Denver’s vibrant music scene is no stranger to innovation, and Boogie Lights is one of the brightest names driving its evolution. The DJ, producer, and multi-instrumentalist has spent the past several years perfecting a sound that blends house, disco, funk, and soul into a genre-defying experience. His debut album, DISCO DANCE THERAPY, recently dropped on December 6. Meanwhile, he’s also preparing for a massive headlining performance at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom on December 20, cementing his place as one of Denver’s most exciting rising artists.

Originally from Rochester, NY, Boogie Lights began his music career as the drummer for a funk band before making the leap to Denver in 2017. It didn’t take long for him to make his mark on the scene. Known for his ability to seamlessly fuse DJing with live drumming, Boogie Lights has delivered unforgettable performances at venues like Bluebird Theater, The Black Box, and Globe Hall, and he’s even lit up the stage at Decadence NYE. His knack for creating feel-good, high-energy sets has earned him opening spots for artists like The Sponges, Fox Stevenson, and SkiiTour.

Boogie Lights’ upcoming debut album, DISCO DANCE THERAPY, is more than just a collection of tracks—it’s a statement. Drawing from his love of house, funk, soul, and hip-hop, the album reflects his belief in music’s ability to heal, uplift, and inspire. The lead single, “RISE UP,” is a bass-house anthem that champions collective power and positivity. Featuring soulful vocals from DZIRAE GOLD and a razor-sharp verse from Deezy Le Phunk, the track encapsulates the album’s mission of finding strength and connection through music.

The album’s second single, “Keep The Funk,” takes a groovier approach, blending live instrumentation with tech-house beats. Featuring contributions from guitarist Rix of The Boogie Bunch and a carefully curated sample on the meaning of funk music, the track pays homage to the genre while pushing it into new territory. Viewing music as a universal language, Boogie Lights invites listeners on a vibrant journey through love, connection, and positivity. By weaving together funk-infused soundscapes, dynamic hip-hop rhythms, and danceable jam grooves, he crafts a sound that feels like therapy for the soul—perfectly encapsulated by the title DISCO DANCE THERAPY.

The excitement surrounding the album release will come to a head with Boogie Lights’ headlining show at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom on December 20. This will be his biggest performance yet, featuring his 10-piece live ensemble, The Boogie Bunch, which includes guitar, bass, keys, saxophone, trumpet, violin, drums, and soulful vocalists. Together, they’ll transform DISCO DANCE THERAPY into a live experience that promises to be as uplifting as it is electrifying.

The Cervantes show is more than just a performance—it’s a celebration of Boogie Lights’ journey and his undeniable impact on Denver’s music scene. Tickets are on sale now, and with the buzz around his music, this is a show you won’t want to miss.

Following his Denver headliner, Boogie Lights will return to Rochester for his third annual holiday charity event, Boogie Wonderland, on December 26, at Flour City Station. Continuing his mission to combine music with messages of kindness, positivity, and connection, the event will cap off what has undoubtedly been a career-defining year for the artist.

With DISCO DANCE THERAPY, Boogie Lights isn’t just releasing an album—he’s building a movement. His ability to fuse genres, energize crowds, and inspire positivity has made him one of Denver’s most compelling rising stars. This December, all eyes—and ears—are on him. We had a chance to speak with Boogie Lights to discuss his connection to Denver, the inspiration behind the album, and upcoming milestone shows. Check out our conversation below!

[Rooster]: You’ve been part of Denver’s music scene since 2017. How has the city shaped your growth as an artist?

[Boogie Lights]: Denver truly made me the artist I am today. I started off at local venues like Your Mom’s House and the old staple Local 46, while continuing to find my sound and vision. The initial goal with Boogie Lights was to eventually find the right musicians to build something special with. I was grateful for the opportunities to ease my way into a vibrant music community. Pretty much any show I played, I would usually see if a member of another act would want to improvise jam on a couple songs during my set. Collaboration is my favorite part of playing music live and that’s how I ended up meeting a few members of The Boogie Bunch including Dan Chandonnet (Chando) and Andrew Leerssen (Deezy Le Phunk) at Your Mom’s House back in 2017.

From the open community collaborative spirit, to the love for funky styles, to the inspiration of the greatest music venue in the world in our backyard, this city feels like the perfect catalyst for inspiring creation.

Looking back on your journey from drumming in a funk band to now headlining shows, what’s been the most rewarding part of your career?

I think probably the most rewarding part of my career so far was an interaction with a fan who is now a friend. He came up to me at Cheesman Park during a gathering hosted by the local Denver community VYBE (Vibrate Your Best Energy). He introduced himself and told me how my song “Be Weird” had a significant impact on him and helped him get through a tough time in his life. I was speechless hearing that and felt like it was an affirmation from the universe that my music can actually have an impact on someone. 

