The Underground Music Showcase has come and gone but so much took place during those jam-packed four days that there is still a lot to reflect on. The Concerted Effort video team was there with the mission of capturing as many bands as they could throughout the festival, and here is what they caught on the opening day of the showcase. We managed to gather images from 10 of the 49 bands that performed that day, including Bad Weather California, Black Amex, Cloud Nothings, Fairchildren, Wire Faces, Mr. Pacman, Munly & The Lupercalians, Petals of Spain, School Knights, and StaG.

Underground Music Showcase 2012 Day 1 from Concerted Effort on Vimeo.

This video features the song "Summerfoot" by StaG available online with other music to stream, buy and download at their Bandcamp page. Check back soon for videos of the other days of UMS.


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College and bands are a match made in heaven: expanding minds crave to push boundaries. College music is the soundtrack to a bohemian lifestyle in which philosophy is discussed over a vegan potluck and all you need is a long board and a few dollars to see your friend’s band play. And it doesn’t hurt when your typical college band is being fostered by a liberal arts environment and supported by donations from parents or financial aid. StaG’s farewell show was an opportunity to see this college band play once more before parting ways, or heading back to Los Angeles where they were from originally.

Sunday night’s show was meant to be a night for well-wishers to send the young college kids off into the real world, and also a chance to spend a night with some of the musical acts that have supported them while they were here. A cold, rainy evening made for a bittersweet farewell at this Larimer Lounge show with a small audience able to brave the dismal Sunday night weather. Or maybe it was because no one likes to say ‘goodbye’.



Galaxies started the evening off with a synth-pop u-key-lele (a tricked out uke with keyboard attached) setup, something I’d like to call treehouse club. Can I make up my own genres here? Well the chosen description was zoowave on Galaxies’ Facebook page, which I also like, but seeing this one-man-band on stage play songs with sound bites of ocean waves and chirping birds really strikes me as needing a "treehouse". Frequently I wondered what parts I heard that night were him and which were the “invisible band” - so dubbed by Dillon Groeneman himself. It was very impressive to see Groeneman manage drumming the tom, adjusting laptop sounds and playing the uke while singing. If you haven’t heard of Galaxies, you might be more familiar with the previous iteration of the band which was called Moon Tides.



The Kevin Costner Suicide Pact is Denver’s answer to atmospheric performance art. The group plays with nobs and strings and huddles over their work table like they are playing a high stakes game of dice in the alley. As the group took the stage, they dedicated their set to StaG and then to the Denver Nuggets, who were playing game 4 against the Lakers in the NBA playoffs. At the bar there was a couple that was solely involved in watching the game; inexcusably they had voiced their allegiance to the Lakers. It was great to see a projection screen with a dedicated film strip operator collaborating with the performance on stage, or rather the interpretation of performance. Instead of facing the crowd, the four men on stage were busy crouching over sound effects pedals and various wires, every so often crouching to adjust something underneath the table or picking up a stringed instrument only to put it back down after a certain sound was detected.



The group would meet eachother’s eyes and make hushed conversation with one another while sipping their drinks, and the camera man was busy coloring and feeding film strips for the projector. We are used to looking and having a musician perform “at” us - the standing or sitting audience - but the sensation of looking over their shoulders has a unique voyeuristic quality to it that heightened the effect of the atmospheric sounds, as if your mind is more curious as to what is happening. In the psuedo-confusion, the projection screen is a nice distraction. Less noise and more calm, the whirring ambience of the Kevin Costner Suicide Pact is a gem of the Denver scene, and shouldn’t be missed live.



StaG took the stage and immediately created a strong presence with their moody, emotive vocals and rapping drum beats. Matt McGuire (bass, sampler, vocals) and Will Walden (guitar, vocals) have been friends and bandmates since high school. While in California, they had a full band, but about three years ago the pair moved to Colorado to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder. They were joined by their third bandmate Mac Welch on guitar and trombone, as well as a drummer who is not a band staple and unfortunately I could not identify before posting this review (I’m sorry, buddy!). The group was not about nostalgia or remembering the good times this evening, they had a job to do. And honestly must have been pretty worn out, what with finishing the semester and recording a new album due out this summer called When It Falls Apart.



