from princess music
Fantastic Colorado locals Princess Music are headlining tonight at Bluebird, as well as selling their unreleased studio album and this amazing four color, locally printed shirt. Want. Saw them open for Akron/Family a few months ago and was very impressed. This band has good momentum going, check them out tonight!
Show details here: Princess Music tonight at Bluebird
Tonight at Oriental Theater in the Highlands, Donna The Buffalo bring their fine-tuned brand of roots music back to Denver. Recorded in an old, rustic church, they debuted their new studio album Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday on June 18th with Sugar Hill Records, shot to #12 on the Americana charts, and I hear the new material is fantastic live. Great start to the Yonder Mountain String Band at Red Rocks weekend we have here in Denver this weekend! Check out their other tour dates and the new album at their website: Donna The Buffalo Website
Details for the show tonight here: Oriental Theater Event Page
Let’s hope there is a Scramble Campbell appearance!
Former Denver residents Gauntlet Hair have a new album coming out, and even though they live in Chicago now, people are still crazy about their brand of dark noise pop here. The new album starts with an easily accessible bang with “Human Nature”, a solid dance song with steady industrial beats. The album continues in the same vein with haunting overlapping vocals and discordant tones and notes, giving some songs like “Simple” a great tension and release once you get to the bridge. This album has a heavier influence and sound, at times reminding me of Joy Division and Jesus and Mary Chain, which may be a little off-putting at first to casual listeners of their previous, more pop/dance driven album, but it also sounds more mature and I enjoy seeing growth and progression in a band. Though it is harder to listen too, this often proves more rewarding in the end. With lyrics about falling out of love and the death of emotion towards each other, this music is not meant to be so easy.
Watch the video for “Human Nature”: Gauntlet Hair video
Don’t let the band name deter you, these guys are not 80’s hair metal like I thought the first time I saw their name. They have a big tour schedule, check them out:
07/27/13 Cleveland, OH – Happy Dog
07/28/13 Hamilton, ON – The Casbah Lounge BUY TICKETS
07/30/13 Washington, DC – Black Cat w/ Jackson Scott BUY TICKETS
07/31/13 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s w/ Jackson Scott BUY TICKETS
08/01/13 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge w/ Dinowalrus BUY TICKETS
08/02/13 Brooklyn, NY – Glasslands w/ Jackson Scott & EULA BUY TICKETS
08/03/13 Boston, MA – Church of Boston w/ Jackson Scott BUY TICKETS
08/05/13 Toronto, ON – Drake Hotel BUY TICKETS
08/09/13 Chicago , IL – Empty Bottle BUY TICKETS
09/29/13 Atlanta, GA – Terminal West w/ Surfer Blood BUY TICKETS
09/30/13 Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theater w/ Surfer Blood
10/01/13 Carrboro, NC – Cats Cradle w/ Surfer Blood
10/03/13 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel w/ Surfer Blood
10/04/13 Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts w/ Surfer Blood
10/05/13 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg w/ Surfer Blood
10/06/13 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom w/ Surfer Blood
10/07/13 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall w/ Surfer Blood
10/09/13 Toronto, CAN – Lee’s Place w/ Surfer Blood
10/10/13 Columbus, OH – The Basement w/ Surfer Blood
10/11/13 Chicago , IL – Bottom Lounge w/ Surfer Blood
10/12/13 Iowa City, IA – Gabes w/ Surfer Blood
10/13/13 Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock Social Club w/ Surfer Blood
10/15/13 Kansas City, MO – The Riot Room w/ Surfer Blood
10/16/13 Denver , CO – Larimer Lounge w/ Surfer Blood
10/17/13 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge w/ Surfer Blood
10/18/13 Las Vegas, NV – Beauty Bar w/ Surfer Blood
10/19/13 San Diego, CA – The Irenic w/ Surfer Blood
10/21/13 Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre w/ Surfer Blood
10/22/13 San Francisco, CA – The Independent w/ Surfer Blood
10/24/13 Phoenix, AZ – The Crescent Ballroom w/ Surfer Blood
10/26/13 Dallas, TX – Trees w/ Surfer Blood
10/27/13 Austin, TX – Red 7 w/ Surfer Blood
10/28/13 Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s w/ Surfer Blood
10/29/13 New Orleans, LA – One Eyed Jacks w/ Surfer Blood
10/30/13 Mobile, AL – Alabama Music Box w/ Surfer Blood
10/31/13 Tallahassee, FL – Club Downunder w/ Surfer Blood
