Features

Interviews and profiles from the Northern Colorado and Wyoming scene.

583 stories · Page 12 of 30

FeaturesNoCo 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, 2020FeaturesOut Of The Perils: Old Man Saxon“This is like some horror movie shit.” Old Man Saxon is looking back on one of the scariest moments during the 13 months he was living in his 2001 Ford Explorer Sport while trying to “make it” in Los Angeles.Kyle Eustice · Mar 24, 2020FeaturesMax Barcelow: The Fragile Big Time and Saying YesMax Barcelow’s life as a professional musician in Fort Collins has had plenty of twists and turns. Drumming for prolific folk artist Gregory Alan Isakov, he’s played Red Rocks, in Europe, with the Colorado Symphony and attended this year’s Grammy ceremony on January 26 at The Staples Center, long dubbed “Kobe’s House,” on the day of Kobe Bryant’s death. An evening torn between celebrating music and hastily trying to address and honor Bryant, Barcelow witnessed the pomp and grandeur of the Grammy’s while being reminded of how no one can escape life’s fragility – even with success and money. “It’s funny how death just brings it all back home,” Barcelow said.Laura Giagos · Mar 17, 2020FeaturesInto The Original: Tyler Walker & John DeWitt at the RMCMAsAs the talent booker for the Greeley Stampede’s music acts, John DeWitt always liked the Tyler Walker Band.Dan England · Mar 6, 2020FeaturesJim Curry Is Not John DenverJim Curry is not John Denver. Well, no #@%*!, you say, but when you see him sing on stage, you may have doubts.Dan England · Mar 3, 2020FeaturesCover Story: Kyle Emerson – Coming Down and Into His OwnAt the end of every show on his first tour as a solo artist, Kyle Emerson found himself exhausted.Dan England · Feb 7, 2020FeaturesSultans of Shred: Greeley Teen’s World-Class Guitar Chops Run In La FamiliaGreeley’s Liam Garcia is 17, a junior at Greeley West High School, and by all accounts plays guitar better than just about anyone else in the world his age (and honestly, most people twice his age). He traveled to London in September for the Young Guitarist of the Year competition as the only American selected for the finals. He plans to study at the Berklee College of Music, but the biggest exhilaration is playing with his dad Socrates on stage.Dan England · Feb 5, 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, 2020FeaturesMarco Benevento: The Fourth Voice In A TrioAn instrumental jazz pianist at heart, Marco Benevento has always searched for new sounds, musical tools or ways of composing, though his newest discovery is that of his own voice, and that’s worth a champagne toast. Benevento calls his vocals a direct extension of his composing. “It’s just like another instrument,” he says. “It’s the fourth member of our trio, but it’s still the trio.” The Marco Benevento Trio play The Aggie Theater on Thursday, February 6.Kevin Johnston · Feb 2, 2020FeaturesTheo Katzman: Modern Johnny Explores The Darkness With The LightIn 2017, Theo Katzman’s father died, he had a bad breakup, and he lost a bunch of money on what he thought was a cool professional opportunity. This is how he discovered his sense of humor. “Out of the wake of all that was sort of this ‘f— it’ attitude,” Katzman said, and though a core member of the very funny Vulfpeck, he says: “I don’t think I’m making comedy music. If I’m doing my job right, the people in my audience at times will be insanely sad. You can explore the light along with the dark.” Katzman released Modern Johnny Sings: Songs In The Key Of Vibe mere days ago, “tackling the issues” of our times with unique poignancy.Dan England · Jan 15, 2020FeaturesHit The Ground Running – Hodi’s Half Note: 10 Years of the FoCo Music Mainstay“I have a deep love for music,” Daniel Mladenik, owner of Hodi’s Half Note says. “I feel like this is what I was put here to do.” Mladenik may be the big boss at Hodi’s now, but he began his time at the Fort Collins music mainstay as the “heavy” demanding derailed drunks to chill. This January 24, Hodi’s celebrates 10 years on North College Avenue with a performance by Dave Watts and Friends, a Motet / String Cheese Incident supergroup.Dan England · Jan 10, 2020FeaturesWho Gives A Scrap About Your Art? Blasti DoesOne look around Blast N Scrap and the authenticity is palpable.Laura Giagos · Jan 3, 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, 2019FeaturesBreaking the Cycle – UPLIFT: FOCO Plucks For a Good CauseAndy Whilden knew exactly who to turn to when he was putting together a house band for his first music festival: bluegrass players.Dan England · Dec 13, 2019FeaturesA Shared Approach: Silver & Gold Collaborate with Brix Brewery, support Boys & Girls ClubA shared approach to creation is the driving force behind an upcoming collaboration between rock band Silver & Gold and Greeley’s Brix Brewery and Taphouse.Cole Peterson · Dec 11, 2019FeaturesTrying To Catch A Wave: Murs & The Music District Bring Open Mic Hip Hop BackMurs was well aware the open mic part of hip-hop culture was dying, or at least inching toward its last breath.Kyle Eustice · Dec 3, 2019FeaturesThe Blasting Room: FoCo’s Punk Rock Heart Beats For 25 YearsThe Blasting Room didn’t start with a Big Bang, as you might expect, but a drunken nap.Dan England · Nov 11, 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, 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, 2019