Category: Videos

The Colorado Sound S8 EP20 May 2014

Well, the first interview for the upcoming new podcast is in the books.  What a blast to personally meet Dave Glasser outside the office.  I’m ve107xry excited now to get this new feature going.  Next up – Eddie Turner.

Just got hipped to this … a new LOCAL MUSIC show has emerged in Denver, at a fairly new sounding radio station, Project 107X, and it perfectly fills one of the last remaining niches – hard rock / metal / punk  / alternative.  A guy I’ve know since 2001, Romero (S.I.C.K, Drug Under), is the host of this new Sunday night Colorado music show.

This being the home Uncle Nasty landed in, Romero, a friend of the Horse frontman (and former BPI afternoon driver), is the perfect host for this look into Denver’s LOUD side.  Romero’s bands were regulars on Uncle Nasty’s shows on BPI over the years.  I was good to hear him on the air this weekend.

Cool too cuz I got introduced to a new national touring act out of Denver that I’m sure we’ll be hearing more of on The Colorado Sound and elsewhere … check out Jesse R.S.

Hit up Project 107X at 10PM on Sunday nights.  KBCO and KTCL both also have Colorado music shows on at 10PM … Bravo you guys.  It’s about time.

chrisk emcee nwf 2011So one of the many questions I get asked is what it is I do.  Besides doing the radio show, the Live365 station, handling the blog, and mailing out packages for bands etc, I do foh sound, and am an emcee for many shows … so this year, I thought I’d begin chronicling some of the shows I work.

I hope you enjoy these quick goat’s eye views of the world I live in and I hope to see you at a show sometime soon.  See below for some upcoming events.

New music shares this week from Archive Nights and DubKor, and the Hollyfelds with the Colorado Symphony, produced by Audiovore, gets the nod for Video Pick of the Week.

Live from Oskar Blues in Longmont and Lyons

Lionel Young has a new album done, and ready to drop.
I expect to get it  for next week’s show.

Ethyl & the Regulars has new members, and a revamped sound.
Founding member / bassist Donnie Jerome says,
“We gotta get in the studio.”  2015 drop Donnie?

The Colorado Sound OnStage

June 2014

Chris emcee 2013ONSTAGE and PRESENT for
Bohemian Nights Presents Thursday Night Live
When:  Thursday Nights @ 7PM beginning June 5
Where: Old Town Square Fort Collins 

Join me as I introduce some of the absolute BEST regional Colorado bands, handpicked, invited, and presented by Bohemian Nights.  We’ll announce the lineup in next week’s post.

downtown fort collinsDowntown Fort Collins Presents
The 25th Annual Colorado Brewers Festival
Saturday June 28-29th, 12PM-5PM
Information HERE
featuring:  Dubskin, White Water Ramble, James & the Devil, Calder’s Revolvers, Glitta Kings, the 14ers, the Jekylls, Toad In the Hole … and that’s just on ONE stage … the Wilderness Stage has Marty Jones, Tyler Grant & Friends, Big Wheels (a slice of Ethyl & the Regulars), and Rich with Friends.  What a weekend!

July 2014   

mishThe Colorado Sound Presents Dead Floyd playing THE DARK SIDE OF THE MISH on Friday, JULY 18th at the Mishawaka Amphitheatre. Special guests include The Holler and others.

Also check out the calendar for other great shows at the Mish.  A truly unique and special Colorado music venue.  There’s nothing else quite like it anywhere else.

The Colorado Sound Presents a new podcast feature (title TBD) with David Glasser (Airshow Mastering, NARAS), Chris Daniels (Colorado Music Hall of Fame inductee), Liz Barnez (Bohemian Nights / NoCo Legacy Artist). Mark Bliesener (bandguru, Lyle Lovett, Big Head Todd & the Monsters), and Eddie Turner (Zephyr, Otis Taylor Band) … like you’ve never heard them.

