There’s a misconception — particularly regarding local music — that hard work and good intentions ought to be factored in when judging an album. They shouldn’t. All that matters — all that should matter — is the sound that sprouts out of the speakers. Taste is the debut by Boulder’s…
It’s tough to pin a genre on the music made by Technicolor Skies (aka Zachary Martin). Distance is most like a fusion of ambient and old-school techno, with a sprinkling of trance technique to balance it. Playing with rhythm and noise, mashing trance-like buildups with unusual syncopated beats, Martin creates…
Since moving from upstate New York to Denver in the mid-’70s, Vic Cionetti has played his share of gigs with his group. But there were years when he traded playing out for working a day job. Even after releasing Simpatico in 2000 and selling out the Gothic Theatre, he put…
In their hearts, Shane Trostic and Dash Render clearly haven’t lost what is great about hip-hop, as is obvious on every song on this album. The hypnotic beeping of the opening track, “New Voodo,” provides a constant even as the two rappers come in with a slightly frayed delivery, rhyming…
During his more than two decades of playing music, Jon Wirtz has performed with a slew of local acts, including the Sputter, LSW, Matt Morris, Angie Stevens and John Common, who encouraged the thirty-year-old pianist to finally pull the trigger on his solo piano album. Wirtz narrowed the track list…
If you caught Oakland’s Beats Antique at Monolith Music Festival last year, then you’ve experienced the catchy world melodies and danceable rhythms this trio throws down. David Satori and Sidecar Tommy Cappel use a plethora of instruments — guitar, keyboard, electronic banjo, electronic percussion, drums, toy piano, viola, sax and…
Local misfit rock collective Hot Congress will be partaking in the Halloween festivities this Friday, October 29, at the Skylark Lounge, with over a half-dozen of the bands on its roster participating in a gore-themed line-up. The catch? This is no longer Hot Congress, it’s the Rot Congress (cue ghostly…
The role of DJ is an ever-evolving one, and while its old news that sets behind the turntables (or whatever the sonic mode of choice) can be a transformative live experience just like a good old rock n’ roll performance, taking center stage still means putting on a damn good…
Touring in support of his latest effort, No Better Than This, John Mellencamp comes to the Temple Buell Theatre on Wednesday, April 6. Tickets range from $44.50 to $130 and go on sale this Friday, October 29 at 10 a.m. — and include a digital download of the T Bone…
Oh my. Looks like we’re going to need a new monitor — or, in the very least, a wet cleanup over here on aisle three. After catching a glimpse of Rockstar Aaron in his Halloween costume, we sprayed everything in sight with a fresh cup of Folgers. Comedy gold. Best…
Best part about living in the Mile High City? Well, aside from the music, the breathtaking beauty, the four seasons and three hundred or so days of sunshine, that is? Easy: The seemingly undying benevolence of the people who live here. We take care of our own. There’s generally no…
INTERPOL With White Rabbits 10.25.10 | Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO Colorado went from summer to winter in one momentary movement yesterday (complete with a rainbow early in the day), and, as usual, that season other states call “fall” was skipped altogether. Interpol’s show at the Ogden Theatre couldn’t have been…
GATHERING OF THE CLOUDS Overcasters • Swayback • Buckingham Squares • Gangcharger Achille Lauro • Light Travels Faster • Glass Homes • Juliet Mission Action Packed Thrill Ride • Hearts in Space • Anna.Martina.Ross 10.21.10 – 10.23.10 | The Weather Center, Denver, CO Overcasters put together a great sound system…
If you’re not feeling like braving an Interpol sans Carlos D, the Morning Benders show at the Bluebird tonight should be a welcome option. With a handful of EPs and two full-lengths (the latest, Big Echo, came out this year on Rough Trade) under its belt, the dudes from Berkeley,…
In the spirit of Halloween, Boulder creative space Astroland is holding its first annual DIY or Die Fest, a massive holiday celebration featuring over a dozen local bands and DJs to the backdrop of some spooky films and the promise of free candy. And tacos. Well, the tacos aren’t free,…
It’s a sad day for those who love the tactile feedback of a chunky Walkman. After being on the market for 31 years, Sony has officially put the cassette-model Walkman on ice. It might come as a surprise to some people that the Walkman was still being sold, but those…
GORILLAZ With N.E.R.D. 10.24.10 | Wells Fargo Theatre In what will probably now become a legendary appearance at Wells Fargo Theatre last night, Gorillaz brought out a Colorado crowd in its truest form — Dads, ravers, white people with dreads, babies, bros, men in lobster costumes, girls donning wigs of…
OF MONTREAL With Janelle Monae 10.24.10 | Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO After seeing Janelle Monae perform on Saturday night, it’s no wonder that she was picked by Erykah Badu to open her most recent tour. Monae isn’t just a great soul singer; her songwriting and her band set her far…
SLEIGH BELLS Pictureplane • Sundelles 10.23.10 | Larimer Lounge, Denver, CO Read interview with Derek Miller of Sleigh Bells Brooklyn newcomers Sundelles opened the show with a sort of surfy garage rock, sounding kind of like the Pixies with all of the idiosyncrasies ironed out. It was pleasant enough, but…
THE APPLES IN STEREO With Fol Chen 10.22.10 | Bluebird Theater Apples in Stereo frontman Robert Schneider has described the band’s latest effort, Travellers in Space and Time, as “retro-futuristic super-pop,” a tag which could just as easily be applied to some of the band’s earlier material. It’s also an…
BASSNECTAR Dan Deacon • Ott, That 1 Guy • Brother Ali 10.23.10 | 1STBANK Center Full slideshow from Bassnectar at 1STBANK Center Lorin Ashton, the DJ and producer also known as Bassnectar, speaks loudly and carries a big bassline. Loosely defined as dubstep, Bassnectar’s signature sub-heavy style — which pulls…
So the story goes: Derek Miller met Alexis Krauss one day when he was serving her and her mother at a restaurant, and Krauss’s mom pushed her into working on music with Miller. Until a few years ago, Miller had been living in southern Florida where he was a member…
