Valerie Vampola

92 stories · Page 2 of 5

MusicAlbum Review: N3ptune – RENAISSANCEN3ptune’s RENAISSANCE is an appropriate title for an album by an artist who does it all: acting, singing, modeling, producing and performing. It is a birth of style that combines elements of trap, dark dance pop, and heavy blues rock and there’s nothing else like it.Valerie Vampola · Jan 4, 2022MusicAlbum Review: Magpie the Band – Under The Maple TreeFolk trio Magpie the Band emerges into the Northern Colorado scene with their debut ‘Under The Maple Tree,’ featuring more Celtic and Eastern European sounds than the western…Valerie Vampola · Dec 10, 2021MusicSingle Review: Emma Griffin – Sell My Soul“Sell My Soul” is a breakthrough for Emma Griffin, allowing her to keep the Lorde and Billie Eilish sound she’s established while introducing a blues touch.Valerie Vampola · Dec 9, 2021MusicSingle Review: Poinciana – Focus“Focus” features tender vocals by lead singer Sawyer Davis and beautiful acoustic guitar picking, but Poinciana doesn’t abandon high-energy rock.Valerie Vampola · Dec 6, 2021MusicSingle Review: Elektric Animals – “Cheers”Elektrik Animals dish up alternative rock and upbeat feelings without superficial optimism on the new single “Cheers.”Valerie Vampola · Nov 24, 2021MusicAlbum Review: Mr. Fredo – MovementFort Collins-based Fredo The Rapper brings intricate layerings in his new EP Movement, featuring his long-time collaborator, producer (and step-brother) Suburb based in Chicago, IL. The movement is chill, and his relaxed tone glides over the complex trap and lo-fi beats.Valerie Vampola · Nov 10, 2021MusicAlbum Review: No Hands Brass BandNo Hands Brass Band brings an upbeat New Orleans sound with considerable chops to Colorado, with their debut EP “Off The Curb.” It features an instrumental mixture of pop, jazz, funk, and traditional Dixieland swing through their original compositions and arrangements, and it shreds.Valerie Vampola · Nov 4, 2021ReviewsAlbum Review: Augustus – Ragtime WorldRagtime World, the new album from Boulder, CO’s Augustus mixes their psychedelic rock sound with classic rock vibes and folk, giving listeners no expectation of what will come next.Valerie Vampola · Oct 6, 2021FeaturesBirth of The Band: Delvon Lamarr Steps Into the Spotlight with DLO3.“When you believe in something, you don’t have to sell it,” Delvon Lamarr tells BandWagon. The Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio were playing festivals before they had recordings and the way Lamarr shreds across the keys and seamlessly grooves the organ pedals with his feet, you’d think he had been doing this his whole life. But he didn’t even touch an organ until his early 20s. And with guitarist Jimmy James and drummer Dan Weiss on board, Lamarr says “the combination felt unique and connected. No one person makes the band, but what puts it in perspective is all of us.”Valerie Vampola · Sep 15, 2021FeaturesRoll Over Reverend: Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band clings to nostalgia for Hard TimesThe Reverend Peyton always had an appetite for nostalgia – everything from the traditional country blues that influenced his guitar picking, to the vintage 1950’s outfits he and his wife Breezy wear on stage.Valerie Vampola · Aug 12, 2021MusicAlbum Review: Julie Koenig – Renaissance WomanJulie Koenig’s debut album explores what it means to be a woman – both the strengths and vulnerabilities – through the singer-songwriter genre and jazz. Unapologetic about her features and her attitude, Koenig uses them to draw strength and elicit feminist ideals, employing a fierce set of original lyrics on being rambunctious.Valerie Vampola · Aug 5, 2021MusicAlbum Review: Ms. Nomer – TAOTUNUFusion and rock group Ms. Nomer are releasing their debut full-length album TAOTUNU (IE; “things are on the up n up”) July 16 at the Aggie.Valerie Vampola · Jul 9, 2021MusicAlbum Review: Magic Beans – Slice Of LifeLongtime fans of Magic Beans keep coming back for their staple rock-funk sound, filled with high energy grooves and invigorating rock organ.Valerie Vampola · Jun 11, 2021MusicAlbum Review: LVDY – GoldThe Denver-based acoustic duo LVDY (pronounced “lady”) show what beautiful sounds two women and a guitar can make on their full-length album, Gold.Valerie Vampola · May 11, 2021FeaturesHome Team For The Win: The Burroughs’ “Zero Sum Game”After a year, The Burroughs have re-emerged with a new video and single, “Zero Sum Game,” a first time songwriting collaboration between drummer Mary Claxton and frontman Johnny Burroughs.Valerie Vampola · May 7, 2021MusicAlbum Review: Mlady – Maladaptive DaydreamingDenver-based Mlady’s full length album Maladaptive Daydreaming feels like its title: an atmosphere of vivid dreams told by lead singer Hannah Beeghly, accompanied by washy, pop orchestration. The record favors reversed reverb and atmospheric textures to fill out the sound of Beeghly’s forlorn, direct delivery. Songs such as “Sadder Days” and “When Do You Know”Valerie Vampola · May 4, 2021FeaturesTom Amend: Ditching the Band Scene for an Improvised Life~ It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing ~Valerie Vampola · Apr 3, 2021MusicVideo Premiere: Devin Tremell – Lord KnowsDevin Tremell gives us glimpses of his dual lives as the artist and as the worker in the “Lord Knows” video which premieres today, exclusively via BandWagon.Valerie Vampola · Mar 18, 2021MusicAlbum Review: Wolf van Elfmand – All BlueColoradan songwriter Wolf van Elfmand’s music has always had a western flair. This remains true in his newest album All Blue released in February, but he also incorporates what the title suggests: the blues. Cool and steady like a long lost J.J. Cale gem, van Elfmand incorporates improvisation and musical playfulness between the melody and simple chord structures, leaving comfortable spaces for harmonica, pedal steel and lead guitar to add conversational nuances to the texture.Valerie Vampola · Mar 8, 2021FeaturesBattle Profile: Hannah & The CuddiesHannah Rodriguez knew that The Cuddies were entering a new chapter in January of 2020 when they won the first round of BandWagons’ Battle of the Bands. She eagerly planned their finalist set and looked forward to the future. But the future had changes in store. So now, after a year-long unplanned intermission, losing / gaining new band members and the optimism of a vaccine, Hannah is ready for The Cuddies’ first gig in 2021.Valerie Vampola · Feb 13, 2021