Get Your Dancing Shoes Ready!

I'll be there along with all the cool People! Will You???

About a Girl

Danielle Ate The Sandwich is a project that may catch you off guard with its charming stripped down tunes, but the impression those songs leave with you cannot be escaped. Their creator Danielle Anderson is a very unique person in the best sense of the word. Her sense of humor, playfulness and charm infect every song on both her records. This is the case in her live sets as well, she makes you glad you took the time to stop and listen. She has garnered some notoriety with her outstanding videos on Youtube, but at the core, Danielle is just a great songwriter happy to be doing what she does.

ALDM: Can you tell me a little bit about how you got started with music, and maybe some of your songwriting influences?

DATS: I was always encouraged to be active in band and choir from grade school through high school. My family is very musical, so I’ve always been around music. As far as songwriting goes, I have notebooks dating back to sixth grade full of songs and poems and what not, but I didn’t really think of myself as a songwriter until I was in college. I had always been writing songs, but never had the courage to share them with other people until I was older. And my influences are very general-I listened to the radio and a lot of terrible pop music when I was younger. In high school I listened to Sarah Machlachlan, Paula Cole, Simon Garfunkel, Ben Folds Five and Incubus. In college I got in to Regina Spektor, Joanna Newsom, Sufjan Stevens and Death Cab for Cutie. A couple of years ago I started listening to Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. I’m not sure if everything I listen to is considered an influence, but there you have it.

ALDM: You have a splendid voice, its not overpowering, but very warm and trust worthy if that makes sense lol. Have you always been comfortable with your voice or did you go through some phases before finding a comfort range?

DATS: I did have to learn to use it and love it. I was in choir as a kid, but wasn’t ever really a soloist, just a part of the group. I feared solos and having people really hear me. Me and my friends started a band in college called Backdraft:the Musical. We played small shows and open mic nights and that was my first experience singing original songs in front of people as a lead singer. It was TERRIFYING. When I started playing on my own and singing my own songs it was just as scary, even more so, because it was JUST ME and I was singing MY WORDS and THOUGHTS. I had to get the confidence to use my voice. I finally did, after a few rough performances and fits of nervousness. In the four or five years I’ve been singing I’ve tried to grow in to my voice, but it changes and matures as I assume it always will. I was a late bloomer, a shy kid and a sort of self conscious teen. Now I’m a freak and I love it!

ALDM: Your albums are great because you can just press play and let them go until they end, there's no filler or songs you would want to skip over. When you pick songs for an album is there a process or do you just wait till you have enough for an album and put it out.

DATS: Thank you! I’m always wondering what songs people skip and think of as “the stinkers”, so thanks for saying they’re all good. Two Bedroom Apartment is the first album I really planned out. The previous two were made because I just wanted to do it. The songs were there and I wanted to share them. For Two Bedroom Apartment, I went in the studio with 12 songs that I really liked and they all worked out and then we re-recorded “We Are Hot Dogs.” My manager told me people usually go in to the studio with 17-25 songs and record all of them and pick from the lot and maybe some day I’ll do that, but usually every song I write I’m proud of and I want to be album worthy. I’m not intending to write hit songs or filler songs. Some may be more popular than others but they all mean a lot to me. I’m their mother, ya know?

ALDM: Can you tell me a little bit about "Two Bedroom Apartment" in terms of your inspiration for the songs?

DATS: Most of the songs for 2BA were written after I had graduated from college and was feeling disoriented and not sure where I was suppose to go and what I was suppose to do. I had also broken up with my boyfriend for a few months and my grandfather died a year or two earlier, but I was still thinking about it a lot. I thought about moving to Canada, I thought about death and what happens to us after, I asked my mom about her father, who I never knew because he died before I was born. I was in a transition phase, I guess. Changes in routine, location, relationships and all that. I don’t think I was too sad, even though my inspirations all are pretty blue, and I don’t want it to be a depressing album, but I want it to talk to people and be lots of different things to them. I’ll always be a little bit serious and hopefully a little bit light and clever.

ALDM: How has it been carving out a space for your music locally, especially with the rise on quality of local rock music?

DATS: It’s been pretty easy to carve out a space for my music locally. I think I’ve been extremely well embraced. I love that there are so many places to play and bands to play with. I do sometimes feel like a lone wolf. I don’t do well in bars and feel strange opening for rock bands, but at the right venue with the right sound I feel very happy to live where I live and play all the places I get to play! Some days I feel like my music isn’t “cool” or “hip” and I want it to be something other than what it is, but most days I’m really proud of it and myself and am happy to play my straightforward, not ambient, non affected, regular sounding songs in front of people.

ALDM: Do you ever consider expanding your sound(not that you need to) or are you pleased with the way it is? I thought your Lady Gaga cover kicked ass by the way!

