Denver's Indie Shoegaze Outfit Corsicana Play The Mercury Cafe This Thursday

By: Hannah Oreskovich

Denver’s Corsicana is the brainchild of 18-year-old Ben Pisano, who started the project in 2014 while still in highschool. With influences including Bon Iver, Death Cab for Cutie, Sufjan Stevens, and Tycho, Corsicana has evolved into a three-piece band live, with atmospheric soundscapes and a shoegaze ambience. Pisano (guitar/vocals) is accompanied by members Amos Chase (drums/synth) and Ryan Skiles (bass) for performances. And speaking of shows, you can catch this crew this Thursday (01/19) at The Mercury Cafe in Denver.

Ben Pisano of Corsicana. 

Ben Pisano of Corsicana. 

Pisano has recorded two EPs under Corsicana, the second of which caught the attention of Pandora Radio and is featured in the online radio’s catalogue. In September of 2016, Corsicana’s first full-length album Haven was released, a work which Pisano recorded himself in full as well. After the release of Haven last fall, Corsicana found themselves touring the Pacific Northwest and getting radio play on CPR’s OpenAir.

Check out Corsicana’s Haven:

Following their show at The Mercury Cafe this week, you can keep up with Corsicana’s 2017 gig schedule here. Whether you peep this ambient indie act digitally or at their show this Thursday, this is a band starting off the year with some sweet buzz from their release last fall, so lend them an ear. Listen to more Corsicana on their Bandcamp page.

-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.

The Weekend Six: Six Shows to See 03/18, 03/19, & 03/20

By: Hannah Oreskovich

Happy weekend peeps! Here’s The Six:

Today (Friday 03/18):

Jeremy Baugh, Hunter Stone, & Cody Hart at Taco Junky in Boulder 9PM-Close

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These three talented musicians have formed a supergroup of sorts that will be rockin’ out at Taco Junky tonight on The Hill. Baugh (of Cold River City), Stone, and Hart (of Cold River City & Asalott) will treat you to some sweet tunes while you stay warm with margs and tacos. Plus if you’re heading to the Marco Benevento show at The Fox, TJ’s is right next door, so drop in and say hi! We’ll see you there!

Tomorrow (Saturday 03/19):

Big Ol’ Birthday Bluegrass Bash at Studio 700 in Boulder 7PM-Close

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We brought you tons of sweet coverage on the last Studio 700 show (Music Masquerade), and this weekend’s party is bound to be just as fun! It’s St. Patrick’s Day themed, so put on your best leprechaun suit and hop around to the bluegrass bands on the bill. Booze, snacks, and all the funnest people in the land will be there. Don’t forget your green kids.

Get more details on this event here.

Natural Motives with The Boundless at Sancho’s Boulder Arrow in Boulder 8PM-Close

Chris Ruiz of Natural Motives.

Chris Ruiz of Natural Motives.

Get grooved at Sancho’s on The Hill tomorrow night with Boulder’s jam/funk band Natural Motives and the tribal/electronic outfit The Boundless. Grab a brew and party! The Boundless have promised dancers and visuals, so prepare for a psychedelic time. It’s going to be an awesome show! Learn more about this show here.

Listen to a Natural Motives self-titled EP:

The Next Day (Sunday 03/20):

Jeremy Mohney at The Mercury Cafe in Denver 7PM-Close

Jeremy Mohney.

Jeremy Mohney.

Jeremy Mohney has a sweet Sunday show at The Mercury Cafe in Denver with a talented crew: Alex Heffron (guitar), Gary Sloan (trombone), Greg Corcione (drums), & Hunter Roberts (bass). The five-piece will be playing jazz and swing originals, and even have some new material promised for your ears! Go practice your swing moves and end the weekend right. More info right here.

Listen to Mohney’s “Boco Stomp”:

My Body Sings Electric with Soon To Be Titans, Foreverfall, & Meeting House at the Downtown Artery in Fort Collins 7PM-Close

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Denver’s alt/posthardcore crew My Body Sings Electric are playing their last CO show this Sunday at the Downtown Artery as they jet out on a national tour. Sharing the stage are Loveland’s alt/rock Soon To Be Titans, along with Fort Collins’ Foreverfall. Plus new Denver rock trio Meeting House will open the show. The Meeting House dudes happen to be dropping their new EP at this event, so make sure to catch their set! It’s going to be a shreddin’ time, and you can cop more info here.

Check out Meeting House’s track “Beware of the Vulture”:

Britt Margit Melisma EP Preview at The Laughing Goat in Boulder 9PM-Close

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Aspen singer/songwriter Britt Margit is having a preview show of her upcoming EP Melisma at The Laughing Goat on Sunday. We’ve got a whole feature on her here- check it out! And make sure to stop by and catch her set!

