UMS Artist Spotlight: DRAMA

DRAMA (Image taken from Facebook Page)

Chicago R&B duo DRAMA were nice enough to chat with us on the eve of their Saturday performance at The Underground Music Showcase.

Ultra5280: If you could sum up the essence of Drama what would it be?

DRAMA: The essence of drama is creating the concept of originality, art and feeling. In general, we’re friends who were brought together by way of music that is way bigger than us. We didn’t know what to expect when we started sharing our art, but our mission was always to love everything we put out and connect with people and their day to day feelings. If you listen to our songs, our hope is that you might find one that will strike an emotional chord.

Ultra5280: Tell us about your music influences. What styles have the biggest pull when you’re creating your music?
Via: Sade and Drake. 100% smooth, simple, clever, relatable and impactful.

Na’el: I gain my influence from many different producers of various different skill sets. Pharrell for his drums, Kanye for his sampling chops, Jon Brion for his beautiful arrangements and overall production. I could go on, but I’ll leave it there for now.

Ultra5280: What was the hardest song to write and why?

Via: Our new single ‘Give No Fucks’ for sure. The beat is unlike anything we’ve done and the process was relatively unorthodox for me. When writing a song, I usually spend a good amount of time listening to the music before words form. GNF came together relatively quickly. The majority of my lyrics come from a dark and cold places of mourning and loss which, for me, help songs write themselves. GNF musically felt like a party everyone was trying to get into, I didn’t even know where to begin. So I had to picture what that might feel like and “what would Pharrell and Bruno Mars do” and let just let it flow.

Ultra5280: I would say my favorite genre of music is sad dance tunes. Why do you think listeners gravitate towards sad dance music?

DRAMA: The same reason the earth is dying but the flowers are still blooming… life goes on.

Ultra5280: What can we expect from your live performance this weekend at UMS?

DRAMA: Lots and lots of love and laughs, possibly some tears and some make out session in the audience… haha. It’s an emotional rollercoaster with us. You gotta come expecting to experience the ride.

Ultra5280: What’s the next move for Drama?


DRAMA: A lot of touring! We’ll be on the road this fall with SG Lewis in North America and back across the pond for some shows in Europe. Looking forward to also releasing our first full album in 2020! :)

The Kali and Jorja Tour Arrives In Denver

Jorja Smith and Kali Uchis perform in Denver on Saturday night. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

As the weather starts to heat up in Denver, the temperature inside the Fillmore Auditorium was already Summer-like this past Saturday night. The co-headlining tour of Kali Uchis and Jorja Smith made a stop to a packed house. The Kali and Jorja Tour kicked off with Kali Uchis going first. The Colombian-American sultry singer has made a name for herself the last few years with her work as a solo artist and frequent collaborations with the likes of Tyler the Creator, Gorillaz, Daniel Caesar and more. Last year she released her full length debut album Isolation to much acclaim. She played a few songs off Isolation as well as a couple note-worthy covers of Beautiful by Pharrell Williams and Creep by Radiohead. Kali was born to be an entertainer and she showcased that as she won over the crowd with her sultry dance moves as she owned every inch of the stage.

Kali Uchis gave the crowd what they deserved. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

After a quick change over Jorja Smith came out to a raucous ovation as she got right into her opening song Teenage Fantasy. The English R&B singer who cites Amy Winehouse as one of her biggest influences ripped through her set with an almost hypnotic appeal that resonated with her jazz laced production and heartfelt lyrics. Smith dazzled with Lost and Found setting the whole venue into a trance like vibe as she showed her vulnerability in capturing the essence and feel of the emotional song. As an encore Smith brought out Uchis as they performed a few medleys including their song Tyrant. They playfully fed off each others energy to end the night in grand fashion as they both exited hand in hand to a loud applause.

Jorja Smith captivated during her set. (Photo credit: Robert Castro)

Words and images: Robert Castro

Adiel Mitchell | JUNGLE EP Review

Adiel Mitchell emerging from the Jungle of Hobby Lobby. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Adiel Mitchell just released his newest EP titled Jungle and we have been vibin’ to it in the office for about a week now. The three song EP captures a different side of Mitchell than we are used to hearing yet he still maintains that unique sound we fell in love with from his previous EP About Last Night.

"Following About Last Night, I really wanted to create a small package of songs that I just wanted to party with," he said. "I felt like ALN was a real groovy project with deep lyrics but packaged with a signature pop vibe but I wanted to broaden those horizons and really follow where my inspirations and influences were taking me...Every song has its own story on how it came together and how it affects me. I purposely stepped out of my box to take some risks and see how truly free I could expose my artistry."

On this EP Mitchell is not afraid to step out of his comfort zone and prove the versatility he has in his arsenal as he rips through the three song EP with no abandonment. The lead song aptly sharing the same title as the EP “Jungle” , has Mitchell storm out the gate with a lyrical bombardment accompanied by a devastating drum beat that has us singing the chorus with ferocity (strange flex for us mild mannered music snobs), the song transitions into a slower soulful beat in which Mitchell demonstrates his expertise in being able to flip the switch at the drop of a dime. Easily our favorite track on the EP.

Jungle (photo Credit: Robert Castro)

The second single “Stuck on You” takes Mitchell back to his roots as he belts the chorus to what we can only imagine slow dancing with our significant partner in a rather sensual manner. Turn up the 808 on this one and sit back as you indulge in some of his finest work.

The last track “Ugh (There She Go)” is a classical take on a simple yet successful formula for what a radio hit should be. It has all the elements from an infectious beat, to a classic hook that we can repeat over and over. Mitchell continues to grow in front of our eyes and with this EP he proves that he has plenty of tools in his belt to succeed in the game. It’s time the world to take notice! Production credits on JUNGLE are provided by Levi Double U.


Denver Music Spotlight: Who Is Miggy Camacho?

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Hailing from the City of Angels, Miggy Camacho has been one of the Denver music scenes true ambassadors to live music. Just Miggy as he is known by has been at the forefront of blessing us with some of the finest R&B, Hip Hop, Soul, Funk and Motown music our city has to offer. From rocking the decks to promoting one of the best nightly parties at Goosetown Tavern on a weekly basis, Miggy is the heart and soul of a scene that truly caters to those who appreciate the throwback sound of yesteryear. His events always spark up nostalgia (Sorry Fresh Prince, we had to) with some classics and rare unreleased joints that people often find themselves scratching their heads when played. Truly a music ambassador in our ever growing music scene. If you are ever in the Bluebird District drop by Goosetown Tavern for a drink or two and enjoy some good quality grown folks music, tell him we sent you!

Make sure to check him out and one of the many events he hosts on a weekly basis. this week the amazing and talented Mandy Yoches and The Hell Knows will be Miggy's guest along with DJ Polyphoni (who just rocked our amazing anniversary party). As always the party is free and no cover for those 21+ 

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Khalid The Future Of R&B

One of the hottest acts in music today spend back to back nights in our fair city with two sold out shows. The 19 year old phenom known simply as Khalid has been skyrocketing up the charts within the last year on the heels of his debut album American Teen. The 19 year old from El Paso, Texas has been busy with his current our as well as guest appearances on tracks with Calvin Harris, Marshmello, Goldlink and more. A fresh face on the R&B scene Khalid delivers with a unique voice and amazing energy on stage. It was only a few months ago he was playing to a packed Larimer Lounge to this weeks sold out shows at The Ogden and Fillmore. The kid is on his way.