Music
Naveen K
This installment of the Naropa Sessions features Naveen K, a singer-songwriter with a unique, upbeat sound. He can currently be found in Gainesville, FL. Enjoy these 2 great songs from his time in the Naropa studio in the summer of 2010.
Check out more of Naveen K’s music on his Myspace page.
Phil Norman
You may remember Phil Norman from the previous Naropa Session with Rosh & One Eye-Glass Broken. His accompaniment always lends an amazing touch to others’ songs, and it’s always a treat to see what he’s capable of on his own.
Here we highlight two incredible songs from Phil Norman recorded at the Naropa Sessions in July, 2010.
“Cat’s Pajamas” by Phil Norman
“Julie-O” composed by Mark Summers, performed by Phil Norman
For more of Phil’s performances and music, check out gravitycello.com.
You can also hear him perform as part of Rosh & One Eye-Glass Open at upcoming instances of the Blind Cafe.
Rosh & One Eye-Glass Broken
July 2010
We gathered in a small recording studio on the Naropa campus one summer afternoon. Just about 10 guests joined us, some of them other artists waiting to perform. All of us squeezed into the small studio, enjoying wonderful music on a perfect afternoon.
This is just one segment of a new series here… the Naropa Sessions. Each features an amazing local musician from the Denver/Boulder area, in an intimate studio recording session.
Rosh, of Rosh & One Eye-Glass Broken, has quickly become a friend of mine in the past year. His work on The Blind Café has been an amazing awareness project, and it continues to quickly grow into a national event. The dinner in complete darkness features live music from Rosh & OEGB, which seems to transcend to a completely unknown part of your soul when immersed in complete darkness with a room full of others. It’s a moving and remarkable experience. If the Blind Café comes to your city, make sure to get your tickets early.
Rosh & One Eye-Glass Broken are seen here in a limited arrangement (only a few members are present), but the songs remain no less powerful or graceful. A talented songwriter, Rosh is usually joined by the incredible cellist, Phil Norman. Together, they weave beautiful harmonies that accent an instrumental pairing you don’t hear every day. Enjoy.
“Tonight”
“Lows & Highs”
“Oh My Son”
“Told A Lie”
For more music by Rosh & One Eye-Glass Broken, visit the band’s Myspace page.
For more information on The Blind Café, visit the theblindcafe.com.
Hey Rosetta!
Shot 17 September 2010 at the Bluebird Theater in Denver, CO.
They had just played an amazing set at the Bluebird Theatre and we waited while they packed up all their gear. It’s quite a bit, considering the more-than-average instrumentation of the band. I thought about how I had come to love this band so quickly in so short a time. I had only first been exposed to them a few months before, but they were already one of my current favorites. I keep telling everyone I know about Hey Rosetta – not because I’m some kind of music promoter – but probably because I think they write some of the most genuine and unique music I’ve ever experienced. Each song tells a story, beautiful and heartfelt, perfectly orchestrated and never rushed – they seem to put an amazing amount of emotion into each one.
A few minutes of walking found us in front of a complete stranger’s house on a dark side-street. The bricks bordering the sidewalk were a perfect spot for a band to sit down and offer their music to the sounds of the night. We were only able to capture one song that night, a slow one, but one of my favorites for sure. It was quite surreal, and an off-stage short I’ll never forget. Enjoy a brief taste of Hey Rosetta! from a sidewalk in Denver, CO. Photos from that night’s show are below.
“Red Song” from the Red Songs EP
For more of Hey Rosetta’s greatness, check out their website here. I highly recommend seeing them live, and adding their music to your collection. It’s well deserved.
Gasoline Heart
23 July 2010:
It was a busy day. I was shooting The Ataris that evening, and they had asked me to consider shooting Gasoline Heart while I was there. On a quick listen to GH beforehand, I thought it was good, so I agreed. I’m so incredibly glad I did. I ended up making three of my favorite recordings ever, and meeting one of my new favorite artists. Easily one of the best bands I’ve discovered in the past year, I just can’t get enough of Louis DeFabrizio’s voice, lyrics, and songwriting. As a huge Foo Fighters fan, I found comfort in Louis’ vocals (though he says he’s more keen of Eddie Vedder), and his writing weaves heartfelt lovelorn stories of joy, pain, love, and loss. Regardless of the subject or setting, Louis proves he can hold his own – which he did – not only in the performances seen here, but in his mostly solo set on stage. I think I even remember a Springsteen cover in there somewhere that was utterly amazing.
