Spend Your Money on Dava... Or At Least Your Spare Time

Local artist Dava has a hot new single out, and we have it here, just for you!

Photo courtesy of artist

Photo courtesy of artist

Dava told us, “I gather a lot of my inspiration from the females I grew up listening to. Ladies like Gwen, P!nk, Madonna were never afraid to write about what they really wanted. Lawrence Grivich and I had a blast making this - I wanted it to feel a little dreamy but still carry a strong presence lyrically. 2019 has a ton of music coming - releasing just about every month.”

Keep an eye out for this gal, she’s kicking butt and taking names!

Listen here.

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 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!

Ultra5280's Best Of 2018: Top Shows

2018 brought us some amazing shows. From comebacks to the unexpected to the rebirth of a local festival. Denver finally got it’s own big festival after months of rumors with Grandoozy. Red Rocks continued to impress with probably its best lineup in years. It’s hard task when asked to name your Top 5, but we sat down with some of our friends and finalized our lists. The consensus from our panel would be that David Byrne returned in 2018 with the best show of the year, landing number one on many lists. Taylor Swift toured with her amazing production landing a few spots on the list. Other notable shows were Janelle Monae, Childish Gambino and a few new faces such as CupcakKe and Jungle. With 2019 announcements already starting to roll in we expect it to be bigger and better. Thank you to our amazing friends at Live Nation, AEG Presents, Illegal Pete’s, Do303, The UMS, Levitt Pavillion, Open Air, Behind The Scene Podcast, without you we wouldn’t be able to attend so many amazing shows. Until next year…..

Robert Castro / Editor In Chief Ultra5280

14494751_10154623613153750_4694515903582625151_n.jpg

  1. Janelle Monae- Austin City Limits Music Festival

  2. Travis Scott- Pepsi Center

  3. David Byrne- Austin City Limits Music Festival

  4. Taylor Swift- Mile High Stadium

  5. Childish Gambino- Pepsi Center

Amy Osgood / Certified Peace Sign Thrower

741FC981-8D19-413C-81BE-BCAE36D846D4.JPG

  1. SZA- Coachella

  2. Taylor Swift- Mile High Stadium

  3. Beyonce- Coachella

  4. Janelle Monae- Paramount Theatre

  5. Florence and The Machine- Grandoozy

Bruce Trujillo / Programming Assistant at Open Air

28795651_945616016554_4534465813570125824_n.jpg

  1. Los Mocochetes/Pink Hawks/Vic N The Narwhals- Hi Dive

  2. Tammy Shine (of Dressy Bessy)- Sally Centigrade

  3. Ms. Lauryn Hill- Red Rocks

  4. Paul Simon- Fiddler’s Green

  5. Childish Gambino- Pepsi Center

Tobias Krause / Event Director at Underground Music Showcase

13102767_926377954126392_6890246741570381880_n.jpg

  1. DUCKWRTH- Underground Music Showcase

  2. PPL MVR- Underground Music Showcase

  3. Dragondeer (as Bowie)- Globe Hall

  4. Childish Gambino- Pepsi Center

  5. Madge- Underground Music Showcase

Zoe Lanterman / Marketing Manager at Live Nation Colorado

13507155_10208187198591099_7070618065572547640_n.jpg

  1. Jungle- The Gothic Theater

  2. Rolling Blackout Coastal Fever- Larimer Lounge

  3. Cold Cave- Marquis Theatre

  4. Sylvan Esso- Red Rocks

  5. BROCKHAMPTON- The Ogden Theatre

Peter Wallace / General Manager at Do303

45715544_10214539960665008_6677122708603404288_n.jpg

  1. David Byrne- Red Rocks

  2. Big Gigantic (Rowdytown 3D)- Red Rocks

  3. PHISH- MGM Las Vegas

  4. Travis Scott- Life Is Beautiful Music Festival

  5. Dave Chapelle- Summit

Joel Rekiel / Levitt Pavillion Denver

Joel+Profile+Picture.jpg

  1. David Byrne- Red Rocks

  2. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats- Levitt Pavillion Denver

