Dan England

85 stories · Page 4 of 5

FeaturesMike Doughty: Escape and Return to Ruby VroomMike Doughty knew he wouldn’t be able to shed his association with Soul Coughing, though he describes the band as “a dark, abusive marriage.” The only thing he chose to keep was…Dan England · Sep 18, 2019FeaturesWeld Found: Tim Coons And The Anti-Isolation MovementTim Coons, a longtime spiritual musician in Greeley who’s released several albums now works for the Weld Community Foundation. He recently launched Weld Found – a new podcast examining the phenomenon of isolation and loneliness in the modern world, particularly in Weld County. Episodes feature Neyla Pekarek, Sociologist Dr. Josh Packard and more.Dan England · Sep 16, 2019FeaturesCharley Crockett: Full Of The Fire – The Old Sounds Of StruggleCharley Crockett spent a decade on the street, making a living off tips he earned as a busker.Dan England · Aug 5, 2019FeaturesIt Takes A Village: Arise Festival Leaves No TraceIf you’re considering the Arise Music Festival in Loveland August 2 – 4, here’s a tip: Bring your own water bottle. The festival provides water itself, but no single-use plastic. They even plant a tree for every ticket sold. Bands and performers who follow the guidelines of ‘Leave No Trace,’ headline the event: Tipper, Leftover Salmon, Railroad Earth and more. “We are more than a music festival,” organiser Mo Hnatiuk said. “It’s a movement. Music is supposed to feed your soul.”Dan England · Jul 23, 2019FeaturesStill At It: Producing the Greeley Arts Picnic Ain’t Just A Day In The ParkRhonda Welch, festival / event coordinator for the City of Greeley answers calls from close to 150 artists and crafters, 24 performers (including 18 music groups) more than a dozen food vendors and representatives for the Coors beer garden at The Greeley Arts Picnic. She’s spends most of June and July inside so you can be outside in Lincoln Park the weekend of July 27 for the 41st annual Arts Picnic, featuring a kick-off party on the 26th by Funkiphino. For now, Welch is still at it.Dan England · Jul 19, 2019FeaturesThe Longest Curve: DeVotchKa returns, plays The Moxi“Songwriting was the longest curve,” Nick Urata of DeVotchKa says. “You have to write all these bad songs before a good one comes out. It took a lifetime really.” Formed in the 90’s, each member of the band make up an orchestra themselves and they each ‘got it’ from the beginning. After years as a famed Colorado act, DeVotchKa play Greeley for the first time July 17 and 18 at The Moxi Theater.Dan England · Jul 17, 2019FeaturesHome Is Where The Hip-Hop Is: Nappy Roots On The Greeley Stampede Free Stage“You can drop us anywhere in Colorado,” Nappy Roots emcee Fish Scales says. “We bring entertaining hip-hop to people who otherwise wouldn’t see a hip-hop show.” The Kentucky rappers play The Greeley Stampede on July 5th at the free Extraction Stage, adding: “I definitely am country.”Dan England · Jun 26, 2019FeaturesKeeping It Fresh: Friday Fest Kicks Off Greeley Outdoor Concert SeasonYou’ll see more variety at this year’s Friday Fest series in downtown Greeley. You also won’t see many bands that you saw last year. But one thing is for sure: You’ll want to dance once they play. “It has to be danceable,” said Alison Hamling, of the Downtown Development Authority. You’ll notice some changes in this year’s lineup too, starting Friday, June 7 at the Greeley Blues Jam kickoff.Dan England · Jun 5, 2019FeaturesShemekia Copeland Says What She Wants: Blues Jam Headliner Speaks Her Mind Through Her MusicShemekia Copeland was pissed off on a Tuesday morning. It was something she heard from one of Trump’s “offspring,” as she calls him, about how if poor people want more in life, they just have to work harder. Recognized by many as the finest blues singer of her generation, Copeland headlines the Greeley Blues Jam June 8. She also draws attention for being outspoken in a world that tends to be surprisingly silent about social issues.Dan England · May 27, 2019FeaturesCha Wa: Mardi Gras Indian Funk Stirs Greeley Like Gumbo At The Blues JamCha Wa, the New Orleans funk band incorporates the tradition of Mardi Gras Indian music and the feel of a New Orleans brass band with all the attitude of a proper funk ensemble. “It was a perfect pot of gumbo,” said