Whitney Sheds an Indie Light Upon Denver

Chicago based band, Whitney, was born when a band called Smith Westerns broke up in 2014, and Julian Ehrlich and Max Kakacek took each of their strong suits and whipped them into a new band: Indie, country, pop hybrid, Whitney. Ehrlich, former drummer of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, has a unique voice that is showcased in his role as front man. Placed at the center of the stage, this made for a kind of unconventional set up, but it added to the ingenuity of a band where the drummer sings lead vocals. Kakacek is a guitar wizard, and brings his knowledge forth to create the other half of the writing duo that has won hearts of hipsters everywhere.  Since releasing Light Upon the Lake in June 2016, Whitney toured nearly nonstop, Denver being one of many cities wielding multiple nights.

Malcolm Brown, the happy piano man of Whitney (Photo Cred: Meesh Deyden)

Malcolm Brown, the happy piano man of Whitney (Photo Cred: Meesh Deyden)

Although Ehrlich mentioned he had somewhat of a sinus infection while gracing Denver’s Bluebird Theater with their presence, he tried hard to fight back, and it was apparent in his performance. Ehrlich even said, “Performing feels natural,” despite the unfortunate condition of his sinuses. The slightly whiny sound quality to his voice may be off putting to some, but it has a realness that came off especially well live, sick or not.  The band’s simple, catchy, and emotional lyrics cover typical topics like love and loss, but range in sound, keeping something reminiscent sounding, new and fresh.

Julian Ehrlich  (Photo Cred: Meesh Deyden)

Julian Ehrlich  (Photo Cred: Meesh Deyden)

 “No Woman” is the hit, and slowed down slightly was a perfect encore. Imaginative covers of Neil Young, Dolly Parton, and Bob Dylan songs showed the bands ability to do something away from their genre, while also bringing forth some of their inspiration for the audience to interact directly with. “No Matter Where We Go” got everyone in the crowd swaying and thinking about driving around during the summer nights with their honey, and I wouldn’t say that there was a dull moment at Sunday night’s sold out show.

Words: Lina Skrzypczak Images: Meesh Deyden

Chelsea Wolfe At The Gothic, How Fitting.

Gothic, neo-folk Queen, Chelsea Wolfe sold out the Bluebird and got moved to the Gothic this Halloweekend, and what a pleasure it was!

Photo by Jess L. Paul

Photo by Jess L. Paul

Youth Code, opener and duo from Los Angeles was an important addition to this bill, and not only because of the female front person. The group has been described as industrial music with hardcore angst, and they are on the forefront of genre EBM. EBM stands for electronic body music, which is simply a mix of the industrial and electronic genres. The group had an electric energy, and started off the show with an angsty bang.

The ambience was eerie enough for the spirit of the season, but so beautiful it could evoke tears out of those of us emo enough. Industrial, electronic, folky, and gothic, Chelsea Wolfe’s music is hard to define, and I take it she likes it that way as her albums showcase an ever changing style. With lyrics that are obviously very personal, but still somehow manage to speak to her fans, she manages to evoke her experienced emotions out of her crowd. “16 Psyche”, “Vex”, and “Carrion Flowers” were all awesome, although I can’t be the only one who wishes more of her older work had been incorporated into the set.

Local photographer Jess L. Paul said, “My highlight was definitely when Sara Taylor from Youth Code came out and did Aaron Turner’s parts for the song “Vex”. It was killer to see that song live and to see the interaction between Wolfe and Taylor.”

Chelsea Wolfe and Sara Taylor from Youth Code perform "Vex". Photo by Jess L. Paul

Chelsea Wolfe and Sara Taylor from Youth Code perform "Vex". Photo by Jess L. Paul

Hiss Spun, the album Wolfe is currently promoting on tour came out this September and showcases her beautiful voice, along with the talents of Troy Van Leeuwen (guitarist from Queens Of The Stone Age), and long-time collaborator/floating band member, Ben Chisholm. I can’t wait until this songstress seduces us once more with her melodically mashed sludge metal.

Try saying that five times fast. hehe

Ariel Pink Felt The Altitude, Eh?

