Audio By Carbonatix
Welcome to the twelfth annual Westword Music Showcase. Twelve — the dirty dozen. Can you believe it? When we launched the first Showcase all those years ago on a rainy Sunday night in LoDo, who would’ve thought that it would grow to such a mammoth event?
Then again, did anyone ever imagine that Denver music would take such a quantum leap over the last decade, that our scene would become so high-profile? Heck, we still remember being blown away when we found the Fluid’s albums mixed in with all those other “national” releases at the local record store. Back then, if you asked most musicians, they would have said that you just couldn’t make it out of Denver — that you had about as much of a chance of getting a record deal as you had of playing at Red Rocks.
How things have changed. These days, local bands are filling Red Rocks and signing deals like crazy. From Morning After Records entering into a partnership with Island Def/Jam, to the Fray climbing to the top of the Billboard charts and selling out nearly every show on its headlining tour, to Rose Hill Drive linking up with Megaforce Records, Denver has become a bona fide music town.
Thing is, we didn’t need any record-label execs to validate our scene. The Mile High City has always possessed amazing talent. And we’ve followed that talent every step of the way. So even as the scene has grown, so has the Showcase. Think last year’s lineup was great? Buckle up, pal. It’s even better this year, with must-see performances on the Outdoor Stage (including one by Arrested Development), a funkalicious dance party at La Rumba, indie-centric outfits at the Acoma Center, an alt-country superbill at Shelter, a jazz-and-blues blowout at Dazzle, and singer-songwriters at the Bannock St. Garage. Oh, and don’t forget about the rock extravaganza at Milk Bar, or the hip-hop hootenanny on Vinyl’s rooftop, or the DJ dance party in Vinyl’s main room. And if you dare, stop by the punk-and-metal throwdown at Two AM hosted by Maris the Great, which is guaranteed to rip your face off.
You’ll wish you could clone yourself to catch all the acts. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled this Showcase guide. Every performer and group nominated this year was sent a survey; read the answers we received below. For updates, go to www.westword.com.
Enjoy, and we’ll see you at the Showcase. — Dave Herrera
BASHEBA EARTH (Portia Davis)
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP — MC
Website: www.bashebaearth.com
Personnel: Timbuk cutz sharp on the 1’s and 2’s; Eitef (ee-tef) Hotep Vita from Moetavation is the fiery ampman/vocalz/afrikan drumz.
Native or transplant? I am a Pioneer descendant mixed with Blak and Cherokee.
Releases/discography: Just released the Mothership this past spring; have a song, Bladez of Tongue, featuring Chuck D., on DJ Phyre Presents Ghetto Manifesto; the song Undaground Railroad appears on SoulLovely; and Horizon appears on Tommy Tee’s Beats, Bonds & Beliefs.
Describe your music in a sentence: Wavez uv galaktik luv waiting 2 bust ur head open.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? I have actually had the wonderful opportunity to travel; being my home town, I got out of here as fast as I could when I was twenty! New York had much luv for my art, as well as the East Coast and Down South, 2. Spent time in the ATL — it was fly, fo’ sho’! So I been gettin’ luv 4 sumtym, grateful and honored 2 have blessed many a stage. Be my pleasure 2 rock plenty more!
What’s your idea of “making it”? My idea uv making it is having the ability 2 travel and touch folkz with my galaktik flyness while making a decent living in order 2 have sumthing 2 pass on 2 my kidz, like a healthy planet with oxygen, 4 example.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? There is ALOT uv talent here in Colorado! I’m no good for competition; I like everybody. I believe in buildin’ and not tryin’ to battle. I’m feelin’ Black P., and Yo, Flaco! and Future Jazz are both tight, and so are Flobots and 5 Style Fist. Dent got skillz, 2. Melissa Ivey is off the hook. DJ Lazy Eye be holdn’ it down, and so do DJ Idiom. I’m just old-fashioned like that: I don’t believe in being the best, I simply believe in doing ur best.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? KRS-1, Edutainment; Public Enemy, Yo Bum Rush the Show; Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon; Stevie Wonder (every album he has ever done); Alice Coltrane, Ptah; The El Daoud and A Tribe Called Quest, People’s Instinctive Travels and The Paths of Rhythm.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Sarah Vaughan, Bjrk and Tupac.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? I never have time 4 it, but it’s a great marketing tool. www.myspace.com/bashebaearth.
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? If I had an iPod, I would have Zap Mama’s Ancestry in Progress bumpin’.
BLACK LAMB
NOMINATED IN METAL/HARD ROCK
Website: www.blacklambrocks.com, myspace.com/blacklamb
Personnel: Who knows anymore?
Native or transplant? Both.
Releases/discography: hang the moon; the low road; pillar of salt; high and mighty.
Describe your music in a sentence: “Commerce City soul music.”
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Yeah, if you lend us gas money.
What’s your idea of “making it”? Making what?
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Weapons of Ass Destruction. Makeshift Vagina. Munimula. (loif)
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Cro-Mags, Age of Quarrel.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Jerry VanDyke.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Those dudes are on there? I wanna be their friend!
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? We rock a shoulder-full of boombox, bitch! Recognize…(?)
BLACK PEGASUS
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP — MC
7 P.M., VINYL ROOFTOP
PETER BLACK
NOMINATED IN DJ: ELECTRONIC/NON-TRADITIONAL
7 P.M., VINYL MAIN
Website: www.myspace.com/rockstarsaredead
Native or transplant? Native.
