They were all there. All of the things that make a show great.  Not just the music but the people, the atmosphere, the place, the time. It’s a unique time to be taking part in Musical history. Electronic music rules the club, the theater, TV and everywhere in between.  The era of the D.J. I’ve heard it called. However there is another group of people. Not rebelling against culture, not fighting the times, simply being different for difference sake. This comes to mind with groups like TAUK, Papadosio and Umphrey’s McGee. No angst, no agenda except fun and meaningful music.  We all came to Red Rocks to start the Fourth of July weekend off right.

TAUK started things off, immediately setting the pace for the rest of the night. Blending a deep groove, with spacey melodies the first tune “Friction” hits that place in between heavy and jazzy that you can’t help but bob your head to. TAUK continued to push that high level of energy throughout their set.  Concluding with a jammy, Dream Theater-Esque “Collateral” TAUK promised to return to Colorado in the fall.

The amphitheater filled in quickly for Papadosio. Changing vibes to a more relaxed feel “Direction Song” was filled with light and airy lyrics, vocals and improvs. It became clear that emotionality would be a theme and each member showed a clear commitment to the performance.  “Snorkel” quickly elevated the music into the ethereal and entheogenic realm. With the bellies full of beer and minds full of music the sun set and the anticipation set in.

There’s a lot that can be said about Umphrey’s McGee and a lot that can’t. Self-described as “Improg” or progressive improvisational music Umphrey’s bends the musical envelope. You can find elements of every kind of music in a single set. Rock, jazz, Latin, metal, progressive, jam, are the usual suspects in an Umphrey’s set. These descriptors do not do justice. It’s like describing paintings to a blind person. Just as they must touch a painting, one must listen to an Umphrey’s show to understand.

Setting an immediate tone of foreshadowing “In The Hall of The Mountain King” set the stage for an epic evening of face shredding rock. Launching into “Puppet String” was an instant crowd pleaser.  Mysterious and filled with life observations that we all ponder. “It’s not like there’s a book for this” wails Bayliss. The first set was filled with lot’s of intense moments that can only be categorized by the “Improg” label. Umphrey’s jams can get insanely technical and we all love it.

Second set started on more of a soulful note with “Ringo>Cut The Cable>Shine On You Crazy Dimond>Ringo” with “Shine On You Crazy Dimond” being a true highlight as both band and crowd sung at the tops of our lungs.

One must also take note of the lighting production that goes into an Umphrey’s show. Both form and texture of the music is infinitely enhanced with lighting that reflects it. Kudos to legendary lighting designer Jefferson Waful. We all envy his work.

What makes a good show? All of the above. When good people get together with good music something magical happens. We transcend the pettiness of daily life. We become whole people again and with luck we take that bit of grace and carry it with us wherever we go.

Last Friday I had the pleasure of attending the Greener Grounds “Photosynthesis” EP release party at the 1Up Colfax in Denver, CO. I could sit here and write the typical compliments to an up and coming band that releases some really great music… but I won’t. What I’m going to talk about is something special that is very near and dear to me. I want to talk about the inherent bravery, deep soul and collaborative spirit that goes into the ever important “sit in” or “super jam.”

Friday night truly started with Tnertle’s set. Bringing in dual guitar players, this was an unusual spin to the duo of Trent Campbell (Synthesizers, Bass) and Kyle Ayervais (Drums). A far cry from a typical electronic set, Tnertle brought those danceable, hip-hop beats mixed with bits of progressive and jazzy guitar. Throw in some Ray Bones on the Mic and you have a next level hip-hop dance party.

What I like about the 1Up Colfax is the atmosphere of comfort between audience and performer. Artists are really free to take chances on stage and be welcomed with open minds. That’s why this Tnertle set was successful. Everyone has an open enough mind and enough of an understanding about music to let artists try things. Credit where credit is due to the whole 1Up staff and in particular Justin Picard who has been a driving force behind why the 1Up is one of the best venues in the U.S. right now. If you haven’t already, look into Justin’s Super Jam concert series. If you like improvisational music you won’t be disappointed.

I could spend the next paragraph talking about why each song on Greener Grounds “Photosynthesis” is unique and joyful to listen to. Instead I’m going to talk about the live performance of Joe Shur (Guitar), Matty Bee (Guitar), Danny Litler (Bass), Roland Hansen (Keys, Synth) and AJ Gilman (Drums). It comes down to two words. The Jams. The improvisations that flowed were beyond spectacular.

As a unit Greener Grounds already has the tools for long and exploratory jams. Each performance takes the songs from here to the moon and back. Tight dance grooves, environmental soundscapes, and strait Rock n’ Roll ensure each show is different but grounded enough to keep you coming back for more.

In true fashion the thing that made this night honestly extraordinary was the “Special Guests.” Bringing both together and individually for a few tunes, Carl Cox of Vine Street Vibes and Kevin Donahue of Sunsquabi joined. These are the moments that make Denver the best place to see music in the United States. Nowhere else will you find a place where musicians are free enough to just try and play something new.

Where else will you find electronic musicians willing to have multiple guitar players join them? Where else can you have three guitars, a sax, keys, bass and a kit on stage at the same time just going for it? Not many places.

The “Super Jam” at the end of Greener Grounds set featuring both Kevin and Carl was something to behold. The collaborative spirit was truly present. Each of the seven musicians was adding their own unique sound without trampling the other. This is incredibly difficult to do no matter how talented you are.

Carl’s Sax was bellowing in a free jazz type space, while Kevin threw in some blues style guitar. Roland and Matty created a low flowing space for everyone else to fly over. To top it off Dan and AJ were absolutely rocking out in the DnB arena. Throw all of these elements into a Jam stew and we have a tasty musical treat. A wild and free bit of American music is what I witnessed.

You should go find “Photosynthesis” and support Greener Grounds. Every track is fun, upbeat, danceable and rockable. More importantly we need to support artists who are willing to push their art into new realms. Groups like Greener Grounds and Tnertle are at the forefront of a new wave of music, deeply based in collaboration with people outside of a set type or genre. They are taking the spirit of improvisational music and keeping it fresh and breathing and alive.

Marco Benevento returned to The 1Up-Colfax on 7/25 for a fun filled evening of Piano Rock. Having never seen either Marco Benevento or his opening act The Jaden Carlson Band I didn’t know what to expect.

The Jaden Carlson band is a name worth remembering.  Comprised of 15 year old Jaden on Guitar, Will Trask on drums and Eric Luba, this trio is something to behold. Playing a mix of rock, jam, pop and funk JCB was stellar. We all appreciate natural talent and Jaden is rife with the stuff. She was consistently nailing fast and technical riffs and transitions. However Jaden is only 1/3 of this unit. Will Trask is highly energetic and powerful with his drumming. Eric Luba is described as a “Jedi” because he is doubling as a bass player and keyboardist. I do not know many people who can ably play bass lines on one hand and treble on the other. It basically takes an ambidextrous to do this, let alone do it at a highly technical level. Keep an eye on these guys. They’ll be playing the big leagues sooner than you think.

