Ego vs Id

There’s a misconception — particularly regarding local music — that hard work and good intentions ought to be factored in when judging an album. They shouldn’t. All that matters — all that should matter — is the sound that sprouts out of the speakers. Taste is the debut by Boulder’s…

Technicolor Skies

It’s tough to pin a genre on the music made by Technicolor Skies (aka Zachary Martin). Distance is most like a fusion of ambient and old-school techno, with a sprinkling of trance technique to balance it. Playing with rhythm and noise, mashing trance-like buildups with unusual syncopated beats, Martin creates…

VIC Cionetti

Since moving from upstate New York to Denver in the mid-’70s, Vic Cionetti has played his share of gigs with his group. But there were years when he traded playing out for working a day job. Even after releasing Simpatico in 2000 and selling out the Gothic Theatre, he put…

Shock Trostic & Dash Render

In their hearts, Shane Trostic and Dash Render clearly haven’t lost what is great about hip-hop, as is obvious on every song on this album. The hypnotic beeping of the opening track, “New Voodo,” provides a constant even as the two rappers come in with a slightly frayed delivery, rhyming…

Jon Wirtz releases his solo debut, November 3 at Dazzle

During his more than two decades of playing music, Jon Wirtz has performed with a slew of local acts, including the Sputter, LSW, Matt Morris, Angie Stevens and John Common, who encouraged the thirty-year-old pianist to finally pull the trigger on his solo piano album. Wirtz narrowed the track list…

Oakland’s Beats Antique opens for Glitch Mob on Halloween at the Fillmore

If you caught Oakland’s Beats Antique at Monolith Music Festival last year, then you’ve experienced the catchy world melodies and danceable rhythms this trio throws down. David Satori and Sidecar Tommy Cappel use a plethora of instruments — guitar, keyboard, electronic banjo, electronic percussion, drums, toy piano, viola, sax and…

A first look at Young Doe’s “Droptop” video

Young Doe puts a little hip-hop spin on the show Cheaters with his new video for the song “Droptop,” featuring Texas recording artist Chalie Boy. The Damon Jamal-directed clip features a host of local cameos from cats like Mr. Colorazzi, DJ Ktone and Rockie, as well as Kevin Kain, who…

John Mellencamp, Rose Hill Drive, Tech N9ne shows announced

Touring in support of his latest effort, No Better Than This, John Mellencamp comes to the Temple Buell Theatre on Wednesday, April 6. Tickets range from $44.50 to $130 and go on sale this Friday, October 29 at 10 a.m. — and include a digital download of the T Bone…

Rockstar Aaron indulges his inner guido

Oh my. Looks like we’re going to need a new monitor — or, in the very least, a wet cleanup over here on aisle three. After catching a glimpse of Rockstar Aaron in his Halloween costume, we sprayed everything in sight with a fresh cup of Folgers. Comedy gold. Best…

Adam Lancaster benefit at the hi-dive tonight

Best part about living in the Mile High City? Well, aside from the music, the breathtaking beauty, the four seasons and three hundred or so days of sunshine, that is? Easy: The seemingly undying benevolence of the people who live here. We take care of our own. There’s generally no…

Interpol at the Ogden Theatre, 10/25/2010

INTERPOL With White Rabbits 10.25.10 | Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO Colorado went from summer to winter in one momentary movement yesterday (complete with a rainbow early in the day), and, as usual, that season other states call “fall” was skipped altogether. Interpol’s show at the Ogden Theatre couldn’t have been…

Gathering of the Clouds, 10/21/10 – 10/23/10

GATHERING OF THE CLOUDS Overcasters • Swayback • Buckingham Squares • Gangcharger Achille Lauro • Light Travels Faster • Glass Homes • Juliet Mission Action Packed Thrill Ride • Hearts in Space • Anna.Martina.Ross 10.21.10 – 10.23.10 | The Weather Center, Denver, CO Overcasters put together a great sound system…

Tonight: The Morning Benders at the Bluebird

If you’re not feeling like braving an Interpol sans Carlos D, the Morning Benders show at the Bluebird tonight should be a welcome option. With a handful of EPs and two full-lengths (the latest, Big Echo, came out this year on Rough Trade) under its belt, the dudes from Berkeley,…

A first look at Pries’s “Supa Lovin'” feat. Rockie

“Supa Lovin'” is the track that just won’t go away. Not only does the cut appear on Pries’s second mixtape, Late for Class, but it’s also slated to appear on Transfer Student, his forthcoming album, which is scheduled to drop next month. A radio-ready anthem, “Supa Lovin'” is driven by…

Astroland in Boulder hosts DIY or Die Fest Halloween weekend

In the spirit of Halloween, Boulder creative space Astroland is holding its first annual DIY or Die Fest, a massive holiday celebration featuring over a dozen local bands and DJs to the backdrop of some spooky films and the promise of free candy. And tacos. Well, the tacos aren’t free,…

The Walkman is dead

It’s a sad day for those who love the tactile feedback of a chunky Walkman. After being on the market for 31 years, Sony has officially put the cassette-model Walkman on ice. It might come as a surprise to some people that the Walkman was still being sold, but those…

Gorillaz at Wells Fargo, 10/24/10

GORILLAZ With N.E.R.D. 10.24.10 | Wells Fargo Theatre In what will probably now become a legendary appearance at Wells Fargo Theatre last night, Gorillaz brought out a Colorado crowd in its truest form — Dads, ravers, white people with dreads, babies, bros, men in lobster costumes, girls donning wigs of…

Of Montreal at the Ogden Theatre, 10/24/10

OF MONTREAL With Janelle Monae 10.24.10 | Ogden Theatre, Denver, CO After seeing Janelle Monae perform on Saturday night, it’s no wonder that she was picked by Erykah Badu to open her most recent tour. Monae isn’t just a great soul singer; her songwriting and her band set her far…

Sleigh Bells at the Larimer Lounge, 10/23/10

SLEIGH BELLS Pictureplane • Sundelles 10.23.10 | Larimer Lounge, Denver, CO Read interview with Derek Miller of Sleigh Bells Brooklyn newcomers Sundelles opened the show with a sort of surfy garage rock, sounding kind of like the Pixies with all of the idiosyncrasies ironed out. It was pleasant enough, but…