DATS: I don’t imagine my sound will change too much. I have no plans to start rockin’. And as far as expanding the band, I am playing more and more with a bass player and violinist. I also love the idea of having several different setups and variations so every show is a little different. I always want to be strong and remembered as the singer and the songwriter. That’s selfish of me and vapid, but I can’t help but want to take credit for what I do and at the end of the day what’s most important to me about my songs are what they say and how I sing them. (I’m a diva, huh?)

ALDM: What does 2011 have in store for Danielleatethesandwich?

DATS: TOURS! All over the U.S., maybe Canada and I hope to go across the sea sometime soon. I want to make lots of youtube videos and reach new audiences. I may go in to the studio again, but won’t release an album. To be honest, I just let it come to me. Right now I’m worried it’ll be a slow year, but all the success I’ve had has found its way to me, so I’m going to be patient and let it find me if I deserve to be found. Know what I mean?

As Danielle said she will be doing some touring soon, and below are some of the dates, as well as links to her albums on Itunes, and a video from her Youtube channel which I highly recommend you check out!

Things People Do - Danielle Ate the Sandwich
Two Bedroom Apartment - Danielle Ate the Sandwich

2/25 Sacramento, CA @ Coffee Garden
2/26 SF, CA @ The Brainwash Cafe
2/28 Turlock, CA @House of Java
3/2 Portland, OR @ Twin Paradox Coffee
3/3 Seattle, WA @ Piecoras Pizza
3/4 Hood River, OR @ Gorge Ukele Fest
3/5 Hood River, OR @ Gorge Ukele Fest
3/16 Santa Fe, NM @ Backroad Pizza

Mogwai's Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will

Mogwai records have always been diverse, and there have always been moments and songs that resemble the tunes in Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will, but this is the most they have probably veered from what could be considered typical Mogwai. Even still, it's very much a Mogwai record. Very visual, very immersing, and still full of that glorious fuzz, although those moments are a little rarer these days. It's not that the band is softening, but rather looking for new paths to wander. I haven't listened to a Mogwai record that I didn't like, and this album is certainly no exception. They could make virtually any kind of record you could think and i would still listen, and...most likely still be as impessed.

Below is a video "Mogwai Fear Satan" from their recently relaesed film Burning, as well as link to buy their albums, of which you should by all!!

Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will (Bonus Track Version) - Mogwai
Mr. Beast - Mogwai
The Hawk Is Howling - Mogwai
Special Moves - Mogwai

Bright Eye's The Peoples Key

I always love it when a new Bright Eye's album is released. Connor Oberst is such an amazing lyricist in my opinion, and the quality of the music and songwriting in the Bright Eye's records is always high. In The Peoples Key, it feels like a sequel to 2005's Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, which was a pretty different record in the bands canon. The record is conceptual, but not overtly Art-y, the songs hang together very well. There are moments where there is talk of UFO'S, space and time, but the songs don't really play up the idea of some grand space rock opera. They are just good. In fact I will put it out there and say that I think they are great! I hold the previous Bright Eye's albums in really high regard so its hard to say that this record is my favorite, but it is certainly up there, and may even be their strongest and most cohesive record yet.

Below is the official video for the song "Shell Games" from The Peoples Key, as well as links to buy the album along with some of the previous records.

The People's Key - Bright Eyes
I'm Wide Awake It's Morning - Bright Eyes
Digital Ash In a Digital Urn - Bright Eyes
LIFTED or the Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground - Bright Eyes

New Radiohead Album Sat 2/19

I was already pretty excited about new records from Mogwai & Bright Eye's this week, but the surprise release of the next Radiohead album is a kickass cherry on top! The new record will be released on Saturday February 19th digitally through the site thekingoflimbs.com. A physical release is scheduled for May 9th, and on the site a variety of packages are available to purchase. They have returned to a more traditional approach of releasing their music instead of the "pay what you want" model they used for In Rainbows, which is fine. Most people will pay for quality.

Valentines Week

Another great week of music on deck. New albums from Mogwai and Bright Eye's come out on Tuesday. I will have a review and spotlight on each. I also will put up an interview I did with Danielle Ate The Sandwich. Make sure you check out the feature I did on The Epilogues, and the review of The Boxer Rebellions Cold Still below.

They Grow Up So Fast

You couldn’t really put The Epilogues into one stylistic category because their influences seem to be endless, and although I am sure a few of them stand out, their sound is THEIR sound. The best bands don’t need to hide their influences, or refute the notion that they are just as likely to be inspired by another musician just like the rest of us. In fact the best can take those things they love most about their influences and reformulate them in a fresh way, which is what The Epilogues have done.

