Something Like Sound

We recently worked with Danielle Ate The Sandwich, Westword’s 2009 Singer-Songwriter of the year, but do you remember who had that honor in 2008? Well, unless you can’t tell where this is going, it was Rob Drabkin, a talented musician who we’ve had the pleasure of working with on a few occasions. Rob, as it turns out, is one of the opening act on Saturday of Mile High (12 noon at the FirstBank stage), and we’ve got plans to do an interview with him at some point during the festival.

Read our review of his record On These Heavy Feet or take a look at Rob’s personal website (where he’s offering that album as a special promotion, pay what you want). We’re definitely looking forward to seeing this man (who reminds me of Dave Matthews, but with much better hair).

Photo Courtesy Razor & Tie Media / Pamela Littky

I remember not seeing Manchester Orchestra when they decided to tour with Kevin Devine and Dead Confederate last year, and how I missed out on seeing another up-and-coming indie-rock group from Georgia (Athens, specifically). Well, I’m finally going to get my chance to see Dead Confederate this year at Mile High Music Festival, and on top of that we’ve got an interview scheduled with them!

Check them out Sunday at the Westword tent at 1:30. For those who want to see D.C., but don’t have the means to make it to MHMF can see these guys play a headlining show this Friday (July 17) at the Bluebird Theater.

For much more information on Dead Confederate, check out their blog and MySpace

Listen to “The Rat” here

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A few months ago we applied to get press access to Denver’s newest (and biggest) music festival: Mile High Music Festival. Well, good news, we got accepted and will be bringing you our coverage of one of Denver’s hottest new summertime events.

As part of our preview, check out the fest schedule and full lineup (featuring some of the best names in Denver, both big and small. Our favorites include Rob Drabkin, Paper Bird, Devotchka, 3OH!3, and The Fray). Some of the other big names coming to the fest include Tool, Widespread Panic, Incubus, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Gogol Bordello, Buddy Guy, Jet, Pepper, Jack’s Mannequin, Matisyahu, and many more.

For those not familiar with the festival, last year (2008) was the innagural year for the event which takes place at  Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (up in Commerce City). The fest puts Denver on the map for summertime music festivals (previously, a festival of this caliber could only be found several hundred miles from the mile high city).

For more information, or to buy tickets, visit www.milehighmusicfestival.com.

Background: Paper Bird is one of those local groups we’ve had a hard time classifying. Perhaps, rather than trying in vain to describe what eclectic mix of bands they sound like, or where they fit into the Denver-scene, I’ll tell a story. A few years back I had just read Jack Kerouac’s On The Road, and was fascinated with the prospects of taking to the roads and rails to patch my way across the great expanses of American countryside. In fact, I met several hobos and drifters who told me stories of their travels, it was quite the cultural experience. When listening to Anything Nameless and Joymaking, I was instantly brought back to those nostalgic feelings of Americana and a sort of renewed manifest destiny.

Memorable Song: The opener, “St. Louis,” typifies the rambling lifestyle I described above. A joyful mix of banjo and horns accompany lyrics describing a singing traveler who moves from town to town. The rowdy mix is reminiscent of old fashioned folk and spirituals, with a hint of cajun flavor. It’s like listening to Bob Dylan without the distracting Woody Guthrie impressions (especially on later tracks when they throw harmonicas into the mix).

Forgettable Tune: Despite the charming lyrics, the first time I listened to “Bumblebee,” I did not realize the song had been playing until it was over. Perhaps it’s the more chill and relaxed approach taken on this tune that makes it fade into the background. When I listened to the track again it reminded me of something you might hear in the background of a movie scene taking place in a park.

Final Thoughts: Paper Bird is definitely going to be a busy group for the next few months. This summer they’re playing the Mile High Music Festival, and they are currently in the studio working on new material. Also, they’re a part of this great music collective called “Long Spoon,” (which also includes the likes of Ian Cooke, Bela Karoli, and Pee Pee, to name a few). In closing, Paper Bird has an organic sound that resonates with nostalgic sentiments for simpler times, something with which I can easily identify. Check them out at http://www.paperbirdband.com/ and consider voting for them in the Westword Music Showcase.