On Saturday, July 25th, 2020, from 7:00 – 10:00 PM MT, The Underground Music Showcase (UMS), Denver’s largest music festival, returns with an irreverent virtual music festival, variety show, and retro telethon. In partnership with the Colorado Music Relief Fund, the digital version of the 20th edition of UMS promises to capture the energy and rock ‘n’ roll spirit of the festival while raising relief funds to support Colorado musicians and music industry professionals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Delivering a diverse and eclectic lineup of Denver’s most exciting artists, UMS 2020 will feature live performances from Bud Bronson & The Good Timers, Float Like a Buffalo, Los Mocochetes, Neoma, Ramakhandra, The Milk Blossoms, The Still Tide, TheyCallHimAP, Turvy Organ, Wes Watkins, Wildermiss, and YaSi.
Hosted by acclaimed Colorado comedians Christie Buchele and Sam Tallent, UMS 2020 combines live performances broadcast from iconic UMS venue Hi-Dive, exclusive UMS music video premieres shot from Denver’s Broadway venues, a throwback telethon with prize giveaways, and party supplies delivered to viewers -- ensuring that ‘UMSomething’ honors the raucous traditions that UMS fans have cultivated over the festivals’ famed 20 years in Denver. The livestream will be hosted at www.undergroundmusicshowcase.com on Saturday, July 25th from 7:00 - 10:00 PM MT
UMS has partnered with The Colorado Music Relief Fund to help raise money for its community affected by COVID-19. With the live music industry indefinitely on hold, this support is essential. The Colorado Music Relief Fund was created to support all of those who help bring music to our lives — host of talented and dedicated individuals, crews, and businesses working on stage and behind the scenes. Applications for the Colorado Music Relief Fund are available here. Donate here to help support Colorado’s music industry.
Denver Music The Year In Photos 2018
Here are some random photos taken throughout 2018 of some of our favorite bands. Photo Credit: Robert Castro
Too many people to name.
Tyto Alba
Oxeye Daisy
Corsicana
One Flew West
YaSi
iZCALI
Crl Crrll
Water Aerobics
The Velveteers
Citra
Kayla Marque
Maxwell Hughes
HR People
Whiskey Autumn
Pout House
Wildermiss
King Eddie
The Corner Girls
The Corner Girls +1
Some of the most talented musicians in Denver!
Local Spotlight: CU Denver's MEIS Students and Graduates
As a soon to be graduate of the MEIS (music industry entertainment studies) program at CU Denver, I’ve had the pleasure of working and studying alongside of some of Denver’s most determined, savvy and proficient, up and coming musicians and future business executives. With limited funds -because let’s be real, we’re not just students but music students- yet abundance of connections in the Denver industry, we continue to find a ways to produce, market and distribute our work. The program doesn’t just cultivate talented and capable musicians. Music business majors, like myself, have the skills to generate art, yet may be lacking the passion, that’s okay guys, we can’t all be the next big thing. We’ll be the tour manager, the press director, the producer, the promo. Whether you’re an artist or a biz pioneer, we can all create a vision and execute it.
Highlighted are some of CU Denver’s most enterprising individuals and artists creating a name for themselves in the local industry and continuing to contribute to its growth. Some of these individuals are still finishing their degrees. What can’t we do?
Chloe Tang:
Last week singer/songwriter Chloe Tang released a 5 song EP Passion//Aggression. Don’t mistake the title for passive aggression;There’s no hiding what Chloe has to say. Her words are the kind of hard hitting lyrics that could strip anyone down to the core. It’ll make you want to hug your mom and punch your ex in the face simultaneously. The dynamic qualities of her tender yet knockout voice dance along with the playful, melodic guitar riffs.
We’re really loving “Electrified.” The tone is unapologetically nostalgic with a little bluesy instrumentation tucked in there. Guitarist, Dylan Streight has a solo during the bridge that could make even the baddest bitch turn to butter. Also, backing Chloe is CU Denver professor, Benom Plumb on drums. It’s exceptional to witness educators contributing to the success of students. That stuff really makes our hearts sing.
Check Chloe out on your favorite listening platform. This girl’s on practically all of ‘em!:
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/…/passion-aggression-…/id1212306963
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2SvfUlgthxVIi6xQK4sFeG
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-34382413/sets/unreleased-ep
CDBaby: https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/chloetang2
Throw some love on Facebook:
Unsigned - Unheard 5280:
A prime example of how business students are helping to local musicians and classmates art. Birthed out of love for local music, Unsigned - Unheard 5280 is a brand spankin’ new blog highlighting local, on the rise talent with curated playlists, interviews and blog posts. They also do awesome things like ticket giveaways to some rad Denver shows. Want to be one of the highlighted musicians? Submit your work via the Unsigned - Unheard 5280 website (link below).
