Poppy's Newest Record Is a Genre Bending Mashup of Metal Pop Bangers

By: Nathan Sheppard

You might know her from her quirky YouTube videos that shot her into stardom starting in 2014, but Poppy is one of the hottest artists of the new year. She recently released her genre-bending third album I Disagree and it's just what we needed for a “Yummy yummy yummy” way to start off 2020.

Poppy. Photo Credit: Jesse Draxler

Poppy. Photo Credit: Jesse Draxler

Something we can all agree on, however, is that Poppy’s latest release is a breath of fresh air. In what can only be described as a mash up of K-pop, metal, and really everything in between, this album takes the listener on a rollercoaster of different soundscapes that is oddly satisfying. While there have been glimpses of this heavy-pop sound in her previous albums, Poppy has fully embraced her new edgy persona. It’s also evident throughout the album that she is making a new name for herself after parting ways with her former producer. The lyrics in “Sit/Stay” are a perfect example of how Poppy has taken control of her image and her music. All of which culminated into the title track, “I Disagree.” a banger of a song that will have anyone bopping along.

Poppy will be taking her new album on the road for a winter tour starting January 22nd, AND will be making her way through Denver at the Gothic Theatre on January 28th. Don’t miss your chance to see one of the next big artists! Jam out to her super catchy tunes by getting your tickets here.

-Nathan

All photos, videos, and embedded tracks per the artists featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

COIN Making Debut Red Rocks Amphitheater Set Wednesday, June 12th

By: Elena Marti

 While they may be supporting Young the Giant and Fitz and The Tantrums on their 2019 North American Tour, COIN are no strangers to the spotlight, having made appearances at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits in recent years. They’re familiar with the Colorado altitude as well, having just headlined the Gothic Theatre in Englewood in March 2018.

COIN.

COIN.

While it may appear easy to write COIN off as another cookie cutter pop group at first, the trio are incredibly good at writing songs that allow you to relate and feel understood. COIN’s third studio album is said to be released later this year, but the three-piece have already released four singles from the album including: “Growing Pains,” “Simple Romance,” “Cemetery” and “I Want it All.”

“Growing Pains” deals with the uncomfortable part of falling in love we all wish we could ignore, or at least fast-track through: when you have to put up this front, trying to be the coolest version of yourself, and overall, just desperately trying not to screw everything up. “Cemetery” confronts the dangers of spending your life focusing on money above all else with lines like, “never had time for a family/but he is the richest man in the cemetery.” The dark undertone of the lyrics is counterbalanced by the exuberant beat on this tune. For COIN fans, singles like these have listeners excited for the band’s new record.

Fortunately for you, COIN are headed back our way! On Friday, June 12th, head out early to catch COIN’s debut Red Rocks set, which will surely draw you in and keep you hooked. It’ll only take one listen for you to be singing this band in your head for the rest of the night! Get tickets while they last here and keep up with COIN at this link

-Elena

 All photos, videos, and embedded tracks per the artists featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

Phoebe Bridgers' Colorado Live Debut Weaved Sadness Into A Celebration

By: Brody Coronelli

In the middle of her set at The Gothic Theatre in Denver last Friday, Phoebe Bridgers introduced a cover of Tom Petty’s “It’ll All Work Out” by saying, “This is another sad one.” With exception of one or two, all of her songs are sad. But unlike the other melancholic crooners she takes after (Elliott Smith, Joni Mitchell, and Conor Oberst), she’s self-aware of just how sad her music is in a way that lends an endearing bite to the songs.  

Phoebe Bridgers. Photo Credit: Sierra Voss

Phoebe Bridgers. Photo Credit: Sierra Voss

The pop-sensible trio Daddy Issues opened the night, letting their unique brand of wry, infectious, and dark emo and grunge-pop brighten up the room before the sad songs kicked in. Their irresistible two-part harmonies reached a bright crescendo on the brooding, grungy cover of Don Henley’s "The Boys Of Summer." The song started out in rhythm with the original, but descended into a dark groove as they made the song their own while also maintaining its top-down, sunset-bound energy that makes it such a timeless hit. The band’s bright, infectious sound was a perfect introduction before Bridgers and her band dampened the eyes of a full theater of fans.

Bridgers has been on a steady rise over the last three years, due in part to the Killer EP recorded and released in 2015 through Ryan Adams’ label PAX AM. She’s also toured with Conor Oberst, Bon Iver, and Julien Baker. She’s not just another songwriter “making it” by having famous friends and collaborators though. Her immense talent as a songwriter and performer sent her debut album Stranger In The Alps to the top of numerous “Best of 2017” lists, asserting her as one of the year’s most promising new artists. She’s currently on her first headlining tour, aptly called “The Farewell Tour.”

