian Twins, and Metanzik.

Online: facebook.com/dbcmetal

Dead For Denver Dead For Denver is a physical entity that sustains the eternal dreams of five children. They recently represented Denver in the Sumerian Records Battle of the Bands, in which they traveled to Los Angeles to perform in front of label executives. Catch the band April 18 at Herman’s Hideaway and April 26 at the Marquis Theatre.

Online: facebook.com/deadfordenver

Hit The Ground Running Hit The Ground Running has always been less about the attitude and more about connecting with the people and lives that intertwine with our own.

We understand that any growth or success we achieve is only a result of those that take the time to share this experience with us. If you are reading this, it means that you share a part in that. And no matter how big or small that part is, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Online: facebook.com/HTGRofficial

Forty Fathoms Forty Fathoms has done it all and none of it at the same time. We can’t wait to meet all of you. The band was recently interviewed on Metalix.

Online: facebook.com/fortyfathoms

Flood of Souls Flood of Souls is best described as “Swamp Metal”, with a kangaroo kyck upside your head. Combyning all the best parts of your favoryte bands and rolling them up into one Gygantic wave of sound that will FLOOD YOUR SOUL with overwhelming excytement.

Voted one of the Top 18 Best Bands in Denver 2012.

Voted into the Top 8 in the “Your Shot to Rock with Cabo Wabo” in Denver 2012 Voted into the Top 6@6 on KBPI 2012 3rd Place in the 2nd Annual Battle of the Bands at @Cheers 2012 1st Place in the 3rd Annual Battle of the Bands at @Cheers 2013 Toured with Smile Empty Soul for a small leg of their “Chimicals Tour” Feb 2014 Online: facebook.com/floodofsouls

Bodies We’ve Buried Bodies we’ve buried has achieved what most local bands strive for.

Forming in late 2009, they have quickly become one of the top metal acts in the Colorado scene. They were named one of the top 18 bands in Denver by KBPI in 2010 and most recently made it to the top 6 metal bands in Colorado in Colorado music buzz’s metal wars.

However, Obtaining this status is no easy feat for the band who sticks to the DIY method of promoting. Whether its booking and promoting shows or designing logos for merch, these guys are hard at work to make their name known. Musically, the band thrives off of many influences, and you can tell in their music. Anything from brutal breakdowns to melodic interludes can be found as a part of a BWB song, however it flows seamlessly into a style that can only be described as original.

Bringing something new, having fun, and staying true to their loyal fans is all part of the BWB method and these guys have no plans to stop anytime soon.

Online: facebook.com/ bodiesweveburied

Ploy For Extinction Ploy for Extinction is an original metal band from Denver, Colorado that was formed in late 2008. The band currently consists of Matt Fagan (guitars), Gregg Block (guitars), Josh Ruff(bass), and Josh Pease (Drums).

Ploy for Extinction recorded their first EP, Equality Lies Below, at Flatline Audio with producer Dave Otero (Cephalic Carnage, Allegaeon) in October 2009. The 2nd EP, Prophets of Dissension, was released in late 2011.

Ploy for Extinction’s 2013 full length album, Primordial, produced by Dave Otero was released October 2013.

Known for their aggressive and energyfilled live performances along with their thrashy yet melodic musical styles, Ploy for Extinction has quickly made a local and national impact.

Online:facebook.com/ ployforextinction

As The Sky Darkens In July of 2009, five passionate musicians formed As the Sky Darkens in the closely-knit, prim-and-proper community of Parker, Colorado.

ATSD immediately took the hardcore and metal scenes by storm with their unprecedented heart and musicianship.

With influences ranging from Haste the Day to Suicide Silence, As the Sky Darkens brings a wide variety of heavy musical taste to the writing table.

Although difficult to categorize, ATSD resides in the realm of metalcore with their brutal, technical breakdowns and beautifully heavy melodies.

With a message highly promoting positivity, the band strongly believes in following your goals and dreams, while at the same time not denying the existence of negativity in this world.

Their ambitious message relates closely to their experiences with the uphill battle of making music together.

Playing numerous shows in local area, As the Sky Darkens had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some of Denver’s finest metal and hardcore bands since 2009. In addition to locals, ATSD provided support for Chelsea Grin, Veil of Maya, Phineas, Bermuda, Float Face Down, Sea of Treachery, and many other national acts.

As the Sky Darkens released its self-titled debut EP in May of 2011 and showed no signs of slowing.

Their full-length album, mixed/ mastered with Jamie King (Between the Buried and Me, For Today, Wretched), is entitled “Freedom” and will release in Spring of 2014 shortly prior to tour support of the album.

Today, As the Sky Darkens maintains the original five members and is a wellestablished Denver act. Their insatiable desire for success is revealed in the mission, and that is to deliver their musical passion on a nationwide basis and have a blast doing it. Check your local venue listings because As the Sky Darkens is coming to a town near you.

Online: astheskydarkens

The Manager’s Corner

by Chris Daniels

CDaniels@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

I’ve managed my own band for 30 years. I’m in the Colorado Music Hall of Fame and we have 15 albums out so far. It’s been a fun career and it keeps developing. And despite the amazing changes in technology, success in the music business is built around some tried and true elements: great music & performance and really hard work and timing (often mistaken for luck).

The book I wrote for my class at CU Denver on artist management called “DIY: You’re Not in it Alone” is exactly what you need to understand.

