Eric Halborg

You don't want to miss Dragondeer's cosmic blues

Chimney Choir on junk percussion, field recordings and its use of homespun samples

On the surface, Chimney Choir is an Americana band with the usual roots in folk, some country and the like. But anyone who has seen the band live can tell you, there's a lot more going on in the band's songwriting and ideas for music than merely evoking an old-timey sound. Rather than limiting itsel ... More >>

Bandmate vs Soulmate: So who really knows Hearts in Space's Ezra-David Darnell better?

Brace yourself: Today marks the triumphant, eagerly awaited return of the Mating Game, a feature we dreamed up once upon a time in which we pit bandmate vs soulmate to see who knows who better. It's often been said that being in a band is just like being in a relationship, that sometimes your bandma ... More >>

Denver's ten best side projects

The Swayback is obviously Eric Halborg's main gig. But lately he's been moonlighting in Dragondeer, a side project he helms with Swayback drummer Carl Sorensen and Cole Rudy of Varlet on mandolin and lap steel. With Dragondeer, Halborg and company delve into some swampy blues and reverb-drenched psy ... More >>

#WMS 2012 recap: Bar Standard

Every year, for the Westword Music Showcase, we enlist our army of Backbeat wordsmiths to host various stages, and in addition to their emcee obligations, we ask them to pull double duty (or triple-duty in some cases) and also write up the acts that appear on their individual stages. Tom Murphy host ... More >>

The Swayback reflects on a decade of going for the musical nectar

See also: Twelve types of Denver musicians

The Swayback

Double Four Time
LGL Records

Take a sneak peek at the cover art for the Swayback's new record, Double Four Time

​A couple of months ago, you might remember us saying something about the Swayback dudes getting a new drummer and having finished their new record. At the time, we shared a track with you from the forthcoming platter (due out on March 3 at the hi-dive with Hearts of Space and the Baltic), but ... More >>

Jim Norris Rockbar benefit tonight at 7 p.m.

​Tonight, the first in a series of benefits that have been organized for 3 Kings Tavern co-owner Jim Norris takes place at Rockbar. Jeri Theil, who's spearheading the event with the help of Shannon Boyles and Karen Cuda, has given us the full lineup for tonight's benefit (see below) and more i ... More >>

Swayback set to release new album on March 3 at the hi-dive with new drummer Carl Sorenson

​The Swayback dudes have got to be way stoked this morning. Last night around the time that they were announced as one of the twelve finalists in KTCL's Hometown for the Holidays, the guys were at Silo Sound Studios (formerly Macy Sound Studios) putting the wraps on their brand new album with ... More >>

Details of the series of upcoming benefits for 3 Kings co-owner Jim Norris have been finalized

Jim Norris of 3 Kings Tavern.​One of the most refreshing things about living in Denver: Despite how incredibly shitty, mindlessly selfish and inexplicably cruel folks we can sometimes be to one another in this town (watch the news for about five minutes), when one of us is in need, you can alm ... More >>

Rock and Roll Superfriends: Andy Hamilton, Eric Halborg and Chuck French join forces

The most intriguing rumor we've heard lately is that Houses frontman Andy Hamilton may be putting together a project with Eric Halborg, long-time frontman and bassist of the Swayback, and Chuck French, lead shredder for Git Some and one-time member of the now-mythic Planes Mistaken for stars. Hamilt ... More >>

Review: Come As You Are, a covers show for Nirvana's Nevermind, at Hi-Dive, 9/24/11

Tom MurphyThe Swayback and friends covering "Smells Like Teen Spirit"One of the obvious highlights of last night's exceptional Nirvana covers celebration in honor Nevermind's 20th anniversary was when Eric Halborg of The Swayback told us we knew the words to the third song the band played and invite ... More >>

2011 Westword Music Showcase Ballot

​Seventeen years! It's hard to believe we've been doing the Westword Music Showcase for that long. I can still remember being at the first one in LoDo nearly two decades ago. And when I think back, it seems like that cold, rainy Sunday night was just a few years ago.

