Issuu

BandWagon Magazine northern coloradoâ€™s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

ALBUM REVIEWS Islands

Ski Mask Chris Sheridan BandWagon Magazine Nick Thorburn, not unlike Mike Patton (of Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, and Tomahawk), is an artist that has a drive to reinvent with each new project or album. Each release is another opportunity to deliver a new sound, or a fresh feel. It’s less about building on what people want, and more about rolling the dice and having fun with new ideas. There’s a whimsy to Ski Mask, the latest effort from Thorburn’s band Islands, that makes it difficult to resist, even if it pales in comparison to the band’s other work. With their bouncy keys and nearshow tune energy, “Death Drive” and “Nil” are madly entertaining tracks that stand out as two of the most memorable of the album. They are stationed nicely on either side of “Becoming the Gunship,” which has a much warmer, more pleasant feel. “Hushed Tones” is excellent dusk driving music, with its sweeping guitar chords and drum beats. It’s one of the best tracks on the album, and is oddly cathartic. “We’ll Do it So You Don’t Have To” and “Winged Beat Drums” go back to the basics for album closers, and while they are good enough, they lack the power and energy of the first half of the album.

If there is one thing Islands are good at, it’s making each song unique and diverse. An extraordinarily small number of songs across their entire catalog sound even remotely alike, and Ski Mask continues this tradition with another eleven highly singular tracks. This is one of the albums where the songs never really blend together into mush, but that each have a specific personality and vibe. They all follow along a similar thread—enough to form a cohesive body that works as an entire album—but each song is unique enough to pretty much stand on its own. Islands reliably make another bid for strong lyricism on Ski Mask. Thorburn has always had a penchant for unique songwriting, and he once again exercises his strength here. Lyrical complexity is a commodity with modern music and it’s always nice to see an artist fighting the good fight. For some reason, the album isn’t quite as good after a couple more listens. It has that new sheen the first time, but isn’t quite as interesting after that. It’s a sensation that’s difficult to source, but the plain truth is that Ski Mask lacks the staying power of some of Thorburn’s other work. That doesn’t make it a bad album, however; it’s very good for a while, but out of the rest of the Islands discography, there are

other albums that you’ll more likely go to in a year’s time. For a band as good as this, however, it’s a relatively gentle criticism. Ski Mask is—there’s no other word for it—weird. It’s a good sort of weird, but it could also be divisivenot everyone will be ready to dive into it. For those willing to accept it, Nick Thorburn has delivered another sumptuous, layered album filled with alternating warmth, darkness, and quirkiness. Ski Mask is a good amount of fun to play late at night, but it oddly does not hold up under repeated listens, and it stands one of the Canadian band’s weaker albums. Return to the Sea and Vapours this is not.

The Naked and Famous

Songs from the Vanished Frontier

Chris Sheridan BandWagon Magazine

The Naked and Famous released their debut album Passive Me, Aggressive You in the fourth quarter of a tumultuous 2010. The synthpop indie album was a breath of fresh air, an anthem of happiness and energy. Listening to the New Zealand outfit’s catchy, pounding synth somehow makes you feel like everything is going to be all right. The wait between their debut album and its successor was only a couple of years, but the painful lapse felt far longer. At last, the follow-up In Rolling Waves is here, and it does not disappoint. “A Stillness” starts things off with a toe-tapping slow burn, letting the energy build gradually and setting the rest of the album up for the momentum the group is known for. By the midpoint of the song, the music has exploded into joyful energy. Immediately afterwards, the group absolutely slays it with “Hearts Like Ours.” The track ranks among their best and is absurdly catchy. A greater sense of aural richness pervades the album. TNAF utilize more acoustics and percussion alongside the electronics for many of these tracks,

along with a few more brooding cuts that mix things up beyond the band’s perceived comfort zone. “Waltz” has a great deal more mood and texture than we’ve come to expect, while “The Mess” is startlingly sad. That doesn’t mean that the band doesn’t go back to their roots and use what is known to work; “Rolling Waves” and “What We Want” escalate into titanic, memorable finales. The excellent “I Kill Giants” was intended for the debut album but was not finished in time. It’s difficult to tell, as it fits cleanly into the rest of the catalogue. Album closer “A Small Reunion” is one of TNAF’s best songs to date. Featuring an acoustic guitar and strings with significantly neutered synth, it’s by far one of the slowest they’ve ever recorded–but it exhibits a bit of range and makes for some exciting possibilities for where the band may go in the future. It’s a beautiful song with a great hook that ends the album on a wonderful note. In Rolling Waves is a slightly different album from its predecessor. It’s lacking in the poppy, radio-friendly tracks such as “Young Blood” and “Punching in a Dream” from Passive Me, Aggressive You. It’s not worse, just different. But after multiple listens,

the structure of the album makes more sense. Those quieter, minimal tracks are placed almost perfectly to soften the sonic palate before the next anthem comes roaring in, but there might be just one too many of those lulls. It’s a more textured, varied, and overall a more interesting album than the still-great debut. It does push a bit too har–d in the other direction at some points, but tempers it with another round of energetic anthems and a few hints of impressive depth. With each album, The Naked and Famous opens the curtain a bit wider to their expansive sound, and will surely soar to even greater heights. In Rolling Waves is a fitting name for such epic momentum, and it’s another success for the New Zealand rockers.

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013 Ben Pu Relax

Scott Hartman BandWagon Magazine Relax, is the solo work of Ben Puchalski newest album that embodies the multiple talents that this man has to offer. Unlike past albums made with the complete band, Ben Pu and Crew, Puchalski cut up, arranged, recorded, and mastered this particular album all on his own. Relax is the third solo album of Puchalski’s and the fifth overall. Self-recorded using the Yamaha AW1600 and mixed on an iPod using Auria, the album took about a year to complete. The two disc album allowed Puchalski to have plenty of room to finalize and add many of his older songs he had been performing for years. “It took a long time to finish this album but I am glad to get it done and start working on all the new material that I have,” Puchalski said. Some songs feature one track guitar, others have multiple layers to cover lead and rhythm, and yet other songs are recorded untraditionally by using the looping device in order to simulate the same sound that we get when Puchalski performs live. Without a doubt, “Gone,” is the strongest track on this album. The use of his looping device in combination with the popular melody has made this song a crowd favorite for the last few years. The other tracks tend to be more relaxing as opposed to the get up and dance feeling that “Gone” offers. “Colorblind,” is also a hot tune and can easily be identified as the hit track for the second disc. Similar to the song, “Gone,” it also is set apart from the other tracks due to its catchiness rather than the “relaxing” appeal that the

rest of the tracks tend to follow. When creating this album, Puchalski did not want to create a particular concept. Instead, he wanted to get his older tunes finalized and on a hard copy for his listeners. The two thirteentrack discs are meant to be separate and equally balanced almost as if they were two different albums that happen to share the same name. “When I was thinking about a single title for the album I had the listeners in mind. To me, Relax, was something that we can relate to when we listen to music.” Be listening for the extended jam in the song, “Slipping Apart.” Not only is it well executed but it makes up nearly half the song. Normally this would be a little too much solo action but Puchalski finds a way to keep the song entertaining. You can hear a little grunge influence in the non-grungy song, “So Lost (ha),” which really captures the unique musical background that Puchalski listened to when he was younger. Puchalski’s classical influences are credited to his father who taught him guitar at an early age and it is fitting that the first track called, “Blissful Journey,” showcases a finger picking style with that classical edge that Puchalski grew up with. Puchalski does a great job on this album despite the limited amount of other contributors. It is very difficult to arrange an album such as Relax on your own. If you are looking for a full band sound then you may want to look for albums from Ben Pu and Crew but as for a solo mix this two-disc album is very well done.