Whether on our local Colorado “island” or in the greater internetville … there are a lot of us out there doing everything we can to survive... and we learn as much as we can from our peers.

So here is a little of what I’ve been teaching and researching.

I’m a huge fan of Digital Music News and if you are a musician and unaware of this resource I strongly encourage you to check it out. What follows is largely my distillation of a March 4th article in that wonderful online service but with added emphasis for the Colorado market place.

The article, called “17 Things Local Bands Just Don’t Get” by Ari Herstand was spot on, and it bears repeating...though I have cut it down to the top ten.

First, “Trashing other bands in your scene isn’t hurting their rep. It’s hurting yours.” We are pretty lucky here because the Front Range tends to be a supportive community of musicians. We tend be really proud of our brother and sister musicians when they do well. But there is always a little jealousy when a contemporary gets a break and that can lead to some weird and stupid statements from other musicians.

Focus on your OWN path and learn from the success of your fellow Colorado musicians.

The second observation was, “Acting disinterested with folded arms at the back of the room at other bands’ shows does not make you cool. Singing along at the front of the stage does.” Amen and go one step further…again…

LEARN! Watch what other artists around here actually do…learn what really works connecting with an audience and what fails.

Your “image is actually important.” If the “I don’t give a shit about anybody attitude” is part of your act, fine, but if it’s not, you’re just being a jerk. And for god’s sake be original. Nobody is looking for another band that looks like Coldplay, the Grateful Dead or a bunch of guys standing around in old t-shirts. Be original.

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Fourth, “Physical promotional materials are still incredibly important. Get out into the world and put up some posters and hand out some flyers. Don’t spend all of your time on Facebook.” Amen. And further, make the posters really easy to read by somebody on a fast walk coming into Twist & Shout or when passing them on the bulletin board at your favorite music store, paraphernalia store, school, whatever. You have about 3 seconds to get the info to the person walking by and that beautiful Goth lettering that takes a codebook from JRR Tolkien is not getting your message across. Plus, if your entire promotional plan relies on Facebook you are missing a whole lot of people.

Your online reach should include Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, your own website and any other platform you can use without making yourself too crazy.

Five, “You need to conquer your hometown before you can hit the road. If no one cares about you locally, what makes you think people will care about you anywhere else?” This is crucial in Colorado and the West. As I have written many times, Colorado is an island.

You are eight to 12 hours away from the next MAJOR market. So I plead with new artists and students to follow what I call “island theory.”

Make the most of it by using every resource on the island: venues, supportive music papers like Colorado Music Buzz, local recording, mastering and pressing facilities, music stores, you name it we’ve got it. We even have a nationally recognized publishing company in Lyric House publishing! Today’s successful bands in Colorado, those artists who are about to break out – are in that position because they busted their butts making the most of this island.

Six, … according to DMN, “playing around town all the time weakens your draw. Spread out your shows so you can promote one big show every 6-8 weeks.” In Colorado this is a little different, especially when you are starting out. In your first year you need to BUILD your reputation, get as much experience playing in front of an audience and developing your music and show as you can, Once you start getting to where you have a buzz built, then make your shows an EVENT. Andy and the folks from Bop Skizzum are one of the best models I’ve seen for doing that with the Nerd Prom and the Motet is another great example of a band that makes their Colorado shows special.

Seven is all ours: the venues in Colorado rule. I don’t care if you play Polka-Reggae you can find a venue in Colorado that will support what you do. From Herman’s doing some metal shows to the avalanche of EDM and the tsunami of Jam Bands, you live in an area with more outlets for live music than any other market I’ve played.

And here is the amazing thing, if you promote yourself well, work with the venue, and make your show an event; Colorado audiences actually come out to hear good music! It totally rocks. This state is filled with music lovers.

Eight: “No one in the industry cares about how good your music is. They care about how successful you have become on your own.” Ouch!! Boy howdy that says it all. This is the reason I spend my days teaching artist management. There was a time when labels actually sent A&R reps to go “find” new music.

It’s over! What the industry is looking for now is the artist that doesn’t actually need

the industry: the artist that has their website, business organization, publishing and 1st album jitters all behind them because they’ve done it.

The industry wants artists that are packing the local clubs, their 1st or even 2nd EP or record is selling and the local radio is playing their songs.

They’ve formed their own publishing company, they have a vision of where they are going and they are creating a buzz on YouTube with tens of thousands of hits or more!

Nine: “Your scene’s gatekeepers are friends with each other. Get in with one and you’ll get in with them all. If you piss one off, prepare to be blacklisted.” This is especially true on an island. The folks from AEG used to be part of Live Nation. People working at Soda Jerk partner with both Live Nation and AEG on shows. This is a very small music community and we really do know each other. We are always recommending artists to friends in the business. Some of the people who are working at Open Air came from KBCO. The ‘buyer’ for The Boulder Theater and The Fox used to be the head talent buyer for Swallow Hill. These are ALL people who love music and if you get in with one of them and you or your act “have the goods” we will be talking about you to others …

it’s called “buzz”…like this great paper you are checking out.

