Westword Music Showcase 2007

Website: www.themotet.net

Personnel: Dave Watts, Garrett Sayers, Dominic Lalli, Adam Revell, Ryan Jalbert.

Native or transplant? Transplant.

Releases/discography: Breathe, Play, Live, Music for Life, Instrumental Dissent.

What three adjectives best describe your music? Fuzzy, pernicious, intrepid.

Favorite place to play a show: Bonnaroo.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Mexico.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): Don't know any.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? I-70, mountain access.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Fela.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Animals.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Death of greedy corporate music-biz bastards.

Who's on your iPod right now? Brazilian Girls.

MUNLY & THE LEE LEWIS HARLOTS
NOMINATED IN ROOTS/AMERICANA

Website: www.myspace.com/munlytheleelewisharlots

Personnel: Munly Jay Munly (stories); Rebecca Vera (cello); Jay Shewman (bass); Jeff Linsenmaier (drums); Elin Palmer (violin); Frieda Stalheim (violin).

Native or transplant? Both.

Releases/discography: Munly & the Lee Lewis Harlots (2004); Jimmy Carter Syndrome (2002); Galvanized Yankee (2000); Munly De Dar He (1998); Blurry (1996).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Gothic, Americana, folk.

Favorite place to play a show: Lodge #5.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Not allowed to.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Diggie Diamond/Foreskin 500.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Morrissey Rides a Cockhorse" - Warlock Pinchers.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Lincoln or Washington, because they make good men better.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Can we really choose just one? They are all so deserving.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Graham Greene.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? The one we're working on, The Kinnery of Lupercalia.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Don't care.

Who's on your iPod right now? Still don't have one.

Parting shot: There is no need for a parting shot when you are not going anywhere.

NATHAN & STEPHEN
NOMINATED IN INDIE POP
2 P.M., OUTDOOR STAGE

Website: www.myspace.com/nathanstephen

Personnel: Stephen Till (and eight or so other people he forgot to list).

Native or transplant? Transplant from Athens, Greece. I have to throw that in whenever I can.

Releases/discography: The Everything EP.

What three adjectives best describe your music? Simple, catchy, singable.

Favorite place to play a show: The Meadowlark (we are a nine-member band).

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Club 404.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Barbizon.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Grew Up in Lowell" - A Dog Paloma.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Park Avenue or Speer. I am a sucker for diagonal streets.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Denver Joe, because he has Denver in his name.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you: Split between Idaho or the Cardigans.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Hearts of Palm - Idaho.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? God sending death to music.

Who's on your iPod right now? Hearts of Palm - Idaho.

Parting shot: "This place is dead anyway."

ZACK NICHOLS
NOMINATED IN SINGER SONGWRITER
2 P.M., ANDREW'S

Website: www.myspace.com/zacknichols

Personnel: Zack Nichols (vocals, guitar, piano); Cody Swanson (guitars); Jinji Thompson (bass); Mark Emmons (drums).

Native or transplant? Native.

Releases/discography: Elizabeth St. (2004); Next Time I'll Be the Heartbreaker (2003).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Vulnerable, soulful and optimistically heartbroken.

Favorite place to play a show: Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Soiled Dove Underground, the Mint in L.A., Red Carpet in St. Cloud, Minn.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: The Royal Hilltop.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Angie Stevens, Born in the Flood, Gregory Alan Isakov, John Common and Meese.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "You Hate to Know" - Born in the Flood.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? My last album easily takes on the Denver street name Elizabeth St. However, I think I would be Josephine. Just when you think you know what it's all about, it'll turn the corner and lead you in a different direction.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Angie Stevens; her songwriting takes you instantly to the world she sings of, while her smile lights up a crowd of any size, and her personality is out of this world. With this combination, she will see success most could only dream of.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Jonny Lang.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? You Can Tell Georgia - Joe Purdy.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Godsend. You can't go wrong with mass exposure that became so easily accessible with file-sharing. It's now up to us to figure out a way to capitalize through some other medium.

Who's on your iPod right now? James Morrison, Brandi Carlile, Paolo Nutini.

Parting shot: Look for a brand-new album out late summer/early fall.

NIGHTSHARK
NOMINATED IN NOISE/EXPERIMENTAL
8 P.M., SHELTER

Website: www.myspace.com/111538979

Personnel: Becca Mhalek (saxophone); Mike Buckley (guitar); Andrew Lindstrom (drums).

Native or transplant? Mixed.

Releases/discography: Nightshark (2006).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Hot, cold, lukewarm.