Marco Benevento and his trio jumped on stage for a very energetic evening of music. Marco has an extremely unique style and sound. He utilizes multiple instruments and on top of that he has modified his existing instruments. I’ve never seen a piano with guitar peddles worked into it. I believe he rigged pick-ups onto the piano strings and into his peddles but I’m not sure. Marco proceeded to seamlessly blend pop, rock and progressive elements into a fantastical but grounded sound. His energy and personality was really conveyed through his technical playing and unique techniques. Marco Benevento’s stylish and fun music is worth checking out, blending genres, styles and techniques into a ball of playful art.

Check out more photos from the show.

In French the phrase “Je ne sais quoi” means an inexpressible something, a little something extra or a quality that eludes description. With over 20 years of touring under their belt The String Cheese Incident brings that “je ne sais quoi” to their live shows. Whether it be a cover, a special jam or a sit-in, String Cheese always adds that little indescribable element to each show to ensure a unique experience.

String Cheese choose a slew of fantastic supporting acts for this three day run at Red Rocks Ampitheatre. Friday night we we’re lucky to catch a set of up and comers from Vermont, Twiddle.

Drawing a large crowd right off the bat, Twiddle hit the ground running with “Gatsby the Great>Big Country>Gatsby the Great.” Twiddle remained tight throughout their set, keeping their energy high but contained.  The crowd really started moving when Todd Stoops of Kung Fu joined for a rowdy “Lost in the Cold.”

Twiddle has successfully created a unique jam and rock sound distinctly different from their fellow Vermonters, Phish, which is no small task in a state that’s roughly 90 miles wide.  Colorado justly anticipates Twiddle’s return. They’ve left a mark after this Red Rocks performance.

There are certain things that tell me I’m at a String Cheese show and nowhere else. One cannot help but notice the people in attendance are somewhat… unusual…. Shall we say.

There are top hats, capes, and onesies, all decorated in elaborate patterns and pins. There are jackets covered in Grateful Dead patches. There are fedoras with peacock feathers. Both men and women wear makeup and everybody dances. The crowd makes the show.  All of the costumes, clothes and makeup are part of the String Cheese experience. It’s not just about the music. It’s about the community, and we like to let our freak flags fly.

The first set of the night was in true Cheese fashion. Long jams, crowd favorites and simply stellar playing. Highlights included “Big Shoes>Just One Story>Whiskey Before Breakfast>Can’t Wait Another Day.”

In between sets I also checked out the Scramble Cambell art show. A pillar in the live music community Scramble’s work is unparalleled in communicating the energy conveyed in music. Check his work out at scramblecampbell.com.

Second set continued to be stellar. I was expecting some more electronic fusions from drummers and EOTO front men Jason Hann and Mike Travis but they never came.

Ending with “Black Clouds” and a “Smile” encore, Friday night was a wrap. Setting the bar high, the rest of the weekend promised to be filled with that creamy, creamy Queso.

Check out more photos from the show.

Never miss a Sunday show is a phrase everyone should know. Celebrating their 31^st Red Rocks show The String Cheese Incident finished off a great weekend with a Sunday night show. Joined by Nahko and Medicine for the People, Sunday was hot, bright and full of energy. The show was blessed by a traditional Native American prayer that simply reminded us to love the earth and love one another.

Nahko’s music is something that everyone should listen to… for many reasons. First off it’s fun. The music is upbeat and each band member has fantastic stage presence. I could wear holes in my shoes dancing to Nahko. Second Nahko’s music has some powerful messages in it that are meant to be healing. This group is not just about performing. It’s about restoring us to a place of love and connection with each other and the earth.  For every lonely, hard and broken person there is a Nahko song to help. Lastly one should listen to Nahko’s music as a way to support Native Americans. Indigenous art is non-existent in American culture and it’s time we integrated them.  I hope Nahko is a step in the right direction.

The hot sunset. The sweat and sun glasses went away. Sunday night Cheese came into effect.  Both sets were fun, jammy and well selected for a Sunday night.  Highlights of the first set included “Joyful Sound>Miss Browns Tea house>Bollymunster.”

Second set was pure bliss.  “Howard>Tom Sawyer (Rush Cover)> Howard” was high energy, technical and well performed in the unique String Cheese manner. The encore was worth waiting the entire weekend. “This Must Be The Place (Naïve Melody)> Jellyfish> I Know You Rider.”

We all know that Jam bands have good and bad nights. This was one of the good ones. The magic was present. Everything from the people and the weather to the music and performers was brilliant.  We all eagerly anticipate the next “incident.”

Check out more photos from the show.

It was supposed to be just another Friday night at the 1Up Colfax. However a series of unique events ensured that August 14^th 2015 was a truly special evening. For Denverites the 1Up has become not just an Arcade bar, or a venue but a place of Millennial Culture. The atmosphere, staff and location ensure that a wide variety of people come to enjoy all aspects of this once upon a time porno shop.

There are many reasons why one may go to the 1Up Colfax. Good drinks, relaxed atmosphere, classic arcade games, or stellar music. I came for the music this Friday night. Filling out the bill was Homemade Spaceship, Spyn Reset and Vine Street Vibes. Seemingly innocuous, this night turned the 1Up on its head.

Starting things off was Denver local Homemade Spaceship.  His tasty beats and spacey guitar had a few people dancing and a few people worrying. Friday nights in Denver can fickle. People go where the best show and best drinks are and a small turnout can make being the lone drunk person on the dance floor pretty awkward. However as Homemade Spaceship packed up his gear, people began to fill in quickly.

The 1Up almost hit capacity at 10:30pm.  For an out of town band like Spyn Reset, this crowd was impressive. A good mixture of old fans and curious onlookers waited patiently for this trio to play. On keys and synthesizers Japanese transplant YASU announced “We are Spyn Reset from Seattle Washington and we play Electro Prog Rock.” This sent a wave of excitement through the crowd as fans surged toward him.

The music that began to emanate from the stage defies definition.  Yes it was electronic. Yes it was progressive. Yes it was rock. However those descriptors fall drastically short of the stylistic nuances of Spyn Reset. To compliment YASU on the keys on drums was Pierson Martin and on both six string bass and guitar was Evan McPherson.

Each member of this band was easily playing enough for two individual musicians. YASU played parts for both keys and synth, McPherson switched between guitar and bass parts. Rhythmically each member is playing lines that only the most virtuosic players can play. This technicality and the precision with which the music was executed was something that many local music heads had not ever heard before. With a song titles like  “Conundrum”, “L.E.D” and “Nebulous Necker Cube” it became clear that these are not just virtuosic musicians but true artists who don’t just play music but create ethereal and complex soundscapes.