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

FILM REVIEWS The World’s End 2013 - 109 Minutes – Rated R Jay Wallace BandWagon Magazine There is nothing inherently wrong with nostalgia, but if you’re not careful, you turn into one of those guys who listens to Springsteen’s “Glory Days” and utters the words, “High school was the best time of my life.” In Edgar Wright’s new sci-fi-comedy The World’s End, that guy is Gary King, (Simon Pegg) a 40-something man who still dresses and acts as he did when he was a teenager in the quiet English village of Newton Haven. King cajoles his old school friends into returning to their hometown to attempt to complete an epic pub crawl they tried in their youth. King’s friends, however, aren’t that interested in reliving that night. His best mate Andy Knight (Pegg and Wright’s frequent collaborator Nick Frost) is still pissed at him over an unfortunate incident between them. Two of his other friends, rocker-turnarchitect Steven Prince (Hot Fuzz’s Paddy Considine) and real estate agent Oliver “O-Man” Chamberlain (Martin Freeman, BBC’s Sherlock) have respectable jobs and obligations. Peter Page, (Eddie Marsan, Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes) the gang’s reserved, quiet wimp, is just as hesitant as the others, though that has to do with his still domineering

father/boss and his wife. Nonetheless, they head to Newton Haven. They realize that much has changed in their town, and that Gary hasn’t changed at all. Then they get attacked in the bathroom by robots. WTF?! Wright, Pegg, and Frost have been known for their genre-bending homages to pop cultures since their television series Spaced hit British airwaves in 1999, moving into movies with the 2004 romantic Zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead and their ode to American action movies with 2007’s Hot Fuzz. The trio’s new outing goes in a slightly different direction. The World’s End takes its cues from classic sci-fi films such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers and They Live, and drape the aura of those films over a movie that is ostensibly about a guy who refuses to move on from the past. Hot Fuzz and Shaun wear their love of their respective genres on their sleeves, while World’s End simply spends its time battling robots and unwrapping just how fucked up Gary is and how his past actions have affected his friends. Much like how Shaun was both a romantic comedy AND a Zombie movie instead of an outright spoof of the zombie genre, World’s End is both a respectable

science fiction film and an excellent comedy in the vein of Judd Apatow’s best work. It just so happens to also be a surprisingly mature film about clinging to your imagined past. Per usual, Wright’s visuals dominate the film. He’s definitely one of the best action directors around; one bar brawl featuring Pegg’s King trying to down a drink while fending off multiple robots was one of the better action scenes I’ve seen all year. Sharing screenwriting credit with Pegg, their attention to detail yet again creates a film that you will watch repeatedly on DVD yet still find little bits and pieces that add to the story every time. Pegg and Frost swap their usual roles here, highlighting their acting chops. Pegg’s King is an unrepentant, narcissistic jackass who tries everyone’s patience, while Frost’s Andy acts as his bluff, always calling him on his bullshit, usually ignoring the fact that fucking robots have taken over Newton Haven. In the final act, when Gary and Andy do make it to the final pub, The World’s End, their veils come down and the rift in their friendship seems to become somewhat healed. It’s the most emotional, heartfelt scene I’ve seen in any of Wright’s films, and Pegg and Frost fucking sell it. Overall, The World’s End is excellent. It’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of nostalgia and conformity, and a badass sci-fi action movie that’ll make you guffaw. See it in theaters if you can. 10/10

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

EXPLORE MORE ONLINE www.bandwagmag.com

Prisoners 2013 - 152 Minutes – Rated R Chris Sheridan BandWagon Magazine A short ways into Prisoners, there is a quote on the radio about the importance of patience and penance, and working through trying times. The Lord’s Prayer is uttered at least twice, and faith plays a prominent role. But every man has a breaking point, and different ways of handling hardships. Prisoners, the Englishlanguage debut of FrenchCanadian director Denis Villeneuve (Incendies),

is a about how people handle such difficult circumstances as an abducted child, and how far they will go to save them. Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman), with a bunker filled with supplies, seems the type of man who wants to be ready for anything; a man of action. A Thanksgiving dinner filled with laughter is cut short as the two girls go missing after taking a walk. The immediate assumption is that the driver of the ominous RV moving around the neighborhood

is responsible. Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal), known for his flawless record of solving crimes, is assigned to the case, and quickly locates the RV and its driver, Alex Jones (Paul Dano). The apparently easy win almost immediately sours, as the RV is devoid of evidence and Jones, severely mentally disabled, cannot be coerced into confessing and is released. Keller is incensed, and abducts the young man with the intention of viciously torturing him until he confesses. Loki, meanwhile, continues to look for clues and suspects. Denis Villeneuve’s direction is masterful. Aided by ten-time Oscar-nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins (Skyfall, No Country for Old Men, The Shawshank Redemption, and almost 70 more), who frames the events in a raindrenched, color-starved grit, Villeneuve paints a chilly American town. The primarily string-based score from Icelandic artist Johann Johannsson pushes the feeling of doom and helplessness even further. The climax is desperately tense. On a technical level, the film is airtight. The acting, too, is phenomenal. Hugh Jackman is electrifying as the hotheaded Keller, giving an emotional performance that strongly contests his role in Les Miserables as the best of his career. Gyllenhaal is, by contrast, a bit more subdued, but no less excellent. His character is slightly enigmatic, but Gyllenhaal lends a great deal of nuance to a detective hellbent on saving two young

girls. The real standout, though, is Paul Dano. His performance as the troubled, developmentallydisabled Alex is very convincing. He adopts a timid affect, high voice and slow eye movement to tremendous effect. To deny him an Oscar nomination would be a crime in itself. The script is the sole problem here. While it’s very good, and even excellent in places, it has an aggressive insistence on countless red herrings, plot twists, and dead ends. The characters run into every conceivable coincidence to pull them farther away from the truth, and plot points operate in one way until it’s most convenient for them to operate in another. This is not noticeable until the final thirty minutes of the film, in which things begin to unravel and border on the absurd. That’s not to decry the entire screenplay; the first hour or so is near masterful. The dialogue rumbles along with a desperate energy, and every line feels organic and natural. is not Prisoners enjoyable, nor is it pleasant. However, it is searing, emotional, and devastating. The unflinching nature of the film will stick with you—it was several minutes before anyone in my auditorium could muster the energy to get up at the end. It is a likely Oscar contender for many reasons, and deservedly so: it’s one of the best, most gripping movies of the year, and had it not tripped shortly before the finish line, would have been the year’s best.

BandWagon Magazine northern coloradoâ€™s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

Q & A W I T H

ELEPHANT REVIVAL John Hann BandWagon Magazine Since 2006 Elephant Revival has been traveling around the U.S. opening for bands such as the Dispatch, State Radio, String Cheese Incident, and many more. Composed of five multiinstrumentalists who all contribute to the songwriting process, Bonnie Pain, Sage Cook, Dango Rose, Daniel Rodriguez, and Bridget Law, this “transcendental folk” band combines bluegrass, country, indie rock, reggae, and jam band grooves. Passion, dedication, and love for the music fuels Elephant Revival to create something uplifting and addicting. The band has been working hard on their new album released September 3rd 2013. Titled These Changing Skies, the album is a project that illuminates their musical gifts, sharing their passion and joy behind making music. Recently, the BandWagon had the opportunity to talk with Dango Rose, the doublebass, mandolin, and banjo player of the band.

: How long have you guys been working on These Changing Skies?

: We started recording in January and released it on September 3rd 2013, so it was about a nine month process up to the release date.

: The band shows a variety of musical talents through the use of different instruments, how do you guys go about writing a song together with so many instruments and possibilities?

: Individually we each will bring a song idea or melody to the band. Sometimes it’s a couple people working on a sequence, sometimes someone will just play a groove and we will all just join in and jam. More often than not though, one person will bring an idea to the band and we will all join in and contribute to the song. It all depends on what the song calls for, and everyone is really good at adding in their instrument to create a fuller sound to the melody being presented. In general, everyone writes and we try to develop the natural feel of the song together once a member presents a potential new song idea.

energy the song reflects. We don’t write a song to create an emotion, but rather create a song that yields it’s own emotion. “Pasture” for example I wrote on my mandolin, and the band was so great at filling out the song. The song reminds me of years of traveling together as a band. I guess you could say it was inspired by that positive feeling of traveling together as a band on a long peaceful drive. Driving in a car for a long time can be really uncomfortable, but with the right people in the right place it can be both exciting and peaceful.

Q A

: Your music seems to be both encouraging and uplifting. In songs such as “Pasture” and “Grace of a Woman,” the audience can really feel a positive motivational energy that builds as the song progresses. Is this sort of motivational passion intentionally inspired by you guys, or was it a unpredicted by product of the band’s songwriting? : It’s all very natural. Whatever the inspiration is in the moment the song was created becomes the

: What are some of your favorite tracks on These Changing Skies?

: I love them all so much, I am really pleased with how the entire album turned out. With that being said I love the way “Birds and Stars” came out. It is sonically well produced and the blend with the vocal recordings almost seems magical. I love the other tracks on the album as well like “Down to the Sea” is awesome, but “Birds and Stars” was really captured well.

: Do you have any unique stories about making this album?

: Well we stayed in a high-tech barn recording studio just outside of Seattle, Washington for about three weeks to do the recording of the album. Bonnie had Some aerial silks hanging from the rafters which was really cool, we had lots of guests helping out with group vocals, and by the time we went to sleep every night someone was still up recording, and when we woke up someone was always already working. It was a really cool experience that allowed us to really submerge ourselves in the album and stay focused.