Photo Credit: Sierra Voss

Photo Credit: Sierra Voss

Her set on Friday night included her debut album in its entirety, as well as two covers and some deeper cuts. The live versions of these songs often left a more powerful impression than they did on the album, flourishing with added instrumentation that rendered them more gripping and upbeat. Tasteful, subdued drum fills from Marshall Vore and ambient, drawling guitar and pedal steel from Harrison Whitford turned songs that were formerly shadowy, acoustic crooners into blossoming, intricate arrangements that left a potent impression on the audience. The formerly stripped-down “Funeral” was re-imagined as a slow-burning rock song, with her full live band adding additional layers onto it’s already vibrant presence. “Would You Rather” received a similar live treatment, only this time it was sung as a duet with Whitford instead of Conor Oberst.

Bridgers’ aforementioned cover of the Tom Petty deep cut “It’ll All Work Out” was one of the set’s strongest moments. “I wouldn’t recommend tuning a baritone guitar even lower, but I love it, because it makes everything sound super emo!” she joked, before transforming a glistening, lighter-waving arena rocker into a melancholic, shadowy anthem that aims straight for the heart.

Photo Credit: Sierra Voss

Photo Credit: Sierra Voss

She closed the set with “Scott Street,” and towards the end, she sent two massive black balloons filled with confetti into the audience. She encored with her haunting cover of Mark Kozelek’s “You Missed My Heart,” as well as a surprise cover of “If It Makes You Happy” by Sheryl Crow; a song that declares, “If it makes you happy/ Then why the hell are you so sad?” The cover ended the show on a self-aware, tongue-in-cheek note that was incredibly refreshing. For someone who writes songs capable of levelling you with their sadness, seeing Phoebe Bridgers live never felt like anything shy of a celebration.

For a full gallery of photos from this show, click here

-Brody

All photos, videos, and embedded tracks per the artists featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

Where To Catch Matt Rouch & The Noise Upstairs This Fall

By: Hannah Oreskovich

Earlier this summer, BolderBeat’s man on the street Zach Dahmen caught up with singer/songwriter Matt Rouch at Denver’s Underground Music Showcase. It had been a year or so since we’d last chatted with Matt, and the frontman of Matt Rouch & The Noise Upstairs has been busy.

Matt Rouch & The Noise Upstairs 

Matt Rouch & The Noise Upstairs 

After the success of his 2016 self-released debut record, The Beautiful and the Damned, Rouch and his band have been touring the state, opening for acts like Ian Mahan and Kristin Diable. The Americana quartet have also played a number of festivals, like Spread The Word, The UMS, and even Boulder’s Porchfest.

Listen to The Beautiful and the Damned:

Rouch, who describes himself as a “southpaw whiskey-loving Virgininian,” now calls Denver home, along with bandmates Alex Fostar (violin/guitar), Stu Guarney (upright bass), and Ricky Brewer (drums). The four-piece have been in the process of recording new music, some of which you may be privileged enough to here at one of their upcoming fall shows. Rouch still plays solo often as well, which is a special treat to hear if you can swing by one of his shows.

This Tuesday, September 19th, Matt Rouch & The Noise Upstairs will actually share the stage with renowned jazz and blues singer/songwriter Pokey Lafarge at Denver’s Gothic Theatre, marking one of their biggest shows to date. They’ve also managed to lock down a Summit Music Hall set with Cowboy Mouth on Friday, October 13th. Needless to say, Rouch & Co. are rising fast in Colorado’s scene, so make sure to snag tickets to one of their upcoming sets here. We’re excited to see this Americana folk outfit in action.

Keep up with Matt Rouch & The Noise Upstairs on Facebook.

-Hannah

Follow Hannah on Instagram and Twitter.

All photos, videos, and embedded tracks per the artists featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

Things We Found at Black Lips' Denver Show: Nudity, Silly String, & Mosh Pits

By: Sierra Voss

Black Lips filled the Gothic Theatre with some rowdy ass behavior last Friday night. The wildness started as soon as the doors opened and Dirty Few took the stage. This local band is a well-seasoned Denver favorite, often frequenting the Hi-Dive’s stage. As audience members filled the venue, Dirty Few set the vibe, ripping guitar solos, slapping on tambourines, and head-banging around stage. They wrapped their set with a bold stage dive into a not-so-crowded pit, making the impossible, possible. 

The second opener, Timmy’s Organism took the stage next. This band hails from Detroit City and embodies a rock and roll sound that feels like it is whacking you over the head with a jagged rusty edge. They are the band you want to party with, but fear you might die while trying to keep up. Song by song, frontman Tim Lampinen introduced new stage props, like a bouquet of flowers he used to play his guitar with, silly string he pretended to shoot out of his nose, green paint he splattered all over his face, and finally a large paper-mâché head mask of a one-eyed baby monster thing that he proceeded to rip the hair out of.  

