Ever since the Balkan folk of their first album, Gulag Orkestar, Beirut has been slowly inching their sonic geography closer home. There was France with second album The Flying Cup Club and then Mexico with 2009s’ March of the Zapotec EP. Finally, on this year’s release The Rip Tide, Beirut hit home with tracks like “East Harlem” and “Sante Fe.” Beirut maintained this jet-setting sound during their September 28^th performance at the Fillmore Auditorium, touching down in all the locales of their discography.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

American Tomahawk and POPCULT @ Illegal Pete's Denver, 10:00pm, Free

Come check out American Tomahawk tonight if you missed his set at the UMS like I did.  Adam Halferty's indie pop project is melancholy but upbeat.  It sounds happy, but once you pay attention to the lyrics you may have conflicted feelings. According to my little sister he is the "Tyler the Creator in indie".  Tonight he'll play with synth-pop youngsters POPCULT.  Some of POPCULT's members have spent the last year touring with The Chain Gang of 1974.  There is no doubt that they can play a live show and its great to see them finally working on a project of their own.  The show tonight is at the Illegal Pete's in Denver (16th St.) and its totally free since its the 3OH!3 after party.  American Tomahawk will play tomorrow at the Illegal Pete's in Boulder (The Hill) with another up-and-coming indie pop act that I love, Majic Flower Evening.  Halftery will then play the Illegal Pete's at DU (Evans) on Saturday and the Larimer Lounge BBQ on Sunday- this guy is on a roll!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Cold Cave, Austra and The Overcasters @ The Bluebird, Doors 8:00pm, $18

Are you into synths but against the wave of happy rainbow synth music out there today?  If you are happily a little bit dark then the Bluebird is your place to be on Saturday night.  Headliners Cold Cave are known for wearing lots of black and lots of leather all while filling our ears with melodious synth lines and our heads with dreary despairing lyrics.  They are touring with another electro-goth group, Austra.  Their music is also all based around the synthesizer but is also more dark and less dance.  The local openers are Denver's guitar-shredding masters the Overcasters.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Sleigh Bells and Neon Indian with Bosco Delray @ The Ogden Theatre, Doors 7:00PM, $25

This is perhaps the show I been looking forward to most this summer.  Both headliners are great bands who perform fun, fast-paced music that is the best kind to dance to on a Saturday night.  Sleigh Bells is a duo from Brooklyn, NY.  Alexis Krauss, their female vocalist, ROCKS the stage, hair flailing and all, without sacrificing her beautiful vocals. Girl crush? Yes.  The second member of the group, Derek Miller, plays guitar.  The noise-pop created by Sleigh Bells is bass heavy rock that contrasts nicely with Krauss' vocals.  The group does not have a drummer and therefore they bring out a TON of amps, we are talking a wall of amps, for their live show.  Get ready to get loud or else bring your ear plugs.  Sleigh Bells music is all about contrasting the heavy with the soft and beautiful.  Some people find it difficult to listen to, but in my opinion, their work is among the most unique, fascinating and addicting of the past few years.

Neon Indian.  The name almost says it all- take trendy, tribal beats and combine them with the electronic and you get a sound that sounds exactly like what a Neon Indian would sound like, if that were possible.  Maybe what an Indian drum circle would look and sound like with the help of hallucinogens.  Each Neon Indian song is pleasant and fun in beat, while containing lyrics that make you think twice- one of their tracks is called "Should Have Taken Acid with You".  They even sell t-shirts that say only that on them.  Whether you support the strange or not, this Saturday you can at least observe this craziness first hand.  And dance.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Ratatat @ The Ogden Theatre, Doors 7:00PM, $30 Sold Out

Ratatat, an electronic duo that uses real instruments, is one of the most different and talented groups out there when it comes to the DJ scene.  If you have never heard of them, you have still probably heard their work.  They were featured on Kid Cudi's hit track, "Pursuit of Happiness".  Ratatat is made up of a guitarist and a bassists/synth player.  Their music sounds entirely electronic and it is refreshing to me that they do it all while including a guitar and bass.  Their live shows are captivating- it's a dance show but you can still watch them perform as musicians, which is really what we pay for when we go to a concert.  Psychedelic visuals of faces, clips of movies, and swirling images and colors go along with the whole show, making it fun to watch even if you have a rough view of the stage itself.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Bare Bones with The Broken Numbers Band, Caleb Slade and Bear Antler @ Hi-Dive, Doors 8:00PM, $6

