Indie 102.3 Sessions: Recent Episodes
Colorado Public Radio
Indie 102.3 Sessions features performances and interviews from national and Colorado musicians in the CPR Performance Studio. Listen to the most recent episode below, and subscribe to be notified when new episodes are posted.
Like many musicians, Denver band Kiltro had to pivot creatively during the pandemic. Isolation and chaos gave birth to the exploratory sound band members Chris Bowers Castillo and Will Parkhill produced on their 2023 album Underbelly. Freshly signed to national label 7S (along with Colorado bands Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and Wildermiss), Kiltro has been touring the US making themselves known and developing a unique live show to encapsulate the intimate and introspective sounds from their latest body of work. Watch as they perform dynamic arrangements of their singles off the new album and chat with Host Will Carlan about their growth.
Singer-songwriter Ondara takes us on a journey with a special performance in the Indie Lounge.
A climb to the top while still remaining humble, rapper DNA Picasso talks his music career and what's next.
Sunny War faces an uprising within on new album and performs stripped down arrangements in the Indie Lounge.
Things get "Electric" when British band Ibibio Sound Machine swings by the Indie Lounge.
Right before a sold out show at Red Rocks, musician Shakey Graves performs a stripped down set in the dressing room below the amphitheater.
Performing songs off his latest album, Never Had to Leave, singer Matt Maeson croons in the Indie Lounge.
An album created during the pandemic is finally performed live. Watch as rocker Mondo Cozmo talks about life-long hero recognizing his art and performing music for live audiences again.
Rock group Dehd taps into fun, joy, and relationships on third album "Blue Skies". With a visit to the Indie Lounge the group performs a few singles and gives an exclusive interview.
Straight from the Coachella desert to our live studio are British rockers IDLES to perform and talk about their latest album CRAWLER.
alt-J chats about their new album "The Dream" and performs singles "U&ME" and "High Drive Gold".
Performing a few songs acoustically for the first time, Arlo Parks visits the Indie Lounge!
Indie artist Claud performs their irresistibly catchy and heart-wrenching singles in the Indie Lounge.
Fresh off the release of the deluxe version of "Deadpan Love", multi-instrumentalist Cautious Clay talks touring and the origins of his love for music.
Matthew Myers, frontman of indie folk band Houndmouth, takes a deep dive into 2022 album 'Good For You' and performs "Mackenzie" acoustic for the first time.
Spoon's Britt Daniel drops by to talk about the band's 10th and latest album, 'Lucifer on the Sofa,' its Texas origins, and just where he got all that swagger.
MUNA teases a third album and talks touring solo, with Phoebe Bridgers, and Kacey Musgraves.
"Making lemonade out of lemons" German duo Milky Chance talks working through the pandemic creating new tunes and fine tuning old ones.
For the first Live Session in nearly two years, British singer Beabadoobee plays three acoustic songs spanning her discography.
What does it look like to put an album together during a global pandemic? Adam Granduciel details the process of working remotely and digitally to wrap up The War On Drugs' seventh studio album "I Don't Live Here Anymore".
From The Smiths, to Modest Mouse, and now solo artist-legendary guitarist Johnny Marr talks a four part compilation, developing in songwriting, and how the world has shifted in his eyes during the pandemic.
Electro-pop duo Sylvan Esso talks about everything from their 2020 album Free Love and the visuals paired to its singles to consuming plenty of dried fished on their US tour.
Aaron Dessner, of band Big Red Machine, talks about their sophomore release How Long Do You Think It's Gonna Last?
Gen Z indie band MICHELLE is creating refreshing tunes about love, identity, and the queer experience.
American singer-songwriter, LP, spills some of the details on the mysterious upcoming album.
Fired up for debut LP "Hope Above Adversity", British singer Dylan Cartlidge talks getting into music, his inspirations, and honest story telling.
Shungudzo will not let hardships hold her back as she speaks on the details of her debut album "I'm not a mother, but I have children".
Japanese pop-rock band CHAI talks about the worldly influences on their third LP "WINK".
Real Estate is an indie band adaptive to change. Watch as band member Martin Courtney details how the rock band adjusted to life while in a pandemic.
Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast talks new book, "Crying In H Mart" and upcoming album.
Lili Trifilio of Beach Bunny talks TikTok songs, going back to performing live shows (including Riot Fest), and creating visuals in quarantine.
Cellist and singer Dom La Nena perfects the balance between youthfulness and maturity on latest album "Tempo".
What does quarantine and uncertainty do to artist writing a new album? Singer Jenn Wasner AKA Flock of Dimes breaks down her sophomore album "Head of Roses".
Radical British rock group Gang of Four returns with a gigantic box set! Watch Jon King walk through the compilation of music.
Australian singer Genesis Owusu talks about the visceral experience of his debut album.
Canadian rock back The Besnard Lakes talk about their journey producing their sixth studio album.
Middle Kids are preparing for the release of their most personal album yet and perform a set of their latest singles.
Lucero takes risks on their tenth LP "When You Found Me" and performs singles from the record in stripped down set.
British post-punk band TV Priest are on the up and up: signing to Subpop records and new LP "Uppers".
The third LP from British rock band IDLES received raving reviews in 2020. Guitarist Mark Bowen talks about the strange coincidence in the themes of "Ultra Mono" and the chaos of 2020.
Indie pop singer Gracie Abrams talks pandemic activities, gratitude, and creating new music during isolation.
Post-punk band Fontaines D.C. talks about the depth of sound and the songwriting on their latest LP "A Hero's Death".
Jason Singer of band Michigander talks about how 2020 was the start of transformation within the band-moving from what felt like a solo project to a collaboration of multiple musicians.
Multi-instrumentalist and singer Nana Adjoa gets vulnerable on debut LP "Big Dreaming Ants" and performs single "Throw Stones".
Fresh off of her newest EP "Feeling Lucky?", singer Nilüfer Yanya reflects on the creation of the singles and performs her latest single "Crash".
Low Cut Connie had a busy 2020, releasing their sixth LP "Private Lives", performing over 60 livestream concerts, and covering nearly 40 songs! Frontman Adam Weiner talks about what may come next in 2021.
The pandemic can't stop new Austin, TX transplant Jade Bird! The singer/songwriter talks her move and what her quarantine life has been like.
If The Avalanches' 2020 LP "We Will Always Love You" doesn't put you into a positive mood, we don't know what will! Watch musician Tony Di Blasi detail the collaborations, the creative process, and all the love that went into their third studio album.
Phoebe Bridgers breaks down the songwriting in some of the singles off her 2020 LP "Punisher".
Fires, coronavirus, and the chaotic year of 2020 isn't stopping Bob Mould from speaking his truth on LP "Blue Hearts".
Up and coming artist Anjimile's first LP focuses on the queer experience and self-discovery.
Do you believe in ghosts? Sad13's Sadie Dupis, does and took inspiration from the spooky for new album "Haunted Painting".
"It's a scary thing to question what you're doing," Deep Sea Diver frontwoman Jessica Dobson talks re-discovery ahead of new album.
Can music be a peek into the future? Musician Shamir thinks so in this Sessions: At Home interview.
Indigenous folk singer Samantha Crain talks about the release of her sixth LP "A Small Death".
Mondo Cozmo (Josh Ostrander) has just released his latest album New Medicine. It’s a fine piece of work and hard to believe it’s only his second full album as Mondo Cozmo. Just four short years ago, Shine was a #1 hit in the Adult Album Alternative format. But his success was nowhere near overnight.
Katie Crutchfield taps into her country roots and getting sober on her fifth Waxahatchee album, “Saint Cloud.” We caught up with Crutchfield from her home in St. Louis about re-discovering her voice and creating a brighter album than those past. Listen to the full interview above.
We caught up with Chicano Batman to go through their new album "Invisible People" - which will introduce fans to a different sound from the group.
Latin duo Buscabulla talk about a new album that is reflective of these uncertain times.
All the way from Western Australia, indie rock band's frontman Jake Webb gave us a call to talk about his newly released EP "Hurts to Laugh".
On Air Host Bruce Trujillo interviews Laura Marling and breaks down themes in her newest LP "Song for Our Daughter"
Denver's Ramakhandra breaks down their indescribable sound during interview with Host Bruce Trujillo.
Denver band The Still Tide visits the performance studio fresh off the release of debut album "Between Skies."
Denver folk-pop singer Joel Ansett talks breaking out of his comfort zone on the new album A Place I Knew Before and being inspired by the indie folk bands of the Northwest.
The folk-soul duo Overcoats, comprised of JJ Mitchell and Hana Elion, have experienced plenty in the three years since their debut release, and all of that struggle and wisdom has found its way into their new crop of songs.
Colfax Speed Queen is ready to make 2020 their year filled with new music and a ton of live performances.
Angel Olsen has had a spectacular 2019. Her new album All Mirrors has made it to several "Best of" lists. " The entire album is chock full of vulnerable moments and dramatic storytelling: "Was I becoming what I had to be? Was that the truth I was supposed to see?" Olsen questions on track "Summer". All Mirrors tackles feelings of hopefulness, loneliness, and love lost and found again.
After a relocation from Ecuador to Denver a year ago, Neoma has performed at the Underground Music Showcase and captivated audiences all over the city. Hypnotic doesn't begin to describe Neoma's sound -- soothing synths, simplistic beats, and angelic voice of frontwoman Carla Huiracocha.
Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst have made music as Shovels & Rope for more than a decade. The South Carolina married duo's sound is rooted in classic Americana and country-folk. They add some fuzzed-out guitars and driving rock rhythms to the mix on their new album By Blood. Shovels & Rope stopped into our studio before a show at Denver's Ogden Theatre. The band played some music from the new album and chatted with Jeremy Petersen.
Jeff Cormack has been the bandleader of South of France since 2012. The Denver musician/producer and his rotating cast of musicians are preparing to release the band's sophomore album, Remember That Cool Thing We Did, later this year via Dualtone Records. We got a sneak preview of the record when South of France came into our studio for a performance and interview with Alisha Sweeney.
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets released the new album And Now For The Whatchamacallit earlier this year. The quartet from Perth, Australia, has been building up a big fan base overseas thanks to their blistering garage rock and unruly live shows. The band stopped into our studio to play a few songs from the new record and chat with Alisha Sweeney.
The Burroughs are a nine-piece band from Greeley with a dynamic soul-rock sound. The band's uptempo rhythms, potent horn section and vocal harmonies were on full display when they performed some songs from the albums Got To Feel and Forever In Love in our studio. They also spoke with host Alisha Sweeney.
As frontman of Camper Van Beethoven, David Lowery became a forefather of indie rock in the 1980s. He also leads the popular alternative rock band Cracker and has produced records by Sparklehorse and Counting Crows. This year Lowery released the autobiographical solo album In The Shadow of the Bull. He stopped by to play a few songs from that record along with a Cracker song, and spoke with Alisha Sweeney.
Jay Cobb Anderson is new to Denver but a well-established musician. He's a co-founder of Portland folk-rock band Fruition and also plays in TK & The Holy Know-Nothings. Anderson -- one of our Local 303 artists this month -- just released the new solo EP Everything Is Gonna Work Its Own Self Out. He recently stopped into our studio to play some songs from that record and chat with Bruce Trujillo.
Fantastic Negrito is the performing moniker of blues musician Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz. Since winning NPR Music's first Tiny Desk Contest in 2015, he's found widespread acclaim. Fantastic Negrito's most recent album, Please Don't Be Dead, won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album this year. Fantastic Negrito and his band stopped into our studio before a show at the Bluebird Theater to play some songs from that record and talk with Alisha Sweeney.
Dessa has visited our studio a few times over the years, though her last musical performance at CPR was in 2013. The singer/rapper is a member of the Minneapolis hip-hop collective Doomtree and has authored several books.
The Beeves hail from the small town of Erie, Colorado, and got their start busking on the streets of nearby Boulder. The members of the garage rock quartet released their debut album, "Adam & Beeve," earlier this year. The band stopped into our studio to play some songs from the record and chat with Bruce Trujillo.
Sean Frederick wrote, recorded and produced all the music on I'd Waste All My Time On You, his debut album as Good Elastics. Backed by a drummer, the Denver musician recently shared some of the atmospheric indie rock from that record in our performance studio. He also sat down for a chat with Alisha Sweeney.
Turvy Organ draws inspiration from the wave of great indie rock bands of the 2000s. Formed in Austin, the band now calls Denver home. The quartet released the EP The Ghost at the Feast earlier this year. Turvy Organ stopped in to play some music from the record and chat with Jeremy Petersen.
Shakey Graves -- the performing moniker of singer-songwriter Alejandro Rose-Garcia -- makes music with a rollicking, Americana-tinged take on life and love. We welcomed him back into our performance studio before a headlining show at Red Rocks. He and his band played four songs from last year's Can't Wake Up album and chatted with Alisha Sweeney.
The Greeley-based trio Trash Cat has a knack for breezy indie pop melodies and charmingly eccentric lyrics. The band, whom we featured as one of our Local 303 artists last month, stopped by our studio to play a few songs from the debut album, "Welcome to Trash City," and chat with Bruce Trujillo.
Pure Bathing Culture released its third album, "Night Pass," earlier this year. The Portland indie rock band with a dreamy, oceanic sound returned to our studio to share a few songs from the new record and chat with Jeremy Petersen.
Last month Angie McMahon released her debut album, "Salt," after years of performing in her home country of Australia. The singer-songwriter recently stopped into our studio to play stripped-down versions of three songs from the album.
Kiltro captivated us at last year's Underground Music Showcase when the band played one of our porch sessions. Led by Chilean-American artist Chris Bowers-Castillo, the Denver band makes loop-based songs influenced by folk, Latin, rock and electronic music. Kiltro will release its debut album, "Creatures of Habit," next month and play an album release show July 6 at Denver's Larimer Lounge. Kiltro visited our studio last month to play four songs. The band members also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about how the band grew from Bowers-Castillo's solo project to a trio, the dozens of effect pedals they use in their music and the growing diversity of Denver's music scene.
Instant Empire took a unique approach to putting out new music last year. The Denver indie rock band wrote, recorded and released one new song each month of 2018. Now, the band members have compiled those tracks into the new album "Cathedrals." Instant Empire made its fourth visit to the CPR Performance Studio last month. The band members played four songs and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the rationale behind their strategy last year, the challenges of writing to meet a deadline and how their lyrics became more personal.
Flaural last visited us in 2017 with ambitions for a debut album. The Denver rock quartet's plan took a bit longer than anticipated, but after multiple U.S. tours and recording sessions, it released the aptly-titled "Postponement" last month. The album features the layered guitar and synth sound that has won the band praise from publications like Stereogum. Flaural returned to play three songs from "Postponement" in our studio. The band members also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about recording the album in Oakland and Denver, how fans like to listen to their music while running and why they love touring the West Coast.
Extra Gold released its debut album, "High & Lonesome," late last year. Evan Holm fronts the Denver country-western band and draws on his experiences living in Kansas City and across Colorado on the record's eight tracks. Extra Gold stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs from "High & Lonesome." Holm also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about how the band came together from a weekly residence at Denver's Syntax Physic Opera, working with producer and former Paper Bird member Mark Anderson, and the band's busy summer schedule.
