It's been a good month in Denver so far for great new local music. This blog has already been able to check out two great album release parties from Denver bands, and into the second week of February, Friday night's Hi-Dive show was the third. A large, lively and supportive crowd filed into the cozy Hi-Dive to celebrate the release of Achille Lauro's Flight Or Flight album. The air of celebration began early as people packed in from the very beginning to catch the supporting bands.

M & The Gems

The original schedule was shuffled a bit, and M & The Gems (formerly Mercuria & The Gemstars) began the night. This band has been affectionately known as M & The Gems as a shortened name for a while, and they decided to adopt the abbreviated moniker officially, but that wasn't the only change. Singer/guitarist Maria Kohler, guitarist/keyboardist Andrew Frank, and bassist Julia Mendiolea were joined by new drummer Nathan Barnes (of Rose Hill Drive). Still, the shortened name and new drummer did not at all affect this band's psychedelic tinged indie rock 'n' roll.

M & The Gems

M & The Gems began the night with a pair of older, previously released songs that have had a lot of replay in my library but I still can't quite get enough of, the sparkly but bold "Glacier" and celestial "Shrine". M & The Gems seem to be embracing the psychedelic rock sound, as their third piece was a new song that combined floating bass with driving guitar and spaced out synthesizer. They payed homage to classic glam rock with a faithful cover of T.Rex's "20th Century Boy" before going into the psych-blues 6/8-time song "The Rope". "State of the Unicorn" ended their set, a piece far out enough to be fantastical, but done so well it was if it had turned fantasy into reality. M & The Gems continues to progress, and their songwriting is becoming more elaborate yet grounded in a distinct identity. If you enjoy psychedelic rock, this band is willing to take you out of this world while being instantly approachable - an appealing version of a genre that can sometimes be too esoteric.

Land Lines

Land Lines took the stage next, ready to unveil a different mood of music and a unique style on the Hi-Dive crowd. Land Lines is a three piece band featuring Martina Grbac (cello, vocals), Anna Mascorella (cello, vocals), and Ross Harada (drums). Their seemingly simple setup was capable of creating a surprising range of captivating sounds. The cellos made an interesting intersection of folk and orchestral sound, and Martina Grbac's and Anna Mascorella's voices have a freak folk/baroque/avant-garde characteristic that is beautiful but also very dark - like a Tim Burton musical.

Land Lines

The dual cello setup allowed for an interesting interplay of sounds. When the instruments were bowed their was a chamber quality to their music, but when the cellos were played pizzacato (plucked), they could create a more driving, rock-oriented sound like staccato guitar strumming. Both styles were punctuated by deliberate drumming. The drums would accentuate the offbeat in the more baroque pieces and emphasize the tempo on the more rock-like pieces. Land Lines has yet to record and release their pieces, but at this point they definitely have something fresh and solid, although perhaps the experimental nature of their sound may limit their appeal to some, I'd invite anyone to try it out first.

Achille Lauro

Next was the main event, a performance from the headlining band Achille Lauro. This four piece band featuring Matt Close (vocals/guitar/synth), Jonathan Evans (bass), Ben Mossman (drums), Luke Mossman (guitar/synth) was celebrating the release of their new record, another collection of indie rock gems that combines intricate and ethereal post-rock with a dose of dance inducing soul. The guitars play off of each other to create this beautiful, textured sound that comes to life with sophisticated rhythms, creating a dreamy yet energetic backdrop to Matt Close's powerfully smooth vocal style.

Achille Lauro

Right away Achille Lauro began to capture the crowd with a slightly modified, slowed down version of "Summertime" from Indiscretions (perhaps the colder, darker, winter version of the song). Then they began to delve into their newly released material, starting with jazzy funk flavored dance rock tune "Lightning", followed by the definitively post-rock but funky soul influenced "Hard Pressed". "Supernatural Beings" took the crowd on synth heavy psychedelic trip, and included the addition of special guest trumpeters Joshua Trinidad and Squiddius Madden. "Hand of Sand" brought the audience back to airy dance rock and soul.