We all know that I love Bare Bones, but I have to say it- this Saturday will be their best show ever.  The energy that will vibe the Hi-Dive is unmatchable!  Bare Bones creator and front man, Blake Brown, grew up in Fort Collins with The Broken Numbers Band lead singer Corey Lovett.  The two played punk rock together in a band called H-Hour but eventually were separated.  Blake ended up in Denver and Corey in L.A., but both settled into playing country music and it sounds to me like this is where they both belong.  I know Bare Bones puts on a wonderful show, writes moving and enchanting lyrics and is on the up.  I could only expect the same from The Broken Numbers Band.  The excitement of playing with friends should ignite each band making for a lovely night filled with heartfelt country tunes.  Energy will also come for Bare Bones from their most recent successes.  They have started working with a booking agent, were played on KBCO radio and are headlining their first show (THIS ONE!). Be there to support this incredible local act and their friends.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Bare Bones and Land Lines @ Forest Room 5, 4:30PM, $5

Tonight help Forest Room 5 bring in summer! The first installment of the Patio Concert Series is tonight featuring Bare Bones and Land Lines.  Bare Bones is a rocking alt-country band made up of Denver all-stars.  Since my last piece on Bare Bones they have continued to improve.  The have recently teamed up with a booking agency and next weekend they will headline a show at the Hi-Dive.  Come see this cheaper show to get a preview and you surely will not want to miss next weekend!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Vitamins with Ally, Moon Tides, Hindershot, Offcolor, Hearts in Space,Shady Babes, Twin Peaks and The Belle Jar @ Larimer Lounge, Doors 6:00 PM, $10

Summer is also beginning this weekend at Larimer Lounge.  This Sunday they will have an evening show with several Denver bands that i really enjoy!  Vitamins are a psychedelic-rock group with a female vocalist.  Hearts in Space is another psychedelic-rock group with two stage stealing front men.  Their shows are always fun! Shady Babes is a rock group with a surf and sun feel.  The lead singer and guitarist, Paul Garcia, is also the front man for Pacific Pride.  This is a great all Denver lineup and is not to be missed.

The Westword Music Showcase is fast approaching.  With one month left to decide which acts are worth seeing, I thought I would begin to preview local bands and musical acts that I personally enjoy and plan on seeing on June 18, 2011.  Welcome to Festival Season and welcome to summer.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Crystal Stilts with Overcasters, Force Publique and Double Shadow @ Larimer Lounge, 7:00 PM Doors, $15

Larimer Lounge is featuring a killer lineup tonight.  All four acts are awesome, three are from Denver, and all of them, while containing a thread of experimental similarity are quite different.  The headliners, Crystal Stilts, are a noise-pop group that remind me of a modern day version of The Smiths.  Their catchy guitar riffs are placed alongside lo-fi psychedelic vocals making the group experimental yet classic.  Overcasters are a local rock group with heavy guitar parts and an awesome live show that includes a lot of lights.  Force Publique is also from Denver and have an incredibly unique sound.  I would describe it as dub-rock because it is bass heavy and electronic but it has hints of rock and each song is composed with vocals, a chorus and verses unlike a typical electronic song.  Double Shadow is a DJ group that spins vinyl old-school style and has been tearing up Beauty Bar a few Saturdays per month.  This is an all-star night for Denver plus it includes Crystal Stilts, a group that shouldn't be missed, so take a chance and go out on a Monday!

Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14, 2011

Portugal. The Man with Telekinesis and Unknown Mortal Orchestra @ The Bluebird Theater, Doors 8:00pm, $20

It's Friday the 13th, ahh! Why not get a little weird with Portugal. The Man?  This band's psychedelic/experimental rock is soulful and fun to listen to while also being exactly that- psychedelic and experimental.  Their latest album, In the Mountain In the Cloud , comes out May 17th so be sure to listen for new songs this weekend and check out the album when it drops.  They are playing two nights at The Bluebird with Unknown Mortal Orchestra, a fairly new psychedelic pop/rock group who have caught my ear.  The group doesn't have a myspace, at least one that I can find at the moment, so check out their tracks and read more about the band at Obscure Sound.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Broken Spirits with A. Tom Collins and 3Two @ Hi-Dive, Doors 9:00Pm, $6

Holy crap! $6! This show is worth going to already.  I am not incredibly familiar with any of the bands playing the Hi-Dive tomorrow night but the European Tour Sendoff for Broken Spirits should still be fun.  It's an all local lineup and both Broken Spirits and A. Tom Collins are on local indie label Pygmy Mountain Music.  I have seen A. Tom Collins live before and it was an amazing show with hints of gypsy rhythms that made the entire venue move.  One of my friends was lost in the crowd and emerged at the end of the night holding up A. Tom Collins t-shirt shouting "I'm a fan!". So yeah, it was a lot of fun and I am hoping for a repeat this Saturday. Join me if you will!

