Meet Anxious, an MC who’s anything but

Ryan Hyde doesn’t come off as nervous, worried or scared. In contrast to his chosen stage name, Anxious, the MC actually seems pretty confident. So much so, in fact, that he says he will battle anybody, anytime — and win. So far, he has the record to prove it. He’s…

Yo Gabba Gabba! co-creator Christian Jacobs on making kids TV fun for everyone

As co-creator of the children’s television show Yo Gabba Gabba!, Christian Jacobs has a simple agenda: Create entertainment that engages both parents and their kids through really awesome music. The show, which brings people-sized puppets together with dozens of guests, including Leslie Hall, MGMT, and of Montreal, blends together creativity…

Taylor Swift: True Lil Wayne Heir

Lil Wayne sold a million copies of Tha Carter III in one week back in June of 2008. It’s a nearly impossible benchmark in an era of dwindling album sales. And the day Lil Wayne was released from prison, Taylor Swift matched his feat. Actually, she surpassed it. Tha Carter…

Bethany Cosentino on Best Coast, Pocahaunted and her approach to songwriting

In recent years, with bands ransacking the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s for musical ideas and sounds, it’s becoming increasingly easy to dismiss many musicians as being little more than throwbacks mimicking their artistic ancestors. But some of those songwriters aren’t just inspired by older music; they explore the possibilities inherent…

Meet Nathan Reid, studio wiz extraordinaire

Many people in Denver may not know Nathan Reid by name. Just the same, over the course of his career, which spans three decades, he’s had the chance to work with a host of prominent acts, from Ghostface to Damien and Stephen Marley. Currently operating out of Mercury Sauce, his…

Day Job: brikAbrak mixes biscuits and beats

BrikAbrak, the vinyl-slinging, Al Green- and Old Dirty Bastard-mixing DJ, can most often be found rocking a party to high heaven or backing up one of Denver’s premier MCs on any given night. On the daily, though, you can find him at 3237 East Colfax Avenue, watching dough rise and…

Richard Thompson on Fairport Convention, Nick Drake and Sufism

These days, the legendary folk-rock band Fairport Convention isn’t as widely known as it once was, and yet Richard Thompson, the band’s most storied guitarist, is often cited as an influence by a wide range of musicians and frequently included on the short list of the most talented living guitar…