Nt Venues Association Unites to Save Our Stages by DAN ENGLAND
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7.25” x 9.875” 2 album reviews BandWagon VIVIAN PG. 4 Magazine A.M. PleAsure ASsassins PG. 5 andy sydow PG. 6 BandWagMag BandWagMag 802 9th St. Greeley, CO 80631 BANDWAGMAG.COM THE COLORADO PUBLISHER SOUND’S my5 PG. 11 ELY CORLISS EDITOR KEVIN JOHNSTON ART DIRECTOR CARTER KERNS CONTRIBUTORS DAN ENGLAND VALERIE VAMPOLA the fate of festival future music education goes NATE WILDE PG. 12 LAURA GIAGOS onlinePG. 10 PG. 16 ATTN: BANDS AND MUSICIANS Submit your album for review: BandWagon MAgazine 802 9th St. Greeley, CO 80631 or [email protected] CONTACT US Advertising Information: [email protected] Editorial Info/Requests: [email protected] Any other inquiries: [email protected] BandWagon Magazine PG. 20 © 2020 The Crew Presents Inc. NATIONAL INDEPENDENT VENUE ASSOSIATION 3 VIVIAN The Warped Glimmer Laura Giagos and puts the seat back for the BandWagon Magazine listener. It’s a warm envelope to rest in but exciting enough not to put you to sleep. VIVIAN’s Tim Massa and Alana Rolfe came out of big changes leading up to quarantine: Massa went through a divorce and their other band Stella Luce ended after ten years. Suddenly, they began cranking out songs. “There’s a sense of urgency but an overwhelming sense of loss,” says Rolfe, “It’s so confusing it makes your head want to split in half.” Covid-19 has changed much “In the last two years I really of what we love about music – got into home recording and some possibly forever – but the beat production,” Massa says. “I indomitable spirit of musicians was working on some stuff as continues to persevere. Fort Stella Luce was winding down Collins-based dream pop duo and Alana took an interest in John MichaelLandon (Estuary is a strong first step into this new collaborating. I was all-over that VIVIAN are such creators, Recording Facility, Austin) to world of music. The bones are releasing their debut full length because everything I was doing handle the rest. That polish shines very much lacked vocals and that there for something special and album The Warped Glimmer, through on “Tick Tock Talk” and while already well into producing top melody she provides,” he said. it’ll be exciting to see what they “Break” where we get a taste of a follow-up. do next. After recording at home, Massa’s and Rolfe’s pop side. Spacy in all the right ways and Massa and Rolfe needed outside Listen to The Warped saturated in the tell tale signs of perspective, recruiting producer While there are moments art-rock gone pop, The Warped Chris Beeble (The Blasting that feel like a band still finding Glimmer and support VIVIAN at Glimmer turns on cruise control Room) to mix half the album and their voice, The Warped Glimmer vivianmusicco.com 4 A.M. Pleasure Assassins Careless Laughter Laura Giagos years,” says Meyer. “Then we BandWagon Magazine focused on touring, so we held a regular lineup of players for a couple years, but I’ve always kind of been the centrifuge,” he stated. Careless Laughter is a quick run at just sixteen minutes, but it moves well and new listeners will definitely be attracted to the freedom of the whole thing. And while Meyer is comfortable walking the awkward line between punk and post-punk, there’s a surprising amount of With their fifteenth, yes exploration happening in the fifteenth, release Careless record’s relatively breif play-time. Laughter, A.M. Pleasure Assassins Moxt notably, there’s a cover of remind us there’s a whole scene a Bevin Luna song, a fellow Fort of bands in Northern Colorado Collins musician. who – wait for it – refuse to give Amazingly, even with fifteen a shit. They remind us that making legit releases under their belt, music is supposed to be fun. It’s not all A.M. Pleasure Assassins about putting yourself out there, music is properly out there yet. because just like A.M. Pleasure But Meyer is currently working Assassins, the audience – wait for on remastering much of the back it – also doesn’t give a shit. catalogue for a big release down Carefree and meandering, the road. Careless Laughter is a post-punk “We have a lot of early romp through the head of band- material we’ve stopped sharing,” leader Jared Meyer. Mixed and says Meyer. “We are currently re- engineered by Meyer, then sent mastering it all to breathe some over to Fort Collins studio staple much needed life into some great The Blasting Room for mastering, old basement recordings.” the EP has a tasteful finish to it that doesn’t detract from the DIY Meyer and crew bring a lot energy of A.M. Pleasure Assassins’ of heart to Careless Laughter, music