Listen to Margit’s “Peace And Harmony (In The Bleak Midwinter)”:

ANDDD for our #ListenLocal feature this week:

PS: This week, our Sunday partnership with Green Light Radio and Streetside Productions will feature a track by Boulder’s Cold River City! The rockin’ funk and blues outfit dropped their new album Thank You. Sorry. Love You. this week! Green Light was live at Frozen Dead Guy Days last weekend, so instead they’ll play the single this Sunday. So tune in to any of the Colorado Community Network Radio Stations here (95.3 or 95.5 Boulder) or stream Green Light between 9-10PM to listen to CRC’s single “Could It Be”!

Stay warm out there! See you at a show!

-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.

The Weekend Six: Six Shows to See 11/13 & 11/14

By: Hannah Oreskovich

Heyo Boulder! Another weekend of great music is upon us. Check out our picks! We’ve even included some shows outside of the Boulder bubble for your adventuring pleasure:

Today (Friday, 11/13)

Augustus and Union Driftwood at the Park House in Denver 8PM-Close

The Augustus boys have been on a bit of a journey this week. Denim vests and wood-cutting saws have consumed much of their time, but tonight they’ll be trading in their mountain tools for strings and mics when they play the Park House. And Denver’s rock-funk outfit Union Driftwood will be joining the Augustus trio with their own set, making for an extra sweet listening time. Go get yo sip on.

Bandits, The Outfit, and Slow Caves at the Hi-Dive in Denver 830PM-Close

Formerly the Branded Bandits, the Bandits have undergone more than just a name change as of late. According to member Lulu Demitro, Denver's Bandits have switched up their sound as well: “I would say it’s more contemporary and a little bit darker and heavier, but still melodic.” They’re bringing this new sound to their gig at the Hi-Dive tonight, and they’ve got some sweet friends on board. Denver’s rock’n’roll four-piece The Outfit will be warming up the stage after Fort Collins’ shredderific Slow Caves opens the show. This is gonna be a good one kids.

Von Disco at The No Name Bar in Boulder 10PM-Close

“Progressive jazz fused with hip-hop” is how Boulder’s Von Disco describe themselves. They’ve put on many a slick show at the Laughing Goat and I’m sure their set tonight will be sure to set things off behind the big brown door of The No Name. Beats, strings, and booze. Let’s go!

Tomorrow (Saturday, 11/14)

Miles Wide at The Twisted Pine in Boulder 7PM-Close

Denver-based Miles Wide will be trekking up to Boulder tomorrow for a Twisted Pine show. And while Kyle Donovan of Miles Wide happens to be one of our kickass contributors, he’s also a DIY musician who has toured played shows internationally. Lend him an ear over some pretzels and beer. He won’t disappoint.

The Next Day (Sunday, 11/15)

Jeremy Mohney at The Mercury Cafe in Denver 8PM-Close

Combining swing and jazz elements, Boulder’s Jeremy Mohney will be releasing a new album, “Smile a While” at Sunday’s Mercury show. Though winter seems to be moving in across the mountains, Mohney’s sure to keep you warm with his original hot jazz tunes. Go pick up his new CD (which will also have a digital release) and swing around. It’s gonna be a good time!

Kaia Kena, Many Mountains, Emily Shreve, and Hannah Samano at The Lost Lake in Denver 830PM-Close

Dripping in amazing vocals. That’s how I picture this show on Sunday at The Lost Lake. Centennial’s Kaia Kena will be performing new music as headliner at Sunday’s show and is sharing the stage with duo Many Mountains, Denver’s powerful singer/songwriter Emily Shreve (who we featured on her last release here), and acoustic folk artist Hannah Samano, who will have Grim & DarlingsJessa Raskin performing with her. Damn. Sounds like a lot of talent on one stage Boulder. Make the drive.

You can stick in the B. Or you can hop to the D. See you at a show!

-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.

The Weekend... Eight? Eight Shows To See 08/28 & 08/29, Boulder.

By: Hannah Oreskovich

It’s Friday once again and there is so much awesome music happening this weekend that we couldn’t pick just six. So here’s our weekend… eight? Peep it:

Today (Friday 08/28)

shafer.

shafer.

Danny Shafer at Pearl St. Pub 5PM-??

