BandWagon Magazine, July 2019: Swerve

Swerve, DeVotchKa, Built To Spill, Soul Brothers, American Tomahawk, Colorado Sound’s MY5. 10,000 copies on the street from Cheyenne to Fort Collins.

FeaturesSwerve: 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, 2019FeaturesConcert Under The Stars Under A New Roof: FY5 And MoreAt this summer’s Concert Under the Stars series at the University of Northern Colorado, Fort Collins bluegrass band FY5’s performance will be in a new, indoor venue. Although the concert series name directly refers to its typical venue, the university’s outdoor Garden Theatre stage, more than half of this year’s shows will be in the new Campus Commons Performance Hall. A first since the series began in 1931.Emily Wenger · Jul 3, 2019105.5 The Colorado Sound's Featured ArtistsThe Colorado Sound’s My5 – July 2019What do the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, American Ninja Warrior, Paul Sherwin, Fontaines DC and Iron + Wine’s collab with Calexico all have in common? They’re all part of The Colorado Sound’s My5 this month! Check out what else is on the radar at NoCo’s home for music discovery.BandWagon Magazine · Jul 5, 2019FeaturesDon’t Keep It Like A Secret: Built To Spill Comes To The MishBuilt To Spill was ultimately grouped in with the “Northwest sound” from the outset, a result of being signed to Up Records. Although they left and signed with Warner Bros., they managed to retain their independence. After eight albums, the Doug Martsch-led group are still a mainstay in the indie rock world. “The main key is, of course, luck. But there’s also the fact that I am so simple, I don’t get bored playing these songs over and over again,” Martsch jokes. Built To Spill play The Mishawaka Amphitheatre July 26.Kyle Eustice · Jul 10, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: American Tomahawk – Mr. GrieverAmerican Tomahawk has been a well regarded name in the Colorado music scene for years despite being Los Angeles residents since 2011.Laura Giagos · Jul 15, 2019FeaturesThe Longest Curve: DeVotchKa returns, plays The Moxi“Songwriting was the longest curve,” Nick Urata of DeVotchKa says. “You have to write all these bad songs before a good one comes out. It took a lifetime really.” Formed in the 90’s, each member of the band make up an orchestra themselves and they each ‘got it’ from the beginning. After years as a famed Colorado act, DeVotchKa play Greeley for the first time July 17 and 18 at The Moxi Theater.Dan England · Jul 17, 2019FeaturesIt Takes A Village: Arise Festival Leaves No TraceIf you’re considering the Arise Music Festival in Loveland August 2 – 4, here’s a tip: Bring your own water bottle. The festival provides water itself, but no single-use plastic. They even plant a tree for every ticket sold. Bands and performers who follow the guidelines of ‘Leave No Trace,’ headline the event: Tipper, Leftover Salmon, Railroad Earth and more. “We are more than a music festival,” organiser Mo Hnatiuk said. “It’s a movement. Music is supposed to feed your soul.”Dan England · Jul 23, 2019FeaturesRock Om: DJ Drez heads to ARISEDJ Drez is rooted in the Los Angeles hip-hop scene. He’s rubbed elbows with Eminem, collaborated with Macy Gray, Black Eyed Peas, Black Star and KRS-One. Now, Drez his wife Marti Nikko are heavily involved in the yoga world, founding the Rock Om program and headlining Loveland’s ARISE August 2-4 in the festival’s Yoga village.Kyle Eustice · Jul 25, 2019