FEATURE STORIES
Music and Storytelling
SELF LOVE AND POWERFUL PURPOSE — INSIDE MOORE KISMET’S BEAUTIFUL, CHAOTIC UNIVERSE
At 16 years old, they became the youngest artist to perform at EDC Las Vegas, Lollapalooza, and Red Rocks Amphitheater. That same year, ILLENIUM asked Davis to join him on his Fallen Embers Tour. They’ve even been included in Billboard’s annual “21 Artist Under 21” for the past three years. With Davis’ long-awaited debut album, Universe, dropping later this month, their accolades keep mounting. As a black, LGBTQ+, non-binary artist, forging a path to stardom is no easy feat. But their openness about their struggles is admirable and, thankfully, contributes to music that inspires the masses.
PREMIERE – NEOMA’S “HYPERREAL” IS CAUGHT BETWEEN DREAMS AND TECHNOLOGY, LOVE AND CONTEMPLATION
Carla Huiracocha – better known as the bilingual electro-pop star, Neoma – is shaking up Denver’s music scene once again with a triumphant, experimental electro-pop album, Hyperreal. Drenched in industrial production and disco aesthetics that call back to ABBA’s glory days, Hyperreal is a dense followup to Neoma’s first full-length LP, sown together with narratives of virtual relationships, powerful femininity and the complications of modern love.
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N3PTUNE BUILDS A FOUNDATION FOR A NEW CULTURAL RENAISSANCE
Denver’s found its next superstar – N3ptune. He’s powerful, flamboyant and confident but most of all, he’s a modern-day trailblazer paving the way for a new renaissance bubbling up in American society. He’s not exactly a new face in Denver’s music industry, but after dropping the Renaissance EP with Rusty Steve last December, his path to stardom has officially been cemented.
UNDERSTANDING THE CULTURE – NIKKI NAIR AND THE TECHNO REVIVAL
Whether it’s experimental free-form bass music or deep techno, the distant sides of the EDM spectrum are far from pop music. Occasionally, creative minds like Nikki Nair — an Atlanta-based techno artist with a tendency for loud, late-night dance parties under dark neon lights — are able to tap into this culture with tenacious versatility and exciting innovation. Teenage rebellion, a chance encounter with techno legend Mike Banks and anarchic DIY parties in Tennessee are just a few of the circumstances that have driven him towards releases with Dirtybird and an innovative vision for his new record label, n goes to infinity.
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SODOWN SHINES WITH COLORADO INFLUENCE, BASS-DRIVEN MUSIC AND SUBTLE SPIRITUALITY
From Griz and Mersiv to CloZee and Haywyre, and more recently, Tvboo, there are countless examples of iconic musicians that migrate to their Denver home in between sold-out tours and summer festival runs. Occasionally, though, homegrown Colorado artists make headway in the mainstream EDM industry. Ehren River Wright — better known as SoDown, a multifaceted bass artist who’s rarely found without his saxophone in hand — is a perfect example.
A HUNDRED DRUMS FINDS BALANCE & SPIRITUALITY IN BASS MUSIC
For Gabrielle Watson, known on stage as A Hundred Drums, bass music is more than deep frequencies and vibrant soundscapes. It’s a tethering thread to society’s ancestral roots, a spiritual equilibrium balancing light and dark and a platform to speak on her experience as a black woman in America.
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MUSIC IN LIMBO: THE STRANGE, AMBIENT WORLD OF KILTRO
While much of the Latin music that comes out of Denver stays true to the upbeat, energetic atmosphere commonly associated with Latin music, there’s one band that’s exploring the weirder, darker side of the sonic spectrum — Kiltro. Their music teeters on the brink of purgatory, daring you to plunge into their strange, ambient forest of lively originality and dreamy psychedelia. Much like their stage name, the music Chris Bowers Castillo and Will Parkhill — the musical minds behind Kiltro — make represents the spirit of strays: wild, adventurous and unpredictable.
BOULDER’S FOX THEATRE SHAPED COLORADO’S MUSIC COMMUNITY AND SONIC IDENTITY
There are a few key people and places that have grown to define the Colorado sound and daring musical initiative, and it’s fair to assume that Colorado’s sonic identity and reputation would not be the same without the Fox Theatre, which was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in December 2021. Opened in 1993 by Don Strasburg — who’s now the Co-President of AEG Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest — the Fox Theatre represents Colorado’s musical culture and sound in every way. It’s a place where music goes to thrive and community comes first.
