Colorado has been under the microscope of international media since legalizing recreational marijuana. With that recognition comes the influx of tourism; people flocking to the mile high state to try out some of the tastiest ganja the world has ever seen. But, it also means our celebration on April 20…
Governor John Hickenlooper has been insisting that Denver has more music venues than Austin since he was mayor of Denver. It’s an interesting claim. But is it true? The two cities aren’t bad for comparison’s sake. The population of the city of Denver is a little over 634,000 people, with…
Everyone loves “Doll Parts.” At least that’s the song the comes up any time I speak about Hole to a non-Hole fan. I’m not complaining. “Doll Parts” is arguably a better point of reference for the band than the other common conversation piece regarding Hole, which is the comment that…
STS9 returns to Red Rocks for a two-night stand on Friday, September 5 and Saturday, September 6 and general admission tickets ($39.75/$45) go on sale on Friday, April 18 at 10 a.m.. A limited number of two-day passes ($50) go on sale on Wednesday, April 16 at 10 a.m. through…
Coachella’s first weekend was amazing this year! Except when it wasn’t. Here are the parts of the festival that rubbed us the wrong way. Saturday Night dust storm (above) Conditions may not have been as bad as they were during last year’s Red Hot Chili Peppers set, but Saturday night’s…
Paul Westerberg wasn’t exactly thrilled to be in the Southern California desert last night. “Headed out to San Francisco, definitely not L.A.,” he once sang. During his latest reunion show with The Replacements – at Coachella – he often mocked the audience, whom he quickly deemed insufficiently familiar with the…
There are some great shows this week. That new Phantogram record is excellent, and Shakey Graves is the Real Deal by most any definition. But let’s not kid ourselves. The main event this week is Sunday. Why Sunday? I can’t figure it out. Easter, I think. Must be Easter. A…
Most music festivals don’t have a specific conceptual guiding principal behind them. But for Communikey 2014, the phrase “Take Time,” which was featured in the well-designed schedule and map. As they explained it, the demands of the modern world have created a climate of artificial boredom, overtaxed reserves of emotional…
Hidden down in a convention hall of a nondescript hotel off the highway north of Denver was a record lover’s paradise this weekend: the Denver Record Collectors Spring Expo. At the convention hall all day Sunday were dozens of vendors, each selling thousands of records, CDs and more. This wasn’t…
As a dusty wind whipped behind her in hazy stage light, Solange and her ultra slick backing band brought serious chops and swagger to the polo fields as nighttime fell over Coachella. And then Beyonce showed up on stage dancing to “Losing You.” It was the first celebrity big surprise…
Did you know that, for some people, Coachella represents a big ol’ Alcoholics Anonymous meeting? Since 2009, New Orleans couple Bob Johnson and Jane Smith (not their real names) have led 12 step meetings on the festival grounds for those who, like themselves, are in recovery. They call their group…
Ever since sunshine acid saturated Woodstock back in 1969, music festivals and recreational pharmaceuticals have gone together like wine and cheese. Which is why we’d like to recommend a few pairings for those so chemically inclined, a fine list of musical acts coupled with good stuff sure to provide complementary…
Let’s not bury the lede here: Southern hip-hop deity and generally awesome dude Bun B is playing a show at the Marquis Theater on April 27, with FL from the Foodchain and the Reminders, and you can get in the door for $5. So yes, that probably requires some backing…
Press PhotoDave Grohl is one of my favorite dudes in the world but he needs to hop off my radar for a minute. I’m a mega Nirvana fan and I’ve always admired Dave for his talent and humor, but lately I can’t seem to get him out of my face…
The transportive power of music never ceases to amaze me. Whenever I hear the Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony,” it’s suddenly 1997 inside my head; I’m back in high school, daydreaming while sitting on my bedroom floor, and my little blue boombox’s dial is tuned to my favorite radio station, which…
As the previous infrastructure of the music industry collapses around us, individual artists and small groups are charged with an array of roles they never held before. Every band or artist must also find a way to either be her own manager, publicist, engineer, filmmaker, etc. or find a close…
“Skypin’ with Jesus on the Eagle Hotline. Flyin’ so high, looking for a good time? Dial 8-1-3, EAGLE 69.” The Bald Eagles Hotline is real. If you dial 813-EAGLE-69 and Arthur Jimenez, a.k.a. Pimp Eagle, and Dominic Esparza, a.k.a. Sun-Ray Eagle Boi happen to be in the same room, they…
Laurent Garnier has been producing music longer than most of the electronic music fans have been alive. Growing up in the European scene, Garnier has proven that staying true to yourself as a musician is still one way to ensure career longevity. In advance of his appearances at Beta next…
Hip-hop label Upset Records is celebrating the state’s new unofficial pastime with the release of Colorado Smoke. The compilation is due out April 15th with an in store at Angelo’s downtown. Recorded in 72 hours in the Upset Records studio with various of the label’s stable of artists, these eleven…
Imagine you’re on a date and you’re telling a story. It’s a long one, but you know it’s a winner. Everyone always loves this story. Three quarters of the way to the punch line, you notice a shift in your date’s behavior. She’s glancing at the door, bouncing her leg…
There’s a sign posted near the front door of the hi-dive that lists Esme Patterson as the headliner. The opener is listed simply as “Friends of Esme.” There have been rumors and even informal announcements about which friends those might be, but all the crowd filling the dark room on…
Ivory Circle’s five-song debut EP, Entropy, was a poignant and heartfelt effort that showcased Connie Hong’s strong songwriting skills while also demonstrating the dynamism of her vocals, which can be wispy and delicate at times and quite powerful at others. Equilateral, the first of a three-EP series to be released,…
