Category Archives: Music

Music in Denver 5/16-5/20

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20130516-091509.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

Music in Denver 5/16-5/20

Thursday, May 16th
Primus – City Auditorium, CO Springs – the 3D Tour, this time in a really pretty hall

Friday, May 17th
Black Moth Super Rainbow – Bluebird- experimental band out of Pittsburgh, dark undertones in a trippy pretty sound: BMSR video with rainbow colors

Brown Bird – Larimer Lounge – caught them opening for Yonder Mountain String Band, these two make a big sound that centers around the stand up bass, rollicking Johnny Cash covers sometimes

Junior Brown – Soiled Dove Underground – country guitarist who plays a “guit-steel”, he’s the man, if you feel like hearing amazing guitar work, this is your guy: Full ACL show, not much has changed

Saturday, May 18
Kate Nash – Bluebird – Lily Allen is a big supporter, she’s got that throwback British pop thing going on, this video has over 6 million views so I guess it’s safe to say she’s popular. For some reason, I hear Aaron Neville loud and clear in her songs: her super popular song

Hindershot – Hi Dive – I love this local band. Strong supportive fan base, too, I’ve watched a show clear out when they are done and playing first: Video for I Won’t Change

Limp Bizkit – Fillmore – I have a photopass for this.

Everyone Orchestra – Oriental – constantly rotating band of members, seen them twice and they were great, but different, so just go! Who knows what surprises are in store! (Steve Kimock)

Monday, May 20
Telekinesis – Hi Dive – indie rocker Michael Benjamin Lerner, self titled album was produced by Death Cab for Cutie‘s guitarist. Really good stuff, full KEXP performance HERE

Turbonegro – Ogden – legendary Norway death punk band, everyone should see at least one show of theirs, to me this is perfect punk: newest video

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Gothic – garage rock-bluesy band from San Francisco, great live show, music is easy on the ears, strong Monday in Denver! BRMC video

Vampire Weekend -Red Rocks – these guys made the list because the new album is really really great, and I say that as someone who found them annoying before. Seriously check out the new record. Opener Of Monsters and Men was the band I thought would be huge until The Lumineers jumped ahead, and it says Haim is first opener, GREAT band, but I just got an email that they canceled.

Portugal. The Man New Album Review

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The highly anticipated Portugal. The Man release “Evil Friends” comes out June 4th, and I was given a chance to listen to it today. For fans of the expiremental Portland band already, you are going to love it, it’s a new sound that doesn’t stray too far from the old, and I see them gaining a lot of new fans with this album due to the more easily accessible radio-friendly nature of the songs. There isn’t a skippable track here, each has their own catchy melody and lyrics that tell so many bittersweet stories, and they could each standalone as a strong single courtesy of the amazing production by Danger Mouse. They had recorded most of the tracks at Sonic Ranch Studios in El Paso, but scrapped all but two and began working with Danger Mouse on an almost clean slate.

The album starts off great with the synth heavy “Plastic Soldiers”, and I love the lyrics of “Creep in a T-Shirt” about being a loser, they go nicely with the driving beat and twinkling keys. “Evil Friends”, the title track, has a taste of garage punk, while “Sea of Air” is a delicate acoustic ditty that soars as more layers of instruments are brought in. By the time they got to the hand-claps, I was smitten. “Holy Roller (Hallelujah)” is a stand out track with strong lyrics and background choruses singing “ooohs” and “aaahs”, and they even dabble in hip hop with the track “Hip-Hop Kids”, and it works! They’ve got a major tour kicking off May 20th at Irving Plaza, and will be hitting up Denver opening for the Avett Brothers at Red Rocks. If you haven’t seen them live, they are even better and louder in person, songs get stretched out and rocked out, and the new material is so awesome, I can’t wait to hear it live! Don’t miss that Red Rocks show!

Link to Video of Evil Friends

Link to tour dates

Link to pre-order Limited Edition Super Pack

Fork and Spoon Records Release Some Stuff You Should Hear

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When looking for new music, I often check out the other bands that are on the same label. I liked the sound of Coma Cinema, so I asked Fork and Spoon Records what else they had. They sent the new split single 7″ by bands Pandercakes and Pussy Wizard. Both bands have a seemingly happy sound but with a darker edge throughout the more you listen, and I’m really excited now to hear the rest of their roster.