Martin had a fluidity to his playing that paralleled a Bruce Lee quote “water can flow or it can crash.” Switching time signature, tempo and volume Martin created rain like rhythms that when pared with McPherson’s technical bass lines and ripping guitar create something that again defies definition. Put all these elements together with Shiji’s fast and other worldly synth/key lines and you have a futuristic gumbo of completely NEW music.

I must emphasize this point about Spyn Reset. I HAVE NOT HEARD MUSIC LIKE THIS.  I think this was the general consensus among the crowd, even to the fans. Spyn Reset made a real mark on Denver with this show. The hour or so of music we got from them was high energy, full of surprises and technically gnarly to boot. We emphatically wait for Spyn Reset’s return to Denver.

You can fin their music at spynreset.com or soundcloud.com/spyn-reset

After rocking out with Spyn Reset, Vine Street Vibes took to the stage in a triumphant return to the 1Up. Switching gears to a very “serious” dance party this was a vibrant and fun set for these Denver Locals.

Opening with a powerful “Cassiopeia>Nebula” Vine Street Vibes or VSV for short are quickly becoming pillars of the local Jamtronica scene.  Known for long improvisations, stellar covers and great sit-ins VSV are creating joy wherever they go.

Several new VSV tunes were introduced at this show including “Cosmic Caterpillar” and “Avenue of the Giants.” You can tell VSV has been deep in the practice space for months developing these newer sounds. They hit on an emotional and spiritual point. I often find myself closing my eyes and just listening to these gentlemen play. We eagerly await more new material from VSV.

Highlights of their set included covers of “Help on the Way/Slipknot” by the Grateful Dead with Joe Shur of Greener Grounds sitting in as well as Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough” with Roland Hansen also of Greener Grounds sitting in.

The dance floor was on fire. Carl Cox on Saxophone does an incredible job of playing the vocals for these covers. The rest of VSV also ensures that each cover is a new experience. You know your hearing a Michael Jackson song but its be reworked into a modern and apropos version that does the original justice while being unique. Anyone can play a Grateful Dead song… few can cover one.

You are guaranteed to be able to see music any night of the week in Denver. However you are not guaranteed that the music will be new or well played. This Friday night was one of the special evenings where everything comes together. Absolutely stellar playing combined with a great environment created a night I will not soon forget.

I’ve recently had the pleasure of listening to TAUK’s new double live album “HEADROOM”.  You can find it September 3^rd on as an exclusive 24-hour pre-release on 1320 records. As its namesake evokes, “HEADROOM” is a visceral and introspective album. Teeming with emotion and all expressed without the use of lyrics I found myself really “feeling” this album.

I recently caught TAUK for the first time this past summer while in support of Umphreys McGee at the one and only Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado. After that performance and hearing this double album I am deeply impressed by their music. For example “The Chemist” walks a fine line between the hard rock and space jam genres.

I found a lot of fusion elements in this album.  TAUK seems to be able to blend seemingly disparate elements into a mesh of sounds.  I really enjoy this kind of art. There’s an element of vulnerability in creating sounds that evoke complex sentiments like in “Collateral”. This song has a heavy prog vibe and a deep jam that follows. There’s pain and hurt but also redemption and understanding as the melody crashes into and out of the jam.

Back a few tracks is “Districts” , which has a very different feel from “Collateral”. Songs like this not only highlight TAUK’s diversity but also their technical abilities.  Each member has the chops to paint with sounds. Again it’s just a feeling that I get. It only comes from really good music.

I highly recommend you check out TAUK’s new album and catch them in a city near you on their upcoming fall tour. If you like fresh, progressive music you won’t be disappointed.

To purchase the album, please visit TAUK’s online retail stores at taukband.com, or on the Homegrown Music Network at homegrownmusic.net.

Check them some upcoming tour dates:

TAUK Tour Dates

09-03 Providence, RI - The Spot Underground

09-05 Norridgewock, ME - Great North Music & Arts Festival

09-08 Syracuse, NY - Funk-N-Waffles

09-09 Rochester, NY - Montage Music Festival

09-10 Saratoga Springs, NY - Putnam Den

09-11 Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl

09-12 Peekskill, NY - Paramount Hudson Valley

09-19 Bristol, TN - Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion

09-22 Blacksburg, VA - The Sycamore Deli

09-24 Ferguson, NC - MANTRABASH

09-25 Thornville, OH - Resonance Arts & Music Festival

10-01 Morgantown, WV - 123 Pleasant Street

10-02 Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater

10-03 Darlington, MD - Luna Light Music Festival

10-06 Lansing, MI - The Loft

10-07 Grand Rapids, MI - The Stache

10-08 Chicago, IL - 1st Ward @ Chop Shop

10-09 Milwaukee, WI - Miramar Theater

10-16 Denver, CO - Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom

10-17 Boulder, CO - Fox Theater

10-22 Rockdale, TX - Art Outside

Bluegrass, Beer, Dogs and Good causes are some of my favorite things. Finally through an event like Dog Days Bluegrass Festival I was able to enjoy all of these things in one place. Dog Days was truly special, as it gave Denverites a place to enjoy great music with their favorite furry companions as well as find great food, beer, vendors and charitable organizations.

The inaugural Dog Days were held at the Watering Bowl, a dog friendly bar and venue. Boasting multiple stages both indoor and outdoor as well as a large dog run outside. For a first time visitor I was impressed by the size and capabilities of this venue. Both upstairs and downstairs bars were hospitable, the stages were handled professionally so that music was never far off and the dog run was incredibly well maintained for holding over 30 dogs.

The Bluegrass and Beer flowed profusely and everyone, including the dogs had a lively time. I was expecting there to be at least one issue with the animals but not one arose.  This event went smoothly thanks to Brian and everyone at Beejeeco Events.

The Front Range is very lucky to be home to so many incredible musicians. Some of our heaviest Pickers came to throw down. Highlights included Hog MaGundy, The Sweet Lillies and most notably The Dog Days All-stars featuring Chris Pandolfi and Andy Hall of The Infamous Stringdusters and Tyler Grant and Adrian Engfer of Grant Farm.

Hog MaGundy was an interesting five-piece blend of Grateful Dead tunes as well as originals. Bluegrass is all about the execution of the picking and these guys picked up a storm. If you’re ever in FOCO go check them out.

The Sweet Lillies were a four piece strings only group comprised of three women and one gentleman. It’s always nice to see more women in music and these ladies knew how to pick and sing.

I must also mention another key feature of this event that was way too much fun… The Dogs. Everyone’s animals were incredibly well behaved…

And photogenic to boot!

The Dog Days All-stars stole the show. The level of precision in executing these tunes was beyond stellar. This is why I go to Bluegrass shows… the precision. To be even considered a mediocre picker one must have skills parallel with the best of the best. Metal musicians could learn a lot from Bluegrass and in particular from these gentlemen.