Danny’s doing a sweet double dose of shows the next two nights. Catch him at The Pub tonight or NedFest tomorrow. You can peep his music here. And don’t forget that Shafer’s CD Release Show (Paul Kimbiris is opening the event!) is less than a month away, and you can buy tickets here. You’ve got to make it to at least one of these Shafer performances. Seriously.

the booster boys. Photo Credit: Hannah Oreskovich

the booster boys. Photo Credit: Hannah Oreskovich

Booster and Realtalk at The Lazy Dog 8PM-Close

We first fell for Booster here. These guys always bring a good time! Their funky jams will have you dancin’, and they told us Boulder-based Realtalk will be starting the party off right with some rockin’ tracks. We dig the LD’s stage setup, and their dancefloor was made for a show like this. Go groove.

emily and her kurzweil. PHOTO CREDIT: HANNAH ORESKOVICH

emily and her kurzweil. PHOTO CREDIT: HANNAH ORESKOVICH

Emily Shreve CD Release Show at The Mercury Cafe 10PM-Close

We just brought you a feature on Shreve’s latest EP Bliss and Gravity last week. Check out her music here, but head to this show if you want to hear her latest. Her howling vocals and love for her Kurzweil will take you on a trippy dream that you’re not sure you want to wake up from. This show is the worth the drive, Boulder. Head down to the D.

wa jammin. PHOTO CREDIT: HANNAH ORESKOVICH

wa jammin. PHOTO CREDIT: HANNAH ORESKOVICH

Whiskey Autumn at The No Name Bar 10pm-Close

This indie doo-wop rock trio has recently thrown some amazing R&B and hip-hop influences into their usual mix. If you haven’t seen WA drummer Matty Schelling break sticks on his Octapad, then you'd better roll up to the bar with no name tonight. Things will be bumpin’ behind the big brown door. PS: Rumor has it Jeff Vescuso (Natural Motives, The Almond Butters) will be opening this show. Leggo. 

Tomorrow (Saturday 08/29)

the foxfeather ladies. polaroid: becky guidera

the foxfeather ladies. polaroid: becky guidera

Foxfeather at Vindication Brewing 4PM-Close

The good thing about our list of Saturday shows is that you can hop from one to the next. Start at Vindication for a brew and Boulder’s folk outfit Foxfeather. Their upbeat tunes will get your night going. They’re playing shows all over Colorado this fall, so catch a Boulder gig while you still can.

Augustus' new ep. 

Augustus' new ep. 

Augustus CD Release Show at The Lazy Dog 8PM-Close

We recently reviewed Augustus’ EP Into Frames, and long story short, we liked what we heard. Tomorrow is their highly anticipated CD Release Show at the LD, and we can’t wait! Bloodbath live? Yes please. Andddd Paul Kimbiris is opening this CD release show as well. So excited.

the longest day of the year has another fox show soon.

the longest day of the year has another fox show soon.

The Longest Day of the Year at Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub 10PM-Close

The Longest Day of the Year will be hosting a dance party of fun at Conor’s tomorrow. Get boozed, get yo dancin’ shoes, and go jump around with this Boulder-based Americana band. They’re opening a show at the Fox in less than a month, which you can get tickets to here. Check ‘em out.

NedFest

And finally, just a short drive away, NedFest is happening this weekend. Some of our favorites on the lineup include Gipsy Moon, Gasoline Lollipops, Danny Shafer, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, and Caribou Mountain Collective. You can peep the full lineup and schedule here. Head to the party.

So seriously Boulder: Get out this weekend and catch a show. With this many options, you have no choice but to have a rad, bumpin’ time. TGIF.

-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.

Emily Shreve: EP Release "Bliss and Gravity"

By: Hannah Oreskovich

Emily Shreve's new EP will haunt you in a good way. 

Denver-based artist Emily Shreve.

Denver-based artist Emily Shreve.

The first time we saw Emily Shreve was at the June Boulder-in-the-Round. Her haunting vocals captivated us during her performance, so when we heard she was releasing her new EP, Bliss and Gravity, we wanted to catch up with this Denver-based singer-songwriter. Recently, we had that chance! We chatted with Shreve about her use of dream-like qualities in her sound, why the best parts of recording always happen after midnight, and about what’s next for this intellipop and avant-garde influenced artist.

Bliss and Gravity feels like a dream sequence painted for your audience in the form of stirring vocals, flowing piano pieces, whispery lyrics, and ambient sounds. Talk to us about what inspires you to inject this dream-like quality into your music.

I’ve always been one to use dreams as my inspiration and I love them because they can be weird and impossible, and they can make no sense while simultaneously making perfect sense. I like music that is transportive and takes you out of your normal mindset. Not that normal life is so bad, but it’s important to take your brain to other places. I think that is what good art does, and what a good musician does. They create a moment in time that everyone is a part of; they captivate you and pull you in and take you somewhere you haven’t been before, or haven’t been in awhile. I want to keep going further into dreaminess and go to some different abstract places.

Shreve in the Studio.

Shreve in the Studio.

Bliss and Gravity definitely accomplishes those affects! Speaking of- your howling vocals on “Falling Down” seem to do just that to this listener- to push us deeper into your story; your sound. What was the process like recording this particular track in the studio?