By the time Black Lips took the stage, the room was packed and buzzing with eagerness for them to begin their set. Black Lips formed in 1999 in Dunwoody, Georgia. Since then they have released nine albums, their most recent being Satan’s Graffiti or God’s Art?, which was produced by Sean Lennon. Black Lips’ shows certainly have a high level of rowdy expectation from fans, as their record promises at least one random and crazy stunt to go down. As soon as they took the stage, literally almost the entire audience formed into one massive mosh pit. Quite frankly, it was challenging to keep track of each of the five band members unique stage antics throughout the rest of their show. The stand-out moment of last Friday night’s performance, however, was when Cole Alexander (guitar/vocals) dropped down and stuck his dick in the horn players saxophone. Yep.

So here’s the thing. Even if you don’t like their music (thought you'll be hard-pressed not to), I suggest at some point you take the time to see the debauchery that is a Black Lips show. Check out a one of there tunes, “Bad Kids” here!    

-Sierra

All photos per the author. All videos, and embedded tracks per the artist featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

Iolite Talks About The Headspace Behind Writing Her New Single "Ring of Fire"

By: Sierra Voss

Iolite is about to heat up your summer with her new single “Ring of Fire.” This local pop artist is quite the little fireball, gripping on tight to her fierce start in Denver’s music scene. We have been keeping up with her as she releases single after single, and crushes opening sets at spots like Denver’s The Marquis Theatre and Gothic Theatre.   

Listen to Iolite's new single "Ring of Fire":

With the release of her newest single, we decided it was time to chat with Iolite again. Check it:

Can you tell us a little about what your new single “Ring of Fire” means to you? Is the song about a certain event in your life?

The writing headspace for “Ring of Fire” was unlike anything I've written. Half of the song was written about one situation I was personally in, and the other half was written as an outsider of a relationship between two other people I experienced. The song talks about having someone in my life that I know shouldn't have been in it. I knew this person wasn't going to stay in my life, but there was something charming about that. The other half of the song was inspired by the other relationship- they kept fighting but never got to the point of fully giving up on each other. At the end of both scenarios, the relationships were toxic. They were "dangerously charming."

Is this a newly written song? Or was this a song you had written a while back?

I wrote this song four months ago and it went through many versions before the final mix. The lyrics were written in a few hours, but I wanted to make sure the production was just right before releasing. My team behind the production was so incredible, and really helped me convey what I wanted people to feel when listening to this song.

Iolite.

Iolite.

Did you collaborate with anyone on the track?

I knew exactly what I wanted to write about when I walked into this session with my good friend Chase Martinez and the song just came out really naturally. We then brought in Mason Maxwell, and Yan and Ruslan Odnoralov and they really helped put the extra sparkle on it.

Can we expect to hear more new tracks from you this summer?

Yes. So much new music is coming. I've been writing and learning so much these last few months. Sometimes I get overwhelmed because there is so much content I want to put out! I'm really stoked and proud of the songs that are lining up. I never want to stop growing; it's thrilling.

Keep up with Iolite on Facebook.

-Sierra

All photos, videos, and embedded tracks per the artists featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

Big Wild Really Might Just Be Invincible

By: Annie Kane

It’s been almost a year since we interviewed Big Wild prior to his set at Larimer Lounge in Denver, and we have to make a music snob move by saying: we called it. Over the course of the past year, Big Wild has arguably become one of the biggest rising stars in EDM. The Foreign Family Collective artist sold out Denver’s Gothic Theatre two nights in a row this year, and just last weekend, he brought the house down at his (of course) sold-out show at The Bowery Ballroom in New York City. Did we mention he’s also playing Red Rocks later this year?

Despite growing from intimate clubs to massive stages, Jackson Stell, the man behind Big Wild, still manages to have every audience member dancing their face off throughout his entire set. From entering with “I Just Wanna” from his new EP Invincible, to closing out with a collaborative performance with iDA HAWK on his title track hit “Invincible,” Jackson’s unrelenting energy kept the audience fueled well past midnight at Bowery last weekend, and buzzing right on into the early morning.

Listen to Big Wild’s Invincible EP:

Big Wild has a few shows left on his current tour before he hits the festival circuit for the summer, so make sure to snag yourself tickets here.

-Annie

All photos, videos, and embedded tracks per the artists featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

Real Estate Stopped at Denver's Gothic Theatre Before Coachella This Weekend & Kept Things Chill

By: Sierra Voss

Real Estate cruised into Denver’s Gothic Theatre this week. The band recently created a buzz by releasing their first music video for their single “Darling,” which features a horse named Moose who has become quite famous. Shortly after their release of “Darling,” Real Estate dropped their newest album, In Mind.

Founding band members Martin Courtney (guitar/vocals), Alex Bleeker (bass/vocals), and former member Matt Mondanile meet in high school. It wasn’t until post-college that the three met up again and formed Real Estate. Soon after taking the plunge, they signed to Domino Recording Company and have since played plenty of national music festivals, including Coachella (which they will play again this weekend) and Pitchfork. Last year, Mondanile left the band and was replaced by Julian Lynch (guitar). Real Estate’s current touring lineup also includes Jackson Pollis (drums) and Matthew Kallman (keyboards).