FINDING YOUR “SNOITCH” – HOW KYRAL X BANKO MOVE THEIR AUDIENCE THROUGH SOUND
Across all musical genres, creativity is at the forefront of innovation. There’s an endless pool of musical talent in all sectors of the world, but the best bass artists in the industry are right here in Denver. As a genre that’s defined by wonky creativity, it’s no surprise that DJs flock to Denver like moths to a light. As saturated as the Mile High City is with talented electronic superstars (Griz, Clozee and Big Gigantic, to name a few), it’s becoming increasingly difficult to stand out amongst the crowd. Somehow, Kyral x Banko is managing to do just that. And it all started with one word: snoitch.
LOS MOCOCHETES MAKE PROTEST MUSIC YOU CAN DANCE TO ON “MUCHO GUSTO”
While American protest music is commonly associated with the civil rights movement during the 1970s, music’s political agenda actually dates back to our country’s founding with Joseph Warren’s “Free America” — a Revolutionary War call to action. It’s fair to assume that protest music is traditionally rooted in emotional ballads and somber sounds, but that’s not true across the board. Local Latin rock band Los Mocochetes are challenging that sentiment with their new EP, Mucho Gusto, which ventures away from the classic motifs of protest music and makes something purposeful that you can dance to. It’s equally complex and simple, serious and fun, and definitely effective.
THE PRETTY, DARK AND LOUD JOURNEY OF MERSIV
Many have tried and ultimately failed to transform their creative passions into a sustainable career in the music industry. Even fewer manage to build a national reputation for themselves. It’s the nature of the business that only the strong and dedicated survive. Local DJ and producer, Mersiv has no shortage of a passion that he credits for bringing him a long way in this industry, and there are no signs of slowing down any time soon. Sure, he’s headlining his own festival at Mishawaka and selling out shows across the country now, but it hasn’t always been that way. His road to success has been littered with speed bumps, potholes and barricades, but there’s beauty in the struggle. His voyage to stardom has been pretty, dark, and definitely loud – just like the music he creates.
DABIN PUTS THE BROKEN PIECES OF HIMSELF BACK TOGETHER ON “BETWEEN BROKEN”
Throughout the vast sonic landscape of electronic music, there’s one underlying theme that encompasses the genre – raw emotion. No matter how heavy or light the vibe is, electronic music makes you feel something. Between Broken – the most recent project from Denver-based melodic EDM producer and songwriter, Dabin – whose real name is Dabin Lee – is no different. With influences ranging from folk and indie to punk rock, Dabin’s Between Broken is as intimate as the title suggests. Everything, from the lyrics and the melodies to the cover art and sequencing, provides a peek into the beautiful and often melancholy nature of the human experience.
BOREDOM FIGHTERS IS CREATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BEAT MAKERS
There are many non-profits that provide music education to underprivileged youth, but their focus is generally on traditional instruments and contemporary music, often ignoring electronic music and the production aspects of modern-day beat making. Thankfully, Boredom Fighters – a Colorado-based non-profit organization led by Tyler Manning – is bridging that gap by creating a safe space for kids to express themselves musically, and providing music production materials and courses to the next generation of beatmakers.
Q&A – JOEL CORRY TALKS AMERICAN TOUR, THE PRE-FAME GRIND, AND DINNER WITH DAVID GUETTA
With 2x platinum records, songs with Charli XCX and David Guetta, and a global tour under his belt, Joel Corry is one of the hottest DJs in the world. He came all the way from the UK to Denver to round out his U.S. tour and talk with me about a decade of playing shitty gigs in London, and his love – and at times obsession – for performing.
TRAYCE CHAPMAN ON THE PRESSURE OF PURPOSE
The road to artistic success is a long and difficult one saturated with deep potholes and misleading shortcuts. In the music industry, talent can only carry you so far. More often than not, unwavering dedication and raw passion are the determining factors in forging a successful musical career. Fortunately, local rapper Trayce Chapman embodies these characteristics. Hot off the heels of placing top 10 in the BET Amplified competition earlier this year, Chapman is set to release the third installment of his Contraband album series this summer, and it’s sure to propel him to the next phase on his road to stardom.
