5 Denver Artists To Watch Out For In 2019

We are excited to see what Denver local bands have in store for us in 2019. We have handpicked these bands because we feel they are ready to make a huge impact on the scene. Some have new albums on the way while others are ready to show Denver what they have been missing. We feel these five artist have earned our respect and it’s time Denver put their stamp of approval on them.

Tyto Alba

Tyto Alba has been honing their skills for a couple years now and we feel like 2019 will make them a household name in Denver. With a new album set to drop in 2019 (I have had a chance to hear it, be ready to be blown away) and a few more shows we have nothing but high hopes for this band in 2019. The band possess a unique sound not found anywhere else, led by the angelic vocals of Melanie Steinway the band conjures up comparisons of bands such as Japanese Breakfast, Mitski, and Beach House. Look for them to make a big splash in 2019.

A mesmerizing synthesis of shoegaze, dream-pop and indie. Lush guitars and heartfelt vocals roller coaster from subdued whispers to frenzied howls. A hypnotic blend of moody and catchy.


Nikki Giron

Local Singer/Songwriter and Alto Saxophonist Nikki Giron is releasing her debut EP ‘Heart Behind Bars’ on March 1st, 2019. Nikki Giron has been known for her ‘oldies’ influence upon not only her music, but her style as well. Nikki is a woman who will hit your vintage nostalgia making you feel as if you should be in a speakeasy in the 1920s. Upon first listen we were captured by her sultry voice and soulful sound. The nostalgia elements are all there and we encourage you all to come see her live on February 28th at Lost Lake.


Adiel Mitchell

Fresh off his EP release ‘Jungle’ Adiel Mitchell is already turning heads in his early career. First featured live during our Seven Year Anniversary party last year, Mitchell has been in the lab cooking up some new music and expanding his repertoire as a musician adding newer elements to his already praise worthy sound. Looks like 2019 will be the year Adiel Mitchell sets his footprint in the Denver music scene, expect to see this name a lot more. Word on the street is he has a special collab in the works with one of our favorite duos Optycnerd, stay tuned for more.


Oxeye Daisy

Storming out of the gates in 2017 Oxeye Daisy caught our eye with their dream like sound reminiscent of one of our all time favorite bands The Cranberries. They describe themselves as The Cranberries on acid, if they are serving that up, we will take two orders to go please. Led by lead singer Lela Roy and rounding out the band with an all star ensemble, the band is ready to make a huge impact in 2019. The band has one album to their credit and we expect to see a lot more in the coming year. A fun band to catch live make sure you come out on February 16th as they will be performing on a stellar bill featuring Tyto Alba and Pout House.


The Trujillo Company

One of the bands that landed on our radar in late 2018 was the dynamic duo of The Trujillo Company. With a no holds barred approach to rock, the band relies on heavy influences from bands such as Soundgarden, Audioslave and Stone Temple Pilots. The band is set to release their first full length album this year and we cannot wait to get our hands on it. Looking to see these guys cement themselves in our vibrant scene in 2019.

Denver rock and roll outfit, The Trujillo Company is making their own mark on the flourishing music scene in Colorado. Sharing the same love of music and same last name, Mike and Leny Trujillo combined forces to create a two-piece powerhouse driven by powerful backbeats and heavy riffs. The duo has been proving themselves with their energetic live shows and massive hooks since arriving on the scene in early 2018. 

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.


Ultra5280's Best Of 2018: Band of The Year

Los Mocochetes playing during this year’s Underground Music Showcase. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

We have usually shied away in the past from naming a band of the year. This year we decide to recognize a band that left blood, sweat, and tears on the stage with every performance. This group of gentlemen provided Denver with a message that was much needed in light of our current political climate. Sharing positivity and love throughout their sets, it was an easy choice to name Los Mocochetes our band of the year. The band had huge presence this year playing an abundance of shows all over our state (we had a chance to see them three times), they blend an array of sounds from Latin beats to funk to politically charged lyrics, add a high energy stage performance and you are guaranteed to dance your ass off. Cut from the same cloth as bands such as Rage Against The Machine and Ozomatli the band is looking to top their year in 2019 with their debut album. We look forward to seeing the band continue to ride their current wave and can’t wait to see what they have in store for the new year. Viva La Raza!!!!!!

Other bands worth mentioning that had an amazing year and should be recognized for their accomplishments this year.

Cheap Perfume

Oxeye Daisy

The Still Tide

Tennis

Citra

Yasi

The Velveteers

Dreadnought

It’s Just Bugs

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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  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

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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