MANAGING PUBLISHERS Keith Schneider Keith@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com Christopher Murphy CMurphy@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com MANAGING EDITOR Tim Wenger 303-725-9359 TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com WEBSITE EDITOR Tim Wenger TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com WEBMASTER SwamiSez Web Design Swami@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com SENIOR WRITERS Corey Blecha, John Christen, Chris Daniels, Daniel Gallagher, Brandon Hart, Angela Kerr Sarah Smith, Swami, Torch, Tim Wenger PHOTOGRAPHY Jenn Cohen, Miles Chrisinger Alex Geller, Ted Davis INTERNSHIP Peter Munteanu ADVERTISING Chris Murphy - 720-429-8717 EVENT AND MAGAZINE MARKETING Chris Murphy 720-429-8717 CMurphy@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com WEB ADVERTISING Keith Schneider 303-870-7376 Keith@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com GENERAL INQUIRIES Info@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com SPONSORSHIPS / OTHER Please email us a written request proposal for all inquires to Editor@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
CMB Submissions and Advertising Policy Colorado Music Buzz welcomes submissions, advertisements and sponsorships from those connected to every musical genre and style, as well as the general public. Due to our publication’s community focus, article content and advertisements containing nudity, drug references, profane words/visuals, or sexually exploitative material will not be accepted. Please feel free to voice any concerns you may have and collaborate with us to adapt what you would like to present in a way that respects both our all-ages audience and your artistic integrity. We are here for the music, and we are here for you.
Artists may submit press kits/CDs for review by mail. Please email requests for coverage directly to the editor and copy the writer of your choice in your musical style. Colorado Music Buzz Magazine, LLC P.O. Box 2739, Littleton, CO 80161
Colorado Music Buzz Magazine is published monthly by Colorado Music Buzz Magazine LLC (Publisher) and distributed to over 650 locations throughout greater Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and surrounding areas. Reproduction in any manner in whole or in part without express written consent of the Publisher is strictly prohibited. Views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher or its staff. Colorado Music Buzz Magazine LLC does not limit or discriminate based on ethnicity, gender, age, disability status, spiritual beliefs, familial status, or national origin, and does not accept editorial content or advertisements that do.
swaggering British rockers Exile on Parade, Mexicano garagebluesmen The Copper Gamins comprise this flagship incarnation of the tour which will hit all major cities over the course of 25+ shows. Tickets for this 8:30pm show are $8.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door.
INAUGURAL NOT MADE IN USA TOUR COMES TO DENVER ON OCTOBER 13th editor@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
** Tour Brings International Rock Bands From Britain, Mexico and Australia to the U.S. ** Thrilling new rock ‘n’roll from all around the globe will impact on U.S. shores with the NOT Made In USA tour which hits Moe’s in Denver on October 13. Aussie punks The Novocaines,
NOT Made In USA is the creation of industry veteran Eric Hoppe of One Step Management. Seeing how slow today’s fragmented American music industry is to respond to global talent, and how hard it is for those artists to get a foothold in the States, they decided to take matters into their own hands. “Foreign acts feel blessed to be able to play a quick gig one busy afternoon at SXSW to a handful of people,” said Eric Hoppe. “But what those bands don’t realize is that it will most often result in nothing.” The long term goal of NOT Made In USA is for the tour to go out up to four times per year, featuring handpicked new bands from various countries spanning different genres. “There’s so much amazing music being made around the world that never gets its day,” says Hoppe.
“This is an ambitious endeavor in terms of money, logistics, immigration visas, bookings, and of course getting people to champion what they haven’t heard before – but when they hear the music delivered via an undeniably electric live performance they get it right away!” Indie punk rockers The Novocaines from Perth, Western Australia formed in 2006 and have made a name for themselves worldwide with their ferociously energetic live performances during tours with the likes of Them Crooked Vultures, The Living End and You Am I as well as playing major Australian festivals such as Big Day Out, Southbound and Playground Weekender. The current singles “‘Til Death” and “Freedom Please” launched in April are a current and relevant example of the band’s direction for 2013; short, fast punk rock that draws influence from their modern contemporaries like Fucked Up and Pulled Apart by Horses. The Novocaines are currently back in the studio working on new music which they plan to unleash in late-summer. NativesofNorthwesternEngland,aregionknown for giving birth to legendary musicians, Exile Parade grew up enamored with Oasis’ transcendent (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, and ended up being discovered by one of Oasis’ founding members and working with that seminal album’s producer. The quintet’s intoxicating blend of rock n’ roll swagger and grand Brit-pop hooks is exactly what has garnered them favorable comparisons to the
The Hate Become Wiredogs
Compilation Album Seeks to Raise Funds for Flood Victims editor@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
In response to the record breaking flood that forced its way through the homes and lives of nearly 17 counties in Colorado in early September, a group of industrious music industry folks have joined forces to put together what may be one of the best independent music compilations of 2013. Featuring such legionary names as Furthur, Widespread Panic, Umphrey’s McGee, Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers, Slightly Stoopid, The Origian Meters and Railroad Earth as well as locally based acts Big Head Todd and the Monsters, The String Cheese Incident, Leftover Salmon and Yonder Mountain String Band- organizers hope that music fans around the country will koin in fundraising effors for the cost of $15 a download. Aptly named the River’s Rising: Front Range Flood Relief, the three-hour download will feature art by Scramble Campbell along with 28 live tracks donated by the artists to help
12
aid the enormous fundraising efforts needed to help get Colorado back on solid ground. While the damage is still being assessed, catastrophe modeling firm Eqecat has already projected losses for residential property at about $900 million alone, with most of the overall losses affecting the uninsured. With communities scattered throughout Colorado still needing assistance, the project aims to help bolster fundraising efforts, and national awareness, to what has been named one of the largest catastrophes in Colorado history. Co-produced by music industry leaders Tony Hume and Annabel Lukins, the team swiftly joined forces and their respective rolodexes to call the music community to action to help bring assistance to their neighbors far and wide.
by Tim Wenger photo credit Jami Cabre
TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Many in Denver’s music community are familiar with alt-punk rockers The Hate. The group, formed in 2011, has recently undergone a change in name. “With the name change
“I’m doing this for our state, for our people,” explained Hume. \River’s Rising: Front Range Flood Relief will be released Tuesday, Ovtober 1st 2013, and will be available exclusively though LiveDownloads. com with proceeds going directly to United Way Foothills.
October 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Rolling Stones, Primal Scream, Joy Division and the Sex Pistols. Legends are made live onstage, and Exile Parade’s play-as-if-your-lifedepends-on-it ethos has built them a formidable reputation. After sharing the stage with iconic UK singer Clint Boon (Inspiral Carpets, XFM Manchester) he tweeted: “Ace band and one of the best front men in the UK.” The lads are finishing up a batch of new tunes that include “Beat Of Your Blood” and “Streets”, which they plan to release this fall. From the mountains of Mexico to the Mississippi delta to the garages of 1960s America to the Hollywood silent film studios of yore, The Copper Gamins cover some major musical ground with just guitar, drums and vocals (and the occasional less-than-fully-strung mandolin). With a sound that ramps up primitivism into a modernist atomic blast, they play what The Big Takeover hails as “raw cacophonic trash rock with wild child naiveté” with “dirty, unrepentant ‘bash the blues to hell’ delinquency.” It’s just what comes naturally to singer, guitarist and songwriter José Carmen and drummer Claus Lafania. The result is “a kinetic ball of lo-fi goodness,” as Rank and Revue described their 2012 debut EP. Now with their 17-song strong first full album, Los Niños de Cobre (on Saustex Media/Cosmica Records) the duo splash their south of the border hot sauce onto the American roots’n’rock gumbo and offer up organic, visionary music.
we just wanted something that represents who we are and how we got here,” says front man Dan Aid.. “Wiredogs is the term used for guys who work as electricians in the military. We had been throwing around a couple of ideas having to do with names for people that handle electricity, mostly because of Dan’s accident and we thought it might be cool to have a name that subtly alluded to that story.” The group feels that the name represents the stories of the members more so than their original monicker. “We don’t talk about it ton, but we all have a lot of respect for where each other have come from” says Aid. “We’ve all been through traumatic shit in our lives, and so Wiredogs represents that bond and that mutual respect between all of us.” The Wiredogs are releasing a new record, see our review on page 15. Online: facebook.com/wiredogs
CMB: When can we expect the new album? EL: I haven’t set a release date but I’m really excited and will be pushing it big next year. CMB: I also hear you’re touring with a live band! How is this different from performing solo? EL: It’s awesome! I love it! It’s like collaborating on stage with other musicians and getting to bring a different energy to some of the songs that I play. There is a total shift in energy. It’s awesome! I love it! CMB: So when are you guys bringing the live band to Colorado?