Also, a special thanks to Louis for enlightening us to the comedic genius of the HBO series East Bound and Down. As he flawlessly performed the opening monologue from the show to hundreds of clueless concertgoers, a few of us in the know could simply not stop laughing. I’ve never seen someone pull off a performance with such reckless disregard for whether or not the audience understood what was going on. And I loved it, it was perfect. Never change.
I’d love to see the whole band one day, and I hope to god Louis DeFabrizio keeps making music, because I for one will be enjoying his music for a long time to come. Enjoy these three songs from Louis DeFabrizio of Gasoline Heart. Photos from that night’s show can be found below.
“Never Been Better” from Nostalgia Ain’t What It Used To Be
“Armadillo” from Nostalgia Ain’t What It Used To Be
“Yellowbelly”
Photos from that night’s show:
Be sure to check out GasolineHeart.com for tour dates, more info, and music downloads.
The Ataris
Sure, it’s just a short sidewalk concert from Kristopher Roe (the soul behind the Ataris). But it was really great to finally catch one of my long-time influences in action. I remember buying So Long, Astoria from the record store back in high school. It wasn’t long before I was driving with the windows down, singing along to every song on that album. It was one of those albums that stuck with me forever. As I started writing my own music and playing in bands, my songs always had a similar element or two drawn from The Ataris. It seemed to all be deeply rooted in me forever.
Then, Welcome the Night came out, and blew me away. I was always amazed how unnoticed it was in the mainstream, even though I thought it was an incredibly powerful album. I felt like the Ataris had invented a new genre. Don’t ask me to name it, cause I can’t. It was and still is one of my favorite albums. Can’t wait to hear Graveyard of the Atlantic next year, and really happy to be able to feature an acoustic rendition of the title-track.
Enjoy these 3 songs from the Ataris, filmed outside the Marquis Theater in Denver, July 23rd, 2010. Also, some photos from that night’s show can be found below.
“In this Diary” from So Long, Astoria
“Graveyard of the Atlantic” from Graveyard of the Atlantic
“Broken Promise Ring” from Blue Skies, Broken Hearts…Next 12 Exits
Find out more about The Ataris current tour dates and the upcoming album by visiting facebook.com/theataris or myspace.com/theataris.
Andrew Belle
20 May 2010:
Last time it was about 15 degrees. We huddled in the back of a running tour bus, sitting in a dark parking lot. This time, nothing but sunshine, warm summer air, barking dogs and singing birds. The seasons are part of Colorado’s charm, I suppose. This marks the second time we’ve filmed Andrew Belle, but if you give me the chance, I’ll take you up on it every time. Simply put, the guy does not disappoint.
Andrew was in town for a quick show and we met beforehand to capture one of my favorite songs: All Those Pretty Lights
Andrew is on tour this summer! Check out his website (AndrewBelle.com) for more information.
Some screencaps and photos from that night’s show can be seen below.
Nouvelle Vague
1 February 2010:
The concept behind French pop band Nouvelle Vague is genius in its simplicity. They take classic punk / rock / cult hits, and reinvent them as new wave (or ‘nouvelle vague’ in French) songs. Sometimes it’s more of a bossa nova, sometimes it’s completely undefinable. It’s more than a cover, though, as they almost seem to conjure the song up from the ethereal void that songs materialize from without inducing an eye-roll from even the most cynical music lover. What I mean to say is, hearing these songs in such a different light leaves one with a refreshing hint of the song they used to know, like a distant memory; like the original songs were a distant memory for these musicians too, and they let it flow through them again in this form.
Started by producer/arrangers Olivier Libaux and Marc Collin (who you’ll see playing guitar and melodica, respectively, in this video), the songs are sung by a revolving cast of unfailingly gorgeous women. On this tour, they’re lucky enough to enlist the talents of Karina Zeviani (international model and singer for Thievery Corporation), and Helena Noguerra (beloved French singer and actress). Onstage, these two truly captivate the attention of the entire room. Actually, it doesn’t matter what room they’re in, you can’t miss them.
