Have you been craving the sounds of old-school country? Think Dolly and The Hag. Loretta and Waylon. Maybe you grew up listening to your Mom’s old Joan Baez vinyls? Or maybe, you tired of the commercial sounds of tight jeans and compensating cowboy hats and stopped searching for the perfect radio station long ago. Back when Randy Travis disappeared from the airwaves. If that’s you, then Francesca Brown is the place to be. From her captivating lilt to her wistful lyrics and the story she weaves within all that, you’ll find yourself drifting back to days where the tang of Fall tugs at your heart but you’re not quite ready to let go of the sweetness of summer, just yet. Brown’s voice reminds us of that golden country sound and the days that used to be.

Check out Grateful Web's premier of Francesca Brown's "Wrong To Right"

I remember watching Asleep at the Wheel’s “Hot Rod Lincoln” on CMT with my Dad, back in the Eighties. Thirty plus years later, I had the rare treat of watching this ten-time Grammy winning band perform it live at the Boulder Theater. No need to rely on big stage glam or overcompensating back-up singers, Ray Benson sounded as robust as ever! His deep voice reverberated throughout the room, perfectly complemented by the rest of the band. Drums, steel guitar, mandolin and piano - everyone having a great time jamming up there. The energy was contagious bringing the audience to their feet, laughing and clapping, while Benson reminisced about Boulder performances decades past, when they avoided getting arrested. Wrapping it up with one of their newest, “Half a Hundred Years,” it was hard to believe any time had passed at all.

In a world where bubblegum tunes tend to drown out meaningful music, hidden gem of a local band Kings of Oblivion shines through. Laura Lauda and Wysh “I’m Easy” Seidmans’ music and lyrics sweep through your senses. Lines like, “The bushmeat trade is hard to kill, with power cuts for mouths to fill, as mankind’s nearest cousins slip away, and Kabila schemes to stay” or "The Middle East is burning, our work there is through, Middle Earth is history except for a distant sequel or two,” linger in a way that whipping your hair back and forth could never achieve. The duo were a perfect fit for the annual Porchfest music festival, playing for the crowd on Boulder’s beautiful Mapleton Hill.

I think there’s an almost universal feel of bittersweet loss to the end of summer. A sense of nostalgia sweeps through us as the sun takes on that certain slant of light right about three in the afternoon. Everyone likes to wrap up that season in their own way. Here in Boulder, there’s nothing like a grassrooty concert out in the yard with a local band twanging from the deck on “raw tales of pain and heartache, hangovers, and isolation” just as their website promises. Between songs of love gone wrong and a poignant cover of John Prine’s “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness,” there was a free auction for…homegrown vegetables! So Boulder. It wasn’t so much farm to table, as farm to mouth. The local band El Dolor was the perfect way to wrap up our sweet summer season! You can book them for a gig of your own here: https://eldolor.rocks

Local Boulder band Kings of Oblivion continue to impress with their eclectic set played earlier in the month at Louisville’s Mother Tucker. No Freebirding to be had here! For the last year or more, singer-songwriter Wysh Seidman has been taking some of his favorite poems and putting them to music. Lines like Ezra Pound’s, “The paired butterflies are already yellow with August,” could only be made more bittersweet with this band’s poignant notes. Check them out @apublicguy on YouTube. They’ve got summer in their veins and are looking to play! Available for gigs at cafés & decks and bars & yards near you! For bookings, email Wysh @ [email protected].

In the mood to hear live music right in your living room but can’t afford to foot that bill? Allow me to introduce Boulder’s hidden gem Jaka Purnomo! If you’re looking for that feel-good music where the audience sings along to every song - and in between the singer just casually chats you up - this is the man to see. Nothing like guitar, harmonica and crowd participation to get you smiling! You’ll feel right at home. Just ask Mother Tucker, where he played earlier this month. Available for bookings in a living room near you and more! Email Jaka @ [email protected].

Boulder’s band Desolation Angels played last weekend at the Emerge 5K race. As with all free, live outdoor music, the audience was mainly immersed in their own conversation when the band began to play. With just the first two sung words, everyone went quiet. That tends to happen when you’re in the presence of a raw gift. Their youthful talent filled the stage with unmarred exuberance.. Their youthful exuberance filled the stage with untouched talent, as they literally rocked the crowd. Check out their next show in Denver at Lost Lake Lounge - great for Indie Bands and all are welcome - on 05/28. Doors open at 7pm!

