Last night at the Fillmore I got a chance to shoot a big show with lots of lights; such a treat when you aren’t fighting for every little bit of light in the hopes of one clear shot. Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers opened, bringing that Grateful Dead country funk sound together with her clear as a bell powerhouse vocals; it was my first time seeing them and I thought they were incredible, authentic and fun. More in-depth review Monday at Westword.
Last night local Bob Marley tribute band Wake Up and Live celebrated Marley’s birthday with a packed house at Cervantes’ Other Side. Thank goodness they took that elevated platform out by the bar, for once no one tripped there! With the new layout and coffee being served, the Other Side is fast becoming a favorite of mine. Portland’s The Quick and Easy Boys from my Jam Bands to Watch list opened, and completely blew me away. I highly suggest checking them out live. Rastasaurus were also on the bill, acting ever more like the polished touring band they are shaping up to be. Read my review at the Westword here:
I also got a chance to take my first promo shots, musicians are slightly harder than babies:
photo by leslie simon
The Monday before Thanksgiving I got a chance to review and shoot Black Joe Lewis for the Westword. As a long time fan, I thought the new material sounded great live, and breathed fresh takes to old material as well. Read my review here, and scroll down for some more photos. It’s time for a better lens.
Westword review for Black Joe Lewis
Last night, local Denver favorites Rastasaurus played their first show at the Bluebird. They have a dedicated fanbase, as they went on promptly at 9:00 to around 25 people and within about two minutes the place filled up with happy people that all seemed to know each other. They have a reggae sound that is complimented by more psychedelic jamming, my interest certainly piqued when I saw all their pedals. A “Divided Sky” tease by lead guitarist Eric Ciccone followed by his twin brother Mark on bass playing Makisupa Policeman and noticing it was in the same key as the song they were about to play made the Phish fans of the audience get all excited, but this is no Phish cover band, and the teases were left at just that. Just as well, because their originals are great. Lead singer and guitarist Justus Lacewell is a huge guy and commands the stage well, they all do. All in all, it was a fantastic showing at Bluebird for these first timers, I’ve seen many touring acts absolutely bomb there in the opening slot, so kudos Rastasaurus.
Finally got to see Said the Whale last night, and they surpassed my pretty high expectations. The success of their single “I Love You” brought quite a few teenagers and every pretty young lawyer that lived in the area. While their latest album has a very polished sound, their live show is much more raw, intricate and careful sounds coming from everyone, often leading up to moments of distortion and reverb that I didn’t expect from them. I don’t get a chance to shoot females often, but when I do, I shoot their shoes. They are currently on tour with Kopecky Family Band, go see them if you like sweet pop rock that gets a little chaotic.
Cultivate Fest by Chipotle in City Park proved to be wildly successful once again. The production coordinators really have the free festival logistics down, easy to get up close to the stage, tons of food options, celebrity chef tents, and you could bring your dog. Cold War Kids put on a note perfect set, mixing the setlist with old hits like “Hang Me Up to Dry” and new material from their latest release. The last few times I’ve seen them have been little SXSW shows, kind of forgot they are really, really popular, everyone knew every word. Expect to see more of Cultivate Fest here in the future, looks like a keeper.
Last night, Donna the Buffalo played to a full, happy crowd at the Oriental Theater in Denver. These veterans of the Americana scene are a group of highly professional and technically talented musicians, and the onstage unspoken language between them is a comfort and joy to watch. With the help of the psychedelic lights the Oriental has, I was able to get some fun shots of the band while they took turns showing off their prowess.
photo by leslieloudspeaker
Last night at Larimer Lounge in Denver, Akron/Family played to a packed and excited crowd. It was the second date of the tour for the new album, and the new material sounds amazing live! Extremely loud, beautiful, they create great solid songs wrapped in noise, and at times the audience was told to sing certain notes, being used as yet another instrument. The front was packed with girls NOT giving up their spot right next to the lead singer, Miles Seaton, didn’t know he was such a heartthrob, but for good reason. He’s cute and very nice. One girl begged him for anything from his pockets, he gave her rosemary dust. If you are a fan of the new album Sub-Verses, this show is a must see. Opener Princess Music were great too, as a friend said “he’s got a David Byrne thing going on”. That’s a good good thing.
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
Saturday night at Bluebird saw a sold out show for Boulder/Nederland’s own Leftover Salmon. At HORDE tour in 1997, I was bored watching Lenny Kravitz, went to the side stage to see what was going on, and these guys were playing and changed my life. Never knew music could be so fun. 16 years later, they are just as good as ever, and continue to write amazing new songs as seen on last year’s Aquatic Hitchhiker release. Set One ended with my favorite song, “Euphoria”, speeding up faster and faster until you feel like you can’t go any faster. And then they went even faster. This is why I love this crazily talented band.
Last time I saw them, the lyrics to the pro-growing anthem “Pasta on the Mountain” had the lyric “pasta will be legalized”, but last night it was “pasta HAS been legalized”, followed by a roar of approval by the voters of the house and strong Nederland presence. The song then went on to become a medley including Marley’s “Stir It Up” and Led Zeppelin’s “D’Yer Maker”. The night ended with church, a rousing call and response version of “Rise Up (Wake and Bake)” that left the audience happy to be in Colorado seeing Vince Herman back in town. You’ve been missed! Special Guest Steve Berlin from Los LobosScramble Campbell and C Alan Crandall were also in attendance, making Bluebird the place to be last night.
Leftover Salmon Spring Tour Dates
Euphoria at Denver Street Party 2012
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
Last night at Cervantes Other Side we had Moksha opening for Zoogma Musiq. With special guest Jennifer Hartswick on trumpet in the very talented horn section, these Las Vegas bustouts had the fans dancing, cheering even when teasing Pink Floyd. I’d like to see more usage of the bazillion different effects they had on stage, but I always want a little too much everything.
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
photo by leslieloudspeaker
leslieloudspeaker 