The fourth day of the Underground Music Showcase meant that the festivities would come to a close, but not  until after one last string of great performances. We were able to catch images from eleven more acts that performed on the last day, including: Allout Helter, Atlas Sound, Esme Patterson, Ian Cooke Band, M & The Gems, The Marrow, Paper Bird, Rachel & The Kings, Rubedo, Shaky Molars, and Wheelchair Sports Camp.

Brass Tree Sessions have been produced for Denver’s audio-visual pleasure for over a year now in an unassuming Victorian rental in the Baker area. The idea and energy behind the Brass Tree house is refreshing: local music fans benefit from volunteers who put on a free show and local bands get a free video recording from the free show put together by those same volunteers. Given the historic setting, I couldn’t help but find the Brass Tree house to be best described as kind of “steampunk” -- the conventions and style of historic Denver lend itself to the conveniences and artistry afforded by modernity’s technological advances What if the future of musical artistry was a residency of sorts where you learned video and audio production by living and working in a venue such as this one? That’s just me daydreaming, but make no mistake the house’s current tenants are professionals who know what they’re doing as their real-life professions offer them the sound, camera and recording expertise that gets these sessions included amongst Rocky Mountain PBS programming.

It was a busy Saturday afternoon on South Broadway. The warm weather brought out the masses to enjoy the sales, sun and Sweet Action (that sweet, sweet, ice-creamy goodness!). Walking up to the house, I was aware that I had been a little late as it had been advertised as starting at 2 PM it was already 2:45. Lucky for me, the first band was still plugging in their equipment, and only two or three standers-by were in attendance so far. Unlucky for me was that I hadn't planned to be at the house past 6:30 and so couldn't actually catch the end of the session, and so am not able to report not the Rubedo performance.





The Marrow did well in fitting themselves into the tight space with a myriad of instruments; the band's arrangement was not typical, to say the least. Another cool idea spawned while enjoying the Brass Tree home: invite musical guests to perform in a setting that has a challenge of some sort. The challenge was overcome by the Marrow, who fit two drum kits, two keyboards, an accordion and a wind chime doodad all in the same standing space as floor amps and the viewing public. The mystical wind chime instrument seemed to be just as much a pleasant decoration as anything.





The Marrow had a psychedelic-pop sound with a rock-n-roll attitude, accentuated by the bright colors of the bands instruments (a neon orange drum set stood out in particular) and the bright and happy demeanor of the band's ensemble. April, one of the two drummers for the band, provided an ample amount of upbeat attitude (she was in charge of the wind chime doodad, after all) and mentioned that anyone who shared a birthday with her next Friday April 27 would get into their Hi-Dive show happening that very night for free. This group only played six songs, and I'm sure you'd be in for a treat as they perform new songs from their latest EP being released this summer if you catch them play with the Munly, the Lupercalians and Rowboat next Friday night. At least there would be more room for all of their instruments.



Go Star played a short set that was not unlike a polished explosion of sound. After the first pause in between songs, the trumpeter (Joshua Trinidad) asked the tenants if they were ready to start recording, seemingly unaware of the crowd that had amassed to see what this trumpet quartet was all about. It was loud; so loud that I couldn't help but wonder if any commotion was being stirred amongst the neighbors. The unpredictable nature of the band’s music gripped me in rapt attention.



The four members of Go Star are all professionals with a unique and deft ear for pure musicality. Timing was superb: the drummer (Sean Merell) and bassist (Enoc Terroca) were in sync for the duration of the performance but the transitions and rhythms were varied so that every song remained listenable in the midst of the fury of sound. Having Trujillo’s trumpet, equipped with it’s own sound effect pedal, gives the performance a jazz-y feel but in an unexpected way; there are no abundant trumpet solos, it just seems to fit perfectly with the structured pop-rock songs designed by the rest of the band.

106 Irvington is much more than a house with floor amps. The home’s tenants donate their time, their living space and basically work for free to make these shows a reality. I met Ben, Tyler and Leighton who live and run the Brass Tree operation and all of whom deserve some donation love. I myself plan to be prepared for the next recording I attend.

What a difference a day made. February began mildly, just another day in this overall mild winter we've been having, but over the course of 24 hours that changed drastically. Perhaps the groundhog was right, and the sight of his shadow brought about a wicked storm as night fall came. Despite the sudden change in weather, the show at the Bluebird Theater still went on. This local showcase presented by Tone Dynamix brought out an eager crowd of people to see these four talented bands.

