Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers Make Love to Denver

Photo courtesy of Hobo Johnson Facebook

Stellar young lyricist, vocalist and frontman of Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers, Hobo Johnson, also known as Frank Lopes Jr. summoned people of all ages and backgrounds to the Summit Music Hall and sold out a Tuesday night show.

If you haven’t heard Hobo Johnson - think slam poetry, rap, and angsty garage punk had a baby and added cute curly hair and a super expressive face. This group of guys from California throw down cool beats and relatable, emotion packed lyrics that attracted an obviously large fan base. After a Tiny Desk Concert submission, the group gained quick popularity, for pretty obvious reason in my opinion. Quirky emotional guys smoking cigarettes in a backyard? Yup, I’m in. Add tight music, even better.

Now hearing the crowd at a sold out venue sing every lyric must be a crazy experience, and one Lopes experienced here in Denver. But as great as that aspect was, Denver crowds are becoming disrespectful in the arrogant level of chatter and disruptiveness happening during a set. To the point in this instance where Lopes was obviously getting flustered and frustrated, at which point obnoxious audience member was asked to “Fuck Off.”

Soooooooo, I will kindly remind you Denver to mind your manners and be courteous to not only the performer (who’s trying to perform, for one) that you, and the other people surrounding you paid cash money to see, but also your fellow concert goers. You don’t want to be the guy getting yelled at by an angry fan, and he doesn’t want to yell at you, so just avoid it and take your conversation somewhere that people aren’t trying to listen to music.

Playing almost their entire discography in addition to some new songs, in front of a beat up couch/living room setup the group did not disappoint. Hits like “Sex in the City” and “Creve Coeur 1” stood out to me, but everything was performed with vivacity and true emotion, and honestly felt like I was seeing my friends play music about stuff that was happening to all of us at the time. Ending with fan favorite and the “slapper” of their set, “Peach Scone”, the crowd was involved and pleased as ever. I would recommend checking out most recent album The Rise of Hobo Johnson (2017) and giving the lyricism a chance to blow your mind as it did mine the first time I watched their Tiny Desk submission earlier this year.

Link to watch the Tiny Desk Concert here.

Two Day Tycho Extravaganza!

Ambient electronica mastermind, Scott Hansen, also known as Tycho, brought his notorious Sunrise and Sunset DJ sets to Summit Music Hall in Denver this last weekend (10/19 and 10/20). The venue that normally hosts hardcore or pop-punk shows took on a two day DJ showcase mirroring Hansen’s Burning Man sets that have become very popular amongst the Burners community, and packed the venue both nights.

Photo courtesy of Lina Skrzypczak

The Burner vibe was definitely present, although the event also made it clear that Tycho’s music appeals to more than just one “type” of person. As a long time fan, I was extremely curious to see what Tycho would bring forth to a DJ set, and how his ambient music would be mixed in with a more dancey vibe for the masses. His last 3 albums are a moderately one dimensional trilogy that is beautiful and moving, nonetheless, but hearing the man mix those ambient anthems with his favorite artists and songs was insane to witness. Amongst playing favorites like Aphex Twin, Com Truise, Weval, and Jon Hopkins, Tycho played so called “bangers” by my personal favorite Bibio. He kept the audience entranced and moving, even when the set took on a momentarily more chill vibe.

In researching the exact setlist, which I couldn’t locate, I did find a reddit thread with a statement from none other than Scott Hansen himself in regard to these sets happening in a few cities nationwide. Hansen states, “I try to make the sunrise set a little more introspective and that may come off as being less energetic. but i realize both sets are at night, in a club, so it’s not like i’m going to be dropping all ambient chill out stuff or anything. i’ll try to keep both equally danceable and interesting. There will certainly be some overlap so you won’t be missing everything from the other night if you just go to one. I will say the second night always kind of feels like more of a party to me, which is fitting for the sunset theme.” In coming across this statement, I felt a clarity towards the set that still left me unable to describe what I, as well as the other show goers experienced that night.

My only qualm is the both sets ended well before 2am, which was kind of a bummer for a weekend show, but what can you do when venues each have rules of their own?
Need a night of dancing through your troubles into a transcending introspectiveness? Tycho is your guy. 10/10 would recommend.

RECITAL: 10/11/2018 SYNTAX PHYSIC OPERA

RECITAL is a collaborative art event featuring dance, music, and other mediums. It will be held the 11th of October at 8pm at Syntax Physic Opera House.

Founders Mattie Gonzales and Rianna Lee wanted to create an event that satisfies the desire for performance art. In a newly thriving city full of wonderful art shows, drag shows, and concerts it seems necessary to bridge the gap between media, especially as the fall show season gears up. This event incorporates local and touring performers, and promises acts both contemporary and unprecedented. The vibe will be set at Syntax. With their uniquely welcoming ambience, and amazing curated cocktails attendees will certainly be charmed. The night will feature performances and DJ sets by local artists. We are also excited to host the very talented Jorge Elbrecht, who has collaborated with a number of exceptional artists like Ariel Pink.

First Look: The Velveteers "Anastasia Sings" Video

Our good friends The Velveteers are set to embark on their UK tour and have this amazing video to share to day with us. The video is loud, weird, and just right up our alley. The band has always held a special place in our hearts and we suggest coming out to see them this Saturday.

The band is hosting a send off party this coming Saturday at Larimer Lounge with guests Bad Licks and Colfax Speed Queen.

As a bonus if you bring your pre-sale ticket to the Illegal Pete’s on Colfax between 6-9PM you get a free margarita!

Courtney Barnett Kicks Off Tour In Denver With A Bang!

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Denver got a double dose of Australian rocker Courtney Barnett this past weekend. Supporting her latest album Tell Me How You Really Feel, Barnett filled every nook of The Ogden Theatre for back to back nights. The start of tour shows can be either hit or miss, but for Barnett she was delivering on all cylinders with her customary gritty guitar play and recognizable drawl. Opening with “Hopefulness” off the new album, Barnett and company set the done for the rest of the night with all new material and a few carry overs from her first album. The voice remains the same and her sound has evolved, after all the last time Barnett was in Denver was election night 2016, while our political landscape changed dramatically that night, there is still hope that music lovers alike can still enjoy themselves at a good ole rock and roll show.

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Words and Images: Robert Castro

First Listen: AMZY "Together We Are The Same"

Fresh off an amazing performance at this years Grandoozy we give you the first listen of local pop outfit AMZY’s new single titled “Together We Are The Same”. The song is an epic ballad featuring inspiring vocals by lead frontman Brennan Johnson accompanied by a radio friendly beat we can see becoming a number one hit. Well done boys. Well done!