This BolderBeat Writer Missed Concerts, So She Threw Her Own
/During these uncertain and trying times, we find ourselves living in, one thing is for certain: music heals. Knowing this, after a long spring of non-existent live music and a hot summer of zero music festivals, I came to the conclusion that if I wanted to enjoy some live music that I like, with the people I like, I had to make it happen myself. So, I made up my mind to create a small, socially-distanced music event in my own backyard with my own musician friends and friends who love music.
I reached out to a few of my musician friends to see if they were willing- considering the circumstances- and available to play a backyard house show and then I reached out to some friends to see if they were willing- considering the circumstances- to experience such an event. The answer from pretty much all of them was an excited,”Yes!! On September 20th, a warm and sunny Sunday right before the fall equinox, we all gathered and experienced the magic of an all-acoustic live music show! I named it The Backyard Acoustic Sessions.
The musical evening kicked off with the young and promising Molly Kollier, a Boulder-based folk-guitar, singer/songwriter. Right away, her eccentric presence demanded we stop settling into our seats and listen closely as the lyrics of her songs used satire and wit to talk about dating, loneliness, and the state of the world. Her vocals were impressive, a folky, twangy chime and a range swinging from bird-like falsetto to belting a big statement on life and how to live it.
Next came the talented, Hunter Stone. Hunter is an incredible solo artist, but he is also the frontman of a roots/folk/rock band Famous Men. Hunter is a natural guitar player, inspiring listeners with his own take on the everlasting folk-blues. His ear-perking, raw and gritty vocals are undeniably sophisticated and at-once enchanting. As the day turned to night, Hunter played his upcoming single “Closed for Season,” a timely song about knowing when to shut things down and move on, when to hibernate and wait for the storm to pass, preferably huddled with that special someone to hold on tight to. With his performance, Hunter ensured us that we were in a very special moment in time.
I can’t say enough about the musician that graced us with his presence next: Paul Kimbiris. One of Boulder’s best talents, Paul’s performances are tonic. The moment he sits behind the mic, you are transported to another place uniquely designed by Paul's affecting lyrics and riveting guitar. It's a sobering moment. On this magical evening in my backyard, Paul played an electric hollowbody guitar through an old Slivertone amp, creating a retro-vintage atmosphere. While his guitar sounds echoed a haunting blend of mellotrons, the timbre of his voice had us all feeling our feelings. Paul finished the set with his upcoming single "Queen of Birds," a dreamy tune from the point of view of a man who’s lived a hundred years and recalls a much simpler time of long ago.
Thomas LaFond, who you may have seen play at Boulder’s speakeasy License No.1 in a jazzy-dance-jam ensemble Banshee Tree, closed the night with a set featuring his new, original tunes. Seducing us with his discerning guitar skills, which took twenty years to manicure, his playing genuinely lays out the right environment for each song. Thom is known to live his life in service to song. Poised in Nederland, he has been recording and releasing music daily, and this is not an exaggeration! His originals are stocked with details, dissociative feelings, and disconnected phrases. His singing is dark and rich in harmonics. Having him play the final set of the evening was truly a cherry on top of a decadent four-layered cake!
The Backyard Acoustic Sessions was a smashing success and everyone left with their musical cups full looking forward to the next one, maybe a winter edition!
All photos per those credited. All videos and embedded tracks per the artists featured and those credited. This feature was edited for brevity and clarity by BolderBeat.