Interviews

Just over a year old and riding on the wave of their self-titled release, Cycles have discovered their role as a breathe of fresh air in the world of Jambands. Michael Wood, Patrick Harvey, and Tucker McClung meld to form one single powerful sonic force that’s been thrilling people around the country. Relentless touring has sharpened their skills and strengthened the musical bond between them.

Grateful Web recently had an enlightening chat with Don Strasburg. He’s a veteran promoter, talent-buyer and co-owner of Boulder’s Z2 Entertainment. Strasburg along with a group of other young entrepreneurs opened The Fox Theater in Boulder, Colorado in 1992. Ambitiously booking New Orleans funk-founders The Meters as their first gig, the rest is history and The Fox is one of America’s top intimate venue spaces.

Holly Bowling's latest release from Royal Potato Family titled 'Better Left Unsung' is a collection of classical solo piano improvisations and arrangements of the music of The Grateful Dead.

Bowling possesses a devotion to improvisational rock music and the vision to painstakingly transcribe “jam” masterworks note-for-note, arranging them for solo piano and improvising upon what was already written.

Still in her early twenties, there’s a sophisticated elegance that radiates around singer, songwriter and brass connoisseur Natalie Cressman. This rare aura can be felt not only through her demanding stage presence, or incredibly complex and layered compositions, but also through her kind, gentle tone and easy-going demeanor.

Grateful Web recently had a unique opportunity to speak with veteran psychedelic guitarist, producer and composer Henry Kaiser. Few have as vast of a musical resume as Kaiser, who has contributed to countless studio recordings both as bandleader and accompaniment. His inventiveness has additionally yielded a long list of film scoring credits and soundtrack work. While Kaiser is frequently busy and rarely promoting a certain singular work, Dylan Muhlberg focused the conversation on Kaiser’s potent new album Ocean of Storms.

Recently Grateful Web had another chance to speak with Santa Cruz, California based bandleader, singer, and songwriter Steven Graves. His seventh studio album Captain Soul is indeed his most personal statement to date. In conversation with Dylan Muhlberg, Graves opened up about the collaborative nature of his studio time, music as a guide to self-awareness, and his spirituality as a creative vehicle. His most rocking record yet exposes an artist on a peak of his own journey.

Grateful Web recently had a humbling opportunity to speak with Amy Helm, mandolinist, singer/songwriter, and bandleader of The Handsome Strangers. She also cofounded Midnight Ramble Band, whose roots began with her father the late and great Levon Helm, an Arkansan who met a gifted group of Canadian musicians and inevitably formed The Band in 1964.

This past Monday, Brooklyn’s Lucius captured the hearts and minds of their audience at Boulder’s Fox Theater with their powerfully emotive set showcasing their sophomore album, Good Grief. I was able to chat with half of the band’s frontwomen duo, Holly Laessig, before their performance to learn more about the new album and tour, and the band’s unique musical (and nonmusical) inspirations.

The Nth Power is a group of incredibly accomplished musicians, comprising people who have played with everyone from Jennifer Hartswick to Maceo Parker to Beyonce. Their music is a blend of funk and soul and gospel and old-school R&B. And everything they do is about spreading the core values of love and understanding.