I should also mention that this was also an event to feature and benefit the Denver Dumb Friends League as well as a ton of local vendors. Music is truly at its best when it can benefit other causes. Please support local artists as well as charities like the Dumb Friends league.

I’m looking forward to next years Dog Days festival and I hope you are too. It’s rare to find such a vortex of beautiful people, animals and music. It’s that potent combination of hard work and pure fun that make life worth living.  Cheers and see everyone next year!

Check out more photos from Dog Days Bluegrass Festival.

Over the Riot Fest Denver 2015 weekend I had the opportunity to meet with cult mystery and alien overlords GWAR. A 30 year touring satirical metal band famous for depraved costumes, wild onstage performance art and gallons of fake blood sprayed from severed heads, babies asses and slayed celebrity puppets. In full costume and character for this interview I kept it brief and as loose as possible.

GW: Hello Overlords thank you for meeting with me. First question. You have to kill one and impregnate one of the new presidential candidates. Who do you choose?

Pustulus Maximus (guitar): Ho Ho Ho! Don’t tell me that! I’m known as the impregnator.

GW: Can you elaborate?

PM: I gotta a lotta kids and a lotta bills… kid bills you know. It’s like I paid for the girl you know like a lot of Czechoslovakian chicks and I shouldn’t be on the hook for that for 18 years you know! You don’t get what you pay for in America. ANYway I would impregnate Donald Trump’s hairpiece. What else did I have to do?

GW: You have to kill another presidential candidate.

Blothar (lead vocal): Well when I impregnate a woman she pretty much dies so does that count?

GW: Uhhh, sure I guess.

BL: I mean if you really want the hole in one what you do is impregnate a woman and impregnate the kid she has inside her. That’s the real hole in one.

GW: OOOOkaay. Next question. How does humor inform what you do or connect to your audience?

PM: You think what we do is FUNNY!? You think we’re just trying to entertain you? I’m just trying to get paid by management and show everybody a good time. You know what nobody else even gets humor. Everybody wants to cry about something offensive over the Internet. There is no reality anymore. It’s all Facebook and nothing is happening anymore except people cry about shit that offends that on Facebook.

GW: Is it good to be offensive?

PM: YES its good to be offensive. When you feel offended you should know that either you need to wash your vagina or grow a pair OR know that maybe you have some fuckin’ morals that we don’t have. That we be kinda nice. Guess what though… we’re all going to die and that’s not a joke. So if you want to live your life crying about what offends you then maybe just kill yourself now and get it over with because what else do you have to live for…. Have fun go! Go to a GWAR show. Suck our dicks. You gotta live your life.

GW: Sound advice. Last question. Where do you see yourself in the future? Do you have a time machine? What’s happening?

BL: Cleveland… in the future. Now that’s Class… that’s in Cleveland. We’re going there. They basically put a holocaust bathroom in the bathroom and that’s how it smells but they serve Mad Dog 20/20 at the bar so where else you gonna go? Euclid Tavern or Kazakhstan.

GW: Kazakhstan!?

BL: Yeah I got a lot of friends over there. I did a little stint in ISIS. It’s all cool.

GW: Wow. Sounds like you guys are staying versatile. No time machine though?

PM: I mean yeah but it’s too dangerous. Do you remember Biff’s Pleasure Palace from Back to the Future? I’m trying to make that happen. So when Trump gets elected that’s becomes the white house and I got that hairpiece waiting for me in the back. That’s how It was created. I used our time machine and created the hair thing from the Adams Family.

Filled with knowledge no mortal should have I parted ways from the Overlords. I predict that GWAR will continue for quite some time. Embedded in their cryptic answers were some life lessons. Don’t take things so seriously, Facebook is becoming reality and Donald Trump may very well (gasp) be our next President. 

Toronto natives The New Deal are set to start a brief fall tour.  Starting with a two-day run in Colorado and ending in Chicago, this concise touring schedule suggests a cohesion and maturity to the band. Coming back after an apparent end in 2011, The New Deal’s return in 2014 was surprising and elating. Now in 2015 fans eagerly await more of The New Deal’s captivating and unique Jamtronica sounds.

Rooted in jazz and modernized by electronica, The New Deal will appeal to fans of STS9 and Lotus as well as those of Paul Oakenfold and Cosmic Gate.  Filled with deep dance beats, spacey electronica and stippled with jams, this music guarantees to get you movin’ and grovin’ on the dance floor. You won’t want to miss The New Deal.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

The genre of Jamtronica has its roots in unexpected places. Filled with elements of jazz, fusion and funk as well as club, dance and techno music. These are the descriptors of Jamtronica heavy weights and progenitors The New Deal. After over a decade of heavy touring and an unexpected hiatus, The New Deal is back and filled inspiration. I was lucky enough to catch The New Deal at the legendary Ogden Theater in Denver, CO.

The evening was filled with great diversity, highs and lows, bliss and boredom. The two opening DJ’s played the same kind of house music on the same decks for two hours and forty-five minutes. Not much you missed here. The dance floor was empty save the few extreme drunk people who would sway to the ring of a wooden spoon on a metal bucket. It must also be noted that the sound was muddied and lacked cohesion, a reflection of a non-caring sound technician. 

However this passed and was forgotten once The New Deal took the stage. The venue filled and the real show began. Taking a 180 from the DJ’s The New Deal was technical, jazzy and fun. Joel Stouffer held down beats that could easily have been mistaken for a drum machine. His flow allowed for Dan Kurtz (bass) and Jamie Shields (keyboard) to explore some really interesting and bizarre musical spaces.

This is why I refer to The New Deal as progenitors of Jamtronica. Their approach to music is unique and exploratory, a key feature of true and good Jamtronica. Their time spent touring has refined their idea and sound into a mature Art form.

The New Deal is an incongruity in North American music.  They represent a large portion of people who feel that exploratory art is a way of life as well as a spiritual path. As the original New Deal was a way to experiment to move the American economy forward, The New Deal is here to continually move music forward into new and exciting territory.

Check out more photos from the show.

Long time funk and fusion Saxophonist Karl Denson brought his unique troupe to the Ogden Theater in Denver, CO. Supported by Denver locals and Afrofunk specialists Atomga, this was a distinctive and diverse night of music.

Atomga is what middle school band kids dream of what playing music can be. Their music is inspired, technical and downright funky fun. Atomga is a very large group, around ten members. Considering this, it is remarkable that they have such a cohesive sound. It’s not overbearing or muddy… it’s flowing and blissful. Each member’s part is seamlessly intertwined and solos are incendiary.

I have an admitted bias for female vocalists and Kendra Kreie is transcendent. She has a fullness to her tonality that makes me absolutely melt. Check out the track “Cressidation” on  Atomga’s newest Album “Black Belt” out on soundcloud for a sample of her and the rest of the band’s skills.

