fort collins music

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FeaturesA Brother’s Bond: Holdfast. Stays, Fights and Reflects“We are three brothers” is the first sentence Holdfast. wrote in their Facebook bio and they’re not really wrong about that. Brothers Tom and Mikey Maddocks and their cousin Charlie Maddocks grew up right next door to each other in Windsor, CO. They did everything together, including signing a sync licence with Audio Network in 2020 and releasing their first full length Stay And Fight on January 8, 2021.Valerie Vampola · Jan 11, 2021Album Review: Antonio Lopez – Roots and WingsAntonio Lopez’ voice sits delicately perched at the center of his fourth full-length release, Roots & Wings. The fragile purity of his vocal delivery as the record’s focus proves a point: When given a proper chance, an honest voice can rise to previously un-reached heights. As the executive director of the music/empowerment nonprofit Sound Bridge and having funded Roots & Wings via Kickstarter, Lopez knows well that respectful contributions from those who back you is a gift as precious as family and as freeing as flight.Kevin Johnston · Jan 7, 2021FeaturesWriting on the Wall, Festival on the Screen: FoCoMX at the Drive-In and On the WebThis weekend, in lieu of the real, re-scheduled thing, FoCoMX will offer “A Digital Retrospective” of photos taken by fans as well as rare backstage shots by FoCoMX staff on September 4-5 via the festival’s social media channels. The festival wants to celebrate the fan perspective and involvement as well as host live, in-person music to folks in their cars every Tuesday via Drive & Jive, pulling from its scheduled lineup of more than 400 acts.Dan England · Sep 2, 2020PremieresVideo Premiere: Oliver Mueller – “I Wanna Play At The Moxi”The music video for Oliver Mueller’s new single “I Wanna Play At the Moxi” premieres via BandWagon today. Under his solo-project pseudonym oliverrr, the track is a love-letter to his favorite NoCo music venue, as performers and concert go-ers alike bemoan the absence of live music. Mueller brings the same dreamy alternative style he displays in his band Slow Caves, but combines it with punk flare and humor.Valerie Vampola · Jul 20, 2020MusicEP Review: Polyakov – HazyDream pop, as a genre, has a home in Northern Colorado, and in a way has come to represent the leisurely stroll through anxiety you get from living here.Laura Giagos · Jul 8, 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: 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, 2020MusicAlbum Review: safekeeper – bummer beach bonanzaWhen it comes to good music in Northern Colorado, everyone has their own approach. Some seek perfection with meticulous engineering, and then there are bands like safekeeper who just don’t give a shit. “bummer beach bonanza” (out March 21) is a glorious mess, painting a dreary, apathetic picture, but the lo-fi quality gives it charm and that extra something special you need in making a stand-out indie rock record.Laura Giagos · Mar 7, 2020MusicAlbum Review: Gabrielle Louise – The Unending Alteration of the Human HeartGabrielle Louise lived alone for the past couple of years, existing in slow, rural life in Paonia, CO.Valerie Vampola · Mar 2, 2020MusicAlbum Review: Whitewater Ramble – PseudonymousWhitewater Ramble recently dropped their third full length, the long awaited non-live release Pseudonymous.Cole Peterson · Mar 1, 2020MusicAlbum Review: Mike Shamrock – “Not I” Said The Lil’ MouseMike Shamrock is the on-stage moniker for Mike Robertson, a leader in one of Northern Colorado’s most well loved, yet under-celebrated categories: cover bands.Kevin Johnston · Jan 9, 2020ReviewsAlbum Review: Meat And Potatoes – After MathBrandon Harris has lived the first few chapters of a quintessential Fort Collins musician success story.Nate Wilde · Jan 6, 2020ReviewsAlbum Review: Luna Shade – Flock TogetherWhat sets FoCo’s Luna Shade apart from many reggae bands is their use of the Spanish language: the majority of the stand-out tracks on Flock Together’ feature a Spanish verse. And as ‘invierno’ approaches in Colorado, we’ll need a break from the snow. Thankfully, when ‘Flock Together’ drops on November 28, it’ll be a sunny day in reggae paradise.Nate Wilde · Nov 14, 2019MusicAlbum Review: Post Paradise – Lonely WorldsPost Paradise has been a staple of the Northern Colorado music scene for several years with their blend of cello, piano and guitar-driven alternative prog rock.Nate Wilde · Nov 6, 2019MusicAlbum Review: VYNYL – PINKThe moody synth-pop elements on VYNYL’s new record PINK, out October 3, are reminiscent of vintage synth groups from the late 80’s like Erasure, a departure from their former alternative rock sound. Dark and moody, they take some classic new wave ideas, dressing them up in 2019’s clothes. Dig them live at White Groves Barber & Taproom September 13 and Lost Lake Lounge October 3.Valerie Vampola · Sep 7, 2019FeaturesCharley Crockett: Full Of The Fire – The Old Sounds Of StruggleCharley Crockett spent a decade on the street, making a living off tips he earned as a busker.Dan England · Aug 5, 2019MusicAlbum Review: Chess At Breakfast – Wealthcare“Wealthcare” is an eight track wander through the vast scope of Rock n’ Roll. Anxious yet contemplative, the new record from Chess At Breakfast burns hot at times with tracks like “Ambulance” and “POTUS Blues” but bounces quickly to the cool modes of “Hello Haunt” and “Glaciers.” “We love that super trapped-in-the-head kind of weird, wonky stuff,” says lead vocalist Caleb McFadden.Laura Giagos · May 7, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Triton – The AbyssThough it’s impossible to know, it’s safe to assume that while the world was “doing the Charleston,” H.P. Lovecraft had a very different tune in his head. Whilst writing his masterpiece about the terrifying sea beast Cthulhu, Triton’s The Abyss could easily have been the soundtrack.Nate Wilde · Mar 19, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: Race To Neptune – Abandon Fashion“Abandon Fashion” from Fort Collins’ Race To Neptune is a sturdy four track EP and one of the better modern interpretations of early ‘90s grunge and alternative rock. It’s reminiscent of the music that followed hair metal’s death in the ‘80s. But this is not a throwback album. Check R.T.N. out at Pinball Jones on March 1.Jay Wallace · Feb 21, 2019ReviewsAlbum Review: safekeeper – On Sludge SummitBoiled down into an emotional lo-fi art rock reminiscent of an early Modest Mouse, safekeeper is releasing the aptly named On Sludge Summit December 14. This five-track EP glistens with slow ride emo guitar licks and drunken yawls that drudge through at a satisfying pace. Catch them at Pinball Jones December 21.Laura Giagos · Dec 13, 2018