The Boxer Rebellion -The Cold Still Review

I think if someone were to make a movie about my life, I would want them to use only music by The Boxer Rebellion. They had me from the very first strums of "We Have This Place Surrounded" from their first album Exits, which is one of my favorite songs along with"Semi-Automatic" from Union. A lot of bands have their sounds described as being "cinematic" and thats kind of too bad, because if there was ever a band that rightfully deserved that description it's The Boxer Rebellion. Their road has been filled with so many twist and turns, some of which would have ended lesser bands, but they keep plugging away make great record after great record, slowly gaining fans and recognition. The Cold Still is the latest chapter in this amazing band's journey, and I would be surprised if it wasn't a record that shot them into the stratosphere where they belong. The album from beginning to end is a fantastic work, on par and with their prior work, and many ways a step to another level. This may have a little something to do with Ethan Johns producing the record (Kings of Leon, Ryan Adams), but I can tell you that with or without Ethan these songs are brilliant! His expertise has done something very positive on this record though, and he certainly deserves credit for helping TBR make a record that is going to be hard to top this year. Just listen to it and you will see what I mean.

Please support The Boxer Rebellion and buy their record below!!! Here are also a couple of their prior videos which are amazing!
The Cold Still - The Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion -The Cold Still

This is THE album I have been looking forward to the most the past couple of years! These guys are in my top five favorite bands. Here is a mini documentary about the upcoming album The Cold Still, which will be released tomorrow via Itunes. Tomorrow I will put up a review of the album, if you have a chance you can check out short clips of each song here. Also check out their excellent website here! They will also be performing on David Letterman on Wednesday, make sure you catch them!



You can order the album from Itunes with the link below. Also link for their prior albums Exits and Union
Step Out of the Car - Single - The Boxer Rebellion
Union (Deluxe Edition) - The Boxer Rebellion
Exits - The Boxer Rebellion

Politic Music

Music is supposed to sound good! And boy O' boy does Politic sound good! Their record Break the Silence, which was released last year has been played through in it's entirety many times on my IPOD, and I am pretty sure that it will have that same effect on anyone who listens to it. Almost every band has an interesting back story and Politic is no exception as Kyle Galanaugh will tell us below, but I think we are lucky that things unfolded as they did, because if they hadn't we may have never been graced with such a great record. A great record, from a great band that is only getting started!

ALDM: What was the inspiration for starting Politic after your solo efforts?

KG: Well, I had a good time doing the solo thing, however, I really didnt like it when people asked, "Whats the name of your band"? My response was..."Um...me?" ha Also, I was not totally happy with my solo record "Bergen Park". I had initially had the "sound of Politic" in mind, however that idea in my mind never came to life in the recording.
Most of the reason I decided to form Politic was because of Matt Thomason (drums). After Matt stepped away from my solo project for a couple of months, he came back and we decided to have a totally fresh start. What better way, then, to change the name AND the style of the sound? So we did. And I could not be more happy with the new direction.

ALDM: Did you have a sound in mind when you started, and was the finished product anything like what you had imagined?

KG: It was EXACTLY what I had imagined. Almost too exact! The reason is because of Matt and Andrew Berlin from The Blasting Room Studio's in Fort Collins, CO. Leading up to the recording of "Break The Silence" I have never had anyone relate with me so well (musically) than Matt. We worked through the ideas and bounced them off of Berlin, who would add his thoughts and give some additional direction. At the end of the day we walked out of the Blasting Room dying to go back in and record some more. We had a great time doing it and we are very happy with the outcome.

ALDM: How does the band take a beautiful album, and transfer that over to a live experience?

KG: A lot of practice and brainstorming. The first thing we had in mind for the live show was lights. Accept for The Epilogues, no other local band really had a light show. My best friend Jake Jones runs the light show and helps design the scenes. We try to switch things up regularly and never let the fans get the chance to become bored. Politic really tries to put everything we have into every show. Our Bass player Chad DeShazo and guitarist Jordan Burgen add the perfect unity and stage presence Matt and I had in mind for the bands' live show. We are VERY thankful we found Chad and Jordan! The best thing about the group is that we are all best friends. And I really feel that bleeds onto the stage and people can see it in the performance.