  3. Godspeed You Black Emperor-The Ogden Theatre

  4. MGMT- The Fillmore

  5. Rainbow Kitten Surprise- Velorama Music Festival

Shon Cobbs / Host of Behind The Podcast

46472510_10218713125445514_4852893615153741824_n.jpg

  1. The National/Sharon Van Etten- Red Rocks

  2. Jesus and Mary Chain/NIN- Red Rocks

  3. Ghostpulse-Syntax Opera House

  4. The Milk Blossoms- Lost Lake

  5. Beach House/Sound of Ceres- The Ogden Theatre

Virgil Dickerson / Fun Pusher at Illegal Pete’s

IMG_1062.jpeg

  1. David Byrne- Red Rocks

  2. Lizzo with Maggie Rogers and Haim- Red Rocks

  3. Janelle Monae- Paramount Theatre

  4. Cupcakke- Marquis Theater

  5. Shannon and The Clams- Crescent Ballroom

Ryan Garbarino- Marketing Manager at AEG Presents

35884779_10216839943936580_2529176330738597888_n.jpg

  1. David Byrne- Red Rocks

  2. Khraungbin- The Bluebird Theater

  3. The War on Drugs- Grandoozy

  4. John Prine with Nathaniel Rateliff- Buell Theatre

  5. Taylor Swift- Mile High Stadium

Rikki Aston / Talent Buyer at Live Nation Colorado

CD3BEE24-2A53-481B-B5A2-FD5C8B44BE67_Facetune_11-12-2018-11-15-12.jpeg

  1. David Byrne- Red Rocks

  2. Pearl Jam- Safeco Field

  3. Against Me!- Summit

  4. Janelle Monae- Paramount Theatre

  5. Sofi Tukker- Gothic Theater (can I have 5 more!!!)

Lina Skrzypczak / Lifestyle and Music Writer at Ultra5280

38136158_10157651053143574_6342792657462362112_n.jpg

  1. Black Moth Super Rainbow- The Bluebird

  2. Washed Out- 420 Block Party

  3. Childish Gambino- Pepsi Center

  4. Mac Demarco- Red Rocks

  5. Tycho- Summit

Danny Sax / Talent Buyer at AEG Presents

43828191_10106487399675943_9106714454443163648_n.jpg

  1. Bouncing Souls- The Bluebird Theater

  2. Highly Suspect- The Ogden Theatre

  3. Dropkick Murphy’s/Flogging Molly- Fox Street Compound

  4. Mac Demarco- Red Rocks

  5. Rancid/Bad Religion/Pennywise/The Interrupters/Mad Caddies/Potato Pirates - Fiddlers Green

Geoff Brent / Talent Buyer at Live Nation Colorado

Image-2.png

  1. Itchy-O Hallowmass- Summit

  2. Against Me!- Summit

  3. Turnstile & Culture Abuse- Marquis Theater

  4. BROCKHAMPTON- The Fillmore

  5. The Frights- The Bluebird

Ultra5280’s Best of 2018: Top Albums

IMG_1998.PNG

We have nailed down our lists of Best Albums for 2018. We also asked some of our best friends for their selections as well. Without further adieu we give you the 2018 edition of The Best Albums of 2018 presented by Ultra5280. Cheers to an amazing year in music and hopefully 2019 brings in the same.