Real Estate’s mission with their new record seems to simply be to keep shit chill. In Mind holds fast to their well known tranquil guitar lines and whimsical lyrical phrases, but is missing some of the flare found in old songs like “It’s Real” or “Had to Hear.” As such, the show was pretty much just that- laid back tranquil vibes reflective of In Mind. Upon taking the stage, band member Bleeker actually lit a stick of Palo Santo. And let’s face it- it doesn’t get much chiller than that.

Beeker and the Palo Santo sticks. 

Beeker and the Palo Santo sticks. 

Following the first song, frontman Courtney announced to the audience that his guitar string broke and asked if anyone out there knew how to restring it. Almost immediately, an audience member began to hop on stage, offering to restring the guitar for him. Newbs move, since it turns out the band was just joking, and handed the guitar off to be dealt with by the pros. But after that, Real Estate’s very chillness continued on with Palo Santo smoke in the air and most of us hoping for a Moose sighting. Keep up with Real Estate’s full tour here.

-Sierra

All photos per the author. All videos and embedded tracks per the artist featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

Explore The Mystique That Is Foxygen at Denver's Gothic Theatre Next Tuesday (04.04)

By: Sierra Voss

“Theres something about these guys, some sort of exotic mystique. Foxygen was never just one band, Foxygen is the bang of two combusting minds...” -Alex Cameron (from Foxygen’s new tour trailer)

Dou Sam France and Jonathan Rado formed the band Foxygen at age 15 in 2005. They released their first album, Take The Kids Off Broadway in 2012, followed by We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic in 2013 and double album ...And Star Power in 2014. Their last tour in 2015, which they dubbed their “Farewell Tour,” had everyone convinced the magic had sadly come to an end for good. But then this January, the band released their most recent LP Hang and got us all excited again.

Somewhat reminiscent of Bowie, these two treat every album as a separate piece of art with a separate story, different characters, and very different sounds. My best description of the duo is that Foxygen are a masterfully calculated mosaic of pop culture. They pull from every genre and influence to create chaotic order, which has made for some of the most dynamic songwriting out there and certainly been a part of their rumored “mystique.” Their live shows encapsulate a full-bodied artistic performance that has been said to feel like “a 70s London concert hall watching a band open up for The Clash combined with a 60s jazz club and a Led Zeppelin show.”

Needless to say, Foxygen’s youthful and creative spirit matched with their sophisticated songwriting should have you excited for their upcoming Denver Gothic show next Tuesday, April 4th. Get tickets here!

Check out Foxygen’s music video for their latest single “Follow The Leader”:

-Sierra

All photos, videos, and embedded tracks per the artist featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

Like a Tornado of Sound and Light, Sleigh Bells Tore Up Denver

By: Sierra Voss

Sleigh Bells ripped through Denver, CO's Gothic Theatre Friday night like a tornado of sound and light. The intense mixture of punk, rock, and pop seemed to captivate the audience, who made way for mosh pits and crowd surfing mid-show. And frontwoman Alexis Krauss basically ravaged the stage in her glory. She had concert-goers hypnotized with her dance moves and jumped onto the pit’s guardrail singing songs that span Sleigh Bells’ seven-year discography.     

The duo, comprised of guitarist Derek Miller and singer Alexis Krauss released their first album, Treats as Sleigh Bells in 2010. In the following three years, the band took hold of their moments to shine and pushed two additional albums. Their most recent album, Jessica Rabbit, came out three years after their 2013 album, Bitter Rivals. The three year gap seemed to give the band time to redefine their sound and take more risk, which they’ve arguably nailed on this new record. Songs from Jessica Rabbit also break from Bitter Rivals in that they allow Krauss to explore and showcase her vocal range with raw, intense melody lines in front of a collage of sound.

Alexis Krauss. 

Alexis Krauss. 

Opening the door for Alexis Krauss to run free and drop into a deeper level of her artistry was the right choice for Sleigh Bells on Jessica Rabbit, and the energy at their Denver show proved it. Like a slap on the face with life gets you numb, Sleigh Bells breathed life into their crowd. Krauss holds her spot on my top badass lady artists list, and the pictures prove it. 

Check out their recent music video for song, “It’s Just Us Now” from Jessica Rabbit:

-Sierra

All photos per the author. All videos and embedded tracks per the artist featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.  

Iolite Has Officially Set Fire To Our Bloodstream

By: Sierra Voss

Remember just two months ago when we dropped an interview with Denver’s new pop artist, Iolite? Well we weren't kidding when we said this artist was off to a fierce start in Denver’s music scene. This past weekend, Iolite took the stage at The Marquis Theater as an opener for other local hit group 888. The same day as the show, Iolite dropped a new music video for her single “Bloodstream,” which you can check out below:

PS: Did we mention she already has another show booked as an open for AMZY at The Gothic Theater in June? Yeah- Iolite is on it.

