Dec 212012
 

It’s December 21. Everyone still here? Good. If you’re in Denver looking for some great live shows to attend to celebrate the world not ending, here are a few suggestions to narrow down the many choices available. Here you go…

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21

Local fans who remember Nathaniel Rateliff’s early band Born In the Flood (before he “went national”) are in for a rare treat: Born In the Flood is reuniting for a special holiday show tonight at the Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway in Englewood–along with Nathan & Stephen and In the Whale. Tickets are $18, available from the Gothic Theatre. Service charge may apply. Doors at 7:00 PM; show starts at 8:00. Ages 16+.

Colorado-based national pop act OneRepublic is headlining “Denver Acoustic Christmas: A Concert For Charity” at the Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax in Denver. Also appearing are Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Flobots and Zach Heckendorf. Proceeds will go toward Children’s Hospital, Food Bank of the Rockies and Denver Santa Claus Shop. Lower-tier admission tickets are sold out, but General Admission tickets are still available at press time for $85 each through AXS; also, VIP tickets (including a meet-and-greet with OneRepublic) are still available for $150 each here. Service charges apply. Doors at 6:00 PM; show starts at 7:00. Ages 16+.

SATURDAY, DECMEBER 22

Channel 93.3’s annual Hometown For the Holidays local band competition finale show will take place Saturday night at Casselman’s, 2620 Walnut Street in Denver. The Top 10 Bands (listed below) were announced at Not So Silent Night 2012 last week; the Top 3 (tba Friday at 5:00 PM on Channel 93.3) will perform at Casselman’s, at which time the winner will be announced and prizes awarded. Doors to this show open at 7:30 PM, but it is a FREE show, so get there early to get a place in the building. Ages 21+.

The Top 10 bands for this year’s Hometown for the Holidays are:

My Body Sings Electric
NAVY
Reno Divorce
Monroe Monroe
Rachel and the Kings
Chemistry Club
Vetta Star
The Photo Atlas
MEDIC
Foxfield Four

Have a great weekend!

Dec 202012
 

If you are in Denver and haven’t heard Ayo Awosika perform yet–first of all, where have you been? Secondly–tonight (Dec. 20) is your last chance to hear her perform live with her band for awhile. And not because the world is ending tomorrow.

If you have heard Ayo Awosika perform–you know what Denver is losing.

Tonight, the Boulder-based jazz/soul vocalist will be performing a farewell show at Leon, 1112 E. 17th Avenue in Denver, before a career move to New York City. Besides performing with her band, Ayo will have a little help from her friends–people like Megan Burtt, David Rynhart, Kim Dawson, Julia Afton, Natalie Tate and others. Artist Forrest Morrison will also be painting live during the performance. The show starts at 7:30 PM, is all ages, and the cost is $10.

Denver’s loss is definitely NYC’s gain. Do your best to support one of our town’s most talented musical artists, and come out to the show if you can.

 

Dec 142012
 

It’s a busy weekend for great live music here in Denver, and not-so-good news for people who weren’t quick to get tickets. Grace Potter/Gavin DeGraw at the Gothic, Trace Bundy in Boulder, and Big Head Todd & the Monsters (at both Herman’s and at Boulder Theater) would have all made this weekend’s picks, but all of those shows are already sold out. (Dang.) However, I’ve managed to scrape and find a few great shows in this weekend’s picks for which tickets are still available. But I’d hurry if I were you.

FRIDAY, DEC. 14

Boulder-based a capella vocal rock band FACE is hosting a holiday show at the Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st St. in Denver. (NOTE: Only a few tickets left at press time.) Tickets are $18 each, available from Soiled Dove Underground. Doors at 7:00 PM; show starts at 8:00. This is an all-ages show!

The “Sounds on 29th Fest,” an event showcasing local talent, is happening at the Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway in Denver. Featured acts include FaceMan, The Knew, The Outfit, and The Raven and the Writing Desk. Tickets are $8 each, available from the Hi-Dive. Service charge may apply. Doors at 8:00 PM; show starts at 9:00. Ages 21+.

SATURDAY, DEC. 15

Local hip-hop/rock act Air Dubai (who announced at last night’s Not So Silent Night show that they have recently signed to Hopeless Records) will headline at the Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax in Denver. Also appearing are Tone Loc, SuperVision and Flashlights. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 day of show, available through Ogden Theatre. Service charges apply. Doors at 8:00 PM; show starts at 9:00. Ages 16+.