McGuire and Walden have a musical chemistry on stage as they harmonize together on many songs and have a history of many years with eachother. The two would frequently look to eachother during the performance and discuss tidbits in between songs; given the low lighting in the Larimer Lounge you can’t expect a spotlight on everyone in the group, but unfortunately the lighting seemed to hide trombonist Welch as if he were apart of Galaxies’ invisible band. McGuire gave the smallest hint of a “looking back” moment as he mentioned that he had enjoyed playing with StaG over the years, and revealed that one of the main reasons they had continued to play past a battle of the bands was on the recommendation of their friends in the Kevin Costner Suicide Pact. In a room filled with mostly musical friends, the guys in StaG had an attentive audience as well as a stage to perform on, and I’m sure that as a college band there little else you could want at a farewell show. Be sure to keep your eyes and ears alert for their pending release, and hopefully we see these guys again soon.
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I made a second trip to the Hi-Dive last week, this time on Saturday night, but I was met with a familiar outcome - another quality show. This time it was a mix of local indie acts playing a variety of music, putting together a fun show for a music hungry weekend crowd. By the end of the night, the audience got a taste of indie pop-rock, mellow indie rock, and surf inspired modern rock to get their fill of music. The show demonstrated that this will indeed be a strong new year in music.

Shaky Molars

The show began with the indie pop group Shaky Molars. Shaky Molars performed as a five piece band; Chuck Potashner on vocals/guitar, Kat Roscoe on bass/vocals, Kayla Martin on cello/vocals, Nate Adelmann on guitar, and Ryan Mulligan on drums. They create music that sounds like pop yet doesn't quite sound like anything else at the same time. Apparent influences seem to be scattered all over the place, without really being able to pin down anything definitive. I can say though that their sound, song content, and live performance is centered around providing energy and humor to make for a fun and unique concert experience

Chuck Potashner of Shaky Molars

I'd seen this band once before and since then I'd say they have progresses a lot and really stamped out an identity for themselves over that time. As a band, the performance of their music came off very fluid, injecting energy into the crowd with their instrumentation. Lead singer Chuck Potashner did a very good job exhibiting stage presence. His performance was assertive and strong, and his occasional quips came off humorous and not awkward or out-of-place. I think he did well to let his personality shine in this performance as it was very genuine.

Kayla Martin and Kat Roscoe of Shaky Molars

The show began with the pop-punk styled "Colorado Girl", a song that mates uptempo rhythm and a bit of distorted guitar with smooth melodic lead and backing vocals. After a taste of pop-meets-country with "Little Dipper", Shaky Molars continued to exhibit their local pride with "Denver" and "Daniele Marie Miller" through pop-rock styling. Most of their songs were along a pop-rock style set apart with melodic guitar and and an orchestral element from the addition of cello. I really liked their retro styled pop song "Blueberry Wine" with it's extremely catchy melody. All in all, when Shaky Molars lets their personalities shine as they did Saturday night, they perform with a very infectious and fun energy, which made for a great to start to the evening's show.

Will Walden of StaG

Next up was Boulder based band StaG. This three piece band consists of  Matt McGuire on bass/keyboards/sampler/vocals, Will Walden on guitar,vocals, and Mac Welch on guitar/trombone/vocals. This band has a moody and mellow indie rock sound that seems to mate modern surf rock with experimental electonic music, shoegaze, and the tiniest hint of folk. They create a powerful yet soothing wall of sound with their instruments, match that with clever sampler driven rhythms, and layer emotive vocals on top to complete the sound.

I also had a chance to see this band once before, and I was captivated by what they were doing. This time, I was extremely impressed once again. Saturday's show was almost entirely new material - I went into the show expecting to hear a lot of old favorites from their album Rifle Meeker, but got a pleasant surprise instead. The show began with "Loss At Tacoma", featuring vocals from Mac Welch and an almost Super Mario-esque keyboard/synth line.

