Features

Interviews and profiles from the Northern Colorado and Wyoming scene.

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FeaturesKeeping 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, 2019FeaturesLeave It To The Beeves: Erie Rock Trio’s Release ‘Adam And Beeve’ Brings ItThe band needed a name. Matthew Sease pulled the biggest book from his mom’s shelf, opened to a random page and pointed to a word.Valerie Vampola · May 13, 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, 2019FeaturesBands To See At FoCoMX 11FoCoMX is this weekend! There’s too much amazing music to see for even a whole magazine, so here are five favorites of ours this year. See you in Old Town Fort Collins!Laura Giagos · Apr 24, 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, 2019Features311 Plays The Aggie and S.A. Martinez is ‘Bout it ‘Bout it.My reaction to 311 playing the modest Aggie Theatre was probably similar to other locals. ‘What!? How!? It’s so small. These guys sell out Red Rocks and have their own 311 cruise for god’s sake.’ But I quickly remembered the same people who book the Mishawaka Amphitheater took over the Aggie’s booking in March, so maybe they really wanted to kick off the concert season with a bang?Kyle Eustice · Apr 20, 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, 2019FeaturesMichael McDonald: A Fool Who Still BelievesWhen Michael McDonald is on stage Thursday, April 11 at Union Colony Civic Center in downtown Greeley, singing our favorite songs like “Taking It To The Streets,” or “I Keep Forgetting,” for the millionth time, he is thanking us for continuing to love who he is.Valerie Vampola · Apr 10, 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, 2019FeaturesThe Unlikely Candidates: Kyle Morris On Seeking The UnexpectedSince their beginnings, The Unlikely Candidates have toyed around with a slew of different sounds, despite charting more than once in Billboard’s Alternative Rock category. “We’ve Always been influenced by bands who weren’t stuck on one particular sound,” Kyle Morris Says. The Unlikely Candidates play The Moxi Theater on March 3.Valerie Vampola · Feb 24, 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, 2019FeaturesThe True Colors Of Silver & GoldSilver & Gold’s new EP Color (out February 8) used the influence of a short production span, their closeness as a band (both geographically and emotionally) a man named Dan Diaz to create an album that stands out from the rest of their work.Valerie Vampola · Feb 4, 2019FeaturesHeaven: Los Lonely Boys’ Jojo Garza On Living Their DreamJojo Garza laughs easily. The Los Lonely Boys vocalist/bassist — who plays at Washington’s in Fort Collins February 2 alongside his brothers Henry and Ringo — applies his positive attitude to everything he does, especially Los Lonely Boys’ music, though his brother suffered major injuries on stage in 2013. “Even to this day we’re feeling the after effects,” he admits. “It hasn’t gone away at all.”Kyle Eustice · Jan 29, 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, 2019FeaturesEverbody’s Got The Blues at Cranford’sSince June, 2018, Cranford’s Tea Tavern has hosted the The Blues Party, a recurring Wednesday night hang for musicians, from those who only know three chords to experienced professionals who’ve played their whole life. It didn’t matter what instrument they played, Buchholz and Haug gave them an equal opportunity to play. In between songs, the players exchanged song choices, guided each other through grooves and made sure they knew how to kick off the songs.Valerie Vampola · Jan 4, 2019