"Red & Blue" is Kind Hearted Strangers' Siren Song for 2020

By: Brody Coronelli

In this current social and political moment, behind the amplified and passionate declarations uttered during conversations between friends, family and acquaintances, most people are quietly wondering the same things: How did we get here? Where did this constant sense of division and conflict arise from? How do we move forward, maintain empathy and connection, and overcome this? 

Kind Hearted Strangers. Photo Credit: Charla Harvey

Kind Hearted Strangers. Photo Credit: Charla Harvey

On their new single “Red & Blue”, the Boulder folk-rock band Kind Hearted Strangers (singer/guitarist Marc Townes, guitarist Kevin Hinder, bassist Marshall Carlson, and drummer Brian Ireland) have set out to address this. Townes emphasizes that they aren't here to tell people what to do or who to vote for; all they want is for people to try to find ways to come together and be kind to each other despite their differences in belief. 

“You have these very polarizing sides of the conversation, and all the news takes each of those ends of the spectrum and runs with them, but the vast majority of us all feel the same way,” frontman Marc Townes says. “We’re all good people, we all know what’s right, and we all have the best intentions. It’s insane that the people who have become the leaders right now got there— they don’t reflect us.” 

The song’s lyrical, elastic verses describing political disillusionment and confusion build into a shimmering pre-chorus where Townes finds himself “Waiting for the signal/Waiting for the go,”  leading to a proclamation of the song’s title over a percussive, windows-down hook that hits like a fireworks show. 

The artwork for the single.

The artwork for the single.

Townes started writing the song during the 2016 election when he was standing around the TV with friends, baffled by what he was witnessing. Describing the moment as feeling like “the Alamo was being taken,” the only thing he felt like he could do was turn to music. It took until 2020, when political and social division heightened and COVID-19 brought the world to a screeching halt, when “Red and Blue” felt immediate enough to release. 

He talks about how the song was inspired by feeling disillusioned by the polarization and antagonization that continues to swell, making it harder to find kindness and peace amongst others. This is who “Red & Blue” is for— the people who feel left in the dust by the ever increasing, unfiltered noise. 

“The people at the farthest end of the spectrum are the ones with the loudest voices, and we need to end that,” Townes says. The people that are inherently good aren’t as loud, and the people that have these loud, polarizing views are dictating everything, and that’s not right.” 

Kind Hearted Strangers has never been a straightforwardly political band, and Townes emphasizes that they still aren’t. During our conversation, he joked that the rest of the band’s upcoming LP East // West is just love songs, and while that’s only partially true, he also described songs like “The Egoist” (off the upcoming LP)  which was written about conspiracy theories. 

“I will always have to write things about relationships. The experiences that you have with other people are all important, and often far more immediate than something you’d watch on the news or experience politically,” he says. 

“Red and Blue” kicks off the release of East // West, due out in early January, with a big, sparkling firework show. The album was recorded with Todd Divel at Silo Sound Studios in Denver, a studio home to locals like The Velveteers, and also a stop for national touring acts like Cage The Elephant, the late Neal Casal, and Todd Snider. 

Townes describes the album and its songs as all embodying different physical places, all circling back to the band’s formation at an open mic night in Colorado. 

“Red & Blue” is Kind Hearted Strangers’ siren song— a plea for kindness, empathy, and reason in a time where people are more divided and antagonistic than any other time in recent memory. 

“I really hope this song puts good into the world,” Townes says. “You have a voice. [Red & Blue] is asking you to use this voice. Everything you do in life makes a difference, and everyone you interact with is important. Recognize that and be good to people. Kindness is everything.” 

You can stream “Red & Blue” on Bandcamp and on Spotify, and you can keep up with Kind Hearted Strangers on their website. 

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.

Brooklyn's A Shadow of Jaguar Release New Music Video For "Keep On Knocking"

By: Hannah Oreskovich

This past fall, Boulder, CO rock duo A Shadow of Jaguar made the move to New York. Now based in Brooklyn, members Brian Hubbert (lead vocals/slide guitar/bass) and Andrew Oakley (drums/vocals) actually laid down several tracks before their Colorado departure at Denver’s Silo Studios back in 2015. One of these tracks, “Keep on Knocking,” is a tune originally written and recorded in 1976 by pronto-punk band Death. The track itself was not released until 2009, and now, ASOJ have put their own spin on the rock’n’roll hit “as an homage to America’s rock pioneers.”

Just last week, A Shadow of Jaguar dropped an accompanying music video for their version of “Keep on Knocking.” The video features shots of the duo gallivanting around several Boulder hometown haunts, including The Fox Theatre, Dot’s Diner, and The No Name Bar, where Whiskey Autumn’s Matty Schelling actually makes a short cameo appearance. These scenes are interspersed with action shots of a lady friend rocking out, skateboarders, and an ASOJ live performance. Filmed and directed by Colin Anders of Slice Cinematics, you can peep the video for yourself below:

Currently, ASOJ are busy gigging around NYC, but have plans to release more singles for your ears in 2017. Keep up with their tour schedule here.

-Hannah

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

Mighty Fine Folk Pop: Meet Denver's Montropo

By: Jura Daubenspeck

It’s haunting. It’s dreamy. It’s Montropo. With a style that blends Spanish-influenced guitar with the sounds of the 60’s and 70’s, Montropo crafts memorable songs that incorporate classical and pop influences into a folk and rock music blend.

After years of writing and refining songs, lead singer and guitarist, Andrés Diaz recorded Montropo’s debut album Follow Me (2015) at Silo Studios and Consonance Productions. However, in the last two years, there have been quite a few changes, including the addition of band members Josh Fuson (drums) and Jordan Roos (bass). Montropo is in the midst of an exciting transformation, and they couldn’t be more excited to share their music with the world.

Follow Me is a colorful, yet melancholic album that is hard not to love. It beckons listeners to self-reflect and also observe the world. “A Woman So Kind” resembles a gentle waltz similar to The Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood”. Diaz’s intricate guitar work and vulnerable tenor vocals explore a range of feelings and experiences. Songs such as “Cathedral” and the title track “Follow Me” have a surreal, dream-like feel, while songs such as “Brother, Stay” are more upbeat.  

The band name, Montropo, originated from a character in a short story Diaz wrote. But what started off as a playful name actually became something even more intriguing. Diaz later realized that the name Montropo can also be interpreted as meaning “my turn” or “my change,” combining the French word “mon” (“my”) and the Greek prefix “tropo” (“change,” “reaction,” or “turn”).

Now a trio, Montropo delivers energetic live performances, while still holding true to their focus on memorable melodies and harmonies. The band just played at the 2016 Underground Music Showcase, where they performed in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Gary Lee’s Motor Club & Grub.

With a new band makeup, a number of new songs being written, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of music, great things are in store for Montropo. Their music reflects a dark, disillusioned way of life, while also celebrating its diversity and poetic nature. Their musical metamorphosis is not one to miss, so be sure lookout for their upcoming releases.

-Jura

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