Describe your music in a sentence: Basshead paradise, anti-everything.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Yes. It’s all about attitude.
What’s your idea of “making it”? Doing what you enjoy and getting paid for it.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Laylights, Swayback, Photo Atlas.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Anything on the Mo’Wax record label.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Fela Kuti and James Lavelle.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Mindwaste.
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? VYBZ Cartel; Sound of Miami: Funk Compilation; Brazilica: Compilation; Baile Funk Compilation; Sounds of Young New York – ’80s New Wave compilation; Massive Attack, Blue Lines; Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings; the BellRays; Mad Decent Mix, Diplo (Podcast); Cameo, Best Of compilation.
BOP SKIZZUM
NOMINATED IN FUNK/SOUL
7 P.M., LA RUMBA
Website: www.bop-skizzum.com
Personnel: Bop Skizzum is Andy Guerrero (lead vocals, guitar); Serafin Sanchez (tenor saxophone, keyboards); Joe Ferrone (trumpet); Jeff Valentine (trombone); Tohbias Juniel (drums); Chris Harris (bass). The Bop Skizzum extended family is made up of Simone Bracket and Monica Conway (aka The Simonica) and Mike Friesen (producer, backup vocals).
Native or transplant? Halfsies.
Releases/discography: Reverberating Funk (2001); Waiting For (2004); Propeller (2005).
Describe your music in a sentence: Did you ever see the Funktion in 1996? Like that, but with Serafin.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Definitely can. Just waiting for a van and that Westword spread. Call me, Dave!
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Serafin Sanchez and Jeremy Jones Quintet, 8-trac, Hip-Triplet, Everyone’s Pleasure, the U.S. Air Force Falconaires, the Flobots, Psychodelic Zombiez (reunion), Yo, Flaco!, Pure Soul, Tony Black Project, Chilly Willy, After 8, Funktion (circa ’96), and we really love the Fray.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? All the Psychodelic Zombiez albums, Thriller, and Tower of Power’s Back to Oakland.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Red Hot Chili Peppers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Fishbone, Parliament Funkadelic, Prince, Stevie Wonder.
Myspace: godsend or devil? It’s a godsend, slowly eliminating all human-to-human contact. It’s a great way to meet and communicate with people outside of Denver. We’ve got some fans in the U.K.! www.myspace.com/bopskizzum Thanks for the ad!
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? Yeah, we got iPods; we’ve been spinning audio books like crazy. Also: Gnarls Barkley, Chili Peppers, Danger Doom, Charlie Hunter, Kneebody, the Coup and Muse.
BORN IN THE FLOOD
NOMINATED IN INDIE ROCK/POP
7 P.M., OUTDOOR STAGE
Website: www.bornintheflood.com
Personnel: Nathaniel Rateliff, Joseph Pope III, Matt Fox, Mike Hall.
Native or transplant? Transplants.
Releases/discography: The Fear That We May Not Be (Self-released, 2005).
Describe your music in a sentence: The pounding of heads on walls and smashing of vessels once filled. Rejoice.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? If the van keeps running.
What’s your idea of “making it”? We’ve taken a vow of poverty, so in essence, we’ve already made it.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Joe Samson, aka A Dog Paloma, Strangers Die Everyday, the Milkshakes, and a yet-unnamed project involving Jeff Lindsemeyer.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Leonard Cohen, Songs of Leonard Cohen; Minus Story, The King Is Dead, Let the Drum Corpse Dance.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? It comes in waves: I love it, then feel very dirty, end up hating it, yet fall back in love. Overall voyeurism is overrated but somewhat necessary.
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? We fear change. Mix tapes all the way.
BREAK MECHANICS
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP — GROUP
BUCKNER FUNKEN JAZZ
NOMINATED IN JAZZ/SWING
BUCKSKIN STALLION
NOMINATED IN COUNTRY/ALT COUNTRY
Website: www.buckskinstallionmusic.org
Personnel: Dave Shapiro (telecaster guitar, pianet, vox); Grammy winner John Macy (pedal steel guitar); Brian Schey (bass); Todd Moore (drums); Troy Schoenfelder (vox, acoustic guitar).
Native or transplant? Transplant — from rural South Dakota to Minneapolis to Colorado.
Releases/discography: Blue Ribbon Buzz (2004). We’re currently recording our sophomore effort, looking for an early fall release.
Describe your music in a sentence: Part salt of the earth, part fire in the belly, one hundred percent rousing ruralism!
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Ah, hell, first we have to make it in Denver.
What’s your idea of “making it”? 1) Opening for the Railbenders. 2) Making the money back from recording and distributing Blue Ribbon Buzz. FYI: Still working on the first one (Hey, Jim Dalton, you got my phone number?). According to my accountant, we can consider the second one as “mission accomplished,” but we’ve heard that before.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? All the bands with the mettle to play the music they choose to play. By the way, have you heard Great American Taxi? Kickin’ country rock!
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Harry Smith, Anthology of American Folk Music; Woody Guthrie, Library of Congress Recordings; Bob Dylan, Basement Tapes and Street Legal; Gram Parsons and the International Submarine Band, Safe at Home; Townes Van Zandt, High, Low and in Between; Neil Young, Ragged Glory; Uncle Tupelo, Still Feel Gone; Whiskeytown, Stranger’s Almanac.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt and Uncle Tupelo.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Great networking tool for bands. I’ll have to side with godsend on this one.
Do you have an iPod? Nope.
