Monthly Archives: June 2013

Shows to See in Denver June 11-17

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20130611-112812.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

Shows To See in Denver, June 11-17

Tuesday, June 11

The Staves – Hi Dive – three pretty women singing prettily, like the Corrs, but cooler.

The Dandy Warhols – Gothic – one of my old favorites

Wednesday, June 12

Bonerama – Cervantes – saw them at the Festival of Water thinking they were a bunch of high school kids with a name like that. Nope, excellent New Orleans band with many trombones. They cover Led Zeppelin and get everyone dancing. I probably won’t be there because Cervantes smells like throw up.

Crystal Fighters/ Alpine – Larimer – was very impressed by Alpine at sxsw, and am excited to see Crystal Fighters since their new album. I love this video and song: Crystal Fighters – You and I

Thursday, June 13

Superhumanoids – Larimer – light pretty dancey prettiness, listen here: Hey Big Bang

Friday, June 14

The Orphans – Hi Dive – often acoustic punk, great for fans of Flogging Molly and other endearing punk bands that sound like they really like to drink: Anorexic Mind

Fitz and the Tantrums – Gothic – always a good time live, they have a new single they are promoting so it will be very high energy.

Amanda Palmer – Red Rocks – unbelievable singer writes THE most poignant and earnest story songs. I’ve blogged many times about “The Bed Song” being the most beautiful but uplifting song ever, here it is again (lol I cried just typing the song title into Google): The Most Tragically Beautiful Song in the World

Rastasaurus – Cervantes – great local band headlining for the first time!

Saturday, June 15

Everest – Larimer – these guys have toured with Neil Young, they definitely picked up some whistling tips. Just the slightly minimal rock sound I yearn for in the summer. Plus, I’m a total sucker for whistling (heeey Andrew Bird): Into the Grey

The Melvins – Summit Music Hall – grunge gods with two drummers, huge influence on Nirvana even though Kurt slagged them in the past, one of the drummers looks like he is wearing a Fishman dress. Go hear to blow out your eardrums: Civilized Worm

Monday, June 17

Generationals – Hi Dive – I LOVE this upbeat band, although I am biased because they’ve crashed at my house. This past year I couldn’t believe how many people were at their sxsw shows, they’ve definitely made the leap. I’ll be shooting this show for sure: Put a Light On , Ten Twenty Ten , Yours Forever . I could sit here linking videos all day, love every one of their songs.

Ben Lee writes a fantastic album on Ayahuasca

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I remember the first time I ever heard of Ben Lee. It was a blurb in Sassy magazine about how the Beastie Boys signed his young teenage self to Grand Royal. I wore his tapes out in high school, then moved on to different music and forgot about him save for dating Claire Danes and impregnating Ione Skye (wonder if Ad-Rock is ok to his cheese being with different macaroni). Anyway, I got an email about his new album “Ayahuasca: Welcome to the Work” and was immediately intrigued. Ever since the Psychedelic Convention was held in our Oakland hotel and eavesdropping on so many people discussing this spiritual experience, I’ve researched about it a lot. His album is gorgeous, not only inspired from the drug, but with themes revolved around awakening and self healing (I know, I sound disgustingly new age). This doesn’t even sound like Ben Lee’s previous work, it’s like a symphony with occasional Elliott Smith leanings. Watch the trailer for the album, he’s incredibly smart: Ayahuasca Trailer

Ten Songs I Like Right Now

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20130610-095108.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

First off, did you know one of the drummers for March Fourth Marching Band hand makes leather hats that are amazing? Bring an extra $90 to their next show if you are a hat lover, I wish I had!

Now that summer is here my musical tastes get a little more light and dancey, it’s just too hot for sludge. Here is a list of the songs I like this week (all song titles in blue are links to the music):

1. Stare at the Sun – Eleanor Friedberger. Last week I posted the stream of her new album. I adore her voice and this song makes me want to hit the park.

2. Dumb Disco Ideas – Holy Ghost!. Light pretty dance electronic.

3. Demon Dance – Surfer Blood. Great sounding chill band with the occasional Weezer-like melody.

4. Warm Spell – Sinkane. Session Musician who has worked with Yeasayer and others, Sudanese influences, breezy good stuff. Loving the drums.

5. Faces – Jonathan Rado. Guitarist of Foxygen already has a solo album, and with help from White Denim’s guitarist, it sounds fantastic. A little Albert Hammond, Jr. action.

6. Orchards – Wampire. Love this Portland psych band, and I adore the monster in the video. These guys are touring right now, don’t miss them.

7. Oblivion – Waxahatchee. Fantastic cover of the Grimes song, with more garage sound. Love this so much.

8. She’s On Fire – King Tuff. Ever since Garage Swim came out, I’ve been listening to this song on repeat. Wish it had an extended version, I love the video game sounds at the end.

9. Dog That Bit You – The Baptist Generals. Sub Pop band releases new album after ten years, I really dig their sound, reminds me of a modern Tom Petty with a weird voice.

10. Captain Brain – Bill Baird. Not quite a new song, but one of my all time faves. When I listen to it in the car I tend to drive too fast.

March Fourth Marching Band this Friday at Bluebird

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20130606-094228.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

This Friday, June 7th, the fantastic March Fourth Marching Band will be bringing their circus to the Bluebird. I got the opportunity last year to shoot their Halloween show at the Gothic, and I never knew where to point the camera first. They have really been making the rounds and touring a lot lately, don’t miss this show! I honestly don’t know who wouldn’t enjoy them live.

show info and link to buy tickets

Edward Sharpe/Alabama Shakes sold out show at Red Rocks

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20130603-141655.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

Last night I saw the perfect mix of artist and venue, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes at Red Rocks. I had only seen them live once before, at Belly Up in Aspen, and had positive hopes that it would be a good show. Totally underestimated them, it was one of the best shows I’ve seen there, the theatrical spirituality of the band just worked so well in the amphitheater. Opener Alabama Shakes were solid as always, they had the audience much more than when I saw them open for Neil Young and Crazyhorse. It was packed even in the reserved seats, and some of the audience thinned out after their set. Meanwhile, the whole sky was pink and the weather was the most perfect I’ve ever seen up there. Colorado, you’re beautiful!

20130603-142605.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

As soon as they started setting up the massive set for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, you knew it was going to be stepped up a notch. Wow! I have never heard vocal microphones sound more crystal clear, you could hear his every murmur. Starting the night off with 40 Day Dream, the audience knew every word and clapped almost too enthusiastically. This one guy in front of us was slapping his hands together on his leg like Spoon Man, and lo and behold it was Kevin Connolly from Entourage. Then I realized the guy who looked like Josh Lucas WAS Josh Lucas, we were sitting in the middle of the cast and crew for the Leonardo DiCaprio produced movie Dear Eleanor that is filming right now in Colorado. Funny. I thought Liana was a rich teenage model at the beginning of the show, Hollywood starlet isn’t too far off, she’s beautiful and had some awesome gold metal toed brown booties on. *update! She told me the boots, I love these babies.

Edward and his crew played two never been heard songs with him quipping “well, you gotta start somewhere”, and asked the audience if they had heard this rumor that everyone dies, but then ended the night asking if we’d heard the one that said you could live forever. I eat this stuff up. So does everyone else apparently, when they finished the set with “Home” the whole place became a celebratory hands in the air, clapping hootenanny. They encored with “Lean on Me”, asking the Shakes to join them then “well, we don’t know where they are” as people put their arms on each other’s shoulders. It was like Girl Scout Camp but BETTER.