Q A

: How is this album different from earlier Elephant Revival albums?

: We looked at this project as a complete piece that represents our band, and allowed that to manifest and create the album. Ryan Headlock was really awesome in helping us produce the album. He Actually also produced the newest Lumineers album in the same studio as well. Ryan was really helpful with keeping us looking at the big picture of the album as a whole instead of a bunch of separated tracks.

: You guys have done several tours and are starting another national tour, but how much do you enjoy playing shows in Colorado?

: Playing in Colorado is awesome! It like coming home for us even though we aren’t all from Colorado the band started here, so playing for Colorado is like coming home and playing for our home crowd. We did a free concert for 12,000 people in Boulder a little while back, and that was an incredible experience. Colorado has the best fans in the country and we are so grateful to call Colorado our home.

These Changing Skies can be found online at iTunes, or in major record shops and music stores in Colorado. The band will be on tour over the next month but will be returning to Colorado on November 8th to play at the Ogden Theatre in Denver, and November 9th to play a big homecoming show at the Boulder Theater. It is an exciting time for the young and well-experienced Colorado band that is going to continue doing what they love, making and performing incredible music.

BandWagon Magazine northern coloradoâ€™s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

HOUSE AD

BandWagon Magazine northern coloradoâ€™s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

“THE ARTIS PROJECT” Community Art Center Takes Form

Kendra Hamman BandWagon Magazine A thriving art college, successful first Friday events, a brand new art studio space, what’s next for the Greeley art scene? “Artis Project” attempts to answer this question. Founder Mariah Foster has had a dream of opening a small business in which local art in all mediums and sizes will be available to sell to the community. She says that she thought this dream would take years to develop. But with the help of the board the Art Space, the chamber of commerce, the small Business Development legalities have come together rather quickly. The goal is to fill in the gaps and needs that the art community has. One of those needs she sees is for a tight knit community with a place to showcase their talents. The “Artis Project” store (which is yet to settle on an official name) will be a venue for local artist to come together, and use each other as resources,

while selling their art. Foster says, “We want the community to bring their talents to the table.” Volunteers will be the heart of the project. Those who commit to one shift, or five hours a week, will get to use studio space at the Greeley Art Space rent free for as long as they are committed. Art is a unifying force that does not require similar languages on back rounds. Kids events, live entertainment, community, and family art sessions are in the works. The idea is to set up a system that is solid enough to become a reality, and flexible enough to grow into what the community needs. Prints, health and beauty supplies, music, geekery, sculpture, jewelry, clothing, are all mediums (among the many) that will be taken on consignment and sold in store as well as in an online Etsy store. The Art Space of Greeley will be hosting the store in their green room, located at 705 12th St. Greeley, Colorado.

When asked where Foster sees the “Artis Project” in five years she laughs and says “I want to it be a 24/7 thing! Not that someone will need to buy a print at 3 am… but someone might need to come in to make art.” Being creative, making music, making a physical mark is a healthy way to express yourself. The “Artis project” wants to provide that space, and fill the need! In five years Foster would love to see a thriving art community that she is confident will happen regardless of the “Artis Project,” and to see more artists feeling more connected to each other. The dream would be to see this business model to be mimicked in other communities as well. The Art Space will open in the beginning of November. They plan on being open all day Saturday, Sunday, First Friday, and special events. There is a call to all artists are invited to volunteer and/or to submit art! Visit facebook/artisproject. com for more information.

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

GHost

HuNTER

Meet your local author and er paranormal investigator Karl Pfeiff

Aaron Hammond BandWagon Magazine

Like all good writers, 24 yearold Colorado resident and author Karl Pfeiffer writes what he knows. However, unlike most of us, what he knows is ghosts. Karl is a lead paranormal investigator at the infamous Stanley Hotel, and was the winner of the first season of Ghost Hunters Academy, going on to shoot an episode of Ghost Hunters International in England. I sat down with Karl on the release day of his new book, Into a Sky Below, Forever to talk about his experiences in writing, paranormal investigation, and the process of self-publishing. Pfeiffer’s first book, Hallowtide, is a novel that details a young man’s descent into Hell after living through a traumatic shooting, and has been well received despite it being his first work. Into a Sky Below, Forever follows a different route. He says, “It deals less with... theological components. It’s the same with elements of the supernatural, but not always explicitly supernatural. It’s been a chance to dip my toe in a lot of different ideas, like apocalyptic type stories to non-fiction, and each story

is broken up by poetry.” His interest in the weird and mysterious is still prevalent, however. “It can many times be in your face horror, but other times it’s just places where the world breaks down, and where... things are falling apart, in a supernatural way.. Elements of romance and other things as well.” As art imitates life, so Pfeiffer enjoys playing with events and ideas he’s experienced. His experiences on the Ghost Hunters shows are explored in his work, both in the idea of something more than our reality being hidden just behind the shadows, and how the magic of reality television can relate to the paranormal. “My fiction is really a way of making the world more interesting… I love playing with that boundary between reality and fiction. My experience with the paranormal was born out of the TV shows. Everyone’s question is ‘Is it real?’ and while I was never around any fakery... if ghosts are real, and interact with people like they do on TV, with bangs and bumps and shadowy figures, if that happens to someone on TV, and they’re not sure it’s real, and then people at home get to experience that, what’s the difference?... My book is fiction and non-fiction, and

while I think it’s readily apparent which ones are which, I was even playing with the idea of saying there was one more non-fiction story than there really was.” The blending of the extraordinary and the mundane that Pfeiffer explores in his writing can even be seen in his everyday life. When writing, he has the same troubles with procrastination and distraction as the rest of us. “I’m too much a product of the Internet Age… It’s always a fight to make time… I like to work in coffee shops, in place where I can focus. I have to get out of the house. I have to be on a computer.” But when the evening nears, he heads up the road to Estes Park, to lead paranormal investigations with guests of the Stanley. “It’s definitely my favorite location. It’s easy to forget because it’s become work, not in the worst way, but the novelty has worn off… But I’ve the most experiences there. It’s one of the coolest places I’ve ever visited. Very active.” Pfeiffer says that his love for the paranormal definitely came first. “It’s a root of my personality to be fascinated with the epic and mysterious… I can trace it back to Ghostbusters and Batman when I

was little… In many ways, my writing is an extension of that fascination, of exploring that world.” Even though he has had experience investigating numerous locations both for television and as independent projects, he still says the biggest question in the paranormal world is simply whether or not it exists... Locations like the Jerome Grand Hotel in Arizona have given him evidence that it is, but Pfeiffer never stops questioning. His writing encourages the same kind of thoughtful attitude from its’ readers, both on the plot and subject matter. Since Into a Sky Below, Forever is already out, Pfeiffer is looking forward. “I’m really excited about the next book, the next novel. It’s going to be experimental, and I kind of want it to blow the hair back. It deals with possession, and reality television… a lot of thoughts I’ve been wanting to share… Again, with a lot of the theology and philosophical elements of Hallowtide.” When I asked if there was anything else he’d like to share, Pfeiffer spoke about the difficulties and rewards of the self-publishing industry. “It was a risk. A long term risk, too... One book is a long shot. You hear the success stories, but odds

are you won’t have the first book go viral… It’s about playing the long game.” Although he acknowledges that many self-published books aren’t good, he encourages people to give independent writers a chance, the same way we are beginning to with music and movies. Pfeiffer does all of the graphic design, and with the help of a great editor, puts out “products I’m proud of. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if people were paying me money for a bad product... Time’s been put into it. If it sounds good, give it a chance.” Ultimately, Pfeiffer is excited by the mysterious and unknown, and his writing is an attempt to allow readers to have those moments as well. Whether it is an account of his experiences in a haunted building, or a tale of a decrepit and dark house that didn’t exist a day earlier, Pfeiffer presents both with a poetic simplicity and asks “Which is real?” And just when you think you have the answer, he asks, “Are you sure?” Karl Pfeiffer’s newest book Into a Sky Below, Forever can be found online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

BandWagon Magazine northern coloradoâ€™s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