BUCKWILD
NOMINATED IN COUNTRY/ALT COUNTRY
4 P.M., SHELTER
Website: www.myspace.com/buckwilddenver
Personnel: Rex Moser, Susan Phelan, Carlos Newman — two bad boys and one very, very bad girl!
Native or transplant? One native (Carlos), two transplants — Rex is from New York, and Susan is from Indiana.
Releases/discography: We’re recording at Module Overload as we speak!
Describe your music in a sentence: Cowboy rock!
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Hell, yes — they’ll love us in Baghdad.
What’s your idea of “making it”? Second base?
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Susan is excited about the Swanks, the Haggardies and the Blue Blooded Girls. Rex and Carlos are excited about Susan.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Rex: Green River, by CCR. Susan: Anything by KISS, Destroyer, Primus, Led Zeppelin, Aretha Franklin or Ray Charles. Carlos: At Folsom Prison: Live, the Highwaymen, Appetite for Destruction.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Rex: John Fogerty, Hank Williams and Chuck Berry. Susan: her father, Gene Simmons, Shirley Horn, Junior Brown. Carlos: Johnny Cash, the Clash, the Eagles and Guns ‘N Roses
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Not the devil — just a good-lookin’ guy!
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? I what?
CAUSTIC SOUL
NOMINATED IN GOTHIC/INDUSTRIAL
COCKTAIL REVOLUTION
NOMINATED IN JAZZ/SWING
9 P.M., DAZZLE
Website: www.cocktailrevolution.net
Personnel: Chad Aman (keys); Artie Moore (bass); Zach Pietlock (drums); Jon Hegel (saxophone).
Native or transplant? We are natives.
Releases/discography: Cocktail Revolution.
Describe your music in a sentence: We play drum-and-bass-influenced urban improv — music that has the power to grant eternal youth and winning Lotto numbers.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? So far, we’ve done quite well outside of Denver.
What’s your idea of “making it”? We don’t know. It’d be nice to quit our day jobs.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Not to sound too kiss-assy, but all the local artists are great (but actually we’re the only band on the planet worth listening to).
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Roni Size, the New Deal, Led Zeppelin, the Streets and Fishbone.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Addictive as hell.
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? I have an iPod, and right now it has a folder icon with an exclamation point next to it — I think that means it’s broken. Damn.
JOHN COMMON
NOMINATED IN SINGER-SONGWRITER
7 P.M., BANNOCK ST. GARAGE
Website: www.johncommon.com
Personnel: John Common (vocals, guitars, keys, samples, songs); Tom Germain (drums, vocals); Kevin Meyer (bass, vocals); Jed Marrs (keys, vocals); various friends (various things).
Native or transplant? I’m a transplant from Pensacola, Florida. The cruel humidity drove me away.
Releases/discography: Good to Be Born (John Common, 2006), The Longest Street in America (Rainville, 2002), Collecting Empties (Rainville, 1999).
Describe your music in a sentence: Right before I grabbed the steering wheel and swerved to avoid the oncoming truck, everything got very quiet. I looked over at her, with her arm out the window, wind blowing her hair, watching miles of wheat stretch out, singing softly with Chet Baker — she didn’t know we were about to wreck. Or: All I want to do is write songs that make you feel everything all at once.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? This question brings three Chinese proverbs to mind: 1) Distant water won’t quench your immediate thirst. 2) A dog won’t forsake his master because of his poverty; a son never deserts his mother for her homely appearance. 3) Dream different dreams while on the same bed.
What’s your idea of “making it”? I’ll know I have made it when I have a beautiful-yet-oddly-strong roadie named Estelle who hauls my gear and tunes my guitars. Until then, I’m a complete failure.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Chris Eagleton, Joshua Novak, Ed Skibbe, Born in the Flood, Matt Kowal, Angie Stevens, DeVotchKa, Tom Zingaro, Meese, Drag The River, Red Cloud West, Zack Nichols, Starfuzz, Ten Cent Redemption, Astrophagus, Kettle Black and A Dog Paloma.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? The Beatles, Abbey Road and the “White Album”; Neil Young, Rust Never Sleeps; Lynyrd Skynyrd, Second Helping; Chet Baker, My Funny Valentine; Velvet Underground, Vu; Tom Waits, Rain Dogs.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Bob Ross, Tom Waits, John Lennon, Jesus, Sparklehorse, Miles Davis, Yo La Tengo, Rufus Wainwright, Neil Young, David Lowery, Big Star, Beck, Jeff Tweedy, Robert Zimmerman, my brother Scott, Daniel Lanois, Robert Pollard, Mark Kozelek, Elliott Smith and Emma.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Myspace = digital high school. It all depends on how much you enjoyed high school.
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? Bonobo, Eels, Rogue Wave, William Shatner, a bunch of found audio stuff.
DENT
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP — MC
6 P.M., VINYL ROOFTOP
Website: www.myspace.com/dentsmusicissaulgood
Native or transplant? C.O. NATIVE…that Northside love!!
Releases/discography: Make Yall Feel It (mix CD with DJ Chonz, 2006); Platinum in the Shower (2005); Low Budget Soul (2005); Hip-Hop Love Jazz (2005); The Revolushun (with Rraahh Foundashun, 2005). Peace to all the DJs playin’ my music and showin’ love on the mix CDs.
Describe your music in a sentence: Hmm…take some time out and come vibe out to some of my music. Y’all tell me.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? The way I see it, the place in the middle of the map is where it’s at. There are many hip-hoppas worldwide who are on the grind in this industry, But being in the middle, I can network with people from both coasts. Create and build your own network, and let the music speak for itself. Form a game plan, stick to it and let your music spread like wildfire. The world is a lot bigger than Colorado. Let your light shine!