Eliot Lipp Returns to Colorado in Anticipation of His Upcoming Album by Sarah Smith
SSmith@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
CMB: Right now you’re on tour with El Ten Eleven. What do you enjoy and what has been your favorite show so far? EL: The guys in the band are really cool, I get along really well with them and I didn’t know them before I started the tour so I was really stoked that we got along. These are our last three shows in Colorado here, it’s been the whole month of September we’ve been out. I’m trying to think of what my favorite show from the trip was…Minneapolis was really cool. We played at Prince’s club Avenue so that was really awesome, it was a really good crowd and it was a lot of fun. It’s cool I like mixing the crowds too because they’re a different type of band than what I usually tour with. CMB: What type of music are they? Are they electronic?
An Insider’s Perspective on Carnival of Madness by Daniel Gallagher photo credit Daniel Gallagher
DGallagher@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Red Rocks is a nationally known natural amphitheater and I had the pleasure of being able to see We As Human, In This Moment, Papa Roach, Skillet, and Shinedown. Despite the frequent showers, the show was something that the majority of people enjoyed. Carnival of Madness drew an impressive crowd for the rainy day in Colorado and the crowd grew as time pressed on, regardless of the weather. The band that put on the best show had to be In This Moment (Maria Brink, Tom Hane, Travis Johnson, Chris Howarth, and Randy
EL: For sure next year! We’ve just been trying it out here and there. We’ve been trying to rehearse and get everything together. Next year we’re going to do some big tours with the band. EL: No. It’s a guitar player and a drummer but they have like some electronica, some of the loop pedals. It’s like instrumental indie rock but they have a lot of gadgets and loopers so there’s more to it. CMB: So I hear you have new record coming out? EL: I made the album solo, my guitarist Nick, I got him playing on a few songs. But the record I did myself in my studio.
CMB: I know you’ve been involved with Madison House and Pretty Lights Record Label. I have to imagine playing in Colorado is pretty special for you? EL: Yes! My new management company is also based here in Colorado, ENDIT! Management, and I’ve always had a lot of connections here and a lot friends here in Colorado. I like the
EL: Probably an after party. There was a Pretty Lights show and than an after party where our friend Mikey Thunder was DJing and everyone was taking turns DJing a little bit. I don’t know whose house we were at but it was some hippie, a total wook, like a String Cheese Fan, ya know. He had these crazy, goofball costumes in his closet and me and some people were all going through his closet and I found this hot pink Chewbacca suit that covered everything except your eyes and then I put on these ski goggles on so no one knew who I was. I was just running around the party dancing on people, freaking everyone out and no one knew who it was. It was great! CMB: I watched an interview a while ago where you said you would buy a synthesizer over food. Is that still true? EL: Ha! Sometimes. I still have a pretty bad problem collecting synths and spending too much money on gear. Online: eliotlipp.com
FAMM: Well yeah we like the classics. You know Tupac and such, but we are really influenced by the local scene.
EL: I think the main genre of the album is funk. I think everything is kind of based on funk. I have a lot of jazz samples and a lot of piano samples. I begin writing every song with a piano riff and then just go from there. So it does have a little more of an organic feel and it’s because there are more live instruments. It does feel a little more live I’d say than some of the other club stuff I’ve put on my SoundCloud.
Papa Roach and We As Humans were both pretty entertaining and are a definite mustsee the next time they come to Colorado. The headliner, Shinedown, lived up to their reputation for being engaging and fun to watch. Brent Smith (vocals) shook all the photographers hands and was constantly interacting with the crowd. Their use of pyrotechnics was awesome, and they had carnies that spun torches and other fire-like props. This show was truly a carnival of madness.
CMB: What has been your craziest tour experience in Denver?
CMB: Do you guys have certain people that have influenced your music?
CMB: How would you describe the new record?
Weitzel) because of their edgy performance including masked bloody nurses, Maria’s sex appeal, and the props used on set. It added to the overall feeling of their music and the crowd loved it. The best performance, however, was Skillet (John Cooper, Korey Cooper, Seth Morrison, and Jen Ledger). They had two string players that were on ascending and descending stages, phenomenal stage presence, and the lovely Jen Ledger behind the drums. Their opening dubstep remix of Hero was very impressive and the night definitely worked int their favor. The one thing I wished Skillet did that they’ve done in the past was a drum solo. She is so talented and the crowd would have gone insane if she got them moving.
vibe here; it’s a good kind of family vibe. I know so many people here, when I come it’s always exciting just to see everyone, besides the shows, just hanging out.
CMB: What brought you guys to want to be in Denver as rappers? Isn’t it [Denver] kind of a weak market for rappers?
A FAMMily StoryStepping Up and Getting Live by Brandon Hart
BHart@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Colorado Music Buzz hosted a Q&A session with the FAMM Crew about their group and the experience they had in the Step Up and Get LIVE Competition at Herman’s Hideaway. This innovative rap group, originally from Colorado Springs but now rapping out of Denver, has a very interesting and very relatable sound to them. Their influences and their love for music make a strong appearance in their music. Originally hailing from different parts of the country, the band’s togetherness shines through in all their music. I had a conversation with them about their interests and the music. Here is some of that. CMB: Is FAMM short for family? How did you come up with the band name? FAMM: It stands for Forever About Making Music
October 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
FAMM: No, we love it. Denver is really into it music scene so it makes it good for us to rap and make the music we love. CMB: As far as collaborations go all rappers like to experience different styles. Is there a style that you haven’t collaborated with that you would like to? FAMM: Dubstep and house music because it is really hot locally. So doing that would be a good one for sure. CMB: So I know you guys want to make music and that’s the main goal, but what’s next for The FAMM Crew? FAMM: Mostly we want to just keep making music our way. The FAMM Crew is definitely a group to check out if you haven’t already. A lot of rappers have one distinctive sound that epitomizes the region they come from, but The FAMM Crew brings likeability to their rap music that makes it aesthetically pleasing for the ear. Not to mention that they are Colorado Guys. Online: thefammcrew.bandcamp.com
13
Backyard Hero: Own It Rocks MSU Denver
by Center for Innovation Own It Team: Angela Kerr, Leah Parker, and Cindy Busch editor@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
OWN IT, hosted by Metropolitan State University of Denver’s (MSU Denver) Center for Innovation, highlighted small business ownership with a first time event incorporating CREATE MSU Denver Virtual Incubator’s mission – to stimulate collaboration and the development of artistic business opportunities for the creative entrepreneur. Over 500 people attended, including a multitude of student and established business owners, to network and collaborate artistically. The power of creative entrepreneurs was captured in a speech by Denver Mayor, Michael Hancock who attended the event. In a subsequent interview with Harrison Welshimer of Music Munch, Hancock stated, “The arts and culture community provide about a $1.7 billion dollar economic infusion into our economy locally.” OWN IT, emceed by Colorado Music Buzz radio personality Brett Finn, presented an impressive five band line up including The Driftin’ Suns, the CREATE MSU Denver featured band, who recently released their first album CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST currently for sale at e-commerce site: http:// www.createmsudenver.com. Colorado Music Buzz magazine reviewed the album stating: “Solid production, quality-studio tracking, and overall respectable musicianship throughout gives the fellas a solid fighting chance to make some noise nationally.”
the opening performance that stunned the audience. The audience was amazed the music was played with guitars, drums, and a keyboard, creating a surprising full sound from only two people. Zender’s complementary business, Zendelicious Productions, sponsored sound engineering for the event, stating, “It gave new exposure to Paer and it was great to work with the whole production team.”
says This speaks volumes about the Colorado music collaborative. When asked about what OWN IT meant to him, his response: “It means OWNING your life and everything that it encompasses because all you have is your life.” The newest member of the group, Mike Blecha, also sponsored the event by providing stage and sound with his company Rolling Thunder Productions.
James and the Devil, 2013 Westword Showcase winners in the Avant Pop Category, featured MSU alumnus Adam Carpenter and current MSU student Dave Ross. They were followed by the 2013 Westword Showcase Pop Alternative winners, Vices I Admire. Vices, led by Dave Curtis, who also sponsored marketing and graphics with his company Dave Does Design, teamed up with his band members including Dan Battenhouse, a founding member of The Fray.
Tim Kae of Drum City Guitar Land, a staple for musicians in the Denver Metro community, sponsored the back line kit to support the drummers and the ease of set changes for the bands. The professionalism displayed in store and in sponsorship by this long standing entrepreneurial venture speaks for itself.