J’Wan Boudreaux. Cha Wa performs Saturday, June 8 at The Greeley Blues jam at Island Grove Park.Dan England · May 22, 2019FeaturesSouthern Avenue: Keep OnOri Naftaly grappled with his record label, Concord Records, over Southern Avenue’s upcoming album, Keep On, out May 10. Fortunately for us, they both came out on top. “I want people to listen to this in 2040 and think we sound as relevant honoring the music that we love from back in the day,” Ori says.Dan England · May 9, 2019FeaturesUNC Jazz Fest Hits A New HomeThe Greeley/UNC Jazz Festival is more than just a way to celebrate America’s original form of music. It’s a recruiting tool. The University is excited to bring the festival to its campus for the first time ever at the new Campus Commons venue. “We’ve been doing this for however many years without anyone seeing the campus,” said Michael Alexander, the director of the UNC School of Music.Dan England · Apr 22, 2019FeaturesTake 6: What It Takes To Be IconicThe first time Take 6 came to the UNC/Greeley Jazz Festival the guys packed rooms full of squealing girls who asked questions such as “boxers or briefs?” That was in 1999, a time…Dan England · Apr 17, 2019FeaturesThe Steady Hand Behind The Jam: Leftover Salmon’s Jeremy GrantJeremy Grant admits he doesn’t even really like jam bands. Regardless, the 40-year-old Greeley native is the monitor engineer and stage manager for Leftover Salmon, one of the most celebrated jam bands around.Dan England · Mar 13, 2019FeaturesHe Will Rock You: Gary Mullen and One Night Of QueenEvery time Gary Mullen sings, he says grace. His uncanny ability to sing like Freddie Mercury gave him a nice career as the frontman for One Night of Queen, a tribute to one of the greatest bands in history. Mullen and crew play in Greeley on March 8 at the Union Colony Civic Center in downtown Greeley.Dan England · Mar 7, 2019FeaturesMillions Of Views, Millions Of Notes: Andy McKee On Finding Your Own ThingAndy McKee’s technical brilliance, so unique that many had never seen it before, went viral in 2005 (which, back then was just called popular) earning him millions of views in just a few weeks. It wasn’t long before people wanted him to play – in person – around the world. Catch McKee at The Moxi Friday, March 8.Dan England · Mar 4, 2019FeaturesOld Ghosts Make For New Friends – A Diverse Greeley Brought To Life By Its LegendsNoel Johnston envisioned a play where the protagonists are group of smart, curious kids who are – most importantly – different from one another. Three speak Spanish and English fluently, and several other characters give a second language a solid effort. The Stampede Troupe premieres this original play February 22-23 in Downtown Greeley.Dan England · Feb 13, 2019FeaturesOpen Fire – A Bond Forged By MetalDuring a rare quiet moment the “Dave Cave,” a basement devoted to metal music, members of Open Fire remember the day Dave MacKenzie sent out the news that his son, Tyler, was killed in Iraq in 2005. Just two months before, they’d had so much fun playing their first big gig before thousands at the first “Thunder in the Rockies.” This month, Open Fire play their 14th anniversary show Saturday, January 26 at The Moxi Theater.Dan England · Jan 15, 2019FeaturesNeyla Pekarek: Watch Her Rattle, Hear Her RoarBefore Neyla Pekarek became a third of The Lumineers, she saw Rattlesnake Kate’s famous dress and read the story while she attended the University of Northern Colorado. The story stuck with her. “She spoke her mind and lived completely outside of what was expected of women.” Pekarek says. “Western stories are so dominated by men. The tales of women have yet to be told.” Her debut solo record Rattlesnake premieres at The Moxi Theater January 25.Dan England · Jan 10, 2019FeaturesLong Cut – Shaping Up For A Hick-Hop FutureRapping is a tiring, literally breathtaking affair, and Bryan Thomas, quite honestly, didn’t have the stamina for it. He was, to be blunt, too fat to rap. He then endured a sickly stint in the hospital that led to him having throat surgery. So he quit drinking, stopped taking street drugs and started eating better, including flirting with a Vegan diet, and exercising. Since he and Adams formed the hip-hop/country band Long Cut in January, he’s lost 115 pounds.Dan England · Dec 16, 2018