Jed Murphy BandWagon Magazine
Logan Farmer Butchers EP
Dreamy, ponderous, and rich in texture, subtlety is the not-sosubtle name of the game this time around for northern Colorado folk artist Logan Farmer on his latest EP, ‘Butchers,’ released by Western Vinyl on May 23, 2025.
Zoomed out, ‘Butchers’ can feel like a dreary collection of folk songs, but at a closer look (and to no surprise to those familiar with Farmer’s work), we find something much more complex. At their heart, the five
tracks on ‘Butchers’ stand on the transitions of folk: a singular voice and a guitar in a lament against some intangible sadness. Logan’s breathy sing-song voice – channeling Sujfan, reminiscent of Nick Drake – takes a walk through different moments in the genre and builds a stunning landscape while doing it.
It is in this landscape that Farmer steps into a modern era, using synth swells and trip hop drums to elevate the songs out of the past. It is in these places where Farmer expertly weaves together some surprisingly large sounds, yet still creating negative space. Songs like “Bloodeater” and the shanty “Monastery” both have what feels like an abundance of texture that could easily drown out Farmer’s whisper vocals and soft guitar, yet it remains tucked away.
Many artists struggle here, often stacking so many sounds on top of each other the original intent is lost. Farmer mostly avoids these pitfalls by keeping the EP grounded in his folk sound, and by doing so he has carved out a sound for himself.
As Farmer’s fourth release since 2021, ‘Butchers’ sits as a stop gap between albums, and
what is made clear with this EP is Farmer has claimed a sound for himself that is both true to form and modern. And in a world full of dudes with guitars, it says a lot to find something that’s all your own.
BANDWAGON PHOTO OF THE MONTH | JASON ALFARO OF RIGHT EYE MEDIA BLIND MELON | LINCOLN THEATER | CHEYENNE, WY | 6/ 17/ 25
BEN GARCIA RIDING THE RHYTHM:
FINDS HIS VOICE IN A LIFE WELL LIVED
BY JASON ALFARO
Ben Garcia doesn’t just write songs. He documents experience. Whether it’s the winding path of personal growth or the quiet rhythm of a morning spent training bird dogs, every lyric he delivers comes rooted in real life. Sitting down with the rising Americana artist doesn’t feel like a formal interview; it feels like catching up with someone who’s carried a thousand stories and is finally ready to share them.
Garcia's connection to music goes back as far as he can remember. He recalls the way rhythm caught his attention even before he could name it. While other kids begged for bedtime stories, Garcia was more interested in the feel and cadence of sound. That early fascination with rhythm became a constant through his life, eventually evolving into a lifelong creative pursuit.
Like many artists, the idea of a music career started as a dream, something he flirted with in high school during local shows. But something kept him from going all in. “I remember wondering what more I could do,” he reflects. “Something in me held back then. Maybe the stars just weren’t aligned yet.” That hesitance shifted recently, and he now sees music not just as a passion, but a purpose. “This past year, it became a guiding light.”
Garcia’s music resists simple genre labels. He calls it a roller coaster ride, one that glides through country, Americana, folk, blues, and rock and roll. The result is less about fitting in and more about feeling something real. He likens the process to painting. Rules can lead to a good piece of work, he says, but breaking structure often creates something deeper and more honest. His songs, much like the blues traditions he admires, prioritize message and emotion over formula.
That instinct for storytelling is at the heart of his writing. Garcia sees songs as an internal journal, shaped by thoughts, memories, and emotional moments. After reading Rick Rubin’s book on creativity, his approach evolved. He began stripping songs down to their barest form, then building them back up with intention. Sometimes, songs arrive quickly. Others take time. But for him, it’s always about letting the soul lead.
Among his catalog, one song stands out as especially personal. “Road Song” captures the journey he and his wife have taken together, both literally and emotionally. The first time he heard Wes’s fiddle layered over the track, Garcia cried. It was a moment of recognition, a reminder that music can hit harder when it’s tied to something real. At live shows, it’s become a fan favorite, often sparking moments of connection between couples in the crowd.
