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FeaturesIf You’re Listening: Greg Carroll on the Black American Art Form with an Inherent Sense of DemocracyEven though it was the music that got Greg Carroll into his jazz career, he became a champion of the art form, teaching, preserving and protecting the history of it, because it is the music of his fellow black Americans. “It excites me to see everyone play it, but jazz was created by African Americans, born out of the experiences of people forced on this land as a way to honor their culture – the only thing that couldn’t be ripped away from them. It’s a gift to the world, and it’s welcome to everyone. But it’s historically black, and the more I got into it and learned the history of it, the more I appreciated that. It made me proud.”Dan England · Jul 2, 2020FeaturesGoing 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, 2020MusicSingle Premiere: Corsicana – “Wreath”[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The subtle tug-of-war between the power of youth and the perspective of experience usually comes when young artists break the mold put in place by seasoned veterans from the former generation. It’s how new art is made. But in the case of Corsicana, this cliché plays out in a completely different way. At justKevin Johnston · Jun 8, 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, 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: 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, 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, 2020MusicAlbum Review: Glass Cases – In BetweenIn Between, the debut album from Fort Collins trio Glass Cases, strives to relate to the band’s own demographic: a generation disillusioned with adulthood. Combining elements of synth-pop and alternative rock, Glass Cases create a vibe that’s both interesting and marketable. With rapid, spoken-word, and sung vocals that shine like Keane, Glass Cases’ topically relevant lyrics about social media and insecurity hit close to home for any millennial or gen Z-er. The band’s originally planned release show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre March 21 was to be their debut at the famed venue, but has been cancelled due to coronavirus precautions.Valerie Vampola · Mar 21, 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, 2020105.5 The Colorado Sound's Featured ArtistsThe Colorado Sound’s My5 – March 2020Cherokee Heirloom seeds locked in an arctic vault. An unsung hero known as “The Female Elvis.” The most famous mime saving children during a world war. Girls skateboarding in Kabul. The demise of the most rock’ n’ roll magazine ever (no, not us…). What do they have in common? Why they’re in this month’s My5 from The Colorado Sound, of course! Always worth checking out what’s on the minds of our radio gurus – March is no different!BandWagon Magazine · Mar 5, 2020MusicAlbum Review: MountianUs – Captured Live at ChimaeraSince their inception, MountainUs has been leading the way in Northern Colorado’s expanding reggae world. The Fort Collins fivesome has a new EP, ‘Captured Live At Chimaera,’ which holds the kind of energy that would never be attainable from a studio recording. They release the album at Hodi’s Half Note in Fort Collins on March 13.Nate Wilde · Mar 4, 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, 2020