What’s your idea of “making it”? Waking up every single day of your life, doing something you love, being able to pay your bills, doin’ your passion… To me, that’s the essence.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? I run with the Radio Bums and the Shunz, so there’s some powerhouse krews. I love everything my peoples are rockin’, but other than that, I’m feelin’ Distrakt, D.O. ManeLine and Boostwell Camp. And I like Playalitical, just to name a few.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? We could probably talk about that all day. I study all kinds of music. For hip-hop albums, let’s say Eric B. and Rakim, Paid in Full; Big Daddy Kane, Long Live the Kane; the D.O.C., The Formula; and all of Native Tongues.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Big Daddy Kane, Kool Keith, Rakim, Chill and Afrika Sam.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? I use it; I think it’s a great networking tool for your music, if you use it for all the right purposes. Look me up.
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? I don’t have an iPod, but my music is on iTunes; buy my EP in the iTunes music store NOW! Platinum in the Shower. Support good music: It’s SAUL GOOD!!!
DEVIANT
NOMINATED IN GOTHIC/INDUSTRIAL
Website: www.deviantmuse.com
Personnel: London (vocals); D’ MacKinnon (guitar, synths, production); Marcus Wilkerson (bass, backing guitars).
Native or transplant? We are all from various parts of the globe, but we’ve lived in Colorado for the past ten years, some of us longer.
Releases/discography: We have an EP, Absenta, which was released in 2003, and we are recording a new album to be released at the end of 2006.
Describe your music in a sentence: Dark-edged electro-rock.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? We’ve had label offers, but recently have decided to go with an independent record label, Kheperi Global Media, which has done a good job of exposing our music through TV and film.
What’s your idea of “making it”? D’ responds: Making it for me would be to be able to make a living writing and performing music and make enough money to have a car and a place to live. That’s all I really need.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? D’ responds: I really like DeVotchKa. I think they have a unique sound and look that works well for them, and I think they’ll get far with it.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? D’ responds: David Bowie’s Low and Diamond Dogs, Ministry’s A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste. London has been influenced a lot by artists like Tori Amos.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Tori Amos, Nine Inch Nails, early-’80s punk.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? I think it’s a good way for bands to market to a wide audience and get around the system of corporate radio. Time will tell how effective it is in the long run.
Do you have an iPod? Nope, no iPods.
DEVOTCHKA
NOMINATED IN AVANT-GARDE/ECLECTIC
DJ IDIOM
NOMINATED IN DJ: HIP-HOP CLUB/TURNTABLISM
Website: www.djidiom.com
Native or transplant? Silicon implants.
Releases/discography: Thus far, I’ve only made mixtapes/cds. So, legally, and as far as most musicians are concerned, I haven’t released anything.
Describe your music in a sentence: Basically, it’s someone else’s music stolen and then played with other stolen music, with my personal signature on every last detail.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Yes. The sooner the better.
What’s your idea of “making it”? That’s more of a day-to-day thing for me. I suppose waking up every day satisfied with who you are and what you are doing. I think that if making it becomes an ideal or goal and you believe someday it will all change and your life will suddenly become a fairy tale, you’re going to be very disappointed and not find beauty in what you’re doing on a day-to-day level.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? CACHEFLOWE!!!; The Yummies; An-ism; Drop Logik; Scaffolding; Ivy; 21 Dread; and Vajra.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? DJ Shadow, Endtroducing; Tricky, Pre-Millennium Tension; My Bloody Valentine, Loveless; Arto Lindsay, Prize; anything by Bjrk; Blackstar, Blackstar; anything by Boards of Canada; the Books, Lost and Safe, Lemon of Pink; Cacheflowe, Automate Everything; CocoRosie, Le Maison de Mon Reve; Digable Planets, Blowout Comb; KMD, Black Bastards; Pharcyde, Labcabincalifornia; Philip Glass, Mishima; Tribe Called Quest, Beats, Rhymes & Life; Prefuse 73, Vocal Studies and Uprock Narratives; DJP, Manipulated Trax.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you?
The artists mentioned in the previous answer and DJ Nutter.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Santa Claus. So, technically, both.
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? “Act Too (The Love of My Life),” from the Roots’ Things Fall Apart.
DJ LAZY EYEZ
NOMINATED IN DJ: HIP-HOP CLUB/TURNTABLISM
3 P.M., VINYL ROOFTOP
Website: www.myspace.com/DJLazyEyez
Native or transplant? Born and raised in Colorado Springs; brainwashed in Boulder; now living in Denver.
Releases/discography: “I Ain’t the One,” D-Roccamus Rhyme featuring Jo-el (single, 2001).
Describe your music in a sentence: I’m a party-rocking DJ who tries to keep it real but ends up playing the songs requested by cute girls.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? I go to Boulder and Colorado Springs all the time.