Considering she performed for the first time under the Iolite moniker for the first time last December, it’s safe to say this artist has picked a stride, and it's nothing less than a full gallop. Her Friday night show as 888’s opener went swimmingly well, with stage banter that was focused and motivating. She immediately captivated the audience with her opener “Spinning;” the rest of her set included her two other released singles, “Gravity” and “Bloodstream,” as well as three other songs not yet available online. Her set came to a crescendo when she stood on top of her drummer’s bass drum and jumped off right as her song’s beat drooped. It was a performance that left the audience calling out for her to continue. To have such a demand from the crowd after just a few months of playing is arguably pretty captivating.   

Iolite.

Iolite.

So seriously- make sure you don’t miss out on this rising Denver artist. Peep her latest video above and grab tickets for her June show here.

-Sierra

All photos per the author. All videos and embedded tracks per the artist featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

BADBADNOTGOOD Talk To Us About Who They Want To Work With Next

By: Hannah Oreskovich

Toronto’s BADBADNOTGOOD are best known for their interpretations and collaborations in the realm of modern hip-hop. The four piece post-hop and jazz improv group first came together in 2010 at Humber College’s jazz program over their love of MF Doom and Odd Future. Founding members Matthew A. Tavares (keys), Chester Hansen (bass), and Alexander Sowinksi (drums) actually released their “Odd Future Sessions Part 1” on YouTube after their jazz instructors were unimpressed with the project. Ironically, it grabbed the attention of Tyler, The Creator himself and went viral. Since then, Leland Whitney (saxophone) has joined the mix, and together the quartet have worked with Tyler, Earl Sweatshirt, Danny Brown, Ghostface Killah, Future Islands’ Sam Herring, Mick Jenkins, Kaytranada, and more. The band are currently touring on their fifth studio album, aptly titled 'IV,' which BBC Radio 6 Music called the #1 album of 2016. This weekend, BADBADNOTGOOD play Denver’s Gothic Friday (01/13), and will take Boulder’s Fox Theatre stage with Sur Ellz Saturday (01/14). Grab tickets while you can here, and in the meantime, check out our chat with this crazy talented crew:

You guys had quite the international tour recently. Any spots along the way you’re really hoping to get back to in 2017?

We went to a lot of new countries we’d never seen before last year- Japan, Israel, Taiwan, Brazil, Mexico- they would all be amazing to visit again but we have a great time everywhere!

BBC Radio 6 Music picked 'IV' as their album of the year for 2016. What was your initial reaction to hearing that?

Very, very surprised to be honest. There were so many incredible albums we loved on that list and we didn’t feel like ours was a serious contender! We’re extremely happy about the recognition IV has gained. We’re also eternally grateful to our friends in the UK like Gilles Peterson, and all the other DJs at the BBC and otherwise for all the support they’ve shown us over the years!

What were some of your favorite albums dropped in 2016?

Solange’s A Seat at the Table, Kaytranada’s 99.9%, Anderson.Paak’s Malibu, Frank Ocean’s Blonde, A Tribe Called Quest’s We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service, and Andy Shauf’s The Party, among many others!

BADBADNOTGOOD.

BADBADNOTGOOD.

Festival lineup announcements have begun. Anything you can hint at about your summer plans?

Sure! We’re going to be playing some incredible festivals across the world- Bonnaroo and Primavera to name a couple that have been announced. We’ll be around Europe, North America, and a few other trips are in the works. We’re also going to have a lot of time at home this year to record and get into some different projects! Peace and love for 2017.

Over the past couple of years, your collaborations with various hip-hop artists have been incredibly impressive. Who is next on your short list of peeps you’re hoping to work with?

We’d love to get a concise project together with Kaytranada. We’ve got so much work in the vault that has yet to come out, and he’s a great friend who’s a pleasure to work with. That’s probably top of the list right now. There are a bunch of other friends in Toronto who we’re stoked to record with too!

Give IV a listen:

>

When are you headed back in the studio?

Pretty soon probably! No idea what we’re going to work on, or what it’s going to sound like though.

If you had to tell us in one word what it was like working with Ghostface Killah on an entire album ('Sour Soul'), what would it be?

Wow one word... Challenging but also rewarding and amazing!

Make sure to catch BBNG at their Colorado shows this weekend; keep up with BADBADNOTGOOD here.

-Hannah

Follow Hannah on Instagram and Twitter.

All photos, videos, and embedded tracks per the artists featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

Seu Jorge Played 'The Life Aquatic's Tribute to David Bowie' For Sold Out Gothic Theatre Last Friday

By: Claire Woodcock

Over the weekend, Seu Jorge reprised his role as Pelé dos Santos, the “safety expert” and Brazilian singer-songwriter who acted in and soundtracked the 2004 Wes Anderson film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. The classic red curtains of The Gothic Theatre in Denver opened on Jorge sporting the Team Zissou trademark uniform, ready to play acoustic hits from the late David Bowie. He launched into “Ziggy Stardust” while pastel pinks and aquatic shades of blue lit up the theatre. Jorge, a Brazilian pop samba revivalist, strummed his maple-shade guitar with intention as he sang the Portuguese translations of Bowie’s hits.