Soon to follow Atomga’s high energy set was Karl Denson. Dressed in black suits and white Adidas, the band set an immediate tone of professionalism.

Fusion is one of the only terms I can use to describe Denson’s music, simply because stylistically the music is so varied.  I consider this a criteria of truly great music. The “WTF” factor… It’s when the music is so powerful and so different than the four to the floor, radio rock we normally hear. Denson’s sound epitomizes this feeling.

This set of music was as complex as a Buddhist mandala. Infinite patterns of complex textures and rotating forms all expressed through a sonic embrace. Denson with featured guest pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph were all tight, methodical and supernatural in their execution.

Denson’s level of professionalism was parallel to the highest echelons of Jazz musicians. However he brought a certain jubilant energy that is often missing from Jazz shows. Everyone from the security to the people in the back to the people backstage was groovin’ and having a blast. Do not miss an opportunity to see Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe.

Check out more photos from the show: Atomga | Karl Denson's Tiny Universe

In anticipation of TAUK's upcoming shows, Grateful Web picked the brain of keyboard magician, Alric “A.C.” Carter.

Grateful Web: Hi Alric, Thanks for taking some time to talk with me. I really appreciate it.

GW: First off you just dropped a new live album on 1320 records titled “HEADROOM.” Can you talk a little bit about why you decided to put out a live record vs. a studio album?

Alric “A.C.” Carter(Keys): Up until this point we've had three studio releases. We consider ourselves to be a live band so it would only make sense to put out an album we felt accurately conveyed our live show. We had a lot of shows to choose from and decided it'd be better to do a double album and give our fan base more music to enjoy. 

GW: I see the jump to 1320 as quite an accomplishment. Can you tell me what lead to that transition?

A.C: We saw 1320 as a means to expand our demographic and share our music with active listeners. Aside from being a driving force in live music, STS9 has complied a great roster of artists/musicians from different genres and their digital distribution outlets have been a huge help spreading TAUK's catalog. 

GW: You’ve been touring a lot with Umphrey’s McGee. Care to share any crazy tour stories with us?

A.C: Beating Ryan Stasik in ping-pong was quite an amazing experience. It went into overtime and was a very intense match. I'm really competitive so this one felt good you know.

GW: Is there any advice you want to give your younger self?

A.C: I'd tell myself to practice more piano and reward myself by eating more ice cream!

GW: What are your plans for 2016? More touring? Another album?

A.C: We've been working on a bunch of new material. Not sure exactly what we'll do with it all in 2016 but I'd keep your ears to the ground for future announcements.

GW: Thanks and looking forward to the upcoming shows!

Check out upcoming TAUK tour dates:

The String Cheese Incident Percussionist Jason Hann brought his world-fusion group Rythmatronix to The 1Up Colfax in Denver, CO for an intimate and wild night of music. Comprised of Jason Hann, Fareed Haque, Andre Manga, Raul Pineda, Todd Stoops and featuring Michael Kang expectations of Rythmatronix were set high… and met with flying colors.

Offering support was one of Colorado’s quickest up and coming musicians Kevin Donahue of Sunsquabi with his solo act Casual Commander. Casual Commander is a lively and fun, electro-funk sound. Kevin has a very deep understanding of how to blend his unique funk, jazz and blues style of guitar seamlessly into danceable electronic beats.

Keep your eyes on Kevin. He is too good of an artist not to catch the attention of the ravenous Jamtroncia and electronic music crowds.  He has an undeniable stage presence, friendly personal demeanor and absolutely shreds guitar. All the proper qualities of a great artist.

I have a lot of respect for auxiliary percussionists and in particular Jason Hann. Often overlooked as a key part of a band’s sound, percussionists are in fact some of if not the best musicians in a group. They have to complete the smaller parts of the music puzzle that again often go overlooked. Hann’s approach to music is unequivocally unique and this was personified through this group.

Rythmatronix is a step away from Hann’s two main projects, The String Cheese Incident and EOTO. Rythmatronix is in a musical gray area between SCI and EOTO. More focused on creating a world and fusion based sound vs. pure improvisation or Jamgrass,

The real highlights cam from Guitarist Fareed Haque and Bassist Andre Manga. Each musician was playing truly other worldly riffs. Haque and Manga created insanely technical solos that had a complexity far greater than even the most virtuosic Jazz and Metal musicians could hope for. 

Rythmatronix is something that anyone who enjoys progressive music should check out.  Filled with some of the most complex music I’ve ever heard performed live, Jason Hann’s super group is nothing short of stellar.

In Colorado there is an insatiable hunger for modern music. Bars, clubs and venues are taping into that hunger by offering shows in genres that in years past would have been met with rebuke and dislike. However it is clear that times have changed. TAUK as a band represent those changes.

Their show is a magical blending of jam, rock, electronica and improvisation. In the midst of a heavy fall tour in preparation for an additional winter tour with Improg heavy weights Umphrey's McGee, TAUK returned to Boulder, CO for a defining night of music.

Opening up were Coloradoans and local jamtronica favorite, Vine Street Vibes. Vine Street Vibes has a unique sound that falls somewhere between jamtronica, progrock and improg.

This show consisted of a lot of new material, evidence that VSV has been hard at work. The title track of the same name to their upcoming album “Nebula” was both technically tight and exploratory in nature. It feels as if one were actually exploring a Nebula…  an ethereal and mystic space.

To follow VSV was New York super trio Consider the Source. Self-described as “Middle Eastern Sci-fi rock”, there are few adequate descriptors for these artists. “Gnarly”, “Incredible”, “Fascinating” all fall short. Few musicians actually know real music theory and even fewer implement it in ways that break theoretic rules. This was not the case with Consider the Source.

With the utmost ease this trio switched mode, time signature, tempo and key to suit their soundscape. The soundscape itself was a journey through strife and suffering, glory and victory, love and hate. I highly recommend checking out Consider the Source.

TAUK put on a show that topped their recent debut at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Each song was performed with a noted passion. The jams were heavy and the vibe was powerful. TAUK successfully manages to stay away from the typical jam band Faux pas. There is little noodling and there are emotional elements other than pure happiness. Make sure to check out TAUK on their fall headlining tour and don’t miss their winter tour with Umphrey's McGee.

Check out more photos from the show.

Always a pleasure guys, thanks for meeting with me to talk about all things Vine Street.  First off let’s talk about the new album you have coming out. Would you care to share any details or inspirations?

Carl Cox (Saxophone/Keys/Synth): One of the key elements of “Nebula” is space. We found ways to create new sounds and environments through the concept of space. We also take inspiration from literal space, which is why this album is titled “Nebula.” Nebula is home to space.

Dylan Buddeke (Bass): This album is the culmination of the past year and a half. We really buckled down on this one and made everyone’s part count. Our songs really came together to tell a story or give a feeling as opposed to just playing a song.