Enjoy Nouvelle Vague performing the cult classic “Blister in the Sun” backstage, just moments before walking onstage to a packed room of fans.
Thanks to Marc, Olivier, manager Christophe, drummer Spencer Cohen, the lovely Helena, and the stunning Karina, for performing for Ecce. Nous adorons les Nouvelles Vagues!
For more info on Nouvelle Vague, including current U.S. tour dates, check out nouvellesvagues.com.
Check out a few concert photos and freeze-frames from that night below.
Andrew Belle
10 December 2009:
You know what they say: There’s no place more intimate than the back of a tour bus. So no better a place for us to get in from the cold and up close with Andrew Belle and two of his songs.
Andrew had recently joined Ten out of Tenn on a short Christmas tour. Ten out of Tenn is a wonderful group of songwriters that rotate during their show performing a couple of their own songs while the others help with accompaniment. This results is an entire set of smart, beautifully written songs. If you like indie songwriters, it’s like getting a taste test of 10 brand new ice cream flavors (and then you go out and get 10 new albums after you end up loving them all). Anyway, I highly suggest checking out each and every musician in Ten out of Tenn.
Alright, back to Andrew. So we had planned on having Andrew perform under a street light near the Bluebird Theater. It was in the 30s though, and low-light shooting isn’t always as wonderful as you think it will be in your mind, so I was happy when Andrew invited us to do it on the Ten out of Tenn tour bus. We shrugged off generator noise and fairly low lighting in the back of the bus as a trade off for an intimate performance most fans only dream of.
On “Static Waves” Andrew is joined by Katie Herzig, Matthew Perryman Jones, and Andy Davis. “Ladder” features Jeremy Lister, Matthew Perryman Jones, and Andy Davis. Click on the pictures to launch the streaming HD player for each song.
By the way, if you’re ever asked onto a band’s tour bus as a guest, don’t accidentally steal one of their coats when packing up your equipment. Now I have to reset the “__ days without stealing a coat” counter on my wall.
Photos snapped from the Ten out of Tenn show that night are featured here.
If you like what you hear, make sure to check out 10outoftenn.com and andrewbelle.com!
Sam Bradley
17 November 2009:
I met Sam Bradley at the Fox Theatre when he was finishing up his sound check for that night’s show. It was below freezing and not really all that welcoming of a night. Colorado usually has very mild winters (though I keep telling visitors this, they don’t believe me).
With the cold limiting our desire to be outside, we ventured to Pearl Street Mall (the nightlife of Boulder) to find some spots for Sam to play. We quickly found a deserted patio behind a restaurant, complete with a fireplace to warm our hands and some intimate mood lighting. We got comfortable and chose a corner of the patio. My crew had never heard Sam play before, so they were really surprised when he poured out his heart with the emotional song “Too Far Gone”. Sam’s genuine performance was punctuated by the cold and emptiness of the space. Beautiful, serene, intimate. It all just… fit.
Next we ventured around the corner and into the basement of a bar to find a warmer space to play the next song. An old brick dart room in the back corner provided the perfect setting for “No One and Me”. Hundreds of people had left their mark on the walls of this room, written with chalk or dart-tips. Sam left his own mark with a heartfelt private performance that we are more than happy to share with you.
Lastly we headed back out into the cold onto the nearly deserted Pearl Street Mall for “Passport”, a fun song complete with strip clubs and “lines of confidence” (you’ll see what I mean). There were a few brave souls out in the cold, and a small crowd gathered to enjoy the performance with us. It was great to finish up our Off-Stage Shorts with some traditional buskering (minus the panhandle, of course), and wonderful to hear a song I’d never heard before, belted out into the thin Colorado air by a talented musician.
Click the buttons below to launch each segment in streaming HD video:
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That night after filming, we were lucky to be able to see Sam Bradley’s show and take a few photographs. With his full band backing him up, they gave a polished and energetic set that was a pleasure to witness. Sam showed us his introspective and emotional side, as well as his fun and lighthearted side. We’re very grateful to Sam Bradley for sharing a piece of himself and his music with all of us. Thanks for coming out, Sam! If you have a chance to see him live, don’t pass it up!