Kofi Baker

In the Hands of a Son, the Spirit of Cream Beats On Alex Graff BandWagon Magazine Cream’s radiant spirit burns bright as their torch is carried to Greeley in the drumstick wielding hands of their own flesh and blood. Kofi Baker’s Cream Experience will be coming to town at The Moxi Theater on October 18th and it promises to be a show to remember. Kofi Baker, son of legendary Cream drummer Ginger Baker, spoke to the idea of keeping the Cream tradition alive. “The whole reason I do it is because I thought the concept of what Cream was doing was so cool. They were taking the jazz side of my dad and Jack and blending it with the blues side of Eric Clapton and improvising out of that genre.” But this isn’t a cover band by any means. Kofi believes in his band making the songs their own when they preform. “We take in the essence of the music and play it our own way. It’s a non Cream tribute band. We don’t dress up looking like cream, we don’t try to act like Cream, we don’t even try to play like cream. We play the Cream songs our own way.” Drumming has been the focus of Kofi’s life from a very young age, as his father taught him for years before other esteemed musicians help hone his skills on the drum set. This father-son musical exchange proved to be the only lines of

communication Ginger would ever forge with his son. This topic is greatly discussed in the documentary Beware of Mr. Baker, showing at the Moxi on October 17th. Speaking in regard to the role drumming played in his relationship with his father, Kofi said “It’s probably the only dialogue we’ve ever had. I’ve never had any kind of relationship with my dad, and I still don’t.” In spite of this distance, Kofi has grown close to and through two main relationships in his formative years, that with his mother and his drums. He has forged the closest of relationships with his mom, as she has been a wonderfully loving and nurturing presence in his life. The two simply and truly love each other. And in terms of drums, the effects are transcendental. “(Drumming) has given me a goal, a never ending goal to my life. You’re never ever going to learn everything there is to learn so it’s a constant learning thing. Its like I tell my students, I say “Look, don’t get frustrated when you learn something new, that’s a great thing. You’re learning something new which means your challenging yourself. What is more important the destination or the journey? The journey.” When speaking to music as a whole and how it’s benefited his life, Kofi remarked, “It’s given me the freedom to express myself…It allows me to really be in touch with my

soul.” Kofi’s perspective supersedes the boundaries of music. He is also a man who advocates social change. “We need to embrace our differences and communications. If we can do that and become one species, I’ll be happy.” Indeed, Kofi’s philosophy of how to live life is deeply wise and fraught with the simple truths that must guide our every breath. ”Take every day as a blessing. Live everyday to the fullest. Look around at what we’re blessed with, look at everything we have, we have so much to live for. As long as we can feel, we’re alive. We have to have ups to have downs; you have to have downs to make sure your up. Take everything and embrace it for the feeling it is.” So come out and embrace the spirit of Cream alive and in bloom at The Moxi. Feel the primal rhythms echoing from a place deeper than a drum set, but from the center of a man’s soul. And I can promise you it’ll be a show of sincere artistry and meaning, as every show Kofi plays is from the heart. “I don’t care if there are 3 people in the audience or 3,000 in the audience, it’s the same for me…I’m still feeding off the energy of the people there.” So join us and be the energy that accentuates the brightly burning flame that is the spirit of Cream.

Kofi Baker will be Beware of Mr. Baker, a 2012 film holding a clinic at the by Jay Bulger about Ginger Baker Moxi Theater in Greeley will be showing at the Kress on Friday October 18th Cinema on Thursday October at 5:00pm and perform 17th at 7:30pm. The film won live with his band at the Grand Jury prize for best 8:00pm documentary at SXSW.

BandWagon Magazine northern coloradoâ€™s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

Mik ey Unruh

Ba ndWa g on Ma gaz ine

trange Music has been a notable hip-hop label for many years, primarily due to the recognition of founder, Tech N9ne. However, in recent years, many of the label’s signees have proven their talent and become deservingly acknowledged for it. Among the roster is Kutt Calhoun, former hype man for Tech N9ne turned solo artist. Calhoun has released several mixtapes and EPs in addition to four studio albums, most recently Black Gold, in February of this year. He has also toured extensively, by himself, to promote each release, and with other members of the Strange Music family, to promote their material, the label, and new affiliates. The group’s frequent collaboration with one another has helped to build the reputation of new artists as well as add diversity to the sounds and styles of the label. We had a chance to catch up with Calhoun and ask him a few questions about his most recent work and time on the road with his Strange Music crew:

Earlier this year you released your new album, Black Gold, what factors and influences have contributed most to the evolution of your sound up until this point?

Basically it’s been the production that has lead to the sound that you hear on Black Gold. With every album the production has gotten better and better, which has brought the best out of me each time. My influences have been the lack there of in the music industry, therefore inspiring me to give what I feel the world is missing.

You’ve been touring on Black Gold a lot, has that left you any time to get back into the studio?

Not too much time at all. I’ve recorded some tracks but nothing for a particular project. I wanted to give Black Gold a fair run before I considered working on anything else. A lot of people don’t realize that sometimes it takes up to a year before a certain song or album catches on to the rest of the world. My motto is “Why rush today for what the world can appreciate in time.”

Q A

When can we expect a new album or mixtape?

After Black Gold has run its course in my mind, I plan to do 2 mixtapes (Flamez II and Tango & Cash co-starring BG Bulletwound) and then entertain the idea of another full length album.

Strange Music has always been a tight group of musicians; do you have any plans for future collaborations or features with the rest of the label?

The way people are featured on my album determines who I hear on a particular beat. I don’t just put anyone on any song just because we are on the same recording label; the feeling of the song has to coincide with the sound of that particular artist for me to choose who I’ll be doing collaboration with.

The hip-hop industry seems to be flooded with tons of new comers right now; do you have any favorite new artists?

Definitely Kendrick Lamar (who I’ve toured with back when J-Rock was first signed) and also Rich Homie Quan (I love his song “Some Type of Way”) and that’s about it as far as new artist.

During your career, you’ve toured all over the country and many places around the rest of the world, where are your favorite places to play?

KC: Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland, Seattle, Arizona, and Minnesota, those are my favorites by far but every city I play in always shows love and makes me feel welcomed.

Several of the fans have been posting questions all over the Internet and Social Media regarding your absence from the stage with Tech and Krizz Kaliko and how the dynamic of the Live Show is different without you there. Will you be back on stage together again?

Q A

If I had it my way, definitely! But unfortunately, there’s politics involved that the public doesn’t know about. I feel being a solo artist as well as hype man for Tech there should be 2 dynamics of touring, one being that I tour off of my latest releases to promote and grow the Kutt Calhoun brand as an individual artist. Two, I feel that when Tech tours of course it should be the trio who started it all. So that leaves you with time to grow as an individual artist and still please the fans that’ve been there from the start of it all. That’s how it’s supposed to be.

We’re stoked to have you have you touring through Colorado at the end of the month; how has the state treated you in the past?

All I’ma say is, Colorado is my second home! That speaks for itself………. COLORADO TURN UP!! Kutt Calhoun and his Strange Music Label-Mates will be touring throughout Colorado later this month. It will be a night featuring performances of many of the tracks from Calhoun’s discography as well as collaborations with the rest of the Strange Music roster. Come see why Kutt Calhoun’s team has and will continue to be a serious force in the hip-hop world.

10/30 @ Moxi Theater - Greeley 10/31 @ The Black Sheep - CO Springs 11/1 @ Casslemanâ€™s - Denver

THE CHAIN GANG OF 1974

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

Jed Murphy BandWagon Magazine

ince the release of The Chain Gang of 1974’s 2011 full-length album The Wayward Fire put this former Denver, now LA-based electro band in the national spotlight. Since then, he has been spending his days working on his followup release expected out early 2014. With production credits from Foster the People’s Isom Innis and Tony Hoffer who has worked with M83, Phoenix, and several others, the album is expected to make a splash with electro pop fans everywhere. “Miko” and “Sleepwalker,” the two releases from the forthcoming album have already been met with with a warm reception, earning spots on the video games FIFA 14 and Grand Theft Auto V. Now on a national tour with Sir Sly to promote their new material, The Chain Gang of 1974 will be returning to Colorado October 15th for a show at the Bluebird in Denver, and the 16th for a show at the Moxi Theater in Greeley. His forthcoming sophmore album entitled Daydream Forever will be released on Warner Bros. Records in February of next year.