The headliners for the event, The Bunny Gang, featuring Nathen Maxwell from Flogging Molly did not disappoint. Nathen, an international touring artist, recently moved to Colorado and is very excited about the Denver Music scene. “I am starting a new chapter with the Bunny Gang; I just want to focus on Denver,” he
Love Hope Strength, a local bone marrow transplant registry whose motto is “saving lives one concert at a time,” was able to register 61 additional people to the national bone marrow registry, (usually they only average 10 per concert) according to Kara Primomo, booking manager for the organization. “Overall we enjoyed being there and as always, it is really great to be in front of a student audience and to
What better way to bring awareness to creative and small businesses than to ask, “What does OWN IT mean to you?” For our participants, own your college career, own your passion, own your life – OWN your own business! You are in charge! From the initial idea of Chris Murphy to founder Keith Schneider, both of Colorado Music Buzz Media, we salute those who OWNED IT and made a free back-toschool concert for students and the greater Metro Denver community possible. For a list of Own It sponsors as well as event photos from Canvas4D and Ralston Photo visit http://www.createmsudenver.com/content/join_ us/own_it_2013 Watch for future Own It networking events focused on creative entrepreneurs in the music industry, and purchase your commemorative handmade OWN IT 2013 guitar pick by CREATE intern Jody McDonald from Nerdy Jems, by visiting www.CREATEmsudenver.com. About CREATE MSU Denver CREATE MSU Denver is the first university virtual incubator for creative entrepreneurs in the United States providing business advisement, an 1100 square-foot showroom and an ecommerce site to 61 creative industries and professions. CREATE develops personal relationships with its clients and helps them grow their business wherever they live. Check out our Marketplace, featuring clients and works of other creatives by visiting www. Online: CREATEmsudenver.com.
Paer, the power duo of Kyle Zender and Hill Baker, delivered
14
meet new people.”
October 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Viretta by the Swami
Swami@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
Viretta, a new and rising band on the local scene, is making some serious musical friends with their live shows, and this mini teaser release EP. While three songs make it hard to really understand a bands vision, the diversity of the tracks help the listener get a good idea of Viretta’s sound and direction. The first track, IMO, is the strongest. A high tempo rocker, showcases a knack for quality songwriting with gritty guitar tracks, a worthy chorus, and very solid musicianship. Twin brothers Michael and Robert Moroni (Ladies, get in line) bring the vocal and guitar work to the forefront and are justified in doing it as they are really are the pulse of the band. Take nothing away from drummer Michael Bokenkamp, and bassist Caden Marchese, as both hold down and accentuate the song structures and add a very viable backbone to the band as well. With influences that stretch from The Bravery to Incubus to Queens of the Stone Age, it is easy to want to follow these guys as they continue up the ladder here in Colorado. Working with Isaac Slade (The Fray) and Joe Richmond (Churchill) doesn’t hurt the growth of the band either. Online: VirettaBand.com Live: with Skyfox, Gothic Theater, Denver, Oct 25th
TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
Sanity’s Edge have got something to say, and they are saying it with a growl. Their new record displays the band’s ability to play a chiseled spectrum of metal- from the uberhardc ore to the rockin’ melodies, these guys have got it covered. Dino Cuneo lays down that double-bass drum beat, a style that has become a trademark in the metal world, as well as anyone else in Denver, and at the helm of this record he provides a solid backing. The track “Thread” showcases solid lead guitar work and serves, all things considered, to showcase the mellower side of the band and proving that they have a wellrounded sound and that front man Dominick Trichie is a man of many talents on the mic. Online: facebook.com/sanitysedgepage The Belle JarUnion Station by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
Boulder’s West Water Outlaws are dropping there longawaited debut album this month. The tracks are hard hitting, with all the intensity of modern alternative rock crashing head on with the raw emotion of classic blues lyricism. “Feeling Come Back” is a definitive example of the band’s soundtransitioning smoothly across genre lines but never venturing as far as losing direction, crashing from verse into chorus with fuzzy distortion and smashing drum lines- I found it nearly impossible not to bang my head to the rhythm. The track “Gimme,” on the other hand, presents the mellower, acoustically-driven side of the band but maintains the vocal intensity that Blake Rooker has become known for. Steering away from stereotypical Boulder electronica and jam music, West Water Outlaws are vigilantly carving their own path through the thick forestry of the local music scene and into the ears of the un-expecting crowds awaiting on the other side, unaware of the mind-blowing, high energy rock that is about to hit them.
Online: thebellejarmusic.net Katey LaurelPeriscope by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
Katey Laurel has proved once again why she has met with so much critical acclaim. Her new record Periscope is not only maintains the catchiness of modern pop infused folk music, but presents it in a way that screams Colorado. Laurel’s soft but powerful vocals draw the picture of her words like only she could do- with vast imagery and brutal honesty all compiled into a satisfying collection of folk songs.
TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
Wiredogs, formerly (and possibly better known) as The Hate, are dropping a new EP entitled The Resistance. Front man Dan Aid’s voice, sounding much like the beautiful wreckage left by a collision between Tom Gabel of Against Me!, the late Tony Sly of No Use For a Name, and Trevor Keith of Face to Face, has served as the recognizable face of the band’s sound, and the charismatic stage presence that has developed The four songs are filled with rebellious spirit and the resonance of the modern punk rock sound, hitting your ears and mind with the eager feeling of real, unbroken freedom- representing not only the music, but the mindset, of the wet nights and crowded, stinky shows of the seditious post-youth generation that has grown out of the ashes of their younger days to dominate the music scene in Denver. Online: facebook.com/wiredogs
Online: westwateroutlaws.com Spyn ResetSerendipity by John Christen
The Belle Jar takes the upbeat folk-rock/ country twang, and throws it head first with indy rock on their new record Union Station. Lively and danceable from start to finish, the band uses prominent, sometimes heavy, drum beats underneath almost every instrument the band could find (including many very well placed accordion lines) to produce a solid take on modern folk music. Front man Ryan James has an uncanny ability to lay his vocals right in the pocketallowing the full band to shine and the leads to flow unobstructed throughout the record. The title track “Union Station” is the strongest on the album, characterizing the band’s definitive sound- the sound of diversity. The album is strong from many angles, a well rounded listen.
Wiredogs- The Resistance by Tim Wenger
West Water Outlaws by Tim Wenger
Sanity’s Edge by Tim Wenger
JChristen@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
Petals of Spain by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ ColoradoMusicBuzz. com
Petals of Spain take harmonies, vocally and musically, to the next level on their new album. The talent and musicianship this Denver four piece is astounding, they take the modern pop culture of repetitive four chord progressions and dull solos and shame it over and over on the record. At times, they appear Queen-esque, at others I hear Bruce Springstein channeling, but they lay it all down with the style and character that only Petals could produce. From upbeat to mellow, danceable to just plain stare-worthy, Petals of Spain drops the proverbial beat to their own drummer, and they like it that way. Their audiences, one by one, are liking it that way, too.
