Something Like Sound

There has been a trend in local music that has been rising from the underground in the past few months. From Savoy playing at the Monolith Festival to Pretty Lights selling out venues, electronic dance music has found a home in Denver. While not every project is a MSTRKRFT clone or a Justice emulator, there are some quality beats coming out of the city. Here are a few that have flown into our radar.

Pretty Lights - NYE 2009 (Live At The Vic Theatre): This live recording from Pretty Lights’ recent New Year’s Eve set in Chicago might not fully capture the excitement of counting down the end of 2009, but it certainly offers some memorable takes on some classic dance tunes.

Savoy – Automatic: As the follow-up to the Savoy EP, the full-length Automatic explores more of Savoy’s brand of electronic dance music. While their song structures are more straightforward than their mashup-artist counterparts, Savoy still manages to set bodies in motion.

Boom Ninja – Boom Nina EP: While most of the music on the Denver-electro-scene is fairly underground, I would wager that many out there have not heard Boom Ninja. Keep your eyes peeled for this newcomer and stay occupied by listening to “Blow Shit Up”… it’s like listening to an NES on acid.

It’s high time that I sat down and pointed you in all directions at once. All over the web there are great, free & legal downloads from some of Colorado’s finest (bands, that is… the police don’t really have much out there). Just click on the images to go to the places.

Savoy – Self-Titled EP: The entire thing is free on the group’s website. Unfortunately we missed their set at Monolith, but fear not! They’re doing a show November 21 at the Bluebird.

Hello Kavita – To A Loved One 2 song sampler. It’s been a while since we’ve heard from these guys, but they’re finally releasing another record on October 23 at the Hi-Dive, with Houses and It’s True! Even just listening to the 2 sample tracks, I’m excited for what these guys have in store.

Arliss Nancy – Dance To Forget: Fort Collins own answer to Lucero, this record is technically a $5 donation, but you could get it for free if you really like. Click back a few pages to see our review.

Rob Drabkin – On These Heavy Feet: Rob’s still got this link up for people to download his full length. He did it as a way of saying “Thank You” for all the cool stuff that his fans have helped him with this summer.

Dualistics – Last Call single: Featuring the sharp new song “Last Call” and a great b-side “Sabbatical,” this is a must download for fans of solid rock music. The file also contains a few tracks from this group’s self-titled EP.

Pretty Lights – Discography: Pick up Filling Up The City Skies and Taking Up Your Precious Time for free from the Fort Collins-based group. Definitely listen to “Solamente.” Also, just announced, the new Pretty Lights record Passing Behind Your Eyes will be available October 6.

Drag The River - Live at the Starlight: This long-out-of-print record is still being offered as a free download by our friends at Suburban Home Records. It’s a great live album and a bit of CO music history.

Rabbit Is A Sphere – Discography: It was sad to see these guys go on indefinite hiatus, but you can still enjoy their music and a high-quality bootleg via the link.

M. Pyres – Consider Me, Ghost and other FTU albums: Matt Sage of Fort Collins is quickly becoming a lo-fi phenomenon (if there can even be such a thing). Give Consider Me, Ghost a listen, then stay tuned for Apart The Echo, which is coming soon.

Young Coyotes – Basement EP: Possibly one of my favorite recordings released this year, Young Coyotes have their first EP (which was recorded… in a basement) for free on their website.

Cowboy Curse – Nod Up And Down: I first heard this band at the UMS this year. Definitely check out their song “Negative Space.”

Alright, that’s enough for now, I’ll let these build up a bit then do another one in another month or so.