ALDM: What is the process foe you and the band when writing a song?

KG: It usually goes like this... Kyle writes the music... Matt rips the music apart... Kyle rewrites the music... Matt loves the music... Kyle writes the lyrics... Matt says his "mom" wont like the lyrics... Kyle re writes the lyrics... Matt like the lyrics...Politic has a new song!

ALDM: What direction do you see Politic going in as the band evolves?

KG: With the music industry the way it is it is very hard to say. However, we are all on the same page with the band. We plan to head back to the studio next summer and push out some new music within the next year or so. We will be playing music and doing everything we can under one condition... People still love the music and want more. At the end of the day music is a gift. Not for the band, but for the fans. It's all about making people feel good on a Monday morning.

ALDM: What is your favorite piece of gear?

KG: Mine is the Line 6 Delay pedal:) Matt's is anything he can hit the crap out of. Chad loves the laser and Jordan loves white pants!

ALDM: What are the 2011 plans for Politic?

KG: PLAY PLAY PLAY! Write music and explore outside markets. Also I am getting married in July. Samantha is Politics' biggest fan so that wont change the direction of the group. In fact if I were to back off music she would have my head on a stick.

ALDM: I see bands in Denver really helping each other out, often taking turns supporting each others shows. What do you think of this camaraderie? Do you feel that Denver's current music scene is the strongest its ever been?

KG: The support within local bands is awesome. I love to see local acts helping each other. However there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that the public does not see. NOT with the bands as much as the "business". This local scene is controlled by 10 or less people. 5 of the 10 people are awesome. (Scott Cambell with AEG for instance.) The one thing that I personally have noticed is the disturbing amount of blacklisting and favoritism in the scene. Some of the big wigs in Denver will actually go out of their way to try to ruin a small local bands dream. And to be honest maybe that local band deserved it, but at the end of the day IS THE BANDS MUSIC GOOD?! That is the question. Whether you like the band as people or not, you have to ask yourself that question. So I would answer the question... No it is not the strongest it has ever been. In fact i would even say it is weaker than i have seen it in years. Bands are more concerned with writing the "HOOK" to please the local radio station, than just write music they truly love. The moment someone compromises their passion to please someone else, the clock starts ticking to the end.

You can check out the bands official site here, or their facebook here. You can also purchase their album, as well as watch them perform some of the track "Borderline" below.
Break The Silence - Politic

Free Radio?

What is the value of Rock radio today? Early Rock radio was so alluring because of the fresh sounds and rebellious nature of the disc jockeys that played them. During this time, those without access to new music saw Rock radio as a beacon, and radio played facilitator in promoting bands and music that might have not been heard otherwise. Still, even in that period where disc jockeys became heroes and asserted their influence with conviction, there were bands that were not going to ever be heard simply because of one persons taste.

The business goals of radio today are the same, but the dollars are bigger, and there is much more music today than ever before. Out of all the music available, radio will only focus on a couple dozen songs that their audience almost unanimously agrees they like, and almost without exception these songs come from major label recording artist. This model ensures listeners, but leaves out a lot of musicians that make music at the same quality level, and often times at levels above major label recording artist.

The once laudatory praise directed at radio, has been replaced by the feeling that radio has gotten stale and predictable. The best disc jockeys and programmers do their best to try and fight this notion, but the bottom line of the business makes it incredibly difficult. The rest of the DJ’s buy in to the idea that a song has to be a “Hit” to make the cut. But what is a hit? Isn’t Britney Spears “Baby One More Time” a hit? How about The Red Hot Chili Peppers “Scar Tissue”? Where is the correlation between those two songs? They have a good melody? Lets say that’s it, why don’t they play M83’s “Kim and Jessie”? That song has a great melody. Maybe the problem is that with only a couple dozen slots available in the rotation, The Red Hot Chili Peppers get played because people know them, but people know them because at one time some disc jockey played them on the radio. I love the Chili Peppers, but I love M83 also.