Heavy Diamond Ring is a new project from Sarah Anderson and Paul DeHaven, founders of the Colorado folk band Paper Bird. The band finds the musicians continuing their 12 year collaboration after Paper Bird's split in 2017. Heavy Diamond Ring celebrates the release of its debut album with a June 7 show at Denver's Larimer Lounge, presented by OpenAir. Heavy Diamond Ring stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play three songs from the album. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about why they love writing songs together, filming a music video in Ohio and recording with producer Mark Anderson, Sarah's brother and a former Paper Bird member.
Knuckle Pups haven't been around long, but the band is already making waves beyond the Colorado music scene. Featuring former members of Denver band Mega Gem, the indie pop quintet released its debut EP "San Panino," last year. A gig at the Treefort Music Festival in Boise, Idaho, followed a few months later. Knuckle Pups stopped into our studio last week to play four songs. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about how the band came together, their love for punk rock and their experience at Treefort.
Black Belt Eagle Scout's "Mother of My Children" is the remarkable indie rock debut album from the Portland, Ore., band. At the time of its recording, Black Belt Eagle Scout was just one person: singer-songwriter Katherine Paul, who played every instrument on the album. She originally released it in 2017, and it soon caught the attention of renowned indie label Saddle Creek, who re-released it last year. Since then, the band has expanded to a quartet. Black Belt Eagle Scout visited the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver's Larimer Lounge with Julia Jacklin. The band played four songs, including a couple new tracks, and Paul spoke with Bruce Trujillo about why she started the project after playing drums in several Portland bands, the Pacific Northwest music scene and recording the album on the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community reservation in Washington where she grew up.
Denver band iZCALLi recently released its fifth studio album, "Casa de Papel." Shortly before the album's release show, the Latin psych-rock band made its third appearance in our performance studio. iZCALLi played four songs from the new record. The members also spoke with Bruce Trujillo about consistently writing new music to "stay fresh," working with producer Tyler Imbrogno of Denver band Eldren and performing at a Colorado Rockies game last year.
Roger Sellers has made electronic music for several years, first under his own name and currently as Bayonne. The Austin, Texas, musician released his sophomore Bayonne album, "Drastic Measures," earlier this year. The record finds Sellers singing about life on the road as a touring musician while adding pop-inspired choruses into his loop-based music. Bayonne stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver's Lost Lake. Sellers played four songs from "Drastic Measures" with drummer Ryan Heath and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about his love for musical repetition, his upcoming summer music festival gigs and creating his own hot sauce brand.
Aly Spaltro released "Even in the Tremor," her third album as Lady Lamb, earlier this month. The New York-based singer-songwriter takes plenty of musical twists and turns in her music, shifting from charming and lively pop to contemplative folk at a moment's notice. The connecting thread is Spaltro's poetic and reflective lyrics. Spaltro visited our studio to play four songs from "Even in the Tremor" on acoustic guitar with bandmate Marian Li Pino on backing vocals. She also spoke with Bruce Trujillo about how her songs have become more autobiographical, why she arranged the album herself and how a traumatic childhood experience at Pizza Hut led to the song "Young Disciple."
The Copper Children formed in 2015 when frontman Zea Stallings booked a performance at the Gothic Theatre and needed a band to back him. Since then the Denver group has released three albums that blend jam, folk and psychedelic rock, the most recent of which is "Speaking in Spirits." The Copper Children visited the CPR Performance Studio before an album release show at Denver's Larimer Lounge. The members played three songs from "Speaking in Spirits" and spoke with Bruce Trujillo about the band's origin story, how they view their music as prayer and writing lyrics spontaneously during jam sessions.
The members of Oko Tygra shared their hypnotic, '80s-influenced dream pop in our studio four years ago. Since then the Denver quartet -- led by singer and guitarist Joshua Novak -- has remained relatively quiet, playing intermittent local shows and working on new music. The band is back in the local spotlight this month with the release of its debut album, "Assistoma." Oko Tygra recently returned to the CPR Performance Studio. The band members played three songs and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about why they don't play as many concerts as some bands, the years of work that went into "Assistoma" and the themes of solitude and isolation behind the new music.
Daniel Rodriguez has been a guest in our studio several times as a member of Colorado folk band Elephant Revival. That band went on hiatus last year, but its members remain busy. Guitarist Rodriguez has done so by recording his debut solo EP, "Your Heart, The Stars, The Milky Way," which he released earlier this year. Rodriguez returned to the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs from his new record. He also spoke with Bruce Trujillo about the differences between performing solo and with a band, how writing music helped him come to terms with a recent breakup and exploring a more "electric" sound.
We first welcomed Whiskey Autumn into our studio in 2016 after catching wind of their submission to that year's Tiny Desk Contest from NPR Music. Three years later, the Denver band brought their eclectic indie pop back into our studio just before releasing the new album "Modern Doubt." Whiskey Autumn played four songs from the new record and chatted with Bruce Trujillo about the political edge behind their songs, the ambient beach sounds on the record and the advantages of recording in their home studio.
J.S. Ondara's humble musical beginning is a central theme of his debut album, "Tales of America." The singer-songwriter grew up in Nairobi, Kenya, with little opportunity to hear or play music outside of listening to his parents' small radio. After moving to Minneapolis, Ondara cut his teeth in that city's music scene before gaining a national spotlight for his poetic folk songs influenced by gospel and the pursuit of the American dream. J.S. Ondara stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver's Lost Lake. He played three songs from "Tales of America" and spoke with Bruce Trujillo about how hearing Bob Dylan for the first time led to his move to the U.S., teaching himself to play guitar and whether or not he plans to "go electric."
Hop Along began as songwriter Frances Quinlan's solo acoustic project, but has since evolved to a full band signed to the Saddle Creek indie label. The Philadelphia quartet self-produced its third album, "Bark Your Head Off, Dog," which features an eclectic sound influenced by folk, pop, punk and classical music. But it's Quinlan's effervescent vocal delivery of her thoughtful lyrics that might be the band's most remarkable element. Hop Along stopped by the CPR Performance Studio before headlining the Bluebird Theater in Denver last week. The band played three songs from "Bark Your Head Off, Dog" and Quinlan spoke with Jeremy Petersen about adding a cinematic quality to her music, the legacy of Saddle Creek's catalog and what it's like collaborating with her brother Mark, who plays drums in Hop Along.
Slow Caves release their debut album, "Falling," this week. The Fort Collins indie rock band has been a presence in the Colorado music scene for several years and they represented the Centennial state last week at the SXSW music festival in Austin. Before that trip to Texas, we welcomed them back into our studio for the first time since 2017. Slow Caves played three stripped-down versions of songs from "Falling." The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about recording the album in Austin and signing to the Cincinnati indie label Old Flame Records.
Definitely, Maybe is a new Denver band from songwriting partners Carmine Gabbianelli and Zachary Antonio, formerly of indie rock group ScaTTer GaTHer. Last month Definitely, Maybe released its self-titled debut EP, recorded in Gabbianelli's home studio. We recently featured "Being" off that record on our latest Colorado Music Sampler. Definitely, Maybe stopped by the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver's Fort Greene Bar. The band members played four songs from the new EP and spoke with Bruce Trujillo about the benefits of recording in your own studio, filming a music video for "Sleep" and what they've learned about the Denver music community over the past few years.
YAWL is a collaboration between Denver rapper Ancient Mith and German producer Dot. The duo released its debut album, "A Pile to Keep, A Pile to Burn," in 2016 and has performed across Europe. This year YAWL played its first U.S. shows, including a recent Denver gig. YAWL visited the CPR Performance Studio to play a few songs. The duo also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about how their collaboration began at an Ancient Mith concert in Germany, filming a music video in a French castle and their upcoming sophomore album.
Don Chicharrón specializes in a type of Peruvian psychedelic rock music called Chicha. Led by vocalist Aldo Pantoja, the Denver nine-piece has a vast sound that's both bizarre and danceable. The band released its self-titled debut album this month and will celebrate Saturday with a release show at Denver's Hi-Dive. Don Chicharrón stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play some new music. The band members also spoke with Bruce Trujillo about the origins of Chicha music, recruiting some family members to play on the new record and the growing popularity of Latinx music in Denver and beyond.
We first met Spirettes at our 2017 "Super Session" in Colorado Springs, which was featured on the current season of our collaborative TV series with CPT12, "OpenAir Live & Local." The band, then a trio, performed songs from its self-titled debut record at that event. Now, Spirettes plan to release a new EP this spring with an expanded lineup. Spirettes stopped by the CPR Performance Studio before a gig at Denver's Syntax Physic Opera. The band members played four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the band's origin at a 2016 Courtney Barnett concert in Denver, incorporating the cello into their music and their collaborative songwriting process.
Tropa Magica is a new project from brothers David and Rene Pacheco, founders of the Los Angeles band Thee Commons. They released their self-titled debut album as Tropa Magica last year. The Pachecos expand on their "psychedelic cumbia punk" sound on the record by adding jazz and pop influences. Tropa Magica stopped by the CPR Performance Studio last year. The band members played four songs and spoke with Bruce Trujillo about forming Tropa Magica on New Year's Day 2018, taking inspiration from French cabaret singer Édith Piaf and the growing popularity of Latinx music in the U.S.
The Helio Sequence recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the release of its fourth album, "Keep Your Eyes Ahead." The Portland, Ore., duo marked the occasion by releasing a deluxe edition of the record via Sup Pop and embarking on a month-long U.S. tour in which the band performed the album in its entirety. That trek included a stop at Denver's Globe Hall. The Helio Sequence stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before that show to play four songs from "Keep Your Eyes Ahead." The band members also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about Portland's music scene, re-learning to play several songs from the album and their plans to get back in the studio.
Anthony Ruptak released his debut album, "A Place That Never Changes," this month. It was a difficult project for the Denver singer-songwriter, who lost his instruments, songbooks and savings when his house was burglarized before finishing the album. Ruptak was able to complete the record with some help from the Denver music community. Ruptak and his band recently stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play three songs from "A Place That Never Changes." He also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the "cinematic" quality of the album, playing 16 different instruments and how he got back on his feet after the burglary.
Wye Oak released the album "The Louder I Call, The Faster It Runs" last spring. Led by the songwriting duo of Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack, the Baltimore group has made a habit of changing its sound from record to record, and its sixth full-length is no exception. With the addition of new member Will Hackney, Wye Oak's sound has grown fuller and richer. Wye Oak stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before headlining Denver's Bluebird Theater. The band members played four songs and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about expanding the band's sound on the new record, how they write music while living in different cities and the ambiguous meaning of the album's title.
Why? recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of its second album, "Alopecia." The breakout full-length from the Cincinnati band introduced many new fans to frontman Yoni Wolf's eccentric take on indie rock and hip-hop. The band is performing the album in full on its current tour, which included a recent stop at the Gothic Theatre. Why? returned to the CPR Performance Studio before that show to play four songs from "Alopecia." Wolf also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about his songwriting techniques ten years ago, the music that inspired "Alopecia" and why the record is a fan favorite.
Natalie Prass released the follow-up to her breakout debut album last summer. The Virginia singer-songwriter scrapped material she had planned to use for the record and wrote "The Future and the Past" after the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The album finds Prass adding disco and R&B sounds to her music. Prass and her band stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver's Larimer Lounge to play three songs from "The Future and the Past." She also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about sharing a stage with Paul McCartney at a recent music festival, why she decided to change her sound on the album and working with producer Matthew E. White.
DeVotchKa recently released its seventh studio album, "This Night Falls Forever." The record arrives seven years after the Denver band's most recent album, during which the four members pursued various side projects. It features an eclectic range of sounds backed by vigorous string sections. DeVotchKa returned to the CPR Performance Studio to play three songs from the new album. Singer Nick Urata also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about how he found a lost notebook filled with song lyrics and how his work on film scores has influenced DeVotchKa's sound.
2018 was a breakout year for indie rock artist Sophie Allison. The Nashville singer and guitarist spent years self-releasing her lo-fi recordings before catching the attention of the indie label Fat Possum, which has released albums by The Black Keys and Modest Mouse. Earlier this year she released "Clean," her debut studio album as Soccer Mommy, via that label. Soccer Mommy stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a show at the Downtown Artery in Fort Collins. Allison and her band played some songs from "Clean" and spoke with Bruce Trujillo about recording songs in her college dorm room, working in a studio for the first time and finding inspiration from astrology.
Bud Bronson & The Good Timers released their sophomore album, "Between the Outfield and Outer Space," last month. The Denver quartet says it's a move away from the "blissful ignorance" of their rowdy debut album and toward more serious subject matter. But the band's vibrant rock 'n' roll energy remains intact. Bud Bronson & The Good Timers recently played in the CPR Performance Studio for the first time since 2015. The band members played three songs from the new LP and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about their recent U.S. tour, the dangers of nostalgia and how the 2016 presidential election affected their musical outlook.
Slothrust played a set of jazz-influenced rock in our studio last year. Since then, the New York trio released its fourth album, "The Pact." The record features a heavier sound for the band as well as electronic instruments like drum machine and synthesizer. Slothrust returned to the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver's Lost Lake. The band members played three songs from "The Pact" and spoke with Bruce Trujillo about the Slothrust video game and reworking songs from artists like Britney Spears and Black Sabbath on a recent EP of covers.
Julie Davis started making solo music as Bluebook in 2005. Since then the Denver bassist and singer has led bands like Bela Karoli and Fairchildren, and collaborated with fellow Colorado artists Nathaniel Rateliff, Gregory Alan Isakov and Porlolo. This year she returned to Bluebook with her latest musical partner, singer and keyboardist Jess Parsons. Bluebook released the EP "The Astronaut's Wife" this month. Before its release, Davis and Parsons played three songs in the CPR Performance Studio and brought some unique decorations for the space. They also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about their deep musical connection and the inspiration behind their costumes and stage installations.
One Flew West has spent the past four years forging a sound that melds pop, punk and folk. After releasing the EP "Trial And Error" in January, the Denver quartet went on to perform at Colorado music festivals like FoCoMX, the Underground Music Showcase and the Denver stop of the 2018 Warped Tour. One Flew West recently stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about busking as teenagers, their recent concerts -- where they covered the music of Tenacious D -- and performing at elementary schools.
Denver musician Micah Morris fronts the band Fast Eddy when he isn't playing lead guitar with local live favorites Dirty Few. The former released the new EP, "Toofer One," earlier this summer. Morris and the other Fast Eddy members point to Motown and '70s classic rock as influences on songs like "Hurricane Alley." Fast Eddy stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play a few songs. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about their road trip to Atlanta to record "Toofer One" and what they love about performing in Denver.
Murder By Death has made frequent visits to Colorado over the past few years. The Bloomington, Ind., quintet performs at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park annually and recently visited Denver for a show at the Ogden Theatre. The rock band released its eighth studio album, "The Other Shore," in August. Murder By Death stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to share some music from that record. The band members also spoke with Bruce Trujillo about the post-apocalyptic concept behind the new album, funding their music via Kickstarter and playing a recent concert in a cave in Tennessee's Cumberland Caverns.
Audible first caught our attention with a standout entry to this year's Tiny Desk Contest from NPR Music, who praised the Colorado Springs band on All Songs Considered. The quintet went on to perform at the Denver stop of the Tiny Desk Contest On The Road concert in May. The band's music incorporates rock, soul and hip-hop. Audible recently stopped into the CPR Performance Studio. The band members played four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the exposure from the Tiny Desk Contest, the Colorado Springs music scene and their forthcoming debut album.
