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BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
cover story
802 9th St. Greeley, CO 80631 BANDWAGMAG.COM PUBLISHER
ELY CORLISS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JED MURPHY
album reviews QBALA PG 5 PLUM pg 7
ART DIRECTOR
THE phil turk band PG 7
Photography
entertainment
JACK JORDAN
DYLAN ADAMS RYAN FRAZEE LINDSAY HOUGHTON
CONTRIBUTORS KYLE EUSTICE JAIDA GIBSON CLARK M. LAMSON GIANNA LICATA Advertising Information:
gm@bandwagmag.coM All Other Inquiries:
editor@bandwagmag.coM BandWagon Magazine © 2016 The Crew Presents Inc.
KRIZZ KALIKO PG 16-17 concert calendar PGS 20-27 bandwagon games PG 29 bandwagon pix PG 31
TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2015 PG 9
ARTIST PROFILES SHATTERPROOF PG 10 THE STUBBY SHILLELAGHS PG 13 RJd2 PG 14
shatterproof pg 10
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BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
PHOTO BY ARMANDO KNOWEROFTHELEDGE
QBALA
Battle Cries
Kyle Eustice
BandWagon Magazine
When Fort Collins superstar emcee Kahlie “Qbala” Quinones was 27, she finally had the courage to verbalize she preferred females over males. Little by little, she started becoming more comfortable with who she was and discovered, through music, she was able to divulge the truth. “Every time I hit the stage, I realized a little bit more of me was opening up,” Qbala says. “I was realizing the power behind the words I’m putting out. There’s an empowerment from it. The more honest I am, the closer I am to this utopia in my head.” She also came to terms with the huge responsibility she had with such a public platform. She was able to channel the discipline from her background in college basketball and pour it into her music. Writing became her catharsis and finally she was able to say everything she had kept locked up inside
for so long. Now 33-years-old, the proud Sagittarius has released her most genuine album todate, the Battle Cries EP, a five-track continuation of 2014’s Dark Side of the Rain. “I felt like people may not have captured what I was talking about on the last one,” she says. “I might have just scraped the surface level. I started thinking more critically about the writing and the lyricism, and realized I could take the story a lot further with the same amount of tracks.” The ominous opening track, “So Alone” begins the process of psychoanalyzing nearly everything about her, including her struggles with being multiracial, learning to survive on minimum wage and gender equality issues. “PRIDE” dives into her childhood and growing up with a white stepfather with another dark, haunting beat. The conviction in her voice is comforting, almost like a best friend finally opening up. The title track and “Music Language” are more playful, but still deliver a glimpse into her ever-evolving psyche. “I want to teach kids a message of character then hopefully the music they want to listen to will change,” she says. “I want people to know that I’m genuine about the music I make and that I’m living my word in real life.” Album closer, “The Archer and The Crab,” is clearly an ode to her partner. It further humanizes the emcee behind the tough exterior and paints a picture of domestic
bliss. The positivity she radiates is even more impressive when she reveals she has multiple sclerosis (MS), works three jobs, barely sleeps and puts any extra energy she has into her music. “People think I have this insane amount of energy and health, but no,” she says. “I’ve just trained myself to believe time is a man-made thing. You can set yourself free in your mind. The energy I put out there, I’m going to get that energy back. All I can do is continue to be a leader by my actions.”
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BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
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PLUM
Light Years, Dark Years Jaida Gibson
BandWagon Magazine
Denver rockers, Plum, have done it again as they just released their highly anticipated EP Light Years, Dark Years. This three-piece psychedelic rock band has taken the local music scene by storm. The band that formed in 2014 consisting of Kyle Miller, Jake Supple, and Ty Baron has managed to create the perfect combination of classic ‘70s rock and modern day alternative. Light Years, Dark Years is a five-track record that will leave listeners yearning for the days of classic
rock bands like The Doors and Cream. The title track is full of fuzz guitar and tight bass lines, giving off hints of early Black Keys, which begs for more hallucinatory aria. Next we transition into “Cosmic Vice.” This song is full of expression as the layered vocals and groovy bass lines take over. This could be compared to the work of indie rockers Temples, as the vocalists’ haunting voices compliment each other. The smooth sounds achieved will make you feel a nostalgic sense of summer as it feels warm and hazy with each guitar riff and heavy drum beat. Listening to “Love
THE PHIL TURK BAND You and I are Brave
Jay Wallace
BandWagon Magazine
In a letter to BandWagon Magazine, Phil Turk described himself as a singer/songwriter in the pop/rock and adultcontemporary genre. Pop, rock and adult-contemporary are such catch-all descriptions that
I’m not even sure what constitutes those genres these days. And once I started to listen to You and I are Brave, released in late 2014 by Turk under The Phil Turk Band, I realized his first outing sounds more like a modern folk album with influences taken from all over the world. I realize this doesn’t sound
Is In The Air” will give the impression of a classic rock song, until it breaks into an eccentric tune. This melody is a very close representation of Tame Impala’s “Lonerism,” a favorite for many music lovers. As this song gives the EP a break from the heavy drum and head banging harmonies, it can only be described as smooth and simple. The fourth song, “Drip,” is a song that leaves one bobbing their head to the similar sounds of Black Sabbath. Plum manages to expand on their sound and take you to a time where music had no boundaries and was full of the potential to express one’s self entirely. Overall, this five-song EP has proves that the up-andcoming rockers are changing the local music scene of Colorado. Though there is plenty of influence from a diverse secomplimentary to Turk’s first album, making it seem like an incongruent mess, but it’s not. It’s a mellow, relaxing, album with a unique sound. That sound mostly comes from the mix of influences Turk has: ‘80s pop-rock, classical music, adult contemporary. His various bandmates also contribute to You and I are Brave’s sound, including Yanling Yuen with the Hulusi (A Chinese flute) and West Virginia University flutist/recording artist Nina Assimakopoulos. Many of his bandmates consist of former coworkers and students, mostly from West Virginia University, where Turk taught Statistics from 2008 to 2014. (Turk is a Professor of Statistics at Colorado State University.) You hear those influences throughout the album. “The Finish Line” is a little ‘80s with subtle synth work and a guitar solo. “Waiting for Morning”
lection of bands, ranging from the smooth sounds of Muddy Waters, all the way to the psychedelic composition of Pink Floyd and Thee Oh Sees, This EP is a rock and roll gem, filled with infectious chorus and charming instrumentals. Light Years, Dark Years allows for easy listening to an audience of any kind.