Denver indie-folk acts Patrick Dethlefs and Glowing House are co-headlining a show at Swallow Hill’s Daniels Hall, 71 East Yale in Denver. Also appearing is Anthony Ruptak. Tickets are $14 advance, $16 day of show, available from Swallow Hill. Discounts apply for Swallow Hill members. Show starts at 8:00 PM, all ages.

Local indie-rock act The Canopy are headlining a show at the Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway in Denver. Opening acts include Places and Words In Flight. Tickets are $6 each, available from the Hi-Dive; service charge may apply. Doors at 8:00 PM; show starts at 9:00. Ages 21+.

Have a great weekend!

Dec 072012
 

Need a little help figuring out which live shows to catch this weekend in Denver? Oh, all right. Here are some suggestions for you. :)

FRIDAY, DEC. 7

Local singer-songwriter Coles Whalen is headlining at Casselman’s, 2620 Walnut Street in Denver. Opening acts include Meesha Reynolds and Olivia Rudeen. Tickets are $10 each, available from Casselman’s. Service charge may apply. Doors at 7:00 PM. Ages 18+.

Punk act NOFX are making a tour stop at the Fillmore Auditorium, 1510 Clarkson Street in Denver. Opening the show are Teenage Bottlerocket and Elway. Tickets are $25 plus service charge, available from LiveNation. Doors at 6:00 PM. Ages 16+.

SATURDAY, DEC. 8

Local indie-rockers Monroe Monroe are having an EP release show at the Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway in Denver. Also appearing are My Body Sings Electric, Common Anomaly and Swing Hero. Tickets are $8 each, available from the Hi-Dive. Service charge may apply. Doors at 8:00 PM; show starts at 9:00. Ages 21+.

Denver Americana/rock act The Yawpers are playing at the Little Bear Saloon, 27895 Hwy 74 in downtown Evergreen. $10 cover at the door; band goes on at 9:00 PM. Ages 21+.

Happy weekend!

Dec 022012
 

Just when you think you have your finger on the pulse of a music scene–something broadsides you and makes you feel like you don’t know nothin’.

So I finally take some time to catch up on my “listening stack”–the records I’m supposed to listen to but haven’t got around to yet–and I come across Double Four Time by Denver alt-rock band The Swayback. It’s a record they released back in July. I’d been hearing the name of this band around town for awhile, so I press play.

By the third song, I’m feeling really, really dumb for not mentioning these guys earlier. Where the crap have I been?

I hear a lot of bands with potential, but it’s a rarity that song after song on a record stirs me up, even on major releases. But that’s what I experienced listening to Double Four Time. Great guitar riffs, solid drum/bass lines, and Eric Halborg has that almost intangible quality with his voice that makes him practically perfect as a frontman.

It’s hard to pin down the band’s sound, mainly because they seem to draw influence from every season of rock from the ’60s to the ’90s. I hear some Beatles in there, as well as some Stones–and I suppose that makes sense given that the band tapped Andy Johns (who has worked with The Rolling Stones, Van Halen, and Led Zeppelin, among others) to produce Double Four Time. But however you categorize them, The Swayback just makes consistent, really good rock & roll. Definitely worth a listen or five.

I honestly had a hard time deciding what to share from the record, but I finally settled on a music video I found for “Die Finks,” and below that an embed for “Steamrolling” from The Swayback’s Bandcamp page. See what you think!

 

Nov 302012
 

Photo: Jim J. Narcy

As usual, there is plenty going on this weekend in the Denver live music scene. If you want to catch a live show but you’re trying to figure out what to attend–well, that’s what I’m here for. Here are just a few suggestions. You’re welcome.

FRIDAY, NOV. 30

Denver indie-folk/punk band Tin Horn Prayer are having a CD release show at the Bluebird Theater, 3317 E. Colfax in Denver. Opening acts include The Gamits, The Photo Atlas and Anchor Point. Tickets are $15 plus service charge, available through Bluebird Theater. Doors at 8:30 PM; show starts at 9:30. Ages 16+.

Local alt-country act The Hollyfelds are also releasing a new CD with a show at the Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st St. in Denver. Opening the show are The Yawpers and Marty Jones. Tickets are $10 each, available from Soiled Dove Underground. Doors at 7:00 PM; show starts at 8:00. Ages 21+.

SATURDAY, DEC. 1

Denver pop/rock outfit Rachel and the Kings will be headlining a show at the Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway in Denver. Opening acts include Mr. Right and Roniit. Tickets are $7 each, available from the Hi-Dive; service charge may apply. Doors at 8:30 PM; show starts at 9:30. Ages 18+.