Achille Lauro

Although the night was about the new album, Flight Or Flight, Achille Lauro dipped into Indiscretions again with the seemingly folk influenced "Sandra". The remainder of their set included three of their more danceable numbers from the new album, "Cold Snap", "Thing About Sauza" and "Upward Away From The Ground". The night ended with their lead single, "Low Cha Cha", a sweeping masterpiece of a song that woos the listener in with its tenuously crafted sound before exploding with emotion made even more epic with the addition of the guest horn players.

Achille Lauro

Achille Lauro's performance showed that their new album fits solidly into the identity this band has been crafting for themselves, and the crowd response showed that their new material still has a strong enthralling effect. Of course, the night didn't end there, as before Achille Lauro could leave the stage, the crowd clamored for more. A favorite off of Indiscretions came first, "No Brakes", that had the audience singing along. It seemed as if it would end there, but then Matt Close started to play and sing the beginning of "The Hatter of Jamestown" solo, with the rest of the band, including the guest horn players, exploding into the song together creating a profound moment. Their whole performance was presented with poise and confidence, really allowing their music to shine. Overall, the night showed that Achille Lauro's approach to modern rock is one that needs to be heard - this band does it right.

See more pictures from this show in the Facebook photo album. Like the Concerted Effort page and stay up to date.

Indie rock fans, be prepared to come down to the Hi-Dive on February, 10. Concerted Effort is proud to present an all local indie rock showcase featuring three incredible bands. One of the bands is new to this blog, but from what I've gathered, they have a very intriguing concept and sound that I cannot wait to see. The other two bands have been covered before, and they left such a favorable impression there was no hesitation to see them again. Expect a great show from start to finish from these talented bands.


The headliner is seasoned local rock band Achille Lauro that has been covered on this blog before. Achille Lauro is a four-piece indie rock band that combines a myriad of influences into an atmospheric yet striking sound with an infectious propensity to cause movement on the dance floor. They achieve this by combining soulful vocals with post-rock instrumentals, garnished with unexpected sounds. Check out "Laredo".
Achille Lauro- Laredo by Vinefield


Mercuria & The Gemstars is the other familiar band in the lineup. This four-piece band creates fun indie rock with a hint of darkness and psychedelia that gets delivered to audience's ears via great musicianship and stage presence. The careful balance of moods delivered through their music is delicate force that especially comes out in the live setting. Check out "Command".
Mercuria & The Gemstars - Command by Concerted Effort


Local band Land Lines will open up the show. From what I could find, Land Lines is a three-piece indie rock band that features the interesting combination of vocals, cello and drums. The result is a dark orchestral driven sound with powerfully soft vocals. The addition of steady rhythmic percussion makes the package an almost experimental take on Gothic folk. Check out Land Lines on Facebook.

The Hi-Dive doors open February 10th at 9:00PM, and the music begins at 10:00PM. The show is 21+ and tickets are $8 in advance, or $10 the day of the show. Tickets are available online here.

It was good to be home again - or at least my home away from home. That's how I feel about the Larimer Lounge because it's the place I wrote my first review, and it keeps me coming back. Why? It's a good intimate venue with friendly staff and they consistently bring in a variety of talent - both national and especially local. When I saw they had a local indie rock show I knew I had to be there, and it ended up being a very entertaining show from start to finish.

Harpoontang

The night started a little later than anticipated, but when all five members of the opening band Harpoontang were ready to go, there was no looking back. Harpoontang is a local Denver indie/comedy band featuring Sarah Shu on vocals/banjo, Genevieve Patterson on bass/keyboard/vocals, Esme Collins guitar/vocals, Maria Kohler on guitar/drums/vocals, and Laura Goldhamer on drums/banjo/guitar/vocals. They create a sound that is part blues, part rock, part vocal ensemble, and completely hilarious.

Harpoontang

Musically, they've got enough going to keep people on the dance floor, but lyrically, they'll have the crowd laughing too hard to move their feet in rhythm. They did this with songs like "Cock Rock" and "Hymen Back" - just the song titles alone warrant a smirk. Even the seasonal song "Jingle Me Down" made me think of Santa in a different way. I was really impressed by their vocal harmonies, especially when they came to the front of stage and sang unamplified accompanied only by banjo and bass drum. If you don't mind placing your mind in the gutter for a while, Harpoontang is more than willing to splash around there with you - check them out!

