BandWagon Magazine, July 2022: The Bones of J.R. Jones

The Bones of J.R. Jones, Michal Menert (Pretty Lights), mon cher, Musuji, Pathos & Logos, Hutty, Connor Terrones, Eufórquestra, Bevin Luna, 105.5 The Colorado Sound. 10,000 copies on the street from Cheyenne to Fort Collins.

MusicSingle Review: Connor Terrones – “What Can I Do?”Guitarist Connor Terrones debuts his solo project with his first single, “What Can I Do?” giving listeners a peek into the lofi tastes of the long-time Colorado soul and R&B sideman.Valerie Vampola · Jul 6, 2022MusicSingle Review: Eufórquestra – “Arizona to Georgia”Eufórquestra’s recent single, “Arizona to Georgia,” leans into groovy funk-rock, with jammy vibes and a big sound, reminiscent of early Steely Dan or Steve Miller’s “Fly Like an Eagle.” This song has a lot of potential to extend to a full jam, pushing audiences to have a “little less talk, a little more listen” as the lyrics demand.Valerie Vampola · Jul 6, 2022MusicSingle Review: Hutty – “Broke Bank”Since making his mark with his 2021 album and over 1.5 million streams on Spotify for his hit “Body Low,” Hutty has been exploring different genres and influences, using hip-hop as his foundation.Valerie Vampola · Jul 6, 2022MusicAlbum Review: Musuji – Blanket StatementTo say that Musuji’s reputation precedes them would be an understatement. Known for their “wild with madness” moniker, Musuji mash together layer upon layer of sound and energy to create their own blend of funky, intense indie rock that is equally as chill as it is disastrous – and that’s in a good way.Nate Wilde · Jul 7, 2022FeaturesMichal Menert: Things Burn DownMichal Menert has been thinking about fire.Gabe Allen · Jul 12, 2022MusicAlbum Review: Pathos & Logos – CultWhen you find yourself on the old familiar quest for heavy, ethereal, instrumental music that takes you on a sonic journey through space and time, look no further than the latest…Nate Wilde · Jul 13, 2022FeaturesThe Bones of J.R. Jones: Desert Rhythms and Dancing Through the BluesJ.R.’s life as a touring bluesman came later than some. In his late 20’s, he was living in Brooklyn, bartending and teaching at a pre-school. He had a masters degree in printmaking, but the medium was quickly being usurped by digital alternatives. Still, he needed a creative outlet. A few years before, J.R.’s college roommate had introduced him to a song that made him fall in love with the blues. It was Blind Lemon Jefferson, a 1920’s singer and guitarist who is sometimes credited as the “Father of the Texas Blues.” “I had never heard that raw, gritty passion in anything else,” he said. “It just kind of leveled me.” From then on, J.R. spent his in-between time — in between work, school, relationships and everything else — playing the blues. “There were a lot of DIY venues that popped up in loft spaces or garages. They were perfect for the type of music I was playing,” he explained. “All you needed was a condenser microphone, a picnic table and a cooler of PBR.”Gabe Allen · Jul 14, 2022MusicAlbum Review: mon cher – tell me babyDenver’s femme trio, mon cher, explore synth-driven dream pop in their new EP tell me baby. It’s meditative and vibey, reminiscent of synth-pop groups like Washed Out (the group that wrote the “Portlandia” theme) and the Minecraft’s ethereal composer, C418.Valerie Vampola · Jul 19, 2022MusicAlbum Review: People in General – friendsPeople in General are making the leap. Since their first release Piglet in 2019, the trio has grown into a full 8 piece band with horns, extra vocalists and more.Kevin Johnston · Jul 20, 2022Bevin Luna: 105.5 The Colorado Sound’s Featured Artist“Madison & Angelus is a garage rock EP because it’s rock and roll. And it was literally recorded in a garage in LaPorte, Colorado,” Bevin Luna says. True to the garage band ethos, the 6 tracks mesh originals, covers and co-writes with big, fuzzy guitars, overdriven vocals and bashing drums. But the garage has a heart and some depth behind its door. Much of the writing discusses the turmoil of being a musician in the digital age, and as Luna puts it: “In the middle of a pandemic sandwich: never knowing where to begin or if it’s ever going to end – constantly trying to reassure ourselves that everything was gonna be OK.”Kevin Johnston · Jul 21, 2022