Writing, like music, is at its best when it transcends the author and blossoms within the soul of the reader, or listener. This is when one might say that their craft has reached a new height and come to, well, fruition. At this moment, both facilitator and observer understand why they gravitate towards art. I cannot come remotely close to describing the magic of this year’s WWG without starting with Fruition — the Portland based quintet. Fruition put on not one but two of WW

Words by Timo Mitchel Winter Wondergrass has cemented itself as a staple for Colorado music and beer lovers. What started in a parking lot of Crazy Mountain Brewery in Edwards, CO back in 2013, has evolved into a sold-out multi-ski-town festival that sees skiing, craft beer, and today’s best bluegrass collide. The move from Avon, Colorado’s Nottingham Park to Knoll Lot in Steamboat Springs was a controversial but ultimately crafty move by the festival organizers. This is the

The incipient festival drew around 8,000 attendees in its first year of existence. Although this is considerably less than expected, the size proved to be one of the most enjoyable distinctions throughout the weekend. Clean bathrooms, virtually no lines at the entrance or the vending booths, and plenty of space with a conscious and considerate crowd during the shows; these simple luxuries created a loyal community that will certainly be returning next year. Vertex checked the

The Scene Colorado has been yearning for a major festival for years now. Granted, 3 night runs of Cheese, Panic, and Phish are summer festivals within themselves, but we haven’t seen diversity like this in some time. Snowball was a hit until it moved down to Denver and was never seen from again. Snowball, Chad, we’re patiently waiting for the return! ARISE put on a fantastic experience last year, but the lack of compelling headliners and the misfortune to fall on the same wee

The String Cheese Incident concluded their three-night Red Rocks run last night, an extended stay at one of the greatest venues on the planet. Over the six sets played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the band dug deep to bring back oft-ignored classics, debuted covers, played new joints from their SCI Sound Lab project, and provided a wash of positivity over the concert-goers. Night One The lot filled up relatively early as anxious ticket-holders jump-started the weekend’s fu

While cutting through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado last month, we had a chance to sit down with Dopapod drummer, Scotty Zwang, before hitting the stage at The Barkley Ballroom in Frisco, CO. What does music mean to you? Scotty Zwang: It’s funny, I was watching one of my favorite movies, Almost Famous, and I thought if anyone ever asked me this question I would have to quote the movie. “To begin with, everything.” It really means everything to me at this point. It’s my pass

Matt Butler has one of the coolest jobs in the world. In case you have never seen Everyone Orchestra, conductor Matt Butler leads a rotating cast of musicians through set-long jam sessions. Butler’s melodic guidance is truly incredible to watch, as he uses dance, air-instrumenting, and suggested themes to steer the music. His passion and excitement for the music was palpable and contagious throughout the night. Songs do not need to be written before they are performed. One of

Just around the corner, Papadosio will return to the Rocky Mountain State for a 3-night. A night in Aspen at Belly Up followed by two nights in Ft. Collins at The Aggie Theatre are on the menu this time around. After getting to cover both of Papadosio’s last Colorado concerts I’ve learned that you don’t miss them. The band, already so connected to nature through their music, always seems to make a spectacle of their shows out here. What impresses me the most about their follo

Snowmass Mammoth Fest has announced their initial lineup which is headlined by Wheels of Soul ( a collaboration of Tedeschi Trucks Band, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings,and Doyle Bramhall II). Also playing is Greensky Bluegrass, Futurebirds and more! The festival takes place in Snowmass, CO, a little ski town in the Aspens. It looks like this festival will be great fun for all, so be sure to peep it out if you’re in Colorado this summer. For more more information visit snowmassm

Keller Williams came through the Rocky Mountains for the weekend stopping, in Keystone, CO for two nights of “Keller and his Compadres.” The two nights would each feature a different combination of Keller Williams and his friends. Night one, which would turn out to be the bluegrass night of the two, had Keller joined by Stringdusters Andy Falco on guitar and Andy Hall on dobro as well as Leftover Salmon’s Andy Thorn on banjo. Night two was a reunion of Keller Williams and the