Last but not least: “Being respectful and friendly will take you much further than being superior and entitled.” Woof – amen and halleluiah! The music industry does not OWE you success no matter how great you may be. And I cannot tell you how many bitter older musicians I know who believe that they were cheated. Let me dispel this notion completely. Nobody owes you a damn thing. You will have to bust your ass, lose your mind, your lover, your health and your youth playing your heart out every night in some dive-ass bar where the owner stiffs you at the end of the night, just to get a shot at the brass ring. And if you are persistent, if you have gone out and done it yourself, you might get a shot. According to Colin Peterson who now road manages for JJ Grey and Mofro - and has stage-managed at the Fox for years, it’s simple: “kill em with kindness.” He’s worked with just about every up-and-coming band and the ones that “make it” are the ones that understand Colorado’s music scene is really a pretty small community…treat each other with kindness and respect and you just might get a fair shake.

6. Going to other bands’ shows is THE most important thing you can do to support your scene.

7. Your scene’s gatekeepers are friends with each other. Get in with one and you’ll get in with them all. If you piss one off, prepare to be blacklisted.

Musician 101 – Round 9 What to do to take it to the next level by the Swami Swami@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

Back in the 90’s when I had a developmental deal with Sony, I was privileged to have several great mentors. Then the labels still had A/R departments and would look for talented artists to sign and then “train” to be a pro. For me, I was lucky enough to have such encounters. Here in this monthly column I will share with you not only the things I learned from “the big boys” but really from the school of hard knocks and the other school of figuring out what not to do.

This is important! Thanks to Ari Herstand from ArisTake.com (you should follow him!)

1. Trashing other bands in your scene isn’t hurting their rep. It’s hurting yours.

2. Acting disinterested with folded arms at the back of the room at other bands’ shows does not make you cool. Singing along at the front of the stage does.

3. Looking like a rock star isn’t as important as sounding like one.

8. You don’t need press to pack a show. You need a strong work ethic.

9. Physical promotional materials are still incredibly important. Get out into the world and put up some posters and hand out some flyers.

Don’t spend all of your time on Facebook.

10. Facebook is dying. If your entire promotional plan relies on it, you’re doomed .

11. You need to conquer your hometown before you can hit the road. If no one cares about you locally, what makes you think people will care about you anywhere else?

12. Touring means nothing unless people actually show up to your shows. Do not tour unless you know how you’re going to get a crowd at every show.

13. Playing around town all the time weakens your draw. Spread out your shows so you can promote one big show every 6-8 weeks.

14. HOWEVER, when you’re starting off, you need to play out everywhere and anywhere all the time to get practice. Record every show.

Once YOU love listening to your live set (and non-friends and non-family tell you they love your band) then you can book real shows and charge a cover.

4. Image is actually important. Cargo shorts are for dads at a barbecue. Not for musicians on stage.

15. If you suck, you do not deserve to be paid.

Get good first. Then you can start charging.

16. No one in the industry cares about how good your music is. They care about how successful you have become on your own.

5. Being respectful and friendly will take you much further than being superior and entitled.

17. Go out of your way to help others in your scene. It will eventually come back around.

April 2014 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

Drum City Guitarland Product Review: The Heart and soul

There are many things that you can do to a drum.

From sizes, color finish, wrap or lacquer, lug choices, rims, but the start of it all is the “Wood/Shell”. The shell is the main part of any drum and is really where the sound starts once the head has been struck.

Whether you have a wood shell that’s been glued in plies or a metal shell cast in a mold, everything that goes into making a shell has an effect on the sound the drum produces. So let’s take a look at the many different materials used to a make a shell and the tones that are associated with each. Here I have for you the most common woods, metals, and synthetics used to manufacture drum shells.

WOOD TYPES Maple Even amount of highs and mids, slightly warm lows. This I your most common wood choice and All Purpose shell.

Birch Boosted high frequencies, slightly reduced midrange, good low-end punch. Loud and Cutting.

Mahogany Muted highs, smooth midrange, warm/ rich low-end. Vibrant and Resonant.

Walnut Equal amount of highs, mids, and lows.

Big and Warm.

Oak Soft highs, good amount of midrange, slightly warm lows. All purpose with fairly quick decay.

Beech Pronounced highs and mids, good low-end punch. Sensitive and Focused.

Cherry Boosted highs, punchy midrange, average low-end. Bright and Sensitive.

Bubinga Even amount of highs and mids, rich low end. Sensitive and punchy.

Poplar Soft highs and mids, boosted low-end warmth. Smooth and even.

Ash Pronounced, warm highs and mids, average low end. Throaty and warm.

Lets step into the “EXOTIC” woods. Exotic woods have been being produced for years now. From purpleheart which produces extreme sensitivity, lots of punchy low/mid with excellent presence and cut. To your submerged hardwoods flamed red and yellow birch, bird’s eye maple, quilted maple, blistered maple, and Honduran mahogany. With more than 3,300 species of timber out there in the wild, the potential for new sound is nearly limitless. Each type of wood has its own unique sound when molded into a cylinder.

So when choosing a shell type stop and consider what type of style you will be playing and which sound is going to best match your needs. As with woods, a seemingly limitless

number of metal alloys are available to drum manufacturers. So I stress to you again consider the music and playing style you are going for. Use the basic sonic properties of the more common metals to find the best match.

METALS Steel (carbon) Clear highs, average midrange and low-end. All-purpose.

Brass Open highs, mids, and lows.

Musically warm and vibrant.

Aluminum Crisp highs, warm/open midrange and low end. Colorful and sensitive.

Copper Muted highs, pronounced midrange and low-end. Loud and powerful.

Bronze Muted highs, powerful midrange and lowend. Warm and responsive.

Titanium Clear highs and mids, boxy low end.

Clear and focused.

