Tag Archives: Music

New Quilt single sounds like melodic sunshine

Posted on by
Reply
Quilt by Allison Pharmakis3

Quilt by Allison Pharmakis3

Quilt‘s self titled debut album in 2011 was one of my most repeated albums of last year (got on the ship a little late), and the new single they just released has me hitting repeat more than once already today. This trio has such a beautifully recorded throwback 60’s sound, but it’s modern and dreamy in just the right way. With member of Woods and producer Jarvis Tavaniere working with them, the new single is quick and gorgeous, Anna Fox Rochinski’s vocals sounding like an angel; not all Mariah Carey squealing on high, just soothing and soaring. Listen to their new song “Artic Shark” here, and check out the new album releasing Jan. 28th, 2014:Quilt “Arctic Shark”

The Ruse is opening for Muse in Mexico

Posted on by
Reply

The Ruse

Fantastic Los Angeles indie pop band The Ruse just announced that they will be opening for Muse on their Mexico dates. HUGE for these guys, they are going to kill it out there on this rhyme-y tour. Check out the announcement over at Muse’s website:

Muse announcement about The Ruse opening for them on tour

LoHi Festival 2013 a Wild and Wonderful Neighborhood Celebration

Posted on by
Reply

20130616-011213.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

I had no idea Kyle Hollingsworth was so fancy, check out the detailing on that jacket.

LoHi Festival was even stronger this year than last year! Even though it was pretty jam-packed with people, the logistics were wonderful, and a great mood was in the air. The day started out really, really hot. Too hot to really be hanging out on the asphalt. Eforquestra kicked things off with a bang though. I wasn’t expecting that much awesome organ at 1:00p.m.!

20130616-011711.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

20130616-011954.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

Immediately following their set, Springdale Quartet started up on the smaller stage. I went into this festival pretty blind, and assumed they were bluegrass. Nope, pretty seering rock and roll, actually. The crowd that had seemed roomy before was now crowded together, but the staggering in the time of the sets worked well, no one was in a rush.

20130616-012639.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

20130616-012712.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

Toubab Krewe was up next. Fantastic band, with interesting stringed instruments, they continuously played ever layered grooves This was only 3:00 p.m. and it was full and everyone was getting down. I love my neighborhood.

20130616-013512.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

After being out in the heat since the get go, I went home and took a breather. Which meant living around the corner from the OTHER Highlands Festival, very interesting trying to navigate two multi stage street festivals in a two mile radius. When I came back the weather was all nice, the sky was pink, and the whole place turned up a notch for Kyle Hollingsworth Bandwith Michael Kang from String Cheese Incident.

20130616-014115.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

20130616-014149.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

All in all, the festival was a total success. Seemed like everyone in there was one degree of each other, I guess as to be expected in a block party! I even forgot my wristband when I came back for Kyle, and got me a VIP wristband. Thank you, everyone, it was great seeing all of you!

20130616-014447.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

Beth Gibbons of Portishead Recording New Album

Posted on by
Reply

20130613-155912.jpg

Beth Gibbons of the well loved band, Portishead is recording a new album with Domino Records, which she hasn’t done solo in 11 years. No word on when it is being released, but I guarantee it will be all sultry and sexy like.

Jamaican Queens – Band to Watch

Posted on by
Reply

20130612-135341.jpg children, do NOT do this

When I received Jamaican Queens album “Wormfood”, I honestly thought it was going to be a trio of Lauryn Hill soundalikes, and there is nothing wrong with that, but I was totally wrong and pleasantly surprised. This group from Detroit has a sound that mixes Flaming Lips, Passion Pit and Cat Power. The layered vocals, rap beats and synths give every song an epic, lush feel. Ultra-catchy, the opening song “Water” even has a 50’s tinged vocal part. It’s almost like a mashup, but using their own music and flowing smoothly. “Sharkteeth” is a beautiful acoustic that sounds like it would fit in an Edward Sharpe set. Their brand of odd pop is hard to describe, with influences such as Three 6 Mafia and Brian Eno. Just give them a listen:

Video for “Kids Get Away”

Video for “Water”

They are playing in Denver at Rhinoceropolis on June 26th. It’s $5 and I guarantee their ticket will never be that cheap again. I can see them opening at Red Rocks next summer.

Ten Songs I Like Right Now

Posted on by
Reply

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.

Music in Denver 5/16-5/20

Posted on by
Reply

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.

Fork and Spoon Records Release Some Stuff You Should Hear

Posted on by
1

20130514-173101.jpg

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

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

Posted on by
Reply

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.

20130509-115133.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

20130509-115157.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

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.

20130509-115615.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

20130509-115648.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

20130509-115716.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

20130509-115747.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

20130509-115958.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

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

Posted on by
Reply

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