What inspired the name DISCO DANCE THERAPY for your debut album, and how does the title reflect the music on the project?

The concept of DISCO DANCE THERAPY originated from a conversation with a few friends (shout out Nicoll and Caitt) while trying to describe what the energy felt like at a Boogie Lights show. Those three words felt like the embodiment of what this project is all about and seemed to mirror a theme in the music that I was starting to write in the early stages of this album. 

During the writing process, I was able to really feel the words and ideas behind this simple phrase. Whether it was dancing in my apartment or groovin’ down the sidewalk to my neighborhood park, I continued to realize the power of moving my body to music and the effect it had on my mental health. The theory of ‘Disco Dance Therapy’ is summed up with one of the lines in the song. Sometimes “all you need is a beat to get back on your feet.”

How did you approach blending genres like house, disco, funk, and soul on this album? Was there a particular sound or vibe you were aiming for?

While writing this album, I didn’t want to restrict my own creativity by trying to keep to a specific genre. As much as I love disco, I knew the idea behind this album didn’t want to stick to just disco. I wanted the collection of songs to have a funk connection while still exploring other realms of house, indie, hip hop, and soul. Throughout the album I wanted to toe the line between that live funk band feel with the power of modern electronic music. Most of the music I’ve written under Boogie Lights I’ll typically describe the overarching umbrella as “anything funky.”

Your shows combine DJing with live drumming, which is pretty unique. What inspired you to incorporate live drumming into your sets?

I was originally a drummer in a college funk band called Soul Junction. After an album and summer tour (we actually played at the old Quixote’s in Denver before it became The Black Box), we realized we were probably heading in different directions after school finished up. I was already starting to be intrigued more by disco and wanting to explore that sound when I had the idea of DJing and drumming with a raised drum set. Even though I was not a DJ at the time.  This was around 2015 when I hadn’t really seen that done before. So I bought a DJ controller and started from the ground up while also trying to incorporate live bass guitar and synth as a solo act so there was a lot going on before building the vision for The Boogie Bunch. 

The Cervantes show is a huge milestone for you. What can fans expect from this headlining show? Any surprises you’re excited about?

This show will be the culmination of so many years at work to build this disco vision. It’s going to be a funky chaotic dance party with anywhere from ten to thirteen musicians on stage at one time. Also featuring live dancers and flow artists from the VYBE community and even a free Flowstar workshop at doors. The entire night is curated to provide a fun, safe, and funky space to experience music, art, and disco. On top of The Boogie Bunch members featuring guitar, bass, keys, sax, trumpet, violin, drums, and a variety of vocalists, we also have a few very exciting special guests to join us on stage. This night is going to be absolutely bonkers. 

You’re playing with The Boogie Bunch at Cervantes. How does collaborating with live musicians change the dynamic of your shows?

It makes the performance 1000x better in my opinion. The energy from the entire band and everything each member brings is something truly special. To be able to really interact with the crowd with a group that big just brings a completely different atmosphere to the experience. It definitely demands a lot of coordination and preparation but the reward is so much greater than the time it takes. I’m really excited for this performance to be able to play the live debuts of some of the songs on the album and be able to make each unique for this show to really let the band shine. 

If DISCO DANCE THERAPY was a themed party, what would the theme or dress code be?

Neon rainbow sequin everything. With lots of disco balls, of course.

What’s the most memorable or unexpected moment you’ve had during a live show?

It might have been debuting the first single from the new album “RISE UP” at Bluebird Theater back in May 2024. The second chorus for that song was a moment I’ll never forget – there’s a guitar solo after the last verse, so for the show we extended that section to have the Boogie Bunch guitarist Ricky Feria (Rix) and Collin Thomas (Coco Malone) go back and forth for a dual guitar solo to end the song. Just simply a moment. 

When you’re not making music, how do you unwind or find inspiration for your art?

I usually find my inspiration in the mountains. I love to hike and see new parts of Colorado. Every once in a while I’ll find myself getting stuck in the city for a few weeks at a time. I usually just need a recharge in the mountains and I’ll be back to groovin’ soon. A lot of this album was either written, inspired, or recorded in the mountains this summer and fall.

What’s next for you after this album and tour? Are there any collaborations or projects on the horizon?

I have a few collaborations with The Boogie Bunch of some songs that didn’t make it in time for the album but I’m super excited about. The next avenue of growth will be continuing to spread outside of Colorado to start sharing ‘Disco Dance Therapy’ with the rest of the country. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about music or life in general?

“Keep being youer than you” An iteration from Dr. Seuss. This simple saying has been a staple in my family thanks to my Mom for always pushing us to be ourselves and “Be Weird.”