Favorite place to play a show: Rhinoceropolis.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Bar Bar.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Zephyr.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Morrissey Rides a Cockhorse" - Warlock Pinchers.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Michael McDonald.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Aja - Steely Dan.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Death of the music industry — huzzah!

Who's on your iPod right now? No iPods in this band. MP3s sound like shit.

Parting shot: You're gonna reap what you sow.

9TH & LINCOLN ORCHESTRA
NOMINATED IN JAZZ
5 P.M., DAZZLE

Website: www.myspace.com/9thandlincolnorchestra

Personnel: Denver's top jazz and progressive musicians, including members of the Future Jazz Project, the Czars, Hamster Theatre and teachers from Colorado's top music schools.

Native or transplant? The ensemble is made up of all local musicians, though many of us come from other places originally (myself from the mighty musical mecca that is Wyoming).

Releases/discography: We are going into the studio to record our first CD this month!

What three adjectives best describe your music? Alive, evolving, exploring.

Favorite place to play a show: Dazzle, of course.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Same.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Bill Frisell.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): Ron Miles's writing is beautiful, so it must be something of his.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why: See band name and venue.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Again, I (speaking for the band) would choose Ron Miles's Group. Ron has been consistently producing intimate, thought-provoking sounds for more years than I've been a musician. He remains unpredictable in his writing and playing, and can be found on a plethora of great "new music" sorts of CDs.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Miles Davis.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Joys & Desires - John Hollenbeck.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? It's just natural progress, which will have its ups and downs but in the end will only serve to evolve the scene.

Who's on your iPod right now? Witold Lutoslawski, Prefuse 73, Maria Schneider, Björk, Mew, Kenny Wheeler, David Sylvian, Kneebody and Scriabin.

Parting shot: Check us out at Dazzle every last Sunday of the month, and look out for our first CD in fall/winter!

JOSHUA NOVAK
NOMINATED IN SINGER SONGWRITER
6 P.M., SUTRA ROOM

Website: www.myspace.com/joshuanovak

Personnel: Kit Peltzel (drums, sounds and machines); Giovanni Toninelo (electric bass guitar and mustache); Joshua Novak (everything else).

Native or transplant? We love Denver!

Releases/discography: Dead Letters (2007); The Five Day Romance (2004); Metropolis Songs (2001).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Ambiguous, dashing, libidinous.

Favorite place to play a show: Larimer Lounge and the hi-dive.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Sputnik.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): So many, but currently love Cory Teruya of Hello Kavita.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "How It Ends" - DeVotchKa.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? I know everyone's going to write "Hooker," but I won't. How about Gaylord?

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Born in the Flood, because they are genuine men and brilliant artists.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Neo Rauch.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Thriller - Michael Jackson.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? It's a gentle shank to music, but not the death of it.

Who's on your iPod right now? Midlake, Amy Winehouse, Rufus Wainwright and Colder.

Parting shot: "Never get so attached to a poem that you forget truth that lacks lyricism."

THE OMENS
NOMINATED IN ROCK
8 P.M., ACOMA CENTER

Website: www.myspace.com/12070164

Personnel: Michael Daboll (guitar futurist, vocal); Matt Hunt (bass modernist, vocals); Edward Breidenbach III (combo organist, maracas); Sam Schiel (premier drum deconstructionist).

Native or transplant? Transplants.

Releases/discography: Make It Last (Single, 2007); Destroy The ESP (2006); Diggy Diggy Dead (Compilation, 2005); Yeah-Yeah (Single, 2004).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Uptight, alright and out of sight!

Favorite place to play a show: Your venue or club, of course!

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Please see our last answer.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): The Rainy Daze or even the Grape Apes spring to mind!

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Leaving on a Jet Plane" or "Annie's Song" - depends on our mood.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? That is a tough one.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Remember, Denver, if you vote for us, we promise to lower taxes and provide new vistas of Go-Go sounds for your listening entertainment. We mean it this time, really!

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Little Richard.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? It depends if you need to pay your rent or not.

Who's on your iPod right now? Lots of stuff that sounds way better on vinyl.

Parting shot: Help save Internet radio! http://www.savenetradio.org/

PAGE 27
NOMINATED IN NOISE/EXPERIMENTAL

Website: www.page27.com

Personnel: Currently John Rasmussen, Ezra Nye and John Gross.

Native or transplant? Lakewood.

