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FeaturesGoing For It: Live Music Returns, At A DistanceThe Mishawaka Amphitheatre’s second live show during the pandemic happens at the night before Independence Day – and it’s not for the money. For independent music venues and clubs across Colorado, July 1 is perhaps as important as the day we celebrate our independence as a nation. Governor Polis’ new guidelines take effect that day, allowing the assembly of crowds which make live music possible, if not exactly feasible.Dan England · Jun 29, 2020MusicAlbum Review: VIVIAN – The Warped GlimmerEven during the pandemic, Fort Collins-based dream pop band VIVIAN pushed forward the release of their debut full length album The Warped Glimmer, and according to the band, are already well into producing a full length follow-up. Spacy in all the right ways and saturated in the tell tale signs of art-rock gone pop, The Warped Glimmer is VIVIAN turning on cruise control and putting the seat back for you. It’s a warm envelope to rest in but exciting enough not to put you to sleep.Laura Giagos · Jun 11, 2020MusicAlbum Review: Andy Sydow – Wicked Dreams‘Wicked Dreams’ – the title track of Andy Sydow’s most recent EP, is an alt-country story about nation-wide travel and going through the motions, while deep down the storyteller longs for true purpose. Reminiscent in style of early Wilco and Ryan Adams, it’s highlighted with a slide guitar solo that might appear in one of Derek Trucks’ dreams. After rambling through several states, the protagonist lands in Colorado which he “calls home,” full of “beauty, adventure, and a different kind of tone.”Nate Wilde · Jun 10, 2020MusicAlbum Review: A.M. Pleasure Assassins – Careless LaughterWith their (yes) fifteenth release Careless Laughter, A.M. Pleasure Assassins remind us there’s a whole scene of bands in Northern Colorado who refuse to care what you migh think. They remind us that making music is supposed to be fun; it’s about putting yourself out there.Laura Giagos · Jun 9, 2020105.5 The Colorado Sound's Featured ArtistsThe Colorado Sound’s My5 – June 2020Honoring the legacy of musicians who passed away due to COVID19, your role in controlling content on the airwaves, the best music made during Quarantine, and a legendary punk band’s first record in 35 years … what could it be but The Colorado Sound’s My5? Find some gems, learn some stuff and be a part of the scene every month.BandWagon Magazine · Jun 6, 2020FeaturesThe Fate Of Festival FutureEven right after she was the sickest she’d been in her life, Alison Hamling still cried after she essentially canceled Friday Fest in Downtown Greeley.Dan England · Jun 5, 2020FeaturesIn My Room: Music Teachers Turn To Online Methods, Keeping Musical Communities TogetherWith stay-at-home orders in place, students still want to make music with their teachers and with their peers. Fairview High School students in Boulder decided to try a “virtual choir.” Virtual ensembles, including choirs, are a huge trend worldwide, allowing musicians to collaborate with their friends, bandmates, or favorite artists from home. But putting together a collaboration of 15-plus people requires a lot of time, a hefty budget, and in this case, a supportive community.Valerie Vampola · Jun 4, 2020FeaturesBand Together: National Independent Venue Association Saves Our Stages“There was no one to speak for us,” Stephen Chilton said. “Everyone was talking about the big events and festivals, and no one was talking about the mid-size venues and clubs.” Chilton heads the National Independent Venue Association which is fighting to #SaveOurStages in the fallout of coronavirus repercussions. “What is the most unsafe thing right now? It’s mass gatherings, and we produce mass gatherings,” he said. In two months time, more than 1,600 have joined NIVA, but it still pales in comparison to the thousands in the restaurant industry.Dan England · Jun 3, 2020105.5 The Colorado Sound's Featured ArtistsThe Colorado Sound’s My5 – May 2020A stunning bootleg recording method from the 70’s revived by The National, life during quarantine – 40 year old albums and the best time-killing websites, Radiohead’s Ed Obrien goes solo, Coloradans climbing the deadliest cliffs, Lucinda Williams bringin’ it, and a Nicholas Cage movie that’s … actually, pretty underrated! Lots of goodies to check out in this month’s My5 from the Colorado Sound. Dig in!BandWagon Magazine · May 15, 2020MusicAlbum Review: King Crawdad – King Crawdad 2Two-piece Northern Colorado rockers King Crawdad entered 2020 like many bands around the world; with high aspirations and a sudden wipe-out of the entire music industry.Laura Giagos · May 13, 2020MusicAlbum Review: I Am The Owl – I Can’t See“I Can’t See” is an evolution for I Am The Owl. Their no-nonsense shredding with a twist of experimentation has