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

www.chipperslanes.com facebook.com/chipperslanesbowling

Available on

HORSETOOTH CENTER • 217 W HORSETOOTH RD • FORT COLLINS • 970.226.6327 COLLEGE CENTER • 830 N COLLEGE AVE • FORT COLLINS • 970.484.4777 – ESTES PARK CENTER • 555 S ST VRAIN • ESTES PARK • 970.586.8625 BROOMFIELD CENTER • 100 NICKEL ST • BROOMFIELD • 303.466.9700 – CLASSIC LANES • 2454 8TH AVE • GREELEY • 970.353.4275

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

Priscilla Resendez

Jerry Hunt BandWagon Magazine

In Greeley mayoral elections, it has been said to be a political kamakazee to run on anything other than a republican platform. But in the November elections, incumbent Tom Norton will have to face a serious challenger, which he has yet to do in the two two-year terms he’s served as mayor. “I am hoping to infuse some dynamic leadership with a fresh perspective that will work to bring Greeley together. I’ve been doing a lot of grassroots efforts here in the community and I’m excited to help out with some of the impacts of the flood disaster, help with economic revenue and diversifying that revenue stream,” said mayoral candidate Priscilla Resendiz. She moved to Greeley in early 2012 for a position with Organizing for America in Colorado as part of Obama’s re-election campaign. It was during this time she saw a need for change in Greeley’s leadership and felt she had a chance to be that initiative. “One of the reasons I chose to run for mayor is because I believe it has been a long time since Greeley had a choice. If you were to compare Tom Norton and I, side-by-side, we are definitely extreme opposites: I’m a woman, he’s a man; I’m Latina, he’s not; I’m bilingual, he’s not; and he’s 73 and I’m 37,” she said. Another major difference between the candidates: Mayor

Throws Hat in Greeley Mayoral Race

Norton has resided in Greeley for more than 47 years, Resendiz, hailing from Southern California, has called the city her home for around 20 months. “The most important difference, to me, is how we manage government. Tom Norton is very top-down. Even with the experience he touts, which is how he usually challenges my efforts, when you look at his experience, it’s very top-down and rarely ever working with people to determine that their needs are being met.” She was apt to compare leadership, community involvement and government decision making to a conversation, one she said, until now, has been one-sided. She emphasized the importance of communication and collaboration

between the people and those that represent them, something that she said has been amiss. “I will make sure that that pipeline stays open and that we are able to communicate, personalities aside. I think people being dramatic about various things or making noise about issues is just that: making noise. I believe people are tired of that and they just want to find a solution that best impacts everyone all at once. That’s what I would bring to the table.” Resendiz referenced her history of working in corporate law offices, building firms, helping to start small businesses from scratch and working closely with nonprofits, saying “It’s all grassroots people first.” “The closest thing people have seen is, recently the mayor was

polling electronically ... and for me, that’s not what we do. That’s not what our volunteer team does. We all knock on doors, talk to people in person. If you get a phone call, you’re not going to get a robot asking questions. For us that’s not the best way to grow a community or the local leadership.” Her involvement with the volunteers and campaign team to reelect Obama gave her a chance to hear the issues the people were really interested in from the people themselves. She said it showed her their concerns were not adequately being represented by the local government and decisions were being made without their input. “The experience Tom Norton brings to the table, as much as infrastructure is important in an organization, I know that the breath and life of an organization is people. And if we’re not cultivating people and bringing them to the table, it’s like the blind leading the blind. I know that Greeley will change with

my leadership and I’m actually looking forward to seeing how that will all unfold,” she said. The issues Resendiz has seen taken precedence on people’s minds: the obvious and unavoidable devastation from the recent floods and the related gas and oil spillage in the county. She seeks to increase school funding so Greeley will be a more attractive and viable home for budding families. “Why aren’t we attracting industries that can encourage our young-people, graduates of UNC, graduates of Aims to stay here and make a living here? She said she is excited to give the young artists, college students and future business owners of Greeley a choice. And no matter the outcome, she’s just excited to see the future generations of Greeley turn out to make a decision, to get informed and to make a call for themselves. Greeley’s mayoral elections are Nov. 5, 2013. Voters can vote in person or from home by mail.

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

COLORaDO CONCERT CALENDAR

Tuesday October 1st

Freestyle Tuesday CO Flood Benefit @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 9pm w/ The Squid Kids, Dockman, DJ Dabble, Type One, J.Smith

Stereophonics @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm w/ The Wind + The Wave

The Skatalites @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom Denver - 9pm w/ Koffi Togo Vibe, Good Sign and DJ Caramello

Electronic Tuesday Innamind Tour ft. Gantz, Thelem, Quantum Soul, Kursk and Shiba @ Cervantes’ Other Side, Denver - 9pm

Bleached @ Hi-Dive Denver - 9:30pm w/ The Manxx

SOL @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Sam Lachow, Brother From Another, Dom Colii

Houses @ Larimer Lounge Denver - 8pm w/ Amp Live, Marcellus Lewis Travis @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 8pm w/ Rathborne

wednesday October 2nd

Jared & The Mill @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Rich With Friends

Archive Nights @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 11pm w/ Phonoreason, Vertical Arrays

Electric Stair Child (FREE SHOW 21+) @ The Moxi Theater, Greeley Electric Star Child @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 8pm Govinda @ Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins - 8pm Helloween @ The Gothic Theatre, w/ David Starfire Englewood - 8pm Gold Panda @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm w/ Slow Magic, Voices of Black SOL @ Cervantes’ Other Side, Denver - 9pm w/ Sam Lachow, BFA, BMBC, ROOKE5

Slaughter Daughters @ Hi-Dive, Denver - 9:30pm w/ Reverend Deadeye, Two Tone Wolf Pack

w/ Coldsteel, Cellador, The Deceived

Thursday October 3rd Gigamesh @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 8pm w/ Mitch Black, futurebabes

Papadosio @ Aggie Theatre , Ft. Collins - 8pm w/ Rempel + Soulacybin, Earthcry

Blue October @ The Ogden Theater on 10/3/13 in Denver Nicholas David @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm

Gigamesh @ Moxi Theater Greeley - 8pm w/ Mitch Black, futurebabes

Oakhurst String Set @ Cervantes’ Other Side, Denver - 9pm w/ Blue Grama

Snowball @ Pourhouse, Loveland - 8pm

Govinda and David Starfire @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver - 9pm w/ Snubluck, Coult45, Digital Connection

Hey Marseilles @ Hi-Dive Denver - 9:30pm w/ The Apache Relay, Blake Brown & The American Dust Choir

Blue Sky Black Death @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Sister Crayon, GoldyLoxx Mount Kimbie @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm w/ Jonwayne, D33J

Blue October @ The Ogden Theatre, Denver - 7:30pm w/ Tori Vasquez, Unlikely Candidates

Friday October 4th Bones Muhroni @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 8pm w/ J. Luke & the Drifters, Two Weeks Paid, This Side of Paradise Watsky & Wax @ Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins - 8pm

Shooter Jennings & The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013 saturday October 5th Iron Horse @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom - 9pm w/ Pickin’ At Your Mama’s House (A Widespread Panic Tribute) Aeroplane & Gigamesh @ Cervantes’ Other Side, 9pm w/ Fun Factory & Pruit

Ben Pu solo @ AF Ray’s Greeley - 9pm w/ Gii and the Spots, High Quality THC, G Rel My Body Sings Electric @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 8pm w/ Silver & Gold, Disguise the Silence, Viretta, origami.

Musketeer Gripweed @ Hi-Dive, Denver - 9:30pm w/ The Quick and Easy Boys, Birch Iron Horse @ Aggie Theatre Fort Collins - 8pm Street w/ Special Guests Phix (A Phish Tribute) @ Hodi’s Signal Path @ Bluebird Theater, Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm Denver - 8pm w/ Private Gripweed playing The W/ Mux Mool, RUMTUM Beatles Blue Sky Black Death @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 10pm w/ Sister Crayon

Shoe Shine 8.5 ft ?uestlove of the Roots @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom - 9pm w/ Rahzel, Mu$a, Cavem

Bones Muhroni @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 8pm w/ J. Luke & The Drifters, This Side Residual Kid @ Hi-Dive Denver - 9:30pm of Paradise, Two Weeks Paid w/ Dirty Few, Colfax Speed Queen Papadosio @ The Ogden Theatre, The Echo Chamber, The Epilogues, Denver - 9pm Common Anomaly, Sext Ester @ w/ YAMN, Earthcry Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm Bad Brad and the Fat Cats @ Papa @ Larimer Lounge Pourhouse, Loveland - 9pm Denver - 9pm w/ South of France, boyhollow Lotus @ Red Rocks Ampitheatre, Morrison - 7:30pm My Body Sings Electric w/ BOOMBOX, Break Science @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 8pm Katatonia, Cult of Luna @ Summit w/ Silver and Gold, Disguise the Silence, Viretta, origami. Music Hall, Denver - 6pm w/ Intronaut, Tesseract We Came As Romans @ The Ogden Citizen Cope @ The Gothic Theatre, Theatre, Denver - 7pm w/ Silverstein, Chunk! No Captain Englewood - 9pm Chunk!, The Color Morale, Dangerkids