Synthetics have been used for drums for thirty to fort years, but not as explored to woods and metals.

Synthetic materials offer a more clean and focused tone being a very surprisingly versatile choice. Don’t overlook this option.!

SYNTHETICS Carbon fiber Even amount of highs and mids, slightly warm low-end. Controlled and dry.

Acrylic Warm highs, mids, and low-end. Powerful attack and presence. “THANK YOU JOHN BONHAM”!

Fiberglass Even amount of highs, mids, and lows. Controlled and focused.

Lastly the shell construction is done in many different ways.

WOOD Plywood Long sustain with plenty of volume and varying fundamental pitch.

Stave Short sustain and higher fundamental pitch.

Steam-bent Vibrant with long sustain and true fundamental pitch.

Solid Long sustain and higher fundamental pitch.

Segment Short sustain and higher and more focused fundamental pitch.

METAL Cast Long sustain and higher fundamental pitch.

Spun Vibrant with long sustain and true fundamental pitch.

So when picking out a new kit or even used be sure to think of “The Heart and Soul”!

by Glenn Sawyer

Glenn@Thespotstudios.com

After devoting way too much of my young life to watching VH1’s Behind The Music, there was a period of time that it seemed like being a musician was all about partying and having fun. After trying this technique out myself for several years it soon became clear that being successful at music requires more advanced skills than beer bonging. Since then, I’ve come to the realization that this was probably the case when they were shooting footage for Behind The Music, but the partying definitely made for better TV. Although the music industry has changed dramatically since most of the footage featured on Behind The Music, one constant that still remains is the fact that good music isn’t worth a dime without good business sense as well.

Unfortunately, most modern musicians don’t know enough about the business side of things and are suffering because of it.

Upon realizing that there aren’t a lot of resources available to artists to help them learn about the business side of the industry, we partnered up with BLDG BLKS Music Co. to create a recording package that gives artists the basic tools they need to get their career going. We call this package the Career Catapult.

The purpose of the Career Catapult is three fold. First, we work with the artist to record a quality product that they can use to further their career. In this case, we are recording a single that will be featured in The Driftin’ Suns’ Kickstarter campaign. Following that we plan and successfully execute the Kickstarter campaign while teaching the artist how to crowd fund and market him or herself. Finally, we use the funds raised in the Kickstarter campaign to finish a larger recording project and create and execute a marketing campaign for the release of the product.

the biggest hurdle for the band was finding the finances to get the recordings done. This made them the perfect fit for the Career Catapult.

As I write this article we are in the pre-production stage of the Career Catapult. The Driftin’ Suns spent a weekend with us earlier this month, and we recorded their single “Her Touch.” The track showcases the vocal talents of Kristian Kerr, as well as the Suns unique ability to combine styles and genres into something new and refreshing. It was a pleasure to work with the guys and I think you’ll enjoy their track.

The Suns have also been working with Joel Rekiel from BLDG BLKS Music Co. to prepare the Kickstarter campaign and to spread the word about it. By the time that you’re reading this the band will be launching the campaign on April 9th, and if all goes well they will hopefully meet and exceed their goals shortly thereafter.

After that the real fun begins, as The Driftin’ Suns will return to The Spot to record the rest of the first EP, Spring. They will also be working with Joel to create and execute a marketing campaign for the EP release. Once The Driftin Suns have completed the Career Catapult they will have successfully released Spring and will be gearing up to start working on Summer.

Now that’s what I call the Sweet Spot.

If you would like to support The Driftin’ Suns Kickstarter campaign you can find links on their website, www.thedfriftinsuns.com or at www.facebook.com/DriftinSuns.

For more information about the Career Catapult visit our website at www.thespotstudios.com or give us a call at 303-988-2170. For more information about BLDG BLKS Music Co visit www. bldgblksmusic.com. **VH1 was not injured in the writing of this article.

Click To Access The Spot Studios’ Website:

We have been fortunate enough to be able to put the Career Catapult to the test with local Denver band, The Driftin’ Suns. The Driftin’ Suns are a very driven and very talented upand-coming band with big ideas. When we first met The Suns they were looking for a place to record an ambitious collection of tunes with plans to release them on four EPs named after the four seasons. Recording and releasing four EPs in succession is a daunting goal and

April 2014 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

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a few songs recorded here at Swallow Hill’s Sawtelle studios to use as a demo for gig opportunities to hear what we sound like live with my local band.

I would like to get back down to Nashville to record my next project titled “Feels like Home”, possibly incorporating tracks from the sampler recorded here as well as additional tracks recorded with the players in Nashville.

CMB: Do you ever make it back to Wisconsin to perform?

MBC: I just spent the weekend with my sisters in Minneapolis, Minn., and performed a House Concert and Coffee House gig while we were there for a 10mile race called “100% Irish for the Day”.

It was a lot of fun. We are heading to Wisconsin in two weeks, where my parents and three siblings live, and I’ll be looking for opportunities to book the next few days while I am there. My son is learning the fiddle, so I will be jamming with him informally for any and all who are around to listen.

CMB: Is there anything that really assists you with songwriting, like an influence, a place, a state of mind?

Mary Beth Cross Steps Into National Spotlight

by Tim Wenger

TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

Mary Beth Cross has been making a name for herself in Denver and beyond with her authentic blend of folk and Americana. Her record Beyond Good and Evil has been receiving rave reviews nationally and has allowed her to perform in new markets, spreading her tuneage to new ears around the country. Coming off an incredibly strong 2013, Cross hopes to make 2014 into even more of a breakout year. CMB got the inside info on her upcoming schedule and recording plans, and how she stays busy on the road.