“Falling Down” and “A Temporary Bliss” were actually intended to be instrumental pieces, but I decided to add vocals the day I recorded the piano for those tracks. The vocals were the only part that weren’t technically recorded in the Differential Productions studio. Michael Zucker and I finished a session late, and I was still in music mode, so I used the studio at my dad’s house just down the street to play around with some layers. I was just experimenting, but I ended up writing and recording the vocal part that night and getting it right the first time. I stayed up until 3 am layering everything, and then I found a wav file of a rainstorm on the computer I was using. It just worked so well sonically when I added it, and it fit poetically with the whole concept of the album. Sometimes the best things happen after midnight when you have a microphone.

It sounds like you really got experimental with it, which is awesome. We read in your Colorado Music Buzz interview that you are looking for venues other than noisy bars to perform in, due to your music’s haunting and intimate aspects. Has finding such venues been a challenge for you in the Denver music scene? Where are some of your favorite spots to perform?

I’m not sure I have a favorite yet. I love places where people go to actually listen to music and you don’t have to compete with normal bar noise. Syntax Physic Opera and Mercury Cafe are great spots. There are also places that normally host heavier bands, but that I really like playing, like Lost Lake Lounge or Seventh Circle. I really enjoy nonconventional, intimate settings like house concerts. I once played a backyard speakeasy too, where I got to perform outside, which doesn’t happen often since I am married to my Kurzweil. Anywhere that already has a piano gets major points from me too.

Album Art for Bliss and Gravity.

Album Art for Bliss and Gravity.

Tell us about one of your very first intellipop influences.

Ahhhh the genre game. I love it so. I’m not sure that I fit into intellipop as it’s often defined, but I like and use the idea of intellipop because I write pop song structures, I use abstract lyrics, and I’m not afraid to change time signatures or use a polyrhythm every once in a while to make a song really creepy (like “Insanity”). I love music that is simple and well written (Andrew Bird, Tori Amos), and I also really love progressive “out there” avant-garde music (Bjork, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum or anything Carla Kihlstedt is on).

Sweet! So beyond your upcoming EP release party for Bliss and Gravity at Mercury Cafe on August 28th, what’s next? Any other big performances on the horizon? A tour? A music video?

I will be doing a music video with the very talented writer/director Olivia Carmel. We actually met where I work and it seemed a little serendipitous that she already had an idea for a video for one of the songs from Bliss and Gravity. We’ll be exploring the visual interpretation of some of the lyrics on one of the tracks. I’ll be booking lots of shows locally for the coming months, and I’m rearranging my life to set myself up to tour by next year. In the meantime, I am really excited to be an introvert this winter and dive into composing another album.

That’s our chat Beat kids! Now go get dreamy with Emily Shreve’s music here, and don’t forget to hit up her EP release party next week. Event details are right here. And you can get info for pre-ordering Bliss and Dreams if you click me.

-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.

Colorado Open Mic Nights: Supporting Local Talent

By: Hannah Oreskovich

Catch an open-mic at any of these spots.

Today we’re talking Open Mic Nights- they’re a cool part of the Colorado music scene for a few reasons. If you’re just a casual listener, they can be a great place to grab a drink with more than just the radio in the background. If you’re a musician, they’re an awesome way to connect with other artists and industry professionals in your area. And if you’re like us and you’re always on the lookout for new talent, Open Mic Nights are a sweet spot to try and find up-and-coming musicians. A ton of the artists we’ve interviewed have had their start in Open Mic Nights; many have even gone on to host them at various venues. Most digs have a reserved weeknight for these shows, so depending on when you’re looking to find an Open Mic Night, here’s where to go:

Sundays:

Lucky Joe’s Sidewalk Saloon in Fort Collins 9PM

Mondays:

Johnny’s Cigar Bar in Boulder 8PM

Jamestown Mercantile Co. Cafe in Jamestown 6PM - Hosted by Jovan

Bootstrap Brewing Company in Niwot 6PM

Oskar Blues Tasty Weasel Tap Room in Longmont 6PM - Hosted by The Prairie Scholars

Mulligan’s Pub in Fort Collins 7PM

Tuesdays:

Conor O’Neill’s Irish Pub in Boulder - Hosted by Danny Shafer

Twisted Pine Brewing Co. in Boulder 6PM - Hosted by Jim Herlihy of Augustus

Syntax Physic Opera in Denver 830PM

The Pioneer Inn in Nederland 9PM

Wednesdays:

The Swing Station in Laporte 7PM

The Mercury Cafe in Denver 9PM

Thursdays:

Vindication Brewing in Boulder 530PM - Hosted by Foxfeather

Swallow Hill Music Cafe in Denver 7PM

The Dickens Tavern in Longmont 7PM

Mishawaka’s Spokesbuzz Lounge in Bellvue 8PM - They give you free beer for playing!

That’s our list. Support local talent and check out an Open Mic Night near you.

-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.