Chris K's Colorado Playlist

CP S12 EP14 2018

For the past twenty plus years my music interests, as a fan/consumer and an industry guy, has been focused on non-theatrical forms of presentation.

Over the past few months, however, my girlfriend – who enjoys musicals – has taken me to the Bug Theater to see presentations of musicals of Evil Dead, Disaster, and Reefer Madness presented by the Equinox Theater Company. Both Evil Dead and Reefer Madness are award winning and critically praised presentations.

If you haven’t attended a good – or any – little theater presentation recently, I highly encourage you to see the current presentation of Reefer Madness the musical .. it may not be pop, rock, country, soul or blues – but it sure is one hellova good time in one of Denver’s treasured theaters.

Being a musician fronting my own band, I know how hard it is to get three voices in sync. Watching the ensemble crew Saturday night, I was amazed at just how much work must have gone into making sure they sang well together – and danced together on such a small stage as that at the Bug.

The house band, which stays behind the scenes, is among the best I’ve heard in the region regardless of style. The only thing I found lacking was the audio engineer, who failed on several occasions to bring up the mic level on the “narrator,” a main character in the play. There were also other instances where dialogue was muddied or muffled. But sitting in row three center stage I was able to make out most of what was being said – most of the time.

Overall – if you want to break away from seeing a band perform at one of the many fine music venues, head to the Bug for the current Reefer Madness the Musical presentation. It’s been one of my favorite music experiences in 2018.

VIDEO PICK OF THE WEEK

I’ve known Andy Sydow as a friend and consulting client since he graduated from college about six years ago now. Along the way, I’ve been able to enjoy a young artist mature into his own voice. Reasons For Departure is his latest release. This is the title track.

MONDAY MORNING
MUSIC MEETING

What you’ll find below are new songs on the show this week … listen and let me know which ones you think I should keep in the Colorado Playlist, and which I should delete.

NOTE: In order to be included in the MMMM poll, the band/artist must have an embeddable file available on SoundCloud, BandCamp, Reverbnation or YouTube.

PLAYLIST S12 EP14

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

HOUR 1

Rick Roberts “Deliver Me” from Windmills (1973)
(N) Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats “A Little Honey” from Tearing At The Seams (2018)

OneRepublic “Future Looks Good” from Oh My My (2016)
Big Head Todd & The Monsters “Hey Delila” from Black Beehive (2014)
(N) Reverend Freakchild “Personal Jesus (On The Mainline)” from Dial It In (2018)

(N) Rubedo “Sungazer” from Vaca (2018)

The Lovely & Talented “Death of the Lover” from The New American Fable (2010)
The Subdudes “Papa Duke and the Mud People” from Behind the Levee (2006)
(N) Leftover Salmon “Analog” from Something Higher (2018)
Antonio A. Lopez “Bluebird” from Cloud 9000 Vol. 2: The Alamosa EP (2016)
Reno Divorce “She’s in Love With the Avenue” from She’s In Love With the Avenue (2018)
(D) Emily Takahashi “Not Spoken`” from Not Spoken (2018)

HOUR 2

Zephyr “When Love Comes Running” from Heartbeat (Remix 2018) (2018)
(D) Rob Drabkin “It’s A Beautiful Day” from Beautiful Day EP (2018)

Brent Cowles “Cold Times” from Cold Times (2017)
Megan Burtt “The Bargain” from The Bargain (2015)
(D) Chloe Tang “Stranger” (2018)

Plutinos “Hand in Hand” from Plutinos EP (2018)
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club “This Is How We Do Things in the Country” from Blovdy Tenent Trvth Peace (2004)
Halden Wofford & the Hi Beams “Pill-Poppin Country Weirdo” from Sinners & Saints (2010)
(D) Ryan Chrys “Someday We’ll Never Come Back” from The Catskills (2018)

Chris Daniels & the Kings “Sweet Memphis” from Blues With Horns, Vol 1 (2017)
iZCALLI “I Don’t” from IV (2018)
Ron Miles, Bill Frisell, Brian Blade, Jason Moran & Thomas Morgan “Jasper” from I Am A Man (2017)

April 27 – Woods Boss Brewing (Denver)
April 28 – FOCOMX (Fort Collins)

AEG PRESENTS ANNOUNCES THE MISSION BALLROOM

DENVER, CO (April 9, 2018) – AEG Presents Rocky Mountains, one of the world’s leading producers and promoters of live entertainment, announced today The Mission Ballroom, a scalable, state-of-the art concert venue scheduled to open in summer 2019. The 60,000 square-foot ballroom will anchor North Wynkoop, a new 14-acre mixed use project by Denver-developers Westfield Company, located at the north-end of the RiNo neighborhood between 40th and 43rd Streets along Brighton Blvd.

Chuck Morris, CEO of AEG Presents Rocky Mountains, said of the new venue, “Our entire AEG Presents Rocky Mountain team spent the last 11 years searching for the perfect location and the right design to build one of the finest venues this town has ever seen. With features including a moving stage that provides The Mission flexible capacity from 2200 to 3950 guests, unrivaled sight lines and state-of-the-art sound and lights, The Mission will bring Colorado the most cutting-edge concert experience in the world.”

AEG Presents Rocky Mountains, the leading promoter in Denver, CO who operate the Bluebird Theater, Gothic Theatre, Ogden Theatre, 1STBANK Center and Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, as well as book the majority of the shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, bring decades of experience to the development and design of The Mission Ballroom. The Mission features tiered rows that provide unobscured views at every level, sight lines from every vantage point and a large dance floor that allows standing or seating. Full-service bars conveniently placed around the venue maximize flow, efficiency and patron experience.

