Westword Music Showcase 2007

Personnel: Just me, mostly, sometimes some duets with my good friend, Bonnie Weimer, my paleroo Shana and my hunky huzbin, Nate. I have been singing and playing guitar for many, many years, and it is a treat to be noticed by your magazine.

Native or transplant? I was born in Montana, raised in Oklahoma, and I moved here from Arkansas in the late '90s.

Releases/discography: The Quiet Songs EP, Frilly Demo (2005); DIY cassette tape (2000); A Good Thing (soon to be released).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Quiet, slow, sad.

Favorite place to play a show: 1. Walnut Room for sound. 2. Meadowlark for atmosphere. 3. Hi-dive for best chance of seeing my friends. 4. Boulder Theater for monetary perks.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Birthday parties at people's houses, because everyone is happy and carefree.

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

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Flood" - Ian Cooke.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? River Drive — it's short.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Rainbow Sugar, because of the good times.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Joni Mitchell.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Disintegration - The Cure. I would skip school and hide in this big stupid bush and listen to it on my tape player until the batteries ran out.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? I don't know. I have had negative and positive experiences. I think it's a miracle, really.

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

Parting shot: I am always grateful for the friends I have and for the love of my family. We are going through a tough time right now, so I want to just say thank you a million times: Robin, Sarah, Alison and Josh.

THE POTCHEEN FOLK BAND
NOMINATED IN WORLD MUSIC
8 P.M., LA RUMBA

Website: www.myspace.com/thepotcheenfolkband

Personnel: Christopher Shelby (singer, guitar); Christian Blochinger (drums, vocals); Dave Lamothe (bass, vocals); Evan Sitchler (electric guitar, vocals); Braden Rauen (fiddle).

Native or transplant? All Denver natives except Christian (New York).

Releases/discography: Bottom of the Bottom Battle (2006); Live at the Bluebird (DVD, 2006); Live at the Soiled Dove (2005); Up She Rises (2004).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Turbo, celtic, pirate.

Favorite place to play a show: The Gothic Theatre.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: That's hard, 'cause we drink a lot. But we'll have to say "Grace," our bus, 'cause she goes where we go, and we go everywhere. She's our own personal green room on the road.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Remember May & Jason Vigil.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Zydeco Jam" - Tempa and the Tantrums.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Colfax, because there is no one street in Colorado with more diversity in culture, genre-specific clubs and representation of the music scene.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? That's a really tough one. Denver has so much talent. I'd have to say Dan Walker; he writes so many great songs about Colorado.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you" Christian: the Grateful Dead; Shelby: Nirvana; Dave: the Pogues; Evan: Jimi Hendrix.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Death of music. The artists work hard to create it and spend a lot of cash to produce their music. Then no one buys the CDs; they just download it for free. Musicians are already poor people — give 'em a break!

Who's on your iPod right now? Heh. I don't have an iPod.

Parting shot: Tiocfaidh Ar La (Our Day Will Come).

NATHANIEL RATELIFF (THE WHEEL)
NOMINATED IN SINGER SONGWRITER
3 P.M., SUTRA ROOM

Website: www.myspace.com/thewheel

Personnel: Nathaniel D. Rateliff.

Native or transplant? Native.

Releases/discography: Desire and Dissolving Men (soon to release).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Super duper alright.

Favorite place to play a show: Any quiet, attentive place.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: hi-dive.

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

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Plow."

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Broadway — it's smooth.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? John Gates, yo-yo champ. Well, the yo-yo is round with no ridge edges and stays in movement.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? It depends on the day or week or year.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? The "White Album" - The Beatles.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? It still gets heard.

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

Parting shot: Sleep well. Love, Nathaniel.

RED CLOUD WEST
NOMINATED IN ROOTS/AMERICANA

Website: www.myspace.com/redcloudwest

Personnel: Ross Etherton (vocals, guitar); Jason Heller (guitar); Neil Keener (bass); Andrew Warner (drums).

Native or transplant? Andrew is the only native Coloradan. The rest of us hail from Nebraska, Connecticut and Illinois.

Releases/discography: (Please note, these dates are guesses. We really don't obsess over this shit.) Split With Big Timber (2006); Dragonland (2005); Live at the Larimer Lounge (2005); Red Cloud (2003). We also had a track on one of them spiffy Public Service Records comps.

What three adjectives best describe your music? Sloppy, weird, sad.

Favorite place to play a show: Pancho's Villa. May she rest in peace.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Paris on the Platte.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Christie Front Drive. For fuck's sake, Denver, figure it out.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): Every song by Joe Sampson.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? The railroad tracks. Just 'cause it sounds pretentious.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Andrew is in another band called Bad Luck City. Pardon the nepotism, but they're fucking horrendously awesome. They should be the one act to represent Denver, because they're our friends and we think that would be rad.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Neil Young & Crazy Horse.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Talking Songs for Walking - Lungfish.