What’s your idea of “making it”? “Making it,” to me, is being my own boss, controlling my destiny, being financially secure, loving what I do for a living, making a difference with my life and hanging out with my people that I grew up with.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Dent, 1865, Distrakt, Maneline, Rrahh Foundashun, Ground Zero Movement, Flobots, Herbin Tribe, Es-Nine, Black Pegasus, SP Double, Q-Burse, DJ Cysko Rokwel, DJ Thought, Crunk Brothers, DJ Vajra, St. Nick and D-Roccamus Rhyme.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Outkast, ATLiens; Akinyele, Aktapuss; Mission (Crown City Rockers) One; the Roots, Do You Want More.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Outkast, Tupac, DJ Shadow, Native Tongues, Dead Prez, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, the Roots, Bruce Lee, Jeff Smith (creator of the “Bone” comic books), Dent, the Procussions, and everyone at Radio1190 and Colorado Hip-Hop.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Reluctantly…godsend. I would say the devil, but even DJ Thought, who was the biggest myspace hater, just got one last week.
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? I did. It’s broken. Which really sucks, since my CD player has duct tape holding in the batteries and I have to use one of those jacked-up cassette-player adapters. But the last thing I uploaded was the Go! Team’s “College Sessions” and Showbiz & A.G.
DJ LOW KEY
NOMINATED IN DJ: HIP-HOP CLUB/TURNTABLISM
Website: myspace.com/djlowkey; djlowkey.com
Native or transplant? Transplant. I’m originally from Georgia.
Releases/discography: I’ve released countless unofficial tapes, but the last official joint I dropped was a tape called Mixing in Action #1 (you can download it for free at djlowkey.com). Later this month, me and DJ Amen are going to drop the Bar Luxe: Late Night Soundtrack mixtape. Later this summer, Mixing in Action #2 (hosted by Tanya Morgan) will be out.
Describe your music in a sentence: I play too much music to describe in a sentence.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Without a doubt. With that said, people need to start thinking about ways to “make it” in Denver rather than making it out. It’s 2006, and you don’t have to be in NYC or L.A. to do it big.
What’s your idea of “making it”? Being comfortable doing what I like to do.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? The Basementalism crew, Radio Bums, Dent and the Shunz, Amen and Sounds Supreme, DJ Vajra and Bumpy Chill (if he ever drops some new ish).
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? DJ Spinbad, Needle to the Groove; Vin Roc, Reconstruction; DJ Chonz, Chonz ’97; Nas, Illmatic; A Tribe Called Quest, Low End Theory; Cru, Da Dirty 30; Isaac Hayes, Hot Buttered Soul; Biggie, Ready to Die; Pete Rock & CL Smooth, The Main Ingredient; and Slick Rick, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Jigga, Jay Dee (RIP Dilla), Pete Rock, Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spinbad, Vin Roc, Radio Bums, Basementalism Crew, Primo, Prince and, over the last year, Median and Tanya Morgan.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Myspace is what you make it. That explains both the good side of it and the rest.
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? I have two iPods, and both are full of all sorts of random ish. Hundreds of mixtapes, classic and new hip-hop, some soul/R&B albums, a bunch of crazy live shows — really, anything that’s dope.
DJ SOUNDS SUPREME
NOMINATED IN DJ: HIP-HOP CLUB/TURNTABLISM
Website: myspace.com/soundssupreme1
Native or transplant? Born and raised.
Releases/discography: The “AnyQuality” mixtape series w/ DJ Amen.
Describe your music in a sentence: Drunk or not, that DJ’s crushin’!
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? YES! — if my mom lets me.
What’s your idea of “making it”? Free beer and no song requests.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? ManeLine, DJ Amen, DJ Deft, DJ Stretch and Whygee.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Gang Starr’s Moment of Truth.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Revolution, A-Trak, Premier, P.N.M and Radio Bums.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Neither — it’s just an ingenius business idea.
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? Yes — hopefully nobody fat; they ain’t cheap.
DJ VAJRA
NOMINATED IN DJ: HIP-HOP CLUB/TURNTABLISM
4 P.M., VINYL ROOFTOP
Website: www.myspace.com/djvajra; www.djvajra.com
Native or transplant? Transplant. Grew up in Indiana. Moved to Colorado when I was seventeen.
Releases/discography: Saul Good, the Mixtape (available for free download through my website, www.djvajra.com)
Describe your music in a sentence: I like good hip-hop, so that’s what I try to make.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? I feel like I already am.
What’s your idea of “making it”? Being able to support my family by doing what I love.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? I like them all!
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? The ones I have listened to at Bart’s CD Cellar in Boulder.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? All of the ones who have encouraged and inspired me, and the ones who will continue to do so.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? www.myspace.com/djvajra 🙂
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? I haven’t jumped on that bandwagon just yet.
DORK
NOMINATED IN PUNK/HARDCORE
Website: www.wearedork.com
Native or transplant? Native.
Releases/discography: Rock Out With Your Cock Out (2001); One Up (2002); Furious George (2003); Dorkside of the Moon (2004); The K.R.O.D.Father (2005); Suck It! (2006).
Describe your music in a sentence: We are the most hardcore pop-punk band on the planet (if there is such a thing).
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? We have as good of a shot as anyone, I suppose.
What’s your idea of “making it”? Being in a band and not working a day job.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? The Photo Atlas and Love Me Destroyer.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Dookie made Green Day my first favorite band.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Green Day, Metallica, blink-182, Dave Matthews and Pink Floyd.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Godsend, for sure.
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? I do, and right now, I am listening to the new Less Than Jake — but waiting for the new Bouncing Souls and AFI.
DRAG THE RIVER
NOMINATED IN COUNTRY/ALT COUNTRY
7 P.M., SHELTER
Website: http://dragtheriver.com
Personnel: Chad Price, Jon Snodgrass, J.J. NOBODY, Spacey Casey Prestwood and Dave Barker.
Native or transplant? Transplants from Missouri, Alabama, New England and Wyoming.