Zack Smith (Guitar, Synth): I think each song is conceptualized. “Nebula” as a title track was out first really exploratory song as a band. It wasn’t like one of us came in with a part written for the rest of the group, we came in and each person wrote their own part. As we’ve played it live over the past few months, we’ve been able to explore all the facets to the song and translate that into the rest of our songs.

Garret Grisby (percussion/synth): We’ve really taken this time to become more cohesive as a group and that’s been really important in the writing process.

GW: It seems like you’re reaching a new level of sophistication and getting a new idea of what you want to communicate in your music. When is “Nebula” going to be released?

ZS: We’ve teamed up with TheUntz.com and are throwing our album release party the day “Nebula” releases globally on 12/12/15, our third anniversary. You can find it on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Radio, Amazon etc... TheUntz.com will be releasing two singles off ”Nebula” on November 17^th and December 8^th. Make sure you check it out.

GW: You’ve been traveling around Colorado a lot for tour. Can you talk a little about what tour life has been like?

DB: I was nervous about being on the road because people always act differently in close quarters. I wasn’t sure about how we’d get along but everything has been great. We’ve been playing a lot of cool mountain towns that we really enjoy like Telluride and Frisco. We have fun.

All: Yeah Frisco!!!

ZS: We also have a winter tour in the works to support our new album. TheUntz.com will present this tour as well so don’t forget to check their website for updates.

GW: Are there any other details about tour or your new album you’d like to share?

ZS: We are also doing a pre-release party with support from Spafford for “Nebula” at Hodi’s Halfnote in Fort Collins on December 10^th. Fans can get a physical copy of the new album two days before release.

GW: Sounds like a busy fall! Thanks Guys.

Check out Vine Street Vibe’s tour dates below and make sure to pick up a copy of their new album “Nebula” out 12/12/15.

10/22 – The Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO

11/6   – The Stage Stop  - Rollinsville, CO

11/13 -  Balcony Backstage – Durango, CO

11/14 – Fly Me To The Moon Saloon – Telluride, CO

12/10 – Hodi’s Halfnote (Album Pre-Party) – Fort Collins, CO

12/12 – Cervantes Other Side (Album Release) – Denver, CO

12/17 – Barkley Ballroom – Frisco, CO

12/19 – The Lazy Dog – Boulder, CO

Funk is an American tradition born in the same house as Jazz. Continuing this tradition are veterans Soulive. I had the pleasure of attending one of two shows this past snowy weekend at Cervantes in Denver. Supported by yet another long time vet George Porter Jr. of The Meters brought out his side project Runnin’ Pardners. This evening was filled with bright, colorful and energetic music.

The Runnin’ Pardners was something to behold. George Porter Jr. does not disappoint. As a progenitor of funk his style and technique are so honed that the music flows effortlessly. Style with ease is what we call Steez and the Runnin' Pardners were chocked full of the stuff.

Technical funk riffs were executed in an almost dream like state, lulling the audience into a false sense of action. They would swing and sway until a rocking punch would blow them back to a funk filled reality. And that was just the opener...

Soulive are no strangers to the funk and Cervantes is an almost perfectly ideal venue. The magic of the ballroom is its classic feel, from the balconies to the disco ball. These things coupled with a hefty crowd and great music equals one heck of a party.

My favorite part of music these days is watching people blend genres or styles into new and exciting forms of sound. This is why I enjoyed Soulive. They blended Jazz and funk with a modern style to create something all their own. Both technical and simple, if that’s even possible. All I can say is I have got the Funk Flu after this show.

GW: What’s been going on with GG?

AJ: We’ve been staying busy as always. We just played a show with Yamn at the Bluebird. We had a great fall tour playing and sitting in with some stellar musicians. Rob Somerville from Kung Fu, Taylor Fredrick from Yamn, Dan Shaw and Rob Chafin from The Werks and Kevin Donahue from Sunsqaubi just to name a few. We have a show with Perpetual Groove on December 5^th in Denver at Cervantes.

We’re taking our time making some new music. We’re just trying to relax and take a breather from the summer.

GW:  You grinded really hard all summer. How’s life in Denver?

AJ: Good. It’s nice to be here relaxing until we head out on a Winter tour with both in and out of state dates. Check out Greenergroundsmusic.com on December 7^th for all the details. Its nice to relax but we’re also looking forward to being busy again.  A lot of these dates will be out of state, we’re going to be flying out and renting vehicles. Its going be crazy and I don’t want to give to much away other than its something like 14 dates over three weeks in February. 

GW: That sounds intense. Are you stoked for the Perpetual Groove show in December?

AJ: Personally I think its one of our bigger shows to date. We’re excited to play the Ballroom at Cervantes which is a pretty popular room. A lot of great people play there. Its also Perpetual Grooves first show in Denver in something like 5 years. I am a big fan and we just played their only festival date in Ohio with them, which was really cool because we got to chat and hang with them. We’re excited to do it all again and have a really good time.

GW: I’m looking forward to that show as well. Any big plans for the New Year?

AJ: As soon as we finished our EP Photosynthesis we sat down and decided we wanted to start writing new material. Since then we’ve got a lot of new material and the instant we feel like we have enough we’re going to head back to the studio. We’re talking about a full album that may have something like a Kickstarter with incentives. We may do vinyl or something like that depending on what our fans want. We’re really eager for our fans to hear our new stuff and we’re sure they’ll support us.

GW: What’s it like in the studio? I know some people hate it and some people love it.

AJ: I love it. It’s a long process and it’s a lot of hands on stuff for me but it’s also a lot of interesting information that I get to take in. If there is one frustration it’s the amount of takes you have to do a certain part.  Sometimes it can get a little repetitive but other than that we’ve always found it an exciting process.  I’m looking forward to doing bigger things with Greener Grounds and taking our time doing them.

GW: Sounds great. I’m looking forward to the Perpetual Groove show in December.

Stay up to date at greenergroundsmusic.com.

Perpetual Groove with Greener Grounds @ Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom – December 5^th 9pm.

Every year a large group of musicians from across the country travel to Denver to ring in the New Year with multi-night runs. One such group was The Chris Robinson Brotherhood. 

Taking over the ballroom at Cervantes, CRB was a true classic rock love fest. Full of heavy jams, groovy riffs and an enthusiastic crowd this 12/30 show set a great pace for the coming New Years festivities.

With no opener, the Ballroom filled in quickly as the show started at 10pm sharp.  After a few songs the Ballroom became its true self… a hot, beautiful, mess of human joy and movement. Lead guitarist Neal Casal’s solos were blistering and brimming with color, while Chris Robinson held down vocals with that classic rock n’ roll sound.

On a personal note this show was difficult to take photos at. First off Cervantes has no photo pit. I feel bad having to force myself through fans who work hard to save their spot, but inevitably kind people let me to the front to get my shots. Secondly CRB policy only allowed me time to shoot during the first two songs.

