Reviews
Stuck somewhere between obscure, psychedelic Frank Zappa B-sides and the soundtracks to retro Sega Genesis videogames you’ll find the ultra-versatile, moog-driven sounds of Northeast-based jam quartet Dopapod. Between the recent release of their fourth studio effort Never Odd or Even, and an extensive collection of East Coast and Midwest dates alongside the incomparable Umphrey’s McGee, it’s clear the future is looking exceedingly bright for the progressive dance-rock group.
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, long known for their rock’em sock’em live shows, are the latest group to tap into their vast vault of concert recordings for official release. They launched the series, dubbed Vaulturnal, with the release of a complete headlining show recorded at the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, MA on the night of Aug. 19, 2013.
Bluegrass singer/songwriter Peter Rowan makes his way around the whole United States performing intimate gigs and festival headliners on a regular basis. Rowan is generally touring with multiple different projects at once and in the studio. He’s released four original albums since 2010 including with his bluegrass band, his Twang an’ Groove project and solo. The bluegrass icon began his career in 1965 when he was hired by founding father of bluegrass Bill Monroe into his Bluegrass Boys band.
As a high school student in Des Moines, Iowa during the early 90s it was difficult to hear about new or good music. The internet as we know it today did not exist yet and therefore the only way to learn about such things was via print, commercial radio, or word of mouth; most all of which only focused on popular or classic music. You can only turn on the radio so many times and hear the same crap before you get jaded. Around my sophomore year a friend obtained a copy and played for me an album by this roots-rock-reggae act from Colorado called
One of Denver's newest and hottest bands ATOMGA headlined their first big show at the Gothic Theater a couple of weeks ago with Supercollider, The Abstract Collective, and Contraband. “The backstage area was as full as it has ever gotten due to the number of musicians in each band,” said percussionist Jared Fischer. This was a party! The night before Thanksgiving has traditionally been a night where many reunite and celebrate and give thanks. This night was no different.
After a long five weeks on the road through the mid and northwest, Drew McManus (guitar and vocals) and David Cleaves (mandolin) finished their tour in their second home and the place where they recorded their last album, In Between the Blinks. This dedicated duo are some of the nicest people you will find. They are teachers, poets, and storytellers. Their music is deeply rooted in acoustic roots/reggae music or what they call Rocky Mountain Reggae. Their lyrics and messages are spiritual and world conscious.
In an exciting development as part of momentum leading up to the fiftieth anniversary of the Grateful Dead in 2015, founding drummer Bill Kreutzmann has been getting out there and playing electrifying gigs. Showing up as a surprise guest with friends like Les Claypool or the Jerry Garcia Tribute hosted by Steve Kimock. These California bay area appearances highlight a triumphant comeback for Kreutzmann. Additionally he premiers a brand new Billy & The Kids band next week at Warren Haynes Christmas Jam in Asheville, North Carolina.
The wild world of bluegrass spiraled into frenzy this past Friday morning when tickets to the forty-second annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival went on sale. Per usual, tickets flew off of the virtual shelves like canned goods in a doomsday scenario, leaving locked out festivalgoers in a state of disarray. “How could this happen to me again?” shouted bluegrass fans across the nation, their fists clenched and shaking at computer screens with a sense of Déjà vu.
Oh, how time flies. It doesn’t seem all that long ago that we were seeing the birth of a jamband movement emerge to throw a wrench into the music industry. They helped define how artists can be successful without mainstream radio play or multi-platinum records by relying on grassroots ventures and dynamic live concerts. One of those burgeoning groups from that era are amazingly celebrating their 25th birthday this year, that being Colorado’s own progressive jamgrass outfit Leftover Salmon.
The late and indisputably great Bradley Nowell of 90’s rock phenomenon Sublime was only less-than-a-year shy of being inducted into the infinite 27 Club. His fatal heroin overdose in 1996, however, did not seal the fate for his reggae/ska stylee that ascended the alternative scene into what could have been arguably—the new sound of the 90’s.