So what is the value of Radio? It depends on the taste of the radio stations and disc jockeys you like, but overall I think the value of radio is drastically diminished in terms of credibility even if the value of radio in terms of dollars remains high. I would love it if they played more songs and took more chances, but I guess when it comes to making money, you go for the sure thing, and take as few risk as possible. One thing I know for sure is that one person’s musical taste + position of power does not make a song great. Great songs are still going to be great even if they aren’t played on radio.

What do you think?

The Epilogues The Fallout Video Sneak Peak

Yesterday the band posted this short preview of their upcoming video for The Fallout. It was directed by Dillon Novak of Montauk Media.



You can click here to check out some stills shot by Kevin Ihle from that video shoot.

And you can buy The Fallout from Itunes with the link below, which you should absolutely do!!
The Fallout - Single - The Epilogues

Iron & Wine new LP Kiss Each Other

Our Endless Numbered Days is the first Iron & Wine album that I ever listened to and I loved it's simplicity. Their second album The Shepherd's Dog moved from a simple solo record into full band mode. Those tunes were still pretty awesome, but I wasn't sure where their third album would go. My first thought of Kiss Each Other was this sounds like a cross between The Beach Boys and The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour with Sam Beams voice, and its sounds really good! Not expected, but awesome none the less. Buy all of Iron & Wine Albums they are worth it!

Kiss Each Other Clean (Deluxe Version) - Iron & Wine

Our Endless Numbered Days - Iron & Wine
The Shepherd's Dog - Iron & Wine

Cold War Kids new LP Mines is Yours

I noticed the difference between this CWK album and the others in the opening seconds, and for a moment I had reservations about whether this would be an album I would like. I tend to trust the artist I like though and so I kept listening, and in the end i really loved it. The first couple CWK albums charm was the soulful quality of the music and the raw production style. Mine is Yours is still very soulful, but the production has slid to a more polished presentation. Honestly I like it both ways, the first couple albums were great just the way they are, and so is this new album. Too many people equate advanced production with some sort of effort to sell out, but if you listen without making any judgements you realize it is still the Cold War Kids and most of the things you love about them are still present. Nathan Willett's vocals still exhibit their unique flair, but it seems like he's tried to be more focused and technically sound. The guitars still have that great clean and bluesy tone. Each of the songs can stand on their own, much like in past albums. If you've never listened to Cold War Kids before, I would still suggest listening to Robbers & Cowards first, but this album is an excellent addition to their already solid career.

Buy It!!
Mine Is Yours (Deluxe Version) - Cold War Kids

And also their first two albums
Robbers & Cowards - Cold War Kids
Loyalty to Loyalty - Cold War Kids

First Three Weeks

It has been almost three weeks since this Blog has been up, and I have seen some good traffic coming through here, but the key is to keep growing and drawing more attention to the great music thats out there. Starting this week and through the next month there will be a lot of very good music coming out, and I will make sure that I increase my production to make everybody aware of this. A lot more interview's and content coming your way, so make sure you keep checking back and make sure you get out and see as many show's as possible!!

The Wonder Age of Air Dubai

As local music in Denver continues to flourish, it seems like great new bands are popping up faster than we can keep up with. One band that most definitely will not get lost in the shuffle is Air Dubai. The recent winners of 93.3's Hometown for the Holidays have an excellent record out now called Wonder Age and an ever expanding live presence, and have all the ability in the world to push themselves into national notoriety. I was very fortunate to get the opportunity to talk with Jon from Air Dubai about their new record, and their love for live shows amongst other things.

ALDM: Can you give me a brief history of the band and its formation?