Pandercakes starts the single with a layered song that contains male and female vocals (I think I heard some birds singing) all while a drum pattern keeps a steady danceable beat, even during the keys solo. Very interesting, intellectual pop, but with some punk rock attitude, I want to hear more of what they have. Pussy Wizard, aka Jordan Blackmon who plays guitar in Toro Y Moi finishes the single with “Dunno (Translucent Blue)”, a song that has a great lofi fuzz sound, world weary lyrics, and melodies that remind me of Elliott Smith. That name is going to deter some people, but it shouldn’t. The idea came from him flying on a cat.

Listen to it and buy it here: Pandercakes/Pussy Wizard

Stream the new Daft Punk on iTunes now!!!

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20130513-115209.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

FINALLY it has arrived!! The new Daft Punk is killer, smooth perfect electronic that counters all the dubstep and in your face bass that has been so popular. This is the album of the summer, I’m in love with the song “Touch”, so funky and cool and just what you want. “Giorgio” has one of the funkiest beats ever and the whole thing just flows, I’m now on my third listen, can’t get enough! Apparently, others can’t either, that song alone has over 1,300,000 hits on youtube. This album used mostly real instruments, it’s so refreshing to hear. It’s good for every occasion, and you can listen to it NOW at iTunes!!! Go go go go go!

Direct link: Daft Punk album

Page McConnell tonight with the Meter Men plus Phish Chicago Stage!!

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Page McConnell, master of the keys for Phish, is playing tonight at the Ogden in Denver with the freaking Meter Men. He played here last night too, heard it was hot. This concert might set off my Phish obsession too early, but I’ll try to remember there are other bands out there since this is not a Phish blog. Some people air guitar, I air keyboard, arms are going to be exhausted. Come find me on the right side balcony.

Below is the stage on Northerly Island for the 3 day Chicago Phish run. The lawn is sloped, so it won’t be bad at all. I’ll be in these here stands,looking at Soldier Field and the skyline with Kuroda exploding over it. This is going to be a really good summer.

20130511-163115.jpg photo by Jim Lezatte

The National “Trouble Will Find Me” New Album Review

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I received an advance copy of The National new album Trouble Will Find Me just to have it leak a few hours later to everyone. Gotta move faster! Anyway, my first outing was seeing them at the Fillmore in 2009, having no idea who they were. Place was packed, we were in the balcony, felt a million miles away, and just laid there while their music layered over me. Second outing was when Trey Anastasio played with them, wasn’t too impressed but when are Phish fans ever impressed with side projects.

This album is melancholy and beautiful. “Don’t Swallow the Cap” has a beautiful building melody that crescendos with sadness and keyboards. “Heavenfaced” makes me feel like I just got out of rehab and am hugging my loved ones. “I Need My Girl” is another that reminds me of an old relationship that I was never in. I enjoy the repetition of lyrics that The National incorporates, it hammers the theme in without sounding like a message. This Brooklyn band from 4AD Records seems to be ready for the arena level after this and the success of their last album. The album comes out May 20th, and they have a massive summer tour coming. Jump on board.

Pickwick at ETown – Concert Review and Photos and how Lou Reed is Involved

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20130509-114153.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

Last night in Boulder, Pickwick had their final stop of their tour at ETown, a live music radio show taping that will be heard by millions. Yet another band I found at sxsw, this Seattle group is unique, talented, and best of all, good guys. During the ETown interview, they were asked how they got their name. They told everyone that Lou Reed used to be a songwriter for Pickwick Records, and they asked him to write a hit like “The Twist”. Being Lou Reed and all, he wrote a song called “The Ostrich” that was weird and failed big time. Here is Pickwick covering the song: The Ostrich

They started the show with Lady Luck, one of the catchiest covers I’ve ever heard and been listening to nonstop, so I was instantly pumped. The rest of the songs were fantastic singles from their new album that was released Tuesday, get it here.

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Galen Disston is a huge talent with a huge voice, he can hit notes higher than most women. When they were asked how the band manages to stay so friendly with each other, they replied “We actually go to a band psychologist. Is that too Seattle?” However Seattle it is, it’s working. I love to see a band interacting and smiling at each other, they wear their love and excitement on their sleeves.

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Music in Denver 5/8-5/14 aka Prince Weekend

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20130508-140924.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker (disco biscuits red rocks)

Music in Denver May 8-14

Wednesday, May 8th

Pickwick – ETown Boulder – soulful rock, these guys are incredible and I’m excited to go to my first taping at ETown. Starts at 7, nice and early.

Bleeding Rainbow – Larimer – psychpop act that used to be a two piece named Reading Rainbow, better name, better band, better sound, this show should be exciting

Appleseed Cast – Hi Dive – so many people ask me if I like them, I’ve never seen them but they must be good since everyone’s always bringing them up!

