Music
A Book About Both Kinds of Music: Country AND Western
Bret Bertholf’s “The Long Gone Lonesome History of Country Music”
I’ve only been a mother for under a year, but already I think I know a thing or two about children’s books: Any that you buy, you’re going to be reading repeatedly, so the words and drawings have to be as amusing to the parent as they are to the kid. Bret Bertholf, a Denver-based musician, artist, and children’s book author, seems to know this. Hilarious, informative, and quirky, Bertholf’s The Long Gone Lonesome History of Country Music was so enjoyable I felt like reading it aloud even after my baby was asleep.
Bertholf is an accomplished artist—his drawings are so detailed and imaginative that it’s possible to discover something new each time you look at them—and he knows a thing or two about country music. For several years, his alter ego has served as the yodeling front man for Denver country outfit Halden Wofford and the Hi-Beams.
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Music Friday
August Spies Fit Pop-Punk Mold
It’s always interesting to note where punk has landed in music these days. It insinuates itself into so many areas, particularly pop. Now, that may seem odd to some. But the dirty little secret is that punk is and always has been quite pop. Take another listen to the Sex Pistols and you’ll see what I mean. August Spies fall into this pop-punk category perfectly. With a naturally youthful sound they pop as hard as they rock. Sort of an angry Jimmy Eats World.
But they’re leaving town for a while. Oh, don’t worry, they’ll be back. They are just heading out on a summer tour. But you can catch them before they leave and wish them luck on Friday, May 11, at Burt’s Tiki Lounge and on Friday, June 1, at the Cell Theater. After that you’ll have to wait until the western leg of their tour is concluded. Click here to listen to Pedaling Backwards
Music Friday
Madrid’s Mineshaft Hosts Bluesy Country Tonight
The Minie Gonzalez (Minie from Holiday Sail) Band is a front porch throwback to the bluesy, whiskey-weary swing of The 40’s. Minie’s voice is velvety and lovely, accompanied by an almost antique drum, guitar and bass lineup. Aside from some really well done and just plain charming music, one of the best things about these guys is their tendency to play often at one of the best bars in the state, The Mineshaft Tavern in Madrid. Great room, swell food, stiff drinks, superior service. If you’re up for a short road trip from Albuquerque or Santa Fe, you cannot go wrong with The Mineshaft. Never been? Jesus Christ. You’re missing a genuine New Mexico experience.
Your next chance to catch The Minie Gonzalez Band at the legendary Mineshaft Tavern will be today. Click here to listen to Lonely Left Hand Blues
Music Friday
Lensic Theatre Brings to Life the Musical Spirit of New MexicoThere’s nothing like a night of wild strumming and singing to get a person revved up about the traditional music, and culture, of a region. And that’s precisely what will happen this Saturday at the Lensic Theater in Santa Fe—the seventh annual Nuestra Musica Hispanic folk music concert. New Mexico is abundant with history cultural diversity, and for the past six years, Nuestra Musica has been a wonderful outlet and celebration of that fact. [more]
The Power of Five
Salt Lake City Upcoming Concerts: Clumsy Lovers, Impaler, Ted Leo, G. Love & Special Sauce
Lo-fi impressarios, wierd name, Elephant 6 cohort. Natch, Elf Power is my Pick O'the Week. Elf Power has maintained an uneasy balance between folk influences, psychedelia and sheer sonic experimentation, while keeping song structures intact. This is the experimental spirit at its best, not dabbling for its own sake but searching, in service of artful results.
Also this week: Clumsy Lovers, Impaler, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, G. Love & Special Sauce
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Local Music Sound Off
Breezy Porticos’ “Gee, Your Math Looks Terrific”
Breezy Porticos has been offering a breath of fresh, jangly pop to Denver indie music fans since 1999. On Sunday, April 22, Breezy Porticos will play the Larimer Lounge to warm up for the upcoming release of their next album. Elf Power and Joshua Novak are also on the bill (8:30 p.m., $10, 21+).
Breezy Porticos' new CD, These Record Highs is due out in May. The band has offered New West readers a track from 2004's Keep it Crisp to tide fans over until then. Click here to listen to "Gee, Your Math Looks Terrific."
Rawk and roll comedy extravaganza!!
Sixteen Questions with Pleaseeasaur
I really can't even begin to explain how cool Pleaseeasaur is. From the first time I brought him to Missoula I've been pretty fascinated with this act. Imagine watching a live funny as hell action rawk and roll cartoon. That's kind of what it's like to see Pleaseeasaur live. To explain this better I sat down via the interweb with the man himself and asked him some questions.
Q: Where did the name come from?
A: A hybrid amalgamation of a Plesiosaur (Loch Ness Monster/Ogo Pogo/Champ (from Lake Champlain)/etc...mixed with pleasure!
Q: What are your biggest influences?
A: Infomercials/The Dead Milkmen/The Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra/Mike Post/Lalo Schifrin/Devo/More Television
Q:What comedian dead or alive would you open for if you had the chance?
A: Albert Brooks. His album "A Star Is Bought" (1975) is a comedy/concept masterpiece.
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Music Friday
Kilmer Meth Movie Boosts Local Music
Word on the street is that Val Kilmer has a new documentary, American Meth, a stern warning about the dangers of methamphetamine. (Now I’ve never been a huge fan of The Drug War. And I have no particular bitch about drug usage in general, for that matter. But even I have to admit that meth is just downright gauche.) Right, well . . . point is that Mr. Kilmer has studded the film’s soundtrack with New Mexico musicians. Now this is what I like to see. Television and film licensing can be a lucrative undertaking for starving musicians. And what with all the filming going on around here, I’d sure like to see a lot more of it.
So congratulations to Jasper Brown, Jenny Marlowe, Nels Andrews, Hundred Year Flood, and Bernadette Seacrest. Live large, guys. Get your slice of the pie. And let’s hope that this is an indicator of great things to come for our music scene. Check out details on the film at http://americanmeth.org/
Local Music Sound Off
Dan Craig’s “Anything Less”
This Friday's MP3 features singer-songwriter Dan Craig, a Denver native who gave up CU Medical School to pursue his music career. His warm, guitar-based tunes should appeal to fans of Grant-Lee Philips. Craig will play the Larimer Lounge on Tuesday, April 24. The Life There Is, Dualistics, and Chin Up Chin Up follow him on the bill (8 p.m., 21+).
Dan Craig has offered NewWest.net readers an MP3 from his debut album, Wirebird. Click here to listen to "Anything Less."
Please take in moderation.
Men, Women and ChildrenEvery now and then you get introduced to a new band and you just can't stop listening to song. While posting hundreds of hundreds of shows on all of New West's event calendars I came across Men, Women and Children. Talk about addictive pop music. I had to enter a rehab center later that week because I couldn't stop listening to them. I'm on step 9 which is to spread the word of the awesome rockness. If you are fans of Junior Senior or any dance music this is for you. I suggest buying a new pair of dance shoes and get ready to sweat. Check them out live here:
Sat April 14th- Salt Lake City @ Kilby Court
Thur April 25th- Albuquerque @ The Launchpad
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