Ariel Marcus Rosenberg, otherwise known as Ariel Pink played the Bluebird Theater on Tuesday as a part of his tour promoting newest album Dedicated to Bobby Jameson.

If you’ve heard the music, you know it’s good. Ariel has a hold on this “hypnagogic pop” that makes you feel a sense of nostalgia because it specifically incorporates music, technology, and entertainment from time periods that make you feel this way. A master of the Lo-fi, psychedelic pop genre, he’s got lyrics that make the crowd simultaneously sing and sway, a kind of eerie setup full of props and webs, and fan base that obviously loves him through projects solo or otherwise.

Ariel Pink (Photo Credit: Meesh Deyden)

Despite all these factors, Ariel still seems to get himself into some trouble when it comes to his demeanor, such as October 14th at The Chapel in San Francisco when some of his fans left the venue after “gross behavior”. He took to Twitter to apologize for this incident saying, “I got very drunk and overdid everything and wrecked my vocal chords and managed to offend with my antics.” I bring this up because I’m under the impression that these same factors caused the Denver show to be much less than it could have been. Rosenberg was visibly drunk, lighting a cigarette onstage, running into his stage props, and causing a lot of microphone feedback. I can’t imagine that insulting the lighting guy by calling him “local talent” really helped either, which I think resulted in super obnoxious lighting choices made the rest of the set.

Favorites such as “Another Weekend”, “Lipstick”, “Round And Round”, and of course, “Baby” redeemed some of the front man’s seeming carelessness, but his ingenuity and overall seeming disconnect from the beautiful music he’s making is a slight put off.

The show was a good time, and the people around me seemed to think so too. I will say however, that it is a little discouraging as a fan to see an artist you love give very few shits about the performance you’re watching. Oh and, #Lightingguysmatter.

Words: Lina Skrzypczak Images: Meesh Deyden

Music | Denver Weekend Roundup: July 10 - 12, 2015.

It’s a busy weekend for music here in Denver, so let us be the first to tell you that it’s completely unacceptable for you to not go see at least one show! To try and help make the decision process easier, we’ve compiled a list of shows of varying shapes and sizes: from Red Rocks to radio festivals, down to the little “need to see” acts who are just about to blow up and the locals who always deserve your time and attention. Check this over, and see if you can’t squeak in a little live music to liven up your weekend festivities. 

If you want something BIG: KTCL 93.3 FM’s Big Gig

When: Saturday, July 11th.
Doors: 2:30pm

If you’ve been jamming to any songs currently in rotation on Denver’s top Alternative station, 93.3 FM, love a good outdoor concert, or like to blend your big names with a little local love, you couldn’t ask for a better show than the annual Big Gig. Presented by KTCL with some help from AEG, this radio station annually gathers local rockstars, national bands on the up-and-up, and pairs them up with some of the biggest names in Alternative for one massive day of shows. This year’s concert features the likes of a locals stage (featuring many of the bands from Hometown For The Holidays), Nate Ruess of fun., Andrew McMahon in The Wilderness, New Politics, Banks, Atlas Genius, and headlining is AWOLNATION. Sit back, grab a $20 beer and enjoy this eclectic lineup from the comfortable grass of Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater.
for tickets: http://www.fiddlersgreenamp.com/events/detail/274698

If you want some RED ROCKS: The Avett Brothers

When: Friday - Sunday night, July 10th - 12th.
Show start: 7:30pm on Friday/Saturday, 5:30pm Sunday. 

photo credit: Matt Smith (Ultra5280)

I must (sadly) premise this part of our list by saying that yes, all three nights of this residency from Indie/Folk/Americana superstars The Avett Brothers is already sold out. But tickets are still available via Craigslist and StubHub! if you’re interested. This band of brothers has been selling out one weekend at Red Rocks each summer for the past few years - and with good reason. The group’s harmonies are top notch, and their music varies from heartfelt, violin-riddled lullabies to leg-slappin’, Banjo filled shoe-stompers. The Avett Brothers are some of our favorite artists, and it’s a stern Ultra5280 belief that you must see them at least once, or you’re certainly missing out.
for more info: http://redrocksonline.com/concerts-events/detail/the-avett-br-7-11-2015 

If you want to say “I SAW THEM FIRST”: K.Flay

When: Saturday, July 12.
Doors: 8:00pm

I say this honestly, and from the heart: go.see.K. Flay.right.now. Well - at least on Saturday night. This brilliantly unique artist has been blowing up the internet for a few years now, while slowing growing her live presence.