sounds a little contemporary with Assimakopoulos’ flute and a background string section. “Blush” sounds the most contemporary with excellent piano work while the first track, “All There Is To Say,” is distinctly folk. The most novel track on the album, though, is an encore of “All There Is To Say,” sang in Chinese by Turk. So, yeah. This album took a while to grow on me, I’ll admit that. But if this sounds like your kind of thing, I’d advise you to check out Phil Turk Band. Turk says on his website he’s working on a new CD, so if you wish to keep up with that and check out more information on the album, visit www.philturkband.com.
BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
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BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
BY CLARK M. LAMSON | BANDWAGON MAGAZINE Alabama Shakes: Sound & Color
Our Top 10 begins with the sophomore release of Alabama Shakes, the effervescent Southern rock outfit that exploded into our lives with the debut Boys & Girls, due in no small part to the charm and blustering pipes of leadwoman, Brittany Howard. While I do miss the rockier stylings of their debut, Sound & Color doubled down on nuance, melody, and intimacy.
Will Butler: Policy
From one of my favorite bands, came one of my favorite solo albums. There’s a constant groove in Policy, so much so that you might miss the gnashing wit or sarcasm underneath. From the pulsing groove of “Anna” (one of my favorite singles of the year) to the stammering doowop of “Witness,” Butler invokes Reed, Bowie, and Jagger in some sort of kooky, unidentifiable swagger.
Laura Marling: Short Movie
While the rich, oaken strings suck you in from the first, there’s a smouldering sense of mystery woven into the lyrics that needs time to ruminate. This coupled with an arid desert backdrop paints Marling as some sand whipped gunslinging warrior princess. Short Movie is a cool dram in the middle of a dust bowl.
Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats: self titled
Whether through bolstering brass or the cathartic cry of the blues, Denver’s The Night Sweats’ only concern is making the listener feel good. It’s easy to get cynical about the love song in the beige modern pop scene we live in, but Rateliff and his new band manage such honest heart that the record is an instant classic.
The Decemberists: What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World
With as many great debut records as there were this year, it’s nice to see a veteran act in the mix. The 8th release from The Decemberists (while maybe not entirely unexpected) Colin Meloy, ever the gifted lyricist accompany to roiling, midwestern marches effortlessly, whether by the side of bossy brass, or smooth, jaunting licks. After all this time, the Decemberists are still great.
Ezra Furman: Perpetual Motion People
Almost two weeks before the nationwide legalization of gay marriage, long time frontman Ezra Furman released his solo debut Perpetual Motion People. In any given moment, Furman’s lyric will flip from fraught to flippant, wallowing in and shrugging off the labels and expectations (both personal and societal) that spring from his gender and sexual identities. Furman is equal parts eccentric and exciting, and I can’t wait to see more.
Death Grips: The Powers That b
It was an emotional year for Death Grips fans, (long story) but after a big wait, fans were happy to hear a fully completed Powers, just as impressive as the early content promised it might be. As the Hill/Morin production grows in scope and ambition, MC Ride continues to push himself, and us, to the edge of our comfort zones. Death Grips continues to push the genre forward.
Kamasi Washington: The Epic
The reason I like this record so much, besides the obvious musical prowess of its players, is it’s challenging facade. A three hour collection of as many discs, The Epic (aptly named) refuses to let the intensity waver, The hooks are memorable and the solos are rousing, Though for all its girth, the record is clearly an proclamation of love, both for jazz, and the friends with which he plays.
Benjamin Clementine: At Least For Now
After playing through single “I Won’t Complain” a lot, my expectations for Benjamin Clementine’s debut were astronomical. Of all the great lyrics this year, none come close to the blinding natural talent of At Least For Now. The masterful poetry accents the distinctive musicality that comes from the self taught musician. From contemplative lows to howling declarations of love and pain, Clementine might be my favorite performance of the year.