Be sure to check out sambradley.com!
A few screencaps and photos from the show are below:
Elizabeth & The Catapult
17 November 2009:
It was a frigid late November day when Elizabeth & the Catapult contacted me and said they wanted to go up Mt. Sanitas trail to play some music. A few hours later, we were trudging through the mud and snow carrying instruments and camera equipment. A short hike led to a clearing with a great view of the city below. We rushed to set up and make use of the fading daylight (the sun passes behind the mountain at about 3:30pm at this time of the year). What followed was three great performances in the brisk mountain air from Elizabeth & the Catapult, a Brooklyn-based indie pop band featuring the wonderful voice of Elizabeth Ziman.
“Race You” is a catchy, quick song with a strong hook (you’ll have it stuck in your head for days). It really shows what a fun band they are. “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up” is a charming Tom Waits cover that far, FAR outdoes the original (IMHO), and “Porcelain Lady” is a serene duet between Elizabeth and drummer Dan Molad on guitar. Here you’ll find Elizabeth’s voice really shines.
Click the buttons below to launch each HD streaming video:
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All in all, it was a great shoot, and despite a malfunctioning camera, new audio recorder, and bitter cold temperatures, we managed to chronicle these beautiful early winter performances. Later, we caught up with them at their show that night at the Fox Theatre, and enjoyed it thoroughly. Thanks to the band for an unforgettable performance up in the snow as well as in the theatre down below. If they’re coming to a town near you, GO. You won’t regret it.
Dead Confederate
26 September 2009:
A mild, yet windy night on ‘the Hill’ in Boulder, I came to the Fox Theatre to enjoy something far from mild: Dead Confederate. I had discovered them a few weeks earlier and become intrigued with their powerful sound and intoxicating songs. Hailing from the southern-rock-mecca known as Athens, Georgia, they have managed to capture in song a melancholic rawness and intensity that I have to believe Kurt Cobain himself would love (lest I use his name in vain). Post-grunge is certainly alive and fairing well in the hearts of DC. I knew they would be great to see live and I wasn’t wrong. Opening for the legendary Meat Puppets, Dead Confederate was able to pack an unbelievable amount of energy into their 45 minute set. They shook the walls, they shook the audience, and my head was pounding (in a good way) by the end of their time on stage.
Here are two songs from Dead Confederate live on-stage, plus a third featuring Hardy and Walker improvising a song with a stranger named Kippie.
Loverleigh
18 June 2009:
We arrived at the Pikes Peak Center Studio Bee and found it packed with people. Nearly every seat was taken and there were 20-30 people standing in the back. I had no idea Loverleigh had such a following. When Loverleigh started and I began to shoot, I quickly learned what made them so special. With a unique blend of cello, guitar, and drums, they brought a style of music that many had never even considered before.
We were blessed with perfect lighting (the kind you just don’t get in the usual sketchy clubs). I knew as I recorded it that this was some of the best looking video I had ever shot – a great feeling for me.
Guitarist/singer Mike Stephens brought his usual emphatic voice to the songs, and guitar that ranged from piercing harmonies to atmospheric noise (my personal favorite of the set is ‘Crawl Away Already’). If only the audio engineer hadn’t had the guitar down so low on the mix. Celloist/singer Lisa Snow also shined, as the two play off eachother (and trade off singing) throughout the show. Her cello cuts through the harmonies, laden with FX, to add a new and interesting twist to indie music.
As always, Chris Combs once again showed why he’s often considered to be one of the best drummers in the state. His intricate rhythms and timing go far beyond ordinary drumming, and his skills are second-to-none. Don’t miss any opportunity to see a band lucky enough to have him. You won’t regret it.
With their songs packed full of energy, emotion, and impressive talent, they wove an intricate and beautiful show together. We present to you five songs from that show – great proof that Loverleigh is a band to watch (and listen to) this year.
Click on each button for a different song:
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Hope you enjoy. Be sure to check out more Loverleigh at myspace.com/loverleighmusic
Royal Affair
22 May 2008:
Royal Affair was a Denver area band from 2003 to 2005.
This video features the wonderful Emma and Royal Affair, way back in the fall of 2004.
Featuring:
Pete Kelly
Rob Speck
Greg Ferrari
Devon Walton