Matt Pack @ Pourhouse Loveland - 8:30pm

Sour Boy Bitter @ Road 34 Fort Collins - 9pm w/ The Shelby Griffs

Blood on the Dance Floor @ Summit Music Hall - 7pm w/ Farewell, My Love, The Relapse Symphony

Citizen Cope @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 9pm

sunday October 6th

Langhorne Slim @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm w/ Johnny Fritz Young Galaxy @ Hi-Dive, Denver 9:30pm w/ Mister Lies, We Like Monsters Radical Something @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 7pm w/ Down With Webster, Splyt, D Stylz, Matty James & Sampson

VoR and Ezzy @ Cervantes’ Other Side - 7pm

Guttermouth @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Agent Orange, Pinata Protest Prof @ Larimer Lounge Denver - 9pm w/ Cobraconda

Tuesday October 8th Freestyle Tuesday - Hip Hop Open Mic *$10 Free Drinks 9-11pm @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 9pm w/ DJ Dabble, Dockman Stubby Tuesday @ Patrick’s Irish Pub, Greeley - 9pm

30 Seconds to Mars @ The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver - 7pm Supersuckers, Hellbound Glory @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm Mr. Hipster @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 8pm w/ Arthur Lawrence, Stasis of Seasons, Chasing May

Pepper @ The Ogden Theatre, Denver - 8pm w/ RDGLDGRN, Makua Rothman Matt Nathanson @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 7:30pm w/ Joshua Radin

wednesday October 9th Tea Leaf Green @ Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Whitewater Ramble

Bob Schneider @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm

Atomic Reactor @ Cervantes’ Other Side - 9pm w/ kLL sMTH, ChemDawgz, WALKA Yo Gotti @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom - 9pm w/ YG, Ca$h Out, Zed Zilla, Shy Glizzy, Lama Squad Bronze Radio Return @ Hi-Dive, Denver - 9:30pm w/ Graham Colton John Runnels @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm w/ Megan Burtt, Like Explorers

Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls @ The Ogden Theatre Denver - 8pm w/ The Smith Street Band, Koo Koo Kanga Roo Red @ Summit Music Hall, Denver - 7pm w/ Filter

thursday October 10th

Tim Kasher @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm w/ Laura Stevenson

Dave Simonett @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm w/ Ark Life (Acoustic Trio)

Tech N9ne @ Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Krizz Kaliko, Mayday, Stevie Stone, Prozak

Talk All Night @ Hi-Dive Denver - 9:30pm

monday October 7th

Guttermouth @ Aggie Theatre Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Agent Orange, Pinata Protest

KOHD, DJ Saycal, BOMBERCLAWD, Depth Connection, N+DO, DJ Fl@

Oakhurst String Set @ Cervantes’ Other Side - 9pm Gem N Eye @ Hodi’s Half Note Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Lil Z CD release Party

Supersuckers, Hellbound Glory @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 8pm w/ Holley 750, Bottle Rocket Science

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

Franklin Toggart @ Pourhouse, Loveland - 8pm

Man Man @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 8pm w/ Xenia Rubinos

friday October 11th The Photo Atlas @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 9pm w/ Duchovny, Wicked Thunder Shawn Waggoner (CD Release) @ Moxi Theater, Greeley -6pm

The Werks @ Aggie Theatre Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Twiddle, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Carbon Leaf @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm w/ Brian Wright Sonic Blossom @ Cervantes’ and The Other Side - 9pm w/ Bluetech, Kaminanda, Desert Dwellers, Janover & reSUNator A. Tom Collins @ Hi-Dive Denver - 10pm

Supersuckers, Hellbound Glory @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 8pm w/ Ol’ Hickory, Codename: Carter The Photo Atlas @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 9pm w/ Duchovny, Wicket Thunder

Phantogram @ The Gothic Theatre on 10/12/13 in Denver The Other Side - 9pm w/ Random Rab, The Werks, Kalya Scintilla, Bird of Prey, Materialized Ha Ha Tonka @ Hi-Dive Denver - 9:30pm

The White Buffalo @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm The Lonely Forest @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm w/ Cumulus

Crystal Stilts @ Larimer Lounge Walnut Room, Denver - 9pm w/ Zachary Cale, Emerald Siam Dave Simonett @ Mishawaka Amphitheatre, Bellvue - 8pm w/ Ark Life, Mike Coykendall

J. VanCrump, Rudie Clash @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 8pm

Tribal Seeds @ The Ogden Theatre, Denver - 9pm w/ Tea Leaf Green, Fortunate Youth, Hirie

Hieroglyphics @ Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins - 8pm w/ SoundKLASH

Ashfield @AF Ray’s, Greeley - 9pm w/ TBA Black and White Party @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 8pm w/ DJ Magic, Rudie Clash, Hosted by Jaize VanCrump Les Claypool’s Duo de Twang @ Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins - 8pm w/ REFORMED WHORES Holy Ghost! @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm w/ Midnight Magic, Mike Moses

Sonic Blosoom @ Cervantes’ and

Story of the Year @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom - 6:30pm w/ Like Moths to Flams, Hawthorne Heights, Capture the Crown, Set if Off, I Am King Zach G. & Mr. Ronins, You, Soul J. Debonair and Aidan Kernan @ Cervantes’ Other Side - 9pm The Rusty Maples @ Hi-Dive, Denver - 9:30pm w/ Sea of Eyes, Tomahawk Fox

Trivium, Devildriver @ Summit Music Hall, Denver - 6pm w/ After the Burial, Sylosis

YOU ME AT SIX @ Summit Music Hall, Denver - 7pm w/ Special guests

saturday October 12th

Red Fang @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm w/ Helms Alee, Dog Shredder

Counting Crows @ Red Rocks Ampitheatre, Morrison - 7:30pm w/ Saints of Valory

Phantogram @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 9pm w/ Future Islands

Les Claypool’s Duo De Twang @ The Gothic Theatre Englewood - 9:30pm w/ Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Reformed Whores

monday October 14th

Marty Nightengale @ Pourhouse, Loveland - 8:30pm

Gary Clark Jr. @ The Ogden Theatre, Denver - 9pm Watersong @ Pourhouse Loveland - 9pm

Deicide @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 8pm w/ Broken Hope, Disgorge, Necronomicon, Kill Syndicate

Sunday October 13th

Oh Land @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm w/ Sun Rai

Rating the Hate, All Saints Revolution, Public Display of Aggressive, The Vespertide Bloom, Hardcore Porn Band, Broken Couches, Oliver Bravado @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom , Denver - 3pm DJ Bigga @ Larimer Lounge Denver - 4pm

An Hobbes @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 5pm

Austie Frostie @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 6pm 22Tape @ Larimer Lounge Denver - 7pm

The Squid Kids @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 8pm

BandWagon Magazine northern coloradoâ€™s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013 Built to Spill @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm w/ Slam Dunk, Genders’

Built To Spill @ The Bluebird Theatre on 10/17/13 in Denver

Comedy @ Hodi’s Half Note Fort Collins - 7pm

The Funk Jam @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 10pm

Junip @ Summit Music Hall Denver - 7pm w/ Barbarossa

STRFKR @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 8pm w/ Chrome Sparks, Feelings

tuesday october 15th

Freestyle Tuesday - Hip Hop Open Mic *$10 Free Drinks 9-11pm @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 9pm w/ DJ Dabble, Dockman

Twin Forks @ Hi-Dive Denver - 9pm w/ Matrimony

DJ Battle Round 2 @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm

Timeflies @ The Ogden Theatre, Denver - 7:30pm w/ Chiddy Bang, T. Mills

Kid Ink @ Summit Music Hall, 8pm w/ Special guests Goblin @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 8pm w/ Secret Chiefs 3

wednesday October 16th

Stubby Tuesday @ Patrick’s Irish Pub, Greeley - 9pm

Sunsquabi @ Aggie Theatre Fort Collins - 8pm w/ The Manhattan Project

Sir Sly @ Bluebird Theater Denver - 8pm w/ The Chain Gang of 1974, Bel Heir

Yougblood Brass Band @ Cervantes’ Other Side - 9pm w/ Special Guests

Youngblood Brass Band @ Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins - 8pm

Alice Russell @ Cervantes’ Other Side - 9pm w/ Devan Blake Jones, Midnight Owl

John Fogerty @ The Fillmore Auditorium - 7pm

Boyce Avenue @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm w/ Megan Nicole, Madilyn Bailey

Princess Music @ Hi-Dive, Denver - 9pm w/ Shenandoah Davis, Anthonie Tonnon, Natalie Tate Polecat @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm

Surfer Blood @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm w/ Team Spirit, Andy Boay The Chain Gang of 1974 @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 8pm w/ Locals TBA