Eldren

Up next was Denver indie rock band Eldren. Eldren performed as a seven-piece band consisting of Nasir Malik on guitar/vocals, Tyler Imbrogno on guitar/keyboard/vocals, Rick Walker on drums, Joshua Lee on violin/vocals/guitar, Steve Holloway on bass/vocals, Susie Renee Quinn on flute/vocals and Wesley Watkins (Air Dubai, Petals of Spain) on trumpet. Eldren can be lumped in the general indie rock category, but they really show a wide range of style in their songs. I hesitate to throw pop in the mix, but there is something about their music that is inherently catchy, perhaps in a retro-pop sort of sense. I'd also throw in a little bit of punk, some progressive rock, and loads of psychedelia.

Eldren

Eldren's set started out with more pop/punk/psychedelic oriented songs - including some of the most punk flute and trumpet playing I've seen. "Sleepy Walker" sounds like it could've been written by a band in the '60s, yet maintains a distinctively modern sound. The set built in intensity and complexity, while still being able to maintain a curious catchiness throughout. As much as I enjoyed the songs at the beginning and middle of their set with mesmerizing instrumentals and memorable melodies, I was blown away by how they finished their set. They ended with a progressive rock epic, where each instrument was skillfully layered in a manner that made the intricacies of each stand out when they should. I personally preferred the psychedelic and progressive stuff the most, but I like how they have a varied sound. Plus, it should give them an even wider appeal to indie rock fans. This is definitely a local band to see.

Mercuria & The Gem Stars

Finally Mercuria & The Gem Stars ended the night with a headlining set. Mercuria & The Gem Stars is a four piece band; Maria Kohler on vocals/guitar, Andrew Frank on guitar/keyboard, James Hale on drums, and Julia Mendiolea on bass. The band performs modern emotive indie rock with a hint of psychedelia, making for songs that are alluring, catchy, memorable, and fun to listen to. I was excited to finally catch this band again having not seen them since August - allowing me the chance to hear some new songs and see their progression.

Mercuria & The Gem Stars

In the time since I've seen them, I've listened to the three songs they've had available on BandCamp countless times, so when they opened up with "Glacier" it was pure bliss. The moment I heard that song live for the first time months ago I was hooked, and hearing it performed again was like reliving that memory. For the most part, the song was just as I remembered, but they did work in a few tweaks to the song that made hearing it again a brand new experience. I liked hearing the new song "Cubism Squared", finally satisfying my appetite for something new. "Shrine" was and still is my favorite Mercuria & The Gem Stars song, and I got a little swept away when I heard it again live last night. I noticed a couple changes - some guitar licks were different and some backing vocals were changed (ommitted?), but that's what happens when you've heard the same recording of an old song on repeat and then go back and see an evolved version.

Mercuria & The Gem Stars have progressed well since the last time I've seen them. The stage presence of the band as a whole seems to have grown stronger and the band seems way more comfortable up on stage. Maria Kohler is still very dynamic on stage and the music flows smoothly out from her. They should have some new material online soon, but I still can't wait for this band to progress even more and release a full length album. Until then I will highly recommend their shows to fans of indie rock.

See more pictures from this show in the Facebook photo album. Like the Concerted Effort page and stay up to date!

I'm back on the prowl, and tonight my search for live music leads me to the Larimer Lounge. It'll be all about local music, as the Larimer Lounge will be showcasing three indie rock bands. This trio of bands should deliver a great night of music, as each band approaches the genre a little bit differently, adding variety to the night. I've seen one of the bands before a while back and was instantly drawn to their sound, and I have a feeling that just might happen with the other bands on the bill tonight.


The headliner is Denver's own Mercuria & The Gem Stars. I saw this band once before, back in August, and I must say their music has stuck with me ever since and I'm excited to see them again. Mercuria & The Gem Stars is a four piece band; Maria Kohler on vocals/guitar, Julia Mendiolea on bass, Andrew Frank on keyboard/guitar/vocals, and James Hale on drums. The group plays a fun brand of indie rock with just a little tinge of psychedelic blues that drives well crafted songs. I've been listening to the three songs they've had available on BandCamp for months now and I still can't get enough, so I can't wait to hear more tonight. Check out "Glacier".
Mercuria &The Gemstars - Glacier by Concerted Effort