“We blended the ballroom experience on the floor with a tiered-riser configuration similar to Red Rocks. Beyond offering incredible sight lines, this design creates the finest sonic experience that Colorado concertgoers expect and deserve,” said Don Strasburg, co-president for AEG Presents Rocky Mountains.

AEG Presents Rocky Mountains sought the perfect location for this unique venue and ultimately ended up partnering with Westfield Company on its North Wynkoop development in Denver’s transformative RiNo neighborhood and arts district. Encompassing three city blocks from 40th to 43rd streets along Brighton Boulevard, North Wynkoop is a five-minute walk to the 38th and Blake A Line Station (one train stop to Union Station and 30 minutes to Denver International Airport) and just minutes from the intersection of Denver’s largest vehicular arteries of I-25 and I-70.

“We’re so excited with the vision that Westfield Company has for North Wynkoop. The Brighton Boulevard corridor and the entire River North area is exploding with vibrancy. This location is a perfect fit for The Mission Ballroom with parking, easy access to light rail, and only a stone’s throw from downtown, it is the right place for us to be.” said, Brent Fedrizzi, co-president and COO of AEG Presents Rocky Mountains.

Westfield and its development team; which includes leasing agents Newmark Grubb Knight Frank and Legend Partners; architect Works Progress Architecture; general contractor M.A. Mortenson; and financing provided by FirstBank, Guaranty Bank and Trust and Citywide Banks; will transform North Wynkoop into an arts and entertainment hub attracting creatives across all industries. In addition to The Mission Ballroom, a 90,000 square foot office and retail building is under construction as well as the renovation of 80,000 square feet of 1950’s-vintage warehouse buildings transforming them into synergistic restaurants, bars and retail. Future phases of North Wynkoop include market rate and affordable housing, a hotel, as well as the potential for an additional one million square feet of residential and commercial uses.

“We are fortunate to have the opportunity of working with AEG Presents on this innovative concept,” said Kevin McClintock, senior partner for Westfield. “The talents and experience of their team are unparalleled, and their dedication to the highest-quality musical experience aligns with our own long-term vision for North Wynkoop. The Mission Ballroom is the ideal anchor and will serve as the heartbeat for our project.”

The Mission Ballroom is not only a premiere concert facility, but also serves as a unique special event space for corporate meetings and other functions, award shows, galas, weddings, receptions, launch parties, trade shows, private events, and more.
In addition to its incredible access to rail, parking options for the site will include an underground garage as well as nearby parking options. The Mission Ballroom will also offer a shared-ride pick-up and drop-off area and an abundance of bike parking.

Visit www.northwynkoop.com, www.missionballroom.com and click here for a video featuring more information and comments from Colorado Governor John W. Hickenlooper.

About AEG Presents Rocky Mountains
AEG Presents is one of the world’s largest live music companies. The company is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including producing and promoting global concert tours, regional music events and world-renowned festivals. AEG Presents operates in North America, Europe and Asia through 22 regional offices that support its tours which include such artists as The Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Elton John, Celine Dion, and Kenny Chesney; produces over 40 music festivals, including the iconic Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Stagecoach California’s Country Music Festival, Desert Trip, Firefly Music Festival, Hangout Music Festival and Panorama and owns, manages or exclusively promotes in more than 80 clubs and theaters worldwide. AEG presents more than 11,000 shows annually worldwide and conducts business under such globally renowned brands as AEG Presents, Goldenvoice, The Bowery Presents, Concerts West, Messina Touring Group, Marshall Arts LTD and Madison House Presents. AEG Presents Rocky Mountains produces events at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, 1STBANK Center, Bluebird Theater, Ogden Theatre, Gothic Theatre, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Pepsi Center and more in Colorado as well as events in Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Arizona. For more information visit www.aegpresents.com

About Westfield Co.
Westfield Company, Inc. (www.westfield-co.com). Over the past 30 years Westfield has developed and acquired in excess of seven million square feet of office, industrial, residential and unique entertainment based retail. Current projects in and around Denver include 1800 Larimer, Hub 25 Industrial Park, S*Park residential community, Stanley Marketplace, and North Wynkoop. The cornerstone of all Westfield projects is the commitment to enhance and respect the communities in which we work and live.

CP S12 EP13 2018

Happy Monday Morning. This week’s Monday Morning Music Meeting (MMMM) is filled with some tasty video releases, so no need for a Video Pick of the Week, although both the Reverend Freakchild and the Blake Brown & the American Dust Choir videos could easily have owned that slot this week – as tasty as each of them are.

There are six new cuts this week to KEEP or DELETE – your vote matters.

I’m particularly happy to share the new Kid Astronaut (Jon Shockness) with you this week. I’ve been a fan of his since his days with Air Dubai. A few years ago he became the co-founder of Conscious Creatives, an artist network that creates opportunities and support for artists and creators to meet, collaborate and showcase their work.

Reverend Freakchild is a relative newcomer to the Colorado music scene. Originally from New York, by way of Hawaii, the Reverend is studying at Naropa University where he’s pursuing a Masters of Divinity Degree. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and Avery Fischer Hall and has had music featured in many TV programs and commercials, and national radio advertising campaigns.

Robin Lyn is another new/not-new artist in our scene. Currently a psycho-therapist in Boulder, Robin spent nearly a decade on the road out of Nashville, touring Asia, Europe and the US – often performing upwards of six nights a week, before she decided to settle down in Colorado.