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly:
While Kendrick Lamar has always drawn lyrical inspiration from his Compton youth, I can’t remember the last time a record so perfectly encapsulated the social condition of the time. Lamar delivers a laser sharp thesis that constantly subverts our expectations by changing flow, or perspective, or instrumental. To Pimp A Butterfly sits deservedly at #1, and should be expected to place similarly at the turn of the decade.
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BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
a new ep, a bright future...
PHOTO BY RYAN FRAZEE
BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
Jaida Gibson | BandWagon Magazine
Here in northern Colorado, resides a band you might have heard of called Shatterproof. The five-piece that hails from Fort Collins has announced a new EP titled Paper House, expected to be released January 22nd at the Downtown Artery in Fort Collins and on January 23rd at the Marquis Theatre in Denver. With the new EP comes a music video for the song, “Karma.” The video was directed by Fort Collins’ own, Hudson Bloom who became part of the crew before the guys of Shatterproof were even considered a band. “Hudson will focus on one idea, one thing for days,” says roommate and Shatterproof bassist, Josh Schoenig. Bloom’s dedication to his craft is apparent when you see the video. The final product is stunning and holds its own amongst any cinematically directed music video on YouTube. Using his connections in the film industry, Bloom was able to receive access to a Red Dragon camera, which has been used to shoot major motion films such as The Hobbit and Jurassic
World. “We shot using the Red Dragon cinema camera with cinema lenses, which was a first for me on any project,” said Bloom. According to Branson Hoog the lead vocalist, “We didn’t have the final pieces in order until the night before filming.” Gathering last minute permits, finding the space and utilizing time are some of the struggles Shatterproof faced days before production. But during the filming process, the crew had about 15 members, “Our crew involved a 1st assistant director, 2nd assistant director, director of photography, along with about 8 production assistants,” says Bloom. When describing the many people involved with production, Hoog called the video a “passion project,” which featured the help of experienced professionals and film students, and states, “The more we put into the video, the more the crew got involved; coming up with ideas and ways to make the video the best it could be.” The “Karma” music video is only a
small piece of the whole project. Paper House is the biggest thing Shatterproof has done since forming the band. “This is the first time ever that we’re 100% confident in the product. This is Shatterproof,” says Hoog. So far Shatterproof has only released small EP’s and singles every year since 2012. This includes their single “Running in Circles,” and their first five-track EP, Discord Harmony. They will continue to release only EPs and Singles, “Until we have the right push behind a full length album,” says violinist TJ Wessel. Paper House will include the songs “Cookie Cutter,” “Karma,” and “Lykos” (meaning “Wolf” in Greek)/The band all agrees that these are solid songs and they are excited for the release of the EP. Big things are happening for Shatterproof in 2016, with a tour to go with the release and placing in the top 10 bands for 93.3’s Hometown For The Holidays. Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting news from the band, and Paper House at their release dates this month.
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BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
Jed Murphy | BandWagon Magazine The Stubby Shillelaghs have a special place in the heart of the people of Greeley. Holding down their weekly Tuesday night spot at Patrick’s Irish Pub, for the last five years they have hosted a night of traditional and original Irish music in a fashion only four nerdy metal heads could provide. Equipped with their instruments and many bottles of Jameson whiskey they quickly became the best thing to do on a Tuesday night. Now, after playing almost every week if not several times a week for five years, the Stubbies are calling it quits. The BandWagon sat down with lead vocalist Andy Mithun and we reflected on the last five years and how four regular guys took a hobby and became the unofficial ambassadors for downtown Greeley.
TIP: IN CONCERT @ Moxi Theater in Greeley Fri. Jan. 15TH 2015
When members Andy Mithun, Shaughnessy McDaniel, and Ryan Knaub originally got together the intention was to simply play around with traditional Irish arrangements. After a while they had enough material to play a set and quickly found their home at Patrick’s Irish Pub. Eventually Stubby Tuesdays was officially born and became a staple in the downtown nightlife. While Tuesday nights have proved to be a tough night for bars to draw a crowd, Patrick’s was consistently packed as people crammed themselves in to take part in the Stubby experience. “People don’t just watch our show. People participate in our show and the audience has always been the fifth band member,” says Mithun. On an average night you could find people pounding on the bar in
time to the band and singing along to an Irish classic like “Whiskey in the Jar” while Mithun pours whiskey in people’s mouths. A big part of the appeal also comes from the humor in it all. They’re not there to blow anyone’s mind with technicality; they’re there to make everyone have a good time. Their originals tackle a range of nerdom from songs about Star Trek to the ballad “Nerd in Love,” and this honesty resonated with the people who would become their friends and regulars. What’s the most interesting about the Stubbies is the consistency of it. Each week they would play three to four hours, which is no easy task especially when it is coupled with intense drinking. “We don’t put ourselves above anyone else so when we hear people put themselves above us, it’s like ‘oh that 45 minute set must
have been so difficult for you, try playing for four fucking hours (laughs),” says Mithun. Now, after five years the band is ready to move on to new things. “We’re not breaking up we’re just retiring. It’s not that we’re going to stop making music, it’s not that we’re going to stop making music with each other, but this current incarnation, we’ve taken it as far as it was going to go,” says Mithun. Looking back, Mithun is very proud of what the band has become. What started as a simple project became a staple in the downtown culture and this energy will undoubtedly carry over into what they do next. “It’s been such an amazing collection of experiences and memories, it’s a shame I won’t remember a single one.”