Kid Reverie is a new band from Denver musician Steve Varney, who formerly performed with Glowing House and Gregory Alan Isakov. The band takes cues from the folk music of those Colorado acts but also veers toward an aggressive rock sound. Varney released Kid Reverie's debut album earlier this month. Kid Reverie stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver's Lost Lake. Varney and his band played four songs and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about going electric and funding the album via Kickstarter.
Eldren is a live favorite in the Denver music scene not only for its own eclectic rock music, but also for annual shows in which the band covers albums like "Dark Side of the Moon" and "Abbey Road" in full. The band releases its sophomore full-length, "Miss Information Aged," this week and performs Saturday at Denver's Oriental Theater. The album explores post-apocalyptic themes and life in the Information Age. Eldren recently returned to the CPR Performance Studio for the first time since 2013. The band played four songs and had an accompanying light show, which you can see in the video above. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about releasing an album on vinyl for the first time and paying tribute to their late bandmate Steve Holloway.
The SIR Band released its debut album, "So Cold," late last year. The Denver trio traveled to California to record it in a West Hollywood studio, where pop stars Shania Twain and Kelly Rowland were also recording at the time. The band cites a wide variety of musical influences including '60s soul, '90s alternative rock and present-day pop. The SIR Band visited the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs from "So Cold." The band also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about paying tribute to one of the members' late fiancé on the album and performing at the South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, four years in a row.
Stephen Malkmus is a pivotal figure in indie rock music. He made some of the most acclaimed rock albums of the 1990s as frontman of Pavement, and continues to innovate with Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks. He released "Sparkle Hard," his seventh album with the Jicks, earlier this year. It's an eclectic record that showcases the quartet's musical versatility. Malkmus stopped by the CPR Performance Studio before a concert at the Gothic Theatre. He played stripped-down versions of four Jicks songs and spoke with Bruce Trujillo about watching the 2018 World Cup while on tour, the political themes on "Sparkle Hard" and how he keeps up with new music.
Jen Korte has spent years in Denver's music scene performing with her band Jen Korte & The Loss, which Westword readers named the best folk band in the Mile High City earlier this year. But she shows off a new musical side as Lady Gang. It's a solo hip-hop project where Korte plays all the instruments. Korte recently brought Lady Gang into the CPR Performance Studio. She played four songs and spoke with Bruce Trujillo about how getting a loop pedal inspired the new music, finding her voice in the Colorado music scene and the importance of diversity at local music shows.
Edison will release the "Lion's Heart" EP at the end of this month. It's the first release from the Denver band since releasing its debut full-length in 2016. It's also the trio's final record, as Edison will split up following a farewell tour this fall. Edison stopped into the CPR Performance Studio for one last OpenAir Sessions performance. The band members played some new music and spoke with Bruce Trujillo about the decision to end Edison, writing the EP during a residency at Fort Collins' Music District and highlights from their last three years on the road.
Singer-songwriter Bevin Luna released the album "Baby Dragon" in April. The Fort Collins musician writes and plays music with her brother Gabe. Her band's guitar riff-driven rock music is influenced by her family's Southern upbringing and Caribbean heritage. Bevin Luna visited the CPR Performance Studio to play some new songs. She and her brother also spoke with Bruce Trujillo about their musical upbringing, how they collaborate as siblings and their favorite bands from Fort Collins.
Rowan Kerrick released the "Foolish" EP last month. The record is an autobiographical collection of songs inspired by a recent breakup. The classically-trained singer-songwriter recorded it in New York, though she recently moved back to her hometown of Denver. Kerrick visited the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs from "Foolish." She also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about how recording the EP was therapeutic, her time at Denver School of the Arts and how she went from playing classical music to writing her own songs.
Modern Leisure is the indie rock project of Denver musician Casey Banker. He's a veteran of the Colorado music scene who previously played in Shady Elders and fronted The Don'ts and Be Carefuls. His new band, which released the album "Super Sad Rom-Com" last month, makes music with folk influences and a laid-back summery sound. Modern Leisure visited the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs from the new album. Banker also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about mixing humor and sadness on the new songs and working with Denver producer Jeff Cormack.
Paul DeHaven has visited the CPR Performance Studio on several occasions, both as a member of Paper Bird and Eye & The Arrow. Earlier this month the Colorado musician released his debut solo album, "King of Gold." DeHaven performed three songs from "King of Gold" in our studio accompanied by guitarist Blake Stepan. He also spoke with Bruce Trujillo about scrapping the first batch of songs he wrote for the album, how Paper Bird's breakup affected his music career and why he loves putting out music on cassette tape.
Dirty Few released the new EP, "Volcom Sessions," last month. The Denver garage rock quintet recorded it at the California headquarters of the skate and surf apparel company Volcom. It's an energetic record that's representative of the band's potent live show. Before a release show at Denver's Larimer Lounge, Dirty Few returned to the CPR Performance Studio for the first time since 2015. The band played three songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about teaming up with Volcom, hiring a "party manager" and embarking on a West Coast tour.
Down Time released its debut EP, "Good Luck!," last year. The record features five lo-fi indie pop songs that the group itself describes as "grandma jams." The Denver indie rock band has since expanded from a trio to a five-piece and is at work on new material. Down Time stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a concert at Larimer Lounge. The band played four songs and spoke with Bruce Trujillo about expanding its sound with new members, working on a full-length album and filming a concert at Denver's Alamo Drafthouse movie theater.
Phil Pirrone leads JJUUJJUU with a rotating cast of backing players. The Los Angeles psychedelic rock band recently released its debut album, "Zionic Mud." It's heavy on reverberated vocals, fuzzed-out guitar licks and intriguing song titles like "Italian Toothpaste." JJUUJJUU stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver's Lost Lake. The band played two songs and Pirrone spoke with Bruce Trujillo about how he started playing music, the many collaborations on "Zionic Mud" and running the California music festival Desert Daze.
Brazilian Girls this year released the album "Let's Make Love," the pop band's first since 2008's Grammy-nominated "New York City." It features the eclectic dance sound the quartet became known for in the early 2000s. The album came together over the course of several years, with recording sessions in Istanbul, Paris, Madrid and New York. Brazilian Girls visited us in the CPR Performance Studio last month. The quartet played three songs from "Let's Make Love" and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about recording the album all over the world and the romantic themes behind the new songs.
Joel Van Horne released his third album as Covenhoven earlier this month. "A Kind Of Revelation" came from the Denver musician's writing sessions while touring along the Pacific coast of California, Oregon and Washington. The album blends the contemplative folk of Covenhoven's previous work with vivid orchestral string parts. Covenhoven returned to the CPR Performance Studio for the first time since 2015. Van Horne and his seven-piece backing band played three songs from "A Kind Of Revelation" and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about how his brother's death affected the arc of the album and how the natural world inspires his music.
After a five-year hiatus, Wolf Parade released the new album "Cry Cry Cry" last fall. The Montreal quartet -- led by the songwriting duo of Dan Boeckner and Spencer Krug -- picks up right where it left off with a collection songs of featuring mystifying lyrics and uptempo rock rhythms. Wolf Parade stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a concert at the Ogden Theatre. The members played four songs from "Cry Cry Cry" and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the band's growth since reuniting in 2016, how they wrote Wolf Parade songs during the hiatus and how the indie rock music industry has changed since the band's early days.
Super Bummer released its debut album, "Big Ambition," last month. The quartet hails from New Mexico and currently resides in Denver. The album features midtempo rock songs influenced by '90s indie music and surf-rock, as well as occasionally downcast lyrics in line with the band's name. Super Bummer recently played some songs from "Big Ambition" in the CPR Performance Studio. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about working with the Colorado indie label Grouphug and how they connected with Denver's music scene.
Ivory Circle caught some national attention this year with a remarkable submission to NPR Music's Tiny Desk Contest. The Denver band's video for "Never Let Me Go" -- which features multiple images of band members spliced into one shot -- made a list of the contest judges' favorite entries (and our list as well). That video landed them a spot on last week's Tiny Desk Concert bill with contest winner Naia Izumi. Ivory Circle recently returned to the CPR Performance Studio for the first time since 2014. The band members played three songs -- including "Never Let Me Go" -- and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about about why their EP titles are named after triangles, the long process of arranging their vocal harmonies and what the exposure from NPR Music has done for the band.
Paul Kimbiris & The Dark Side of Pearl released the new "May Day" EP earlier this month. Kimbiris has garnered comparisons to Bob Dylan and Gregory Alan Isakov for his lyrical storytelling and folk-inspired music. The new record features a louder rock sound from his band, named for the main street in the singer-songwriter's home of Boulder. Kimbiris and his band recently returned to the CPR Performance Studio for the first time since 2014. They played four songs and Kimbiris spoke with Bruce Trujillo about how a trip to Spain inspired his new music and performing at a Bob Dylan tribute show at eTown Hall in Boulder.
Darren Garvey spent the last two years as the percussionist for Colorado folk group Elephant Revival. That band recently went on hiatus, but Garvey is staying busy with his solo singer-songwriter music. Next month the multi-instrumentalist will release his latest album, "Heart Attack Sleeves," and he performs June 29 at the Walnut Room with Tough Old Bird and Perry West. Garvey stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play some of his own material on guitar and piano. He also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about producing his own records, his goal to share a new song online every week in 2018 and why Elephant Revival is taking a break.
Gasoline Lollipops have a busy 2018 schedule. The Boulder country-rock band will perform at several Colorado summer music festivals including Grandoozy and ARISE as well as a free concert at Levitt Pavilion Denver in July. The quartet released its latest album, "Soul Mine," late last year. Gasoline Lollipops recently returned to the CPR Performance Studio a year after their first visit. The band played four songs and bandleader Clay Rose spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the soul-searching period of his life that inspired "Soul Mine," recording much of the album alone and his plans to write and record music with his mother.
Jess Parsons released her debut solo record, "Murmuration," last week. The singer and ukulele player has been active in Denver's music scene as a member of Glowing House, Bluebook and Kyle Emerson's band. The five-song EP finds Parsons taking the traditional folk sound of her previous work in a more ethereal direction. Parsons stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play three songs from "Murmuration." She also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about recording the EP live to tape in Boulder, working on a collection of nursery rhymes with Julie Davis of Bluebook and how playing with other Denver bands influences her own work.
Erika Wennerstrom has visited our studio before with her Americana-rock band Heartless Bastards. This year, the singer and guitarist took a break from that band to release her debut solo album, "Sweet Unknown." Inspired by a trip to the Amazon rainforest, the record features a more psychedelic sound for Wennerstrom, whose robust vocals are always a riveting aspect of her music. Wennerstrom returned to the CPR Performance Studio last month before a show at Denver's Globe Hall. She played four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about how taking a break from Heartless Bastards helped her songwriting, writing the album on a camping trip in West Texas and how she connects with people through music.
Los Mocochetes have become live favorites in Denver for their thrilling blend of percussion, guitars, horns and vocals that incorporates elements of Chicano rock and funk. The seven-piece band's songs feature politically minded lyrics, and it's easy for a listener to sing along to songs like "¡Que Viva Revolución!" Their entry to this year's Tiny Desk Contest from NPR Music was one of our favorite Colorado entries. Los Mocochetes stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before their Saturday night show at Larimer Lounge. The band members played four songs and spoke with Bruce Trujillo about coming up with their band name at Walmart, how they came to play protest music and winning Westword's "Best Latin Band" award last year.
Jamaal Curry writes hip-hop songs that hearken back to the genre's early days in the 1980s and '90s. The Fort Collins rapper and producer performs under the name Boss Eagle. He released his debut album, "The Firebird Album," late last year. Boss Eagle performed four songs from "The Firebird Album" in the CPR Performance Studio and donned some boxing attire for one of the songs (see above). Curry also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about writing a letter to Puff Daddy as a teenager, creating new verses for some of his favorite rap songs and the Colorado hip-hop scene.
Shannon And The Clams released their fifth album, "Onion," earlier this year. The Oakland quartet teamed up with producer Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys for the record, which features the retro rock and pop sound of the band's previous work. Singer Shannon Shaw's lyrics pay tribute to the victims of the 2016 fire at the Ghost Ship venue in the band's hometown. Shannon And The Clams stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a pair of Colorado shows. The band members played three songs from "Onion" and spoke with Bruce Trujillo about writing about friends who had died in the Ghost Ship fire, playing the songs from "Onion" in Oakland for the first time and how Auerbach's support has affected their career.
Mona Magno (aka Monalicious) is the singer-songwriter and baritone ukulele player behind Twin Flame Medicine. The Denver artist -- who also fronts Flowers of Mass Production -- and her band combine folk instruments with jazz grooves and soulful melodies. The band released its self-titled debut album last week. Twin Flame Medicine joined us in the CPR Performance Studio before the album's release. The band played four songs and Magno spoke with Alisha Sweeney about balancing various musical projects and recording the album in Fort Collins.
Palm released its sophomore album, "Rock Island," earlier this year. The Philadelphia quartet's music is hard to pin down: It incorporates elements of rock, pop, tropicalia, electronica and other genres for a bizarre and exciting sound. The band recorded much of the album in a secluded farmhouse in New York state. The band members brought their eccentric sound into the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Lost Lake in Denver. They played three songs from "Rock Island" and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about constantly reinventing their sound, their experimental music influences and whether or not rock music is "dead."
Stelth Ulvang somehow finds time to balance a solo music career with his demanding schedule as a member of Denver band The Lumineers. The Fort Collins native, who plays dozens of instruments, has released three records so far this year, the most recent of which is his solo sophomore LP, "American Boredom." Ulvang wrote and recorded the album over the course of three years during breaks from Lumineers tours. Ulvang and his band stopped into the CPR Performance Studio last week. He played four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the political themes on "American Boredom," recording an EP in South Africa and opening for U2 with the Lumineers last year.
Moaning released its self-titled debut album last month on the renowned Sub Pop record label. The Los Angeles trio writes bass-driven rock songs that recall classic post-punk albums from Gang of Four and Joy Division mixed with influences from the California indie scene. The band recently performed at this year's SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, and Treefort Music Festival in Boise, Idaho. Moaning stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs from its debut. The members also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about playing together since high school, their connection to the distinguished Los Angeles D.I.Y. venue The Smell and the various meanings behind their band name.
There aren't any bands quite like The Milk Blossoms. The Denver trio combines ukulele, beatboxing and keys for a unique experimental pop sound. The band just released the new album "Dry Heave The Heavenly," which was recorded in part at Denver music nonprofit Youth On Record. The Milk Blossoms first played in the CPR Performance Studio in 2015, and we were pleased to welcome them back earlier this week. The band members played three songs from the new record and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about confronting mental health issues like depression and anxiety through music, why they recorded the album live to tape and the raw energy they bring to their concerts.
Straight White Teeth is the synth-pop solo project of Patrick McGuire, formerly of Denver indie rock band Flashbulb Fires. This week McGuire announced the follow-up to 2015's "Medicine Sword" EP. He'll release the record "Physical Truth" one song at a time over the course of 2018. McGuire brought Straight White Teeth into the CPR Performance Studio this month. He played three songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about composing music for film, the differences between performing with a full band and as a solo act, and how a recent bicycle accident affected his songwriting.