One local blog promoting another local blog, say what? That’s just the love and support we have for each other here in our mile high city.
Check out their website and subscribe:
https://www.unsignedunheard5280.com
Be sure to also drop ‘em with a like on Facebook:
YaSi:
Yasman Azimi has wasted no time in her art and branding even during her studies. The recent graduate of the MEIS program has released her first music video debuting single “Pink Caddy.” As we follow her through a candy shop and various other scenes, the soft, luminescent pink tones of the videography features a softer YaSi. She takes influence from 90's hip hop and it resembles in the retro saturation. We're loving that her sultry voice is mirrored in the ambiance of the visual work.
Catch the mega talented, Iranian beauty this Saturday at “Stay Up Saturday’s” hosted by Anna Malistiik at Your Mom’s House. Granted if you’re a Denver local, we know that you like it. You don’t really gotta fight it.
Pink Caddy music video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53z6tVFXqfQ
Saturday’s show info:
https://www.facebook.com/events/701797113335033/
Facebook love:
Avenhart:
Avenhart aka “Denver-based indie folk band striving to simultaneously break your heart and put it back together.” Avenhart’s members are comprised of all CU Denver students and graduates. While their lyrics and harmonies resemble the indie-Colorado stylings we know and love *cough cough* The Lumineers *cough cough* Their instrumentation and melodic tonality suggests influence from bluegrass and country musics.
We’re pretty proud of them over at CU Denver. Be sure to check them out live this Thursday at their EP release show. Lost Lake’s doors will open at 7pm and the bands jam at 8pm.
Give their EP a listen on their website:
Take a second to throw them a like on their Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/avenhartmusic/
Fonzie:
Fonzie aka Eugene Landini isn’t just another audio production major. While he’s not expertizing his craft over at CU Denver, he’s producing his own music. His electronic, trap, jam sound will have you amped up for a night out. Thanks for your party music for us party people.
Fonzie’s new EP is due April 2nd. We’re sure he’ll give you a little taste at his show this Friday the 17th. Get away from the St. Patty’s day madness downtown in the new hip hop, electronic joint The Black Box. Give the Fonz a little love, ya’ll.
Website:
Throw a little Facebook love, damnn:
https://www.facebook.com/fonziewhomp/?pnref=story
Show info:
https://www.facebook.com/events/177543879413194/
One Flew West:
You can check out our article written for the release of their two brand new singles “All in My Head” and “Ten Years Later" below. Their show at Lost Lake last week was not one to miss. Although you might have considering Denver sold that shizz out! Be sure to check out our article and follow OFW on Facebook to stay updated on their next announced shows.
Ultra5280’s review of new singles:
http://www.ultra5280.com/music/2017/2/27/one-flew-west-set-to-release-new-music
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/oneflewwestband/
Website:
I have so much love for my program and the abundance of talent it develops. Their value to the community has shown through their works. When we support local artists the industry grows, the economy grows, Denver grows. Thanks for all the love and support of local music, Denver. We'll see you out there.
Music | Spokezbuzz, Lincoln Center Announce the Local Link Season Schedule
Spokezbuzz band Eldren rocking the crowd at UMS (Photo Credit: Andrew Rios)
One thing about our thriving music scene is that it extends north to our friends up in Ft. Collins. In fact I used to live in Ft. Collins for five years and remember catching many shows while living there as well as experiencing many Thursday nights at Wash Bars and happy hour shenanigans at The Rio on Fridays. Our good friends at Spokezbuzz always have something cool going on and this is just one of the things they are doing to promote music in our great state. Pleas make sure to check them out and many of the bands they represent at events like these.
SpokesBUZZ, a Fort Collins-based music nonprofit, and the Lincoln Center, Fort Collins’ premiere performing arts venue, announced today the full series schedule and lineup for The Local Link, a series showcasing local bands at The Lincoln Center in Fort Collins. The live music concerts -- featuring Colorado bands throughout the 2015-2016 season -- are a collaborative effort by the City of Fort Collins and SpokesBUZZ to connect emerging bands with music fans in The Lincoln Center’s unique performance facilities.
The Local Link series will feature themed events in a club environment, with local bands performing around various holidays throughout the 2015-16 season. The schedule includes:
- Aspen Hourglass: Thursday, October 29, 7 - 9 p.m.
- The Shaley Scott Band: Thursday, December 17, 7 - 9 p.m.