Colorado producer Vibe Street just released his new EP “She Makes Me Feel.” Vibe Street is helping pave the way for a new sound that’s flourishing through Denver’s producer scene: a smooth electro/hip-hop sound that keeps your head bumping. Using soulful lyric samples and funk guitar lines, Ben Davis is bringing his own style into the scene that would please the ears of any listener. Davis manages to create a new sound inside of a familiar genre. Though he would fall under th

This Saturday, Denver producer Vibe Street will play at Bar Red for the Ruby Generations fundraiser. Ruby Generations is a fundraising campaign trying to engage and educate the local music scene about Colorado’s next big outdoors concert venue that will offer free live music to the community. Vibe Street brings together the best of both worlds in today’s music. Merging electro/hip-hop funk and acoustic/bluegrass styles to create a blissful sound of harmonious beats will keep

Making your way through the groups of animal hoodies and late Halloween costume, everyone was flying their freak-flag as Beats Antique’s Creature Carnival made its way to Broomfield, CO. Once inside The 1st Bank Center, attendees were treated to circus-like creatures as well as some fun activities while you waited for the show to begin. Fans could make very own creature carnival mask. The stage was rigged up with lights hanging from the ceiling, and was completed by a freak-s

Last Friday night Denver’s Fillmore Auditorium hosted a the smooth electro funk of Michal Menert Big Band. Bringing along Orchard Lounge and Exmag making it a baby-making groove fest. Exmag and Orchard Lounge kept the room moving while the warehouse venue slowly started to fill. One by one nearly every space available was being taken. When the lights dimmed for the last time, and a mob of musicians rushed the stage. After about 15 people got into their respected positions, a

The dudes in Exmag just released a killer recap video of their summer trip to Red Rocks where they played alongside Gramatik and Lettuce. The video was filmed and edited by Brooklyn-based Dan LaDue, a great friend, a DubEra contributor and a rising NYC videographer. Exmag also recently announced a November 28th show at New York City’s Webster Hall alongside Keys ‘n’ Krates. The event will be a display of two fine live/electronic hybrids, and I can’t wait to see what happens w

As well as a lengthy fall tour, fans have a full-length album, Never Odd or Even, being released on November 11th.  So that all can hear the latest effort, the band is now offering signups to access free digital downloads of the disc upon its release.  To get a copy, fans can visit the band’s official website at www.dopapod.com and sign up on the email list to be sent a link to download a free digital version of the album the day of its release on 11/11.  While at the site, f

Love, it seems like a lot of bands push that emotion out into their crowd. Many time that emotion can be taken as half hearted, but when you are in the presence of the funky soulfulness of The Nth Power you can’t help but feel an overwhelming emotional connection between the musicians and the audience. Last month, The Nth Power kicked off their Fall in Love Tour at Cervantes ‘The Other Side’ in Denver, CO. The Nth Power is a 5 piece group made up of Nikki Glaspie on drums/voc

Joining them on tour right now is the sit-in master Roosevelt “The Dr.” Collier. Adding Collier will surely add a new element to Tiny Universe’s already unique funk sound, these will not be shows you want to miss! Still running strong off of their February release of New Ammo in a quick interview with Karl Denson he promises that the band is working away at another new release and even made a mention that songs as new as last week might be making their debut at their Denver s

Bringing Red Rocks concert season to its near end was a electronica party for the ages as Lotus brought their friends Papadosio and Orchard Lounge to the world famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre. As the sun began to set brightening the sky with vibrant pinks and oranges, Orchard Lounge started things off with some vinyl mixing. This was my first time seeing Orchard Lounge and was pleasantly surprised to see how the group took turns spinning records. Once night has finally settled

Winter Wondergrass is back for 2015 with a lineup that looks like this will be their biggest year yet! Leftover Salmon, Infamous Stringdusters and Sam Bush Band top a lineup that also boasts Fruition, Jeff Austin Band, Elephant Revival and the Wood Brothers. The culmination of mountains, heady brew, and polyth-ethnic cajun slamgrass will hit Avon, Colorado come February 20-22. Early bird tickets start at $119 and are available now. Act quick, I’m sure they’ll go swiftly. #lef