The Epilogues first record The Beautiful, the Terrifying is brilliant and the only criticism I had was that I wished it were longer. It left you wanting more. So I decided to see them live and was impressed yet again. They had amazing energy, a cool live setup, and that sound translated so well in a live setting. I raved to any family member or friend that would indulge me in the opportunity to talk about them. When I emailed the band to ask if they would be interested in me filming a few shows, and maybe putting some sort of documentary about them together, I had prepared myself for a brush-off. They responded very positively and we arranged to have dinner and talk. They exceeded my expectations by being the absolute, most genuine and kind people you are likely to meet.

Over a year later they are still the same group of kindhearted guys, only word is spreading exponentially about how great they are. They have been winners of 93.3’s Hometown for the Holidays and Westword’s local music competition. They have been put into regular rotation on 93.3 and frequently end up #1 on their top 8 at 8. They put out a kick-ass split with another great band The Photo Atlas, and an excellent video for the song Hunting Season that was directed by Dillon Novak of Montauk Media. This past year they played Red Rocks and The Mile High Music Festival on top of staying active playing gigs around town, touching base with old fans, attracting new ones, taking the time to talk with everyone. They are gaining more and more confidence with every new experience, and the peeks we get of material from their upcoming album leave us salivating.

I am a mere music lover who was inspired so much by The Epilogues to do my part in not only spreading the word about them, but our entire local scene. There are other people with more credibility, like Kyle Galanaugh of the band Politic who will stump for them as well. He says,

“The Epilogues are doing what they LOVE. And I love them for it and hope their bold sound inspires other local acts. I know they have inspired Politic”

Or how about Nerf of 93.3 who has been a huge champion of the band who said this:

“The Epilogues are a band that get better with every song they write. It's been exciting to say the least watching them grow from a band packed with potential, to a band ready, willing and able to deliver on a national and international stage. With all bands, it's not enough to be good, relevant, and ready... it takes a song... THAT song. The one that will cut through the clutter and make the band matter instantly to anyone who hears it. The Epilogues have that song with Hunting Season,
and have more in the chamber. Our audience is eating it up and asking for more, and I'm happy to give them second helpings. Anyone who has seen them live knows that the band is for real, and I'm more than happy to back them 100%”

Well said!

These guys are my friends, and as much as I would love to continue to see them locally on a frequent basis, it is time to share them with the rest of the country, and ultimately the world. The Epilogues are Denver in all their individuality and brilliance!

p.s. Chris… I am still waiting for my acoustic version of The Fallout! ☺

Buy all their releases below on Itunes. You won't regret it!! Also make sure you check them out Feb 26th @ The Gothic, click here for tickets.

The Beautiful, the Terrifying - The Epilogues
The Friendship EP - The Epilogues
The Fallout - Single - The Epilogues

And check out these videos:

Churchill Happy/Sad Review

What a difference a year makes. I first got acquainted with Churchill during 93.3's 09' Hometown for the Holidays. I saw them play the big finale and found that their sound was very charming and thought they could really go to some really big places. Just over a year later I have seen them a few other times watching them grow and mature, gaining more confidence in their craft. All of this culminating in their release Happy/Sad.

I feel the tracks "Miles" and "We Use to Be Happy" are as good as most things I hear on the radio if not better, but to be clear, there isn't a song I would skip on the entire album. It is a very complete piece of work and the emotional weight that the songs carry will keep you deeply engaged. This record will no doubt open a lot of doors for the band, and provide them chances to continue to make great music in the future, but for now a great deal of satisfaction and accomplishment can be felt by the band, and for the listener the opportunity to let the music to take us over.

You can be the album from Itunes below, as well as check out the bands facebook here

Happy Sad - Churchill

Goodbye Tickle Me Pink :(

One of our better local bands, Tickle Me Pink has decided to call it a day. This s really too bad, I thought they added something really great to our music community and I think their presence will be missed. That said, I hope their future projects and endeavors are fruitful and they find what is they are looking for! Here is their statement from facebook:

Fans, friends, and family,

It brings us great sadness to deliver this message today. After almost six years as a band, we have decided to part ways. Through great success and tragedy alike, we’ve found ourselves unable to continue collectively as “Tickle Me Pink.” This decision was not easy, but it was made as a band. There are no bitter feelings between any of us, just a simple desire on all our parts to move forward in different ways.

To all of our fans and friends who have supported us throughout our career, we are eternally grateful. A special thanks to the Blasting Room staff for such successful recordings, and to 93.3 for playing our music with such dedication.

As a way of expressing a thank you to all of our fans, we will be playing a final farewell show at Summit Music Hall in Denver, CO on March 5th. We hope to see you all there.


Yours truly,

Tickle Me Pink

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart @ Pitchfork

Here is a link to a really good interview done by Pitchfork with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, as well as a clip of the song "Belong" from their upcoming album coming out in March.

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart "Belong" by Slumberland Records

The Boxer Rebellion on David Letterman

This is the bands first US television appearance.