Releases/discography: Smell the Stench #27 (Mp3, 2006); Ten Years (Box Set, 2004); Hurts So Good: The Cock E.S.P. (Remix CD, 2003); Live Electronic Action Vol 2 (Comp, 2003); Split w/ Novasak (CDR, 2002); Split w/ Elisabeth Jaworski (Tape, 1999); Split w/ The Violet Grind (Tape, 1998); Split w/ Chlamydia Test Cloud (Tape, 1997); Moonman (Tape, 1997); Split w/ Odal (Tape, 1996); Stupid Records (Comp 7", 1995); N.G.W.T.T. Records 7" (1995).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Experimental, ambient, industrial.

Favorite place to play a show: Rhinoceropolis.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Bar Bar.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Friends Forever.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Man on a Mission to Kill Birds" - Bio-Bitch.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Lipan Street, because that's where we practice.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Warlock Pinchers, because they know the ins and outs of suburban life.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Merzbow.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? The Science of Ecstasy - Crash Worship.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Godsend.

Who's on your iPod right now? No iPods.

Parting shot: Death to False Noise!

THE PIRATE SIGNAL
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP
8 P.M., DC 10

Website: www.myspace.com/thepirate-signal

Personnel: Yonnas (MC/Beats); DJ AWhat (cuts); Joey Kuvo (engineer).

Native or transplant? All native, all the time.

Releases/discography: The Name of This Band Is the Pirate Signal (2006); The Norma(L) Album (2004).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Fast, hard, sex.

Favorite place to play a show: We love all our venues and shows like children: equally.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Any one of our beloved venues.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Deca.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): The Hedonist, "The Summer of '05 to the Winter of My Discontent" - Deca.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Colfax, because my crew is just teeming with hookers, crackheads, pushers and people who ride the bus.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Some backwoods, boondock, uncivilized, alt-country, hootenanny cowboy shit sums this place up real nice, I think. Or elevator music.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Lil' Wayne.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? OK Computer.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Godsend. Down with the evil record industry.

Who's on your iPod right now? Strictly gangsta rap of all shapes and sizes. And us and Radiohead.

Parting shot: Vote for us, because we're bouncing out of this bitch to blow the fuck up. And when we do, if you've shown us no love, we will pretend like we don't know who you are when you try to come up and talk to us. If you even get to see our famous asses again. Real Shit.

PLANES MISTAKEN FOR STARS
NOMINATED IN PUNK/HARDCORE
4 P.M., OUTDOOR STAGE

Website: www.myspace.com/pmfs

Personnel: Gared (guitar, vocals); Neil (bass); Chuck (guitar); Mongo (drums).

Native or transplant? Common-law native.

Releases/discography: Fuck With Fire (2001); Up in Them Guts (2004); Mercy (2007).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Majestic, sweaty and mean.

Favorite place to play a show: 3 Kings Tavern, hi-dive, Marquis.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: 3 Kings Tavern.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Kingdom of Magic, Git Some, Red Cloud.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): Anything by Christie Front Drive.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? In order to procure a royal title, we pick GayLord.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Maris the Great, because he is a giant gay Zombie.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? For '07, it's R. Kelly all the way. Unh!

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? We will not share with you our trade secrets.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Buy a turntable.

Who's on your iPod right now? iWhat?

Parting shot: May your swords stay wet like a young girl in her prime.

P-NUCKLE
NOMINATED IN REGGAE/SKA
7 P.M., LA RUMBA

Website: www.myspace.com/pnuckle

Personnel: Chris LaPlante (guitar, vocals); Cliff Pfeifer (drums); Justin Spahlinger (DJ); Andrew Bailey (bass).

Native or transplant? Native Coloradan.

Releases/discography: Resident 303 (2006); Colfax Satisfaction (2003).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Dub reggae salad.

Favorite place to play a show: Anywhere with free booze.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: See answer above.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): The Psychodelic Zombiez, India.Arie.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Sleeping Bag Mat" - Psychodelic Zombiez.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Colfax Avenue, because it's long and dirty and you never know what you're going to see or get from it.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? P-Nuckle has been representing the 303 for more than ten years. We're the most qualified.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Josh Fishel, Bargain Music.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Straight Outta Compton - NWA

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? GODSEND — like porn.

Who's on your iPod right now? Slightly Stoopid, Pepper, Ray Wiley Hubbard, Reckless Kelly, the Railbenders, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Townes Van Zandt.

Parting shot: The World is a stage. You can make it be in a Vibrant Theater or in the Donkey Show in Tijuana. Either way, it's your job to play the part.

RACHAEL POLLARD
NOMINATED IN SINGER SONGWRITER
2 P.M., ACOMA CENTER

Website: www.myspace.com/rachael-pollard