Thursday, May 9th

Vietnam – Larimer – member from various Austin bands residing in Brooklyn now and on Mexican Summer, one of my favorite labels. They reached their goal on Kickstarter so tada! Here they are: video of the band and their goals and music

Zac Brown Band – Red Rocks – country jammy band, they’ll be here all weekend. This is where all the beautiful women that listen to country will be.

Friday, May 10th

Denver Disco Presents: Astronomix – Bar Standard – Denver Disco and Phibstock join forces to create a disco freakout. All info here, dress funky if you desire: facebook event link

Page McConnell and the Metermen – Ogden – the funk is here. I’ll be here tomorrow.

Saturday, May 11th

Page McConnell and the Metermen – Ogden – see?

The Thermals – Bluebird – I’ve been thinking this band would pop for a year now, pleasant garage pop punk that is accessible: video of people falling

Black Pus – Larimer – if I had a clone I would be here and Ogden. Definitely one of those bands that make your friends call you a freaking hipster. For fans of interesting noise and spectacle: check him out

Sunday and Monday 12-13th

Prince – Ogden. Yep.

Monday, May 14th

Charli XCX – Gothic – new favorite pop star, she was always in cute outfits tearing it up at sxsw. She’s got it

Boris – Bluebird – Japanese expiremental for the quirky and the lovers of sound and chicks shredding without flinching: Boris video

Garage Swim – Adult Swim’s Garage Compilation – FREE Download

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Cartoon Network’s new Adult Swim compilation Garage Swim continues the tradition of Adult Swim programmers having good taste in music. They’ve been playing Battles “Ice Cream” for awhile, and now they’ve brought tons of the current popular garage acts together for the compilation. Thee Oh Sees, Mikal Cronin, King Tuff, King Khan and others are all on here, noising and prettying it up. Some might say the new garage wave has no edge, and this absolutely helps their debate. I’m just glad loud, noisy and powerful are back again. Again. For people that keep up with my blog, you’ve seen me list a lot of these bands here, this is a good free album to get a taste of a bunch of them.

Garage Swim Free Download

Eleven Songs I Like Today and the Best Tank Top Ever

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20130505-172709.jpg photo by Russ Simon

My neighbor is a prize-winning tulip gardener, and the second the snow melted, the ladies came out! You should see her backyard. I’m allowed to take as many flowers as I want, as well as walk around in them, in exchange for occasionally shoveling her sidewalk. Community! Needless to say, I feel very fortunate to have such a nice neighbor. The tank top is Brandy Melville, it’s Dylan mixed with The Misfits. It is my favorite tank ever, and I wish I could find another. Literally went to the store in San Diego twice before the sales chick found one in a pile of other black tank tops. The skirt was a disaster, windy day, better with a bathing suit.

Here’s some songs I’m loving today (all song titles are links to the song):

1. Rolling Stones “Emotional Rescue” : first time played live, Jagger swaggering and pointing with splendour, every note perfect. To Vegas or not to Vegas….

2. Deodato “Also Sprach Zarathustra(2001)” : my husband heard a version of 2001 that he thought was Phish with horns, did some searching, found it. This is the best rendition of a song ever. Timeless. It’s been played about a hundred times blaring through our speakers through the house. My life has felt very funky but dramatic.

3. The Bamboos “Happy” : continue the funk with this New Zealand band that really needs to tour the USA.

4. TEEN “Circus (Live at Union Pool)” : great, loud, pretty stuff, their name is around a lot right now, I like the flashlight video.

5. Metz “Wet Blanket” : if you have some patience and let the music inside you, it’s the most amazing feeling in the world. They are playing in Denver at Hi Dive on Tuesday. It’s going to be so forceful.

6. Lorde “Royals” : New Zealand is really cranking out unbelievable music! This song is slithery, minimal beat, nice vocals, I have a song of the day!

7. Faces on Film “Knot in the Vine” : this band has a slick, dreamy sound. Sounds like a movie where everyone is sweaty in a small town and most of them have slept with each other and drama sweaty drama.

8. No Joy “Negaverse” : opening for Metz this Tuesday, beautiful noise.

9. Chain in the Gang “Living in the Panther Cage” : love some quirky minimal stuff with male and female vocals and loud snare.

10. Goat “Goatman” : heard this year’s Austin Psych Fest was the best year yet, I’m in for sure next year at this new location. Kicking myself that I skipped it and missed these guys. So much to do, so little time…..

Update- song 11 came in last night and it’s just a perfect simple piece of beauty : “Big Talking” by White Woods