in the raw. and while it’s not perfect, it’s not meant to be. It’s fun – and I’ll take Beginning with Meyer and his fun over perfect any day. friend Mitch Keller in 2010, the band has gone through a lot of Listen to and support A.M. phases. “We had a rotating cast Pleasure Assassins at: of collaborators for the first few ampa.bandcamp.com 5 Andy Sydow Wicked Dreams Nate Wilde lands in Colorado which he BandWagon Magazine “calls home,” full of “beauty, adventure, and a different kind of tone.” The album then takes a turn into the sincere love song “Still My Girl.” Here Sydow bares his soul, yet keeps the mood a little tongue-in-cheek as he describes the ideal relationship he’s so fortunate to have found. Much like Neil Young did on Are You Passionate?, his collaborative album with Booker T. and The current state of things the M.G.’s, Sydow combines is difficult for everyone, and elements of Americana and the music industry is certainly classic R&B to create a timeless no exception. The mere idea ballad. of throwing an album release Finally, the record’s closer party or touring to support is the chill, quasi-love song new material simply does not “Feel Like Gold.” With elements exist. However, local artists of early folk-rock a la Buffalo are still consistently grinding Springfield or Gram Parsons, and releasing new material. paired with a guitar solo that Colorado’s Andy Sydow has brings to mind Trey Anastasio or made this dark time a little Jimmy Herring of Widespread brighter with his latest EP Panic, the song puts us in a Wicked Dreams. weed-reeking Red Rocks show The record kicks off with the rife with dancing hippies – title track, an alt-country story which frankly speaking, is an about nation-wide travel and atmosphere we could all use going through the motions, while right now. deep down the storyteller longs Wicked Dreams is available for true purpose. Reminiscent now at andysydow.com and in style of early Wilco and Ryan although a physical release Adams, it’s highlighted with show is impossible, the hour- a slide guitar solo that might plus live video he made to appear in one of Derek Trucks’ celebrate the release is still dreams. After rambling through available to enjoy at facebook. several states, the protagonist com/andysydowmusic 6 7 8 9 Art The Music District helps emerging musicians develop and share their skills and passions with the local community and beyond. Contact us today to learn more about the resources we will be offering online going forward. Business We offer workshops, panels, and consultations to help support musicians and music-based businesses in building sustainable careers. Check our blog and social media for resources, opportunities for consultations, and more. Community We may be practicing social distancing right now, but you can still share your passion, support your scene, and find your place in music online through our website and social media channels. 10 His memorable harpsichord riff on “Golden Brown” Ron: Weekdays 6am - 10am is a perfect example of what he brought to the band. Benji: Weekdays 7pm - 10pm Stranglers.net 1. Strings & Stories, For The Bluebird – We were 4. Manu Dibango - The BBC remembers Manu heartbroken when the yearly fundraiser for Future Dibango thusly: “Whether it was Congolese rumba 1. Ozark – I’m late to the party on this one but, it’s Arts Festival had to cancel. Now they have an online in the 1950s, disco in the 1970s or hip-hop in the been some of the best binge-watching TV I’ve en- fest with more than 16 performers (Wes Schultz is 1990s, his contribution to the development of mod- joyed during the pandemic. With everything from one!) FAFColorado.org ern music cannot be overstated.” The influential sax- sex, drugs, rock n’ roll, and outstanding acting from ophonist, who brought modern African music to the 2. Colorado Sound Music Meetings – Have you Jason Bateman, Laura Linney and a whole group of ears of the world is best known for his catchy song, characters, you can’t help but root for them despite heard? Our monthly Music Meetings are virtual! “Soul Makossa”. ManuDiBango.net Now anyone from anywhere can join us in curating their many flaws. netflix.com the Colorado Sound. ColoradoSound.org 5. Matthew Seligman (Soft Boys, Thompson 2. John Craigie – Craigie is new on the Colorado Twins, Thomas Dolby, noted session musician) Sound but has been performing for years, releasing 6 3. Fontaines D.C. – “Who says new music doesn’t You’ve gotta have a groove and Matthew Seligman have a bite? This punk band outta Dublin has only studio albums. A modern-day troubadour in the spirit provided it in the early years of New Wave.