Monday, May 9th, 2011

YACHT w/ Light Asylum, Bobby Birdman and Bad Weather California @ The Bluebird Theater, Doors 7:00 PM, $18

YACHT is more than a band.  YACHT began as Jona Bechtolt, formerly of The Blow, making beats on his computer.  It has grown into much more with the addition of Claire Evans.  She was featured on a few tracks on the album I Believe in You.  Your Magic Is Real. and is now a permanent member of the band.  When Evans joined the band, YACHT was able to produce full sounding electro-pop/rock tracks that showed their roots in Bechtolt's experimental home-made beats and progressed smoothly from that point into the now.  Their latest album, See Mystery Lights (2009), is the culmination of YACHT's beginnings and Evans' contribution.  The show tonight at the Bluebird Theater will be an interesting one.  YACHT is known for being showy and on their myspace they state their own genre as "visual".  YACHT stands for "Young Americans Challenging High Technology", which, considering their electronic, computerized start seems contradictory.  Tonight I will get to see them in person and after watching their show, how they perform live and with what instruments, I will hopefully come to a fuller understanding of the acronym in a musical sense.  The acronym has more meaning when reading the band's website and their mission- yes they have a YACHT Mission.  They strive to understand life- terrestrial, extraterrestrial and spiritual-  and its significance or insignificance, through constant transformation by way of creative processes.  YACHT's website even says after their U.S. tour, they will be going to Europe, then Australia, then Outer Space and finally The Afterlife.  Needless to say, those present tonight are in for more than a great show, they may indeed come to an epiphany about the meaning of life.  The answer of all answers in only hours away people!!

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

Yelle w/ French Horn Rebellion and DJ Mike Deez @ The Bluebird Theater, Doors 7:00 PM, $20

J'taime Yelle.  She is cute, stylish, French and of course makes great dance tunes with her producer friends and bandmates GrandMariner and Tepr.  The lyrics that go along with these electro beats are pretty provocative once translated into English, but until my French improves, I will continue to make up my own happy translations.  The provocative lyrics do not take away from the upbeat sounds of the music, they just make the front woman look more badass.  She would definitely kick any guys ass if need be.  Every song on their first album Pop Up can put me in a better mood instantly.  They songs are electronic but not quite techno, ensuring that you'll be tapping your feet and dancing but that your brain won't be tapping against your skull later that night.  Yelle's second album, Safari Disco Club, was released earlier this year and the band is doing a tour to go along with the album release.  As the band is obviously French, this is most likely not an opportunity that will present itself again anytime soon.  For this reason, this show is worth the money.  And it will definitely be a fun dance party with an appearance by the French street dance, Tecktonik, which involves lots of arm flailing and bending the knees like a ragdoll.  Check out the Yelle video for a remix of "A Cause Des Garcons" for a preview of the French craziness.  It would also be wise to just go ahead and learn the dance yourself as tomorrow night will be one big dance battle.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Here We Go Magic with Aroara and Achille Lauro @ Larimer Lounge, 8:00 PM, $13

Tonight come see Here We Go Magic at Larimer Lounge.  This band is an indie-rock/pop/folk group out of New York.  The band's music sounds happy and fanciful with warming vocals- so you are guaranteed to have a fun night (maybe)!  Aroara is a band I have never listened to, but they feature some members of Broken Social Scene, so I'd imagine they are a group of talented performers of the indie genre.  Achille Lauro is the local band of the lineup and they describe themselves on their myspace as "the soundtrack to the devils stolen sex tape, a livid and confessional mix of Post-Rock guitar swagger and soulful dance music, punctuated by too many influences to mention, something akin to MIA fronting a garage band Radiohead attempting to recreate the soundtrack to the film Amelie."  Sounds pretty crazy.  And for that reason, I'll be there.  Plus its always a treat to check out and support a local act!