Allie Chipkin Dropping New Record 'Cascades' With Release Show This Weekend

“I have always gotten chills from the sounds of consonants and the patterns of poetry.”

That’s what Boulder’s Allie Chipkin told us, the singer/songwriter whose love of language it seems is really what started her performance career. Having studied Spanish and poetry in college at Boston Conservatory, Allie’s obsession for “the rhythm of words” is initially what inspired her early songwriting. In fact her senior year project was actually her debut record, Honey & Knives. As she started to record the album, she dove headfirst into studying her influences alongside her poetry classes- “Joni's lyrics, Ani's melodies, Patti's wild New York stories, as well as the harmonies of Sara Bareilles and Laura Mvula's R&B chord progressions.” Together, these artists blend into her sound, along with her own styles and musings.

Allie Chipkin. Photo Credit: Justin Camerer.

Allie Chipkin. Photo Credit: Justin Camerer.

Fast-forward beyond her graduation and Chipkin is now a Boulder-based resident about to release her follow-up EP Cascades. Recorded back in Boston with producer and collaborator Kevin O’Connell, Cascades explores in subject Allie’s time spent traveling over the past couple of years. This is obvious on tracks like “Seattle,” which includes percussive elements meant to emphasize rain. Other songs like “Lovesick” don’t directly have a wanderlust feel, but more subtly explore relationships. In fact, Chipkin told us this track is more specifically about the electric creative force behind Chipkin and O’Connell’s collaboration on the record.

Said Chipkin, “I’m ecstatic to release Cascades, because it came to life through the support of the many people in this world I love. This EP showcases talents, sounds, and inspiration from my creative colleagues across the country, and was generously funded by dear friends, fans, and family. Cascades feels like a crisp ‘high-five’ with everyone who has supported my artistic/personal journey thus far. This week, I send gratitude to those who share their love with me, and to anyone who has smiled or winked at me along the way.”

Artwork per Michaella Twersky.

Artwork per Michaella Twersky.

With the digital release of her record slated for this Friday, February 23rd, you have the chance to check out Cascades before Chipkin’s release show the following night at Longmont’s Still Cellars. She’ll be joined onstage by fiddler Oliver Jacobsen, and David Burchfield will open the night.

Make sure to join Allie this weekend and check out her newest release. You just might get the chills yourself.

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