- Shatterproof: Sunday, February 14, 7 - 9 p.m.
- Grim&Darling: Thursday, March 17, 7 - 9 p.m.
- iZCALLi: Thursday, May 5, 6 - 8 p.m.
The Local Link is intended to satisfy the need for “an earlier set time in a sophisticated environment, with the best regional alternative bands,” said Dani Grant, SpokesBUZZ executive director. “The Local Link is a tailored music set geared toward a cocktail party environment: a bit softer, more acoustic in nature -- a performance that allows for dancing, listening, and a conversation in the room,” Grant said. “I’m 45 years old, have three kids and a full-time job. Both my husband and I enjoy live music; we have always been concertgoers and keep up as best we can with new music and local music. It is a rare occasion that we get to see live music before our bedtime, 10 - 11 p.m. More often, we attend a city festival in the heat of summer on a steaming asphalt parking lot, or force ourselves to attend a show in a sticky dark room at midnight. We will still do that on occasion, but having this event is exciting.”
Members of iZCALLi giving us a dose of rock and roll. (Photo Credit: Andrew Rios)
With a full service bar, tapas/light appetizers, and an affordable ticket price -- $12 per show or the opportunity to purchase a $50 5-show season pass -- Grant said The Local Link provides a comfortable and approachable introduction to emerging local bands.
“Patrons can bring friends who aren’t sure about local and unfamiliar music to join them and fall in love with these bands,” Grant said. “Small businesses may choose to bring the office team and spouses to the December show to host a holiday gathering there, rather than reserving restaurant meeting space or planning a party.”
The Local Link launched on Saturday, August 1, with an acoustic show featuring members of Wiredogs. Season sponsors for the series include KUNC and Shaped Music. Season tickets for the series and tickets for individual upcoming shows will be made available at www.lctix.com.
About SpokesBUZZ Fort Collins
Created from a love for music, amplified by radical collaboration with like-minded organizations, and funded by people and partners who recognize the extraordinary economic and cultural community impact, SpokesBUZZ raises global awareness of Colorado sound and culture by bringing worldwide attention to local bands. Find out more at www.spokesbuzz.org.
About The Lincoln Center
The Lincoln Center is one of Colorado's largest and most diverse presenters of professional theatre, dance, music, visual arts and children's programs. It features two performing art spaces (a 1,180-seat performance hall and a 220-seat theatre), three galleries, and an outdoor sculpture/terrace/performance garden. It also has two conference/special events rooms available for rentals. The mission of The Lincoln Center is to be a leader in cultural experience and make it an essential value to the community. Find out more at www.lctix.com.
Music | New Music Tuesday | Rob Drabkin, "Stay (The Morning Light Fades)" Official Music Video Release
Owner of the kindest smile, the most infectious laugh, the sweetest voice, and the most rocking hair, Rob Drabkin has been at the forefront of Denver's bustling singer/songwriter scene for years. We've seen him play birthday parties with his dad, we've watched him rock UMS, and this past March we watched his band rock the Do512 Bar in Austin, TX at this year's Colorado Showcase during SXSW. Today, we help Rob celebrate the release of his newest music video for the song "Stay (The Morning Light Fades)". Filmed at Shove Chapel at Colorado College in College Springs, this entire video's cast and crew are all Colorado natives - a feat almost as unique as the video itself.
On its own, "Stay (The Morning Light Fades)” is a delicate piece of music with tension, relief, beauty and pain permeating the music and lyrics. Rob wrote the song at the end of a relationship. “There was simply nothing left to hold onto and I knew it was over and gone,” he says. Rob had been fixated on the idea of putting choreography to the song since he began experimenting with the song’s chord progression. "It was time to take a risk and put the idea into motion.”
The video was choreographed and danced by Amanda Copple, alongside Luke Kamppila from the Michelle Latimer Dance Company in Denver, CO. "The main goals for this piece were to take the viewer on a journey with the dancers through the space and to enhance the listening experience with movement,” says Amanda. "The dance is a story of catch and release. The relationship shifts from a happy and playful couple through the often tragic stages of a lost love. One partner doubts and this makes the other cling tighter. He would give anything for just another moment.”
Music | Slow Caves Invade SXSW | Recap Video
One of the bands that has been on our radar is Ft.Collins outfit Slow Caves. We have had the opportunity to see these guys on a few occasions most recently at SXSW. The documentary follows Slow Caves through their week long SXSW tour and highlights their show at The Colorado Music Party at the 512 on 6th Street. Check out the video and make sure you check this band out, you won't be disappointed.