Photos: Night one of Pure Sunshine at the Bluebird Theater, 3/25/11

Jon Solomon Last night at the Bluebird was night one of Pure Sunshine, the aptly named Rick Kulwicki celebration and benefit. Among Kulwicki's family, friends, fans and many admirers (with Rick, it seems, none of those terms are mutually exclusive), all of the remaining members of the Fluid were of ... More >>

Pure Sunshine: Celebrate the life of Rick Kulwicki this weekend at the Bluebird Theater

​ A little more than a month ago, I attended the memorial service for a Rick Kulwicki at Fairmount Cemetary, the same place where my grandparents and my favorite aunt happen to be laid to rest. The place doesn't really hold a lot of fond memories for me. Barely ten-years-old, I remember wip ... More >>

Backbeat Exclusive: Free unreleased track from The Swayback, plus a first look at "St. Francis"

​Earlier this week, we chatted with Swayback bassist and frontman Eric Halborg, and he promised some new material from the band. Halborg has delivered, offering Backbeat a first look at "St. Francis," a video for the yet-to-be released track that is part of a slew of new recordings The Swayba ... More >>

The Swayback's Rent Party at Beauty Bar

​Back in June when Beauty Bar opened its doors, The Swayback's Eric Halborg and Bill Murphy were brought in to throw down some jams and get the party started on 13th Avenue once again, following the Snake Pit's closing the year before. The night was a hit, and has since morphed into the monthl ... More >>

Crimson & Gold to open near the University of Denver

Presenting the 2010 Westword Music Showcase Ballot

​ This past February, when we started putting together the 2010 Westword Music Showcase, we posted an item asking you how we could improve our annual music festival, this year set for Saturday, June 19, in the Golden Triangle (if you haven't already purchased your tickets, you can still buy d ... More >>

Tonight! The Swayback to record a live record at the Lion's Lair, broadcast show on the web

​Reminder in case you missed it when we posted last week: The Swayback is pointing the wayback machine toward the place where it all began. Tonight the outfit is slated to play a show at the Lion's Lair, where it played its very first show way back in the day. To mark this special occasion, ... More >>

The Swayback

Die Finks/Steamrolling 7-Inch
DC3/LGL

A band-by-band guide to the 2009 Westword Music Showcase

(Alternate) flier of the week: Yerkish at 3 Kings Tavern

Looks like we've got dueling fliers in this week's pole position. Not that the one picked by our esteemed colleague this week isn't completely worthy, because it most certainly is; it's just that this particular one, hyping a Sunday, May 24, date at 3 Kings featuring Yerkish, Burn Sand Burn and the ... More >>

Moving Pictures: Casselman's Bar & Venue, MBV, Autumn Film, Primasonic, Maris the Great, Adai, To Be Eaten and Dualistics

'Twas yet another sensational weekend for music in the MHC. Kicked the weekend off by having a few drinks at Casselman's Bar & Venue on Walnut, the latest addition to the Ballpark neighborhood -- or as owner Matt Casselman prefers, "NoDo." The place has tons of potential thanks to an attached th ... More >>

Monolith Festival Live Blog, Day 2

Swayback checks in from the studio in Los Angeles

Live Review: Harry and the Potters, Math the Band and Uncle Monsterface at hi-dive

Rearview: The Week in Review (7/12/08-7/18/08)

The Westword.com Blog Shortcut, July 15 Edition

Mile High Makeout: Hugging It Out

Rock Band: Denver Dream Team

Over the Weekend...Red Orange Yellow, Michael Trundle, Autokinoton and the Swayback @ Bluebird Theater

The Swayback Raises the Bar

Long Gone Lads, this trio’s long-awaited album, is a painstaking work of art.

Beta

Beatport gives birth to a new club.

Mile High Makeout, Digging Out

Forewarned

The Swayback’s new platter, Long Gone Lads, has all the makings of a career-defining record.

Nathan & Stephen Ponder Name Change

Westword Music Showcase 2007

Saturday, June 16

Hot Fun in the Summertime

Readers sound off on the Westword Music Showcase.

Moovers and Shakers 2006

Backbeat writers sound off on the best local releases of 2006.

Where's the Love?

After breaking with Rock Ridge, Love.45 is back to basics.

The Beatdown

The mountains win again at the South Park Music Fest.

Moovers and Shakers

In 2004, Mootown's best and brightest gave us something to write home about.

The Beatdown

Putting Denver on the musical map.

The Beatdown

In the final tally, Avril is far less Complicated than Britney.

The Beatdown

A long day's journey into the Wild Divine.

Westword Music Showcase 2004

Fifty bands. Ten stages. Five bucks. Be there.

Hit Pick

The Swayback