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

Who's on your iPod right now? Born Against, Cheap Trick, Christ on a Crutch, the Damned, the Dicks, the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Galaxie 500, Gene Clark, GG Allin, Hoover, Laughing Hyenas, Minutemen, Pentagram, the Replacements, Soundgarden, St. Vitus, Scratch Acid, the Troggs. That's verbatim.

Parting shot: We're not a Roots/Americana band. Seriously, we mean it this time.

REVEREND DEADEYE
NOMINATED IN BLUES

Website: www.myspace.com/reverenddeadeye

Personnel: Rev. Deadeye, his goddamn wife, and a whole bunch of other folks now and again from time to time.

Native or transplant? I was here first, dammit.

Releases/discography: I don't like disco.

What three adjectives best describe your music? Holy, holey, and wholly.

Favorite place to play a show: At a tent meetin'.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Front row of the Church on a Saturday-night hellfire-and-brimstone revival.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): ). Hi, how ye doin? I'm doin perty good, you got somethin' on yer chin.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Get Out of Denver" - Bob Seger.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? I'm already a street in Denver, but that's a private matter.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? The act of kindness.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? My daddy.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? My mama's photo album.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Anyone who doesn't like file-sharing hates music and is a capitalist PIG.

Who's on your iPod right now? You! Get off it, asshole!

Parting shot: Antifreeze.

ERIN ROBERTS (PORLOLO)
NOMINATED IN SINGER SONGWRITER
5 P.M., SUTRA ROOM

Website: www.myspace.com/porlolo

Personnel: Erin Roberts, Tom Mohr, Steve Brooks, Jonathan Till, Carrie Beeder, Julie Davis.

Native or transplant? Combo.

Releases/discography: Storm and Season (2006); What Would This Be For (split EP with Roger Green, 2004).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Dark, poppy, folk.

Favorite place to play a show: My garage.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Your front porch.

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

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Carolina Clouds" - Joe Sampson.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? MLK — never a dull moment.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Bad Weather California. He's the heart and soul of Denver music.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Will Oldham.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Talking Songs for Walking - Lungfish.

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

Who's on your iPod right now? Still using a Sony tape cassette Walkman.

RON MILES QUARTET
NOMINATED IN JAZZ
8 P.M., DAZZLE

Website: www.sterlingcircle.com

Personnel: Rudy Royston, Greg Garrison and Kent McLagan (bass); Eric Gunnison, Erik Deutsch, Eric Moon (piano); Roger Green, Glenn Taylor (guitar).

Native or transplant? Transplant.

Releases/discography: Stone/Blossom (2006).

What three adjectives best describe your music? I'm not so good with words.

Favorite place to play a show: Old Main, Boulder.

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

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? This is a time with so many great bands; it would be too difficult to choose.

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

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Fear of a Black Planet - Public Enemy.

Who's on your iPod right now? Feist; How Low Can You Go: Anthology of the String Bass; Out to Lunch - Eric Dolphy; Wayne Shorter, Peaches, Ornette Coleman, Jill Scott. Lots from YouTube.com.

Parting shot: Thank you, Westword.

ROSE HILL DRIVE
NOMINATED IN ROCK

Website: www.rosehilldrive.com

Personnel: Yes.

Native or transplant? White people.

Releases/discography: Rose Hill Drive.

What three adjectives best describe your music? Cool, really cool, super cool.

Favorite place to play a show: hi-dive.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Alone.

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): I wasn't aware that John Denver had any children.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Rocky Mountain High."

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Colfax, because of all the stand-up gals.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? John P. Denver.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? John Denver.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? The Essential John Denver.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? That's a little dramatic.

Who's on your iPod right now? My friend Ryan. Get off, man!

Parting shot: Close-up of my balloon knot.

SAVAGE HENRY
NOMINATED IN POP
4 P.M., LA RUMBA

Website: www.myspace.com/savagehenry

Personnel: Damon Guerrasio (vocals); Stu Miller (guitar, vocals); Bill Travis (drums); John Jeffers (bass, vocals).

Native or transplant? Native.

Releases/discography: All In (2005).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Catchy, snappy, poppy.

Favorite place to play a show: Red Rocks, Gothic Theatre, Paul's House.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Red Rocks, Gothic Theatre, Paul's House.

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

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Rocky Mountain High" (it came out of Denver — John Denver, that is).

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Gun Club Road.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? John Denver.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you: Hunter S. Thompson.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you: The Transformed Man - William Shatner.

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

Who's on your iPod right now? iPods are the devil's playground.

Parting shot: You rock me good, Denver, party time. OK for you, cowboy!