Releases/discography: Five studio albums (Hobo’s Demos, Chicken Demos, D, …Hey Buddies, It’s Crazy); Two live (recorded at the Starlight & at the Green Door in Oklahoma City) and three 7-inches.
Describe your music in a sentence: It’s country and Midwestern music, which, to us, means country with a Midwestern indie-rock influence from bands like Hüsker Dü and the Replacements.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Yes. We have. We play between 100 and 150 shows a year, depending on the year.
What’s your idea of “making it”? It’s a little more than breaking even.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? We love Munly and are excited to see him play again.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? SST albums.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Willie, Waylon, Kris and Cash, Bocephus, SST bands.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? It’s good for bands, but probably bad for the people it consumes at their workplace.
Do you have an iPod? Don’t have one.
DRESSY BESSY
NOMINATED IN INDIE ROCK/POP
Website: www.dressybessy.com
Personnel: Tammy Ealom, John Hill, Rob Greene, Craig Gilbert.
Native or transplant? All but one transplant.
Releases/discography: Pink Hearts Yellow Moons (1999); the California EP (2000), the Powerpuff Girls Heroes & Villains soundtrack (2000), SoundGoRound (2001), Little Music (2003), Dressy Bessy (2003), Electrified (2005).
Describe your music in a sentence: Dressy Bessy rOck!
Myspace: God send or the devil? Love the myspace.
DRUG UNDER
NOMINATED IN METAL/HARD ROCK
9 P.M., TWO A.M.
Website: www.myspace.com/drugunder
Personnel: Romero (vocals); Eric Greenwall (guitars); Ronnie Chavez (bass); Mark Tripensee (drums).
Native or transplant? Native, from Brighton. B-Town, baby!
Releases/discography: Drug Under (Fist Music, Hired Gun Ent. Records, 2005).
Describe your music in a sentence: Rock and roll — although I guess that’s more of a statement than a sentence.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Hell, I can’t even make it out of Brighton!
What’s your idea of “making it”? Romero responds: Seriously, Eric and I have been around a long time. We’ve paid our dues and have had more drama than any episode of Behind the Music, and we’re still doing our thing. Music is in our blood. We have been fortunate enough to play Red Rocks, World Arena, the Whisky and Roxy in Hollywood, Fiddler’s. We’ve been on MTV, VH1 and have received lots of airplay locally and nationally. We just signed endorsement deals with Dean Guitars, Sik World Clothing and Jägermeister, as well. Some of my “idols” are now my friends. It’s very surreal. As far as I’m concerned, our dreams came true. It’s all good!
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Rose Hill Drive is pretty awesome. No Fair Fights have some rockin’ tunes; they could be on the radio right now. Love.45 is still my personal fave.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Van Halen; Fair Warning; Shout at the Devil; Back in Black.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? As a group, we love Kings X, Mtley, VH, KISS, AC/DC, Alice in Chains, Pantera and Queensrche.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Both?
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? iPod? Shit, I’m still rockin’ my Sony (cassette) Walkman. That’s how I roll.
ELECTRIC SIDE DISH
NOMINATED IN JAM/IMPROV
9 P.M., LA RUMBA
Website: www.electricsidedish.com
Native or transplant? Transplant.
Releases/discography: Travelin’.
Describe your music in a sentence: A savory blend of rootsy rock and roll.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Definitely. Already have.
What’s your idea of “making it”? To be doing what I truly love.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Harmonious Junk.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Can’t say.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Grateful Dead.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Godsend.
Do you have an iPod? No.
ERICA BROWN BAND
NOMINATED IN BLUES
5 P.M., OUTDOOR STAGE
Website: www.ericabrownband.com
Personnel: Erica Brown (vocals); Scott Rivera (drums, vocals); Rich Sallee (bass, vocals); Jim Ayers (keyboard, organ, vocals); and a stellar cast of star guitarists!
Native or Transplant: We’re from all over! Rich Sallee is the native.
Releases/Discography: Body Work (2000); Rough Cut Stone (2003). We have a new CD in the works.
Describe your music in a sentence: If blues is whatcha need, we got a lil’ somethin’ fo’ ya’ a*#!
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Anywhere Greyhound goes…
What’s your ideal of “making it”? Candlelight, soft music…oh, wait — making it! Well, touring, recording, playing in front of thousands…no, wait, we’re doing that already…shoot! Guess we’ve made it! Ha!!
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? All of them!
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? You’d get a different answer from every one of us!
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Ditto!
Myspace: godsend or the devil? We haven’t had time to delve into myspace much — even though we started a profile that we haven’t finished!
Do you have an iPod? I don’t — don’t know about the guys, so I can’t answer this question!
FIVE STYLE FIST
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP — GROUP
9 P.M., VINYL ROOFTOP
Website: www.fivestylefist.com
Native or transplant? Native.
Releases/discography: Five Style Fist (2002); Ambient Frequencies (2003); Left Right in the Middle (2005).
Describe your music in a sentence: Five Style Fist makes you feel sexy on the inside.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Not sure we want to make it out. Denver just seems like the best place to be.
What’s your idea of “making it”? When everywhere you go, everyone knows the words to your songs.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? P-Nuckle, Boondok Saints, Optimal Frequency and the Life Crew. These are the bands and artists that have supported FSF from the beginning.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? This could go on forever, but how about: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blood Sugar Sex Magik; System of a Down, Mezmerize and Hypnotize; the Roots, Things Fall Apart; Incubus, Science; and most 311 albums.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Five Style Fist has a really wide scope of influences, but we would have to say that the Red Hot Chili Peppers, 311, Tool, Incubus, the Roots and System of a Down have had the most impact on the band as a whole.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Best free promotional tool we have found.