This meant I had about 15 minutes to capture as much as possible. As much as I enjoy a challenge, I felt like this was a barrier that was unnecessary. However I’m not a performer and I have too much respect for the artists to be obtrusive.  

Since I couldn’t shoot I had no choice but to get to dancing.  The CRB threw down a loose and fun show to start a New Years run.  If you’re looking for a time machine that can take you back to the golden era of classic rock get on this bus.  Just open the windows to let all that smoke out.

Hey Guys thanks for talking with me. Happy New Year.

GW:  What did you do for New Years and did you already break your resolutions?

GG: Thanks for talking with us! This is Roland Hansen. I play keys for Greener Grounds. We had an awesome New Years! We decided not to play a NYE GG show, and celebrate with one of our favorites bands Umphreys McGee. We celebrated the New Year with Umphrey’s and had a grand ol time! I can't speak for the rest of the band about their resolutions, but I'm still on point for mine! Haha

GW: What’s happening in 2016 for GG? Heard a rumor you might be releasing a new album? Can you talk about any themes or ideas your putting into the album?

GG: 2016 is bound to be a huge year for GG, and we couldn't be more excited about it! Yes the rumor is true (haha) we will be releasing our first ever full length LP titled "Momentous." We're aiming to release our new jams in May of 2016. We decided on "Momentous" for the name of the album because we feel that it accurately describes how the band feels and describes the momentum we’re experiencing in the music scene right now. We don't plan on slowing down any time soon!

GW: You’re set to tour soon on the east coast. What are you most looking forward to?

GG: Yep, we will be embarking out to the east coast at the beginning of February and will be touring for almost the entire month. We have 14 shows scheduled with east coast Philly band "Tweed" in ten different states!! We're really excited to meet those boys, tour around and have some fun! All of us in GG are from Colorado except for our drummer AJ who hails from Philly originally. So this will be the first time we've ever seen a lot of these cities. We're stoked to hit the road and meet so many amazing people along the way!!

GW: You’ve just passed the two year mark as a band. First off congrats. Can you talk about how you achieved such quick success? Secondly can you talk a bit about what it’s like to play with so many great musicians across the country? Who are you looking forward to playing with the most?

GG: Thank you! It's been quite the wild ride thus far. I think our quick success has had a lot to do with the wonderful music scene here in Denver that is just chalk full of music lovers and concert goers! We have worked very hard to get where we are, rehearsing together four times a week and always working on the promotional side of things as well. We have an awesome manager James Servin from Mountain View Artists who works his tail off for us and has had a huge hand in our success as a band. On top of that we've had overwhelming support from Grassroots California, The Untz, AEG Live, Cevantes, and so many more. All of which have contributed to our growth in this music scene! Playing with some our favorite local bands and national touring acts has been a real treat. We've been seeing some of these bands live for years and now we get to play with them! We're humbled and honored! I'm a huge fan of the String Cheese Incident and we have the pleasure of opening for Kyle Hollingsworth Band on January 23rd at The Aggie in Fort Collins. This is a dream come true for me as a keyboard player!

GW: Where do you see yourselves in a year? Do you have any goals as a band?

GG: In a year from now I see us playing at the Ogden and the Fillmore here in Denver for our first time. By that time we will have done multiple tours, released a full length LP, and played some of the best music festivals in the country! So far we are booked for The Untz Festival in California as well as Joshua Tree Music Festival in California with many more TBA! Our biggest goal is to play Red Rocks within the next few years. The future is bright and we're so excited to see what's to come!

There’s something truly special about a New Year's show.  Everyone puts on their best and celebrates a long year of work. Every year Colorado is particularly lucky to host a number of great bands who seem to compete for the coveted “Best Show” among fans. In epic fashion, The String Cheese Incident returned to the 1^st Bank Center for a ritual 3 set show.  Filled with unique surprises, this show elevated the possibility for live music.

Upon entrance every guest was given a set of 3-D glasses, which sparked immediate conversation in the concourse, bathroom lines and seats. What will they do? It became quickly apparent that we were in for something special.

The 1^st set was energetic and classic. However there was also a sense of anticipation wherever I walked. String Cheese is known for doing incredible live performance art. Aerial dancers, skydivers, fireworks, are just a few weapons in the arsenal. These things in combination with the 3-D promised to be spectacular.  

During set break I walked the long concourse and started taking photos of people whose garb struck me.  Many people had small top hats, others capes and some flamboyant onesies.  It’s all part of the fun of New Year's Eve.

Again second set was high energy, fun and full of anticipation.  As the hour drew near the crowd and band grew comfortable. As the third set progressed and midnight drew close we were prompted to put on our glasses. What happened next was simply beautiful. The music, the lights and the 3-D elevated this experience into the extraordinary. 3-D shows are hard to execute in an engaging manner and the beings of light and shape that flew and danced around the entirety of the 1^st Bank were anything but mundane.

Using the word “Spectacle” falls drastically short of this experience. Between the music, the fans and their “costumes”, the lighting design, live performers and 3-D design aspects, it was almost stimulus overload… almost.

My photos and words are ill equipped to describe the entirety of this show. I applaud not only the musicians but every single person from the janitors to the VIP’s for making this show something I will never forget.

Check out more photos from the show.

Greener Grounds has been busy on the festival circuit, heavy touring, a new album “Momentous” as well as an even more touring supporting your new album. Grateful Web had a chance to speak to Greener Grounds' bassist Jay Reiderm, drummer AJ Gillman, and guitarist Joe Shur leading up to their “Momentous” album release party at Cervantes Other Side on July 8th .

GW: You guys recently were signed to the booking agency Nimbleslick Entertainment. How did that come about and who are some of the other artists they represent, and what are you most excited about?

GG: We spent a lot of time trying to decide who to sign with as far as an agency. There are a lot of great agencies out there with rosters of amazing artists. We wanted to pick an agency that we knew would give us full attention and not get put on the back burner. Nimbleslick is one of those agencies that strategically books each client, and devotes the necassary time to build up each artist for the longevity of their career. With bands like Perpetual Groove, Aqueous, Broccoli Samurai, Mister F, and McLovins we feel we found the right agency for what we need.

Our manager has big plans for us in the next few months, a lot of which I can't talk about, a lot of which is also very exciting. So far from what we do have announced, I'm very excited for our stops in Ohio with Peridoni, our 3 night run with Wobblesauce in the northeast, and our play at Farm Music & Arts Festival in NJ. There's still much more to come!

GW: What’s your favorite story from the road this year?

GG: Being on the road, every experience throughout our travels was unique in it's own way. From the beautiful beaches in California to the biggest and busiest of cities in the northeast, it's practically impossible to pick a single experience to call a favorite. To me, the journey as a whole is the most spectacular story I could tell. From pit stop grill explosions to being picked by the fans and promoters to play the main stage slot before Boombox at Paradise Music Festival the journey as a whole is my story.