20 Minutes.  Personal.  Intimate.  No boundaries.  No limits …

VIDEO PICK of the WEEK

PLAYLIST S8 EP20 May 2014

(D) = debut of new album, ep, or single release
(N) = new cut from previously debuted ep or album release

The Samples “Close to the Fires” from Samples (1990)
The Samples “The Whole World Can Sing” from America (2014)
Drew Emmitt “Take the Long Way Home” from Long Road (2008)
(D) Archive Nights “Riddles” from Rabbit Hole of the Gentry (2012) Five Iron Frenzy “Into Your Veins” from Engine of a Million Plots (2013)
Dianne Reeves “Feels So Good” from Beautiful Life (2014)
(N) Kate LeRoux “Doing It All For Love” from Phoenix (2014)
Great American Taxi “Radiation Blues” from Paradise Lost (2011)
Jeff Finlin “What’s the Big Idea” from Ballad Of A Plain Man (2008)
Rachel and the Ruckus “Leave You Light On” from Rachel and the Ruckus (2014)
Wendy Woo “Surprise Me” from Gonna Wear Red (2002)
Ninth + Lincoln Orchestra “Your Cent” from Ninth & Lincoln (2008)
The Motet “The Lesson” from Play (2000)
The Motet “123” from The Motet (2014)
Electric Swingset “Inebriated Witchdoctor” from Inebriated Witchdoctor (1996)
Tallgrass “Old Town” from Better Than Medicine (2014)
(D) AdrienneO “Just Happened” from Lines EP (2014)
Chemistry Club “Navigator” from Navigator (2013)
(D) DubKor “Little Love Story” from Rastaman Riding (2012)  Devotchka “The Enemy Guns” from How It Ends (2004)
(N) Bonnie and The Clydes “Song for You” from Music For People (2014)
Big Head Todd & The Monsters “Runaway Train” from Riveria (1998)
Aakash Mittal Quartet “Monsoon Blues” from Ocean (featuring Ron Miles) (2013)

SUPPORT FOR THE COLORADO SOUND PROVIDED BY 

CCCLogoPMS300ConvertedColorado Case Company:  Colorado made insulated soft cases, gig bags, case covers and rigid cases for most instruments.  This premium, professional grade, brand is designed, engineered and tested to provide incredible thermal protection for your valuable musical instrument.  We specialize in unusual and hard to fit instruments.  Info at www.coloradocase.com

SpokesBuzz Fort Collins logoSpokesBUZZ, a  Colorado 501C3 with a mission to DEVELOP THE PROFESSIONALISM OF ARTISTS, PROMOTE AND CONNECT PROGRESSIVE CULTURAL DESTINATIONS, AMPLIFY MUSIC SCENES & GROW LOCAL ECONOMIES Please visit the website for information on bands that SpokesBUZZ supports, as well as shows and more.  www.spokesbuzz.org.

The Colorado Sound S8 EP19 May 2014

Coming in July – a new Rocky Mountain Music Network / The Colorado Sound Presentation —- and I need your help.

chris at ob hmls sunday june 16 2013Nowadays it’s pretty easy to find out about folks who play music here in Colorado.  We’ve got lots of great music discovery programs and video sessions. Loft Sessions, Second Story Garage, and Open Air 1340 are the creme-du-jour, and then there are the interview programs that feature live music like KRFC’s Live At Lunch.   Want to know about the music, the band etc?  Easy.  Want to find out about the person him/herself?  Not so easy.

So, here’s the deal.  Beginning in mid July I will be debuting a new podcast.  Coming up with a new idea wasn’t easy.  I’ve been asked for several years to consider doing a music or interview based podcast.  Music podcasts are out as a matter of federal copyright law, and all of the interview programs I’ve heard have been heavy on music talk – not personal talk.

Inspired by (and instigated by) the “gentle persuasions” of two very good friends of mine in Northern Colorado radio, and currently being developed under the working title “Colorado Living Room Sessions,” host Chris K, aka goat, will visit music dignitaries, luminaries, legends, award winners, industry leaders, and emerging regional and national Colorado acts – in their (living rooms) – providing a much more intimate “look” into the lives of those who bring us our music.

The story is not about the music, but the person behind the music. It’s me  and  ______________ sitting comfortably, chatting about life, family, sports, profession, influences, inspirations, challenges, kids, grand kids, jobs, whatever and wherever the conversation may go.

This is not to say that music won’t be a part of the podcast (LOL … like that would ever happen), but it will be used as a bridge or break or to amplify some facet of what’s taking place in the conversation. And of course, if there’s a new record or major event or something music related, it will be included.

Currently we’re planning a 15-20 minute podcast.  There is also ongoing discussion whether I’ll do a weekly or bi-weekly episode.  The thought right now is that each episode could will be produced in two 15-20 minute parts (EP1/part1, EP1/part2)…  with a new episode every other week … lots to consider.  Shorter segments of 2-3 minutes will be edited for inclusion in weekly radio shows, as a tease for the full podcast.