The Maine, Anberlin @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 8pm w/ Lydia, From Indian Lakes

thursday October 17th Bro Safari @ Aggie Theatre Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Ect! Ect! and CRNKN

Tatanka and Jon wayne & The Pain @ Cervantes’ Other Side w/ Rudie Clash

Polecat & The Mallet Brothers Band @ Cervantes’ Other Side - 9pm The Naked and Famous @ The Fillmore Auditorium, Denver - 7pm Life in Electric @ Hi-Dive Denver - 9:30pm The Indestructible North w/ Sean Kennedy, Medic @ Hi-Dive, Denver - 9:30pm w/ Yo Soy Sauce, Kitty Crimes Todd Snider @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm Spirit Family Reunion, Hurray For w/ Henhouse Prowlers the Riff Raff @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm The Blow @ Larimer Lounge w/ The Deslondes Walnut Room, Denver - 9pm w/ Love Links MarchFourth Marching Band @ Mishawaka Amphitheatre, Tera Melos @ Larimer Lounge, Bellvue - 8pm Denver - 9pm w/ MurderARRRs w/ Zorch, I Sank Molly Brown Kofi Baker’s Cream Experience @ Kurt Humann @ Pourhouse, Moxi Theater, Greeley - 8pm Loveland - 8pm w/ Mike Ring and the Connection, Michael Morrow Tricky @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 8:30pm P!nk @ Pepsi Center, Denver - 8pm w/ Royal Canoe Jack Hadley @ Pourhouse, Loveland - 9pm

Friday October 18th Groupies For a Cure @ AF Ray’s, Greeley - 9pm w/ Special Guests

Aspen Hourglass @ Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Winchester Holiday and Red Room Rendezvous BOY @ Bluebird Theater Denver - 9pm w/ Jeremy Messersmith

Salt N Pepa @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom w/ Das Efx and Ginger Perry

Mosey West @ Road 34 Fort Collins - 9pm w/ Desert Noises

Manabi Salsa Band does a Santana Tribute @ Road 34 Fort Collins - 9pm Mix Master Mike @ Summit Music Hall, Denver - 8pm w/ MTHDS

Rusted Root @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 8pm w/ Goodnight, Texas, Rob Drabkin

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013 sunday October 20th Natty Vibes @ Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Na’an Stop

Fake Dead Flowers, 1000 Miles of Fire, The Hot Licks, Quaff My Flagon, Howl Moonshine Howl, The Carnivores, Ma ddie Kae, A Minute Too Late, SLEEPWALKER, Isaiah Smith @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom - 6:30pm Aliver Hall @ Cervantes’ Other Side - 9pm w/ Intergalactic Radio Austin Lucas, Lee Bains III @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm w/ Jon Boland

Desaparecidos, Conor Oberst @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood 8pm w/ The So So Glos

Sleigh Bells @ BlueBird Theater on 10/23/13 in Denver

saturday October 19th Jay Kid @ AF Ray’s, Greeley - 9pm w/ Special Guests Rusted Root @ Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins - 8pm

Todd Snider @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 9pm

KRS One, Bizarre Ride II-The Pharcyde Live, Mr. Vegas, Edley Shine, DJ Uplifter, DJ Bushy Bush, Trapzillas and ORiiiON @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom

Bud Bronson + the Good Timers, Kissing Party @ Hi-Dive, Denver 9:30pm w/ Ned Garthe, Seacats Two Cow Garage @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm w/ The Yawpers, Right the Helm, The Shelby Griffs King Khan & The Shrines @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm w/ Hell Shovel

Portugal. The Man @ The Ogden Theatre, Denver - 9pm w/ Crystal Fighters

monday October 21st El Bizaaro @ The Moxi Theater, Greeley - 9pm w/ Barnyard Stompers, Randall Conrad Olinger

CocoRosie @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm w/ Busdriver

Suicidegirls: Blackheart Burlesque @ Summit Music Hall, Denver 8pm

Melt-Banana @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm w/ Kinski, Tjutjuna

The Seer’s @ Pourhouse, Loveland - 8:30pm

D.R.I. @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 9pm w/ Speedwolf, The Eight Bucks Experiment

Comedy @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 7pm

Two Door Cinema Club @ The Ogden Theatre, Denver - 8pm w/ St. Lucia, PEACE

Tuesday October 22nd Freestyle Tuesday - Hip Hop Open Mic *$10 Free Drinks 9-11pm @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 9pm w/ DJ Dabble, Dockman Stubby Tuesday @ Patrick’s Irish Pub, Greeley - 9pm Vitalic @ Bluebird Theater Denver - 8pm

Flatbush Zombies @ Cervantes’ Other Side - 9pm w/ Bodega Bamz FuzZ @ Hi-Dive, Denver - 9:30pm w/ CCR Headcleaner, Zebroids Silkie @ Larimer Lounge Denver - 9pm w/ Lotus Drops

Jonny Lang @ The Ogden Theatre, Denver - 8pm w/ Honor by August Jimmy Buffett @ Pepsi Center, Denver - 8pm

HAWKWIND @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 8pm w/ Familiar Looking Strangers

wednesdayOctober23rd Sleigh Bells @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 9pm w/ Doldrums

Capleton @ Cervantes’ Other Side - 9pm w/ New Kingston John Vanderslice @ Hi-Dive Denver - 9pm

BandWagon Magazine northern coloradoâ€™s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

BATTLE OF THE BANDS AD

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

Afrolicious @ Hodi’s Half Note Fort Collins - 8pm

Jacuzzi Boys @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm w/ Thee Dang Dangs, Spells City and Colour @ The Ogden Theatre, Denver - 8pm w/ Sleepy Sun

KMFDM @ Summit Music Hall, Denver - 7pm w/ Special guests

thursday October 24th House of Dub DJ Battle @ Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins - 8pm

The Helio Sequence, Monomena @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8pm Pete Rock & CL Smooth @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom9pm w/ Camp Lo, Stay Tuned, Eddie Knolls and uNit(e) Andy Palmer @ Hi-Dive, Denver 9:30pm w/ The Changing Colors, Chella & the Charm

Blockhead, Little People @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm Night Beats @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm w/ The Blue Rider, Bloodhound Rustie @ Larimer Lounge Denver - 11:30pm

Tony C De’ Baca @ Pourhouse, Loveland - 8pm Janelle Monae @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 8pm

friday October 25th Zoogma & Future Rock @ Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Cosby Sweater Orgone & Latyrx @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom - 9pm w/ Afrolicious

Kevin Divine and the Goddamn Band @ Hi-Dive, Denver - 8pm w/ Now, Now, The Maykit, Harrison Hudson

Rubblebucket @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 10pm

Joe Pug @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm w/ Vandaveer, Andy Thomas Brian Haas of the Fred Jacob Jazz Odyssey @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 8pm w/ Adam Bodine Trio

The Neighbourhood @ The Ogden Theatre, Denver - 9pm w/ Ghost Loft Steve Manshell @ Pourhouse, Loveland - 9pm

Skyfox @ The Gothic Theatre, Englewood - 8pm w/ Bop Skizzum, Viretta, Starcar Sunday, Syke 96

saturday October 26th Somo @ Aggie Theatre Fort Collins - 8pm w/ KID SLIM

13th Annual Halloween Hootenanny @ Bluebird Theater, Denver - 8:30pm

Orgone @ Cervantes’ Other Side 9pm w/ Analog Son and The Recovery Act Zoogma & Future Rock @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom - 9pm w/ Cosby Sweater

Chimney Choir @ Hi-Dive, Denver - 9:30pm w/ Poet’s Row, Attic Wolves

Papagoya @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Bill Smith Rubblebucket @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm

The Burroughs, Leghounds @ Moxi Theater, Greeley - 8pm Walk the Moon @ The Ogden Theatre, Denver - 8pm w/ The Mowgli’s, Smallpools

Stumble Monkey @ Pourhouse, Loveland - 8:30pm

sunday October 27th Voodoo Glow Skulls @ Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Left Alone SoMo @ Bluebird Theater Denver - 8pm w/ Kid Slim

Talib Kweli & Big K.R.I.T. @ Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom w/ The Foodchain and Special Guests Orgone @ Hodi’s Half Note Fort Collins - 8pm

Widowspeak @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm w/ Pure Bathing Culture, Fluorescent Phobia

Tame Impala @ The Ogden Theatre, Denver - 9pm w/ White Denim

monday October 28th Live Jazz Open Jam @ Moxi Thetater, Greeley - 8pm

Comedy @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 7pm Strange Talk @ Larimer Lounge, Denver - 9pm

Hoodie Allen @ The Ogden Theatre, Denver - 7pm w/ OCD, MOD SUN, D-Why

Tuesday October 29th Flux Pavilion @ Aggie Theatre Fort Collins - 8pm w/ Ill Mannered and 40oz Profits Megalodon and Thriftworks @ Cervantes’ and The Other Side 8:30pm w/ London Nebel, Dub

Native Daughters @ Hi-Dive, Denver - 9pm w/ Black Acid Devil, Rebel Steele, Bloodlines

The Chrome Sparks @ Hodi’s Half Note, Fort Collins - 8pm

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

IF A TREE FALL S iN A MEUSUm

A creative story by Kenneth West

If a Tree falls in a Museum, is it Art?

