Our top five spins this week, September 24-30

In this very special edition of Heavy Rotation, you not only get a through-the-keyhole view of our musical proclivities, but you also get a few words from us on our top pick of the week. Keep reading to find out what Mark Sanders considers musical comfort food, why Kelsey Whipple…

Meet Shady Elders, Denver’s newest supergroup

Taking a Dylan-esque route of abandoning acoustic folk for mod rock, Britt Rodemich teamed up with local favorites Casey Banker — fresh from the now-defunct Don’ts and Be Carefuls — Miles Eichner of Tulip Wars, and Marlon Chance of Spires to form Shady Elders, an indie-rock supergroup of sorts. “Everyone…

Black Eye takes the coffee-drinking experience to a richer level

Like beer, marijuana and oxygen bars, Colorado has quickly developed a subculture of people who like to geek-out on coffee, enjoying the everyday beverage on a level far beyond the utilitarian purpose of a quick stimulant. “We’re here to deliver more than just caffeine; that’s just a perk,” says Ali…

Thee Oh Sees at Gothic Theatre, 9/13/12

THEE OH SEES @ THE GOTHIC | 9.13.12 Since playing Rhinoceropolis in 2007, Thee Oh Sees have progressively worked their way through the daisy chain of Denver venues from Bender’s Tavern to Moe’s Original BBQ. Last night, the San Francisco band headlined the Gothic and blasted everyone with an infectious…

Gary Hart on his new novel, Citizens United and stubborn Republicans

Over the last four decades Gary Hart has been a major force in politics — from “inventing” the Iowa caucuses while managing George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign, to unintentionally creating the template for political sex scandals with the “monkey business” photo during his 1987 run for the Democratic presidential nomination,…

Drinking Games

Since so much of Colorado’s identity is wrapped up in craft breweries, it only makes sense to close out the summer with a gathering of the tribes at the Vine Street Pub’s Uptown Block Party and Brewers Olympics. The seven-hour event will pit notables like the Wynkoop, Breckenridge, Odell and…

Paper Bird and Ballet Nouveau Colorado carry on with Carry On

“I’m really interested in finding the ways that past and present can naturally collide,” says Ballet Nouveau Colorado choreographer Garrett Ammon of his new production, Carry On. “And this relationship with Paper Bird has worked so well because their music is incredibly respectful and reverent of the past without being…

Spike Lee’s most beautifully preachy moments

Spike Lee’s films always carry a social message, but his mastery of aesthetics and storytelling usually transcend any political bias. Yet just like the jazz score in a Woody Allen flick, or obscure pop culture references in one of Quentin Tarantino’s little treasures, there inevitably comes a point in almost…

To tip or not to tip? That’s up for debate.

Why Tip? By Josiah Hesse Last May, I was sitting in a bar in Spain, wondering why I was so relaxed. Beyond the typical high of travel — augmented by the Mediterranean lifestyle of beaches, naps and midday wine — I felt an ambiguous sense of peace in every bar…

Artists rally for IndyInk’s tenth-anniversary party

IndyInk gallery and print-shop will celebrate its tenth anniversary tomorrow, and over fifty local artists will be contributing work for the show that marks the event. This collection of artists represents just a fraction of the many Denverites who owe a debt of gratitude to what IndyInk has done for…

New Order’s Substance turns 25 today

See also: – New Order’s Movement turns thirty – Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Destruction turns 25 – The Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Street turns 40 – The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper turns 45 – Prince’s Sign of the Times turns 25 – Velvet Underground & Nico turns 45 today…

IndyInk printshop and gallery celebrates a decade in Denver

In times of economic turbulence, you really see how much a local business means to a town. Faceless shops will be passed over by budget-conscious Walmart shoppers, while more memorable stores will flourish and become staples of a community that embraces them. This is certainly the case with IndyInk, the…

Comics join forces for drinking and inking tonight

The Denver Comix Social Club Plus Drinking is a casual tight-rope walk of drinking and doodling. Officially an opportunity for illustrators to get together and chat about their craft, it’s also a chance to flex some creative muscles — often the only muscles that comic artists have. “It’s like a…

Eleven memorable lines from the Laugh Track Comedy Festival

The Laugh Track Comedy Festival had a strong debut last night at the Bug Theatre, featuring eleven local and out-of-state comics that slaughtered the audience with a blend of hyper self-loathing and irreverent politics. The festival continues through Saturday nigh, delivering a seemingly endless lazy susan of short films and…