NYS Music 20​17

Tag: Denver

  • Quixotic and the Desert Dwellers Astonish the Ogden Theatre in Denver

    A sense of wonder. It’s that wide-eyed gleam that happens when any other breed of dog spots a poodle for the first time.  It is that sixth sense so rare in adulthood that it has been referred to as the superpower of children.  It is so potent a gift that marine biologist, Rachel Carson once exclaimed, “If I had influence with a good fairy, I would ask that her gift to each child be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life.”

    Luckily, I have found that such magic does exist. One reminder came last week in form of Quixotic, an innovative performance art collective that fuses mind boggling imagination with technology, dance, aerials, projection mapping and live music. Quixotic started an an experimental artistic collaboration in Kansas City, Missouri in the mid-2000s has exploded into a worldwide performance phenomenon.

    Last week, Quixotic, along with world-beat electronic music group, the Desert Dwellers, transformed the Ogden Theatre into an awe-inspiring house of wonder imbued with fierce athleticism, grace, and lilting beauty. The performance, aptly titled, “Beyond”, explored the boundaries of what is commonly thought possible in visual/music performances. The performers challenged the boundaries of human limitation in a show that featured risky aerial hoop performances and astonishing contortionist dance movements accompanied by dramatic live and electronic music.

    If I had influence with a good fairy, I would ask that each adult have the opportunity to witness such a performance that possesses such an indestructible sense of wonder. Its effect would last a lifetime.

  • Hearing Aide: Cycles ‘Vacation’

    Cycles is a three-piece band from Denver, CO that performs “psychedelic rock fusion” with a blend of other genres like jazz, funk, and more. The band features Patrick Harvey on guitar, Michael Wood on drums, and Tucker McClung on bass and vocals. They’re celebrating the release of their new album Vacation with a show at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom on Saturday, June 3. This new album comes a little more than a year after their 2016 EP Loads of Fun.

    cycles vacationVacation was masterfully recorded in Blackhawk, CO at Mountain Star Studio. There’s a high attention to detail with every note throughout as the band writes each song themselves. The title track on the album kicks off with a great instrumental build into the lyrics where McClung sings that “you’re just along for the ride”- the ride through this aural vacation of an album. “The Aloe Parade,” cleverly named after the post-beach sunburn remedy, features some funky bass techniques throughout that are sure to have listeners grooving along. Instrumental track “Green” sounds like a tune you want to have playing as you drive to a great vacation destination to somewhere open and scenic. 

    Characterized by repetitive rhythms and clean doubling between guitar and bass, ”The Store” is quite unique with its various changes and phrasing. The listener doesn’t stay too comfortable in a mode before switching. The band artistically paints the picture of a day in “Twilight” with ascending chordal motifs in the first half of the song to show the progression of the sun, and descending motifs once ‘twilight’ hits, signifying the sun has almost set. To ruminate means to meditate or ponder. “The Ruminator,” a funky and slower jam, shows the process of pondering a situation or making a decision. The listener thinks the song is over about halfway through it, but the driving ride cymbal lets you know that the song isn’t quite done, showing a thought or idea changing its shape during the second half.

    This album blurs lines between genres and takes listeners on a sonic journey. The album is quite symbolic inside and outside of the lyrics, and each song plays around in different modes showing the diverse capabilities of the group. It’s evident that they strive for variety in both their recordings and performances. This album accurately reflects the groups’ writing talents and individual musicianship as they manage to produce a full sound with just three members.

    Cycles is hitting the road this summer on a tour appropriately called the “Summer Vacation Tour.” They’re set to hit many spots around Colorado and they’re branching out of state to Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, and more. Try to catch them in action on the road!

    Key Tracks: Green, Everything Must Go, The Call

  • Higher Society Lifts Spirits in Denver for New Year’s Eve

    Fuck, 2016! That was the prevailing feeling for many people in our country as we lurched toward year’s end. So many beloved musicians died. There were bombings, searing police confrontations and there was the near apocalyptic collapse of democracies around the world. Many pundits included our country in that post-mortem.

    But, I had personal reasons to feel disheartened to reflect on the year that was. My father’s memorial service was on my birthday. He died of brain cancer while my sister struggled with the awful pain and physical indignities of chemotherapy due to her diagnosis of cancer. Fuck 2016, indeed, I thought.

    But sometimes better angels descend on us to reflect the better parts of our nature, bringing hope, laughter, and perhaps a little magic. And that is precisely what happened on New Year’s Eve in Denver, Colorado in a tucked away corner of the downtown business district. Sensi Mag, SOCO Nightlife and The Fantastic Hosts organization presented a dream-like reverie of music, dance, art, and joy at the year-end event, dubbed Higher Society at the City Hall venue.

    The evening, intended as an ode to the medicinal quality of marijuana, community and creativity, quickly lifted spirits with an opening speaking/meet and greet with visionary artists Alex and Allyson Grey.  Self-reflection quickly turned to celebration with a jolt of tribal rock rhythms and searing guitar jams from the Tierro Lee Band. The lilting melodies of Elephant Revival fiddler, Bridget Law gave an ethereal quality to the percussive jams. That joyful set alone quickly dispensed any lingering bittersweet feeling or antipathy regarding the passing year. Still the evening was only beginning.

    Following on the main stage was the expansive beauty of Quixotic an impressive group that combines an astounding mix of aerialist/ fire/ music performances. Throughout the venue numerous other visual artists, and DJs performed, including  Stööki Sound, Androcell,  and Johnathan Singer. 

    The Grey duo led the New Year countdown as Random Rab began his crowd-pleasing bass-thumping set. Without the spectacle of confetti, balloons or champagne salutes, a group of musicians, performers, and artists offered a night to recall that even in the most troubled of moments there is always reason for hope. And there is always beauty, even in dimly-lit corners of reality.