NOV. 30-DEC. 1

Jam-rock band moe. are making a two-day stop in Denver, playing Friday and Saturday night at the Ogden Theatre, 935 E. Colfax. Local acts will open the show each evening: Yamn opens Friday night, and The Congress kicks things off on Saturday. Tickets are $30 advance, $35 day of show each evening, available through Ogden Theatre. Two-day passes are available for $50 each. Service charges apply. Doors at 8:00 PM nightly, shows begin at 9:00. Ages 16+.

Have a terrific weekend!

Nov 262012
 

Photo: Laura Crosta

If you’re the least bit familiar with the Denver live music scene, you probably already know that the Larimer Lounge is known as a loud venue. By “loud”, I don’t mean the volume of the music, but the volume of the crowd. Generally, the later it gets, the more talkative the audience gets, to the point that bands sometimes have to work a bit harder to make themselves heard.

So when Rachael Yamagata brought her fall tour to the Larimer Lounge last Saturday night and kicked off her set with a decidedly soft, down-tempo number, the hush that fell over the crowd marked a true feat of talent and stage presence, evoking looks of utter disbelief all around. “I’ve never heard the crowd this quiet,” remarked one bartender.

What arrested the crowd’s attention so profoundly? Perhaps they wanted to hear the music.

In reality, singer/songwriter Rachael Yamagata’s current tour is quite different from what she’s done in times past. Her previous album Chesapeake leaned more toward uptempo tunes, while her new EP Heavyweight (released digitally last week, with physical copies for sale Nov. 27) is more reflective, with plenty of lush string and piano arrangements. To that end, Rachael wanted to put together a show that echoed the vibe of the new album, so instead of a full rhythm section, she brought string players.

To the Larimer Lounge.

Yep.

“I’ve gone out before with full bands and sort of the rock show, and it’s been a certain type of energy that’s been awesome,” Rachael said in a recent interview. “This just seemed like something I hadn’t tried in a while.”

Rachael gave fair warning to the crowd as she opened her set, apologizing in advance to anyone who had expected a rock show. “We’re gonna depress the hell out of you,” she said, tongue in cheek, then proceeded to open with a melancholy, string-heavy ballad, dark, haunting and beautiful.

The result was captivating. The room quieted down because people wanted to hear this side of Rachael Yamagata.

The tempo never really picked up much through the course of the show–nor was it expected. However, the mood was lightened in between songs by Rachael’s onstage wit, funny stories and interactions with the crowd. At one point, she lost her place in one of the songs with a case of the giggles, apologizing to the crowd for being “loopy.” While the mood of the music itself remained somber, it was apparent from the relaxed atmosphere that she and her band were enjoying themselves. And it was also apparent that the audience was enjoying it.

If you have a chance to catch Rachael Yamagata at one of her future tour stops, you definitely should. This tour is a rare treat from a gifted songwriter, worth catching–so I’m including her remaining tour dates below.

November 26, 2012
The Varsity Theater
Minneapolis, MN

November 27, 2012
City Winery
Chicago, IL

November 28, 2012
Radio Radio
Indianapolis, IN

November 30, 2012
Mr. Small's Theatre
Pittsburgh, PA

December 01, 2012
Virgin Mobile Mod Club
Toronto, ON

December 03, 2012
La Sala Rossa
Montreal, QC

December 04, 2012
Paradise Rock Club
Boston, MA

December 05, 2012
Joe's Pub
New York, NY

December 07, 2012
First Unitarian Church - Sanctuary
Philadelphia, PA

December 08, 2012
The Night Cat
Easton, MD

December 09, 2012
U Street Music Hall
Washington, DC

December 10, 2012
Local 506
Chapel Hill, NC

December 12, 2012
Vinyl
Atlanta, GA

December 13, 2012
The Bottletree
South Birmingham, AL

December 14, 2012
3rd & Lindsley
S Nashville, TN
Nov 162012
 

Denver electro-pop artist Roniit.

Searching for some great live gigs in Denver this weekend? There are plenty of ’em, as usual. To help narrow the search, here are a few suggestions from the cream of the crop.

FRIDAY, NOV. 16

Local blues/funk band Chris Daniels & the Kings will be headlining at the Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st St. in Denver. Tickets are $10-$15, available from Soiled Dove Underground. Doors at 7:00 PM; show starts at 8:00. Ages 21+.

