Video: Blankslate Packed the Westword Office for Members Show

Blankslate is one of the best indie bands in Denver thanks to its distinct sound, sprinkled with punk and rock, that earned the act a Best of Denver award for Best Indie Duo last month.

So Westword members showed up in force to see Rylee Dunn and Tess Condron perform at our office on April 10, when they played an excellent set of material created since they released their successful debut album, Summer on a Salt Flat, in 2022. The duo shared new, unreleased songs that will be on Blankslate's upcoming album, Lookout Mountain Charley (release date TBD).

The audience was by the breadth of talent displayed by Condron and Dunn; as we noted in the Best of Denver award, these two musicians are able to achieve what it usually takes four bandmates to do. Condron wasn't just playing drums and working a drum pad — she was also taking on keys, and often drums and keys at the same time. Dunn, meanwhile, was on vocals as well as bass and guitar.
Blankslate performed around the editorial desks in front of the Westword sign that used to be outside our old office on Broadway, while members packed the surrounding area. After the concert, I hosted a Q&A with Condron and Dunn, who told us what it's like being musicians in Denver, discussed touring and talked about their creative songwriting processes. The band is newly a duo (it was previously a trio), with Dunn only recently handling vocals. "It's been empowering to sing my own lyrics," she told us.
Those lyrics are often vividly poetic with a real depth of meaning, as displayed on "The Waning Days of My Empire," which is about "what it's like to feel really old when you're only 26," Condron explained.

See a video of the band performing the song "Spare Parts" below:

The event encapsulated the high-caliber love of local music that's forever stitched in the fabric of Denver. If you'd like an invite to the next concert — which will be announced soon — become a Westword member. Not only will you be supporting free, independent journalism, but you'll get to see another cool show.
Find more Denver concerts on our concert calendar.