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Valerie Vampola

56 stories

A woman in a floral dress raises her arms overhead in golden sunlight beside a calm lake with bare trees.

FeaturesFinding Herself: Briana Harris Steps Up as Band Leader on Debut Album When We’re FoundOn a whim, Briana Harris submitted a grant proposal along with a demo of her soulful song “Ground Up” which she had performed for The Burroughs’ Virtual Telethon in 2020.Valerie Vampola · Oct 5, 2022

Band performs under blue stage lights, with a guitarist, keyboardist, and drummer behind a red drum kit.

MusicAlbum 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, 2022

Six men pose for a group portrait against a dark backdrop with purple and green geometric shapes.

MusicSingle 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, 2022

Two women with orange and auburn hair pose close together outdoors in front of bare winter trees.

MusicAlbum Review: Companion – Second Day of SpringFort Collins based identical twin sisters Sophia and Jo Babb, otherwise known as Companion, release their debut folk/americana album Second Day of Spring with vocal harmonies that match as perfectly as their DNA.Valerie Vampola · Jun 8, 2022

A person with a dark bob and bold magenta makeup sits on a red cube in purple tights and flame-print gloves.

MusicAlbum Review: Neoma – HyperrealDenver synth-pop resident Neoma brings her Ecuadorian influences to the Front Range with her new album Hyperreal.Valerie Vampola · Jun 3, 2022

Elektric Animals perform on a blue-lit stage, with a singer in leather jacket, a guitarist, and a silhouetted crowd.

MusicEP Review: Elektric Animals – ChannelsDenver’s Elektric Animals ring in the summer via the upbeat rock sound of their new EP Channels.Valerie Vampola · May 2, 2022

Young man with curly hair, a backwards black cap, and a blue plaid flannel shirt against a bright cloudy sky.

MusicEP Review: Ronan Andrews – Quarter Life CrisisRonan Andrews’ new solo EP Quarter Life Crisis features upbeat and bright pop with some groovy jazz and soul undertones that should please fans of Mayor Hawthorne or Silk Sonic. There’s a happy, feel-good air about his songs, like the upbeat opening track “Dancing Like a Fool,” featuring a bouncing piano groove, full vocal harmonies and cool guitar licks. It gives “Sunday Morning” by Maroon 5 feelings, especially when the piano plays lush, jazz-influenced chord changes.Valerie Vampola · Apr 25, 2022

Black and white photo of three young men standing in a field before a white farmhouse and utility pole.

MusicAlbum Review: Holdfast. – MoviesHoldfast.’s new album Movies brings their expected electro dark-pop and rock aesthetic but leans into other styles that open their doors to new fans. Singer Charlie Maddocks demonstrates a dramatic contrast in dynamics, one that MUSE’s lead Matt Bellamy is well known for, though Maddocks’ tone is undoubtedly his own, becoming one of Colorado’s most recognizable lead vocals. Holdfast. continues to deliver strong songs while experimenting with new sounds and textures.Valerie Vampola · Apr 6, 2022

Kaitlyn Williams sings into a mic with raised arms under teal stage lights, a blurred guitarist behind her.

MusicAlbum Review: Kaitlyn Williams – Under These Lights“Under These Lights,” the new album from Denver’s Kaitlyn Williams, walks the line between neo soul and music for the masses, departing from the bedroom pop she showcased in her 2019 album and subsequent singles. A contributing factor to this shift in style is the live recording, which leaves less room for glittery production and more room for natural musicianship.Valerie Vampola · Apr 4, 2022

Four men pose on brick steps outside a doorway in a black and white group portrait.

MusicAlbum Review: Dead Man’s AlibiFort Collins-based Dead Man’s Alibi keeps a post-grunge metal sound while tossing in some blues on their debut.Valerie Vampola · Mar 10, 2022

Five people sit smiling along a concrete loading dock ledge with yellow edging, in front of a white garage door and a brick

MusicAlbum Review: Big Brooklyn – Everyone EverywhereDenver based Big Brooklyn begs the question “what is jazz?” with their new album Everyone Everywhere, in which every track dips a toe into different sub-genres underneath the jazz umbrella.Valerie Vampola · Mar 9, 2022

A woman with long pink wavy hair sings into a black microphone on a stand against a dark blue stage backdrop.

MusicSingle Review: Isadora Eden f. Duke Justice – “Glycerine” [Bush Cover]Eden’s reimagining of the Bush classic fits the song’s mystical and mysterious feelings of being in love by surrounding the listener with ambient synths and heavy reverbs. Justice’s vocals have a grungy texture reminiscent of Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, a nice call-back to the original.Valerie Vampola · Feb 22, 2022

Person with blonde braids and a black top leans forward in a yellow wildflower field, wearing fishnets and patterned socks.

MusicSingle Review: Bekka Jean – “What If I Forget About You ='(”Following the passing of her mother, Greeley’s Bekka Jean independently released her folky, shoegaze single “What If I Forget About You ='(” in the vein of Phoebe Bridgers.Valerie Vampola · Feb 7, 2022

A bearded man in a cowboy hat and leopard shirt leads a group in front of an orange and black wall.

MusicSingle Review: The Burroughs – “My House My Car”The Burroughs continue to progress their sound while retaining some of the retro vibe that first captured the hearts of Northern Colorado: 70’s and 80’s musical tropes, a…Valerie Vampola · Feb 4, 2022

Five people pose in a dark, warmly lit room, with a man in a leather jacket at center and no instruments visible.

MusicAlbum Review: Fast Eddy – Take A LookAs modern rock groups lean into synthesized productions, Denver’s Fast Eddy keeps the standard rock ‘n roll traditions alive in their new full-length album Take A Look.Valerie Vampola · Feb 3, 2022

Six members of Crescent City Connection pose in a row against a brick wall, framed over Mardi Gras beads.

MusicAlbum Review: Crescent City Connection – Yeah You Right!Fort Collins based Crescent City Connection brings New Orleans flavor to the Colorado funk-rock scene with their new album Yeah You Right!Valerie Vampola · Jan 6, 2022

Three musicians sit on a stone bench in a leafy garden, one playing an acoustic guitar and another a banjo.

MusicAlbum Review: Magpie the Band – Under The Maple TreeFolk trio Magpie the Band emerges into the Northern Colorado scene with their debut ‘Under The Maple Tree,’ featuring more Celtic and Eastern European sounds than the western…Valerie Vampola · Dec 10, 2021

A woman with long brown hair and a cream headband looks down by a lake, wearing a black sleeveless top.

MusicSingle Review: Emma Griffin – Sell My Soul“Sell My Soul” is a breakthrough for Emma Griffin, allowing her to keep the Lorde and Billie Eilish sound she’s established while introducing a blues touch.Valerie Vampola · Dec 9, 2021

Four musicians perform live on stage, including a guitarist in a yellow shirt playing a white electric guitar.

MusicSingle Review: Poinciana – Focus“Focus” features tender vocals by lead singer Sawyer Davis and beautiful acoustic guitar picking, but Poinciana doesn’t abandon high-energy rock.Valerie Vampola · Dec 6, 2021

Black-and-white group portrait of five bearded men posing against a plain black backdrop, several with arms crossed.

MusicSingle Review: Elektric Animals – “Cheers”Elektrik Animals dish up alternative rock and upbeat feelings without superficial optimism on the new single “Cheers.”Valerie Vampola · Nov 24, 2021