GW: What’s been the worst and best part of tour life so far?

GG: The best part of the tour life is building relationships with the people we meet in every city, and being able to reconnect with them again and again as we continue to tour the country. The most difficult thing about touring is all the obstacles we hit along the way such as vehicle troubles, theft, and all the unexpected delays.

GW: How much has touring influenced the writing of Momentous?

GG: Although most of the material for Momentous came about before we began touring so extensively, being on the road and performing regularly really helped us gain an understanding of how our individual roles in the band need to fall together to create inspiring music.

GW: What was the breakfast of champions on the road?

GG: In Philly it was Wawa haha our drummer got us hooked on that! Usually we just wake up and grab bagels, and then hit the grocery store to save money on the road.

GW: What have you been listening to while on tour?

GG: We usually pick up a lot of albums from bands that we either support or that support us at a show, and then give it a spin while on the road. In California we played with Shaky Feelin' and Zolopht so listed to their album's while cruising around, but then of course resorted to Umphrey's McGee, Perpetual Groove, the Disco Biscuits, and Lotus.

GW: What do you do when you're not on tour?

GG: Honestly, I listen to a lot of death metal, and spend a lot of time reworking my pedal rig and messing around with different tones. When I'm home I spend as much time with my family as possible and try and work as much as I can.

GW: Does anyone in the band have a hidden talent we should know about?

GG: If anyone in the band has a hidden talent, it has to be Matty Bee. He is very good at making claymation videos. Right now he's working on a special music video for one of our songs off the new album. When we go on tour, we sometimes spend late nights doing funny frame-by-frame videos on his iPad. Lots of shenanigans. 

GG: Be sure to pick up a copy of our Momentous album that drops this Friday. The album will be available on all major listening platforms and physical discs will be available at all of our upcoming tour dates, and on our online merch store. Visit www.GreenerGroundsMusic.com for the latest updates, videos, tour dates, and more. Be sure to say what's up to us when we see you, we love to meet new fans and friends!

Colorado based Americana Quintet The Drunken Hearts hosted their “Love & Thirst” album release party on a Thursday night at the Bluebird Theater in Denver.  A far cry from the soulless popular music seeding festivals and stadiums, The Drunken Hearts played an intimate and emotional set.

Support from Cold River City and Mama Magnolia provided a nice surprise in that both groups had strong female lead vocalists. However a few light and sound issues muddied the wonderful performances from every band.

Early opener Cold River city got a few feet moving and hips shaking. A fun mixture of Rock and borderline Punk/Ska feeling, the harmonies of both the male and female vocalists were a pleasure to hear. Despite the early set time and a small crowd, Cold River City still kept an energetic stage presence. A tip of the hat to the drummer in Cold River City for his unusually inventive drum solo utilizing his bandmate’s Electric Bass.

The Bluebird filled in quickly for Mama Magnolia’s set. This set became something to revel in. I often found myself closing my eyes and tapping my foot. Each member was playing deceivingly complicated music in a way that almost slips past the senses. Couple this attention to emotional and musical detail with an absolutely divine vocalist and you have one classy cocktail of soulful, passionate and amazing music.  

The Drunken Hearts took the stage shortly after 10pm and put forth a great set. The audience was even treated to some new tunes that didn’t make it to “Love & Thirst.” Americana can be characteristically sloppy in execution, however The Drunken Hearts were extremely tight.  Again, the vocals in the mix seemed a bit muddy at times, but it is apparent these guys can sing.

If you’re tired of music filled with pretention check out The Drunken Hearts.  The Drunken Hearts is music for when you’re outside grilling and relaxing, or at home watching the snow fall. Grab a friend, grab a lover, grab your mother and go out and grab a copy of “Love and Thirst.” Your Mom won’t be disappointed.

Fort Collins based Hog Magundy recently released their debut album and Grateful Web sat down to talk about the album, some of their favorite festivals and their recent additon to the Nimbleslick Entertainment Agency.

GW:  Thanks a lot for chatting with us.  You guys recently dropped a new album, can you tell us a bit about making the album and what can you fans expect from this release?

HM:  The album is a mix of old and new and the takes a lot of influence from my move to Colorado from Illinois. The song Footprints was inspired from my first hike in the Poudre Canyon. It was the Summer of 2012 and the scars from the High Park fire were fresh. I stopped to catch my breath in the remnants of an Aspen grove and in stark contrast to the blackened trees and scorched ground I noticed life already returning in the form of wildflowers. Thus the line “Deep within the aspen grove, where the fires burned a flower grows, Pushing up through the Ashes, Out between the stone.”

GW:  For those who do not know, can you talk a little bit about the recent change in agency to Nimbleslick?

HM: Yes! We are very excited to be a part of the Nimbleslick family, and the move represents a huge step forward for us in terms of our ability to play more shows for more people all across the country.

GW: What do you guys do to prepare for tour?  Any travel tips for other bands or fans heading out for the summer?

HM: Personally, I like to do a little research on the “can’t miss” food of any given city or town we may go through. I love getting to know new places and have always felt that food (as well as music) are a great way to get to the heart of a place. My only real tip would be to stay open to the experience. Things will go wrong, absolutely, but as Yvon Chouinard once said “, when everything goes wrong – that’s when adventure starts”

GW: Would you say that being based in Colorado affects how you approach writing material or is touring a bigger influence?

HM: It’s hard to say which has a bigger influence on our approach to creating our music. Colorado has a huge influence on our material. The Rocky Mountain environment we call home offers an unparalleled and seemingly unending source of creative inspiration. Travel is also a consistent theme in our songs. We are all drawn to the allure of the road, and the surprising new experiences it offers.

GW: Is there any place you've been on tour that you absoutely have to go back to?  Like a home away from home?

HM: It has to be Summercamp Music Festival. I grew up in Illinois just over an hour from the festival and it became an annual pilgrimage and reunion for myself and an ever growing family of friends. We had the honor of playing there last year and it was quite the homecoming! The support from everyone I met there and the inspiration of countless mind-blowing shows gave me the strength and ambition to pursue my own musical dreams.

GW:  What was the last show you went to as an audience member?

HM: We stayed after our set at Beanstalk to make sure I caught The Main Squeeze and Orgone. I love how much of a comeback funk has been making lately and these guys do it as good as anyone in the business.

GW: What up and coming bands you guys digging right now?

HM: Man, there are so many!  I’ve really been digging on Liver Down the River (also newly added to Nimbleslick) since we played with them in Durango back in April to celebrate the release of their album Life You Love. Our friends in Good Touch (out of Denver) have also been seriously killing it lately. I highly recommend checking these cats out!

GW:  Cool, guys - thanks for your time.

HM: You got it, thank you!

Check out Hog Magunday on tour this summer.