Robert Castro / Editor In Chief Ultra5280

Amy Osgood- President of The Tobias Krause Fan Club

  1. Florence and The Machine- High As Hope

  2. Kanye West- Ye

  3. Kacey Musgraves- Golden Hour

  4. St. Vincent- MassEducation

  5. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats- Tearing At The Seams

Bruce Trujillo- Programming Assistant-Open Air

  1. Mountain Man- Magic Ship

  2. Black Panther Original Soundtrack- Kendrick Lamar

  3. Lucero- Among The Ghosts

  4. La Luz- Floating Features

  5. Vic N The Narwhals- Los Narwhals

Tobias Krause- Event Director -Underground Music Showcase

  1. Deezie Brown- Self Titled

  2. SiR- November

  3. Unknown Mortal Orchestra- Sex & Food

  4. Oxeye Daisy- Self Titled

  5. Dragondeer- If You Got The Blues

Zoe Lanterman- Marketing Manager- Live Nation Colorado

  1. Snail Mail- Lush

  2. Beach House- 7

  3. Jungle- For Ever

  4. Moaning- Self Titled

  5. Superorganism- Self Titled

Peter Wallace- General Manager- Do303

  1. A Star Is Born Soundtrack (with dialogue)

  2. Kacey Musgraves- Golden Hour

  3. Houndmouth- Golden Age

  4. Brent Cowles- How To Be Okay Alone

  5. Morgan Saint- Alien

Joel Rekiel- Marketing Manager- Levitt Pavillion Denver

  1. Rainbow KittenSurprise-How To: Friend, Love, Freefall

  2. Fucked Up- Dose Your Dreams

  3. CupcakKe- Ephorize

  4. MGMT- Little Dark Age

  5. Muse- Simulation Theory

Shon Cobbs- Host- Behind The Scene Podcast

  1. Machu Linea- Girl

  2. Kramies- Of All Places Been And Everything The End

  3. The Milk Blossoms- Dry Heave The Heavenly

  4. Curta- End Of Future Park

  5. Four Fists- 6666

Virgil Dickerson-Fun Pusher-Illegal Pete’s

  1. Anderson Paak- Oxnard

  2. Shannon and The Clams- Onion

  3. Janelle Monae- Dirty Computer

  4. CupcakKe- Eden

  5. Father John Misty- God’s Favorite Customer

Ryan Garbarino- Marketing Manager- AEG Presents

  1. Mastersystem- Dance Music

  2. Twin Peaks- Sweet 17’ Singles

  3. Hop Along- Bark Your Head Off, Dog

  4. Amen Dunes- Freedom

  5. Typhoon- Offerings

Rikki Aston- Talent Buyer- Live Nation Colorado

  1. Nombe- They Might’ve Even Loved Me

  2. Lizzo- Big Grrrl Small World

  3. Parcels- Self Titled

  4. Greta Van Fleet- Anthem of The Peaceful Army

  5. Kikagayu Moyo- Masana Temples

Lina Skrzypczak- Music Lifestyle Writer-Ultra5280

  1. Black Moth Super Rainbow- Panic Blooms

  2. J Cole- KOD

  3. Cardi B- Invasion Of Privacy

  4. Kanye West- Ye

  5. Anderson Paak- Oxnard

Danny Sax- Talent Buyer- AEG Presents

  1. Zeal & Ardor- Stranger Fruit

  2. The Interrupters- Fight The Good Fight

  3. Daughters- You Won’t Get What You Want

  4. Pig Destroyer- Head Cage

  5. Behemoth- I Loved you At Your Darkest

Geoff Brent- Talent Buyer- Live Nation Colorado

  1. The Frights- Hypochondriac

  2. Culture Abuse- Bay Dream

  3. Anderson Paak- Oxnard

  4. nothing, nowhere- ruiner

  5. Let’s Eat Grandma- I’m all Ears

Childish Gambino Proves Why He Is The Best Entertainer In The Business

The show was a no-photo policy.

Donald Glover is what we can call a modern day Renaissance Man, a man who combines an array of talents and skills to entertain us. A skilled writer, actor, producer, dj and musician, Glover uses all of these components to provide us with his own unique methods of entertaining us.

Tuesday night it was his musical moniker of Childish Gambino that set the Pepsi Center a blaze with his performance. He tore through his 17 song set at will and urged concertgoers to put away their phones for the performance.”This is not a concert, this is church echoed through the packed house” Gambino is a showman with his customary screams and gyrating dance moves that are often portrayed in his videos. Seeing them come to life in a live setting is truly extraordinary.

Childish Gambino performing on his last tour ever. (iPhone photo: Robert Castro)

Gambino erupted through his short catalog (he’s only made three albums) of hits including “Worldstar”, “Summertime Magic” even making it through the lower corridors of the Pepsi Center randomly popping out of the 200 section to give the crowd and up close rendition of “Late Night In Kuai” and “Stand Tall”.

It was those moments that Gambino truly connected with the crowd and kept the energy hyped all night. Most artist complain about the altitude here in Denver, not a single word was mentioned by Gambino, add to that the fact that he is coming back from a recent leg injury, the dude left it all on the floor.

One of the best shows in Denver this year. (iPhone Photo: Robert Castro)

He erupted into “This Is America” to end his set and at that point you could feel the crowd give all they had left in the tank to dance and sing along. After a brief break he returned for his encore set including early catalog hits such as “Sweatpants”, “Sober”, and “3005”. It was an amazing experience to say the least and no better way to end the night than a crowd sing-a-long of “Redbone”, that sealed an epic night and for us a perfect way to send off Childish Gambino on his last tour ever.