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BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
Kyle Eustice | BandWagon Magazine
R
a m b l e J o n K ro h n , b e t t e r k n o w n a s p ro d u c e r R J D 2 , was born in Eugene, Oregon, but grew up in Co l u m b u s , O h i o , w h e r e h e m e t other artists affiliated with the Ohio hip-hop scene such as Blueprint and fellow MHz rapper Co p y w r i t e . T h ro u g h those relationships, he ended u p m e e t i n g N e w Yo r k C i t y b a s e d e m c e e/ p ro d u c e r E l - P a n d singing with Def Jux in 2002. His debut album, Deadringer, was a flawless masterpiece that put him on the map and eventually catapulted his career to new heights. Currently living in Philadelphia, his most r e c e n t p ro j e c t f e a t u r e s y o u n g emcee STS (S u g a r To n g u e Slim). Simply titled STS x RJD2, the album co m b i n e s S T S ’s Southern “crunk” style with R J D 2 ’s signature p ro d u c t i o n work. The first single, ”Hold On, H e r e I t G o , ” w a s r e co r d e d w i t h the Bohemian Dub Orchestra, w h i c h b a l a n c e s S T S ’s ( m o s t l y) politically minded lyrics. RJD2 took some time to talk about the p ro j e c t , h o w h e g o t “ d i s co v e r e d ” a n d b e i n g a f a t h e r.
TIP: IN CONCERT @ OGDEN THEATRE in denver Sat. JAN. 30TH 2016 PHOTO BY BENNY MISTAK
BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016 BandWagon Magazine (Kyle Eustice): I think it’s pretty interesting that you grew up in Ohio, considering you ended up on an East Coast label, Def Jux. How did you meet El-P?
shape or form a guarantee that the record will be heard or successful, or anything like that. The benefits of putting out an album by yourself outweighs, at least for me, the risks. I’d much rather be doing what I’m doing now.
I was in this group called MHz, this little indie rap group, from the mid to late ‘90s. We were putting out records, just little 12” inch singles, on this label out of New York called Fondle Em’, which was owned by Bobbito Garcia. Bobbito knew El-P. So that whole New York City rap scene knew each other. I had this demo I was shopping around because I was trying to do a solo record. One of the guys in the MHz group, Copywrite, passed it along to El-P.
Right. You’re in control. And since you’re a father and husband, you have a lot of things going on that often take priority over your career. It’s nice to have an open schedule.
Well, thank you Copywrite then. I had been shopping that demo around forever and had no luck. I approached every single label that did that kind of music so in the mid to late ‘90s, that was like Mo’ Wax, Ninja Tunes; labels like that. I had no luck until the thing with Def Jux just happened.
Deadringer is really well done. Oh, well, thank you! I appreciate it.
Exactly. You can do it on your own terms and how you want to do it, which is extremely important.
Let’s talk about the new album. What about you and STS gelled and is there a concept for this album? We didn’t set out to make a record before we had a record. We just started working, did a couple songs and then four or five songs. At that point, we realized we could do an album. I don’t think we decided we were going to do a record until we were eight or ten songs in.
So it happened pretty organically. Yes. If there is a concept for the album, it’s just try to make 12 songs fit together as best they can.
Obviously you’ve worked with Blueprint and now you’re working with STS, what kind of shared quali- El-P is from New York and Killer Mike is from Atties do emcees need to have before you decided to work lanta. They have two totally different styles, but it with them? works as Run the Jewels. STS is from Atlanta, as well, and you’re from the Midwest. Did you ever think I think, number one, a sense of rhythm is the first thing that jumps out to me. I think that’s an inte- about the fact you’re blending two totally different gral part of things. In a way, it’s the thing that I hear hip-hop styles? before the words. Certain artists, even if you don’t understand the words, their sense of rhythm is very, very, very distinct. In the same way you hear Meg White drumming, you immediately know it’s her. For me, that’s the first thing I hear.
I don’t think that’s where we’re coming from. It wasn’t anything we thought of. He does what he does and I do what I do. There was no theorizing. You just do what you do.
They should have a voice that’s unparalleled. You My first piece for Wax Poetics was on Killer Mike should know it’s them right away. In the press release and El-P before they were officially Run the Jewels. for the album with STS, it says STS has a sense of hu- He kind of said the same thing. mor so that must be an added bonus. Oh, of course.
At a point, I’m not reacting to the fact he’s from Atlanta or lives in Philly. At the very core, you’re reacting to somebody’s artistry.