When Jorge first released his covers in coordination with Anderson’s cult film, Bowie praised Jorge’s renditions of his songs by saying, “Had Seu Jorge not recorded my songs in Portuguese, I would never have heard this new level of beauty which he has imbued them with.”

Some of the electricity and rhythm of Bowie’s lyrics are lost in translation, but that’s not to say that Bowie songs are not translatable. During his lifetime, David Bowie released French, German, and Indonesian versions of his own songs. Because the Portuguese translations do not always sync up, in many instances Jorge changed lyrics to fit the covers. For those of us who haven’t had much exposure to the language, the English words sometimes stuck out at Friday’s show, like in Jorge’s cover of “Changes” where the chorus rang out in the familiar, “Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes” across the room.  

Yet for other tunes, the translation from English to Portuguese was seamless, like in “Rebel, Rebel,” which is arguably one of Jorge’s strongest covers. The crowd of the sold out show did their best to sing along not in English, but in Portuguese. The singing sailor’s setlist veered away from the film’s soundtrack sequence on “Astronauta de Mármore (Starman),” a song which presents a challenge for translation due to its preexisting rhythm. On Jorge’s covers of “Rock and Roll Suicide” and Suffragette City,” he embraced the unsettling and urgent discordant nature of the tunes as he reached for high notes with a grittiness that the late Bowie would have breezed through. On “Lady Stardust,” Jorge was able to settle back into his lower register, where his voice exhibited strength and poise.

Seu Jorge. Photo Credit: Sierra Voss

Seu Jorge. Photo Credit: Sierra Voss

The crowd at Friday's show consisted of an eclectic mix of Bowie lovers and Life Aquatic fans gracious for Jorge’s tribute. People reciprocated Seu Jorge’s enthusiasm, wearing red beanies popularized by Team Zissou, as they tried to stumble through the endings of phrases that they recognized and made their best attempts at several Portuguese sing-a-longs.

Life On Mars. Photo Credit: Sierra Voss

Life On Mars. Photo Credit: Sierra Voss

Jorge took a moment during his set to talk about losing Bowie last January. Like so many others, Jorge drew much inspiration from the late artist. He told us that three days after Bowie passed away, Jorge lost his father as well. As a commemoration to them both, he then played “Life On Mars.” In the crux of this moment, it was clear who Jorge was singing for.

As his set closed for the night, the crowd erupted with shouts of “Volta!” which means “Come back!” in Portuguese. Jorge returned for an encore with a reprise of “Rebel, Rebel” while a farewell slideshow of psychedelic images, film clips, and animations played behind him. Finger-picking with elegance, Jorge’s cover of the classic Bowie hit became his own. It was worth listening to twice.

Rebel Rebel. Photo Credit: Sierra Voss

Rebel Rebel. Photo Credit: Sierra Voss

Bowie’s spirit was surely getting freaky with us on Friday evening. So if you liked The Life Aquatic and miss David Bowie, I couldn’t recommend The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions featuring Seu Jorge (2005) more. It’s available on Spotify. And if you’re looking to catch the last leg of Seu Jorge’s tribute tour, grab details and tickets here.

-Claire

All photos, videos, and embedded tracks per the artists featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

"It's Not Quite Techno; It's Not Quite House: Nicolas Jaar's Sold-Out Gothic Theatre Set Last Weekend

By: Mirna Tufekcic

Last Saturday, a friend hit me up to check out Nicolas Jaar at The Gothic Theatre in Denver. He had a spare guest pass and I took it on a whim. I didn’t know what to expect going in. I wasn’t even aware of the music genre I was about to witness. But man, was I in for a treat.

Jaar.

Jaar.

Nicolas Jaar is a 26-year-old mad scientist doing experiments with electronic music in front of massive crowds. It’s not quite techno; it’s not quite house, but it’s got both of those in there and then some. He is definitely pushing the envelope in this world of music. Apparently, none of his live performances are ever alike, and he is constantly improvising with live sampling onstage, a method which sends you on a journey between “rhythmic anguish” (his words) and meditative states with deep house beats, groovy rhythms, and otherworldly sounds which you just have to hear and feel for yourself. But, be warned, things may get trancey. Between the ambient, contemplative sounds and artfully composed lighting, it’s easy to get lost in the experience that is a Nicolas Jaar show… or to get really uncomfortable because you’re not sure what to make of what your eyes and ears are witnessing.

Check out Jaar’s “Swim/Mistress”:

Post-show I had the chance to roll backstage to meet the guy behind this crazy experience. As my friend and I strolled into the green room, Jaar must have caught me checking out his baseball hat. He looked up and said right off, “Man, I know this hat looks stupid and people are always asking why I wear one, but it actually has a purpose. It gives me shade so I see what I’m doing and it puts me in the zone.” From there, my chat with Jaar proved he is quirky and super easy going. His Chilean accent had the room charmed as he joked around, and when I revealed my journalistic tendencies with BolderBeat he laughed and smiled,“There could have been some good conversations here, but now that you told me that...” and the sentenced trailed off into all of us laughing. Touché, Nico.

