Valerie Vampola

92 stories · Page 4 of 5

MusicAlbum Review: Glass Cases – In BetweenIn Between, the debut album from Fort Collins trio Glass Cases, strives to relate to the band’s own demographic: a generation disillusioned with adulthood. Combining elements of synth-pop and alternative rock, Glass Cases create a vibe that’s both interesting and marketable. With rapid, spoken-word, and sung vocals that shine like Keane, Glass Cases’ topically relevant lyrics about social media and insecurity hit close to home for any millennial or gen Z-er. The band’s originally planned release show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre March 21 was to be their debut at the famed venue, but has been cancelled due to coronavirus precautions.Valerie Vampola · Mar 21, 2020MusicSingle Review: The Burroughs – Love & UnityColorado’s ‘Sweaty Soul’ band The Burroughs step out of their James Brown and retro-funk style to deliver two distinctive tracks.Valerie Vampola · Mar 3, 2020MusicAlbum Review: Gabrielle Louise – The Unending Alteration of the Human HeartGabrielle Louise lived alone for the past couple of years, existing in slow, rural life in Paonia, CO.Valerie Vampola · Mar 2, 2020MusicAlbum Review: Amaya Arevalo – Love Wears Many FacesAmaya Arevalo is starting to make her mark in the Northern Colorado and Denver jazz scene.Valerie Vampola · Feb 12, 2020FeaturesAni DiFranco: Still Righteous After All These YearsSince the 90’s, Ani DiFranco has been steadily creating a legacy for herself.Valerie Vampola · Feb 4, 2020MusicAlbum Review: Brian Claxton – When I Get HomeBrian Claxton is one of the Colorado music scene’s most treasured side-men.Valerie Vampola · Jan 14, 2020FeaturesRapper’s Delight: Andy Seth Breaks The Struggle Through The Wisdom Within Hip HopNot everyone has to meditate for an hour and a half every day like author/rapper Andy Seth does, but he wants everyone to achieve their goals, as they resolve to do in the New Year. He chose the parable of a rapper to communicate his philosophies in his book and album Bling. “Hip-hop is a big part of my life. I wanted to provide a book that’s accessible, along with music that is a part of our culture, to make [life] lessons stick,” Seth says. With reflection and flow, he believes success and balance – not only the struggle – is real.Valerie Vampola · Jan 2, 2020FeaturesWildermiss: Star-Faced but GroundedIn many ways, Wildermiss made it big a couple years ago with their first album “Lost With You,” spawning regular rotation on 93.3 KTCL, performances at Red Rocks and a slot on Last Call With Carson Daly. But they’re not exactly flying in private jets when outside the comfort of Colorado. In fact, they’re still driving vans that suck. Wildermiss haven’t forgotten where they came from because they can’t afford it yet. And that’s reflected in their new album “In My Mind”.Valerie Vampola · Dec 16, 2019MusicAlbum Review: Marbin – Strong ThingMarbin’s new album ‘Strong Thing’ is the love child of prog rock and jazz fusion. Eddie Van Halen and Charlie Parker surely smiled down on the Chicago based quartet when they recorded it; their collective energy and virtuosic solos are enough to invigorate both long-distance runs and epic boss-battles royale.Valerie Vampola · Dec 10, 2019MusicAlbum Review: Boundless Septet – BoundlessBoundless, the debut record by the jazz septet of the same names sounds like many other modern jazz projects to come out in the past few years. But that isn’t a bad thing. Rather, it’s an accomplishment for three young composers Zach Rich, Matteo Sabattini and Joey LeClerc (as well as Daniel Thompson, who pennedValerie Vampola · Nov 26, 2019FeaturesA Tempest Of Inspiration: Whippoorwill and The Nature Of StormsAlysia, Staci, and Tobias were in the middle of nowhere, Oklahoma when the sky turned green.Valerie Vampola · Nov 8, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Kenyon