Dragondeer released its debut album, "If You Got The Blues," last week. The Denver quartet has long been one of our favorite local bands for its lively blend of blues and psychedelic rock music. We welcomed them back into the CPR Performance Studio for the third time shortly before the record's release. The members of Dragondeer played three songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about writing music in the bathtub, how "If You Got The Blues" documents the last four years of their lives and incorporating reggae themes into their music.
Blake Brown & The American Dust Choir is one of eight Colorado acts performing at this year's South By Southwest music showcase in Austin, Texas. The Denver Americana-rock quintet formed in 2013 -- the same year it first played in the CPR Performance Studio. Last week the band released its debut album, "Long Way Home," before heading down to perform at SXSW. Brown and his band returned to CPR's OpenAir to share three songs from the new LP. Brown also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about how listening to albums from start to finish as a teenager influences his songwriting and how the band will open for country musician Keith Urban at SXSW this week.
Neyla Pekarek has been the cellist for Denver folk-rock group The Lumineers since 2010. Despite that band's demanding touring schedule, the Colorado native found time to write and record the original folk opera "Rattlesnake," which she'll release as an album later this year. It's based on the life of Northern Colorado pioneer "Rattlesnake" Kate McHale, who in 1925 allegedly killed 140 snakes to save her life and that of her three-year-old son. Pekarek and her band visited the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs from "Rattlesnake." She also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about how she discovered the story of Rattlesnake Kate as a student at the University of Northern Colorado, recording the album with M. Ward in Portland, Ore., and going on tour with U2 last year.
Denver keyboardists Sean Culliton and Xavier Provencher released their debut EP as Retrofette in 2016. They've since expanded the band's futuristic pop sound by adding two more members. The quartet's multiple-synthesizer attack has won over plenty of Colorado music fans: Westword readers named the quartet "Best Pop Act" of 2017. Retrofette visited the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs. The members also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about meeting as saxophone students at the University of Denver, their reputation for high-spirited live shows and getting fellow Colorado musicians to remix songs from "I Don't Mind."
Jessica Lea Mayfield released her fourth album, "Sorry Is Gone," last fall. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter continues to push her music toward an alternative rock sound while maintaining the country influences of her early work. It's also a deeply personal record for Mayfield, who addresses her experience as a domestic violence survivor on several of the album's tracks. Mayfield, who previously visited CPR's OpenAir in 2014, returned to the CPR Performance Studio to play three stripped-down versions of songs from "Sorry Is Gone." She also spoke with Bruce Trujillo about viewing her lyrics as a conversation with herself, her decision to be candid about her experience with domestic violence and how her music has gotten heavier in recent years.
Last Of The Easy Riders released their new LP "Unto The Earth" with a concert last Saturday at Hi-Dive. The members of the Denver band met through Craigslist and bonded over a love for classic country-rock. They blend that genre with modern psychedelic rock influences on songs like "It Won't Be Long" -- which is featured on our latest Colorado Music Sampler. Last Of The Easy Riders stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play some songs from the new record. The members also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about their collaborative songwriting process and the significance of their band name.
Boulder rockers The Velveteers released their self-titled debut EP this week. The sibling duo of singer/guitarist Demi and drummer John Demitro gained a large following last year: They played to packed houses at the 2017 Westword Music Showcase and Underground Music Showcase, and Westword readers voted them Colorado's "Best Rock Band" for their high-octane blend of punk and garage rock. The Velveteers stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs with additional drumming from Noah Shomberg of The Yawpers. They also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about their first international tour, the challenges of being a young rock band in Boulder and how the film "Edward Scissorhands" influenced the new EP.
Typhoon's fourth album, "Offerings," tells the story of a man whose memory is slowly disappearing. Frontman Kyle Morton, who visited our CPR Performance Studio for a solo set four years ago, drew on his experience in the age of information for the record's 14 songs. The Portland, Ore., octet adds a vast sound of rock instruments, strings and field recordings to accompany the often bleak lyrics. Morton and his bandmates played three songs from "Offerings" in our studio along with an older cut. They also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about how the album's story came together, the effect of modern technology on memory and the origin of some of the unusual sounds on "Offerings."
Noah Gundersen released his third album, "White Noise," last September. It marks a shift in the Seattle singer-songwriter's folk music. Gundersen brings in a backing band on several songs to give the record a fuller, uplifting rock sound -- though he includes some plaintive piano ballads as well. Gundersen visited the CPR Performance Studio accompanied by his sister Abby on violin. He played stripped-down versions of two songs from "White Noise" along with a new B-side. He also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the decision to retool his sound, reconnecting with his siblings by playing music together and learning to embrace his early musical output.
The Hollow formed in 2013 and released its self-titled debut EP two years later. Since then, the Denver rock band has been fairly quiet while retooling its sound and lineup by recruiting former Epilogues drummer Jason Hoke. The quartet is back this year with the guitar-heavy EP "Contact," recorded in Evergreen, Colo. The Hollow made its debut in the CPR Performance Studio earlier this month. The band members played four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the new lineup's first year together, using drones to film the music video for "Sleep Talkin'" and how writing their music is therapeutic.
Grayson County Burn Ban features members of Denver rock bands Bud Bronson & The Good Timers, The Kinky Fingers and Ned Garthe Explosion. The quintet dubs its blend of rock and Americana "campfire country," which features pedal steel guitar along with typical rock 'n' roll instruments. Last week the band released its debut album, "Better Neighbor." Grayson County Burn Ban stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs. The members also spoke with Bruce Mitchell about the band's origin, why they love country music and their involvement with Denver nonprofit Youth On Record.
Since playing a session in our studio last year, iZCALLi wrote and recorded its fourth album. The Denver rock band released "IV" last week with a show at the Bluebird Theater. The self-produced record finds the band expanding from a trio to a quintet and continuing to blend English and Spanish lyrics with Latin and psychedelic music. iZCALLi played three songs from the new album in the CPR Performance Studio. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about expanding its sound with strings and horns, integrating Latin rock into Denver's music scene and their experience as U.S. immigrants over the past year.
Rubedo last joined us in the CPR Performance Studio shortly after the release of its album "Love Is The Answer" in 2013. Since then the members of the Denver trio stayed busy playing in bands like Wheelchair Sports Camp and Kyle's Xmas Supergroup. Rubedo returned last month with "Vaca," a new album that pays tribute to their late producer Ikey Owens. Rubedo played three songs from "Vaca" in our studio. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about Owens' influence on their music, opening a pop-up shop in downtown Denver for the "Vaca" release and working with graffiti artist Mike Giant for the album cover.
R.L. Cole has been active in Denver's music scene as a trumpet player in various bands and as a solo blues artist. His latest venture is fronting R.L. Cole & The Hell You Say, a band that features members of Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Florea and A. Tom Collins. The quintet's sound is a potent mix of soul, jazz and blues rock. Cole and his band stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play some songs from a forthcoming album. Cole also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about forming the band last summer, getting a cease and desist letter from Corey Feldman's band and balancing his various music projects.
Decatur formed in 2015 when producer and multi-instrumentalist Quinn Cox decided to take his music out of his studio and onto a live stage. After a lengthy search for like-minded musicians, Cox recruited four members to the alt-rock band including frontman Sean Decrescenzo. The Denver quintet released its self-titled debut EP last year. Decatur stopped by the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the band's origins, their writing process and love for French ska music.
Kitty Crimes has been a visible force in the Colorado music scene for years. MC and guitarist Maria Kohler crafts energetic hip-hop that incorporates pop, rock and experimental music. Kitty Crimes' dazzling live shows are a big reason why Kohler won the "Best Hip-Hop (Solo)" award at this year's Westword Music Awards. Kitty Crimes stopped by the CPR Performance Studio earlier this month. Kohler and producer/trumpeter Andrew Pike played four songs, including a holiday-themed "XXXMas Medley." Kohler also spoke with Bruce Mitchell about her busy year in music, her experience with "sound healing" therapy and her forthcoming mixtape out in early 2018.
The music of D.W. Doucet packs a big punch, but it all comes from just one person. The Fort Collins-based blues singer simultaneously plays guitar and percussion on anvils and chains. The one-man-band's debut album is "As I Roam Across A Dark Blue Night," which is based on Doucet's upbringing in Nova Scotia, Canada. D.W. Doucet visited the CPR Performance Studio to play some of his songs. He also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about how he decided to play solo, finding one of his instruments on the side of the road in Massachusetts and the Canadian island where he wrote "As I Roam Across A Dark Blue Night."
Kramies Windt visited our studio earlier this year as a backing member of Joe Sampson's band. But the Denver singer-songwriter makes his own brand of acoustic folk music that has gained an international audience. Under the name Kramies, Windt has worked with producer Jason Lytle of Grandaddy and collaborates regularly with Colorado musicians like Sampson and Anthony Ruptak. Kramies returned to the CPR Performance Studio this month to play four of his own songs. He also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about his hiatus from making music, working with the Australian record label Hidden Shoal and his forthcoming new album.
Jennifer Jane Niceley began playing music as a kid living on a farm in eastern Tennessee. She moved to Nashville to kick-start her career, but the singer-songwriter now calls Colorado home. The songs on Niceley's latest album, "Angels, Demons, Red-Tail Hawks," reflect the country music influences of her home state with elements of folk and Americana. Jennifer Jane Niceley visited the CPR Performance Studio to play some music from her new LP. She also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about making the move to Colorado, playing a Tom Petty tribute show at Denver's Hi-Dive and the personal themes behind the lyrics of "Angels, Demons, Red-Tail Hawks."
Fort Collins singer-songwriter Corey Wright began releasing music as weareforests last year. He released his debut album, "Part, Parcel," in July and the "Liturgy" EP just a few months later. His music features atmospheric vocal harmonies backed by acoustic folk instruments in the vein of Bon Iver and Iron & Wine. Wright visited the CPR Performance Studio last month for a weareforests solo set. He spoke with Bruce Mitchell about touring the Pacific Coast on a train, his forthcoming holiday album and how he views songs as conversations.
Dee and Erika Rhodes make music as The APX. The Atlanta-based artists add electronic instruments to a classic funk sound on their debut EP "Electrik Funk." Their music has won praise from like-minded acts Chromeo and Empire Of The Sun and the married duo is a live favorite in its hometown. The APX stopped by the CPR Performance Studio after a Denver gig. Dee and Erika Rhodes played four songs and spoke with Bruce Mitchell about their busy touring schedule and their love for dance and new wave music from the 1980s.
The CPR Performance Studio got a full dose of holiday spirit when Kyle's Xmas Supergroup visited earlier this month. Led by Kyle Gray of Rubedo, the band includes members of Colorado acts déCollage, Dandu and Ancient Elk as well as a puppet named P. Miller. Kyle's Xmas Supergroup played three original holiday tunes during its session. Gray also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about his recent move to Santa Fe, N.M., his love for holiday specials from The Muppets and Pee-wee Herman and the new album from Rubedo.
Sour Boy, Bitter Girl has been active since 2005, and the band shows no signs of slowing down. The folk-rock quartet-- which formed in Fort Collins and is now based in Denver -- released two records this year: the "Witchy Women" EP and full-length album "The Palm Reader And The Palm Writer." Sour Boy, Bitter Girl made its first appearance in the CPR Performance Studio last month to play four songs from "The Palm Reader And The Palm Writer." Frontman Benjamin Buttice also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about making the move to Denver, the mystical themes behind their new music and plans for 2018.
Curta is the alias of Denver MC Jake Danna who performs and records with producer 4Digit. The duo creates an unconventional take on hip-hop by adding elements from industrial, noise and electronic music. Their latest release is the "Click Bait" EP which features a guest verse from Chicago rapper Serengeti. Curta stopped by the CPR Performance Studio last month for a performance and interview. The two musicians played four songs and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the origins of their collaboration, their love for spoken word performances and where they fit in the Denver music scene.
Megan Fong has been active in Denver's music scene for nearly a decade. She previously fronted Bonnie & The Beard and now makes music with her band Florea. Last month the quartet released its self-titled debut album, which continues in the blues-rock vein of Fong's previous work. Florea stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before its album release show to play four songs. Fong also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about starting Florea after Bonnie & The Beard's dissolution, signing with Americana label Roll The Jax and the band's upcoming tour.
Singer and guitarist Jay Mars started the psychedelic rock band King Eddie while living in Detroit. He's since moved to Denver and teamed up with members of Colorado bands like The Still Tide and déCollage. This month the quintet released its second album, "Holographic Universe." King Eddie stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before the release show for the new LP. Mars and his band played four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about getting acquainted with the Colorado music scene, putting on shows with virtual reality headsets and working with the Denver art collective Moon Magnet Music.
Jade Bird released her debut EP "Something American" in June. Praise for the London singer-songwriter soon followed: Just a month later Rolling Stone named her as one of "10 New Country Artists You Need to Know." Her music also includes elements of folk, blues and punk. Jade Bird stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a Denver show with Son Little. She played three songs and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about her musical upbringing, her first impressions of the U.S. and her recent performance on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert."
Yes We Mystic makes dynamic indie rock with hints of electronic and classical music. The quintet recently visited Colorado from Winnipeg, Manitoba, as part of the Canadarado music exchange program. That effort brought four Canadian acts to Denver and Fort Collins this month to perform with three Colorado artists. Yes We Mystic stopped by the CPR Performance Studio to share some music from its recent album "Forgiver" as well as some new songs. Band members Adam Fuhr and Keegan Steele also spoke with Scott Carney about the difficulties of touring in Canada, the Winnipeg music scene and their expectations for playing in Colorado.
Kayla Marque introduced us to her blend of folk, soul and hip hop in late 2015 with a session in the CPR Performance Studio. Since then the Denver singer-songwriter has released her debut album, "Live & Die Like This." She's also formed a backing band and played some notable Colorado shows, including this year's Westword Music Showcase. Kayla Marque and her band returned to our studio before a pair of Colorado gigs. She played three songs and spoke with Bruce Mitchell about her musical growth since her last visit, working on her next album and playing a fundraiser show for the local domestic violence shelter SafeHouse Denver.
Wildermiss is a new band from three former members of Red Fox Run, which split last year. They teamed up with singer Emma Cole, who adds a pop sensibility to the band's energetic riff-driven rock. The Denver quartet releases the EP "Lost With You" with a show tonight at Larimer Lounge. Wildermiss stopped into the CPR Performance Studio this week. The band members played three songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the Red Fox Run split, how they write music via group texts and performing on the Main Stage at this year's Underground Music Showcase in Denver.
Shenandoah Davis has strong ties to Colorado. She attended high school in Boulder and earned a music degree from the University of Northern Colorado. The singer and pianist now calls Seattle home and recently released "Souvenirs," her third album of classical-inspired pop music. Davis and her band visited the CPR Performance Studio this month before a show at The Ubisububi Room. Davis played four songs from "Souvenirs" and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about returning to Colorado, her classical music upbringing and why she spent six years on the new LP.
Lillian made her debut appearance in the CPR Performance Studio just over a year ago. Since then, the Denver singer-songwriter has recorded a new EP called "Light Bender." CPR's OpenAir presents her release show Friday at Syntax Physic Opera. Lillian returned to our studio this week with her four-piece backing band. She played three songs from "Light Bender" and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about expanding her sound on the new EP, the challenge of playing solo shows and curating the all-female musician "Hysteria" shows at Syntax Physic Opera.