Denver folk-rock act Grub Street Writer will be performing at The Walnut Room, 3133 Walnut St. in Denver. Opening acts include Poet’s Row and Jon Boland. Tickets are $7 each, available from The Walnut Room. Doors at 7:00 PM. Ages 21+.

Local electro-pop artist Roniit is having an EP release show at the Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway in Denver. Openers are Eldren and AdrienneO. Tickets are $8 each, available from the Hi-Dive. Service charge may apply. Doors at 8:00; show starts at 9:00. Ages 18+.

SATURDAY, NOV. 17

Hot Congress Records is having a showcase at 3 Kings Tavern, 60. S. Broadway in Denver, featuring local acts Achille Lauro, Shady Elders, Kissing Party, Hindershot and Fingers of the Sun. Tickets are $7 each, available through 3 Kings Tavern. Service charge may apply. Show starts at 9:00 PM. Ages 21+.

Indie-folk act the Ben Sollee Trio is making a tour stop at Swallow Hill Music (Daniels Hall), 71 E. Yale in Denver. Opening the show is Luke Reynolds (Guster). Tickets are $18 each, available from Swallow Hill. Discount given to Swallow Hill members. Show starts at 8:00 PM. This show is all-ages.

Have a great weekend!

Nov 092012
 

Photo: Shelby McQuilkin

The weekend is here again, and the election is over. What better way to blow of steam than with some live music? If you’re in Denver this weekend, here are some suggestions to sort through the many gigs going on.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: QUIDAM, NOVEMBER 9-11

Okay, so this isn’t technically a live music gig on its own–but live music is a major part of the show. I caught Quidam earlier this week, and both the acrobatics (and the music score, played by a live ensemble) are absolutely spectacular. The show is at 1stBank Center in Broomfield from now until Sunday night, and tickets start at $35. It’s well worth it to catch this show while it’s in town. For showtimes and ticket information, visit 1stBank Center’s website. Cirque du Soleil Quidam is an all-ages event.

JEN KORTE & THE LOSS, FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9

Local folk-rockers Jen Korte & the Loss are headlining at The Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut St. in Denver. Also appearing are Wheelchair Sports Camp, Juniper Trees and dena harry. Tickets are $7-$10, available from The Walnut Room. Doors at 7:00 PM. Ages 21+.

EMERSON HART, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Tonic frontman Emerson Hart is bringing his solo show to the Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st St. in Denver. Opening act is local guitarist/songwriter Dave Preston. Tickets are $20-$25, available from Soiled Dove Underground. Doors at 7:00 PM; show starts at 8:00. Ages 21+.

SOMETHING UNDERGROUND, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Denver rockers Something Underground will be headlining at the Little Bear Saloon, 27895 Hwy 74 in downtown Evergreen. $10 cover at the door; band goes on at 9:00 PM. Ages 21+.

Happy weekend!

Nov 022012
 

Here they are–your weekly Denver live music weekend picks. If you’re looking for some great gigs this weekend in the Mile High, give these a gander.

FRIDAY, NOV. 2

Local alt-rock band Glass Delirium is having a CD release show at the Gothic Theatre, 3263 S. Broadway in Englewood, to celebrate the release of their new album Diamond Lullabies. Opening acts include Vices I Admire, Your Own Medicine and Roniit. Tickets are $10 each plus service charge, available from Gothic Theatre. Doors at 7:00 PM; show starts at 8:00. This is an all-ages show!

Denver indie-folk duo I’m With Her celebrates the release of their new EP Songs We Said Goodbye To with a show at the Soiled Dove Underground, 7401 E. 1st St. in Denver. Opening the show is Jalen Crossland. Tickets are $10 each, available from Soiled Dove Underground. Doors at 7:00 PM; show starts at 8:00. Ages 21+.

Indie-pop act Tilly and the Wall are making a tour stop at the Hi-Dive, 7 S. Broadway in Denver. Opening acts include Icky Blossoms and local band Princess Music. Tickets are $15 each (plus service charge, available from the Hi-Dive. Doors at 8:00 PM; show starts at 9:00. Ages 21+.

SATURDAY, NOV. 3

My Old School, a Denver-based Steely Dan tribute band, is playing a show at The Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut St. in Denver. Tickets are $10 advance, $13 day of show, available from The Walnut Room. Service charge may apply. Doors at 7:00 PM. Ages 21+.

Have a great weekend!