Although I haven't seen the next band yet, I am intrigued by the band Eldren. This Denver based seven-piece band has a myriad of things going on in their sound that makes it hard to lump into one category or the other, but I can say they seem to have blended pop-rock styling from the '60s-'70s, a little bit of punk, and both retro and modern psychedelia to create a modern rock sound that is as spaced out and a bit moody as it is just plain fun to listen to. I recommend checking out their band page to get the best idea, but check out "Starry Eyes".
Starry eyes by Eldren


Harpoontang is local band that I don't know much about, but from what I've found seems to be a band that packages humor and fun with bluesy rock. This all female band creates catchy music with lyricism that just might catch you off guard if you aren't ready for it. Check out "Cock Rock"
Harpoontang - Cock Rock by Concerted Effort

The Larimer Lounge doors open at 8:00PM and the music begins at 9:00PM. The show is 21+ and tickets are $7 at the door.

After a couple nights of connecting to music I've listened to for a long time but hadn't yet caught live, I put my explorer cap on last night and set out on an expedition through the concrete jungle hoping to discover great brand new local music. I picked the Hi-Dive after considering the available live music offerings that were around around town - something about the bands on this bill drew me in (and they had a sweet event poster), and now that I made the trek, I'm very pleased with what I found. There's no greater feeling to me than discovering a new band just beginning to emerge; putting themselves out there like fresh fruit of the vine, waiting to be discovered, collected and shared. If the Denver music scene was a vineyard, the Hi-Dive was the vine last night hosting three local bands like clusters of choice untouched grapes, hand selected to be the vintner's next great pride.

Mercuria and the Gem Stars

Mercuria and the Gem Stars opened up the show, and they immediately commanded my attention. This band has the whole package; a good looking band with great music and magnetizing stage presence. They have an alluring indie rock sound - smooth yet dark. The music rings with a certain familiarity that makes it instantly likable, yet stands on its own. Maria Kohler has a songwriting gift, crafting songs that are enchanting, moody, seductive but most of all, fun to experience. Her stage demeanor is captivating and it is evident that the music is truly an extension of her, flowing out naturally and thus easy to connect to. That energy flows to the rest of the band, and the lineup of James Hale on drums, Julia Mendiolea on bass, and Andrew Frank on synth/guitar/vocals works with great chemistry.

Maria Kohler of Mercuria and the Gem Stars

Before the show, I only had the chance to hear the three Mercuria and the Gem Stars songs I could find online, but that was all it took for me to know I wanted to see them. As much as I liked hearing the recordings of "Glacier" and "Shrine", seeing it come to life before me elevated "like" to "love". They mixed in other unreleased material into their set as well and the sound of all the music was ridiculously sweet to listen to. The last song of their set, the yet unreleased song "Rope", lingered with me well after the performance was over, leaving me wishing I could reach back to for it at any moment and climb back into another sonic adventure. The performance was very profound, and I'm having a tough time truly expressing the impression it made on me, so I'll simply say I loved watching it, can't wait to experience it again, and highly recommend this band to most anyone.

Dave Devine

Next up was Dave Devine, and it was something I wanted to see with great anticipation because of his pedigree. As I mentioned in my preview, Dave Devine is a guitar instructor at Metropolitan State College and the University of Colorado - Denver. In fact, some of his students are members of the two bands that accompanied him last night, and he has also instructed other Denver musicians, like Alex Anderson of ManCub. He performed with a full band - a keyboardist, bassist and drummer. Tonight he performed instrumental progressive indie rock, along the lines of Tortoise but more accessible, or like the offshoot The Sea and Cake but less pop-centric and more complex - a perfect spot somewhere in between. You can tell Dave Devine is a music scholar, showcasing the versatility of the guitar through various playing techniques mated to music in quirky time signatures and non repeating structures.

Dave Devine and his band

His accompanying band was very solid. The drum work was crisp and varied while the bass and Rhodes keyboard offered complimentary layers that filled out each song without ever making a song sound cluttered. Dave's penchant for teaching was evident in the way he would explain his songs, and I thought it was especially teacherly when at one point he said, "Any questions?" That was classic. I enjoyed the song '74, a song written in 7/4 time, and the final song was incredible - a math rock showcase that featured metal inspired fret shredding. It was great to watch someone play out who has been an influence to so many, and I'm thankful for people like Dave Devine, who tirelessly spread the gift of music to ongoing generations, shaping the future of music.