Mixing brutally honest lyrics, entrancing beats, and a unique voice, K.Flay’s music is irresistible - perfect for jamming out, dancing, and my personal favorite - totally throwing down in the car while cruising on the highway, catching stares from all the people I pass. She was out on the entire Vans Warped Tour last year, and has toured with Denver darlings Air Dubai in the past - how many more reasons do I need to give you to make you? If you want a preview, check out “Can’t Sleep”, “Wishing It Was You”, or my favorite, “The Cops”. 
tickets: http://www.larimerlounge.com/event_details.cfm?blogid=1901

If you have a thing for LOCALS ONLY: The Bluebird Disctrict Music Festival

When: July 10 - 12th.
When: All Day Err Day

In it’s inaugural year, The Bluebird District Music Festival already seems to be a promising new festival rising out of the East Colfax chunk of Denver. Featuring some of our favorite locals acts like Reno Divorce, Synthetic Elements, Dirty Few, and A. Tom Collins, this festival is a great, small scale festival truly celebrating some of Denver’s best. With show happening at The Bluebird Theatre, Goosetown Tavern, Southside Bar & Kitchen, Lost Lake Lounge and Park House, easy shows with great food and drinks are available all weekend long.
For more information: http://lost-lake.com/bdmf.cfm

New Music Tuesday | Misterwives' "Our Own House" Review

We all know that it’s impossible to make a second “first impression”. Bands are breaking on the radio before they even have an album out on the shelves these days, giving artist’s less and less time to solidify their sound prior to the world casting judgement. This is making freshman releases increasingly more important compared to years past when a band’s success could be judged on their ability to triumph over the age old “Sophomore Slump”, and New York based Misterwives certainly seem to have taken that into account with their freshly released debut album Our Own House.

Most folks by now are familiar with the bands radio single “Reflections”, the funk-riddled pop hit that’s been crushing Top 40 charts over the course of the past few months. Believe it or not, that song merely scratches the surface of the band’s impressive skill set which is showcased on their full-length release. The track listing of this album walks fans through a perfectly orchestrated display of the bands stylistic abilities, keeping listeners entertained, intrigued, and actively engaged in songs from beginning to end. The album opens with the powerhouse title track “Our Own House” - pulling listeners in with mysterious piano chords quietly accompanying vocalist Mandy Lee until the band explodes into the chorus. Ebbing and flowing through tempos and emotions, Our Own House progresses from the pure pop of “Reflections” into the half-time love song “Oceans”, as well as anthemic tracks like “Best I Can Do” and one of my personal favorites, “No Need For Dreaming”. Taking things slower with tracks “Coffins” and “Vagabond”, the band’s experimental choices in melodies as well as tempos truly give vocalist Lee a chance to showcase her exceptional talent. A voice without any kind of present day competition, Lee sings with tangible power and passion. Mix that with her unique vocal range and the ethereal feelings evoked by the use of her falsetto? It’s impossible to deny the power of her voice (In case you don’t believe me, take a quick listen to the jazzy outro of “Oceans”, and tell me that’s not beautiful). Pair all this with driving rhythms and well crafted melodies, and Our Own House quickly becomes one of the most tantalizing pop releases of the past three years.

I’m very anxious to see how this well-crafted collection is presented live, but lucky for us Coloradans, we don’t have to wait very long as Misterwives are set to play a sold out show at The Bluebird Theatre on Monday, March 9th, followed quickly by an absurd amount of sets throughout SXSW Music Week down in Austin, TX March 16-23rd. If you’re a fan of pop, horns, dancing, or simply damn good music, I implore you to give Our Own House at least one listen before it’s accepted into pop-culture’s default catalog.