This album is self-released. Is there any fear with not Speaking of, I listened to the “Good Guy’s Anthem” having a label backing you? and as a female, I can’t really see myself driving down It’s obviously a challenge in a way that wouldn’t the street blasting a song about a woman’s p*ssy. What be if you had a label to turn it over to. But at the kind of audience are you going after here [laughs]? same time, there’s an inherent element of luck when releasing a record. You never know if it will resonate with people or not. This is one of those things where I think it’s definitely easier to have a record label release your records, but in no way,
That’s a great question. I totally see where you’re coming from. I definitely see your point. I think you should ask STS that question [laughs].
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STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM
AND HIS RISE TO GLORY
TIP:
IN CONCERT @ Moxi Theater in Greeley Sun. Jan. 17TH 2016
IN CONCERT @ Hodi’s Half Note in fort collins on thurs. jan. 14TH 2016
BY KYLE EUSTICE | BANDWAGON MAGAZINE
W
hen Kansas, City, Missouri native Krizz Kaliko (real name Samuel William Christopher Watson IV) was born, he was diagnosed with a skin condition called vitiligo. Characterized by white patches on various parts of the body, it’s caused by a loss of pigment. Naturally, this made childhood a little bumpy, but because of his strong familial support, he has emerged as one of the best independent hip-hop artists in the business. Along with mentor and best friend Tech N9ne, they sit atop an impenetrable empire with their label, Strange Music, Inc. “Growing up was very difficult,” Kaliko admits. “I had a lot of friends and became a very popular guy in school, but that was a difficult thing because I got bullied a lot for it. My mother was a very nice person so she didn’t make me tough. She made me a nice church boy. These kids would jump on me and straight up beat me up because of it. I had a good childhood though because I had a lot of support at home.” Kaliko’s father owned his own business and was very encouraging of his young son, but when he had to go to school, he was confronted by bullies on a daily basis. “It made me insecure to a certain point to where I thought I would
never have a girlfriend,” he says. “My brother Joe helped me out a lot, too. I always say a lot of the kids are the way they are because they don’t have a father figure or a big homie. I had big homies all around me. As I got older, my father kept me on the right track, gave me plenty of charisma and confidence to be who I am.” That charisma translates extremely well to the stage. His explosive energy reels in the crowd until all eyes are focused on him. Along with Tech N9ne, his live show has always been like a well-oiled machine. It’s the chemistry between the two that makes it so flawless. “Tech and I are really in sync with each other a lot,” he says. “We’re around each other more than anyone else in the world so I gotta know his tendencies. That also came from him. He’s the one that said, ‘We murder everybody.’ When we get on stage, our philosophy is we want it to look like anybody else on the bill is subpar when it comes to getting on the stage with us.” It would appear they put months of rehearsals into each show. Their choreographed dance moves are always on point and they never seem to miss a beat. A lot of the time, however, that isn’t the case. “We pretty much make up stuff,” he says. “Maybe during the first couple shows of the tour, I’ll start doing something Tech will pick up or he’ll pick up something I’m doing. We also do rehearse because now we have a band, too. We rehearse for about a week before the show. We coordinate a lot of it. We did a lot more choreography in the beginning, now whoever’s doing something, we just join in. It looks we have done that particular move forever, but we might have just started it last Tuesday [laughs].” Whether or not it was last week or last year, Kaliko’s work ethic never wavers. He credits that to his blue-
collar mindset. In 2008, after years of being a guest on Tech’s albums, he released his debut solo album, Vitiligo, named after his skin condition. It’s a brutally honest and introspective body of work. Since then, he’s released four more solo albums and is about to release a fifth, titled Illuminated. At 41-years-old, he is nowhere near ready to put down the mic. “I didn’t think music was going to be a career of mine so I always kept a job, even while I was doing this,” he remembers. “The last job I had, I had to be at work by 5 a.m. and I got off at 2 p.m. then I was in the studio by 3 p.m. until about 1, 2 or 3 in the morning, then go home just long enough to take a shower and get right back to it.” Started in co-founder Travis O’Guin’s basement, Strange Music, Inc. has turned into a multi-million dollar company with a massive compound in Kansas City complete with a merch warehouse, studio and video department. It’s something they’ve always wanted. They would play picnics, engagement parties; anything they could get. “Anybody that would let us play, we would play,” he says. “If there were six people there or 600. In the beginning, when we got 150 people, we were just thrilled. –When I first heard Drake’s “Started From the Bottom,” I really felt that way. No diss to him because I don’t know where he started from, but we came from very humble beginnings. We are still humble to a certain extent. But deep down, we don’t say it a lot, but every now and then we say it in a song, ‘Y’all can’t mess with us.’ We gotta a song called “No Can Do” and that pretty much says it all. We feel like nobody can fuck with us for real, but we’re still humble guys. We just know what we do and what God has given us.”
BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
CONCERT CALENDAR Friday January 1st
Saturday January 2nd
Devotchka @ Bluebird, Denver — 9pm w/ iZCALLi
New Speedway Boogie: A Tribute To The Grateful Dead @ Hodi’s Half Note Fort Collins – 9pm
The String Cheese Incident @ 1st Bank Center, Broomfield — 8pm w/ Special Guests
The String Cheese Incident @ 1st Bank Center, Broomfield — 8pm w/ Special Guests
Father Mountain @ Larimer Lounge, Denver — 9pm w/ Overslept
Devotchka @ Bluebird, Denver—9pm w/ The Yawpers
JB and the Moonshine Band @ Marquis, Denver — 9pm w/ Biron Street, Bison Bone
Slumerican Big Henry Smoke Out @ The Pit Greeley — 7pm
Noose Years! @ The Pit Greeley — 5pm
The Couch Bombs @ Larimer Lounge, Denver — 9pm w/ The Hollow Hearted, The Vanilla Milkshakes, Lightning Rodney
The Baltic: Single Release Party @ Lost Lake, Denver — 9pm w/ Spacesuits For Indians, Albny
Umphrey’s McGee @ Fillmore Denver — 9pm Bodies We’ve Buried @ Lost Lake, Denver — 9pm w/ Fist Fight
SEAN CURTIS BAND Saturday January 9th at the Moxi Theater in Greeley
Old Time and Bluegrass Jam @ Patrick’s Irish Pub Greeley — 7pm
Sunday January 3rd Wade Bowen @ Bluebird, Denver — 8pm w/ William Clark Green, Red Shahan Big Koast @ Lost Lake, Denver — 9pm w/ DK AKA Wayne Watts
Wednesday January 6th Koo Qua & Abeasity Jones @ Lost Lake, Denver — 9pm w/ Albeez4Sheez, Dealzmakesbeats + Mc Bighouse, Monster City, Lowdy Trail Open Mic Night @ Patrick’s Irish Pub Greeley — 10pm Mike Love @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins — 8pm w/ Lineage Music Project
Three Grams @ Marquis, Denver — 8pm w/ Allout Helter, Royal Dead, Muscle Beach
Friday January 8th Greeley Blues F.A.C @ Moxi, Greeley — 6:30pm w/ Delta Sonics, Johnny Burroughs Archi Funker @ Hodi’s Half Note Fort Collins— 8pm Thunderthief ft. Sidekicks @ Marquis, Denver —8pm w/ Kaji, WTRWRLD, Kalmia Cellador @ Lost Lake, Denver — 8:30pm w/ Necropanther, Lotus Gait SkyLaw and Los 5 @ Summit Music Hall, Denver— 8pm w/ Dylan Montayne Skydyed & Lucid Vision @ Bluebird, Denver — 9pm w/ Spectacle, R-Doo X True School Cookie Monsta @ Aggie, Fort Collins — 9pm w/ Subliminal, Sektah and Wadda Soulfax on Broadway @ Hi-Dive Denver — 9pm The Wailers @ Gothic, Englewood — 9pm w/ Mike Love
Thursday January 7th
Saturday January 9th
Joe Marcinek Band Ft. Joey Porter and Garrett Sayers of the Motet @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins – 8pm
Rob Drabkin @ Bluebird, Denver — 9pm w/ Keaton Simons
Through The Mountain @ Lost Lake, Denver — 8pm w/ LowLyers, The Assemblage, Rhizome Irish Session @ Patrick’s Irish Pub Greeley — 7pm
Old Time and Bluegrass Jam @ Patrick’s Irish Pub Greeley — 7pm Rocky Mountain Country Showcase @ Moxi, Greeley — 8pm w/ Sean Curtis Band, Brand 307, Southern Fryed, Randy Burghardt, J. Luke
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BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016 Tuesday January 12th
Venom Inc @ Gothic, Englewood— 9pm w/ Necrophagia, Call of the Void, Weaponizer
Austin Jones @ Marquis, Denver— 8pm w/ Run2Cover
The Return Of BeastMode @ The Pit Greeley — 8pm
Edison and Strawberry Runners @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins— 8pm w/ Post Paradise
Dirtwire ft. David Satori @ Aggie, Fort Collins — 9pm w/ Evan Frasier, & Special Guests
Wednesday January 13th Open Mic Night @ Patrick’s Irish Pub Greeley — 10pm
BLACKALICIOUS Saturday January 9th @ Hodi’s Half Note in Ft. Collins
Krizz Kaliko @ Hodi’s Half Note, Ft. Collins — 7pm w/ Slo Pain
Stray Suns @ Lost Lake, Denver — 9pm w/ Kurt Vatland
Album Release: Younger Than Neil @ Bluebird, Denver — 8pm w/ Rotton Blue Menace, The Alcapones
Intimate Evening with Blackalicious @ Hodi’s, Fort Collins — 8pm
@ Aggie, Fort Collins — 8pm w/ Kitchen Dwellers
Thursday January 14th
Friday January 15th
1000 Miles Of Fire & September Downpour @ Marquis, Denver — 8pm w/ Fall Line, Why They Fight
Sunday January 10th
Album Relase Party: The Northern Empty @ Lost Lake, Denver— 9pm w/ Specific Ocean, The Query
Manabi Salsa Band @ Hodi’s Half Note, Ft. Collins— 8pm
BowieFest! ft. Plum @ Hi-Dive, Denver — 8pm w/ I Am Love, Freaky North, Shady Elders, Ancient Elk, Park Wilson Whitewater Ramble Performs Pickin’ On The 90s - Part Deux
G-Eazy: When It’s Dark Out @ 1st Bank Center, Broomfield— 7:30pm w/ A$AP Ferg, Marc E Bass School Of Rock Showcase @ Lost Lake, Denver — 8pm w/ Aurora School, Denver School, Littleton School
Falchemist @ Larimer Lounge, Denver —9pm w/ Versus the Inevitable, Mr. Snow, One Way Ride Irish Session @ Patrick’s Irish Pub Greeley — 7pm
Car Seat Headrest @ Hi-Dive, Denver—9:30pm w/ Space Suits For Indians Rally ‘Round The Family : A Rage Against The Machine Tribute @ Bluebird, Denver — 9pm w/ Special Guests
and present
THURSDAY JANUARY 14 th
Featuring
Dechen Hawk's' Jus Sayin' Join us at SpokesBUZZ for a local music meet-and-greet, and our monthly Magnolia Sessions music video series. This month’s session features the funk/soul band Dechen Hawk’s Jus Sayin, who will be in the house for the video viewing, followed by a casual Q&A and complimentary New Belgium beverages.
BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016
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Sunsquabi & Late Night Radio @ Ogden, Denver — 9pm w/ VibeSquaD, Proper Motion Fox Street @ Gothic, Englewood — 9pm w/ Analog Sun The Stubby Shillelaghs: The Final Show @ Moxi, Greeley — 8pm w/ Keep Britain Irish, Scarely Conary, Ben Pu & Megan T The Hits @ Lost Lake, Denver — 9pm w/ The Nasty Bunch Of Bitches
Saturday January 16th
FRuition
Rush Archives @ Moxi, Greeley — 9pm w/ Blak’out Dalima Returns to the Pit @ The Pit Greeley — 7pm One Flew West @ Marquis, Denver — 8pm w/ Rocket Surgeons, Defy You Stars Old Time and Bluegrass Jam @ Patrick’s Irish Pub Greeley — 7pm Dead Floyd @ Aggie, Fort Collins — 9pm w/ Bill Smith
Thursday January 21st at the Aggie Theater in Ft. Collins
Sunday January 17th Krizz Kaiko @ Moxi, Greeley — 8pm w/ Slo Pain, Y-o, Soul Brothers, High Quality, Ex Stacy, Outspoken Bad Guy, DiViNE Dear Me, @ Bluebird, Denver — 8pm w/ Compass & Cavern, Signs and Signals, Corsicana
Dynohunter @ Bluebird, Denver — 9pm w/ Greener Grounds, Mosis
Cruel Hand @ Marquis, Denver — 8pm w/ Drug Church, Culture Abuse, Uneasy Peace
Snails @ Ogden, Denver — 9pm w/ Woki
Monday January 18th
Electron @ Gothic, Englewood — 9pm w/ Marc Brownstein and Aron Magner of The Disco Biscuits, Tommy Hamilton, American Babies and Brothers Past, Mike Greenfield The Blue Rider @ Hi-Dive, Denver — 9:30pm w/ Riprats, U.S Tygers Whiskey Shivers @ Lost Lake Denver — 9pm
All Them Witches @ Larimer Lounge, Denver — 9pm w/ Tjutjuna Mug Night @ Hodi’s Half Note, Ft Collins w/ Comedy @ 7pm, Funk Jam @ 10pm
Wednesday January 20th ZOSO : The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience @ Aggie, Fort Collins — 9pm
w/ EGI Rodina ft. members of The New Mastersounds @ Hodi’s Half Note, Ft Collins — 8pm w/ Euforquestra Jermaine Fowler: Give ‘Em Hell Tour @ Larimer Lounge, Denver — 8pm Open Mic Night @ Patrick’s Irish Pub Greeley — 10pm Orgy @ Marquis, Denver — 8pm w/ Bobaflex, Death Valley High, Dr. Death + Mr. Vile
Thursday January 21st Megan Burtt @ Bluebird, Denver — 8pm w/ Special Guests Irish Session @ Patrick’s Irish Pub Greeley — 7pm
The Nadis Warriors @ Hodi’s Half Note, Ft. Collins — 8pm w/ Kinetic Force BandWagon Magazine Battle of the Bands @ Moxi, Greeley — 8pm Fruiton @ Aggie, Fort Collins — 9pm w/ The California Honeydrops, The Holler! Gleemer @ Lost Lake, Denver — 8:30pm w/ Lanedecay, Mailman Land, Scary Drugs
Friday January 22nd The Fold: 80’s Metal and Tribute to Judas Priest @ Moxi, Greeley — 8pm w/ Sabotage (Beastie Boys Trib.)