I'm going to break out the wine references again, and say that Mercuria and the Gem Stars would be a big, flavorful Shiraz - ripe and juicy with a lot of soft character but still bold and dark with a hint of spice; great for just about any occasion. Dave Devine would be a premium Cabernet Sauvignon - complete with complexity, sophistication and timelessness but with uniqueness crafted from experience and selectivity; an experience to be savored for the discerning palate. The headlining band, The Marrow, would be a new twist on a classic Bordeaux blend - crafting the best of old world class and mating it with something quirky and refreshing; taking time-honored ideas and blending it with ingenuity to present something new and exciting.

Tania Katz and Aaron Burris-DeBoskey of The Marrow

The Marrow was the band I was most curious about heading into the show. I compare them to a contemporary Bordeaux blend because they offer an atmospheric mix of experimental psychedelic folk rock, taking a range of classic styles and forming them into something complex and new. I listened to their four song EP available online before the show and was interested to see how all these sounds I was hearing would translate in a live setting. It turns out, it was way more compelling and fluid than I thought it might be - watching these guys live is definitely the way this music is meant to be experienced because of what they do to produce their sound.

Kris Becker of The Marrow

The Marrow is a group of five multi-instrumentalists that collectively produce a wide, varied and eclectic range of sounds. Aaron Burris-DeBoskey and Kris Beck play guitar, keyboard and provide vocals. April Anderson and Rodrigo Valdes play drums, percussion, and various improvised instruments. Tania Katz handles vocals, accordion, and a bit of percussion and mallets as well. April adds her vocals to the mix on occasion. It is one thing to hear how all of that combines in a recording, but it is so much more seeing it all work together live. Atmospheric sounds are achieved from such improvised instruments such as heavy chains, bottle caps, and wind chimes. Aaron and Kris employ a range of styles in their guitar playing - jazz, folk, rock and world music. All together, their collective music is influenced by a bit of everything, and yet not like much else out there. They have incredible style and limitless potential. I'm sure as each performance goes by, they will grow tremendously and be quite the musical force to be reckoned with. I hope to see this band again soon, and I'll definitely be keeping my eye out for their future shows.

Last night was an incredible experience, and by the end of it all I once again felt like I was lucky to have witnessed it. I know a show is great when I feel like I should be the one thanking the performers for what I just saw. No matter how much music is already out there, there is a seemingly infinite amount of it out there yet to be discovered. I certainly came across some amazing bands last night and am happy to add a few more favorites to my ever-growing list. There was a good amount of people there last night to see this unfold, but I'll do everything I can to get as many people tuned in as possible - this music is too good to keep hidden and more people need to hear it!

Check out more pictures from this show in the Facebook album. Like the Concerted Effort page to get current updates!

After two nights of hip-hop in a row, I'm going to visit the Hi-Dive again to check out some more local music - this time in the form of indie experimental rock. It seems there is a surprise quality local act lurking behind every corner I look, and tonight, I'm expecting a real treat.


The Marrow is a local five-some playing some cool atmospheric experimental folk-jazz. They recently released a four track EP with songs that blend from beginning to end, taking the listener on a diverse musical journey. I don't know how their music will translate live, but I'm very excited to find out. Check out "Lady Lizbeth".


Dave Devine is a guitarist and instructor at Metro State and CU Denver. I haven't yet been able to come across any of his music, but I know that he has performed across the country and across the world. He's been involved with several bands; Delby L, Greybird, Momenterra, Relay, and Static Trio. I just found out about Delby, but it sounds like awesome instrumental progressive indie rock I can really get into. Greybird is along the same lines. Static trio also sounds particularly sweet. I'll definitely be checking these bands out further, but for tonight, it's all about Dave!


I'm very excited to check out Mercuria and the Gemstars. They've got a sweet female-led indie rock vibe going on, and I'm sure they'll be quite profound to check out live. They are a fearsome foresome that are sure to rock out. Check out "Shrine".

I know I haven't offered much as an in-depth preview, but the truth is I'm still learning about these bands. I'll definitely report my findings after I'm done checking them out tonight. The show starts around 9:00PM and tickets are only $6!

Lady Lizbeth by The Marrow

Mercuria and the Gem Stars - Shrine by Concerted Effort