Jon: Air Dubai was started by Julian and I (Jon) back in 2008. We started out as just a hip hop duo before deciding we wanted to become a full band in 2009. The band then grew to seven members which now include Nick Spreigl (Drums), Lawrence Grivich (Guitar), Wesley Watkins (Trumpet), Michael Ray (Keys) and Taylor Tait (Bass)

ALDM: When I listen to you guys I am reminded of The Pharcyde a little. Are they influences of yours? And what are a few other key influences be they artist or styles of music?

Jon: I don't think we've ever actually been compared to the Pharcyde although their music is something we've listened to. I think our influences really stem from our experiences in life etc. I like to write songs from a personal place and most times that's reflected in the music that we create.

ALDM: I feel like your sound is very diverse, and that you could go in a number of directions if you wanted. Is expanding your sound a goal in the future? And what might that entail?

Jon: I think our goal is to always challenge ourselves to be different and new. That being said we don't play songs with the idea of "making it different". We just as musicians and artists like to not settle on a certain sound and I think that so far has reflected in the music we make.

ALDM: How important of an influence is Jazz to the sound of Air Dubai?

Jon: I think Jazz is just one component of our sound. I think with seven members and the different backgrounds we've come from musically you'll get everything from Jazz to Rock to Hip Hop to Pop when you listen to us, not because we're trying to make it sound that way but because we're very immersed in the music that we've listened to growing up.

ALDM: Do you have a single proudest moment on Wonder Age with the understand that each song is important to your band?

Jon: I think our proudest moment within Wonder Age is the fact that we were able to complete it. It was a long process getting to it's finish line and even down to the last seconds of the recording process it was one big experience to remember.

ALDM: What was your recording experience like? And would you like to try something new next time around or do you feel so comfortable with your last recording experience that you would like to do it that way again?

Jon: I think with the way that we recorded Wonder Age we were extrememly happy with it but there are always new things that we want to try. I don't feel like we'll ever be able to settle in to familiar techniques, we'd always want to grow and see where the recording experience could take us.

ALDM: The music translates so well live and it has an incredible energy. Did you recognize this from the beginning or is it something that has developed over time?

Jon: I think the energy of our shows comes from us enjoying playing with each other and playing the music that we've created. When the crowd is there and everyone is having a great time you can't PLAN that. In fact I've heard the feedback about how "energetic our shows are" but I'm always just like, hey, I'm just up there doing what I love.

ALDM: How can musicians better utilize the live concert experience, and how important is progressing in this regard to Air Dubai?

Jon: I think for us live shows are so important. Sometimes I'll forget just how much I love playing music but it's all revitalized when a crowd is there singing your words and dancing along. For other musicians I just feel like everyone should try and connect to their audience as much as possible, the crowd is there to see you so bring them in!

ALDM: I see the bands in Denver really helping each other out, and supporting each other, often taking turns playing each others shows. What do you think of this camaraderie? Do you feel that Denver's current music scene is the strongest its ever been?

Jon: I love how supportive Denver is, and it's not just fans but the way that other bands will help you out is incredible. Sure everyone's out here making their own music and doing their own thing but I've never felt any "competitive" nature with any other bands. We're all here for one goal and that's to play good music!

You can listen to Air Dubai's album Wonder Age at their official website here, and check out their facebook here. Or just do yourself a favor and click the link below to buy the album form Itunes, its totally worth it! :)
Wonder Age - Air Dubai

Alt Press Article on Finances for Bands

Click here to check out a great article about how tough it is be a touring band. We need to change this somehow, otherwise we end up missing out on a lot of great music!

2010 Catch Up

Since this blog is brand new I thought I would take time here and there to promote some albums that were released last year. Both The Morning Benders and Of Montreal released a couple of my favorite records last year. The Morning Benders have an updated 50's sound that is excellent on their record Big Echo, very sold tunes, and Of Montreal are a little harder to peg down, but last years False Priest ir pretty heavily influenced by 70's funk with a little Prince thrown in as well.