SCAFFOLDING
NOMINATED IN AMBIENT/ELECTRONIC
3 P.M., SHELTER

Website: www.myspace.com/scaffolding

Personnel: Lui Ferreyra.

Native or transplant? I was born in Mexico, but I've been in Colorado for twenty years now (Jeebus!).

Releases/discography: Personal Space (2006); Field of Opposites (2005).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Simple, complex, paradoxical.

Favorite place to play a show: The Walnut Room — the sound is killer, soundcheck is what it should be, great stage and expert soundmen.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Mezcal, WaterCourse, Sputnik, Buenos Aires Pizzeria.

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

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): "Prelude 2," by Bela Karoli/T.S. Eliot.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? I'm afraid this question does not apply to me, since I am a vegetarian.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Sarah Marcogliese, 'cause she's the best!

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

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Homogenic - Björk.

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

Who's on your iPod right now? In order to answer this question, let us first pretend that I have an iPod. Okay, let's see: Prince, Van Morrison, Ray Charles, Thelonious Monk, Jamie Lidell, Beatles, Smashing Pumpkins, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Julieta Venegas, Erik Satie, Arovane, Folie, Slicker, lots of boleros, traditional flamenco and loads of minimal techno!

Parting shot: Barcelona, I miss you!

A SHORELINE DREAM
NOMINATED IN AMBIENT ELECTRONIC

Website: http://www.ashorelinedream.com, myspace.com/ashorelinedream

Personnel: Erik Jeffries (guitar); Ryan Policky (vocals, guitars, keys, programming); Enoc Torraca (bass, programming).

Native or transplant? Ryan: Native, lived in the crazy land of Littleton growing up; Enoc: "Transplant," grew up between Puerto Rico and NYC; Erik: Native.

Releases/discography: 2006 EP (2006); Love Is a Ghost in America EP (2006); Avoiding the Consequences (2006); COASTAL (coming July 31, 2007).

What three adjectives best describe your music? Ryan: Ethereal, hazy, atmospheric. Erik: Epic, sonic, lush.

Favorite place to play a show: Ryan: Portland, OR, or the hi-dive. Enoc: The Bluebird Theater. Erik: Star Shoes, L.A.

Favorite place to hang out/drink: Ryan: Cinespace rocked. Had fun drinking it up with Carina Round. Enoc: Barramundi (NYC). Erik: Sputnik

Best artist/band to come out of Denver (that's not yours/you): Ryan: Peña. Enoc: DeVotchKa. Erik: The Photo Atlas.

Best song to come out of Denver (that you didn't write): Ryan: "Night Eyes" — Bright Channel. Enoc: "Light Workers" — Bright Channel.

If you were a street in Denver, which street would it be and why? Ryan: That's a good question cause I've always wanted to be a street.... Probably 6th, 'cause it's sick and dank. Enoc: 19th, because it's a nice street? Erik: Colfax, because it has a ton of variety and many perspectives.

If you had to choose one act to represent Denver, who would it be and why? Ryan: Probably the second act. Usually the best act of the night. Enoc: So many good ones, I can't answer that. Erik: The Fray. Because they are incredibly talented and a wide reach. Their music and approach should also have lasting power - but time will tell.

Which artist has had the biggest impact on you? Ryan: Mike Patton. Enoc: Gustavo Cerati. Erik: Billy Corgan.

Which album has had the biggest impact on you? Ryan: "To Venus and Back" — Tori Amos. Enoc: "100th window" — Massive Attack. Erik: "Siamese Dream" — The Smashing Pumpkins.

File-sharing: Godsend or the death of music? Ryan: Gotta get your name out their somehow. Sharing music generally compels fans to come back for more. Enoc: Music is about sharing, right? just don't give the whole album away. Erik: Necessary evil.

Who's on your iPod right now? Ryan: I don't have an ipod. Can't support a product that demands $100 to change the battery out when it fails. But the bands I'm loving right now are The Inner Banks, Lansing-Dreiden, The Daysleepers, Magnet & Hammock. Enoc: Lucybell, Gustavo Cerati, Easy All-Stars. Erik: Innaway, Modest Mouse, Silversun Pickups.

Parting shot: Ryan: Shots usually give me headaches in the morning so I avoid them unless they are really tasty and fun. Like really, really fun. For serious. Enoc: Tequila.

THE SKIVIES

NOMINATED IN ART ROCK/AVANTE-GARDE
3 P.M., TWO AM

Website: www.myspace.com/theskivies

Personnel: DJ Von Feldt (gadgets, vocals); Zahari (guitar); Steven (bass); Xian (drums).

Native or transplant? Zahari is a transplant from Bulgaria, Steven is a transplant from New Jersey, Xian is a transplant from Chicago, and DJ is a native.