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? RHCP, Stadium Arcadium.
FLOBOTS
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP — GROUP
4 P.M., OUTDOOR STAGE
Website: www.myspace.com/flobots
(Note: This survey was completed by Jonny 5 on behalf of, but without the approval of, the other Flobots.)
Name: The name of our band is “the Flobots” or just “Flobots” for short. No “w.”
Personnel: Brer Rabbit (vocals); Jonny 5 (vocals); Andy Guerrero (guitar, vocals); Mackenzie Roberts (viola); Kenny Ortiz (drums); Joe Ferrone (trumpet); Jesse Walker (bass).
Native or transplant? As a band, we are natives. As individuals, we are also natives. So I guess the answer is yes. Except we think the trumpet player is from Chicago.
Releases/discography: The Flobots crew has existed since time began in the spring of 1996. We reached bandhood in January 2005 and birthed an EP nine months later. We named it Flobots Present…Platypus. We thought that was a pretty good name.
Describe your music in a sentence: Seven strangers living in a band, that stop being nice and start getting real — and then you get to find out what happens.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? One thing a band really needs in order to make it out of Denver is gasoline. This is the single most important factor. In our case, because there are seven of us, we will need a lot of gasoline. And we’ll have to ration it carefully — one gallon per person, per day.
What’s your idea of “making it”? When I think of “making it,” I think, “I Want to Make It With You,” by Bread, because the Flobots also want to make it with you, and we also want to make bread. We want enough bread that we can spend all our time making music like Bread did. Also, a lot of times, at restaurants, you can just eat the bread, and it’s free, and that’s a good way to save money.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Ed Stein, Mike Keefe, Galen Shoe.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Albums thrown at me.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? It was actually just the case, though. I think it might have been one of Eminem’s pre-“I don’t-care-about-the-listener” albums. My roommate threw it at me because he thought I was awake, and it hit me in the eyelid.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? It’s good for keeping up to date on which nineteen-year-old girls in Florida now have chat rooms.
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? We own one iPod, with a seven-earpiece splitter. As we wrestle for control, it skips through songs by Outkast, Parliament, Tool, the Coup, Gnarls Barkely, Johann Sebastian Bach, MF Doom, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, weird German $#!+ and whatever Stephen — er, I mean, “Brer Rabbit” — listens to.
FREAK STREET PROJECT
NOMINATED IN FUNK/SOUL
6 P.M., DAZZLE
Website: www.myspace.com/freakstreetproject
Personnel: Matt Pitts (sax); Ryan Conway (keyboards); Imkong Yaden (guitars); Tenzing Shrestha (bass); Kaivon Tolooee (congas); Faisal Salahuddin (drums).
Native or transplant? Tenzing imported from Nepal; Imkong imported from India; Kaivon imported from Iran; Faisal imported from Pakistan; and the rest are all native!
Releases/discography: Cruzin (2005).
Describe your music in a sentence: A combination of guitar- and horns-driven progressive funk and rock with Latin influences.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Of course!
What’s your idea of “making it”? Playing music that we love and making money off it.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Us.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Parastesh, by Shamaizadeh; Stankonia, by Outkast; Live From Planet Groove, by Maceo Parker.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Miles Davis, Miguel Anga Diaz, Flea, Abou Sylla, John Scofield and Bob Marley.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Devil, definitely!
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? Ozomatli.
FRIENDS IN STEREO
NOMINATED IN DJ: ELECTRONIC/NON-TRADITIONAL
8 P.M., VINYL MAIN
Website: www.friendsinstereo.com
Personnel: Colin Chapman, Reggie Lafaye & orange peel moses (vocalist).
Native or transplant? One native, one near-native (born in San Francisco) and one transplant.
Releases/discography: Beatport.com/Friends_in_Stereo
Describe your music in a sentence: Our music is primarily electronic breakbeats with an electro vibe.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Beatport MP3s are already available to anyone in the world with web access. First out-of-state gigs tentatively set for August 12 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
What’s your idea of “making it”? Earning the freedom to write and produce music full-time.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Community Recordings, Grandpa Mojo, Melinda Dickson, DeVotchKa and Little Mike.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? The Pixies’ Trompe le Monde; Radiohead’s OK Computer; Beck’s Odelay; Depeche Mode’s Violator; Bassnectar’s Motions of Mutation; The Faint’s Dance Macabre; King Missile’s Happy Hour; Ween’s Chocolate & Cheese; Aphex Twin’s Richard D James Album; Johnny Cash’s American II.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Pixies, Radiohead, Beck, Bassnectar, Bjrk, Depeche Mode, the Faint, Soul Coughing, Ween, King Missile, King Crimson, Aphex Twin, Johnny Cash, Underworld, Miles Davis, A Tribe Called Quest, Chemical Brothers, CSN&Y and Plump DJs.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? All of the above. 🙂 On the one hand, it’s an exponentially viral promotional tool. On the other, the fine print says they own the rights to your soul (or, at the very least, all content you upload).
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? Deep Dish, Beck, the Killers, Outkast, Bassnectar, Friends in Stereo, Chemical Brothers, Alice in Chains, Herbert, Cut Copy, Ladytron, Goldfrapp, Jimmy Edgar and so much more.
