Tyto Alba Is Slowly Carving Its Niche As One Of The Best Bands In Denver

Tyto Alba (Photo Credit: Christy Dodd)

New music alert courtesy of local dream pop outfit Tyto Alba. This local outfit is on its way to big things judging by its unique sound anchored by the beautiful and angelic voice of Melanie Steinway. At first listen you are automatically taken into a fictional world were all seems perfect despite the dark rhythms and somber undertones of a band that meshes perfectly with Steinway's ability to make you feel as you are the center of the song.

Somnambulist is a dreamy summertime song to pick listeners out of that end-of-winter slump. The song title means “a sleepwalker,” something we’re sure most of us have felt like at one time or another as we hazily crawl from day to day, questioning reality or wondering if there was something we missed.

The band channels its inner Beach House with a track that conjures up a dream-like sequence in which you are taken to an imaginary place in which the sun is gleaming and the waves of the ocean are crashing into a cliff side. A place were you want to be, free of any distraction.

The track was recorded at King Sequoia Studios in Boulder, CO and mixed/mastered by Colin Bricker of Mighty Fine Productions in Denver.

Tyto Alba will be joining Edison and Esme Patterson on Thursday, March 15th at Syntax Physic Opera for a Treefort Kickoff Show. All three acts will be performing at Treefort Music Fest in Boise, ID (https://www.treefortmusicfest.com/). The show is $10, 21+, and will begin at 9PM.

Shortly after the kickoff show, Tyto Alba will be hitting the road for a two week tour surrounding Treefort that takes them up to Portland, OR and down the West Coast to San Fransisco, CA before heading home to Denver. Most of the tour will be accompanied by Esme Patterson, who will be performing solo (see tour poster for full agenda).

Lyrics:
Few thoughts of romance these days
Are you picking up what I'm putting down? Leave me in my coat of dust
Idle cogs and gears giving birth to rust
A dull ache in every vertebrae
But it's nothing to write home about
A soft spot for these summer days
I could tell you games that I'd like to play
Trashing up my head
Monsters will do what monsters do But it's inexplicable
Especially to you
I could use some peace of mind Knowing that we'll all survive
And I try to tell myself it's fine When all existing instincts collide

Tyto Alba is a four piece dream-pop band from Denver, Colorado. 
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Music | Treefort 2016 - Recap

It is a Treefort miracle the Ultra5280 crew made it to Boise in the first place considering last week’s blizzard. Now, as the festival comes to a close, we’ll reflect on our favorite acts.

1.     Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires – Most inspiring

2.     Mothers – Most emotive

3.     Helvetia – Most genuine 

4.     Thunderpussy – Most sexy

5.     Street Fever – Most theatrical

6.     Ned Garthe Explosion – Most entertaining (silly string, confetti, air horns... "Spring Break Tampa 2002" - Ned Garthe)

Essentially, Treefort is a gathering of really nice, good-looking people. The city is beautiful and so are the venues. Even “peefort” (not it’s official name), a collection of the best smelling porta-potties I’ve ever been in, was a positive experience. The festival is only in it’s fifth year, yet it attracts talent from all over the world. The Duck Club does a wonderful job organizing and executing Treefort. 

In some ways, Boise reminds me of Denver; especially the collection of talented artists which call the city home. In comparing the two places, Treefort festival prompts thoughts of the Underground Music Showcase, evoking fond recollections of past years and excitement for UMS 2017. It is refreshing to see Denver bands playing Treefort and Boise bands playing UMS, working together to support locals from both communities. We will absolutely be back for Treefort 2017, and look forward to following the talent we discovered this year. 

Written by: Haley Midzor 

Photos by: Liz Whitman 

Music | Treefort Music Festival 2016

In my book, Treefort Music Festival 2016 began last summer at Denver’s Underground Music Showcase. Members of what is now Flaural, encouraged me to attend a Treefort day party at Skylark Lounge. Apparently, they had been kicking it with members of Youth Lagoon’s touring band the night before who’d be playing the mini showcase on S. Broadway. The intrigue was plenty, and my expectations far exceeded. Boise bands Thick Business, Magic Sword, and Street Fever were not only three of my favorite bands at UMS, they were my informal introduction to Treefort. 

Street Fever         Photo by: Matthhew Wordell

The festival was described to me as Boise’s UMS. I hate to compare, as Treefort website claims its fest is inspired in part by UMS, among other festivals (primarily SXSW); however, considering the impressive lineup, offerings of yoga and storytelling, platforms to discuss social issues, and the allure of experiences a fest for the first time, Treefort may upstage our beloved UMS. Fortunately, Colorado will have a significant presence this year, bringing 12 bands from Denver and 2 from Boulder, developing the ongoing relationship between the two festivals.

Looks like UMS mainstage!

Following suit from prior years, Treefort 2016 boasts a wicked, geographically diverse lineup. Multiple artists playing the festival will travel from far away lands including Australia, Japan, UK, France, Spain, Israel, and Canada. The major music cities in the US will be represented as well. This years headliners include Boise’s own Built to Spill and Youth Lagoon (last stop on YL tour), Thee Oh Sees, Cocorosie, Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaries, and Yacht.

In two days, the festival’s multiple forts will takeover downtown Boise. Though music is the central focus, the festival has ten forts for additional, “nonmusical” experiences. The conventional festival offerings are comedy, film, yoga and storytelling. Foodfort, Skatefort, and Alefort are outside the traditional festival realm. For instance, Foodfort is not a gang of food trucks, as I presumed, and is instead described as “A three-day food fête and forum where local producers, industry creatives, and agriculture experts convene to discuss innovations and share ideas.” There is even a place for the tech geniuses… Hackfort! Though I likely won’t be attending the tech workshops, it is good to see there is a place for everyone at the festival.

Treefort's Filmfort inspired by Sundance Film Fest

If your initial reaction to Treefort Music Fest was similar to mine (Boise, where is that again?), I’d suggest you give the festival and the city a second glance. Upon visiting last summer proceeding UMS, I fell in love with Boise and the awesome artist population there. Now, I return for six days of seriously talented artists, seriously creative forts, and a seriously incredible community. I can say without a doubt, Treefort Music Festival 2016 will be a seriously good time.

MUST SEE ACTS:

Alex G

La Luz

Sales

Hinds

Aan

Thunderpussy

Geographer

Quilt

Methyl Ethel

Vaadat Charigim

Thundercat

Nosaj Thing

J. Philip

Pictureplane

CloZee

CO bands playing Treefort:

Crystal Ghost

Homebody

American Culture

RUMTUM

Ned Garthe Exposion

Flaural

DéCollage

King Cardinal

Plum (Now LA)

Dirty Few

The Still Tide

Bud Bronson & The Good Timers

Jeffe + Paige

The Raven and the Writing Desk

Follow us for coverage from this year's Treefort Music Festival!

Written by: Haley Midzor