Landlady released its third album, "The World Is A Loud Place," earlier this year. Frontman Adam Schatz told us back in February that he found inspiration for the LP from vocalists like Nina Simone, citing her strength and believability as a singer. As a result his unique voice is more prominent than ever within the Brooklyn band's elaborate indie rock. Landlady stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver's Hi-Dive. The band members played four songs from "The World Is A Loud Place" and spoke with Bruce Mitchell about plans for their current tour and the unusual story behind the song "Cadaver."
After releasing her first album as Palehound in 2015, Ellen Kempner struggled with grief and anxiety after the death of a close friend and her grandmother. Those experiences inspired the songs on the Boston singer and guitarist's sophomore LP, "A Place I'll Always Go." As a result the album is heavier and more experimental than the trio's debut. Palehound stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a gig at Lost Lake Lounge. Kempner played four songs from "A Place I'll Always Go" and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about maturing as a songwriter over the past two years and her inclusion on the New York Times' "25 Women Making The Best Rock Music Today."
Ghost Tapes creates a blend of classic genres on its debut self-titled LP. Singer Ishka Phoenix leads the Denver quintet with remarkably soulful vocals while the band borrows elements from jazz, R&B and hip-hop. The band's energetic live show won them new fans at this year's Westword Music Showcase and Underground Music Showcase in Denver. Ghost Tapes stopped by the CPR Performance Studio last month before its album release show. The band members played four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about waiting over a year to release the finished album, their songwriting process and creating a "shrine" to acknowledge their appreciation for the Denver music scene.
Kerstan Wallace has made music for years, both under his own name and as Human Milk. But the Denver singer-songwriter had never shared the songs from his debut LP "Head Bender" with a live audience until he stopped by the CPR Performance Studio last month. That record features upbeat experimental pop that compelled us to include him on our latest Colorado Music Sampler. Kerstan Wallace played three songs from "Head Bender" in our studio. He also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about balancing his work as a geologist with his music career, spending as many as 50 hours writing one song and combining his music with video art.
Ian Cooke is one of our favorite recurring guests in the CPR Performance Studio. Last month the Denver experimental folk artist made his fifth appearance at CPR's OpenAir to share music from his forthcoming LP "The Flight I Flew." Music from the record will serve as the soundtrack for Celestial Navigation, the new show from Denver dance group Wonderbound opening Oct. 13. Ian Cooke and his band -- featuring Tom Hagerman of DeVotchKa -- played three songs from "The Flight I Flew." Cooke also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about creating an "intimate" vibe on the new LP, writing a narrative that takes place in outer space and what it's like to see his music interpreted through dance.
Thee Commons have crafted a rousing blend of psychedelic rock and Mexican cumbia music over the course of three albums, the latest of which is this year's "Paleta Sonora." The trio -- featuring brothers David and Rene Pacheco and bassist Jose Rojas -- has a reputation as one of Los Angeles' best live bands for its feral energy and unique sound. Thee Commons stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver's Lost Lake Lounge. The band members played four songs off "Paleta Sonora" and spoke with Bruce Mitchell about the musical upbringing in the Pacheco household, their love for '90s pop stars like Mariah Carey and Backstreet Boys and how the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" influenced the new record.
King Cardinal recently made its second appearance in the CPR Performance Studio. The Denver folk-rock six-piece is set to release its debut album "Great Lakes" this week. Singer Brennan Mackey and his band headed to Sonic Ranch Studios in Tornillo, Texas, to record with producer Ted Young, whose resume includes work with Kurt Vile and Sonic Youth. King Cardinal played four songs from "Great Lakes" in our studio. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about their admiration for Young's work and the story behind the song "Chicago."
Greg Gonzalez started making music as Cigarettes After Sex in 2008. After nearly a decade of relative obscurity, the El Paso singer and guitarist released his debut album in June. The dreamlike ambient rock of the self-titled LP quickly won over fans and critics alike. Cigarettes After Sex joined us in the CPR Performance Studio this week before a headlining show at the Bluebird Theater. The band played four songs from its album and Gonzalez spoke with Jeremy Petersen about how moving to New York changed the trajectory of the band, receiving high praise from French singer Françoise Hardy and his aspiration to work on film soundtracks.
The Yawpers last joined us in our studio in 2015, shortly after the release of the album "American Man." The Denver trio continues to meld blues, country and punk rock on "Boy In A Well," the band's third LP. Tommy Stinson of The Replacements produced the new record, which is a concept album set in France after World War I. The Yawpers returned to the CPR Performance Studio last weekend to play three songs from "Boy In A Well." The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about how the concept for the album came together, its comic book companion piece and an upcoming international tour.
Mount Orchid takes cues from surf, pop and psychedelic rock on the new EP "Wallflower Child." The quartet hails from Grand Junction and recently visited Denver for a headlining gig at The Curtis Club. Mount Orchid performed a few songs from "Wallflower Child" in the CPR Performance Studio earlier this month. The members also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about how Mount Orchid was originally a studio-only band, recording in a particularly cozy home studio in Grand Junction and the music scene in western Colorado.
Pickwick last joined us in the CPR Performance Studio back in 2014, when the Seattle indie rockers were on tour in support of their debut album, "Can't Talk Medicine." The six-piece returned to CPR's OpenAir last month following the release "LoveJoys," a sophomore record nearly five years in the making. Pickwick played four songs from "LoveJoys" in our studio. The band members also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the long break between albums, working with hip-hop producer Erik Blood and taking inspiration from disco artists like The Bee Gees.
Denver musician John Runnels began performing as Morning Bear in 2014. He draws inspiration from indie folk artists like Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver while adding classical instruments like flute and cello to his music. Next month the band heads to Brest, France -- one of Denver's sister cities -- to perform as part of a cultural exchange program. Morning Bear stopped into the CPR Performance Studio with string quintet Denver Nexus Project. In addition to playing a few songs, Runnels spoke with Jeremy Petersen about his teenage street performances on Denver's 16th Street Mall, how he started the band after a spontaneous trip to Europe and his forthcoming visit to Brest.
Motion Trap's music ranges from party-ready dance music to ethereal synth-rock. The Denver duo of Kyle Williams and Nathan Rogers formed the band in 2012 and this month released its sophomore album, "Heavenly Bodies." Last week Motion Trap stopped into the CPR Performance Studio for the first time. Williams and Rogers played four songs and spoke with Scott Carney about forming the band in a college dorm in Nebraska and taking inspiration from dance-rock bands like Cut Copy for "Heavenly Bodies."
The music of Ancient Elk is hard to define. The Denver quartet has won a Westword Music Award in both the "avant-garde" and "Americana" categories. But it also incorporates jazz, psych-rock and folk on its debut self-titled album, which it released this week. Ancient Elk visited the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs from the LP. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about writing the album over the course of three years, the coloring book they're offering with "Ancient Elk" and their connection to the Moon Magnet music collective in Denver.
The Guestlist last visited CPR's OpenAir in 2015, then known as Josh Moorehead & The Guestlist. Since the name change, the band has released the new album "Racing, Chasing." The six-piece crafts an exciting blend of jazz and Americana-rock on the new record, which explores themes of creative struggle. The Guestlist performed four songs from "Racing, Chasing" in the CPR Performance Studio. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the band's name change, recording at the new Denver studio Hum House and collaborating with members of Denver band Paper Bird on the new LP.
Pleasure Prince is a New York-based duo featuring Lilly Scott, formerly of Denver band Varlet. She and bandmate Will Duncan create pop music that blends disco, electronica and psychedelic influences. Scott switches instruments from guitar to synthesizer for the new band, but her outstanding vocals remain a centerpiece of her music. Pleasure Prince stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a headlining show at Denver's Hi-Dive. Scott and Duncan played three songs and spoke with Scott Carney about the origin of their collaboration, how teaching piano lessons helped the band develop and plans for a full-length record.
Panther Martin first caught our attention with 2015's "Pile" EP, a collection of psych-surf rock songs recorded with members of Inner Oceans. The Denver quartet has since made a splash with performances around Colorado, including a gig at this year's Underground Music Showcase. Panther Martin stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play three new songs. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about their long musical friendship dating back to middle school, their recent burrito-themed concert and their involvement with the Colorado-based Grouphug Records.
Solohawk is the acoustic side project of Steve Faceman, best known as frontman for Denver rock group FaceMan. He performs understated folk songs with Kansas musician Til Willis backing on guitar and stomp box. The duo last year released its debut album "Another Way Out." Solohawk stopped by for its first session in the CPR Performance Studio earlier this month. Faceman and Willis played four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the origin of their collaboration, the experimental studio techniques on "Another Way Out" and how Solohawk differs from their other bands.
Instant Empire released its sophomore album "Last Of The Lovers" earlier this month. The LP is a concept record about the "relentless march of time" and features the Denver band's full-bodied indie rock with harmonies from Emma Cole of Wildermiss. Singer Scotty Saunders calls it the most personal record the band has made. Instant Empire recently stopped into the CPR Performance Studio for the third time. The members played four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about how the band's lineup has changed since its debut album, producing their own record for the first time and drummer Tristan Kelley's notable "beat-a-day" Instagram project.
Tyto Alba draws its sound from folk and experimental rock influences. The Denver quartet formed in 2014 and released in March its second EP, "In Our Own Time." Singer Melanie Steinway says the record chronicles a relationship from early infatuation to an eventual breakup. Tyto Alba stopped into the CPR Performance Studio for the first time earlier this month. The members played three songs and spoke with Scott Carney about how the band came together and its recent "Tyto Eclipse of the Heart" tour of the Pacific Northwest.
U.S. Tygers is a young band, but its members are established local musicians. The Denver quintet features several members of jazz-punk group Champagne Charlie. U.S. Tygers' music leans more towards country and Americana rock, with heavy use of lap steel guitar. The band released its debut album last year and followed it up with the "High, Wasted Genes" EP in July. U.S. Tygers stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play songs from the new EP as well as a brand new song. The members spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the definition of the so-called "Hashville" genre, recording at the Queen City Sound studio in Denver and the personal subject material of "High, Wasted Genes."
The Reminders have explored an intersection of hip-hop and soul for more than a decade. The Colorado Springs duo of Big Samir and Aja Black has released two albums and shared a bill with acts like Snoop Dogg and Nas. The group recently performed at the new Levitt Pavilion with Denver act Fed Rez. The Reminders stopped into the CPR Performance Studio for a memorably upbeat session. The married couple performed four songs and spoke with Bruce Mitchell about a forthcoming third album, their energetic approach to live performance and a recent memorable show in their hometown.
Since releasing his debut album in 2014, Benjamin Booker has become a major name in modern blues-rock. The singer and guitarist incorporates punk and soul music on his sophomore album "Witness," which features politically charged lyrics and a guest spot from gospel singer Mavis Staples. Shortly after headlining the Underground Music Showcase in Denver, Booker stopped into the CPR Performance Studio. He performed three songs from "Witness" and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about working on the album in Mexico City, how his collaboration with Staples came about and his crowd-diving set at UMS 2017.
When Plume Varia visited CPR's OpenAir in 2015, the band shared its plans to record a debut album with producer David J of Bauhaus and Love & Rockets after meeting him in Denver. The husband-and-wife duo released that album this month. It's called "Fact | Fiction" and features moody experimental pop songs. Just before the album's release, Plume Varia returned to the CPR Performance Studio. Members Shon and Cherie Cobbs played three songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about recording with David J in Texas, how the HBO comedy series "Girls" influenced the album and their surprise collaboration with a former member of Nine Inch Nails.
Andy Thomas established himself in the Denver music scene with bands like The Knew and Tin Horn Prayer. His latest venture -- Andy Thomas' Dust Heart -- finds the singer and guitarist writing Americana-rock that often veers into dark territory. But the band's latest record, "No Poets," is a more lighthearted release that Thomas wrote over the course of a year of sobriety. Andy Thomas' Dust Heart stopped into the CPR Performance Studio last month. Thomas performed four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the "life-affirming and positive" direction of the new record, collaborating with his wife in the band and his work for the new Levitt Pavilion in Denver.
The Districts will release their third album, "Popular Manipulations," next month. From what we've heard so far, the Philadelphia band changes up its sound on the record by adding elements of shoegaze to its twangy indie rock. They also tackle more mature subject material. The Districts stopped into Denver for a show at Globe Hall earlier this month. Beforehand, the band members visited the CPR Performance Studio to play three songs and speak with Jeremy Petersen about becoming more confident in their songwriting, working with Grammy-winning producer John Congleton and their opening gig for The Rolling Stones.
GVgrace features two of Colorado's most notable independent musicians in recent years. The married duo of Genevieve Patterson (Paper Bird) and Griff Snyder (Inner Oceans) creates lively synth-pop with the new project. The two have relocated to Los Angeles but are back in Denver this week for a set at the Underground Music Showcase. GVgrace stopped by the CPR Performance Studio last month to play three new songs. Patterson and Snyder also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the band's origin, getting involved with the L.A. music scene and running the Guilty Pleasure record label.
Andy Palmer has made gritty folk music as a solo artist and with the band Grub Street Writer, while also maintaining a career as a public defender. The Denver singer-songwriter in May released his latest album, "The Switch." The record explores themes of religion and social justice. Andy Palmer and his band played four songs from "The Switch" in the CPR Performance Studio. Palmer also spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about how his career has shaped his music, his success in a recent songwriter's competition and his ode to abolitionist Harriet Tubman.
When Male Blonding last visited CPR's OpenAir, the Denver band had just released its self-produced "Tiny Death" EP on cassette tape. In the year since, the quartet has recorded its debut full-length in Oakland, Calif. The self-titled LP continues in the post-punk style of previous releases. Male Blonding performed three new songs in the CPR Performance Studio last month. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about working with a producer for the first time, the themes of discomfort on the album and playing the Underground Music Showcase in Denver this month.
Head For The Hills has become one of the biggest names in Colorado bluegrass since forming in 2003. The Fort Collins quartet in May released its fourth album, "Potions And Poisons." It features songs about addiction and heartache, but with upbeat folk and country energy. Head For The Hills last month stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play three songs from the new album. Stream that performance and check out bassist Matt Loewen and fiddle player Joe Lessard's interview with CPR News for more on the new album.
Dandu's recent performance in the CPR Performance Studio featured a wide range of musical styles. The Denver trio -- with the help of The Other Black frontman Wes Watkins -- channeled elements of funk, hip-hop, rock and jazz. The band recently released the "Caught Between" EP and embarked on a West Coast tour. The members of Dandu played three songs and spoke with Scott Carney about how the band came together through The Other Black, recording the new EP in a basement studio and their expectations for the band's first tour.
The Patti Fiasco recently won a contest to open for Bon Jovi at the Pepsi Center in April. That gig unfortunately fell through, but the Fort Collins band has taken it in stride. The band has released three albums of Americana-influenced rock and performs regularly around Colorado and beyond. The Patti Fiasco stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play a few songs from its discography, as well as a brand new track. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the collaboration between Denver and Fort Collins artists, how the Bon Jovi gig fell through and the story behind its latest single.
Low Cut Connie's appearance last summer in the CPR Performance Studio was one of the most memorable sessions we recorded in 2016. The Philadelphia band -- led by pianist Adam Weiner -- had remarkable energy: Just watch the video of "Shake It Little Tina" for evidence. Low Cut Connie returned to our studio last month following the release of "Dirty Pictures (Part 1)" -- a record which several of our hosts selected as one of their favorite albums of the year so far. The band performed four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the themes of empathy on "Dirty Pictures (Part 1)," its growing reputation as a great live band and the forthcoming "Part 2" companion album.