Buy From Itunes:
Big Echo - The Morning Benders == False Priest - Of Montreal

Cold War Kids - Mines is Yours

The third album from the Cold War Kids, Mines is Yours comes out on Jan 25th on itunes or at local music retailers. Their first two albums are phenomenal and from what I've heard of their latest, it should be able to hold its own. Make sure you check it out. Below is a video for Hang Me Out to Dry off their first album Robbers & Cowards, along with some Itunes links :)



Robbers & Cowards - Cold War Kids

Loyalty to Loyalty - Cold War Kids

Upcoming Shows this weekend

2011 is off to a good start in terms of shows! This weekend Air Dubai will be playing at Club 156 in Boulder on Friday, then at the Hi Dive on Saturday. Another great show will be at Casselman's on Saturday for Monroe Mornoe's EP release. Also Danielle Ate the Sandwich will be playing at the Walnut Room on Saturday. Make sure you get out to as many of these shows as possible!

Best Value of the Weekend!!

This is a no brainer! So many good bands for the price, in a cool venue, only $10 @ the door!!! Spend some Christmas Cash and come out!

The Epilogues Hunting Season

And since I posted those stills from The Epilogues soon to be released video for The Fallout, I figured I should post their first video Hunting Season directed by Dillon Novak, who also directed the new video! Enjoy :)

The National On Austin City Limits

The National is a great band that had a big 2010 with the release of their newest album High Violet, however I still don't feel enough people know about them! They are going to be performing on Austin City Limits next Saturday, Jan 15 with Band of Horses, another good band. Its on Rocky Mountain PBS channel 6 at 11p. Here is a preview of them performing Bloodbuzz Ohio, and a link to ITunes so can buy their album ;)

Watch the full episode. See more Austin City Limits.

High Violet - The National
and while your at it...
Boxer - The National

New Churchill Album Happy/Sad Release Feb 11

Here is a release that I am looking forward to more and more. I have heard some of the new songs live, and they are really good! This band continues to mature and develop, and I am sure their best days are ahead. They are playing the day of this release at the Hi Dive which is an 18+ show, and there are pre-sale tickets for $8 or $10 at the door. Here is one of the new songs off that album called "Miles", and below is an itunes like where you can buy the single.
Churchill - Miles by wirebird

Miles - Single - Churchill

New Boxer Rebellion Promo video

The Boxer Rebellion's Cold Still and the new Epilogues album are my most anticipated albums of the year!

Excellent Photos from The Epilogues Fallout Video Shoot

These stills by Kevin Ihle are really fantastic! I am sure the video will be phenomenal!
Here is Kevin's Facebook:

New video from Danielle Ate the Sandwich

The Epilogues Kickstarter Campaign a Success

Congratulations to these hard working gentlemen. Look forward to seeing the Video!

Some Upcoming Shows

The Heyday, The Epilogues, Koo Koo Kangaroo, Places, Della , Politic, Samuel Lee
January 8, 2011 - 6:00 pm
Summit Music Hall
Presented by Channel 93.3 & Illegal Pete's. This show is in the MAIN ROOM.
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Monroe Monroe and Saints Dual EP Release! With Young Cities and Le Divorce
Jan 15, 2011 -8:00 pm
Casselman's
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Air Dubai With The Eilogues & Hideous Men.
January 15, 2001 -9:00 pm
Hi Dive
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Danielle Ate the Sandwich
Jan 15, 2001 -7:00 PM
The Walnut Room
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The Northern Way With My Body Sings Electric, The Say So, Eldren
January 21, 2011 - 7:30 pm
Summit Music Hall
Presented by Channel 93.3. This show is in the MAIN ROOM.

Mission

This blog is all about spreading the word about great Local/Indie music, and becoming more familiar with these artist. This is done 100% out of my love for these bands. The only thing I ask of visitors is to share their thoughts about the content and site, and the only thing I ask of the bands is to direct people here when they can. There will be interviews, I will update constantly about new shows and projects, and try and put up as much media as I possibly can. The more people who come by the more potential this blog has to grow and be a place people can trust and look for information about this wonderful time in Denver's music history, and also all the great Indie music coming out from all over the world. Thanks for coming by and make sure you show all the bands highlighted here some love!