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Passafire & Ballyhoo! @ Hodi’s Half Note, Ft Collins — 8pm w/ special guests The Burroughs @ Aggie, Fort Collins — 8pm w/ Maxwell Mud ZOSO : The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience @ Bluebird, Denver — 9pm w/ Save Our City Muscle Beach @ Lost Lake, Denver — 9pm w/ Modern Goon, Platic Daggers, The River Wolf Jack’s Mannequin @ Ogden, Denver — 8pm w/ Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness
leftover salmon
Small Brown Bike @ Marquis Denver — 8pm
January 29th & 30th at the Aggie Theater in Ft. Collins
Who’s Bad : The World’s #1 Michael Jackson Tribute Band @ Gothic, Englewood — 9pm
Mountain Sprout @ Marquis, Denver — 8pm w/ Ponder The Albatross
Irish Session @ Patrick’s Irish Pub Greeley — 7pm
Stick Figure @ Gothic, Englewood — 8:30pm w/ Fortunate Youth
Saturday January 23rd
Tuesday January 26th
Friday January 29th
Kyle Hollingsworth Band @ Aggie, Fort Collins — 9pm w/ Special Guests
Charles Kelley @ Gothic, Englewood — 8pm w/ Marren Morris
Moe. @ Ogden Denver — 8pm
Defeated Sanity @ Marquis, Denver — 8pm w/ Iniquitous Savagery, Iniquitous Deeds, Skinned, Vomit God
In The Whale @ Moxi, Greeley — 9pm w/ American Blackout, iZCalli, They Call Me Hero
Defunk @ Hodi’s Half Note, Ft. Collins — 8pm w/ Mikey Thunder, & Special Guests
Old Time and Bluegrass Jam @ Patrick’s Irish Pub Greeley — 7pm Half Moon Run @ Larimer Lounge Denver — 9pm Who’s Bad : The World’s #1 Michael Jackson Tribute Band @ Gothic, Englewood — 9pm ZOSO : The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience @ Bluebird, Denver — 9pm The Shaloms @ Hi-Dive, Denver — 9:30pm w/ Jocko Homo, The Dons Small Brown Bike @ Hodi’s Half Note, Ft Collins — 8pm
Sunday January 24th Lupe Fiasco @ Ogden, Denver — 9pm w/ C1 Of The Foodchain, SF1 Black Dots @ Hi-Dive, Denver — 9pm w/ Western Settings, Allout Helter, The Wilderness DJ Hoppa @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins — 7pm w/ Demrick, Adlib, I.L.A.M
Jessica Lea Mayfield @ Lost Lake Denver — 9pm
Wednesday January 27th Madeon @ Ogden, Denver — 9pm w/ Skylar Spence Nile @ Bluebird, Denver — 8pm w/ Vale of Pnath, Flood of Souls Open Mic Night @ Patrick’s Irish Pub Greeley — 10pm Decapitated @ Marquis, Denver — 7pm w/ Black Breath, Theories Cash’d Out @ Aggie Fort Collins — 8pm
Thursday January 28th The Panoramic @ Moxi, Greeley — 9pm BandWagon Magazine Battle of the Bands @ Hodi’s Half Note, Ft. Collins w/ Slow Caves, Foreverfall
Monday January 25th
Seeker @ Marquis, Denver — 7pm w/ Left Behind, Great American Ghost
Mug Night @ Hodi’s Half Note, Ft. Collins • Comedy @ 7pm, Funk Jam @ 10pm
Stick Figure “Set In Stone Tour” @ Aggie, Fort Collins — 9pm w/ Fortunate Youth, Katastro
Peking Duk @ Bluebird Denver — 9pm Inner Oceans @ Lost Lake, Denver — 9pm w/ Miss Miniver Rose Leftover Salmon ft. Bobby Lee Rodgers @ Aggie, Fort Collins — 9pm w/ Gipsy Moon Adventure Club & Big Grams @ Red Rocks, Morrison — 7pm w/ Special Guest TBA
Saturday January 30th Cash’d Out: The Ultimate Johnny Cash Tribute @ Gothic, Englewood — 9pm w/ Ryan Chrys & The Rough Cuts Old Time and Bluegrass Jam @ Patrick’s Irish Pub Greeley — 7pm RJD2 @ Ogden, Denver — 9pm w/ Tnertle, DJ Chronz Leftover Salmon ft. Bobby Lee Rodgers @ Aggie, Fort Collins — 9pm w/ Gipsy Moon
BandWagon Magazine northern colorado arts & entertainment JANUARY 2016 8
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(Songs & Albums) 20152015 Top Alternative Top Alterative Songs and Albums Complete the crossword below
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SUDOKU © 2013 Knight Features. Reprinted with permission of Universal Uclick. All rights reserved. WORD ROUNDUP by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek © 2012 Reprinted with permission of Universal Uclick. All rights reserved. CROSSWORDS © 2015 BandWagon Magazine. Reprinted with Permission of BandWagon Magazine. All rights reserved.
Walk the Moon's new album Halsey's new album Elle King X Amdassadors Lampshades on Fire Tame Impala's new album
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2. Beck's new album 6. Smoke + Mirrors 8. How Big How Blue How Beautiful 10. Cold War Kids 11. Awolnation 12. Twenty One Pilots new album
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2. Beck's new album 6. Smoke + Mirrors 3 8. How Big How Blue How Beautiful 10. Cold War Kids 5 11. Awolnation 12. Twenty One Pilots new album
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