Joe Sampson has been a mainstay in the Denver music scene for years. He's played in bands like Bad Weather California and Wentworth Kersey and also releases music under his own name. His latest release is last year's "Chansons De Parade" album. Sampson stopped by the CPR Performance Studio with a few backing musicians -- including singer-songwriter Esmé Patterson on vocals. He performed four songs and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about his various musical projects over the years, writing short songs and a memorable review from an Italian blog.
Surfer Blood passed through Denver earlier this month for a headlining show at Larimer Lounge. We met the Florida indie rock band at the venue to record an exclusive performance and interview. Surfer Blood this year released the album "Snowdonia," its first full-length since the death of guitarist and founding member Thomas Fekete. The band performed three songs and spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about coping with their bandmate's death, the dream that inspired "Snowdonia" and a forthcoming covers record.
The core songwriting duo behind Whippoorwill met at the 2013 South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. Alysia Kraft and Staci Foster began sending each other songs and last year made their debut album "Good To Be Around." The Fort Collins folk band expanded to a trio and shared the stage with acts like Lydia Loveless and Old Crow Medicine Show. Whippoorwill stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play three new songs. The band members also spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about the music scene in Fort Collins, the influence of Texas country artists and encountering a series of tornadoes on a recent tour in Oklahoma.
Clouds & Mountains returned to the CPR Performance Studio just before the release of the new album "High & Low." The Boulder folk-rock band recorded the LP in Colorado, Anacortes, Wash., and Houston with members of Chimney Choir and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Clouds & Mountains performed a few songs from "High & Low," and a previously unreleased song, in our studio. Frontman Macon Terry also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the themes of loneliness on the album, recording in various locations across the country and adding new instruments to the band's lineup.
Wolf van Elfmand started his music career as a country-folk artist in Brooklyn. Three albums later, he's relocated to Denver and teamed up with Elephant Revival members Dango and Charlie Rose for the new "Real Wolf" EP. Wolf van Elfmand and his band visited the CPR Performance Studio to play some songs from the new record. He also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about his musical career so far, writing self-referential songs and teaming up with Colorado musicians for his latest release.
Froth started out as a "fake band" that its members would tell people about at parties, but didn't actually exist. But when they picked up instruments and started playing together, the joke was over. The Los Angeles quartet has since released three albums, including this year's "Outside (briefly)." Froth stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs from the new LP. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the band's origin, touring with British shoegaze band Ride and the psychedelic visuals of their music videos.
The members of Pan Astral have stayed busy since they visited the CPR Performance Studio last year. The Denver band has recruited a new drummer and written some new material. Frontman Gabriel Otto produced the politically charged "NOENEMIES" album from fellow Coloradoans Flobots -- which also features contributions from guitarist Tad Lusk. Pan Astral returned to our studio before a show at Denver's Walnut Room to play a few songs from its catalog. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about retooling its lineup, working with Flobots and incorporating live projections into their concerts.
Desirae Garcia and Inaiah Lujan are core members of the Pueblo folk band The Haunted Windchimes, but the married couple also makes music as in/PLANES. The duo's music leans more toward a sparse pop sound influenced by notable music spouses like Paul and Linda McCartney. in/PLANES -- with help from drummer Carl Sorensen -- stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play some new music. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about bonding over a love of The Velvet Underground, balancing their time with the two bands and the arts and music scene in Pueblo.
Chicano Batman is having a breakout year. NPR tabbed the Los Angeles quartet to perform at its Radio Day Showcase at South By Southwest in March alongside Spoon and Valerie June. 2017 also marks the release of the new album"Freedom Is Free," a record that finds the band incorporating retro soul and funk music into its sound. Chicano Batman stopped by the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver's Bluebird Theater. The band members -- along with backup singers -- performed five songs and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the political themes on "Freedom Is Free," paying tribute to the soul music of the 1970s and how their audience has grown with the new album.
Self-described "surf" band The Kinky Fingers might reside in a landlocked state, but its reverb-heavy guitar licks bring to mind the classic California Sound. The Denver quartet has released a number of EPs since forming four years ago, and its new release "Worst Of" collects those songs onto one record. The Kinky Fingers stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play some new songs. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the decision to re-release old songs, their recent recording sessions in New York and some tour stories from Mexico.
The Patient Zeros originally hail from Lansing, Mich., but moved to Denver in 2012. The blues-rock trio last year released the album "Sirens Calling" and is scheduled to perform at Denver's Underground Music Showcase in July. They band also plans to release a new EP in August. The Patient Zeros stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play some songs from "Sirens Calling" and some older songs. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about establishing themselves in Denver's music scene, the recent addition of bassist Michael Raymond and tackling relationship issues with their lyrics.
Holophrase has crafted music that blurs the line between art rock and experimental electronica for five years. The Denver band last year released the album "Stay Being," which features glitchy synthesizer sounds, horns and guest appearances from members of fellow locals Wheelchair Sports Camp. Holophrase stopped into the CPR Performance Studio and played three songs from "Stay Being." The band members also spoke with Scott Carney about the turtle-starring music video for "Alligatron," recording the album at Denver's Dryer Plug Studios and collaborating with bassist Juan Alderete of The Mars Volta.
Siblings Rebecca and Joshua Williams grew up performing in a church where their father is a pastor. They've since directed their talents outside the church toward rock music: Rebecca sings and plays guitar with Joshua on drums in The Savage Blush -- along with bassist Brian Wyatt. The Denver trio released the "Dust" EP last year and has followed that up with a two new singles in 2017. The Savage Blush stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play a few new songs. Rebecca and Joshua also spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about their musical upbringing, their busy 2017 touring schedule and plans for a full-length album.
Colfax Speed Queen has been a can't-miss live act in Colorado's music scene for several years. The Denver garage rock band's concerts involve crowd-surfing and mosh pits while the band delivers high-energy guitar and organ riffs. Colfax Speed Queen last November released its sophomore album "Talk To Your Doctor." We recently welcomed the band back into the CPR Performance Studio for the first time since 2013. The band members played a few songs from the new album and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about channeling their live energy in the studio, making a split single with fellow Denver band The Ned Garthe Explosion and some recent tour memories in Kansas City.
It's plain to hear that Sweet Spirit has a big sound: The Austin, Texas, rock band has nine members and one of the most energetic frontwomen in indie music. That's Sabrina Ellis, who also sings for A Giant Dog. Sweet Spirit last month released the new album "St. Mojo." Six of the band members stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a gig at Denver's Hi-Dive to perform four songs from the new LP. They also spoke with Scott Carney about their non-stop touring schedule and their friendship with fellow Austin band Spoon.
Why? has spent more than a decade crafting experimental rock music with a strong dose of hip-hop. Much of that comes from bandleader Yoni Wolf, who has also toured as a solo rapper. The Cincinnati band's latest album, "Moh Lhean," is a collection of melancholy piano ballads -- some of them written after Wolf suffered a bout of poor health in Central America. Why? stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a Denver show to play four songs from the new album. Wolf also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about balancing various musical projects, the health scare that influenced "Moh Lhean" and recording the album in his home studio.
Singer and guitarist Kyle Emerson may be familiar to fans of Colorado's music scene as a member of the psych-rock band Plum. That group relocated to Los Angeles last year but Emerson is back in Denver to release music under his own name. His debut EP "Worth It" is out next week and he celebrates with a release show May 11 at Hi-Dive. Emerson and his band stopped by the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs from the new EP. He also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about assembling a new band for his solo work, recording live to tape and how his solo work differs from the music of Plum.
Chris Senseney and Stefanie Drootin are the songwriting partners behind the trio Big Harp, which has released three albums on the Saddle Creek label that span a variety of genres. The married couple has recently stayed busy as a new band called Umm. Their debut album "Double Worshipper" is out this fall. Umm previewed some music from that forthcoming debut in the CPR Performance Studio. Senseney and Drootin also spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about the origin of the new project, how it differs from Big Harp and their ideal way to release music.
A déCollage concert features a lot more than just music. The Denver band incorporates costumes, film projections and live painting into its shows, while tinkering with experimental electronic sounds in its music. The band also helps run the Denver music production space Moon Magnet Studios. déCollage stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play some new music and decorate the space with balloons, quilts and lights. The band members also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about interactive live shows, their collaborations with Denver musicians and their new album coming out this fall.
Sera Cahoone this month returned to the CPR Performance Studio for the first time since 2012. The singer-songwriter and Colorado native recently released the album "From Where I Started." It features contributions from members of Death Cab For Cutie, Iron & Wine and Son Volt, with whom she performs a few Colorado shows next month. Cahoone performed four songs from the new album in the studio and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about self-releasing "From Where I Started" and writing a song about a family tragedy.
The story of Bison Bone begins in Oklahoma, where singer and guitarist Courtney Whitehead launched his music career playing at barnyard parties. Eventually Whitehead made his way to Denver, where he recruited singer Brianna Straut after watching her perform a Gillian Welch song at 3 Kings Tavern. Bison Bone recently released its debut album, "History Of Falling." The country-rock band stopped in for a studio session just before its release. The quintet performed four songs from the album and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the band's origin, recording the album mostly live and the influence of artists like Woody Guthrie and JJ Cale.
Shark Dreams first came to our attention when singer and guitarist Mike McGraw participated in our Fort Collins Super Session earlier this year at the Music District. McGraw fronts the Denver-based quartet, which last year released the EP "Deeep." It features breezy indie rock songs that often veer into intense crescendos. Shark Dreams joined us in the CPR Performance Studio to play a few songs from the EP as well as some new music. McGraw also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the band's peculiar name, his time in Fort Collins band Mosey West and his recent move to Denver.
Flobots recently returned to the CPR Performance Studio to preview some new music from their forthcoming album "NOENEMIES." The Denver hip-hop band explores the power of protest music on the new record. It features call-and-response choruses written to empower protesters and performed by members of the Denver community. The band performed three songs in the studio, backed by Denver gospel group Spirit Of Grace. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about recruiting people to sing on the album, their upcoming live shows in Colorado and the themes behind songs like "Sleeping Giant."
The Band Of Heathens celebrated its 10th anniversary last year and recently released its fifth studio album "Duende." The Austin, Texas, quintet incorporates elements of Americana, jam band music and country into a groovy style that's made them a live favorite in their hometown and beyond. The Band Of Heathens stopped by the CPR Performance Studio before a pair of Colorado concerts. They performed four songs from "Duende" and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the new album's title, the evolution of the band across its first 10 years and some of the band's memorable Colorado shows.
The members of Denver band Get Along met as high school students in Monument, Colo. Nicholas and Cara Yañez -- who are now married -- have spent five years exploring genres from synth-pop to punk rock. Their live setup includes a collection of keyboards and synthesizers -- and an electric ukulele. Get Along will release a new EP this year. The duo previewed some songs from that release in the CPR Performance Studio and spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about balancing music and family, writing within multiple genres and their love for artists like Bon Iver and David Bowie.
Natalie Tate has been busy in Denver's music scene in recent years. She's played lead guitar in Ark Life and received the "Best Singer-Songwriter" award from Westword last year. Tate recently released her second studio album, "Broken Open," which features more electronic instruments than her previous work. Tate visited the CPR Performance Studio to perform a few songs from the new album and speak with Alisha Sweeney about featuring notable musicians from Denver's music scene on the new album, integrating pop culture references into her music and her long musical partnership with filmmaker Shane Boris.
Tennis recently returned to the CPR Performance Studio a few days before the release of the album "Yours Conditionally." The Denver indie band has been on tour for much of 2017, and they head to California this month to play Coachella Music Festival. Tennis performed four songs from the new album and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the feminist message behind "Ladies Don't Play Guitar," how their recent sailing trip inspired "Yours Conditionally" and getting "Girls" actress Zosia Mamet to star in the promotional videos for the album.
Overcoats are emerging as one of the most exciting young bands of 2017. The New York duo recently performed at South By Southwest, appeared at NPR headquarters for a Tiny Desk Concert and landed an opening spot for Maggie Rogers' North American tour -- including a stop at Denver's Larimer Lounge last week. Overcoats brought their dreamy harmonies and synth-pop to the CPR Performance Studio before that show to perform a few songs from the forthcoming debut LP "Young." They also spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about the band's origin story as students at Wesleyan University, bonding over a love of the Dixie Chicks and experimenting with their sound on "Young."
Slothrust has drawn comparisons to guitar-driven alternative rock bands like Pixies and Dinosaur Jr. But the trio initially met as students at Sarah Lawrence College playing jazz and chamber music. That background adds an unpredictable element to their rock music. Slothrust released its third album, "Everyone Else," last fall. The band members performed a few standouts from that album in our CPR Performance Studio and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about their musical experiences at Sarah Lawrence, writing through improvisation and their recent move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.
Strange Americans last joined us in the CPR Performance Studio in 2014. Since then the Denver roots-rockers have been at work on the follow-up to "That Kind Of Luster." We got a sneak preview of that album -- "Borrow You Brother" -- when the band returned to our studio this week. The band headlines Denver's Hi-Dive tomorrow night before a few tour dates in the Midwest. They played a few new songs in our studio and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about recording the new album in Denton, Texas, how a studio fire affected the recording process and their collaborative lyric writing.
Some prominent women of Denver's music scene collaborated this month for a two-night show at Denver's Syntax Physic Opera. Billed as "WMN And The Queen City Of The Plains," the unique concerts featured members of eight female-fronted Denver bands. Prior to the shows, we welcomed a few artists who participated into our CPR Performance Studio -- including Jess Parsons and members of Ivory Circle, Bluebook and Sinkra. These four acts each took a turn playing an original song. They also spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about how the concerts came together with the help of musician Wes Watkins and the many hard-working female musicians in Denver.
Slow Caves first performed in our studio in 2015. Since then the Fort Collins band has signed to the Cincinnati-based Old Flame Records and released the "Desert Minded" EP. This year they've performed at SXSW in Austin, Texas, and Treefort Music Festival in Boise, Idaho. The self-described "synth-punk" band returned to our studio earlier this month. They performed some new music and spoke with Scott Carney about signing to their new label, how they've evolved as a band over the past two years and getting compared to the Beach Boys.
Bad Licks is a new Denver band that includes members of Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Rootbeer & Mermentau and The Blue Rider. They've released just two songs but have gained attention through live shows in Denver and beyond -- including a stop at this weekend's Treefort Music Festival in Boise, Idaho. The garage rockers stopped into our CPR Performance Studio before heading up to Boise. They played some new music and spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about the origin of Bad Licks, plans for a forthcoming EP and previous experiences at Treefort with their other bands.
John Craigie is a gifted storyteller whose lyrics range from humorous to melancholy. The singer-songwriter hails from California, but spends most of his time on the road and has performed in all 50 U.S. states. He released his 10th studio album, "No Rain, No Rose," earlier this year. Craigie plays a release show at Denver's Walnut Room Thursday night. Accompanied by violinist Bevin Foley of Colorado band Trout Steak Revival, Craigie performed four songs in our studio. He also spoke about playing the first-ever concert at the farm of Boulder artist Gregory Alan Isakov, the pros and cons of playing solo shows and blurring the line between humor and tragedy with his lyrics.