Spyn Reset’s Serendipity is an instrumental carpet ride. The three-song compilation flows through ambient melodies and jazz-laden interludes, which meld perfectly with the interlacing vocals. Serendipity was recorded at London Bridge Studio in Seattle, WA, and produced by Geoff Ott (Queens of the Stone Age, 3 Doors Down), and mastered by Steve Turnbridge. With each transition, the album picks up speed as the songs evolve and interfuse before erupting into a symphony of synthesized sounds. Spyn Reset manipulates a varied range of styles and produces a delightfully complex and harmonious ensemble. However, Serendipity left me unfulfilled. Namely, why was this tasty offering only twenty minutes long? Perhaps, the band’s new management company, Quagmire Productions, can coax Spyn Reset to release a few more tracks out of the studio. For those looking for a quick fix, the band will be in town for a show at Quixote’s October 3. Online: spynreset.com
Online: pofsmusic.com
Solid guitar work sits underneath the vocals and serves as the helping hand for Laurel’s wide canvas. Online: kateylaurel.com
October 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
15
Aspen Hourglass- a band as unique as the name suggests- is making big moves in the music community. If you have not experienced the audio or visual pleasure this high-octane Fort Collins trio produce tickling your senses, the current trajectory the band has worked their way into suggests that won’t be true for long. Think of them like you’d think of a perfect recipe that was a long time coming. An evolution of taste that grows with experience, adding in a new flavor here and there as necessity persists and all put together by musical chefs Grayson Erhard, John Napier and Sean Hanson. “We started out this band not really having a genre in mind,” says Hanson, the group’s drummer. “One of our first songs was a really progressive, alternative type song with weird time signatures, the second song we went into was reggae. The third song was back to the whole alternative thing. We’ve been changing ever since, it’s very time dependent. As we evolve as musicians everything changes all the times. The hourglass to me means a lot about the time we’ve been together, how things have changed over time. “We went through a phase where we were trying to appeal to a broader audience so Grayson was writing a bunch of poppier songs.” “We (also) went through a phase where it was all super technical and progressive,” says bassist Napier. The three guys, as a band, have been working to find a happy medium between technicality and catchiness, and feel that the progress is coming along steadily and productively. Their new single “Taboo Daze” is the demonstration of where they are at the moment. “The original arrangement wasn’t the way it is now,” says Erhard. “I just shit out this catchy song, and It’s totally changed.” The new record was recorded at multiple locations. The drums were recorded at Side 3 Studios, and everyone else’s part was recorded at the band’s producer, Lance Bendiksen of Bendiksen Productions’, studio in his house. The video shoot for the single took place in May, with the main location being up in the mountains on Loveland pass and then moving down to the producer’s house. “First music video ever to be filmed before the music was done,” laughs Erhard, the band’s front man and guitarist. “We were basically playing on this mountain. Then we went down to our producer’s pad, and he has this really cool room. We brought like fifteen of our friends in this compact room and played this really intimate thing, it was really cool.” The song itself was written about a house in Fort Collins that was a former residence of Erhards. The house features a castle in the yard, complete with a moat and cottage, and became party central for their social circle. Day two of the video shoot took place here, with the band providing a keg for those that showed up to the shoot. “We had a huge day of filming in that backyard,” says Erhard. “Everybody got smashed off the keg, then we went up to Horsetooth and smashed some electronics.” Marketing for the video and album are being done through Bendiksen Productions. The band is also working to get as much radio support as possible in both Fort Collins and Denver. “The goal with this is to have it be our ‘breakthrough,’ if you will,” says Hanson. “We’ll have an official song that is written for the radio and hopefully it will catch on real quick. Of course we will distribute that to all of the connections we have through Bendiksen Productions. Whatever may come of it, it’s really a promotional item for us. That’s the main purpose.” A demo recording is all that the band currently has available, and they are very excited to finally have a professional representation of what they can do. “We
need product that will properly showcase us,” says Erhard. “Taboo Daze will do that.” They are (hoping) to drop the album at The Soiled Dove in Denver November 15, and are working on locking in opening acts for the show. “It (is) on of the sickest venues I’ve ever played,” says Erhard. “And we can pack it if we have the promotion for it, which we will.” “We’ve kind of exhausted all of the venues up here,” says Hanson. “Plus it’s cool because it gives people a place to go. On a night like this where it will be promoted so immensely, it’s good for people to look forward to it. ‘What are you doing this weekend? I’m going to Denver.’” Aspen Hourglass played to a jam-packed room at The Meadowlark as the final act of Higher Ground Music Festival, filling the room with a house party-type vibe in the garden-level bar. Napier’s bass boomed back and forth off the walls of the room like a racquet ball and Erhard completed the show with a crowd-surfing guitar solo. The and kept the party atmosphere going by hooking up their fans with a couple suites in the Holiday Inn off Colorado Blvd., complete with booze and aspen tree artwork on the walls. The band came together rather randomly up in Fort Collins, where the three guys are attending school at Colorado State University. Erhard met Napier at popular Fort Collins musician hangout Spotlight Music. “I heard him just slapping the fuck out of the bass, just going nuts,” says Erhard. “I’ve never heard anybody slap like that in my life. I was like ‘Who is this forty year old slapping the bass,’ and I look over and it is THIS goofy mother fucker with a ‘fro. It was totally like a girl situation. I was like ‘Dude, I should go talk to that guy’ and my buddy was like ‘If you don’t you’ll probably regret it.’” His approach was received with open arms and heart, and the guitar and bass duo was of Erhard and Napier was formed. Napier knew Hanson, and invited him to practice one night against Erhard’s initial wishes. “I was like ‘who is THIS guy,’ and he gets on the drums, and I was like ‘Oh he can play some drums!’” “We both quickly realized like ‘Holy shit you’re pretty talented,’” says Hanson. “We jammed for two or three weeks and we actually started developing some riffs that we kept going back to and we were like ‘Maybe we should start a band or something.’” “It’s an ongoing process,” says Erhard. “It’s a constant process of building your team. We’ve built a manager-producer, video production team. I’ve spent so much time in the past year booking us shows, I could have written twenty songs in the time I booked all the shows. So now we just brought ona booking agent named Wes Vondenkamp.” “He’s been hitting it hard,” says Hanson. The guys are excited for what the future holds for them, and can’t wait to finish school so they can focus more on the music. They have worked incredibly hard towards the forefront of the music scene on front range and, as they watch the path continue to grow in front of them, feel confident in not only their music but their decision making ability. They know, however, that that road is never-ending. “I don’t think we’ll ever be on top of the game,” says Hanon. “I think we’ll always be fighting for something.” Stay up to date on their cd release, upcoming shows, and general news at facebook.com/aspenhourglass. Article: Tim Wenger / Photos courtesy of Aspen Hourglass
Colorado Music Buzz Presents: Shatterproof
by Daniel Gallagher photo credit Daniel Gallagher Branson Hoog: Vocals, Rhythm Guitar TJ Wessel: Violin Jeremy Warmor: Lead Guitar Ben Spoliansky: Drums Josh Schroenig: Bass
CMB: Why did you guys pick the name Shatterproof? Branson Hoog (BH): We started thinking of cool things that were unique and meaningful to the band. While thinking of things that no one really knew about us, Josh’s metal rod that supports his spine and Ben’s titanium plates in his face from a cliff diving accident came to mind. We also thought about how all of us are strong and have overcome hardships, just like a lot of our prospective fans, and thus the name... shatterproof. You can’t break us; no matter how hard you try. CMB: How long have you been together as a band? Ben Spoliansky (BS): This lineup has been together for 2 years now. The lead singer was the last to join, but the band has been searching for the right people for about 5 years. We re-invented ourselves in the last two years: changing our sound, what we are about, who our audience is, etc. CMB: Your music videos are remarkable! Tell me more about the lyrics and how they tie into the message you want to convey to your audience. BH: The songs are generally about overcoming hardship. Our goal when writing songs is always to hit the audience in a place that makes them relate to our message. The messages may vary, but it is always our goal to help people by giving them an “anthem” to whatever they are dealing with at the time. We want our fans to be able to listen to one, or many of our songs, when they feel down, discouraged, confused, lonely, and be reminded that everyone goes through the bad times. The lyrics and the music are there to comfort and reassure that whatever it is they are going through, they can get through it. They are, in fact, shatterproof. Josh Schroenig (JS): Our music videos so far have all been filmed and produced by Hudson Bloom, and they are meant to be just as powerful and intense as the music that inspires them. CMB: What are your favorite parts about Colorado? If you were to convince someone to move here, what would you say? Jeremy Warmor (JW): One of our favorite things about Colorado,more specifically Fort Collins, is that it is really good about promoting local musicians and local artists and it’s a very nurturing environment. This means that someone from out of state would get to be able to experience the art culture, with lots of live, local music and different forms of entertainment everywhere to enjoy. We also love the breathtaking mountains, and all they have to offer, like hiking, skiing, snowboarding, rafting, camping, and hunting.
24
CMB: What are some hardships you have overcome (personally, as a band, etc...) that have further enhanced the meaning behind the songs you write? JS: Some of the hardships that we’ve been in as a band have ranged from divorce, break ups, unhealthy relationships, and death. Music is our way of expressing grief and pain, and writing new songs is a great way to cope and overcome difficulties. Branson says, “As the songwriter, I write the lyrics but I have been very lucky and haven’t had to overcome many significant hardships, but I try to put myself in the shoes of others who may be going through something difficult.” I read a book once about a family that gets brutally murdered, and one of the daughters who were killed had a boyfriend. I wrote one of our songs in the perspective of the boyfriend, trying to capture his thoughts, his anger, and his sadness into his lyrics. Point is: a lot of hardships in the songs aren’t hardships that he’s actually been through, but hardships that he has put himself in the perspective of someone who has. CMB: Tell me what you would want to tell someone who is struggling immensely with motivation. What would you say to them to press on and keep their head up? BH: For anyone who is struggling to stay motivated- don’t ever forget that you’re worth it. Whether you believe it or not, you have so much potential to do well and find happiness. Never think you are the only one going through this. Sometimes it is really tough to find the motivation or the courage, and I would hope everyone finds the reason they were put here. If you ever feel like your presence is pointless it is because you haven’t found it yet, NOT because there is no purpose. JS: Also if you’re on the other side, remember, “be kind to everyone, for they are fighting a tremendous battle.” CMB: Anything else you’d like to add? (New releases, music videos, EP in December, merch, plans for the future, etc.) TJ Wessel (TW): We will be coming out with a new EP in January, we are very excited to share some new music with the Shatterproof fans! We will also be releasing two music videos within the next year! Online: weareshatterproof.com
Insomniaxe Strike Back, Harder and Faster by Tim Wenger
TWenger@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Denver pyschobilly rockers Insomniaxe are back on the grind, seeking to enlighten the masses that the pyschobilly scene in the Mile High City is not as dark and desolate as it seems. “We’re tired of the same of shit, the awful music scene as far as pyschobilly goes,” says Colden King, upright bassist and the only remaining original member from the band’s 2007 formation. The band took a hiatus from 2011 until a couple months ago, with part of the reason for the break being front man Clay Greene’s incarceration. “ They have pulled back together, driven by the desire to continue spreading their madness to the far reaches of the scene. Immediate plans for the group including the completion of a full length release, five years in the making. They plan to head into Black in Bluhm studios to work with Jesse Fox. The guys are hesistant to put a date on the release. “Tentatively next year,” says King. “If we can bust something out this year that would be amazing.” A split record with Denver punk rockers Potato Pirates may also be in the works, with the bands covering each other’s songs. Insomniaxe have done a fair amount of touring and have become known for wild, outrageous, and often violent live shows. They have seen stabbings, beatings with a chair and numerous other acts of random destruction in their day. “We did a few tours, mostly west coast,” says King. Live shows have become the staple of the band and the reason for the wild reputation they have. Reno, Nevada appears to be the guys’ favorite stop. Hearing them tell this story, you see their eyes light up as the reminisce on what must have been an absolutely insane evening, one of many that Insomniaxe have been a part of, out in the middle of the desert. “I always got so messed up out there,” says Greene. “The first time we played out there, the venue got changed like five times,” says Greene. “ The first place we were supposed to play at didn’t have a cabaret license and the cops shut it down,” says King. “Then we went to this other place and they said we couldn’t do it there. Then we went to this Irish Pub place, and it was supposed to be rockabilly vs. pyschobilly.” “We were the only pyschobilly band,” says Greene. You can imagine how that went down, Insomniaxe bringing the crazy, booze-fueled madness to a lineup filled with malt shop rockers, but it happened and they survived to tell the story.