MIGUEL AVIÑA STRIVES TO CREATE A MORE ACCESSIBLE LATIN MUSIC SCENE IN DENVER
For years, Denver’s thriving Latin music scene has been the city’s best-kept secret. Salsa clubs bursting with traditional Latin culture are scattered throughout the city, accompanied by local music venues that consistently showcase Latin artists and traditional Latin sounds every weekend. The majority of these bars and music venues, however, demonstrate just a small sector of the expansive and diverse sound cultivated by the Latin community here in Denver.
BOREDOM FIGHTERS IS CREATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BEAT MAKERS
There are many non-profits that provide music education to underprivileged youth, but their focus is generally on traditional instruments and contemporary music, often ignoring electronic music and the production aspects of modern-day beat making. Thankfully, Boredom Fighters – a Colorado-based non-profit organization led by Tyler Manning – is bridging that gap by creating a safe space for kids to express themselves musically, and providing music production materials and courses to the next generation of beatmakers.
FAM BAM PRODUCTIONS AND ISLAND 45 ON BUILDING A MOVEMENT
After experiencing a traumatic car accident, Adrian Garcia was forced to give up his academic dreams. Fortunately, Garcia shifted his focus to Denver's music scene. After witnessing up-and-coming artists struggle to find ground to stand on, he formed Fam BAM Productions. Read more about his vision by clicking the link below.
Q&A – LUKE THE KNIFE DANCES THE NIGHT AWAY ON DISCO NAP
Luke Miller aka Luke the Knife, front-man for the funk-centric, electronic jam band Lotus, released his first official solo project last Friday, entitled Disco Nap. The album showcases an undeniable groove and well-crafted sound meant to bring out your best dance moves. In a world that’s seen very little live music — and consequentially, very little dancing — throughout the past year, this new project is a welcome addition to the local clubs around Denver.
THE AME MUSIC RETREAT EMBRACED THE COLORADO MUSIC COMMUNITY
Last weekend, Colorado-based company Anthem Music Enterprises (AME) held its second music retreat in Woodland Park. Over the course of four days, four separate artists each created one unique song with the help of an in-house band, comprised of mostly Colorado musicians. The experience represented Colorado’s cooperative music community in intimate ways and generated a musical experience on par with the industry standard expectations of large-scale music retreats. Anthem offered more than a fleshed-out recording experience, though. They also partnered with local music marketing firm Virra Marketing and audio production hardware company Samson Technologies to provide essential digital marketing strategies and recording gear. More importantly, they provided a weekend of networking, creative inspiration and support rarely seen in other major cities across the country.
CU DENVER STRIVES MORE EQUITABLE MUSIC EDUCATION
An inclusive approach to CU Denver's music curriculum is underway with its College of Arts and Media department recently joining the Alliance for the Transformation of Musical Academe's Task Force on Musical Racism. Greater representation of Black artists and music is at the forefront of the university's mission to rebuild and renew higher-education.
A NEW MAJOR PODCAST LAUNCHES IN DENVER TO HELP LISTENERS BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CITY
Bree Davies explores the people and organizations that keep Denver alive with the new City Cast Denver podcast, which launched on March 25th
HOW MOTOWN CHANGED THE COLOR OF POPULAR MUSIC FOREVER
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LOLITA FINDS CONFIDENCE THROUGH POETRY AND MUSIC
Denver’s music scene, much like the rest of the world, has been increasingly receptive to Latin music and artists during the last decade. On a global scale, artists like Bad Bunny and J Balvin are leading the charge in popularizing Latin music in America and Europe. On a smaller scale, there are local Latin artists that are contributing to the culture in important ways. Lolita — a rising star in Denver’s Latin music scene — is one such artist. Her deep love for poetry, self-awareness and social justice synthesize in her music, and makes her a force to reckon with.
POLO & PAN TALK CYCLORAMA TOUR, SAMPLING “MAGIC” AND THE NATURAL WORLD
French electro-house duo Polo & Pan have spent the past few years experimenting with the boundless atmosphere of untraditional soundscapes. Their music is anything but ordinary – mixing classic synth sounds and iconic samples with sounds found in the natural world to create a cinematic experience through their music. There’s no one who sounds like Polo & Pan, and that originality has guided them to a (mostly) sold-out tour across America and France. 303 Magazine caught up with the duo before their show to talk about the tour so far, sampling Pilot’s “Magic” and embracing the natural world through their music.