Brenner – The Long and Short of ItColorado-based Jazz saxophonist Kenyon Brenner steps into the spotlight on his first solo album The Long and Short of It.Valerie Vampola · Nov 5, 2019FeaturesThe Lone Vulf: Cory Wong Ventures Outside The PackAs much of a beast as Cory Wong is on the guitar (and how catchy his composing and songwriting is) “Motivational Music For The Syncopated Soul” isn’t exactly a pedestal of attention for himself. Instead, he collaborated with several well established musicians, evoking a collaborative vibe like that of his other band Vulfpeck. Wong (with support from Paris Monster) play sThe Aggie Theater on Halloween night as well as Boulder and Denver November 1 and 2.Valerie Vampola · Oct 21, 2019MusicAlbum Review: Jarrod Gipson – Heart Eyes. Cycles. Clear Mind.Jarrod Gipson, known in the local scene as the drummer for Colorado’s own Nina and the Hold Tight, ventures out with debut solo album Heart Eyes. Cycles. Clear Mind. It’s an impressive, ambitious introduction to him as a soloist, where he throws everything he’s got at us. Look for it October 11 and check him out live on November 9 at ALMAGRE in Colorado Springs.Valerie Vampola · Oct 10, 2019MusicAlbum Review: VYNYL – PINKThe moody synth-pop elements on VYNYL’s new record PINK, out October 3, are reminiscent of vintage synth groups from the late 80’s like Erasure, a departure from their former alternative rock sound. Dark and moody, they take some classic new wave ideas, dressing them up in 2019’s clothes. Dig them live at White Groves Barber & Taproom September 13 and Lost Lake Lounge October 3.Valerie Vampola · Sep 7, 2019FeaturesMy Favorite Band Of PeoplePeter Paul & Gary (yes, Gary) are going into their 24th year as a band, and they are unoriginal in every way. Intentionally. On September 13 they will headline the 12th Annual My Favorite Bands entertaining the patrons of the Moxi Theater with a performance of, as per their own tradition, an iconic movie soundtrack. This time, it’s “Back To The Future” with Trash Cat performing Flight Of The Conchords and Matt Skinner performing Willie Nelson.Valerie Vampola · Sep 3, 2019MusicAlbum Review: David Baker – Minus PianoDavid Baker’s new jazz album “Minus Piano” is just that. A trio without a piano, or any chordal instrument. Ironically, Baker chose to feature songs written by famous pianists. Without the density of a chordal instrument, the arrangements allow space, demonstrating that bells and whistles can drown-out the tune itself. Baker plays Jay’s Bistro in Fort Collins August 23 & 24, and at Tower 56 in Greeley on August 29.Valerie Vampola · Aug 19, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Oxeye Daisy – They Say You’re A DemonEven when Denver’s Oxeye Daisy steps out of the box from the feel of their newest EP ‘They Say You’re A Demon,’ they find ways to integrate new textures without sacrificing the dark, spacey vibe. Straying from the dreamy atmosphere by evoking Dick Dale playing punk, Lela Roy’s fearless wails embellish the band’s frantic tension until it floats off to vivid, dreamy Pink Floyd territory mid way. Catch them at Bohemian Nights August 10th in Fort CollinsValerie Vampola · Aug 8, 2019FeaturesSwerve: From The Classroom To The Stage – Cover Story July 2019Led by singer Lauren Johnston, Swerve are colorful, quirky, exciting and eccentric, but they all wanted to be in a band playing music that was not only fun, but their own. “You don’t need permission to do anything musically, which is great,” said bassist and back-up singer Julian Cary. After winning the 2019 BandWagon Battle Of The Bands, Swerve’s future is uncertain, but they will hit the Stampede Free Stage Tuesday, July 2nd.Valerie Vampola · Jul 1, 2019FeaturesCody Johnson Stays True By Singing A Different Song“Good luck trying to find someone to sign this contract,” remarked the label representative.Valerie Vampola · Jun 28, 2019