October 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
“Hayride to Hell was supposed to play (after us), but it got shut down because a riot squad showed up because there was a bunch of ‘Hells Angels’ there and they started a crazy ass brawl right in the middle of our set.” “A bunch of people got stabbed, there was a bunch of cop cars outside. It was totally awesome,” says Greene. They did not let the madness keep them from rocking, however. “We just kept going,” says King. “ Reno’s a hellhole, but it’s a fun place to play,” says Greene. “I don’t think I’ve had more fun on tour with a band besides this one.” The guys get a kick out of watching people rock out to their songs, and do their part to provide some “quality” merchandise to send them home with. “It’s cool seeing people who you don’t know, people who you’ve never seen in your entire fucking life and will probably never see again, singing the words to your songs,” says King laughing. “It’s like, who is this? Who put you up to this?” “I remember when we ran out of merch half way through the tour,” says Greene. “We went to the good will and bought a bunch of underwear and army shirts. We screened them all at our buddy’s house.” “We silk screened Insomniaxe tighty-whitey underwear from the thrift store, and we sold out of those the first show that we sold them at.” “I’m wearing this gold stretchy Elvis jumpsuit with Insomniaxe underwear underneath,” says Greene. “I took the jumpsuit off and I’m all ‘Whoever takes this underwear off with their teeth can fuckin’ have em!’” Needless to say, the underwear ended up in the hands (and probably around the waist) of a deserving fan. “The oldest, most methed-out gambling queen in the joint was like ‘Me! Me! Me!’” says Greene. “That was nasty! Fucking awesome.” Back on the homefront, Insomniaxe are hoping to re-generate the buzz they had prior to their hiatus. “We’re trying to get Denver back, like when we were in our heyday, we would play a place and it would fill up,” says King. “Clay was not the original singer. We had this other kid that was a drunken mess more so than any of us combined. We kicked him out. Clays been in the band longer than anybody else besides me, so he’s original as far as I’m concerned.” They will be gigging around town and hope to hit the road in the near future. “The show’s gotten a lot better now,” says says Greene. “We’ve gotten away from the whole ‘let’s get completely fucked up and destroy places,’” says King. Online: facebook.com/insomniaxe
Between The Covers: Farewell Fiddlers by Torch
Torch@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
It was the last night of the 2013 Fiddler’s Green concerts. It has been one memorable, slippery summer, as I’ve learned so much, watching… listening, and making mistakes. Serving up to you now a quick retrospective:
Big Gigantic Flood Benefit: Fillmore and Red Rocks
by Corey Blecha
CBlecha@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Big Gigantic made their return to Red Rocks for Rowdytown Part II this past weekend, for one of the last shows of the season and perhaps one of the best. They repeated their sold-out appearance, but not before playing a bonus show at the Fillmore Auditorium, scheduled to give those that didn’t score tickets to Red Rocks a chance to see the Colorado duo perform in their home state, as well as to benefit the flood relief efforts being directed towards those who lost lives, property, and so much more due to the devastating bouts of rain that swept through the state a few weeks prior. According to Dominic Lalli, who mans the saxophone as well as the production and synth work behind the groups “gigantic” tunes, the fact that they could help bring people together to help people around the state was perhaps the most important thing about this run of shows. When asked about the addition of the Fillmore show, he notes that it was a “… good opportunity to raise more money for people that are in need”, and as we could come to find out, Colorado folks don’t need much motivation to help each other out, especially in times as trying as this. With a smaller crowd Friday night, and a more intimate setting all around, I was eager to hear what the guys would come out with, especially considering they would have at least a two hour set the following night. What we got was a throwback playlist of some of the oldest Big G tunes in their catalog, showing the Denver crowd that they haven’t forgot where they came from. With classics like “Funhouse” and “Fire It Up”, Dom and drummer Jeremy Salken took us on a trip through time, and it was great to hear some of their older stuff, many songs of which I haven’t heard since their early tours. The highlight of Friday was definitely the opening track, in which David Murphy of STS9 joined the duo on bass, kicking off great vibes for the rest of the night and an epic start to an amazing weekend of Big Gigantic and friends! Saturday night was the main attraction, selling out more than a month in advance as fans were either looking to make their return to Rowdytown or looking to make sure they didn’t miss out this year. After last year’s performance, there was plenty of buzz going into this weekend, and after growing into a national touring act, especially in the last twelve months, the hype couldn’t have been higher for Rowdytown II. Fans made their way into the amphitheater early to catch the sounds of Manic Focus, Carnage, and finally Adventure Club, before the
Big G boys took the stage for their headlining set. They were fully equipped with projection mapping on the rocks, and a complex lighting and stage structure built around the LED lit stage that Dom and Jeremy called home for the night. From the get-go, it was an audio and visual spectacle that rivaled any show I have ever seen at Red Rocks (I’ve seen more than enough), and a performance that pushed the limits of a venue that has seen nearly every type of artist and genre through its doors, and I commend the guys for taking on such a huge production. When it was all said and done, many people asked why the projection mapping hadn’t been done before, a comment I heard more than a few times on the walk out after the show. The complexity of the set-up was no easy task, as one can only imagine, with multiple projectors, countless hours programming and setting up the visuals, not to mention the stellar musical performance that served as the heart beat of the whole operation, and to pull it off with the success they had was a feat in itself, worthy of praise from even the most casual music fan. Night two featured songs old and new, giving the “Big Gigantic Family” a little dose of everything, and showing that the band doesn’t have many genre limitations and are keen on exploring new musical territory. They played new songs such as “Blue Dream” and “Cloud Burst”, and they even debuted a new untitled song, with a wobbly house beat, speeding along with Jeremy’s ever-present drumming and Dom’s smooth and soulful saxophone. After seeing Big Gigantic in two different settings, two nights in a row, its safe to say that they are on top of their game and ready as ever to push the boundaries of what EDM is, something they have never been shy to explore. As a local music fan, I love to see Colorado artists go on to experience nationwide success, and nothing means more than having them come back and contribute to the local scene, and in this case to the local community. Their efforts raising money, teaming up with Conscious Alliance to donate proceeds of these shows to those affected by the floods, shows that Dominic and Jeremy are in the right headspace, something that can’t be said for every group that experiences such a rapid rise to fame. After an amazing weekend of music, where people from Colorado and beyond came together for both the tunes and the community, we are re-assured of the power of music and the importance of helping those in need, regardless of the platform we stand on. Big up, Big G!!! Online: biggigantic.com
Food: Bob Dylan by far had the best food. His caterers travel with the show, and are executive chefs making beautiful, healthy food. Oh my, the little pumpkin puffs were sinful in all the scrumptious ways. The worst food goes to the Kid Rock Tour, mac-n-cheese, canned corn, and barbequed road kill of some sort; it was the most reminiscent of old school lunch food. I felt sorry for the crew traveling with that tour. I won’t go into best crowd, because when people are all singing along and having a good time, they all win. Worst crowd however I have to go with Lil Wayne; dang everybody was Kung Fu fighting! Moment: I was back stage at Lil Wayne watching the show, there were dancing girls, guys on skate boards, big fire balls going off it was a great production and ran right on time. I stood a little back from the stage entrance so I could see the folly. I noticed a few mountain sized guys dressed in black, hanging out near by. A blast of sound explosion caused me to do a full body shake from top to toenails. It literally scared the breath out of me. One big guy kindly put his arms around me and said, “Hang on baby, there’s two more.” Boom! He held me tight. Boom! He told me I was all right, then he walked out on stage and started rapping with Lil Wayne. I asked one of the other guys who that was. He smiled at me, “That was Two Chainz.” In my most caucasional manner I just thought, “Thank you Mr. Chainz.” Dang, I know nothing about rap, yet in the midst of a show of full production, I was gallantly guarded with a moment of humanity. The greatest act devoted to the art of Rock and Roll for the summer was definitely ZZ Top playing in a huge downpour, after an hour long black out. The rain fell in sheets and the pit was turning into a pool; I was hoping we could do cannonballs off the stage but that was my dream. The crowd danced and cheered all sloppy wet, clad in plastic garbage bags, and drinking expensive cheep beer. The ZZ boys had on their full sparkling garb, doing their signature guitar swing moves and playing the hell out of that rainstorm. Yeah baby that’s Rock and Roll! Moment: Locura Festival, some guy lost his wallet backstage, so I figured I would ask production if they knew the name. I saw this guy with long hair running around all day,
October 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
