Zach Saginaw, otherwise known as Shigeto, played Globe Hall on Wednesday night, promoting his newest album on Ghostly International, The New Monday. Extra special mention to opener Ela Minus, who was a pleasant surprise of experimental electronica, on a mixer set up that said, “Bright Music for Dark Times”; A perfect description of her sound, and the enticing night ahead.

The ever-evolving artist originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan is now based in Brooklyn, New York. He started out as a drummer in 2010 for School of Seven Bells, and over the years has done collaborations with Jazz trumpeter, Dave Douglas, as well as Hip-Hop artist, Zeelooperz. Each of these collabs is evident, as well as prominent, in Shigeto’s growth, because the styles of each collaborating artist are present in following projects. Early involvement in the Detroit music scene also has had an influence on Shigeto’s undeniably tight basslines.

Shigeto is constantly exploring many genres, and doing so quite well. Ambient techno, melodic jazz, post dubstep, and hip-hop came together in a well put together solo show. Just when you start to begin questioning the soft, elusive “over air” sounds, a jazzy interlude would bring you back to what felt comfortable. Recording sounds live, mixing those in with his signature “container noises”, and playing the drum kit simultaneously, he was incredible to watch. Saginaw has a very expressive and enthusiast presence, which trickled into the crowd as the show picked up in pace, and made it hard not to dance along.

Slightly confused at the diversity of the crowd, I couldn’t figure out whether Globe Hall was filled with fans or just people trying to occupy their Wednesday night, but either way, everyone in the building seemed to enjoy the graceful journey of Shigeto’s evolving experiment of sound.

Words: Lina Skrzypczak Images: Meesh Deyden

Last night Red Bull Sound Select made their first official appearance in the Mile High City. For those of you unfamiliar with Red Bull Sound Select, it is:

Red Bull Sound Select is a long-term initiative that celebrates local music and the people that push it forward: hard working artists, passionate fans, and tastemakers that shape scenes. It’s part artist development program, part event series, part digital product, part partner network, all working together to bring artists and fans closer together to break music.

Local record label Holy Underground was the first curator to host the sold-out event at Larimer Lounge on Thursday night. With performances from Kitty Crimes, Inner Oceans, RUMTUM, and Shigeto, Denver music fans had a first chance to see some of the areas most talented musicians on one stage. The packed house crowd saw energetic sets from the above mentioned while delicious Red Bull infused drinks flowed from the bar. Being a veteran in the music scene and being able to partake in several Red Bull Sound Select events in the past, it was nice to see the hometown get a taste of such an awesome music initiative that will only continue to put Denver on the map. In fact fans don't even have to wait that long until the next Denver event taking place on March 25 as Welsh alternative rockers The Joy Formidable invade 3 Kings Tavern, with local favorites The Epilogues and Wire Faces. Information for this show can be found here.

In the meantime make sure you check back as we will be embarking on Austin, Texas in the next few weeks for SXSW and will be attending 4 Days in Austin, with established acts such as Earl Sweatshirt, Twin Shadow and Jagwar Ma (who both will be performing in Denver as part of Snowball Music Festival), Sleigh Bells and Danny Brown. It's a great time to be part of the Denver music scene all thanks to the people responsible for bringing us great entertainment and music courtesy of Red Bull and the local influencers who make our great city a place to enjoy music at its most creative and highest level.

-Castro