Starting tomorrow in Denver, The UMS aka Underground Music Showcase explodes into every venue down Broadway. I’ve spent years going to SXSW in Austin, and have learned that the key to getting the most out of festivals like this involves lots of planning and research, then willingness to throw your schedule to the side when your ear hears something it likes. I’ve created a schedule of the bands I’d be seeing if I were going (I’ve got Phish in Chicago). Drink lots of water, and jot down notes of bands that stand out to you, it can be a whirlwind! Check out the lineup and purchase passes here: The UMS
Time/Venue/Band
(I didn’t put genres, most are under indie rock)
Thursday
8- Brendan’s 404- Kinky Fingers
9- Skylark- MEGA GEM
9- 3 Kings- Residual Kid – young teenagers from Austin making more credible garage punk than people twice their age: Video
10- Moe’s Original BBQ- Lionized
10- Illegal Pete’s- The Shilohs
10- Skylark- Phox
11- Illegal Pete’s- Bonnie and the Beard
11- Hi Dive- South of France: video
11- GOZO- Prism Waves
12- Skylark- eye and the arrow
Friday
6- Main Stage at Goodwill- School Knights
7- Goodwill- The Omens
8- Gary Lee’s- Sawmill Joe: one of my favorite voices right now
8- Goodwill- Bleached
9- Goodwill- Mudhoney
9- Hornet- Ned Garthe
9- Irish Rover- Science Partner: video
9- Hi Dive- Thee Dang Dangs
10- Moe’s BBQ- Champagne Charlie
10- Hi Dive- Jux County
11- Illegal Pete’s- The Yawpers
11- Skylark- Rubedo
12- Gary Lee’s- Princess Music: video
12- 3 Kings- A. Tom Collins
Saturday
1- Punch Bowl Social- Ben Hanna: video
3- Illegal Pete’s- A Shoreline Dream
4- Illegal Pete’s- The Royal
5- Goodwill- Caramel Carmela
5- Hi Dive- Vitamins
5- GOZO- Spooky Folk
6- South Broadway Christian Church- Patrick Dethlefs
6- Hi Dive- Sauna
7- Moe’s BBQ- We Like Monsters
7- Goodwill- Hockey: video
8- Hi Dive- The Blue Rider
8- Goodwill- Small Black
8- Compound Basix- Wheelchair Sports Camp: ridiculously catchy song
8- Illegal Pete’s- Hindershot
9- Blue Ice- Mancub (final show)
9- Goodwill- Cults
9- Skylark- Goldenboy: video
11- Hi Dive- Snake Rattle Rattle Snake
11- Illegal Pete’s- SWIMM
11- Skylark- Applied Music Program
12- Hi Dive- The Fresh and Onlys
12- Skylark- Dressy Bessy: video
Sunday
12- Irish Rover- Esme Patterson
1- Hi Dive- Indigenous Robot
2- 3 Kings- Clouds and Mountains
5- Illegal Pete’s- Vices I Admire
6- Punch Bowl Social- Dirty Femmes (with Gordon Gano)
7- Goodwill- Baywood
7- Moe’s BBQ- Foxfield Four: video
8- Goodwill- Lord Huron
8- 3 Kings- Tjutjuna: video
8- Hi Dive- In the Whale
10- Illegal Pete’s- Flashbulb Fires
photo by leslie loudspeaker
Shows This Week in Denver
Tuesday, July 16
New Kids on the Block/98 Degrees/Boyz II Men – 1st Bank – where women in their late 30’s go to act like Beliebers. Hate all you want, but their song “Tonight” is pop perfection that could fit on Sgt. Pepper (seriously): live video of “Tonight”
Peter Murphy/ OURS – Summit Music Hall – former singer of Bauhaus, OG Goth
John Mayer – Red Rocks – take away the celebrity and he’s one of the best modern blues guitarists I’ve seen
Wednesday, July 17
Herbie Hancock tribute – Cervantes – this will be hot
Greg Garrison Trio and Andy Thorn – The Armoury – Leftover Salmon’s magic fingered picker joins the stage at this Wednesday’s residency, go early, it WILL fill up
Groundscore – Park House – great bluegrass at a great little venue
Thursday, July 18
Bruce Hornsby – Denver Botanical Gardens (York) – I’m a Deadhead. I will see anyone that ever played with them. That’s just the way it is.
Prairie Home Companion – Red Rocks – Garrison Keillor brings his distinct voice to the monoliths. If it doesn’t rain this will be a wonderful night.
The UMS – I’ll have a guide to the showcase for everyone tomorrow.
Friday, July 19
Blake’s Tiger Party – Bar Standard – this should be a great dance party, final installment of Denver Disco and Road to Phibstock parties, previous ones have been a lot of fun. Info here!
The UMS
Saturday, July 20
The UMS
Jimmy Eat World – Ogden – always had a soft spot for these guys, they sound fantastic live
Kenny Chesney – Sports Authority – I’m not really saying I’d go to this, but I’d love to rubberneck the parking lot. Did you SEE what the people in Pittsburgh did?? I’d imagine the Denver scene would have recycling bins everywhere: trash and fighting video
John Statz – Walnut Room – songwriter with a playful twinkle in his eye, he’s a lot of fun
Foxfield Four – Gothic – local band heavily influenced by Ben Folds and Jerry Lee Lewis. If you like super catchy poppy goodness, check them out: listen here, so so good
Sunday, July 21
The UMS
photo by leslie loudspeaker
Shows in Denver This Week – June 26-30th
Wednesday, June 26th
Everclear – Ogden – This is honestly one of my all time favorite bands. I think Art Alexakis writes fantastic melodies and lyrics, and his sobriety really shows, the man looks and sounds incredible. Saw his solo show last winter at the House of Blues and he was a fantastic storyteller. Can’t wait to finally see the whole band again.
