Something Like Sound

Backstage with Less Than Jake at E-Days 2010

Life has been a bit nuts recently, but it’s understandable. With the wildness of mid-terms and E-Days behind me, I can get back to writing about music. What better way to start back up with a good ‘ol fashioned concert calendar.

4/17 Who’s Having Fun? @ 1346 Lipan: Kicking things off is a day of lo-fi and experimental pop music free of drugs and alcohol. Some of the best up-and-coming acts from Denver and Fort Collins will be there (including Candy Claws, Paean, Night of Joy and Hideous Men, to name a few). Click to poster for more details. A $5 donation is strongly suggested.

4/18 I Am The Dot @ Meadowlark: Zach Tipton may have pulled his roots and gone back to Atlanta, but he hasn’t totally left Denver behind. He’ll be playing with Young Coyotes and as I Am The Dot on Sunday at the Meadowlark.

4/24 Neighborhood Hero CD Release @ Marquis: Making their debut on the Denver music scene Neighborhood Hero will be releasing their EP Three Songs. Julie Tiehen is headlining that night and is also releasing an album. For good measure, Dan Craig will also throw down a set. Listen to “Remembering” from Three Songs by downloading SLS Presents: Colorado Sounds.

4/24 Salesman @ Meadowlark: A bit of Austin is coming up to Colorado for a mini tour. Salesman will be in state starting 4/15 and will play a show on April 24 with Magic Cyclops at the Meadowlark.

4/30 Paean CD Release @ Hi-Dive: Fort Collins-based indie rockers Paean will release Songs For Us To Sing at Hi-Dive at the end of the month. Also playing: Bad Weather California. Listen to a stream of their new record below:

Good Friday was good. I went to the D-Note in Arvada to see some personal friends play music, it was lovely.

The Josh & The Daniel (of Neighborhood Hero)

Consider The Raven

Consider The Raven

Check out Consider The Raven on the ‘ol Myspace and Facebook

See a full gallery here.

Occasionally I befriend musicians before I even hear their music. In the case of Neighborhood Hero I first had the chance to hear their songs during a band-practice and recording session in drummer Taddy Shmitt’s basement. From that first listening I was convinced that these guys had something special: a motivation to seek quality in performance and recording rather than simply playing music for the sake of hearing their own voices. It was then that I sat in on the recording of “Faces,” one of 3 new songs now streaming on the band’s MySpace page. Furthermore, it seemed like a natural fit to place their song “Remembering” on Colorado Sounds. Singer Daniel Rondeau later asked me to help the group write their bio, which can be read below.

To say that Neighborhood Hero had a rough start is an understatement. The group saw continual line-up changes until mid-2009, when they went into the studio to record. Daniel Rondeau (vocals / guitar) recruited his friends to play music together and eventually found committed players. Josh Hester (bass), Lucas Henderson (guitar / keyboard) and Taddy Schmitt (drums) round-out the four-piece group with pop and alternative rock influences ranging from Dear & The Headlights to early Foo Fighters and Manchester Orchestra.

Their latest venture, a three-song EP titled “Three Songs” was recorded and mastered throughout the latter half of 2009. The recording process was a learning experience for the group as they attempted to find their sound and develop musical ideas. Song-writing and innovation did not take any time off while recording and Neighborhood Hero has continued to improve their sound and voice through new material, approaches, instruments and rhythms. Keep an eye out for this group as they release their record and prepare for live performances.

Listen to “Remembering” here

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When classes ended at the Colorado School of Mines in May of 2009 we got a wild idea: let’s curate a compilation of our favorite local acts and give it away for free! Over the span of 6 months we managed to gather a group of songs that reflect the diversity and quality of the Denver music scene. It is my hope that everyone can find a track that they enjoy on this compilation and discover something wonderful and new. Please support the artists who contributed by purchasing their music and attending their concerts.

Track List

1. The Photo Atlas – “Jealous Teeth”

2. The Epilogues – “King Arthur”

3. Dualistics – “Last Call”

4. The Heyday – “Come In Or Stay Out”

5. Red Fox Run – “Remembering”

6. Young Coyotes – “When I Was In The Fire”

7. Houses – “We’re Alright”

8. Hello Kavita – “Sunday (It’s A Chrome Tide)”

9. Rob Drabkin – “Sweet Things”

10. Danielle Ate The Sandwich – “Handsome Girl”

11. Paper Bird – “St. Louis”

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