Colorado EDM DJ Shank Aaron, tackles life advice, delivering insights beyond his button-pushing expertise.

As someone who has been lucky enough to perform at the most legendary venue on the planet twice, I have learned some behind-the-scenes stuff that most people never get to see. Did you know that there is a tunnel that runs from underneath the stage to the sound booth in the middle of the seating? Many of you will say, “Yeah, we know that, duh.” But did you know that it is filled with signatures from legendary rock bands like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Johnny Cash … and those signatures are covered up by years of forgettable opener dubstep DJs? Nowhere on earth is a more straightforward visual example of Gen Z’s total apathy for anyone older than them than seeing some opening riddim DJ tag over The Gorillaz. 

Did you know there is a full-service restaurant under the stage as well? They serve surprisingly amazing and complex meals for all the crews and teams during the shows, especially when you see how small the space is down there. One of the shows I played had chicken and waffles, and I’ll never forget it. 

The thing that surprised me the most about Red Rocks is what happens when you get too rowdy and security has to carry you out. I would have figured they would bring you to some sort of security station or hand you over to the police to deal with, but actually, they bring you under the stage to this weird altar thing, surrounded by candles and vodka lemonades and recite an incantation transforming you into a raccoon. From there, you are cursed to live out the rest of your days at Red Rocks, begging for half-eaten hot dogs from the very crowds that you used to be a part of. Weird right? 

How do you learn about all these random Denver restaurants?  

When it comes to foodies in Colorado, there are two types of people. One type finds trends on TikTok and goes to these viral spots just to stand in line for 45 minuets just to have a weird donut or something that costs a fuckload of money and is ok at best. These people are idiots. I am of the second type. I am like an ancient culinary archaeologist. I do extensive research before I go on my expeditions. And when the time comes, I gather my brave team and embark into the vast unknown of Denver restaurants. These places have no Instagram pages or online reviews, but what they lack in current health inspections, they make up for in heart. You have probably driven past these restaurants hundreds of times before and never even noticed them. Some of the best spots in Denver might not even look like they are open, but I have learned that this is often a good sign that the real gold is just beyond that foggy, dirty, sticker-covered door. Much like Indiana Jones stepping through the threshold of an overgrown temple, my team sits on a mixture of ripped vinyl and duct tape seats and brushes away the dust and cobwebs of an ancient menu like some sort of lost relic. For me, a clue that we are in for a culinary adventure is when the server lurches out from the kitchen and you realize they are also the cook and also the host and also the owner. Bonus points if they are yelling at some child behind the scenes before they take your order. When it comes to food in Denver, I’m not looking for viral trends; I’m looking for a story, one that has been told for decades and has survived depressions, pandemics, and probably a couple of robberies. I’m talking about your JJ’s Bistro, your Crown Burger, and your Carmine Lonardo’s. Places you will never see an influencer filming inside of because they don’t have the adventurous spirit to find, and also they probably don’t have Wi-Fi there. The reward for searching in the land (or strip mall) of the forgotten might be the best meal you have had in your life. It also might be diarrhea. But It will always be an adventure. *Cue the Indiana Jones theme music.