Which by the way, yes, Nicolas Jaar goes by Nico. When I called him by his full name, he said, “Nicolas?” and a wave of nervousness set over me. “My father is the only one who calls me by that name, and only when I’ve done something wrong and I’m getting reprimanded for it.” he laughed. Ok, the dude’s got a sense of humor.  

Nicolas Jaar is at the tail end of his North American tour, of which many of his shows have sold out, including Denver’s. Jaar will jet to Europe next, and you can keep up with him here.

-Mirna

All photos, videos, and embedded tracks per the artist featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

Exclusive Premiere: Stream Ethan Griggs' Debut EP, 'Transient'

By: Hannah Oreskovich

Born and raised in Colorado, Denver’s Ethan Griggs has been playing in the local music scene since he was just 15. The success of his first project, Youth In Conflict, propelled Griggs and his bandmates into a number of shows around the state, and even garnered the attention of Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic), who called Griggs’ work “instinctive”. After entering the Denver School of the Arts, Griggs turned his attention to Clusterfolk, an outfit of theatre punks and musicians that played music on just about any instrument and object they could find. Clusterfolk actually went on to play the Bluebird and the Gothic, and Isaac Slade (The Fray) once called their sound “drunk, but in the best way possible”. Most recently though, Griggs has been focusing on a solo release, which BolderBeat is stoked to premiere for you today:

Listen to Ethan Griggs’ debut solo EP, Transient:

Transient is five tracks of in-your-ear tastiness. Recorded DIY lo-fi in Griggs’ bedroom and basement over the past two years, Transient gives us a real look into what Griggs is capable of in his solo career. Griggs described the album as, “filtered through the psychedelic sounds of original groups like The Beatles… as well as the sludgy-neurosis of modern groups like Deerhunter and Tame Impala”. Still, it’s evident on Transient that Griggs has managed to create a work all his own, with a psych-mashup of buzzy guitar riffs, reverb-drenched vocals, powerful percussive builds, and songwriting that you find yourself listening to intently without even trying.

“I am so glad to finally share this piece of work,” said Griggs, “There’s a lot of my own personality and my own reality in this record, and I’m excited for people to get to know me better through it.”

Transient was mastered by Corban Roberts at Tessitura Studios, and though Griggs did everything else himself on this release, he does have a band for live performances. Known as Ethan Griggs + Sonder Ensemble, Griggs’ live group features Sam Beard on bass and Seth Cross on drums while Griggs takes on vocals, lead guitar, and piano.

Ethan Griggs.

Ethan Griggs.

Griggs managed to stretch Transient into almost 30 minutes in just five tunes, but you won’t even notice. “Transient”, the title track, opens the record with an instrumental build that slowly envelopes Griggs’ trancey vocals with a catchy, melodic chorus. From there, you’ll find yourself caught in the swells of his sounds on “High Tempered” and you’ll question whether or not “Snowsun” is a hidden track on Sung Tongs that you somehow missed. Though there a couple of rough vocal patches on “Mind Gardening Girl”, this track will still transport you into a world of warm 70s vibes that you’re not sure you want to leave. And “Sun Still Shines” feels like The Beach Boys are playing underwater somewhere at a party you’re wandering through while you drink rainbows and crush on your date from afar. Take the trip already. Listen to Transient.

Transient, which will stream exclusively on BolderBeat for the next week, will be released for digital download Friday, September 30th hereFollowing that, Griggs has plans for a CD Release Show at the end of the month, which we will announce once there is more information.

Make sure to check out this inventive Colorado artist, and keep up with all things Ethan Griggs on his website.

-Hannah

Follow Hannah on Instagram and Twitter.

All photos, videos, and embedded tracks per the artists featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats Creeped Their Way Into My Heart

By: Sierra Voss

Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats recent Gothic Theatre show was creepy, but epic.

Self-described as “crime wave”, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats are a four-piece rock band that hail from Cambridge, England. They have four releases under their belt, and are currently on an international tour for their latest album, Night Creeper. Last week, they made a stop in Denver at the Gothic, and transported us into a world of creative expression:

Kevin (K.R.) Starrs.

Kevin (K.R.) Starrs.

There are those who headbang, and then there is Kevin (K.R.) Starrs, frontman and guitarist of Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats. Kevin walked on stage with a finger up to his lips, requesting the audience to remain silent as the band began their first song. From that point on you basically never saw Kevin’s face again, as it was continuously blanked by his hair. I stood watching Kevin in awe, as he gracefully thrashed about the stage while annihilating one guitar solo after another. He transcended the normal conception of headbanging. Now stay with me here as I get a bit deep with my analyzation of his activity. Your average headbanger will simply violently shake and whip their head in time with the beat of a song, but Kevin? Kevin’s different. He headbangs on off-beats, almost as if to punctuate a pause in the sound. His headbanging seemed more influenced by guitar lines, lyrical lines, and emotional undertones of songs than the actual beat. Never in my life would I have thought I would use the words stunning and dynamic to describe someone’s headbanging, but here I am.

