First Listen: Whiskey Autumn-Monochrome Actress

Whiskey Autumn (Photo Credit: Sierra Voss)

Whiskey Autumn for the past couple of years has been flying under the radar in the Denver music scene and are finally garnering some much needed respect. On this track the band captures a much more dance friendly vibe playing to the strengths of Laut’s unique voice all while delivering production that will have us clapping in unison at their next performance which is on April 12th at Lost Lake.

Monochrome Actress” is the third single from Whiskey Autumn’s upcoming album, Modern Doubt. The first, “Birds That Flew,” premiered with 303 Magazine, followed by the premiere of “Let’s Go Sailing Instead” on CPR’s OpenAir. After a buzzworthy set at UMS 2018 and extensive touring throughout the Pacific Northwest and Midwest, Whiskey Autumn was named one of “13 Local Musicians to Watch Out For In 2019” by 303 Magazine.

Produced by band members Greg Laut and Jason Paton, “Monochrome Actress” is a dreamy electro pop tune which builds off the foundation of Whiskey Autumn’s previous EP, Ice Cream In The Sun. The song was mixed by Chris Scott (OptycNerd, Young The Giant) and mastered by Jim Wilson (David Byrne, Neko Case, The Yawpers). The track was written by frontman Greg Laut and features an old Hollywood film noir sample, dancey synth lines, jangly surf guitar, and falsetto vocals. The track juxtaposes classic Hollywood’s outward appearance of glitz and glamour with the grim realities of attempting to succeed within the entertainment industry.

Says Laut, “‘Monochrome Actress’ was written after watching a slew of classic films from the ‘40s and ‘50s. Movies have always been a great source of inspiration for me and it was fun to tap into an old Hollywood vibe for this song while meditating on the dark realities of showbiz.”

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Synesthesia Presents: Whiskey Autumn Album Release Show at Lost Lake Lounge with The Milk Blossoms, OptycNerd, and a Motion Trap DJ Set

Friday April 12th, 2019

Doors - 8pm / Show - 9pm

Advance Tickets - $10

Day of Show Tickets - $15

Ticket Link - https://www.lost-lake.com/event/1837954-whiskey-autumn-album-release-denver/

Instant Empire Deliver With New Single Spotlight | First Listen

It's Monday and while many of us are still recovering from the weekend (including us) we decided to awaken your musical senses with some new music courtesy of local boys Instant Empire. Just like that fresh cup of java, this is sure to add some bounce to your step this fine day. The band is set to play their album release show on July 22nd and if the rest of the album sounds anything like "Spotlight" we are in for a treat.

The first single is Spotlight and it's about a reoccurring and anxiety-laden dream I kept having while writing the album.  If you've ever had it, it's that dream you have where you are driving and your brakes stop working. That all stemmed from some "lack of control" issues I was having at the time.  Not a ton fun, but it led to this song ... definitely has a bit of a dream feel to it. 

I dream I am speeding
Careening towards a cliff
White-knuckle, sweating
Every muscle clenched
Shot toward the sun
Like a heat-seeking missile
A hijacked synapse
Streaking through these temples

The pavement is icing
I’m driving, I’m sliding
My words disappear
As I am typing
The doors have all opened
The neighbors are prying
The pavement is icing
I am fighting off dying

 The moon is a spotlight
Talons at midnight

Oh these small blue pills
Equal nighttime rest
Foggy windshield
And a pillowy headrest
Lazy river womb
An umbilical lifevest
A heartbeat slowing
To a trickle in my chest

Round here, lover
I’m carving out my name
The hunter steadied his rifle
And he’s pausing to aim
Everything is finite
This is a zero-sum game
Steal from me, brother
I’ll love you all the same

The moon is a spotlight
Talons at midnight

Carry me away. Carry me away ...

Music | Covenhoven's Latest Release Will Have You Wishing It Was Fall Already

Starbucks has made it blaringly obvious that the PSL is back. And while the drink's return comes with it's own set of feelings (seriously, what's so special?)... it also means that autumn's debut is not far behind the star studded beverage's release. After listening to the latest record from Denver's token mountain man, Joel Van Horne the season really couldn't come any faster. 

When the leaves begin to blush red and our air conditioner is no longer needed, a switch goes off inside us Coloradans. Meaning that it's time to start a fire (our guess is Van Horne chops down his own trees), dust off our sweaters and find a warm body to lie next to. Covenhoven's "The Wild and Free" gives us the urge to nest, reflect and distill our own whiskey... Making it the perfect companion to Colorado's crisp months ahead. 

If the album was the soundtrack to an indie flick, it would chronicle a couple falling in love-running wildly through apple orchards, catching snowflakes on their eyelashes and watching icicles form through time lapse... Or maybe we're just hopeless romantics. Whatever the imprint it leaves on you, it's a true testament to Van Horne's ability to transport the listener to a place of nostalgia and beauty. Where one truly is wild and free. 

Van Horne's latest captures everything pure and terrifying about falling in love and couples it with endearing and vivid prose. It is a true masterpiece that begs the question, "Where was Covenhoven when the Garden State Soundtrack was being recorded?"

This album was meant to be dissected and contemplated. It is a reflection of a man getting lost and not finding himself... It is real, raw and everything we would have expected from Van Horne. 

Van Horne will be releasing his album on September, 19th at Syntax. Get your tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1789948 

Filthy T | Album Release Show | May 10 | Larimer Lounge

Local group Filthy T will be releasing their first acoustic album on May 10 at Larimer Lounge. As you may be well aware we love giving tickets away here at Ultra5280, why not help celebrate the release album of one of the hardest working bands in Denver. As always check out our Facebook Page for all the deets. In the meantime check out "Can It Be" as featured on their new album. Let's just say we have been blasting this one at the office all week.

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Filthy T is the brainchild of six Denverites intent on blending modern rock and smart rap. The band’s signature sound is articulate vocals over soulful guitar parts and driving rhythms.

What We’re About:
The city of Denver is a successful mix of polar opposites – tech startups flourish in a cowboy culture, East Coast and West Coast natives live together in harmony, and hippies and republicans co-celebrate 420. Growing up together in the Mile High City, rapper-producer Russell Ben Hedman and guitarist Joe Barnholt envisioned that the same effortless integration could be achieved in mixing the clever rhythms of hip-hop with edgy rock sounds. The original duo has been joined by bassist Kirby Beegles, drummer Adrian Hernandez, vocalist Nikki Smith and axe man Joe Shull.

Filthy T’s three studio albums to date have garnered continual accolades, including selection for 93.3 KTCL’s Hometown for the Holidays Top 10 and Big Gig Competition Top 10. As a live band, Filthy T has headlined and sold out numerous venues (including the Bluebird Theatre), won a spot as a finalist for Westword's Best of the West, and landed stage time to represent the Denver music scene at the first ever Denver County Fair. The group has opened for touring artists including The Flobots, Vanilla Ice, Rehab and Sidewalk Chalk. The band is also committed to doing great things for the Denver community. Filthy T has organized and played
fundraising concerts for organizations like Children’s Hospital, the victims of the 2012 Aurora theater shooting, Claire Davis (Arapahoe High School shooting victim) and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado.