REAL ESTATE @ GOTHIC THEATRE | 4.27.12 See Also: Q&A with Alex Bleeker of Real Estate “That’s all from us,” Real Estate frontman Martin Courtney told the crowd, which stood nodding before him as the last notes of the encore washed across the Gothic Theatre. His voice conveyed no more…
Benny Loco’s latest effort is a standout in the crowded field of contemporary electronic music. The six-track EP features the title track — a new tune — alongside remixes of five songs from the Boulder-based producer’s Set EP, released last November. On “Lines,” bright analog tones coast over the top…
SLEIGH BELLS @ OGDEN THEATRE | 4.13.12 Ever heard of the loudness wars? Doesn’t matter. War’s over. Sleigh Bells wins. Decisively. Right now, there’s a roomful of people banging their heads in unison, in the kind of scene that makes dollar signs appear in the eyes of chiropractors. It’s so…
As the saying goes: There are only two things that are certain and unavoidable in this life — death and taxes. And while both might be causing folks to lose sleep these days (you didn’t forget tax time is upon us again, did you?), take comfort knowing that rock stars…
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE @ ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE | 4.10.12 Is there a science to picking a day to start a tour, or is it all some big random coincidence? Last night’s Death Cab for Cutie show at the Ellie Caulkins was sold out, and it had been for…
Whether you’re honoring a ubiquitous egg-laying rabbit obsessed with scavenger hunts or the miraculous resurrection of a thirty-something Jewish carpenter, the Easter season is upon us once again. But regardless of your religious affiliation, in the world of music, returning from the dead seems to happen more often than it…
Maulskull (born Jonathan Messinger) is in the midst of one of the more impressive undertakings we’ve seen in local hip-hop. His Death by Thr33s series is a massive collaborative effort between himself and more than twenty other artists. Every week for the last eighteen weeks has included the release of…
There weren’t too many people trying to play in rock bands around Cody, Wyoming, when Wes Roemmich, Levi Wells and Tyler Merkel were growing up there. They eventually crossed paths in high school, but they didn’t start playing music together until after they moved to Denver a couple years ago…
At what point does a band become famous enough that they begin to surpass the nouns they’ve co-opted? How does Google know you want Cake the band, not cake the dessert, if you only search for “cake” and no other words? Is there a band name that is un-Googleable? These…
While Denver’s electronic music scene is thriving, there are some producers who’ve found that it’s tough to make a name if you don’t have club bangers. Inspired by more experimental downtempo electronic acts like those found on Flying Lotus’s influential Brainfeeder label, local beatmaker Snubluck prefers the more musical approach…
Happy Birthday, Twitter. The micro-blogging that gave the world trending topics and the Fail Whale turns five years old today. While the site might not be old enough for first grade in human years, in Internet years, it might as well have Willard Scott wishing it a happy 100th birthday…
Legendary bass player and merchandising tycoon Gene Simmons has announced a new restaurant chain, creatively titled Rock & Brews, that will satisfy hungry classic-rock fans craving to eat in a place that looks like a glorified backstage area. The franchise will debut this year in El Segundo, California, and additional…
There are assumptions to be made prior to attending something billed as a “Paranormal House Party,” assumptions to be made about the crowd, about what could be passed off as “evidence” supporting the existence of ghosts and what might be found lurking in the dark recesses of the Stanley Hotel’s…
How awesome is “Big Pimpin’,” by Jay-Z? Really awesome. But some folks argue that its awesomeness comes courtesy of an unlicensed sample, and they’d like to be compensated. A new round of legal claims has been brought against HOV by a handful of heirs and music publishers who argue that…
SNOOP DOGG @ SNOWBALL MUSIC FESTIVAL | 03.03.12 At times it seemed like the entire weekend pointed toward Snoop Dogg’s Saturday-night set. Diplo mentioned Snoop’s imminent arrival during a Friday-night set and showed off an exclusive drop the Doggfather had recorded for Major Lazer. Periodically for the last 36 hours,…
TV ON THE RADIO @ SNOWBALL MUSIC FESTIVAL | 3.03.12 The early part of TV on the Radio’s set seemed unbalanced. The band’s signature quiet moments — interludes of whistling or whines of guitar feedback — were often interrupted by sound bleeding over from two nearby stages, the Heat Hut…
BIG BOI @ SNOWBALL MUSIC FESTIVAL | 3/2/12The purple lights cast Big Boi in a Prince-ly hue. He’s leading the audience through the chorus of “Ms. Jackson” and the entirety of the crowd is bobbing around like crazy. Big Boi is leaning back, with one arm up, casually steering an…
Next weekend, a highly unique paranormal party is slated to take over the infamously spooky Stanley Hotel, which, of course, provided the inspiration for Stephen King’s The Shining. Part paranormal investigation and part dance extravaganza, Feel the Energy, as its been dubbed is a party that exists in an entirely…
Looking over the schedule for Artopia, it quickly becomes clear that it is impossible to see everything. Choices must be made and none of them are easy. To wait until the end of the set; or make sure that you catch the beginning of the next act down the street…these…
WALE @ SUMMIT MUSIC HALL | 2.17.11 With the Summit Music Hall packed to the gills, Black Cobain was standing on stage in a blaze orange knit cap and a white t-shirt telling the crowd “everybody put your middle fingers up.” To the casual passerby, it might have looked like…
Sole and the Skyrider Band have always played by their own rules, but with their new video for “Bad Captain Swag,” the Denver quintet illustrates how iconoclastic tendencies can change the idea of music video to sci-fi flick with impressive results…
Formed from the ashes of the erstwhile Tulip Wars, Goer is a new local duo pushing an intriguing mix of electronic and psychedelic influences. Consisting of guitarist Sean Geisthardt and drummer Dan Barnett, the pair has just completed a four-track EP titled Invisible People that draws on the dreamy, somber…