Ben Pisano started Corsicana as a one-man-band while in high school. The Denver musician has since explored ambient rock music characterized by soaring falsettos and dream-pop melodies. Pisano produced and played every instrument on his debut album, "Haven," which features songs that often hit the seven- or eight-minute mark. Pisano joined us in the CPR Performance Studio with a backing band to perform four songs from "Haven." He also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about spending years writing a single song, the concept behind "Haven" and some of his musical heroes like The Antlers and Bon Iver.
Jesse Manley spent the past few years collaborating with Denver dance troupe Wonderbound. The Denver musician wrote music for five performances including "Dust," a piece on the Dust Bowl era of the 1930s. His songs reflect the folk and Americana music of that time. Manley and his band went on to record the music of "Dust" as an album, which they released last week. Prior to the album release show, Manley performed three songs from the record in the CPR Performance Studio. He also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about his history with Wonderbound, playing the Weissenborn slide guitar and reading up on the Dust Bowl for his latest work.
Grayson Erhard visited our CPR Performance Studio a year ago as a member of Pandas & People. The Del Norte, Colo., native recently returned to perform as a solo artist. His music prominently features adroit guitar tapping mixed with pop and folk melodies. Erhard performed three solo songs and spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about his recent writing sessions in New Mexico, receiving offers to perform around the world and the viral video of his surprise collaboration with music legend Stevie Wonder.
Rose Hill Drive had a fast rise after releasing its debut album in 2006. The Boulder rock trio went on tour with The Who and found a large international audience. However, the band split just four years later. But that's not the end of the story. Rose Hill Drive has reunited for some live shows in Colorado including a recent gig celebrating the Fox Theatre's 25th anniversary in the band's hometown. They've also released the new album "Mania." The band members stopped in to the CPR Performance Studio to play some music from the new record and chat with Alisha Sweeney about the decision to reunite, their musical endeavors during the hiatus and their excitement for upcoming live performances.
Middle Kids caught our attention late last year with a couple of memorably melodic rock singles. The Australian band has since released its debut self-titled EP, performed on NPR's World Cafe and embarked on a U.S. tour that included a stop at Denver's Lost Lake Lounge. Middle Kids stopped into our CPR Performance Studio before that show to play four songs from their debut record. The band members also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about their diverse musical backgrounds, the Australian music scene and plans for a full-length album.
Los Campesinos! is one of the most energetic indie-pop bands of the last decade. Since its 2008 debut, the Welsh seven-piece has crafted a signature sound out of sing-along melodies, reflective lyrics and noisy rock choruses. The band's sixth studio album "Sick Scenes" follows a short hiatus after its record contract had expired. The members performed three songs from the new album and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about self-financing the new album, selling Los Campesinos! soccer jerseys and seeing new fans on their current U.S. tour.
Fort Collins native William Knudsen performs as The Ugly Architect. Although his music career kicked off in Portland, Ore., his music has strong ties to Colorado and he is closely associated with the Downtown Artery venue in his hometown. The Ugly Architect's music has strong folk influences and Knudsen's lyrics have the quality of a world traveler. His debut album is out this spring. He and his band performed some songs from the record and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about establishing himself in the Fort Collins music scene after leaving Portland, writing the album in a secluded Wyoming apartment and his days as a performance poet.
Anthony Ruptak has been a regular visitor to the CPR Performance Studio. The Denver folk singer-songwriter has twice played with his backing band The Midnight Friends at CPR's OpenAir. We also filmed a concert with Ruptak at the Walnut Room last year. This time around Ruptak performed backed only by his brother Matt on percussion. His new EP "Don't Let It Kill You" is out later this year. He played some music from the forthcoming record and spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about playing most of the instruments on the EP, headlining a recent benefit for the American Civil Liberties Union and his high hopes for 2017.
iZCALLi cut its teeth playing for solely Spanish-speaking audiences: The band's brother-sister combo of Miguel and Brenda Aviña originally hail from Mexico City. But over the past five years the members of the Denver band have expanded into what they call the "American scene" by playing shows with Colorado bands like Petals Of Spain and The Photo Atlas. iZCALLi visited our CPR Performance Studio to play some music from the album "III" -- in both English and Spanish. The quartet also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about expanding to an English-speaking audience, the family dynamic of the band and recording a public service announcement for the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Shady Elders have released over the past four years a string of EPs and singles that feature melodic pop hooks backed by shoegaze-inspired rock. The Denver band is well-established in the Colorado music scene, and performed last summer at Red Rocks Amphitheatre before a screening of Prince's "Purple Rain." Shady Elders release the debut LP "Inside Voices" on Friday with a show at Denver's Syntax Physic Opera. The band members visited the CPR Performance Studio beforehand to play some songs from the album. They talked with Alisha Sweeney about recording in California, their collaborative writing process and performing music by their late musical heroes Prince and David Bowie.
We've had the pleasure of recording the music of Patrick Dethlefs several times in the past five years. The Denver singer-songwriter has played for us in our studio, at Denver's Art District and at last year's Underground Music Showcase. We welcomed Dethlefs back into the CPR Performance Studio this month just before the release of his new album, "Beauty In The Unknown." He performed some new music from the LP and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about recording the album live to tape, incorporating his band into his writing sessions and the themes of personal reflection in his new songs.
Jux County has a long history in Denver: Frontman Andy Monley formed the country-punk band in 1986. Since then the band opened for acts like Nirvana, X and The Dandy Warhols while establishing itself as a longstanding force in the Colorado music scene. Jux County's current lineup -- a trio rounded out by bassist Chris Pearson and drummer Ron Smith -- has played together since 1992. The band last year released "Coral," its first new full-length in 15 years. We welcomed the band into the CPR Performance Studio to play some new music from "Coral." The members spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the decision to make an album after more than a decade, the band's long history in Denver and some notable tour stories throughout the years.
Pueblo musician Mike Clark plays in several Colorado bands, including The Sugar Sounds amd The Haunted Windchimes. Lately though, his focus is on country-folk band The River Arkansas. The band is set to release the new album "You Animal" next month. The River Arkansas returned to our studio for the first time since 2015 to share some new music from the forthcoming LP. Clark and the other members also chatted with Alisha Sweeney about recording the album in Houston, the album's title and how a birthday party gig funded their new record.
Dragondeer has spent the last three years thrilling audiences with a mix of electric blues, rock and bluegrass. It's safe to say the Denver band has left an impression on Colorado music fans: Westword readers selected Dragondeer as Colorado's "Best Blues Rock Band" two years in a row. Dragondeer has just one EP to its name so far, but that will change when the band releases its debut full-length later this year. The quartet recorded the album in California with producer Mark Howard, who has worked with Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Tom Waits. The band members stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play some new music and chat with Alicia 'Bruce' Mitchell about recording their first LP, the reaction they get from electric mandolin solos and what they're looking forward to in 2017.
Denver's The Baltic has been on our radar since the members started making music together as teenagers. The quartet had a big 2016: They signed a new record deal and performed at Red Rocks for the "Film On The Rocks" concert series. The band members -- now all attending different colleges -- returned to the CPR Performance Studio for the first time since 2014. They played some new unreleased music and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about signing to Misra Records, writing music via email and their first ever live performance in sixth grade.
When Flaural visited our studio in 2015, the Denver psych-rock band had just formed a few months beforehand and played only one show. But the band members had established specific goals: release some EPs, go on tour and play some festival dates. Flaural has since accomplished each of those goals and established themselves in the Denver music scene. The band members returned to CPR's OpenAir to play some new music and speak with Jeremy Petersen about staying busy during their first full year as a band, their recent recording sessions in California and their ambitions for the new year.
Yasman Azimi -- who performs as YaSi -- may be young, but she's got years of experience in Denver's hip-hop scene under her belt. She performed with H*Wood since 2013 before recently launching her solo career. YaSi released last summer the EP "Stranded Feelings," and she followed that up with the single "Pink Caddy," co-written with fellow Denver artist Sur Ellz. In December, she performed a couple of songs in our CPR Performance Studio. She also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about getting attention via online blogs, her love-hate relationship with music growing up and how a Frank Ocean cover kickstarted her music career.
Just in time for the holidays, Kissing Party stopped into the CPR Performance Studio. And rather than the same old Christmas jingles, the Denver band played four original songs in the holiday spirit. Kissing Party just released "Winter In The Pub," a compilation of the holiday singles dating back to 2010. The band -- minus singer Deirdre Sage -- also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about Christmas pastimes and plans for a new non-holiday album in 2017.
The founding members of Wild Child met while touring as backup singers for the band The Migrant. That encounter has proven to be a happy accident, as the two singers -- Kelsey Wilson and Alexander Beggins -- hit it off as songwriting partners. The Austin, Texas, band has since grown into a septet with a varied and energetic indie pop sound. Wild Child's latest full-length is "Fools." The band performed two tracks from the LP as well as a brand new song in our CPR Performance Studio before a headlining show at Denver's Bluebird Theater. They also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the band's origin story, how touring is essential to the band's livelihood and how "Fools" is a breakup album.
The husband-and-wife team between Denver band Lost Walks originally set out to create a Disney-style musical. But -- as singer-songwriter Andy Thomas and singer and accordion player Jen GaNun recently told CPR News -- a visit to the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center in Divide, Colo., shifted the band's direction toward rock. The band's recent debut album, "Wolf, Woman, Man," tells the story of a couple that moves into a remote mountain location and encounters a lone, injured wolf. Lost Walks joined us in the CPR Performance Studio to perform four songs from the new record. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the inspiration for the characters on "Wolf, Woman, Man," raising awareness for wildlife rescue and how the band developed the visual aspect of its live shows with local artists.
Denver's FaceMan has a reputation for a wild live show. Westword gave the band's 2014 Lost Lake Lounge concert the "Best Stage Art" award for its shark-shaped stage. The trio -- which recently incorporated a horn section -- also organizes festival-sized events like the recent "100 Year Storm" at Denver's Oriental Theater, which brought together 100 Colorado acts to perform over two days. FaceMan recently released the album "Wild And Hunting." The band returned to the CPR Performance Studio for the first time since 2013 to play four songs from the album. They also spoke with Alicia 'Bruce' Mitchell about how they do more with less for live shows, collaborating with a horn section and working with local artists for their album cover art.
Two members of the Colorado band Elephant Revival joined us last week for an unusual session in the CPR Performance Studio. Violinist Bridget Law and singer-percussionist Bonnie Paine played with members of the Colorado Symphony for a special performance that featured music from the band's latest album, "Petals," as well as some older material. Elephant Revival will share the stage with the Symphony Saturday night at Denver's Boettcher Concert Hall.
The members of Chimney Choir have defied genres and labels with their music since they got together in 2011. The Denver band blends folk, electronica, rock and even ballet music on last year's "Boomtown." Chimney Choir will release the album "(dream)" with an interactive live show at the Mercury Cafe on Saturday. The band stopped into the CPR Performance Studio beforehand to preview some music from the new LP. They talked with Alisha Sweeney about composing "sound collages," collaborating with the Denver dance troupe Wonderbound and what they have in store for their concert this weekend.
Loch Lomond might be a new name to Colorado audiences, but the band is well-established in their home of Portland, Ore. Frontman Ritchie Young -- the band's one constant member -- has released six indie folk-rock albums over the last 13 years, the most recent of which is "Pens From Spain." Young and the current Loch Lomond lineup stopped by the CPR Performance Studio before two Colorado shows. They played three songs and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about opening for case/lang/veirs at the Denver Botanic Gardens this summer, the joy of traveling the world, and writing music for the 2014 animated film "The Boxtrolls."
Esmé Patterson has performed in the CPR Performance Studio several times over the past five years. Her latest session marked a milestone: the 400th performance we've recorded for OpenAir Sessions. The Colorado native this year released her third studio album, "We Were Wild." It's an introspective album that reflects on her recent 30th birthday and leaving her former band Paper Bird. It's also the first she recorded outside Colorado, in her new home of Portland, Ore. Patterson performed four songs from "We Were Wild" in our studio. She spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the subject matter of the new album, the contrast between Portland and Denver, and getting whiplash while filming a recent music video.
Sean Hoots founded Hoots & Hellmouth in 2005, originally as a folk duo. The group soon expanded to a four-piece that blends rock, country and gospel music. They're known for a compelling live show in which they stomp on bass drums and play a variety of acoustic instruments. The Philadelphia-based band this month will release the album "In The Trees Where I Can See The Forest," their first LP in five years. Hoots says the album moves toward an R&B sound and incorporates more electric instruments. Hoots & Hellmouth played four songs from the new album and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the constant evolution of their sound, the music video for the single "Diction" and self-releasing their music.
The Shreveport, La., quartet Seratones mixes Southern soul with garage rock swagger on their debut album, "Get Gone." Fronted by the powerful singer A.J. Haynes, the band earned a spot on Paste Magazine's "20 Best New Bands of 2015" list. The band stopped into the CPR Performance Studio prior to a show at Denver's Fillmore Auditorium with St. Paul & the Broken Bones. They performed three songs from "Get Gone" and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the multitude of genres the band incorporates, the music scene in their hometown of Shreveport and adjusting to life as a touring band.
Denver musician Jon Shockness caught our attention as a member of hip-hop band Air Dubai and his soulful solo work as Kid Astronaut. Now, he's teamed up with Nigerian-born producer Daniel Iyere for the new band HVN -- which is pronounced "heaven." CPR's OpenAir was privy to one of the first ever HVN live performances when we welcomed them into our studio last month. Iyere's synth-heavy electronic production gives a modern edge to the R&B that Shockness has explored throughout his career. HVN performed four songs in our studio and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the genesis of their collaboration, how living in Denver has influenced their music and some details of their forthcoming debut EP.
Wheelchair Sports Camp has spent years establishing a reputation as "Denver's biggest smallest band" through live shows, EPs and singles that blend Kalyn Heffernan's rap lyrics with rock, jazz and even country instruments. Their music has won them fans like rapper Sage Francis and landed them on the cover of The Village Voice. This month the band released their debut studio album, "No Big Deal." They worked with keyboardist and producer Isaiah "Ikey" Owens on the album shortly before his death in 2014. Wheelchair Sports Camp returned to our CPR Performance Studio this month to perform some music from the album. They also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about working with the late Owens, signing to Sage Francis' Strange Famous label and getting "roasted" by comedian Jeff Ross at South By Southwest in Austin, Texas.
If you're familiar with the Elephant Six collective, you'll know there have been several notable bands with a Denver connection to come out of it. In addition to Neutral Milk Hotel, The Apples In Stereo and Dressy Bessy, that list includes The Minders, who have since relocated to Portland, Ore. Fronted by Martyn Leaper, The Minders have been fairly quiet in recent years. But the band returned this month with the album "Into The River," which they released the same day they visited our CPR Performance Studio. Leaper and his band played four songs from the new album. He also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about incorporating string parts into the band's music for the first time, how they spent the 10 years since the debut album, and the history behind the Elephant Six collective.
Since visiting the CPR Performance Studio in April 2015, the Denver band Edison has expanded to a three-piece, signed to a new record label and toured the U.S. Some locations on their journeys -- the Arizona desert, the Chesapeake Bay and the Colorado mountains -- inspired their debut album "Familiar Spirit," which came out last week. Edison returned to CPR's OpenAir last month to perform three songs off the new album. They also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the band's expansion, their decision to sign with Rhyme & Reason Records and why a camera crew has been following the band all summer.