Matt McGuire of Stag

From their, they kept a flowing set going, blending one song into the other starting with "Lived Like String". This stretch of songs had the familiar psychedelic surf rock vibe led by Will Walden's vocals and guitar that I really liked from their last show. They included one song off of their album, "Noise", one of my favorites that they seemed to enhance with an even more driving and present drum beat. The progressive style of "Big White" was incredible, exploding into an almost psychedelic western song with an incredible chorus. "Wayill" was a song I saw in its infancy the first time I saw StaG perform that stood out because of its inclusion of trombone, and it has definitely progressed well over time. The closing song, "Guts", included a heartfelt and powerful vocal/keyboard performance from Matt McGuire that brought the set to a fitting close.

Mac Welch of StaG

I think musically, StaG has their sound pinned down and their songwriting is very good. They've shown the ability to continue to innovate by bringing new compositions to their performance tonight. As much as I enjoyed the performance, there is still room for improvement that will really set this band apart. Some of the vocals weren't completely on or could use a little more assertiveness during performance. I think in the future the band would benefit from a live drummer and/or full time synth/keyboardist to add more oomph to their sets. Still, working with the pieces they had, they did a great job and I can't wait for them to release more music.

Moon Tides

Finally, Fort Collins based band Moon Tides came out to close the show. Although Moon Tides is usually the duo of Dillon and Lexa, only Dillon was there from the original configuration of the band. Dillon was on vocals/guitar/sampler and he performed with the help of Emily on vocals/drums. They created dreamy surf rock inspired music built from simple but colorful instrumentation and quiet yet catchy vocals.

Emily of Moon Tides

It became immediately evident that Moon Tides wasn't at full capacity - not because Lexa's fill-in Emily did not do well, but because the other half seemed to not be as into the performance as one would hope. It seemed Dillon was dwelling too much on who/what wasn't on stage rather than being focused on delivering a performance on stage and that seemed to hinder the band's set Saturday night. From the apprehensive opening performance of "To Be" to the halfhearted closing of "Swimming", it just seemed that too much energy was missing from stage. I'm a big fan of the song "1966" but it's live performance just wasn't what I'd hope. If it wasn't for the fact that the sampler/drum machine did a lot of the work, I'm not sure if the performance would have been bearable.

Dillon of Moon Tides

If I get to see Moon Tides again, whether or not they are at full strength I hope whoever is on stage strives to give as heartfelt a performance as they can. I understand missing band members changes the dynamic, but if the music is strong and delivered with energy it can still make for a great show. Thursday night's show at the Hi-Dive comes to mind - Luke Price of Dean! still delivered an incredible performance despite him being the only band member to make the trip from Portland. Hopefully the next time I see Moon Tides the performance will be as energetic and colorful as the way their songs are crafted.

See more pictures from this show in the Facebook photo album. Like the Concerted Effort page and stay up to date!
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The variety of music in the local music scene is quite impressive, so much so though it can get a little overwhelming trying to keep track of it all. Every different person has a variety of personal tastes, but one of the goals of this blog is to point people in the direction of something new from a wide variety of styles and genres. With this in mind, Concerted Effort is proud to present a show that features high quality local indie rock. This Friday, January 7th, the Hi-Dive will feature three up-and-coming local acts that should make for a great show.


The headliner is Moon Tides from Fort Collins. Moon Tides is an indie surf rock band that brings the modern coastal rock sound to our landlocked mountain state. This band creates songs that have the perfect balance of mellow mood but playful energy - the perfect soundtrack for a day spent at the beach. Check out the newly released single "1966", featuring a sound so dreamy one could close their eyes and find their beach.
Moon Tides - 1966 by Concerted Effort