CMB: What’s on the agenda for this Spring and Summer?

MBC: My agenda is to play and sing for as many opportunities as possible. These include wedding ceremonies, rehearsal dinners, a festival in La Mars, Iowa in August, a concert for little kids with my son accompanying me on fiddle. I also plan to attend “Telluride Bluegrass Festival” and “Rockygrass Festival” to take in the new music and enjoy playing and jamming with other musicians.

Highlights: July 11: “Apex Park and Recreation District Summer Concert Series” in Arvada, Colo., children’s concert, accompanied by fiddle player Laura Schwenker.

Aug. 29: Will receive the “Folk-Country CD of the Year Award” at the 38th annual “OldTime Music Festival and Convention in La Mars, Iowa. I will perform a 30-minute set for hundreds of attendees.

CMB: What’s the plan for future recordings? Who would you like to work with, and where?

MBC: We are finishing up a “sampler” of

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MBC: What helps me most in my writing is when I am relaxed, peaceful and not really trying. It is as if a song drops into my lap, and if I have the time and courage to work with it, it develops into a beautiful song.

“When he got back, we hit this thing full force,” says Preston Denning. “Ever since our release of our first album in September of 2013, we’ve just been hitting it hard playing shows and putting out content galore.”

A Travesty Prevented Bring Professional Approach to Dubstep

by Tim Wenger

TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

After spending a few years working in the music industry, being able to tell the professionals from the amateurs becomes a pretty easy thing to do. For many, music is a hobby, their band is merely their escape from everyday life, and many stones from the garden of music business remain unturned.

Every once in a while, though, a group comes along thatreeks ofseriousness, oozes withprofessionalism.

The business card enters your hand at the same time as the album, and instead of a whiskey and coke you find their empty hand reaching for yours.

In Denver’s dubstep market, A Travesty Prevented is one of the shining stars. “Oddly enough, I was in Iraq, and (Preston Denning) sent me a cd of stuff that he’d been working on,” says Travis Huyler. Huyler began working with Denning immediately upon his return from serving overseas.

CMB: What are your favorite venues in Denver, and who gave you a shot when you were just starting out?

CMB: Where can we find your music?

MBC: You can find my music on Amazon, Amazon mp3, itunes, Napster, cdbaby. com, Rhapsody, Spotify, Soundcloud, airplaydirect.com, and most online streaming and download sites. My CD’s can be purchased at Twist and Shout Records, Second Spin, Garfield Estates Vineyard and Winery in Palisades, Colo., as well as Atomic Record Store in Denver and HB Woodsongs in Boulder.

Online: marybethcross.com

Denning and Huyler hope to grow the name as more than just a band. They want to grow it into a brand and a slogan, promoting positive campaigns and actions.

“We want to expand it into a movement with our fan base and our community,” says Huyler. “We’re doing a campaign now, ‘A Travesty Prevented for Sober Driving’. And there will be more with various other philosophies where music prevents travesties.”

“We’ve all been through trials and tribulations in our life,” says Denning. “One thing we always run to is music. It’s a pretty good philosophy to live by.”

The group dropped their new album on February 11, and is available at the major online retailers as well as ReverbNation.“We wanted to push for a more aggressive album,” says Huyler. “A lot of our influences like Datsic came out with albums that are just really aggressive. So we decided to make a campaign for a more aggressive, harder hitting bass line album.”

Management, a good friend of theirs.

“He asked if we wanted to do it, he had the connection,” says Geiger.

MBC: The Denver Botanical Gardens for wedding ceremonies and concerts, as well as fun, family and community gatherings are my favorite venues. I am still looking forward to opening at Red Rocks for one of my favorite performers.

Stella’s coffeehouse is a great venue for just starting out. Swallow Hill has featured me in their “Best of Open Mic” series in Tuft Theater and the Café. I have also enjoyed playing as an opener down at the Black Rose Acoustic Society in Colorado Springs.

Friends have been kind to host house concerts and let us come and play for infusion centers, hospitals, and community fundraising events.

The nameATravesty Prevented began as a play on the duo’s initials, T and P, but quickly grew into a deeper meaning that demanded more emotion than a just a couple of letters could express. “We decided, ‘What is a philosophy that we live by,’” says Huyler. “Well, music prevents travesties in life, prevents hardships.

So we decided to name it A Travesty Prevented.”

Starcar Sunday to be Featured on Comcast Channel 105

by Tim Wenger

TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

Pop-rock is a pretty common television fixture, and now it is even getting its hair in Comcast’s local stations. Starcar Sunday, who are becoming a fixture in Denver’s scene with an enthralling live performance starring a double whammy of over-thetop female vocals and stage presence layered over solid alt-rock instrumentation, will be featured on Comcast Channel 105 CET‘s new live music series in late summer or early fall. The session is part of a fifteen-week series that the station is airing featuring one band each week. Stay tuned for the official date announcement on Starcar Sunday’s website.

The events are recorded at the Decibel Garden studios at 3435 Wynkoop Street. They performed a forty minute set with just the studio and camera crew in house. “It was weird, because it was the first time we were playing to no audience, just some cam era dudes,” laughs vocalist Dana Geiger. “It was really fun.”

