Brian Eastin, singer and guitarist for Tango Red Tapestry, met drummer Nicholas Hureau when they were both five and their parents were musicians in the Army — but the two never really played music together as kids. In high school, Eastin met bassist Dan Snyder and the two formed a band, playing shows inspired by acts like Against Tomorrow's Sky, the Great Redneck Hope and Eyes Caught Fire — all great Colorado Springs bands from the past decade.
When the members of the fledgling outfit parted ways in 2008, Eastin and Snyder got together again and formed Tango Red Tapestry. After two years of figuring out the proper chemistry and lineup, which now includes guitarist Jesse Cotton Stone and Hureau, and a move to Denver in 2011, the band is issuing its second EP, Painter's Picture. We recently sat down with Eastin and talked about the move to Denver and the encouragement Tango Red has received in both of its homes.
Westword: When you were starting out in Colorado Springs, a lot of the more active bands that were the core of the underground scene there had broken up or were about to. What was it like there for you at that time?
Brian Eastin: We knew some people from our time in our first band and told them we had something new going on, and they were supportive — Eyes Caught Fire being one of them. Then we started playing the venues there, and we were still stuck in the mode of not thinking we had the right combination for the band. That changed recently with Nicholas and our other guitarist, Jesse Cotton Stone. We released an EP and it was well received, but we always wanted to do more.
Why did you move to Denver?
We didn't [want] to go to a completely unknown place. Denver has always had a great music scene; so has the Springs. There's a lot more audience here. There are a lot more places to play, so it was a natural move. I spent most of my life in the Springs. When you hit a certain age, you want some sense of adventure, and that played into the decision as well.
When we were [in the Springs], our friends in bands we played with always offered encouragement and support any way they could. You're going to run into people who are very focused on themselves, but that place had a lot of encouragement.
We've been fortunate to run into a lot of people in Denver who have wanted to help us out because they know we're fairly new, so they give us pointers. The Photo Atlas has helped us, and [so has] Peña. Still City did, too, as did Soda Jerk. I guess if you put enough work and sincerity into it, people are going to help you out.