Next up is Boulder based indie rock band StaG. This band creates dreamy modern rock with an almost shoegaze like sound except much loftier and ethereal instead of a noisy wall-of-sound like approach. Still, the music they make is mellow and introspective, made with a combination of live instruments and recorded samples. This band also seems to have a coastal/modern surf rock aspect to their sound, likely because they originally come from Los Angeles. I've seen this band before and I thought they did so well they made the Top 15 Performances list for 2011. Check out "Offwise".
Offwise by StaG


Local Denver indie pop group Shaky Molars will get the evening started. This band makes lighthearted pop-rock music that promotes fun through their music and lyricism. They take a different approach to indie pop than most would, a style that's hard to explain but instantly recognizable. This six-piece band should be fun to watch and do well to get the night started. Check out "Daniele Marie Miller".
Shaky Molars - Daniele Marie Miller by Concerted Effort

The Hi-Dive doors open at 8:00PM on Saturday, January 7th and the music begins at about 9:00PM. The show is 18+ and tickets are $6 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online here.
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Although I'd already been to the Larimer Lounge the night before, I headed straight back Wednesday night to check out a different scene. I already started the month off with music appropriate for the Halloween season, but the month is still young and I needed some more. I wanted another chance to see a local favorite, see a new local band, and check out another national band with a dark electro-pop sound. When it was time to leave the show, I'd say I got enough to hold me over for maybe a little while longer.

Matt McGuire of StaG

First up was StaG, a band I didn't know much about, but after hearing their album Rifle Meeker before the show, I was very curious to see their set and find out more. Matt McGuire (bass, sampler, vocals) and Will Walden (guitar, vocals) are from Los Angeles and have been friends and bandmates since high school. While in California, they had a full band, but about three years ago the pair moved to Colorado to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder. Since then they have continued on as a band, recruiting the services of Mac Welch (guitar, trombone, vocals). The trio produce a unique form of atmospheric indie rock with a string of apparent influences, and I must say they've got a very appealing sound.

From what I heard off of their album, I initially pegged the band as a moodier, stripped down version of chillwave. They have the emotive reverberated vocals, airy synths, and catchy melody driven songs that are characteristic of that genre, but they don't have the dancey new wave styled retro beat work in the background. But when I saw them live, I found that to be only part of what makes up this band's sound. There seemed to be a coastal influence in their music as well, as I noted a strong psychedelic meets surf rock texture to their sound. Everything blended together made for something atmospheric but strangely soothing, and definitely worth checking out if you're an indie rock fan or a chillwave fan looking for something to listen to as you wind down a night of dancing.

Will Walden of StaG

I noticed their set had a lot of new, unreleased material in it, which for me was both bad and good. It was bad, because I have no idea what songs I heard and can't exactly tell you which ones they were. But it was good because the songs were pretty solid, and that means the band still has a knack for coming up with quality material. I was able to pick out a few songs from Rifle Meeker; the rhythmically ethereal song "Everyone Is Plaster", the ghostly yet calm "Rifle", and the mysteriously uplifting emo-surf rockish song "Turn Away". My only complaint was that I thought a live drummer could have enhanced their sound, but the band told me that is in the works. Keep on the look out for this band, they're on to something.

James Wayne and Cassie McNeil of Force Publique

Next up was one of my local favorites, Force Publique. This band has a somewhat peculiar yet infectious sound that is driving and danceable but distinctively dark, and their Wednesday night performance was a testament to that. Cassie McNeil plays bass lines that are both funky yet ominous. James Wayne supplies industrial beats from a drum machine and layers in ghostly Moog keyboard synth lines. Alex Anderson brings the rhythm to life with his drumming. All together, it makes a moody soundscape that is as desirable as it is menacing, creating the perfect backdrop for Cassie's alluring intoned vocals.

Alex Anderson of Force Publique

Concerts are always best when there is a large, energetic crowd, and unfortunately Wednesday night's show wasn't the best example of that. Still, Force Publique performed as if they had the desired setting, and treated those who were there to all nine of the songs available on their self-titled EP. They started with their album opener, "Ache", played the distortion heavy "Absorbed", and went to the moody dance track "Tarnished". From there Force Publique slowed it down with "Fickle" before ratcheting it back up with "Still Falls Apart". The last time I saw Force Publique, they revealed a new song, "The Open Cold", and it'd blend of moody bass and distorted industrial synth was back again. Then they finished off their set with, "Fortified", "Kinetic" and "Distorted + Thin", three songs with the most mechanized feel.