Starcar Sunday was plugged into the opportunity

by Shelby Cooper of Smash Music

April 2014 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

The band has done some recording at Decibel Garden in the past and were happy to return for this event. “Not every recording studio makes you inspired to play, but the Decibel Garden is a place that is immediately inspiring,” says bassist Brian A.C. For the performance, the band introduced each song prior to playing it, something most bands are not accustomed to doing in live situations. “We had to stop after every song and say the name of the next song,” says vocalist Carla Weikel. “Our usual transitions and what happened that night were different.”

“We never really end thoroughly, we just let the note hang and then go into the next song, so we had to figure out ways to end every single song,” says Brian.

“We usually have a stage show where we move around a lot,” says Weikel. “(For this) we weren’t supposed to move very much. We had to practice chilling out.” The performance was followed by individual interviews with each band member.

“I think we’re doing something that is unique,” says Weikel about the band’s two female lead singers. The group is working on growing their sound and hopes to showcase their evolution on the next recording.

“As far as our sound goes, that is still evolving, that is still turning into itself,” says Geiger.

Check out Starcar Sunday live at Root 40 Music Fest.

Online: starcarsunday.com

Nashville, coming out of a recording contract back to the status of independent artist. “What we really try to do overall is just bring a positive message,” says Crucifix. “The “Dreamer” song we have was the first video that we did in Denver, and it was inspiring. Don’t let someone who has given up on their dreams rob you of yours. That’s the thing that’s leading us coming out here, just hooking up with positive organizations and try to make a positive impact.”

Rapper Crucifix’ Story is of Epic Proportions

by Tim Wenger photo credit Dustin Sheffield

TWenger@ColoraoMusicBuzz.com

“I am a Dreamer,” are the first words on the album Acid Reign, the hard-hitting full length album from rapper/entrepreneur Crucifix.

Given his background, a more accurate description could not be spoken. The nowDenver resident, originally from the streets of Atlanta, is developing a solid following through inspiring video shoots and documentaries, a strong knack for catchy, pop-influenced hip hop tracks, and a professional business approach that includes a strong social media following to spread a positive message through music.

Crucifix recently relocated to Denver from

Lisa Gedgaudas works with Arts & Venues, the city department that runs such epic spots as Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, the DCPA, and others. Their Imagine 2020 plan, a new cultural implementation set to boost and promote the arts in Denver, is kicking off under the watchful eye of Gedgaudas and her coworkers. We spoke with her about the plan as well as Arts & Venues’ overall workings and her place within them.

CMB: Give us a little background on Arts & Venues and what you do.

LG: Arts & Venues operates Denver’s publicly owned venues, including the worldrenown Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre, regional destinations like the Denver Performing Arts Complex and Colorado Convention Center, and historic event centers like the Denver Coliseum and McNichols Civic Center Building. Arts & Venues is also the city’s cultural caretaker, overseeing the Denver Public Art program, Youth One Book, One Denver literacy program, Create Denver, and dozens of entertainment and cultural events.

My role as Program Administrator for Create Denver, an initiative under Arts & Venues, is to help strengthen the overall health and vitality of Denver’s creative sector (includes creative entrepreneurs and enterprises such as film, fashion, music, artist, designers, art districts, etc).

It is inspiring to be able to help enhance Denver’s quality of life through arts and culture programming or interventions that showcases the sector and business development initiatives to help them thrive.

He has been through his fare share of negativity.

Being homeless for several years and resorting to selling drugs to generate income, Crucifix has seen the dark side of humanity, something he hopes to continue stepping further away from as he continues his path in music. “I grew up in east Africa,” says Crucifix. “After I got back, I was homeless. There was a lot of organizations like Salvation Army that helped me get on my feet. You get to this point where you’re like, ‘How can I give back?’ Just to get up on the stage and rock out, try to make an impact.”

Much of his story was recently published in a book put out by the band Casting Crowns’ front man Mark Hall called Your Own Jesus. “When I came back to the United States, I didn’t really have anything or anybody except some bad relationships in Atlanta,” says Crucifix. “I just started spiraling downhill, got real heavy into drugs. I eventually hit rock bottom, living in a crack house in Atlanta.”

He started seeking a way out, looking for answers, looking for people. His fiancé became someone he could turn to. “It was a climb,” he says. “My fiancé was from Finland, and had

grown up in that type of an environment. Here she was just thrown into this really dark place, and she ended up getting pregnant. We were sleeping outside on the concrete, 32 degrees one night. I kept taking clothes to give to her try to keep her warm. That was the turning point for me, I had to get myself together you know.”

Crucifix began clinging to anything that could help him be anyone but the person he was, and says he used the Bible and any positive influences he could find to help him weed drugs out of his life. It was about a seven year process, eventually landing him in Nashville and Denver, with music as his outlook and output to the world around him. He wanted a way to give back, to help out those in need. “I kind of compare it to being in the desert for a long time,” says Crucifix. “Then you stumble into an oasis and you are like, ‘What kind of fool would I be to not share this?’”

The music he puts out is positive, inspiring, and relatable to people from all walks of life. It is hip hop with a mission, and in the true form of what he hopes to accomplish, his music has the ability to bridge genre lines. It is danceable enough for a night club on Saturday night, introspective enough for a scholar’s research paper, and honest enough that it brings goose bumps to the skin. “We’re trying to take that positive message and not hit people in the head to make change, people will make the changes that they want to make in their life, but to set an example,” Crucifix says. “If I can do it, if I come from being homeless and on drugs to being able to pursue a career in music and be a father and a husband and run a successful business, than anybody can.”