FUNKIPHINO
NOMINATED IN FUNK/SOUL
5 P.M., DAZZLE
Website: www.funkiphino.com
Personnel: Cathy Griffin (vocals); Jenn Butler (vocals); Chris Fischer (keyboards); Rich Benge (guitar); Chris Sutliff (bass); Kevin Lehman (drums); Jeremy Sandoval (percussion); Jessica Fischer (trumpet); Jason Uren (trumpet); Greg Warren (tenor sax); Pete Jeffryes (tenor sax); Scott Osborne (baritone sax).
Native or transplant? The band was born in Colorado and is made up of people from Colorado and all over the country.
Releases/discography: Lovin Life (2004); Rise Above (July, 2006).
Describe your music in a sentence: Great songs with big horns and slammin vocals.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? We make it out of Denver once in a while — to Boulder, Keystone and even Colorado Springs.
Whats your idea of making it? Making it is being successful at what you do, by achieving the goals you set for yourself and your band.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Were excited about releasing our new disc, Rise Above, next month.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Brand New Heavies, Brother Sister; Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life
; Tower of Power, Live and in Living Color; and so many more…
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? In regard to our new album, Rise Above, the biggies would be Tower of Power, the Brand New Heavies, ABBA, Jamiroquai, Rufus and Journey.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? Both.
Do you have an iPod? If so, whos on it right now? Tower of Power, Oakland Zone.
FUTURE JAZZ PROJECT
NOMINATED IN HIP-HOP — GROUP
8 P.M., VINYL ROOFTOP
GHOST BUFFALO
NOMINATED IN ROOTS/AMERICANA
8 P.M., SHELTER
Website: www.ghostbuffalo.com
Personnel: Matt Bellinger (guitar); Josh Coyle (acoustic guitar); Marie Litton (vocals, guitar); Andy Thomas (drums); Tom Ventura (bass).
Native or transplant? Our Coloradans are Marie (Pueblo) and Andy (Black Hawk). The rest of us are transplants from Central Illinois or the Chicago area.
Releases/discography: Ghost Buffalo (Suburban Home, 2006); Little Thunder EP download (Suburban Home, 2005).
Describe your music in a sentence: We would like to think that we mix up our influences — like Emmylou and Neil Young with a little Siouxsie Sioux and the Cure — but that’s probably way off from what it actually sounds like.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? We have this tour bus that goes 65 mph, tops. Making it out of Denver was no problem, but we kept breaking down all over the East Coast. So, really, the question is, “Can we make it out of Hoboken?” The answer is, “No.”
What’s your idea of “making it”? We work pretty hard ourselves, but thrive on the support of others. Virgil Dickerson and Suburban Home have been instrumental to us in that respect. As long as we remain interesting enough for people to keep coming to see us play, we’ve made it.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? American Relay, Big Timber, Drag the River, Munly, Peña, and the unbreakable Red Cloud West.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Wilco, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot; Neil Young, Everyone Knows This Is Nowhere; Jawbreaker, Bivouac; the Cure, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me; Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Let Love In.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Siouxsie Sioux, Neil Young, Madonna, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash.
Myspace: God send or the devil? A godsend for bands; the devil for desk workers.
Do you have an iPod? If so, who’s on it right now? Neko Case. Actually, Marie, Matt and Josh do not have iPods; they are scared of the future.
HARMONIOUS JUNK
NOMINATED IN JAM/IMPROV
8 P.M., LA RUMBA
Website: www.harmoniousjunk.com
Personnel: Damon Wood (guitar); Sam Smith (bass); Dan Dever (drums).
Native or transplant? Everyone in the band is a transplant to Denver.
Releases/discography: Space Cadet (2004).
Describe your music in a sentence: Our music is like funked-up jazz rock with a psychedelic party vibe.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? Yes, I think it’s possible to make it out of Denver.
What’s your idea of “making it”? Making it to me would just to be constantly progressing in the areas of songwriting, promoting, performing, etc., until you can both pay rent and tour and keep building.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? Octopus Nebula is a new band with very young players and an artistic and fresh approach.
What albums have had the biggest impact on you? Axis: Bold As Love, by Hendrix, and What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been, a collection of Grateful Dead songs. Those are two albums that had a tremendous impact on me.
What artists have had the biggest impact on you? Hendrix, Zappa, Garcia and James Brown.
Myspace: godsend or the devil? For music and bands, I think myspace is a godsend.
Do you have an iPod? Nope, no iPod.
HONKY TONK HANGOVERS
NOMINATED IN COUNTRY/ALT COUNTRY
Website: www.honkytonkhangovers.com
Personnel: Dave Hall, Scott Johnson, T. Elvin Thies, Doug Richards.
Native or transplant? We’re all Midwestern transplants. You gotta love the Heartland, baby!!!
Releases/discography: Every Little Honky Tonk (2002), Giant Country (2003).
Describe your music in a sentence: The Hangovers play a unique brand of retro-country-inspired hillbilly twang, a mix of heartfelt originals and a tasty selection of old-school country covers.
Do you think you can make it out of Denver? There is no doubt in our feeble minds.
What’s your idea of “making it”? Being nominated for this award is certainly a step in that direction. Having shared a stage with the likes of Brian Setzer, the Derailers and the Blasters — we’d say we’ve already done very well for ourselves.
What local artist(s) are you most excited about? We really dig the sounds and shows of our fellow local country artists such as Halden Wofford & the Hi-Beams, the Dalhart Imperials and the Railbenders.