Life off stage is equally influential. Garcia is a husband, a father, and a bird dog trainer, roles that ground him and provide rich material for his songs. He’s spent years listening to others’ stories, collecting pieces of conversation, and now he folds them into his music. “I feel like I’ve lived a full and pretty wild life,” he says. “My lyrics come across as confessional in many ways.” He credits part of that introspective nature to his Catholic school upbringing, which left its own imprint on how he processes life and art.
This year marks a turning point. Garcia is preparing to release his debut album in September, and a new single is on the way. He hints that the upcoming project marks a noticeable shift in sound, thanks in part to the talented musicians who joined him in the studio. Fans can expect something both familiar and fresh, shaped by growth but rooted in authenticity.
He’s also gearing up for a busy summer on the road, mixing in new songs with old favorites. “I’m excited to hit the road and share the music with people,” he says. Every show, whether small or sold out, gets the same energy. Gratitude, he insists, is non-negotiable.
Staying grounded in a fast-moving industry isn’t always easy, but Garcia approaches it with humility. He compares the journey to fly fishing. Some days, no matter what you try, nothing bites. Other days, everything clicks. The important thing is to show up and cast the line. That mindset helps him stay present, focused on giving his best regardless of the outcome.
Fans might be surprised to learn there’s no “off-stage version” of Ben Garcia. Who he is
in person, on stage, and in the studio are one and the same. He hopes that when people come to his shows, they feel welcomed—not just by the music, but by the energy of the whole team behind it.
Looking forward, the dream remains simple but meaningful: to keep writing, performing, and reaching new audiences. Garcia hopes his music continues to resonate, to become part of someone else's memories the way his influences have shaped his own.
DACONO MUSIC & SPIRITS FESTIVAL
BRINGS RHYTHM & REVELRY TO NORTHERN COLORADO
TBY DAWN DUNCAN
he small-but-mighty town of Dacono, Colorado is turning up the volume for the 17th Annual Dacono Music & Spirits Festival: a celebration of sound, flavor and community that has grown into a can’t-miss summer tradition. This year’s fest will take place on Saturday, August 2 with free admission at Centennial Field in Dacono. The all-day event includes entertainment for all ages, along with an expanded lineup of musical acts, food trucks, distilleries, retail vendors, and more.
At the heart of the festival is a dynamic music lineup showcasing national talent alongside celebrated Colorado bands. This year’s headliner is Squirrel Nut Zippers, the iconic New Orleans-based band with their swinging, jazz-infused sound and carnival-like energy that has been honed for over three decades. Lead singer Jimbo Mathus says, “We always love Colorado in the summer and look forward to visiting the Dacono Music & Spirits Festival!” The band’s return to the Colorado stage promises to bring down the house with a raucous, retro flair that is equal parts nostalgia and full-throttle fun.
Other musical acts include Mojomama & The DC Horns, a Denver-based funk/R&B act and three-time Colorado Blues Society award-winning band, led by celebrated singer Jessica Rogalski. Chicano funk music by Denver-based Los Mochochetes offers their signature sociopolitical message mixed with a dance-friendly sound. The Jacob Larson Band is a funk and soul powerhouse out of Denver, and blues heavyweights The Delta Sonics will make their festival debut. The
bill kicks off at 2 pm with Goatz!, a Colorado Americana act that includes veteran musician and co-founder of the festival, Chris Kresge, bringing a rootsy, country-folk inspired sound.
Kresge, along with two former City of Dacono employees, helped to organize Dacono’s centennial celebration in 2008, which evolved into this festival, now 17 years strong. “The festival is truly unlike anything else between Denver and Fort Collins,” he comments, “and it has become the premiere event in the central-northern Colorado region.”
The festival also features a spirits competition, which is now an anchor of the celebration. Multiple Colorado distilleries will be on site offering product samples while their goods compete for honors. There will also be a beer garden on site for guests to enjoy. Foodies can indulge in a lineup of food trucks serving up savory goods, sweets galore, and loads of unique, homestyle comfort foods.