and spotted him from behind in front of the production door, so I asked him if he worked in production. It wasn’t him. Dave Navarro of Alice in Chains turned around and told me to go on inside. (Forehead slap) I was so happy he didn’t hear me correctly; there is some benefit to musician’s deafness. Of course like an idiot I told on myself and my boss did not find my story as funny as I did, and banned me from back stage for the rest of the day. Funniest moments came answering the lost and found phone calls. One guy called having lost his car. Now it was not in my lost and found bin, obviously but he wasn’t sure: if he just can’t remember where he parked, or if the car was towed, or if it was stolen. I told him to call the police, which he hesitated, making me muse over the contents of the vehicle. Oddly lots of women called in missing shirts after the Heart concert?? And there were several girl fights at that show, as a few called the next day looking for their IDs; they had turned them over to security and eventually the police. The show however was a blast, I had forgotten how many great songs they had. Heart had the best meet-n-greet (industry term for a lap dance). Their staff created The Black Dog VIP Lounge. The walls were tiedyed tapestries, and accented with plants and candles and incense. The fans who paid to have a picture taken with the Wilson sisters all tried to peak around the fabric walls. The big moment came when one of the assistants hit a large gong and the sister’s entered with true pomp and circumstance. They sat at a table, and one by one each fan stood between them and smiled for the camera. Parting gifts included a butterfly fan, and a hat for the Jason Bonham experience. The most missing cell phones goes to Lil Wayne. The most missing driver’s licenses go to Luke Bryan. The drunkest crowd… and the award goes to Mayhem, along with the most incident reports! It was a sweaty summer filled with music moments that take us through our cold months, a summer of watching and absorbing the energy of thousands of fans dancing and singing at the top of their lungs to music that is so loud it leaves us deaf for days but soaks our souls for life. Here at the end of the season, the end of Live Nation at Fiddler’s Green, we pass the torch on to AEG in our own little way in the form of a burn barrel and a few beers. In true basic human gathering in a vague circle around the fire, we bonded and said good-bye to the Green.
25
The Manager’s Corner by Chris Daniels
I’ve managed my own band since the 1980s and despite the amazing changes in technology, success in the music business is built around some tried and true elements: great music & performance, really hard work and timing (often mistaken for luck). The book I wrote for my UCD class on artist management is called “DIY: You’re Not in it Alone” and that is exactly what you need to understand … you have partners out there willing to help…and you should count on them. I wrote about this a lot last year and I hoped that the work we all did with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) would have made a difference. I’m sad to report it did not. CDLE is STILL auditing musicians and agents and small sound companies and ruling that those bands and sound companies are EMPLOYERS and not INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS and it is bordering on harassment!! This sounds like really dry crap to have to read about but for the men and women out there that are actually scraping by making some or all of their living in the music business this is really important. These rulings are being driven by a group of uninformed and badly trained auditors that have the ability to put me, you and a lot of our compatriots out of business because of their bad training and the vagueness of the law. In short, this can really fuck with your show! The most recent case is a local sound company that is run by one very beloved member of the music community. He is a patriot. He has been to Afghanistan and Iraq several times doing sound for USO shows entertaining our troops. He works with all the major names here in the business, Hazel Miller, Girls On Top, The City of Longmont – you name it he does it and he is highly respected for the quality of his equipment and the professionalism and art that he brings to the craft of mixing live sound. OK, let me just say it, this guy is a prince and we all love him. CDLE sent him a request for audit. He provided all the documentation. He mostly works by himself. His son helps him a lot, when he is not working in his own studio or with his band. Every now and again he hires local sound people to help him with a big show or when he has two shows on the same day and has two rigs out covering the two shows – obviously he can’t be in two places at once. All the people who work for him from time to time have signed the “Independent Contractor Agreement” he provided and they all have agreed that they are NOT his employees – that our local hero does not provide training, benefits, a specific place to work (like a McDonalds) and that they are not under his control in any way shape or form. They do not wear uniforms, they are expected to know their way around digital boards and sound systems and their time on the job is dictated by the client our hero is working for
26
NOT by our hero himself. Our hero does not pay them a wage but pays them a flat fee and at the end of the year he sends them a 1099. In other words our hero does everything that is required to run a good small sound company “by the book” with all the proper paperwork and following all the NINE STIPULATIONS set forth in the law (Colorado Revised Statute 8-70-115) that “allow” companies (bands, event companies, venues that hire bands, and yes sound companies) to function as independent contractors. One year ago I worked with a bunch of people including Mike Marsh, Hazel Miller and COMBO to (a) meet with the Governor (b) meet with the Executive Director of CDLE (c) meet with the music community and representatives from CDLE at an event at the Walnut Room to try and prevent folks like myself (yes I went through this bull-crap too – while I was in the hospital getting chemo!!) and Hazel and Susen and so many others from having to go through this. At the meeting CDLE assured us that they were going to be doing trainings with their auditors to help them understand the differences our various music companies have from McDonalds or Starbucks or WalMart. I’m sad to say that those promises were NOT kept. My friend with the sound company, our hero, will be forced out of business if the ruling against him stands – classifying him as an employer/employee relationship with his son and various engineers he hires from time to time. The same would have been true for me had the ruling against me stood. I appealed and I won, but it cost me $5,000 in legal bills. Our hero is facing the same thing: a long appeal and expensive lawyer – and all to try and keep from being classified in a way that he should NOT be classified by CDLE’s auditors in the first place! I am really pissed. Our community is doing this right. We pay our taxes. We file 1099s and 1096 forms with the IRS. We have “Independent Contractor Agreements” with the various people who work with us. We do it by the book and these poorly trained and obviously preprejudiced auditors at CDLE are threatening to put good people like us out of business. It has got to stop!! So here is what has to happen. (1) We have to fight for our hero’s case and we are doing that. (2) Further, we need to get a change in the law that stipulates that the independent contractor status is not some kind of “exception” to the automatic assumption that a company (band, events company, sound company) is an employee/employer relationship...it is not some “exception” that should be considered …it needs to be a clear classification that idiot auditors cannot overrule at a whim or when they are too pre-prejudiced to read the documentation properly. (3) That new law needs to state clearly that companies can apply for and be granted a classification as a company organized as a group of independent contractors working together... a band… a sound company owned by one man who hires his son and the occasional sound tech to help out … an events company that “brokers” deals between clients that want entertainment and established bands … a venue that hires different bands every night … that those bands
are not employees. I will keep you informed as to how this case is going. We may, like the old Frankenstein movies from the past, need to get the mob together to storm CDLE with torches and pitchforks. For now we are working with CDLE to resolve this (AGAIN!!). For those of you who are baffled reading this and wondering what the fuss is…let me give you one clear example. So you start a band or a sound company. You and your buddies (male and female) decide to start performing. And you set up the band as an LLC – calling it – The “What The Hell” band. And you all agree that you are working together in this band because you want to … and that if somebody wants to leave, that’s fine, you will replace him or her with another player. You do lots of gigs and you split the money evenly – or pretty close to it. If one of the members of your band loses his/her job at Safeway and files for unemployment – CDLE must (by Federal law) audit all the places that person worked. So they will audit the “What The Hell Band.” If you lose the audit (which right now it looks like about 99.9% chance you will) it means that you will have to go back and pay thousands of dollars into the workmen’s compensation fund, you will probably lose
your tax status as an independent contractor and have to go back and pay withholding to the IRS for all the members of the band and there could be really big penalties and interest for not doing both of those things AND in the future you will have to do monthly filings with the IRS for all the “wages” the band paid to the players. You will also have to pay into the workman’s compensation insurance fund every quarter. The bookkeeping for this is estimated to cost around $200 per player per month or more. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE. So this matters to all of us who make some or all of our living as independent contractors. I play with my band, I sing commercials, I teach, I write articles, and give lectures, I play on other people’s records, I write songs and all of it is part of how I make my living. Like the majority of musicians in the States, we don’t just survive on one band or gig – we are independent contractors – in Colorado CDLE is threatening our financial existence – and truly threatening to put a lot of us out of business. And that is a really dumb ass thing for a government department to do that is supposed to be there FOR the worker. As they said in the movies, “Houston we have a problem!”