It’s been a few decades or more since I’ve heard anyone nail Taj Mahal’s “Cakewalk Into Town,” but I had the supreme pleasure of just that when I sat down to listen to Boulder’s one and only Voodoo Lily play at the beautiful St Julien, last month. An eclectic blend of Gypsy Jazz, New Orleans Blues and more, Voodoo packs passion and fun into their music as evidenced by all the smiling dancing couples, and kids joyfully bouncing around the room like pogo sticks! Check the Band out next in Lyons at the Diner Bar on 05/19!

https://www.voodoolily.net/tour

Last month, I had the sublime pleasure of listening to free live music with local jazz trio Dave Corbus Essence while gazing upon local artist Tabitha Benedict’s Waking the Tiger, at R Gallery + Wine Bar in Boulder. Between the Band’s delectable notes and that mesmerizing feline’s steadfast gaze, you may feel riveted to your seat. Join the jazz trio on the last Thursday each month, to fill your soul with interwoven stories of music and art.

https://www.kuvo.org/local-musician-spotlight-dave-corbus/

On the whole, unless a campfire is involved I’m a homebody at night. If night involves the rain, all the more reason to stay home. But last night I found myself sitting front and nearly center for Boulder’s new Fuqua Shaw Rabin Jazz Trio’s first ever appearance at R Gallery + Wine Bar. Their first set flew by, the rain kept coming down, I was on foot, and didn’t even care. The second set was even better. It’s rare to discover live jazz that’s all heart and no pretense - but this Jazz Trio accomplishes just that. Fresh and joyful, their sound vibed beautifully with R Gallery’s thoughtfully placed artwork. No mistake that the Trio placed themselves to strategically frame Tabitha Benedict’s remarkable Waking the Tiger on Venetian wax. They’re hoping to play at the R Gallery again soon!

If sound feels like touch to you, be prepared for a literally moving experience. The Desert Furs’ music transports you to worlds filled with colorful adventure. Lots of psychedelic lights and sounds and resonating, deep beats to delve into with this band. It’s been their dream since 2012 to play at the Bandshell and they hit it hard for 90 sweltering minutes! You can catch the next @thedesertfurs show in Steamboat at @the_oldtownpub July 14! For all shows, thedesertfurs.com/home#concerts

What a perfect fit for the Boulder Creek Festival. Nothing like the authentic twang of fiddles, guitar and lonesome lyrics moving as one, on a steamy sunny day while sipping an ice cold lemonade. With their newest album Round Feet, Chrome Smile those free bleacher seats will be fading fast! Ragged Union will be an “I knew them when” in no time. Check them out Thursday June 8 @ 7 pm @ Columbine Cafe in Golden! For their full schedule, raggedunionbluegrass.com

Raise the Bandstand Roof!! This group has got it going on! Had they played at the Bolder Boulder, times would have decreased due to enthusiasm or increased due to spontaneous dancing. All the rocking classics here, people. Is Ricky still so fine? Does your number begin with 867? Do you still just wanna rock? Let the tailgating begin. Just follow the sounds of Journey, Madonna and all the rest to their next gig. Town of Superior Summer Concert Saturday, June 17 6:30-8:15 pm

The first time I heard Laura Lauda sing was at Boulder’s Porchfest ‘22. Quite literally, my jaw dropped and I found myself leaning in. But as quickly as she appeared toward the front of the stage, she tucked herself back behind her gigantic Bass and off on the sidelines. I mentioned to a mutual friend immediately after, that she had a voice like a fairy tale and ought to use it more often. Wish fulfilled! With some professional voice coaching under her belt, she’s up there owning the stage. She’s part of the duo Kings of Oblivion, has played in other bands in the past such as the amerigrungeicana band El Dolor, and is working on more solo songs. Stay tuned for a Boulder concert date all her own.

In the meantime, be sure to like her band’s YouTube channel. https://youtube.com/@apublicguy?si=pkk9VfsEeRMR7C-i They play out!

For bookings email: [email protected]