His first music video and full-length documentary was filmed at the Chernobyl site, a place he had visited a couple times prior. The documentary is available at youtube.com/crucifixworld.

He will be heading to Israel to film a new music video this summer for the song “Heaven.” Given the massive spiritual history of the region, it seemed like a fitting place to shoot the video.

They hope to film the video in June. “You kind of get into this thing of, ‘How can I top the last one?’” Crucifix says. This video looks to be his most inspirational project to date. Keep posted on updates at crucifixmusic.com “We’re going to allow the fans to be part of the project,” says A&R Manager Gabriel Montoya. “We’re pretty excited to see where it goes.” Fans can donate to help make the video happen and will receive perks from Crucifix himself in return for their donation.

Catch Crucifix live April 17 at the Roxy Theatre with Jonas. He has also recently done tracks with Boondox (Pyschopathic Records) and a track called “Let Us In” with the rapper Rittz out of Georgia. Crucifix has also been working on some country-influenced music with The Lacs. “In 2014, that’s where we’re at, as an artist that can cross genre lines like that.

“We’re here in Denver, we’re excited to meet people,” says Montoya. “We’re excited to get out their with the fans and with the communities.

We’re really trying to get his story out there and do some positive things in the community.”

Online: crucifixmusic.com

Arts & Venues’ Lisa Gedgaudas CMB: How did you come to be involved with the organization, and what is your background in the arts? As a LG: Denver native and an artist, it’s always been important to me to help connect, advocate and support the arts and to help grow, recruit and retain creative businesses in Denver.

Over the last ten years Denver’s creative industries have grown tremendously (including of course our music scene).

The most interesting part for me is the collaboration and crossover creatives have into all other sectors (tech, beer culture, food, etc) that truly shape the quality of life here and what helps put Denver on a national scale to live, work and play.

CMB: What are the key points of the “Imagine 2020” plan and how do you plan on putting them into action?

LG: IMAGINE 2020 is the city’s first cultural plan since 1989. It is based on the input of thousands of Denver residents who offered their ideas and aspirations for what the city’s artistic, cultural and creative future should be.

The work that was done to put together Imagine 2020 the new cultural plan for Denver, really came from the people that live here, partners and residents and their ideas for a robust future for arts and culture. From our research, we now have

7 vision elements and more than 50 longand short-term goals including supporting Denver Public Schools arts education strategic planning.

Two of the vision elements that really stand out for Create Denver; the integration of arts, culture and creativity into our daily lives and cultivating our diverse artistic and creative professionals locally.

In the spirit of Denver’s new cultural plan, I’m very excited to launch a new pilot program this April called, P.S. You Are Here. a pilot city-wide creative placemaking and revitalization program that will cultivate communitydriven, outdoor projects in Denver’s public spaces that are tangible in nature and help to shape, enhance, and strengthen our city in small and meaningful ways.

The matching-grant was designed to inspire innovative ideas by community members who themselves would be impacted by the projects. We encourage place-based, grassroots involvement from residents, artists, neighborhood associations, nonand for-profit organizations and businesses to claim, initiate and drive the creation of temporary, authentic demonstrations and activation of public spaces. These shortterm, low-cost and scalable projects are intended to transform underutilized urban

April 2014 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com

spaces, increase collaboration, honor heritage, build civic engagement, beautify neighborhoods, enrich communities and inspire long-term change.

A call for proposals for the P.S. You Are Here program will launch April 14, 2014 on our website.

CMB: What is happening this summer with Arts & Venues?

LG: Something your readers would be interested in, Create Denver will be embarking on a update to our Listen Local music study with WESTAF that will be an analysis on the independent music community in Denver – helping us to better understand the strengths and challenges of our industry here.

The 11th annual Five Points Jazz Festival, celebrating the music, culture and roots of Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood, will be held on Saturday, May 17. The FREE festival features more than 20 bands – including headliners Nelson Rangell and the Brad Leali Orchestra – playing live music on seven stages throughout the day on Welton Street in Five Points. More here: artsandvenuesdenver.com/five-pointsjazz-festival.

CMB: Where can we learn more about the organization?

LG: artsandvenuesdenver.com.

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BARE-ing it all for Spring 2014

By Leah Parker and Cindy Busch cfi@msudenver.edu

Artist Naomi Clark handpaints the white vinyl for the new line. Photo: Evan Swinehart

Kim and Justin Biel after the grand reveal of the BARE Artist Collection. Photo: Evan Swinehart BARE Creative Director and Artist Grason Ratowsky takes a break after painting the black vinyl for BARE’s new Spring 2014 Collection. Photo: Evan Swinehart

Over 150 people amassed at the newest RiNo Art District’s Price Gallery on Saturday, March 22, 2014, for an invitation-only sneak preview of BARE’s 2014 Spring Artist Collection—a soft-launch party so successful, guests lingered until after midnight.

In an industrial-themed setting, Price Gallery, owned by CREATE MSU Denver client Ted Davis and located at 31st Street and Larimer, was home to the grand unveiling of two full-sized repurposed billboard canvases, one black and one white, along with painting supplies.

crafted out of locally sourced, repurposed coffee sacks, wax canvas, and leather strapping. Even more audacious is the BARE team’s new Spring / Summer 2014 Artist Collection; one-of- a-kind pieces of wearable art that are hand painted by artists creating “the most unique individualistic bags in the world” available for sale online end of April 2014.