Musician 101 – Round 4 What to do to take it to the next level
“bubble” of what sounds good. To get a true unbiased opinion on a DIY project is hard to come by as most band members and friends will say “it sounds good.”
Swami@WColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Studio – Pros: Experience, quality gear, knowledge of equipment, sound booths/ recording rooms, efficiency. Studio – Cons: Money
By the Swami
Back in the 90’s when I had a developmental deal with Sony, I was privileged to have several great mentors. Then the labels still had A/R departments and would look for talented artists to sign and then “train” to be a pro. For me, I was lucky enough to have such encounters. Here in this monthly column I will share with you not only the things I learned from “the big boys” but really from the school of hard knocks and the other school of figuring out what not to do. Each month I will pick a different topic that I think truly makes the difference between amateur and professional.
Considerations for recording – DIR! So you are considering recording your new material…Should you go DIY or spend $$ in a studio. Let’s take a look at both… DIY – Pros: Cost effective, you own the recording gear, no time restraints. DIY – Cons: Lack of knowledge and understanding of recording, lack of quality gear (mics, pre-amps, compressors, eqs, plug-ins), not having a properly tuned recording area, no mentorship or experienced engineering, distractions. Going down the “DIY” road is a very iffy proposition. One thing to understand is once you release a recording, it is FOREVER. Sure you can release other recordings, but once it hits the public, there is no turning back. Just through my experience of receiving thousands of local recordings over the years, the number of projects that are actually done correctly are very few. Most musicians don’t understand compression or EQ, plus they are in the
October 2013 | ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Seriously, the only downside of going to a good studio (Coupe Studio, Colorado Sound Studio, Side 3 Studio for example) is it costs dollars. But are you really serious about your product? If you are, don’t waste time buying protools at home, getting a half-assed pre-amp, a couple mics, and thinking you are going to match a good studios quality. It just won’t happen. With a studio, you get KNOWLEDGE – an engineer who knows the gear, has top notch pre-amps and mics, and can guide your sound. The other thing you get in a good studio is experience. The next time you go, you will totally know how to prepare, what to expect and how to be creative within the confines of the recording process. It can truly be magical if you embrace it. Bottom line – Save your dollars and “DIR” (Do It Right!) – even if you have only a couple thousand, go record a couple of your best tracks – You don’t need to do it all once. EP’s are the new format and “singles” are making a big comeback in the music business. To be taken seriously in the industry, your recording needs to be as good as it can be. Don’t overlook the impact a great recording has on critics, labels, and radio. They honestly don’t listen or consider material that isn’t properly recorded. Wait till you can Do It Right! I will share more don’ts and do’s in future columns – but I am out of space for this month. Want to share your thoughts with me? Hit me up Swami@ColoradoMusicBuzz.com
Oct 7 Prof (Free Show) @ Larimer Lounge
Oct 8
The Denver Brass @ Newman Center for the Performing Arts Hieroglyphics w/ Anvil Smith & Kruza Kid @ Casselmans Bar & Venue
Oct 17 Sleep Well w/ Brave Song Circle Joel Kachel Band, Benson the Dog & Smashy Claw @ Herman’s Hideaway
Ha Ha Tonka w/ Samantha Crain & Navy @ Hi-Dive
Tommy Simmons w/ Ben Rogers & Taylor Sumner @ Moon Room at Summit Music Hall
Holy Ghost! w/ Midnight Magic & Mike Moses @ Bluebird Theater
Terra Alive w/ Bears and Company @ 7th Circle Music Collective
Crystal Stilts w/ Zachary Cale & Emerald Siam @ The Walnut Room
Built To Spill w/ Slam Dunk & Genders @ Bluebird Theater
Phantogram w/ Future Islands @ Gothic Theatre The Lonely Forest w/ Cumulus & Instant Empire @ Larimer Lounge
Nick Turner @ Lion’s Lair
Oct 13
Tricky w/ Royal Canoe @ Gothic Theatre
Red w/ Filter, Otherwise & We As Human @ Summit Music Hall
Austie Frostie w/ The Squid Kids, 22Tape, An Hobbies, DJ Bigga & Jetty @ Larimer Lounge
SunSquabi w/ The Manhattan Project
Bob Schneider w/ Gabriel Kelley @ Bluebird Theater
Tr380 w/ HA$H, Bobby Tek of HardHeaded Records & MORE @ Casselmans Bar & Venue
Independent Living w/ Hopsin & Swizzz @ Casselmans Bar & Venue Matt Nathanson w/ Joshua Radin @ Gothic Theatre Pepper w/ RDGLDGRN @ Ogden Theatre Mr. Hipster w/ Arthur Lawrence, Stasis of Seasons & Chasing May @ Larimer Lounge
Oct 9 Potato Pirates w/ OC45 & Pitch Invasion @ 7th Circle Music Collective
Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, The Smith Street Band & Koo Koo Kanga Roo @ Ogden Theatre
St. Olaf Orchestra @ Bethany Lutheran Church
Bronze Radio Return w/ Graham Colton @ Hi-Dive
Decide w/ Broken Hope & Disgorge @ Gothic Theatre
John Runnels (EP Release) w/ Megan Burtt & Like Explorers @ Larimer Lounge
Oh Land w/ Sun Rai @ Bluebird Theater
Oct 10 Rottenness w/ Skinned, Execration & Eminent Terror @ 7th Circle Music Collective The Bottom Dollars w/ TNERTLE, The Cut & West of the Blues @ Herman’s Hideaway Dave Simonett (of Trampled By Turtles) w/ Ark Life @ Bluebird Theater
Oct 14 Junip w/ Barbarossa @ Summit Music Hall Baltic to Boardwalk w/ Andrew Johnathan @ 7th Circle Music Collective Red Fang w/ Helms Alee & Dog Shredder @ Bluebird Theater STRFKR w/ Chrome Sparks & Feelings @ Gothic Theatre
Man Man w/ Xenia Rubinos @ Gothic Theatre
FuzZ w/ CCR Headcleaner, Tomahawk Fox @ Hi-Dive
Supersuckers (Night One) w/ Hellbound Glory, Holley 750 & Bottle Rocket Science @ Larimer Lounge
the Rusty Maples @ Hi-Dive
Talk All Night @ Hi-Dive
Oct 11 Real Friends w/ Mixtapes, Forever Came Calling & Pentimento @ 7th Circle Music Collective Halden Wofford & The Hi Beams w/ Trail & The Ghost of Joseph Buck @ Casselmans Bar & Venue Places w/ Foxfield Four, Velta Star, Avalon Landing & The Constant Tourists @ Herman’s Hideaway You Me At Six w/ Cute Is What We Aim For, Conditions & Dinosaur Pile Up @ Summit Music Hall Supersuckers (Night Two) w/ Hellbound Glory, Ol’ Hickory & Codename: Carter @ Larimer Lounge Carbon Leaf w/ Brain Wright @ Bluebird Theater Gary Clark Jr. @ Ogden Theatre Les Claypool’s Duo De Twang w/ Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real @ Gothic Theatre
Oct 12 Trivium w/ Devildriver, After The Burial & Moth @ Summit Music Hall Restorations w/ Native Daughters, Sleeping Weather, Jack’s Smirking Revenge & Black Dots @ 7th Circle Music Collective Technicolor Tone Factory w/ Digg, Walsher Clemons, Jaden Carlson Band & Taylor Sumner @ Herman’s Hideaway
Oct 15
Life in Electric w/ Sean Kennedy & Medic @ Hi-Dive
Tera Melos w/ Zorch & I Sank Molly Brown @ Larimer Lounge The Blow w/ Love Links @ The Walnut Room