Safe Boating Is No Accident

Safe Boating Is No Accident went on stage first. The trio of Leighton Peterson (vocals, guitar), Neil McCormick (bass, vocals), and Zay Rios (drums, vocals) opened the night with some of their new material. Being the first time I caught this band live, I was expecting to hear some avant-garde folk like what they had on their currently released EP, but this band has switched gears since that release. They shed the mellow, acoustic-driven experimental folk music for something a little warmer, brighter and more energetic - a good contrast to the cold darkness outside.

Safe Boating Is No Accident

They performed an electric guitar driven, coastal/surf inspired style of indie rock that at first took me off guard, but quickly drew me in. Their new approach differed greatly in sound from what they had previously recorded, but I think their personalities and band identity still came through in their reboot. They still maintained a penchant for good songwriting, just draped around a more melodic and danceable sound that was welcoming and a little bit more accessible. Although I still enjoy their older material, I welcome the progression of this band.

The Marrow

Up next was a band that I thought was very exciting the first time I saw them and was eager to see again, The Marrow. The Marrow has five talented members; Tania Katz (vocals/accordion/keyboard/percussion), April Anderson (drums/percussion/vocals/keyboard), Aaron Burris-DeBoskey (guitar/vocals/keyboard/trumpet), Kris Becker (guitar/vocals), and Rodrigo Valdes (drums/percussion). They create an amazing blend of experimental folk/jazz/rock that really has to be experienced to be fully understood.

The Marrow

To really describe this band, I'll have to revisit and expand on the analogy I first used when I saw this band. I compared this band to a Bordeaux wine blend because the way they carefully mixed various styles into something that definitively stands on its own. This time, I had the benefit of comparing this night's performance to a very early performance (the one I saw last). Very much like a fine wine, they have definitely become better with age. Now their flavor profile, their identity, is even more richly defined, and although they may not be immediately accessible or readily suited to a wide range of tastes, those with a refined (experimental) palate can pick out the myriad of nuances in their sound, enjoying what they have not only through each individual component but what they have as a finished, creative product.

The Marrow

They began their set by performing their first EP, Cave, in its entirety. Cave is more like a flowing suite than a collection of individual songs, and The Marrow performed it as such. They tweaked the order a bit, starting with "I Am", but then went on to smoothly blend "Cave", "Lady Lisbeth" and "The Devil" into one flowing piece, taking the audience on a musical journey that was sometimes melodic, sometimes chaotic, but with the band always in complete control. Whether they cooed the crowd with smooth vocals or built wonderment by creating intricately elaborate soundscapes, the first half of their performance was done perfectly - much riper and polished than when I saw them before. I knew they had the potential to be stunning after some time, and it appears it really didn't take long to reach that point.

The Marrow

The latter half of The Marrow's set was also a treat, which included a couple new unreleased songs and a few selections from the newly released EP Crawlers. When The Marrow performs, they have quite the expansive stage setup, and yet they still manage to achieve a far greater range of sound than one would imagine. The new songs "Where Are" and "Your Side" were so amazing and so elaborate, all I can say is I feel sorry for anyone that missed them because it was epic. The songs from Crawlers were also incredible, and to be honest, I could go on and on about what made them that way, but instead, I will just state plainly that this band is cleverly eclectic, interesting, and do well to create a sound that explores new territories in music. For fans of experimental rock, this is a band that should not at all be missed.

Tommy & The Tangerines

Tommy & The Tangerines took the stage next, transitioning the mood of the evening towards the lighter side. This Boulder based six piece band featured Mic Carroll (vocals, superstar dance moves), Matt Hendrick (guitar/vocals), Ian Hendrick (guitar), Laura Stratton (keyboards), Patrick Coleman (bass), and Ben Batchelor (drums). They created a playful brand of pop-rock that delivered energetic music with a lot of  danceability. The combination of catchy vocals, a melody driven sound and bombastic stage presence marked a performance that attracted a party-ready crowd to the dance floor.