For those seeking a soundtrack for the season, now that it grows colder and darker, try Force Publique. Their blend of distorted and industrialized new wave rhythms, minacious synths, and captivatingly nefarious vocals make for a great representation of the darkwave sound. Check out their music, and check them out live before the month is through; they've got a Hi-Dive show on October 26.

Brittany Terry of Kindest Lines

The last act was New Orleans based kindest lines. Justin Blaire Vial plays keyboards and handles the drum machine, Jack Champagne handles the guitar, and frontwoman Brittany Terry plays keyboard while lending a moody, breathy, low-register vocal style. With the addition of a touring bass player, they managed to create a full live sound that had driving danceable beats but created a mood of portending darkness.

Kindest Lines has an instrumental sound that is somewhere between industrial rock and electropop. The drum machine created a deliberately artificial and mechanized sound, keeping a steady robotic rhythm with its factory-like drum samples. The guitar, although not usually distorted, maintained that machined feel by the way Jack Champagne played his riffs off the template of the automated rhythm. The layers of keyboard synths by themselves would create a pleasantly ethereal sound, but paired with the other instruments it turned into something more villainous. Brittany Terry's vocal style united all the musical pieces, and her cobwebby vocals lightly and mysteriously draped over the sound.

Kindest Lines

Kindest Lines performed a selection of songs off of their album Covered in Dust. Their set was divided into two sub-styles. They had slower, airy and celestial songs like "Hazy Haze", "Baltimore" and "Dark Dream". They had more driving and uptempo yet still dark and moody songs like "Strange Birds", "Running Into Next Year", and "In Death Not to Part". Or there were songs that were a combination of the two like "Destructive Paths to Live Happily" and their set closer, "Prom Song". Their set showed a good range of song variation that could still identify with the overall dark feel they try to achieve. I like Kindest Line's instrumentation, but sometimes the vocals seemed a bit off to me, but if you like a dark sound with gossamer vocals, you may like Kindest Lines.

See more pictures from this show in the Facebook photo album. Like the Concerted Effort page and stay updated.
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I'm headed to the Larimer Lounge tonight to catch some electro-synth and moody dreampop. It's another perfect show for this time of year - where it starts getting dark earlier and people get ready to celebrate all things spooky. There will be in-state and out of state bands that specialize in bringing ethereal yet dark sounds perfect for the long late season times of growing darkness.


Kindest Lines is comes to Denver from New Orleans, and they'll be bringing moody dreampop. They use synths and guitar to create dreamy textures driven by machined new wave-ish drums. Lead singer Brittany Terry's airy voice anchors the sound and gives their music an atmospheric yet dark attitude. Check out "Destructive Paths to Live Happily".
Kindest Lines, "Destructive Paths to Live Happily" by The FADER


Force Publique has been covered on this blog before, and I enjoy covering them because of their unique dark darkwave sound. Rather than approaching moody synth from the dreamy, airy route, Force Publique prefers industrialized new wave beats, punchy synths, bass guitar, and seductively haunting vocals to build their mood. Their unique approach to synthpop has made Force Publique one of my favorite local bands. Check out "Kinetic".
Kinetic by FORCE PUBLIQUE


StaG is a band originally from Los Angeles but now based in Boulder. This trio uses a lot of elements found in chillwave - reverberated vocals, floaty synth lines, and melody driven music. But rather than matching those qualities with danceable retro styled new wave rhythms, they go for atmosphere and an indie rock influenced approach, with any beat work layered deep in the overall set and kept minimal. Check out "Offwise".
Offwise by StaG

The doors open at the Larimer Lounge at 8:00PM and the music begins an hour later. Tickets are just $10 at the door for this 21+ show.
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