Kevin’s whole performance was pretty mesmerizing. Every now and then, you could catch him twitching his head to the right. I couldn’t see his face due to the hair blanket, but I felt like he was almost biting at the air around him, or jolting to snarl at someone. It was super creepy and eerie. The band also kept from directly interacting with the audience for most of the show. The entire set felt like we were watching a scene from an old film noir or classic horror story. In the past, Starrs has stated in numerous interviews that he pulls most of the band’s artistic influence and vibes from his favorite old films.

Vaughn Stokes.

Vaughn Stokes.

Still need convincing on the eerie vibes of a Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats show? Simply read through the lyrics of one of their albums. Every song feels like a glimpse into a horror scene:

“Paranoid city at night
Shadows from under street light
People in fear day by day
NIGHT CREEPER crawling away”

-"The Night Creeper"

Yotam Rubinger.

Yotam Rubinger.

Right before the band left the stage for their encore, they played their tune "Slow Death". It was no doubt the most epic song performed all night. Kevin and Yotam Rubinger’s guitar lines and harmonies together were chillingly dynamic and beautiful. This band's ability to create such strong harmonies between the lead guitar and rhythm guitar is one of their most defining traits.

Starrs.

Starrs.

Overall, this show was f*cking rad. Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats truly created a world of their own, and I would go so far as to say that their set was by far my favorite rock show of 2016.

Catch this band on tour! Oh, and don’t make the same mistake as I did by not buying some of their sweet merch with graphics that encapsulate the creepy, raw vibe of their live shows and music.

Check out my favorite Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats song, “Melody Lane”:

-Sierra

All photos per the author. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.

The Jacob Cade Project Proves That Rock 'n' Roll is Still Alive, and Age is Just a Number

By: Jura Daubenspeck

Jacob Cade is not your average teen rocker.

When you were seventeen years old, how were you spending your time? Writing songs, playing sports, and shredding the guitar daily with your musician father and music manager mother? For Jacob Cade, a junior at Ponderosa High School in Parker, CO, playing regular performances as the lead singer and guitarist of a rock band is no pipe dream, it’s reality.

BLDGBLKS artist Jacob Cade. Photo Credit: Benjamin Smith Photography

BLDGBLKS artist Jacob Cade. Photo Credit: Benjamin Smith Photography

Born in El Paso, TX, Jacob exhibited musical talent at just age four. His initial interest in guitar led him to then teach himself violin, drums, and piano, and he eventually decided to create his own band, with the desire to make music that preserved the integrity of rock 'n' roll. At the age of twelve, he took on the role as lead singer and guitarist, with his father, Jim Cade, on bass, and Denver-native Shawn Duncan, on drums. And with that, the rock trio that is The Jacob Cade Project was born.

Their debut performance was in December 2012 at a Mile High Scenesters event at Herman’s Hideaway, and since then, they have performed at Cervantes’ Ballroom, The Gothic Theatre, Parker Days Festival, and more.

Shreddin'. Photo Credit: Julie Ann Vinson.

Shreddin'. Photo Credit: Julie Ann Vinson.

The Jacob Cade Project is not just some high school garage band. The musicianship of all three members is palpable, with quick tempos, intense progressions, and powerful finishes. Jacob shreds on guitar, and listening to his vocal work, you can feel his vigor and passion. What I find most impressive about this group is that their music completely holds true to their classic hard rock roots, but also has a youthful feel to them, with Jacob being the lead singer. If The Jacob Cade Project did a cover of AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell,” they would absolutely slay it.

In June 2015, the band released their debut album, The Prince of Rock ‘n Roll which has reached acclaim on the internet, and earned a spot on The Music God’s Best of 2015 Rock Top 20 list. The ten-song album is nothing but pure, heart-pounding rock, with thrasher tracks such as, “Ball and Chain,” “Green Light Go," “The Prince of Rock ‘n Roll,” and “Prisoner”. There are also slower, melodic ballads like “Always” and “Nothing After All”. The album takes you on one hell of a ride, and causes you to shake your head at least once and ask, “Is this kid really in high school?”

Watch The Jacob Cade Project perform "Green Light Go" live:

When Jacob is not writing music or performing, he is active in school sports, including soccer, track, football, basketball, and weightlifting. He is close with his family, and it clearly shows with the creation of The Jacob Cade Project.

Plans for a national tour is in the works, and the group will be traveling on a Southwest regional tour this summer. They will be performing on January 21st at Larimer Lounge, and March 5th at Sunshine Studios Live, so mark your calendars now.

Stay tuned for more news on The Jacob Cade Project, and while you’re at it, check out the Douglas County School District student feature video below, where you can get to know Jacob a little bit better:

-Jura

All photos, videos, and embedded tracks per the artists featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.