Tommy & The Tangerines

From the very beginning of their set Tommy & The Tangerines created fun atmosphere of excitement. They opened their set basked in orange light, radiating the crowd with playful energy and a sunny tone. Although pop rock 'n' roll is the band's main footprint, I enjoyed their foray into soul with "Face", especially with the addition of a guest saxophonist. The crowd seemed to momentarily forget the snow and go into a summer-like party mode when they performed "Sam I Am". "Friends Today" was an endearing catchy tune with a hint of jazzy blues-rock. The country influenced song "Great Mistake" ended their set well, getting the crowd riled up like they were hearing their favorite tavern drinking song. Fans of pop-rock will find Tommy & The Tangerines very appealing.

Tantric Picasso

Finally it was time for the headlining band, Tantric Picasso, who were celebrating the release of their new record Make Your Love Bigger. Tantric Picasso is a five piece band featuring Jackson Boone (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Marko Melnick (guitar, vocals), Pablo Cruz (bass), Matthew Tanner (drums) and Karl Rivers (keyboards, guitar). Hearing this band live is like taking a journey aback in time, at the height of the free love era steeped in classic rock 'n' roll. Their newest record is a modern embodiment of that vintage sound, complete with raw energy, face melting riffs, powerful drums, dazzling keys, and wicked guttural screams.

Tantric Picasso

To kick off the night, the band launched a strategic attack on the Bluebird Theater crowd by unleashing "Going To War", a track laced with sexy, jazzy funk-rock juxtaposed with forceful, throaty lyrics that lit the venue on fire. "Kaoss" was true to its song title, but its driving, pulsing beat gave it a strange sense of order and appeal. "Strider" brought more vocal swagger that any '60s-'70s manly-man probably would have used to hype himself up had the song been available in that era. As they continued to play more selections off of their new album they were able to truly revive the feeling and intensity that prior generations probably sought out in vintage rock 'n' roll.

Tantric Picasso

Their set wasn't all straight hard-hitting rock however, as Tantric Picasso also toyed with a few other vintage styles with the same sense of authenticity. Raw, powerful blues rock flooded the venue every time the harmonica made an appearance. "Rose Coloured Binoculars" was a foray into psychedelia - an acid trip experienced solely through sound. They even had a few slower, more soulful jams that easily could have been baby boomer love anthems. For their encore piece, the band jammed out, bringing up a longtime friend to join them on stage and pound out a blues riff.

Tantric Picasso

Tantric Picasso might as well be called rock revivalists, but they really are a modern embodiment of a combination of all the aspects that made vintage rock 'n' roll so great. However, they manage not to sound like a retread of any of those classic bands that have been played and replayed time after time again. Somehow they have honed in on the very essence of what makes that recognizable sound, expanding on it to make it their very own. As a result, their new record is fresh and exciting, and their stage presence made their performance seem absolutely authentic. If you love rock 'n' roll, fall in love with Tantric Picasso.

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

It's Groundhog Day - that festive time of year that calls for extreme celebration. Luckily, the Bluebird Theater is hosting a show tonight that should get the celebration rolling. Four local bands will be showcased at the Bluebird Theater tonight, providing a mix of indie rock that will help spark all the fun. Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted six more weeks of winter, and with a storm brewing he just may be right, but the mix of music featured tonight should provide warmth.


The headliner is Denver/Boulder based band Tantric Picasso. This five-piece band creates music that is like taking a psychedelic trip back into the past. They make retro sounding psychedelic indie rock that experiments with elements of blues, jazz, electronica and folk, resulting in a sound that is rooted in the past but definitely has an eye toward the future. Check out "Bob Saget's Shit Eating Grin".



Tommy & The Tangerines is a local six piece band that's all about having fun. They have an infectious indie pop-rock sound and strong stage presence that makes this band a joy to watch. They combine a host of genres in their overall pop-rock sound, but they are known for injecting a lot of soul and feeling into their music. Check out "Face".



The Marrow is a local five-piece band with a very unique and captivating sound. They create experimental rock that combines jazz, folk, and touches of world music with psychedelia to make music that is refreshingly different. Their live sets are awesome to watch, as it allows their sometimes unusual instrumentation to come to life. Check out "Lady Lizbeth".



The night will begin with the local three-piece band Safe Boating Is No Accident. This band is another experimental indie rock band with a an avant-garde approach to folk music. There is a strong acoustic framework to the sound, but it has bluesy electronic rock elements and ambient sound draped around it. Check out "Cancer Wing".


The Bluebird Theater doors open at 7:30PM and the show begins at 8:00PM. The show is all ages and tickets are $15. Tickets and more information are available online here.

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