Families will love the Kids’ Zone, which will be packed with activities designed to delight children and youth, including bungee trampolines, climbing walls, bouncy castles, and much more, all free of charge. The celebration will crescendo with a spectacular fireworks display, lighting up the Colorado sky in a grand finale.
Mark your calendars, gather your crew, and get ready to dance, play, eat, and sip! Raise a glass as Dacono calls your name with its irresistible rhythm.
17TH ANNUAL DACONO MUSIC & SPIRITS FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2025 • 2-10 PM
PHOTO: JAMIE HARMON
NUT ZIPPERS
salvatore!’s Tough Luck:
BY LANDON UNGERMAN
Salvatore! didn’t set out to write Clover. He just got ghosted.
If “we had a good thing going—what happened?” were an album, it’d be this. The upcoming artist from Thornton, CO, had seemingly met his match heading into summer, until it came to a sudden end — no goodbye, no explanation. Blocked on everything.
“It seemed like it was going so well. Everything just switched in an instant.”
If you listen closely, the new album from salvatore! — his artist name and also, fittingly, a spin on his middle name — doesn’t just walk you through the fallout. It makes you sit with it. It starts in that spark of excitement when you think maybe you’ve found something real, walks straight into the confusion and despair when it disappears, and ultimately climbs out toward a quiet, chosen kind of peace.
“There’s no filter. It’s me, one and the same. And I think that shows in the music, because it’s open. It’s vulnerable.”
He recorded ‘Clover’ between February and June of 2025 in his childhood bedroom, teaching himself to mix, master, and write from scratch. “I get home from work every day, and within the hour I’m at my computer. Mixing. Writing. Recording. It’s pretty much daily.” He laughs, “The stuff on Spotify from 2023? Not good. The mixing is garbage. But now? Now I’m learning.”
There’s a version of this story where salvatore! gets blocked and just shrugs it off. Deletes her contact. Maybe writes a bitter punchline in his notes app. But instead, he took the situation for what it was — and processed it through song.
“I thought about an old song I never finished,” he says. “It was called ‘Regret Knowing Me’ — you know, like, ‘you did me dirty, and someday I’ll be something and you’ll remember knowing me.’” Now that there was some real life behind that old idea, salvatore! al-
lowed it to blossom into ten tracks of pure expression.
“Hold On,” one of the album’s standout tracks, was written after the breakup but placed near the beginning. It captures the moment when you're still clinging to what you thought it was, even after you know better.
“I wanted to build the arc of the album that way,” he says. “Start from that fragile hope, then show what happens when it crumbles.”
A bit later in the album, you can hear the young artist overcome a barrier in himself. “Get Back Up Again” was written the same day she cut things off. You can hear it in his voice.
“It’s raw,” he says, “but it’s hopeful. I think it’s one of the best things I’ve ever made.” The song marks a pivot— not away from the pain, but toward something lighter, something functional. The next track, “Set Me Free,” leans into a bouncier, more electronic space. “It’s the one I’m most excited to do live,” he says. “It’s like, yeah, this sucks, but I’m moving.”
Every detail — down to the title and cover — points back to the idea that how we work through strong emotions and react to new experiences is ultimately a decision, regardless of who or what caused them.
salvatore! breaks down how he landed on the name of the album, ‘Clover’: “I used to call her ‘Clo,’” he says. “I remember telling her she was my four-leaf clover, like, ‘Finally I got some good luck.’” It sounds cheesy, he admits — but the metaphor stuck. Some things are only meant to be for so long, and all that’s left to do is process the letdown of that luck running out.
The cover art depicts salvatore! lying peacefully in the sun, with a clover resting softly on his face. It feels like a breath. The album asks you to sit still. To listen. To grow with it.
If you’re lucky, you’ll hear it that way. Listen to the new album 'Clover' by salvatore!, out July 4th.