Low Cut Connie can count one very notable fan among their followers: President Barack Obama. The Philadelphia band's song “Boozophilia” appeared on one of his Spotify playlists for summer 2015. That selection led to a face-to-face meeting with President Obama last year. Frontman Adam Weiner described the surprising experience to Alisha Sweeney during the band's performance in our CPR Performance Studio last month. Low Cut Connie's latest album is "Hi Honey." The band performed a song from that album as well as a new song before a show at Denver's Hi-Dive.
River Whyless came to CPR's OpenAir highly recommended by WNCW in the band's home state of North Carolina. The four-piece out of Asheville, N.C., recently released their second album, "We All The Light," after a performance at this year's Newport Folk Festival. The band played three songs from the new album in our CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver's Ogden Theatre. They also spoke with Scott Carney about forming at Appalachian State University, performing at NPR for a Tiny Desk Concert and how their music has become more personal with the new record.
Denver band Paper Bird returned this week to the CPR Performance Studio. We first hosted the band's retooled lineup -- with new member Carleigh Atkins, who replaced singer-songwriter Esme Patterson -- back in 2014, and today the band releases its new self-titled album. Paper Bird recorded the LP in Nashville with producer John Oates of Hall & Oates. It finds the band moving away from folk and into rock 'n' roll. The band played four songs from the album and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about how a personnel change affected the band's sound, releasing their music through a record label for the first time and why this new album feels like a fresh start.
Lillian Soderman -- who performs simply as Lillian -- has a lot of musical friends in Colorado. That's a big reason she moved back to the Centennial state from California to record her new EP, "Desert Song." The release features members of Denver bands Inner Oceans and Paper Bird, but it's Soderman who is front and center on its five songs. The music features sparse folk arrangements that allow her breezy vocals to shine but often move into dream-rock crescendos. Lillian stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before her show tonight at Larimer Lounge. She performed three songs from the EP with her band and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about recording at Denver's Mammoth Cave Studio, how her sound has changed over the past five years and her time working as a counselor for homeless youth.
Kyle Craft's musical story begins in Shreveport, La., where he found inspiration in the swamp music of his home state and the glam rock of David Bowie. Those two genres meet on his debut album, "Dolls Of Highland," which he recorded in a laundry room. Craft and his band stopped into our studio to perform four songs from the album and speak with Alisha Sweeney about sneaking into the Sub Pop Records office to drop off his demo, the seedy characters on his debut album and his classic rock influences.
Robin Edwards' music career began in Denver. She played in bands like Lust-Cats of the Gutter and The Matildas, and booked concerts at venues like Rhinoceropolis and Bar Bar. When her earlier groups ended, the singer and guitarist started writing and performing pop-punk music as Lisa Prank -- backed only by a drum machine. Edwards now lives in Seattle and often collaborates with bands like Chastity Belt and Tacocat. This year she released "Adult Teen," her debut album as Lisa Prank. Edwards stopped into our studio to play four songs from the album and talked with OpenAir about her early days in the Denver music scene, what it means to be an "Adult Teen" and her love for the music of They Might Be Giants.
Denver band For Keeps started as a collaboration between co-lead singers Merideth Pryor and Cody Witsken while teaching in China. Now the band is a five-piece that writes fun and light-hearted indie pop. Pryor and Witsken -- now engaged -- and the other three members of For Keeps stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play some songs from their debut "The People We Let In" as well as some new material. They also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about their self-described "BFF pop," the influence of fellow Denver bands Dressy Bessy and Apples In Stereo and their upcoming acoustic tour in South America.
Since forming in 2010, Los Angeles band The Americans have become rock 'n' roll favorites in their hometown and earned the "Orange County's Best Rockabilly Band" accolade in 2014. They've backed up artists like Nick Cave, Beth Orton and Devendra Banhart and recently toured Colorado with Ryan Bingham. The band has a new album, "I'll Be Yours," out this winter. They previewed a few songs from the new record in our studio and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about appearing in the PBS documentary "American Epic" with artists like Beck and Elton John, their love for traditional American music and how they've collaborated with a number of notable musicians.
On her debut album "Beyond The Bloodhounds," Adia Victoria Paul -- who performs as Adia Victoria -- addresses her complicated relationship to the American South. The South Carolina native adapts the blues music of that region with a modern spin. Her album references artists like Billie Holiday and Robert Johnson -- for both their music and politics. Paul and her band stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a performance at this year's Underground Music Showcase. She performed three songs from "Beyond The Bloodhounds" and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the sociopolitical history of blues music, coming to terms with her Southern upbringing and expressing herself through live performance.
When NPR Music asked listeners to tell them their favorite new music artist of 2016, singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy received the second most votes. Glaspy released the album “Emotions And Math” this year. It’s a strong debut LP for the New York City-based singer-songwriter, featuring her crunchy guitar riffs and hard-nosed confessional lyrics. Prior to a Denver show at Larimer Lounge, Glaspy stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs from "Emotions And Math." She also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about recording the album multiple times, performing on "Conan" and staying quiet on the meaning of her lyrics.
Eros And The Eschaton last joined us at OpenAir in 2014 after the release of their lo-fi debut album “Home Address For Civil War.” Since then Denver Westword readers voted the Colorado Springs band as the best local pop band of 2015 for their blend of shoegaze and pop melodies. The band has also extended to a five-piece for their sophomore album, “Weight Of Matter,” out August 19. Songs like "Rxx" are faster and louder, but still in the experimental rock vein that has made them local favorites. Eros And The Eschaton played "Rxx" and others from the forthcoming album during their second OpenAir session and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about signing to indie label Bar/None Records, the Colorado Springs arts scene and expanding their sound on "Weight Of Matter."
Benjamin Clementine won the 2015 Mercury Prize for his debut "At Least For Now," joining previous winners like PJ Harvey, Arctic Monkeys and alt-J. Clementine is a London-born self-taught musician who developed as a young street performer in Paris. His haunting and unique music blends classical music, rock and spoken word. At the center are Clementine’s bold tenor vocals and percussive piano arrangements. He stopped by the CPR Performance Studio before a headlining show at Denver's Bluebird Theater. He played three songs from "At Least For Now" and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about his career since winning the Mercury Prize, his experience as a street performer and his love for early rock 'n' roll artists like Little Richard.
James Cooley has spent eight years making electronic beats and melodies in his Littleton bedroom. He has self-released five albums and three EPs under the name Mesita. Cooley rarely performs live, but he recently stopped into our studio for a unique Mesita performance: Instead of electronica, he performed solo with acoustic guitar. He performed three songs from his catalog including the recent single "All Out In The Open," and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about his new album "Laniakea," exploring new pop music directions and the possibility of a Mesita tour.
Peter Bjorn And John are now a decade removed from their breakthrough single, "Young Folks." However, the Swedish trio has remained consistently busy since then, and this year they released their seventh studio album, "Breakin' Point." The band worked on the record for five years with several producers, including Adele and Paul McCartney collaborator Paul Epworth. The result is a more pop-centric album than previous releases. In addition to performing four new songs in our studio, the band spoke with Alisha Sweeney about approaching the new album as a series of unique singles, the logistics of working with many producers on the same record and running the new INGRID recording studio and label in Stockholm, Sweden.
When The Outfit visited our performance studio in 2013, they were a fairly young Denver rock band with a few songs in their repertoire. The band has evolved quite a bit since then, and now has a debut full length out via the local Hot Congress label. We welcomed back The Outfit shortly before an album release show to preview four songs off the self-titled record. The band spoke with Alisha Sweeney about recording at Denver's Black In Bluhm studios, how Hot Congress founder Lucas Johannes has propelled their career and a recent opening set for punk pioneers Buzzcocks.
SHEL returned this month to the CPR Performance Studio for the first time since 2014. The band features the four Holbrook sisters from Fort Collins, though sister Sarah was absent for this particular session. The band recently released the album "Just Crazy Enough." The Holbrooks worked with producer and former Eurythmics member Dave Stewart for the record, which hit #13 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart upon its release in May. SHEL performed three songs from "Just Crazy Enough" in our studio.
Inner Oceans has had a steady rise since forming three years ago. The Denver experimental pop group received the "Best New Artist" of 2014 award from Westword and performed on the Underground Music Showcase main stage in Denver last July. The band has released only a few singles, but plans to release a debut album, "I Don't Mind," on Sept. 16. It will feature material they wrote and recorded during a month of seclusion in a studio outside Bailey. Inner Oceans returned to the CPR Performance Studio to play three synth-driven songs and spoke with OpenAir's Jeremy Petersen about how the band has developed its sound over the years and the details of their anticipated debut album.
Poet's Row is set to release two new EPs this weekend -- "The Artichoke" and "The Armadillo." Both records showcase a different side of the Denver band: The former is solely the folk duets of founding members Mickey Bakas and Emily Hobbs, while the latter incorporates a full band. Poet's Row celebrates the EP releases with a two-night stint at Syntax Physic Opera on Friday and Saturday. Before those shows, the band stopped into the CPR Performance Studio for the first time since 2013. They performed four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about recruiting members of Clouds & Mountains and Chimney Choir for "The Armadillo" and how Bakas and Hobbs balance their marriage with their band duties.
Eye & The Arrow brings a different musical direction with each visit to OpenAir's studio. The Denver trio, which features two members of folk-rock band Paper Bird, visited in 2012 and 2013, but neither performance was quite like the one they gave us earlier this month. They performed three songs from the forthcoming EP and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the real-life "ghost" tapes that inspired the record and working with John Oates of Hall & Oates in Nashville. The band is set to release the new cassette EP "Ghost Tapes," with a performance on May 27 at Globe Hall.
Elephant Revival last joined us at OpenAir in 2014 as they were preparing for a Red Rocks Amphitheatre show opening for Devotchka. The band will perform at the famous Colorado venue again on May 22, but this time around, they will be the headliners. The Nederland-based quintet just released its latest album, "Petals," which they recorded in part at eTown Music Hall in Boulder. The band performed four songs from the new album at OpenAir and spoke with us about the exciting visual elements of their live show, the time cellist Bonnie Paine's bow "exploded" on stage and the forthcoming music videos the band filmed in Colorado.
The band Caveman tells a story on its website about a group on a desert planet who seek an "archaic apparatus." The device is said to end the so-called "Otero War," which is the title of the forthcoming third album from the Brooklyn band. Caveman will release "Otero War" on June 17. The band was tight-lipped about the concept behind the new album when they recently performed new songs at OpenAir. But frontman Matthew Iwanusa did tell OpenAir's Jeremy Petersen that the album features a cohesive, central story.
Matthew Logan Vasquez spent the past decade fronting the California-based band Delta Spirit, which has released four albums. The band's music soundtracked the final scene of the television series "Friday Night Lights." Delta Spirit is currently on a break, but Vasquez isn't slowing down. He released his debut solo LP, "Solicitor Returns," in February and recently played a headlining show at Denver's Lost Lake Lounge. The album is Vasquez's attempt to move away from pure Americana-folk and into a rock 'n' roll sound.
Denver band Pan Astral kicked off their OpenAir session with a song that pays tribute to their hometown. "Mile High City" appears on their recently released third studio album, "Suburban Blues." Pan Astral has a growing reputation for live performances. The group recently expanded into a fuller rock band sound with strong electronic influences thanks to new member Kyle Zender.
We first heard the music of Whiskey Autumn in the band's submission to NPR Music's 2016 Tiny Desk Contest. The Boulder trio's video for "Dog Days" introduced us to their smart, catchy electronic pop and we included it as one of our 10 favorite Colorado entries this year. The band played four songs at OpenAir and spoke with OpenAir's Jeremy Petersen about the production behind their Tiny Desk video, shifting from folk to electronic music and how R&B singer Frank Ocean inspired their sound.
Denver singer-songwriter Rachael McCuaig was one of thousands of artists around the country who submitted an original video to NPR’s second annual Tiny Desk Concert Contest earlier this year. She used a simple setup in her contest submission -- just vocals and guitar -- but it was enough to make our list of 10 favorite Colorado entries from 2016. McCuaig hasn't recorded an official release, so we were thrilled to host her in the CPR Performance Studio recently and share her music with our audience for the first time.
Brooklyn composer Ellis Ludwig-Leone formed San Fermin for a one-off performance of his sheet music compositions in 2012. However, that music would live on past that show: The band recorded and released those songs in 2013 on San Fermin’s debut self-titled album. Ludwig-Leone then solidified San Fermin as an eight-piece touring band with two lead vocalists and a blend of rock and orchestral instruments. Last year San Fermin released its second studio album, "Jackrabbit," which came to life as Ludwig-Leone and his band adapted to life as a touring band and became a close-knit musical family.
Dan Boeckner puts most indie musicians to shame as far as his energy and sheer output. The Canadian musician co-founded the pioneering indie band Wolf Parade, fronted Handsome Furs and collaborated with Spoon’s Britt Daniel in Divine Fits. Now, he leads the new band Operators. The band played at OpenAir on the release day of its debut album, "Blue Wave." The record is a continuation of the synthesizer-driven sounds of Handsome Furs with contributions of drummer Sam Brown and keyboardist Devojka.
Hard-rocking Colorado band The Yawpers brings their national tour to Lost Lake Lounge in Denver on Saturday. The Yawpers' released their latest album, "American Man," last year on Bloodshot Records. The group talked about its songwriting inspirations, new love for Bruce Springsteen and the challenges of life on the road during its recent CPR Performance Studio session.
Karen and Ryan Hover are the married duo behind Fort Collins band Sound of Ceres. They recorded three synth-pop albums as Candy Claws before venturing into ethereal space-rock territory with their new group. The Hovers recruited members of The Polyphonic Spree and Brooklyn indie rockers The Drums for "Nostalgia For Infinity," their debut album as Sound of Ceres. The band stopped into our CPR Performance Studio shortly before heading to Austin, Texas, for SXSW.
Colorado-born rapper and singer Turner Jackson set out to tell a coming-of-age story based on his life with his new EP, "Red Plastic Cup." The MC, who's now based in New York City, breaks away from a pure hip-hop sound on "Red Plastic Cup" and verges into soul and rock. Jackson and his band stopped into the CPR Performance Studio for an OpenAir Session.
Seattle artist Austin Crane started Valley Maker as an undergraduate thesis project in 2010. He's a doctoral student in geography at the University of Washington but still finds time to play his folk music. His most recent album is last year's "When I Was A Child." He stopped into our CPR Performance Studio while on tour last month to play a solo set.
Montoneros is a Denver-based space rock band formed in 2014. Argentinian-born singer Gaston Leone fronts the group, which is set to release the new EP "Heat Horse" this week. The band performed three songs at OpenAir and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about recording at the local Black In Bluhm studio and writing lyrics in two languages.
Fort Collins band Pandas & People crafts energetic folk music. The group began in 2013 as a side project of singer and bassist Joshua Scheer and guitarist Johnny Day, and has gone on to open for acts like The Doobie Brothers and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Diane Coffee is the performing moniker of Shaun Fleming, a former Disney voice actor who started his music career as the drummer for childhood friends Foxygen. Fleming's music combines rock, soul and classic psychedelic influences. Listen to Diane Coffee's session at OpenAir.
Denver band SPELLS built its reputation on aggressive punk rock, energetic and comedic live performances and a vacation-inspired wardrobe. Ben Roy of Denver comedy troupe The Grawlix leads the group. Listen to their session recorded live in the CPR Performance Studio.