Before these artists get massive, we’ve decided to give them a little love so we can hit them up for free tickets when they make something of themselves. Here is the final installment of our three part series highlighting favorite Colorado artists that deserve all of the local feels.
Take away everything Colorado is commonly known for — hippies, weed, skiing, hippies skiing while on weed — and there’s still an ample amount of glorious shit to behold. Colorado’s burgeoning music scene contributes to its statewide excellence, showcasing successful artists for a worldwide platform. A go-to audience for up-and-coming artists in the past few years, Colorado music lovers cherish the notables who claw their way to the top. Before these artists get massive, we’ve decided to give them a little love so we can hit them up for free tickets when they make something of themselves. Here is part three of a three part series highlighting our favorite Colorado artists that deserve all of the local feels.
Dynohunter // Facebook.com/DynohunterMusic
Between preparing for a metric fuck-ton of upcoming shows that includes a huge fall headlining tour, this Boulder-based electronic trio still has time to grind out a slew of thumping, sax-laden electronic jams the band says are “probably what one hears in their head while hunting a T-Rex on a distant planet.” The guys are also kind enough to give away their music for free, so do yourself a solid and see them at the Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom Oct. 31 and the Fox Theater Nov. 21. Be sure to keep an ear to the ground for new remixes and an EP due out soon, too.
Why do you give your music away for free?
Clark Smith: We just want to get it to the most people we can. For us, the live show is the most important, and we hope the more people that can hear our music will translate into more who are willing and excited to come to our shows. Plus we’ve got a lot of music from our favorite artists for free, and we just want to share that way too.
Do you prefer being on stage or working in the studio?
Smith: We definitely love working in the studio and all the magic that happens there, but I think we’d all agree that the live show is what we live for.
Justin Ehmer: Yeah, that connection with the audience is why we do this. Nothing beats sharing that face-to-face experience with so many people.
SunSquabi // Facebook.com/SunSquabi
Whether they’re crisscrossing the country playing intriguing live shows or cooking up some ear treats in the studio, Sunsquabi is always throwing down something new to enjoy. The trio from Boulder melds the mind-warping style of electro jam bands like STS9 and Papadosio with the samples, glitches and wobbles that one would expect from acts like Archnemesis or Griz. Always fresh and regularly funky, Sunsquabi’s jams are irresistibly danceable and great to smoke weed to … just sayin’. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for Sunsquabi as it rolls around Colorado in both October and November with a string of live performances.
What does your name mean? How did you come up with that?
Andrew Clymer: It pretty much started off in high school. Instead of going up to each other and saying, “What’s up, son,” we’d go up and say, “What’s up, Sunsquabi,” just to, you know, make it a little funky. It didn’t really turn into a band name until 2011 when we were creating a bunch of music with an emcee and a female vocalist, and we didn’t really know what to call it, but that name popped up, and it just stuck.
How do you find inspiration to create new music?
Kevin Donohue: Whenever we get to travel, whether it’s three or four shows, or three or four weeks of shows, we just see a lot of crazy shit and meet a lot of cool people. We draw inspiration from other people’s experiences. Then we just come back and crush in the studio. It’s about keeping your eyes open and trying to draw inspiration from everything.
Mahkota // Facebook.com/WeAreMahkota
Who says siblings shouldn’t work together? Because Rhimms and Fauxxsy of the Denver-based DJ project Mahkota are making things work every damn day. Originally from Indonesia, these two savvy sisters are poised to set the Denver EDM scene on fire with their eclectic sets of twerkalicious trap, smooth deep house and everything else in between. Coming from a musical background, these talented ladies definitely have the skills and determination to take on the wild (and male-driven) world of electronic music. We suggest you remember the name Mahkota, because we’ll likely to be hearing it all over town in the months to come.
Do you produce original music in addition to DJing?
Rheems: Yes we do. Obviously DJing is a big part of what we do, but we are definitely starting to produce. We do have some collaborations in production with some other artists at the moment.
Fauxxsy: But we’re not quite ready to put our music out just yet. We just really want to perfect our craft before we release anything.
Do you have a favorite genre to play in your sets? Why?
Fauxxsy: My favorite genre would have to be trap. I love that it’s a little heavier and gets people bouncing.
Rhimms: And my favorite genre would have be deep house, or anything under 120 BPM, really. Fauxxsy is sort of like a sativa, and I’m more of an indica!
Fauxxsy: Rhimms is more like the comedown, and I’m more like the turn-up!
Turner Jackson // Facebook.com/TurnerJacksonLove
In addition to having the fiercest beard in the Colorado hip-hop scene, Turner Jackson also boasts some of the most clever and aggressive bars from our square state. He perfectly crafted his Childish Gambino-like style with past releases, and he continues to smooth out his flow while progressing into a wildly appreciated artist. He’s new-school enough to turn on at a party, yet old-school enough to provide lyrics that make people think twice. Association with the Denver based collective Welcome To The D.O.P.E. Game landed Jackson on stages all over, including a recent Red Rocks appearance, performing next to some of the largest hip-hop acts in the world. Turner released his album “Black Electric Love” in 2013 and is featured on the compilation album “Welcome To It.”
If you could show someone who doesn't know you one of your songs, which would it be and why?
I'd show them a song called “Red Plastic Cup,” because it's my newest music. I live by a policy that says the next one is the best one. If they really wanted to hear the coolest music I've ever made, we'd have to build a time machine and go to the future.
Favorite food on the road?
I don't have a favorite food on the road, but one of my favorite things to do on the road is try out new foods. So if we're on tour together, and we see a crazy-ass restaurant, we're stopping. It's non-negotiable.
Catch Lungs // Facebook.com/CatchLungs
If someone were trapped in a room with every Colorado hip-hop artist they’d still be able to point out Catch Lungs. Tattoos, piercings and slicked hair suit Catch perfectly. However wild his appearance, once you catch sight of Catch Lungs, it will be his presence at the microphone you can’t forget. His character and personality draw heavy similarities to artists like Danny Brown, which is funny considering Catch’s latest single is “Gotta Kill This” features Brown himself. The song leads as a single for LSD (Learning Something Different), a new project that’s due out soon.
How do you define your music?
I define my music as a ride through heaven and hell. Life has its ups and downs, and I'm the narrator of love and hate. I have songs about love, songs about politics, songs about addiction within my family, songs of victory and triumph as well as downfall and tragedy. I rap most of the time, but I also sing and occasionally play guitar as well.
Do you have any pre-concert rituals?
I like to find a moment of peace before I perform. I like to thank God and the universe for blessing me with the opportunities I have and really just connect with the source before I hit the stage. Some weed is usually pretty customary too, haha.
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