flourished into a galloping monster of thought-out riffs and rhythms that will have Every Time I Die fans grinning from ear to ear. It deserves to be heard and supported, so buy this EP if you can.Michael Olivier · May 12, 2020MusicAlbum Review: Michael Morrow & The Culprits – I’m With The BannedMichael Morrow & The Culprits have proved themselves to be a mainstay in the Colorado music scene with their latest effort: I’m With the Banned.Nate Wilde · May 11, 2020MusicAlbum Review: Bones Muhroni – TriquetrumBones Muhroni and it’s figurehead Crew Rienstra have been a lot of things over the years: cheeky, folksy, a touch uncouth, but always a good time. Triquetrum is the happy and painful accident that, in my opinion, gave us his best music to date. It has some of the country quality old friends and fans of Bones have come to love on “The Ballad of Clifford Griffin,” but musically Rienstra has clearly moved beyond that being his primary sound.Laura Giagos · May 7, 2020MusicAlbum Review: JuiceBox – JuiceBox EPJuiceBox emerges from the ashes of Colorado funk outfit Moves at Midnight to produce retro, funky sounds reminiscent of times before most of us were even sipping on Capri Suns. They combine funk, rock, and R&B with strong horn lines under a 70’s aesthetic umbrella, curating a collection of fun jams for bouncing while they search for Soul with a capital S.Valerie Vampola · May 5, 2020FeaturesWith A Little Help From My Friends: Resources & Relief For Musicians During The PandemicIn 2013 and 2017, Chris “K” Kresge had what he called “crazy ass idea” to raise a million dollars for the musicians affected by natural disasters and community devastation, now called Rocky Mountain Music Relief. With live music shut down due to DOVID-19, every week, RMMR updates a spreadsheet that points musicians and music industry professionals to grants and resources. A slew of financial resources are available to musicians, but there’s more. The Music Minds Matter organization provides a platform for mental first aid as well via free, weekly online meet-ups.Valerie Vampola · Apr 30, 2020FeaturesRedefining The Industry: Could Live Streaming be the Woodstock of the COVID Era?Coronavirus continues to devastate bar and club owners, restaurants and musicians, but there may be a bright spot: the power of streaming live concerts. Some are even making good money at it. “We’ve learned how to use the tools of social media better now. We are using them rather than just placing facades online,” said Tim Coons of Giants & Pilgrims. “If I can make $100 sitting on my couch, that redefines the industry for me,” said Brandon Harris of NoCo Band Meat & Potatoes.Dan England · Apr 29, 2020105.5 The Colorado Sound's Featured ArtistsThe Colorado Sound’s My5 – April 2020What to do under quarantine? The Colorado Sound’s My5 has some of the best albums and shows to “quarentine to” and upcoming releases to get you stoked. But they’ve also got tips on how YOU can make life for others in your community a little easier during this global pandemic.BandWagon Magazine · Apr 15, 2020FeaturesAll Together Now: The Burroughs’ Bands Give Back Initiative“The arts are a mental lifeline for kids in the public school system,” says Mary Claxton, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and singer for Trashcat and the Burroughs. “Everyone deserves to express themselves and have joy throughout the school day. It’s not a privilege.” Her band The Burroughs have launched the Bands Give Back Initiative, engaging students in music education while raising funds, constructing instrument storage and more for the Greeley, Evans School District 6.Valerie Vampola · Apr 3, 2020MusicAlbum Review: Space Force – EP 1Space Force does not play smooth jazz. Their true genre, Jazz fusion, is easily mistaken for commercial artists like Kenny G (you know, your dentist office’s official soundtrack) but it deserves more credit.Valerie Vampola · Apr 2, 2020FeaturesNoCo Music NoGo: COVID-19’s Massive Impact On Colorado’s Music Industry“It’s pretty easy to see how unprepared everyone was,” said Brian Claxton – a touring drummer and music educator based in Greeley, Colorado. Music venues, restaurants and bars across the globe and in Colorado have been ordered to close due to coronavirus precautions, essentially cutting off the lifeblood of the music industry. But the ramifications go deeper, from the 50th anniversary of the huge UNC Jazz Festival delaying one year to smaller bands such as Float Like A Buffalo cancelling their shoestring budget tours. “I think it will take a year to recover, not just in the economy but in the entertainment industry here,” Moxi Theater Ely Corliss said, “and that’s if we resume in April. If this goes until May 11 or so, it’ll be catastrophic for the Moxi and (his restaurant) Luna’s both.”Dan England and Valerie Vampola · Mar 25, 2020