(The following story was taken from a larger volume called, “A Portrait(s) of the Artist(s) as a Young Man/Woman/Young Man/Young Woman/Child/Basically through different periods of a Human Beings life as an Artist.) When I woke up I knew I was at a crossroads. I’d been paid an impressive advance for a book I couldn’t write, on a subject I cared nothing about: Small town communities and their artists. Did the world already know enough about arts picnics and gourds painted to look like Santa/God? Apparently not. I had a mind to take my advance, go on one of those wine tasting bike rides and forget my assignment; however, bikes are really, really expensive and my publisher threatened to, “Sue the shit out of me if this book wasn’t completed,” so I decided to write the stupid book. I spent one week in the little town of (A pending Law Suit requires we retract the town‘s name.) to learn all about local art. I packed a few things into my car, and set out on a highway as long as it is constantly under construction. 10 minutes outside of town is a sign with a bear clutching spurs, wearing a huge cowboy hat. I instantly felt nervous. I didn’t think a place with this gaudy signage could yield much art but, as they say: “A deadline is a deadline and law suits are expensive so… onward!!”

Day 1:

The first thing I saw today was a coffee roaster, promising start. The epicenter for any artistic community is the artisan coffee shop. Maybe the small town artistic renaissance starts here? With in house roasted coffee from an expert roaster master. Our roast master, a high school student named Kenny. “Hey, I’m Kenny. I can’t talk long; I need to finish roasting my beans- that’s what she said, ha- and get to school for my A.P. Art test! I see you’re looking at our roaster? It’s pretty nice, we got her about 2 months ago. None of us know for sure how to work it, but our boss said he saw like 6 other shops that are roasting their own beans and decided that we needed to start! It’s pretty sweet. Nothing like competition to shake things up in the coffee community! I’ve been teaching myself how to use this thing. So have all of us, my boss, his 7-year-old daughter, and our maintenance guy... I think that’s what makes the coffee so cool. You just put the beans in up there, and they come out this mail slot thing! What we serve here is just as good, if not better than those Keurig machines! Oh shoot, my mom is texting me, I gotta’ go! See ya later!” As I sat drinking my sour coffee, the realization struck. To be a small town artist, all you need to do is say you are. Logic, instruction, and quality control be damned! Where would the next brush stroke on this artistic canvas come from I wondered? Turns out from a college group who introduced themselves as, ¡YAWP@ NaturalDistaster! They heard me talking to Kenny about small town art and asked if I’d be interested in hearing a spoken performance piece they wrote? I said yes. They performed this:

My Vagina Screams Electric. Rape. Rape. Rape. Capitalism. Rape. If you don’t get as upset as me, you might as well be a rapist!

Strong stuff. It takes courage to attack something you know everyone else is the world thinks is terrible: courage this little community doesn’t seem to lack!

Day 2:

I’ve been busy walking the streets. Lots of restaurants have 3 drink limits and I can’t write unless I‘ve had at least 5. I notice all around are sculptures. Sculptures of what- I have no earthly idea. Normally the sight of twisted metal means there has been some horrific car accident. Twisted metal that’s been spray painted blue on the other hand: completely moving! One piece has a large piece of wood, attached to it’s rusted, welded center. At first glance you think, “oh no. There was a vehicle wreck that sent tree limbs through a windshield?” You’d think that, unless the whole thing is spray painted yellow. Yellow makes one think of spring, happiness, fertility and has never been attached to anything negative! These pieces are called things like, “Will-o’-theWisp,” or “Thoughts Transcribed to me from a Cave Mouth.” What does that mean? Don’t have a clue. Will I pretend I understand when the only other person in this gallery asks me what I think- damn right! The other art I’ve seen in town is mainly shit covered in birds. My head is spinning from the artistic inspiration, or the free wine, I step into the night… another bar. (There are TONS of bars here. Like 9 or 10 per block. If there’s a culture of anything, it’s booze!)

Day 3:

I enter a local bar. I instantly notice one thing. Everyone has a guitar, not a single person is playing it. As if saying, “Go ahead, I’m a musician. Ask about my guitar.” I bump into one musician on my way to the bar. “Sorry,” I say. “Yesterday,” he says. “I got this guitar yesterday. Had one already, but felt I’d play better with a new one.” There is a mob-like mentality here. A brotherhood of musicians seems to peacefully interact. Everyone has the others back. “Dude, that venue sucks! But if you play a show there, you can be sure that ‘Forgive my Effluence’ plays with you!” Exclusivity is not an issue. Shouts of, “hey man, my band sucks right now! I’m really loving what the Unsightly Horde of Douchebags is working on. I’d love to play a show with you guys!” I was barely through my second whiskey when a fresh-faced kid asked a veteran of the local scene if they could play together. “We’ll talk,” was the answer he got. The kid left and this older musician muttered, “not a chance.” The “veteran” and I struck up a conversation. He told me he’s played the same 7 songs for the last 5 years at the same venue that the same 10 bands perform at. “R.F. Alcohol Canyon’s. We hate it, but where else are we gonna’ play?” Then he invited me to a pizza place. “That’d be great if you did. I need a ride…” We get there and place our orders. “Shoot, I don’t have any money.” I offer to pay.

Then it dawns on me! Music becomes much more enjoyable when you have a relationship with the musician. You can’t appreciate someone’s art unless you have driven him or her around or crashed on their couch. That’s something that commercial music just doesn’t understand! What would we do without local bands? Really? Local bands could very well save the world, and judging by their attitudes- they think they are!

Day 4:

Not much happening in this little town art wise. I will attend a “multimedia dance experience” and comedy show by a local group called, “The Idiot Savant Theatre Company.” I take my 15-minute drive to a bland and boring amphitheater, where I am amazed at the amount of cars I see. Could this finally be what I have been sent to find? An art event supported by the community? Nope. There is a sports bar located right by the theatre. I figure I can go there and watch from the patio and a Blue Moon (Sponsorship?) The dance experience began with a DJ (17 year old with an ipod.) playing music that could be described as, “Oriental Fusion.” If techno/dubstep mated with the Mulan soundtrack. The plot seemed to be a standard fairy tale. A young girl, forced into servitude, eventually finds her way to self-confidence/happiness. In this show, she learns these things through hip thrusts and hip-hop. The show felt very 2013. Take a fairytale about female empowerment and make it an over produced and highly sex charged odyssey. Once the audience of younger people who enjoy thrusting hip movements and for the sake of taste will call, “contact, table top dancing,“ had left- the comedy group did their performance. “The History of Everything That Has Ever Happened.” Long order, short on originality. Mel Brooks, Monty Python, and Eddie Izzard called. They want their act back! Funniest idea in the entire show was a load of Pilgrim’s running around opening make up mirrors and saying, “look guys. It’s the Mayflower Compact! I left at intermission to find another bar… I mean art thing…place.

Day 5:

Last day in this little town. I feel like I could go and see something artistic; however I don’t actually think I will. I would instead prefer to spend the evening in a pub, drinking. Funnily enough, so does every other artist or creative person. Most of the “creative types” I’ve met are in here this evening. So are all of their friends and a whole bunch of other people who, judging from their glasses and PBR, are also artists! Their conversation is high and joke filled. Most of it seems to be about how frustrating it is to be artists and to have jobs and to have to do things they didn’t want. “Can’t we just not do anything and have our art make us hugely successful and make all of our money for us? That would just like be so much easier!” I then understood what it meant to be an artist! Not wanting a real job? Wishing you could play games and call it work and still be paid! That is exactly how I feel about my assignment! Better call the editor, this book might just write itself !

BandWagon Magazine northern colorado’s arts & entertainment magazine OCTOBER 2013

GAMES

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.

BANDWAGON PIx

ag.com m g a w d n a b @ ix p O SUBMIT YOUR PIX T GRAM #BANDWAGONPIX OR TAG US ON INSTA September SuDOKU SOLUTION

photos by John Hann