Keeping True to the BARE motto “As Unique As You,” the companies initial line, The BARE Burlap Collection, was a line of travel bags

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Thank you!

For part of BARE’s philanthropic mission, they donated 20% of all sales of their burlap collection that evening to support CREATE MSU Denver’s new Adopt and ARTrepreneur Program (ARTfund).

Paintbrushes in hand, artists Grason Ratowsky and Naomi Clark (naomiclark.com) scaled ladders and splattered, smeared, and streaked designs onto the vinyl, while guests pre-ordered what will soon be sewn into their tote, wallet, Dave Anderson and CREATE artist duffel, backpack, or Marjorie Anderson pose at event. Photo: clutch before available Evan Swinehart to the public.

Launched in October 2013, BARE is a sustainable fashion brand creating one of a kind, art focused, travel bags and accessories.

The company was founded by Grason Ratowsky, Justin Biel, and Lo Sampadian; with partners including actress Jessica Biel, James Molloy, and Director of Photography Anton Fresco.

CREATE MSU Denver appreciates the generous support and donations of the BARE and Price Gallery teams.

The ARTfund provides funding for a creative entrepreneur to participate in the CREATE Virtual Incubator. Through CREATE, clients receive customized one-on-one virtual business advising to learn how to sustain their passion and increase sales.

In the spirit of collaboration, invited guests, along with Mile High Spirits, located at 29th Street and Larimer, donated to the ARTFund. Donations totaled $796.00, supporting one artist to be funded into CREATE.

For more information, visit BARE’s website at baremade.com.

Learn more about CREATE’s Adopt an ARTrepreneur Program at createmsudenver. com.

Colorado Info coloradoinfo.com/concertcalendar Colorado Tourism Office colorado.com/arts-culture Denver 365 denver.org/events Denver Arts and Venues artsandvenuesdenver.com/events-programs The Denver Post

calendar.denverpost.com/denver_co/events/colorado+cultural+events

Events in Colorado eventsincolorado.com Festival Network Colorado festivalnet.com/state/colorado/co.html These is just a few of the many websites available online.

April 2014 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com | CREATEmsudenver.com

ARTrepreneur of the Month Sarah Atereth

By Sarah Atereth

I will never forget the first time...I was an unknowing kid marching up a rickety, paint chipped staircase on the outside of an old brick building in a strip mall in Denver to my first dance class. I didn’t know anyone at the studio, or what I was actually getting myself into. I just knew I had a calling to be a dancer. Music and movement light me on fire and I was following my life’s passion. After performing in local and professional theatres, I high tailed it to New York City where I trained with teachers from Juilliard and Alvin Ailey.

The school of hard knocks knocked hard as I discovered that my desire to share my music with the world meant figuring out the music business by myself. Slammed with challenges and obstacles, I was able to persevere by continuing to envision my goals, daring to win and getting back in the game after set-backs. This lead me on amazing adventures including 2 #1 UK hits, 4 U.S. Billboard hits, performing in front of 1 million screaming people, screaming for a good reason (that’s not something you see every day in NYC) at the Pride Event, and even being hit and bruised

by crazy fans from Providence to Alphabet City. Along with Kevin Bacon and Jessica Alba, I am also honored to be the face of Until.org (HIV/AIDS Awareness).

I find inspiration everywhere. I love songwriters who use their words to paint pictures and tell stories such as Fleetwood Mac, Blondie, and U2. I am influenced by meeting people from my travels. I’ve had the thrill of roaming the back bridges of Venice, basking in the majesty and mystery of Lady Before Tyn in Prague and darting away from the crushing stomp of an elephant in Kruger Park, South Africa.

My favorite books are Man’s Search For Meaning and Long Walk To Freedom. Two of my favorite movies are Lawrence Of Arabia and Suddenly Last Summer.

The program of CREATE MSU Denver is also unique in that it helps artists develop business skills and provides them with both personal attention and a community eager to support their success.

Your life is your canvas to create your own art. I help beginners and seasoned performers in any profession, celebrate their individuality through my music, public speaking,

coaching and seminars at comedancewithsarah.com.

I love guiding my fellow creators and giving them the tools and roadmap to realize that, yes, you too can have what you want in your life. Why not you? Why not now? Sing. Dance.

Create. Let’s succeed! Today! Three vital tips to empowerment and living the life you desire and deserve: 1. Stay true to who you are 2. Do something you love daily 3. Keep going!

I also enjoy collaborating with other artists. Fashion is a fun way of expressing oneself. Among my favorite Denver fashion lines are Equillibrium, Mona Lucero, and The Seventh Guilt by Elizabeth Kay.

For more information about Sarah Atereth and complimentary download of her #1 UK hit, visit thesarah.com.

For complimentary coaching tips and public speaking engagements, visit comedancewithsarah.com.

3rd Annual Creative Industries Summit

May 1-2, 2014 Salida, Colorado The annual Colorado Creative Industries Summit is a chance for creative professionals to meet and network with fellow creatives from around the state. You’ll learn from Colorado’s most inspiring speakers and presenters through workshops like creative business 101, financing your art, legal issues, social media, and website enhancement.

For more information about this years summit or to register please go to coloradocreativeindustries.org/summit

April 2014 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com | CREATEmsudenver.com

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