David Glasser (Airshow Mastering, NARAS Board of Govenors)

Currently signed up:  David Glasser (Airshow Mastering, NARAS), Chris Daniels (Colorado Music Hall of Fame inductee), Liz Barnez (Bohemian Nights) and Mark Bliesener (bandguru, Lyle Lovett, BHTM).  

NEED YOUR HELP HERE

Chris Daniels (Colorado Music Hall of Fame inductee)
Chris Daniels (Colorado Music Hall of Fame inductee)

This is where you come in.  We need a title.  So what the hell .. how bout it?  Care to jump in and help out?  Here are a couple of suggestions with a place for you to write in a response.  Have at it.  I’ll pull together all the suggestions – pick which make sense from my side of the table – and we’ll have a run-0ff fan poll in June to determine the winning idea.

SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FANS, FRIENDS, and FAMILY

VIDEO PICK OF THE WEEK

PLAYLIST S8 EP19 May 2014

Zephyr “Dreamin’” from Heartbeat (1982)
Chris Daniels & the Kings “Roadhouse Music” from When You’re Cool (1987)
Jeff Finlin “East by West” from The Tao of Motor Oil (2010)
(D) Rachel & the Kings “Edge of Me” from Edge of Me EP (2014) Wendy Woo “Hold On” from Live (2013)
(D) Josh Blackburn “Sympathy” [single] (2014) (D) American Blackout “Truth & Charades” [single] (2014) 
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club “Do You Know Thee Enemy” from Unentitled (2011)
(D) Dakota Blonde “The Love We Build” from The Love We Build (2013)
Thom Chacon “American Dream” from Thom Chacon (2013)
Ryan D White “Love Story” from Something Brilliant Is About to Happen (2014)
(D/G) Billy Ryan & Black Irish “Lion of Ireland” from Billy Ryan & Black Irish (Remastered) (1988)
Zephyr “Don’t Come Back” from Heartbeat (1982)
Jill Sobule “Supermodel” from Jill Sobule (1995)
(N) Grant Farm “Shiny Brown Eyes” from Plowin’ Time (2014)
The Wild After “Meant for You” from Lesson Learned EP (2014)
(D) Kate LeRoux “It Doesn’t Matter At All (single edit)” from Phoenix (2014) Matt Skinner Band “I’ll Keep Loving” from Native Stranger (2013)
The Apples in Stereo “Hey Elevator” from Travellers in Space and Time (2010)
The Fray “Love Don’t Die” from Helios (2014)
Musketeer Gripweed “A Train” from Floods and Fires (2014)
Arthur Lee Land “Cracked Open” from Cracked Open (2013)
Jon Wirtz “Country” from Tourist (2013)

CCCLogoPMS300ConvertedColorado Case Company:  Colorado made insulated soft cases, gig bags, case covers and rigid cases for most instruments.  This premium, professional grade, brand is designed, engineered and tested to provide incredible thermal protection for your valuable musical instrument.  We specialize in unusual and hard to fit instruments.  Info at www.coloradocase.comSpokesBuzz Fort Collins logo

SpokesBUZZ, a  Colorado 501C3 with a mission to DEVELOP THE PROFESSIONALISM OF ARTISTS, PROMOTE AND CONNECT PROGRESSIVE CULTURAL DESTINATIONS, AMPLIFY MUSIC SCENES and GROW LOCAL ECONOMIES.  Please visit the website for information on bands that SpokesBUZZ supports, as well as shows and more.  www.spokesbuzz.org.

The Colorado Sound Presents @ the Mish … coming … in July … a night under the stars with DeadFloyd  … information at www.themishawaka.com 

Mish Logo JPG

How Do You Define… PT II

I'm picky AND I'm grumpy.
I’m picky AND I’m grumpy.

So, apparently I over generalized the nature of events (festivals) and event (festival) talent buyers in my previous post “How Do You Define …and why does it matter?”  A couple of folks have taken me to task for it, so let me clarify some of my points.

My major point is that labels such as singer-songwriter are inherently vague, overly broad, and should not be used as a means of describing the style of music that an artist does.  The connotation of a “singer-songwriter” is as a SOLO (or duo) performer, often accompanied by a single instrument, and is not indicative of the STYLE of music the artist is performing.