Jamaican Queens – Rhinoceropolis – awesome new band that was my Band to Watch last week
Thursday, June 27th
Water Liars – Hi Dive – really pleasant, NPR-ey duo that sound like they listen to Edward Sharpe and old country music: link to video
Ex-Cult – Lost Lake Lounge – oh, baby. When Ty Segall wants to produce your debut album, you know you’ve got the goods: Segall produced garage rocky goodness
Widespread Panic – Red Rocks – I’m going Sunday.
Friday, June 28th
The Oh-Hellos – Bluebird – in the car this song came on and my husband said “finally The Lumineers wrote a new song”. Wrong, but I’m sure they have heard the comparison many times. Beautiful date night music, I’ve never seen them live, though, maybe they rock it out: “Hello My Old Heart”
Col. Bruce Hampton and DJ Logic – Cervantes – the get down
The Silent Comedy – Larimer – this San Diego band kicks ass, and the lead singer has a great rock voice: listen to Bartholomew
Saturday, June 29th
Widespread Panic – Red Rocks – everyone I know is going
Sunday, June 30th
Widespread Panic – Red Rocks – everyone I know is going INCLUDING me! I’ll be on the front row, look for me on the giant screen, I’ll be noodle dancing.
Justin Bieber – Pepsi Center – saw the show in January and it was honestly one of the most entertaining concerts I’ve ever been to. Bieber plays a ton of instruments and seems very savvy. Bring earplugs for the last five seconds of the countdown, the audience reached 120 on my decibel app (most concerts are 90). Kuroda’s lights are truly a sight to behold, he even makes lasers look elegant.
The Blank Tapes – Hi Dive – just found out about this band and wow! Definitely have that 60’s throwback sound that I love down pat. Go check them out while they are small, they won’t be for long: watch their video
In other CO news, Tame Impala are playing two Colorado shows in Denver and Boulder at the end of October with openers White Denim!!! These guys have blown up in the past two years, and for good reason, they have a huge sound and are good looking. Ive been watching White Denim for years since they were based out of Austin, amazing to watch their success. It’s been awhile since either came through, can’t wait for the shows.
Link to tour dates: Tame Impala Tour
Check out that line up. We don’t have too many festivals around here with bands like Rancid and Yo La Tengo, so I’m ecstatic! Replacements reunion is worth the admission alone. Here’s the link to tickets, I’m thinking VIP is the way to go: Riot Fest Website
photo by leslie loudspeaker
Last night I was invited to the Westword Music Showcase Pre-Party by Vices I Admire, a quirky, rocking local band. They’ve got a genuine punk energy while writing great songs with interesting changes. The lead singer has some really pretty vocals too, try to catch him sound checking.
photo by leslie loudspeaker
photo by leslie loudspeaker
photo by leslie loudspeaker
Listen to their song Sweetest Girl , love the guitar tone. Also, check out this song and read the comments, “the new Slipknot” cracks me up. They are much better than that: Heartbreaker
photo by leslie loudspeaker
photo by leslie loudspeaker
Shows to See in Denver June 19-24th
Wednesday, June 19
Parquet Courts – Larimer – one of my favorite new finds this year, these guys are raw and loud live. These guys have a lot of buzz, I expect a great show: Borrowed Time live video from SXSW 2013
Springdale Quartet – Armoury – thought they were great at LoHi Festival this weekend. High energy rock, fantastic guitar solos, and the bassist has some great hair.
Tony Bennett – Denver Botanical Gardens – the weather is beautiful to spend the night in the gardens with a legend
Ben Folds Five – Red Rocks – Ben Folds has been excellent live for decades, he gets better with age. Barenaked Ladies are playing as well. Eh.
Thursday, June 20
Bob Schneider – Bluebird – Austin’s dirtiest, sexiest showman, he’s a must see. Bring a date.
The Cold Hard Cash Show – Oriental – Johnny Cash tribute night at the remodeled (in the process) Oriental. I love this theatre, and it’s nice to see it sprucing up. They even painted the vintage sign!
photo by leslie loudspeaker
Radar Brothers and Ola Podrida – solid night, film composer plus some Austin friends and others make for a psychedelic, atmospheric night
Friday, June 21
MTHDS – Cervantes – Positive white boys and Hawaiian boy hip hop, quality people, quality originals
Tjutjuna and Snake Rattle Rattle Snake – Larimer – Tjutjuna makes great space rock, come see two of Denver’s best bands
Saturday, June 22
Westword Music Showcase – lots of good stuff, link to everything here: Westword Showcase Tickets and Schedule
Grieves – Bluebird – Rhymesayers star, I always love their shows, very positive crowds.
Monday, June 24
Jaill – Moe’s BBQ – loud awesome goodness: video
leslieloudspeaker 