Oct 18 Iconocaust w/ Smackfactor, Cellador, Flagship, Combustion Mechanism & Fist Fight @ Herman’s Hideaway Teach Me Equals @ 7th Circle Music Collective Mix Master Mike w/ MTHDS & Quotes feat. Jared Ming @ Summit Music Hall Rusted Root w/ Goodnight Texas & Rob Drabkin @ Gothic Theatre Two Cow Garage w/ Ross Etherton and the Chariots of Judah @ Lion’s Lair the Indestructible North w/ Yo Soy Sauce & Kitty Crimes @ Hi-Dive BOY w/ Jeremy Massersmith @ Bluebird Theater
After Nations w/ Solterra @ 7th Circle Music Collective
Spirit Family Reunion w/ Hurray For The Riff Raff & The Deslondes @ Larimer Lounge
Goblin w/ Secret Chiefs 3 @ Gothic Theatre
Oct 19
Kid Ink @ Summit Music Hall
STAY ALIVE w/ Basscrooks, Lotus Drops, Muppet Punk & DJ Kriminal @ Casselmans Bar & Venue
Posole w/ Gleemer @ Lion’s Lair Sir Sly w/ The Chain Gang of 1974 & Bel Heir @ Bluebird Theater Twin Forks w/ Matrimony @ Hi-Dive Timeflies w/ Chiddy Band & T. Mills @ The Ogden Theatre
Oct 16 Boyce Avenue w/ Megan Nicole & Madilyn Bailey @ Bluebird Theater Kofi Baker’s Cream Experience w/ MF Kaaos & Kofi Baker Drum Clinic @ Herman’s Hideaway Rook and the Ravens w/ Rossonian & Branded Bandits @ Moon Room at Summit Music Hall The Independents @ Oriental Theater The Flight of Sleinir w/ Widower, Destroyer of Light & Weaponizer @ 3 Kings Tavern Princess Music w/ Shenandoah Davis, Anthonie Tonnon & Natalie Tate @ Hi-Dive Surfer Blood w/ Team Sprit & Andy Boay @ Larimer Lounge
Bud Bronson & the Good Timers @ Hi-Dive D.R.I. w/ Speedwolf & The Eight Bucks Experiment @ Gothic Theatre King Khan and the Shrines w/ Hell Shovel & Best Creeps @ Larimer Lounge Portugal. The Man w/ Crystal Fighters @ The Ogden Theatre Todd Snider @ Bluebird Theater
Oct 20 WOLF FEST: Phil Lewis w/ Tango Down, Ron Keel, Mass, Killer Dwarfs, Stonebreed, Modern Superstar, Hollywood Roses and MORE @ Herman’s Hideaway Atlas Genius w/ Family Of The Year & The Colourist @ Summit Music Hall Aotearoa @ 7th Circle Music Collective Desparecidos feat. Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes w/ The So So Gios @ Gothic Theatre Austin Lucas w/ Lee Bains III & Jon Boland @ Larimer Lounge
Oct 21 Gavin Harrison @ Herman’s Hideaway The Couch Bombs w/ Denver Port Authority & Kult of Skaro @ 7th Circle Music Collective CocoRosie w/ Busdriver @ Bluebird Theater Two Door Cinema Club w/ St. Lucia & PEACE @ The Ogden Theatre Melt-Banana w/ Kinski & Tjutjuna @ Larimer Lounge
Oct 22 HAWKWIND w/ Familiar Looking Strangers @ Gothic Theatre
The Iron Maidens w/ Micheal Morrow Tribute to KISS & Steel March tribute to Matallica @ Cheers Pub Northglen
Reno Divorce w/ Wiredogs, Trade Ins & Dead Ringer @ Larimer Lounge
Chimnet Choir w/ Poet’s Row & Attic Wolves @ Hi-Dive
twenty one pilots w/ Robert DeLong & Sirah @ Bluebird Theater
Chainsaw Love Affair w/ 98% Chimp & Quitters Anonymous @ Lion’s Lair
The Devil Makes Three w/ Shakey Graves @ The Ogden Theatre
Rubblebucket @ Larimer Lounge
Nov 2
The Collective 360�s 7th Annual Halloween Party: Coloween @ Crowne Plaza Convention Center
Periphery w/ Born Of Osiris, Dead Letter Circus, Twelve Foot Ninja & Down the Rabbit Hole @ Summit Music Hall
Shook Twins @ Shine Ghostwriter w/ Rev Deadeye, RaNdALL ConRAD! OLiNgeR & Erika Ryann @ Lion’s Lair
RETOX w/ Catholic Girls, CP 208 & Alla Prima @ 7th Circle Music Collective
Oct 27
The Hollyfelds w/ Marty Jones & Hangman’s Hymnal @ Hi-Dive
SoMo w/ Kid Slim @ Bluebird Theater
Mountain Standard Time @ Bluebird Theater
FuzZ w/ CCR Headcleaner & Zebroids @ Hi-Dive
Tame Impala w/ White Denim @ The Ogden Theatre
Silkie w/ Lotus Drops @ Larimer Lounge
Widowspeak w/ Pure Bathing Culture & Fluorescent Phobia @ Larimer Lounge
Real Magic w/ Men in Burka & Kitty Crimes @ Larimer Lounge
Jonny Lang w/ Honor by August @ The Ogden Theatre Vitalic w/ boyhollow & Shonnan Von Kelly @ Bluebird Theater
Oct 23 KMFDM w/ Chant @ Summit Music Hall Stickup Kid w/ The Sheds, Banshee Bones & Finding Common Ground @ 7th Circle Music Collective City and Colour w/ Sleepy Sun @ The Ogden Theatre John Vanderslice @ Hi-Dive Jacuzzi Boys w/ Thee Dang Dawgs & Spells @ Larimer Lounge Sleigh Bells w/ Dodrums @ Bluebird Theater
Oct 28 Hoddie Allen w/ OCD, MOD SUN & D-Why @ The Ogden Theatre Strange Talk @ Larimer Lounge
Oct 29 Whilt w/ Ninth Moon Black, Dreadnought & Thorns of Acanthus @ 7th Circle Music Collective Finch w/ Dance Gavin Dance @ Gothic Theatre
Oct 24
Justin Hackl and Dan McCarthy w/ Native Daughters, Black Acid Devil, Rebel Steele & Bloodlines @ Hi-Dive
Thicker Than Thieves w/ Inna Di Red & Spellbinder @ Herman’s Hideaway
Empire of the Sun w/ Alpine @ The Ogden Theatre
The Helio Sequence w/ Menomena @ Bluebird Theater Andy Palmer w/ The Changing Colors & Chella & The Charm @ Hi-Dive NIght Beats w/ The Blue Rider & Bloodhound @ Larimer Lounge Rustie @ Larimer Lounge
Oct 25 Fretless w/ Motion Sickness @ 7th Circle Music Collective
Oct 30 Mystery Ship @ 7th Circle Music Collective The Moondoggies w/ Rose Windows & Ark Life @ HiDive
Oct 31 Kieran Strange w/ Alexander France & Lunar Light Parade @ 7th Circle Music Collective Deer Tick w/ Robert Ellis @ Bluebird Theater DeVotchKa @ Gothic Theatre
Mitis w/ Mutrix, DubCOling & Zach Ohms @ Casselmans Bar & Venue
Teen Daze w/ Camp Counselors, Real Cosby & Sea of Eyes @ Larimer Lounge
Skyfox w/ Bop Skizzum, Viretta, Starcar Sunday, Syke 96 @ Gothic Theatre
Kutt Calhoun w/ BG Bulletwound, Skatterman, Snug Brim, JL B.Hood & DJ Kittie
Joe Pug w/ Vandaveer & Andy Thomas @ Larimer Lounge
RL Cole w/ Champagne Charlie & Drunken Cuddle @ Lion’s Lair
Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band w/ Now, Now, The Maykit & Harrison Hudson @ Hi-Dive
Nov 1
Jellyfish Tuesday CD Release Party w/ Someone’s In For An Explosion & Holiday Blue @ Lion’s Lair The Neighborhood w/ Ghost Loft @ The Ogden Theatre Little People w/ Blockhead @ Bluebird Theater
Oct 26 LOLA BLACK w/ Horse, No 1 Left Standing, OMNISM, A Travesty Prevented & Torch The Wagon @ Herman’s Hideaway
Bleeding Through w/ Winds Of Plague, Oceano & Gideon @ Summit Music Hall Transdermal Celebration w/ Mr. Steak, Shelvis and the Roustabouts & Black Mountain Breakdown @ Herman’s Hideaway Gaelic Storm @ Gothic Theatre Resistant Culture w/ ROAC @ 7th Circle Music Collective
Nov 3 Grayskul w/ Graves 33, The Procussions & Time @ Moon Room at Summit Music Hall Of Fortune and Fame w/ The Traditional & Almost @ 7th Circle Music Collective Sera Cahoone @ Hi-Dive
Nov 4 As In We w/ Dreadnought, Solterra & Ghost of Glaciers @ 7th Circle Music Collective
Nov 5 A$AP Ferg w/ Joey Fatts & Ashton Matthews, OverDoz & 100s @ Bluebird Theater Gov’t Mule w/ Vintage Trouble @ The Ogden Theatre Quasi w/ Blues Control @ Hi-Dive Little Boots @ Larimer Lounge Stephen “RAGGA” Marley w/ Wayne Marshall & Jo Mersa @ Gothic Theatre
Nov 6 The Story So Far w/ Stick To Your Guns, Such Gold, Rotting Out & Souvenirs @ Summit Music Hall Stephen Kellogg w/ The Saint Johns @ Bluebird Theater Toro y Moi w/ Classixx @ The Ogden Theatre Sean Nelson w/ Decker & Clouds and Mountains @ Hi-Dive Tori Kelly @ Gothic Theatre Bernhoft w/ Sivert Hoyem @ Larimer Lounge
WANT TO BE FEATURED ON THIS CALENDAR? HIT US UP AT CALENDAR@ COLORADOMUSICBUZZ.COM GET NOTICED!