I attempted to defeat that bias by my choice of the videos I ended my past post with.  I specifically selected singers who also write their own material, and are largely known as singer-songwriters – yet they display a diversity of style and lyrical content – and aesthetic quality.  There are (currently) 12 videos …from across Colorado’s history of great music.

The major point I was trying to establish was how differently we define a genre of music, and how those perceptions are applied by those who are listening, and therefore “buying” music – whether a fan, or those who book talent for SOME festival and/or civic events regionally .

lets-party-md

There are numerous types of events (festivals) in Colorado.  By some estimates there are as many as 1250 event days a year, statewide.  Many book a broad diversity of talent – from solo acts to large bands and orchestras – while others are more genre/style specific.

Those who are responsible for putting on many of our regional civic events are (generally) not in the business of music – they typically fill other (more important) roles at their municipal agencies.  In other words, their “business” may be city planning, and they may not be able to articulate genres and styles as those of us “in the business” can and (too often?) do.

Many of these folks only know about music as the average person (also not in the business of music) knows about music – from what they see on tv, remember from their youth (pre-24/25), or hear on their favorite local radio station.  They can tell you what they like, and they can typically paint broad outlines of “style” or “genre.”

More likely than not, they describe what they like or don’t like by referencing what they already know.  It seems to me at least that most people are more likely to say “I like ______________, and I think ____________ “sucks” than to try to describe music with “industry” terminology.

I know one person who works for a city, and is part of the summer downtown festival committee, who can’t name the artist behind a single song she hears on the radio, nor can she name the song.  Yet this person knows what she likes and doesn’t like, and can attribute a fundamental nomenclature to the style she listens to — however broad.  She can name something as country or pop/rock or metal or rap .. but fails to be able to describe music in much more specific terminology.  She calls those who sing solo with a guitar a “folk” artist.

I know another person at a civic agency that puts on a music event, who was unaware of one of the region’s top music publications, and is largely unaware of many of the regions’ top acts, including some our Grammy nominated and/or award winning talents. Still others have a knowledge set limited by other factors.

blue-stick-man-knowledge-mdThere are obviously exceptions, and many music buyers I know are incredibly knowledgeable about the scene and what kinds of music our artists perform.  As a radio dj over the past 35+ years in Colorado, however, I may call something one thing based on my knowledge of radio formats, and yet describe it using different terms if I’m talking to an artist, or someone booking talent for a civic event/festival.

I used the example of singer-songwriter because of an artist consultation, in which the artist asked me how to overcome the apparent bias inherent in the term singer-songwriter.  My point was DO NOT USE THE TERM SINGER-SONGWRITER.  It has no specific meaning – it’s too broad and diluted to use as a descriptive term of the TYPE (style) of music you perform.

confused1Confused?  You’re not alone.  It really is all about the words you use and how you use them – and boy is there a lot of confusion.

Descriptive terminology can be very different from generation to generation, as it is among those involved in the business (or art) of presenting music.  New terms (and the understanding thereof) are introduced with each new generation of musicians, fans, the general public, and those who present music to the public.

Who knew there would be HUNDREDS of styles of “rock” when we were introduced to “rock and roll” in 1955.  Alan Freed, aka Moondog. would be impressed, I’m sure. (or not)

EDIT:  Who knew there would be HUNDRED of styles of “rock” when we were introduced to “rock and roll in 1955 – regardless of who was given credit for coining the term.  

 

Support for the Colorado Sound Courtesy of

CCCLogoPMS300ConvertedColorado Case Company:  Colorado made insulated soft cases, gig bags, case covers and rigid cases for most instruments.  This premium, professional grade, brand is designed, engineered and tested to provide incredible thermal protection for your valuable musical instrument.  We specialize in unusual and hard to fit instruments.  Info at www.coloradocase.comSpokesBuzz Fort Collins logo

SpokesBUZZ, a  Colorado 501C3 with a mission to DEVELOP THE PROFESSIONALISM OF ARTISTS, PROMOTE AND CONNECT PROGRESSIVE CULTURAL DESTINATIONS, AMPLIFY MUSIC SCENES and GROW LOCAL ECONOMIES.  Please visit the website for information on bands that SpokesBUZZ supports, as well as shows and more.  www.spokesbuzz.org.

Mish Logo JPG

The Colorado Sound Presents Head for the Hills with guests Grant Farm & Gipsy Moon, at the Mishawaka on May 17.  Tickets at www.themishawaka.com Check out this performance from H4TH at the Mish in 2012 ….