[Event Preview/Playlist] The Underground Music Showcase – Denver, CO

The 17th anniversary of one of Denver’s most storied music events, The Underground Music Showcase, is just around the corner. What began as a one-night performance featuring just four bands, The UMS has steadily exploded into to a four-day music and art festival featuring hundreds of performances. As the time draws nearer to what will no doubt be another incredible weekend pf performances, it’s time to get our readers familiar with this year’s crop of (mostly) burgeoning artists spanning a plethora of genres and sounds. While this recent slate of participating artists is the second wave, we can assuredly expect one more run of performers to be added to this year’s bill, so stay tuned!

This year’s bill features one of the more eclectic, varied lineups we’ve been privy to for a number of years, including a seemingly heavier focus on displaying the myriad talent spread across The Centennial State (that’s Colorado ya yokels). On the top end of things, The UMS features an incredible slate of headlining performances from the likes of Nika Roza Danilova’s influential avant-pop project Zola Jesus,  New Orleans based Benjamin Booker‘s raw brand of blues/boogie/soul/rock, Red Fang‘s primal-yet-refined  stoner-metal, John Jagos’ lofi pop alter-ego and TMN darling Brothertiger, and the smoothly subdued vocal stylings of Esmé Patterson. In addition to the already excellent pallet of headliners, The UMS also will be presenting countless sets from some of our absolute favorite Colorado artists including Flaural, Povi, RUMTUM, Slow Caves & Dragondeer. To get your ears tuned for next month’s festivities, check out our preview playlist below and get your learn on if you haven’t already. Tickets are still on presale, so hop to it and pick up a 4-day pass on the cheap here!

’Benjamin Booker – Violent Shiver’
’Brothertiger – Beyond The Infinite’
’Zola Jesus – Exhumed’
’Esmé Patterson – Green Green’
’Red Fang – Blood Like Cream’
’Slow Caves – Glares’
’Povi – 4am’
’Flaural – Culture Ghost’
’RUMTUM – Coastal Hustle’
’Dragondeer – When I See You’
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[R&B & Soul] Driftwood. – Medusa (ft. Aurora Rose)

Driftwood. ft. Aurora Rose
Medusa

The best hooks take a big idea and mold it down to the simplest form. They can carry specific emotion or instantly inspire you. And the greatest often get a universal reaction. I was thinking about that the other night while playing some music and this song “Medusa” came up. The line, “frequencies between you an me are exchanging” just stuck out and got me thinking. The artist is Driftwood and I recommend checking out the project for yourself. Chill hip-hop and minimalist influences go perfectly with the songwriting and Aurora Rose’s vocal feature. There’s also a music video that fits well, the concept is simple and mysterious but effective. Driftwood is just getting started but this new single is quality and I’m looking forward to hearing what’s next.

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[Event Review] Project Pabst: Denver 2017

In just its second year in existence as a four city national event (Denver, Portland, Philadelphia, Atlanta), the barley-pop funded Project Pabst has quickly cemented itself as one of the hottest tickets in each town it lays it Laser Horse inspired hooves. Always an eclectic lineup, in its brief run Project Pabst has consistently boasted a mix of both established and upcoming acts spanning myriad genres from Tame Impala, STRFKR, Violent Femmes, FIDLAR, Duran Duran & Iggy Pop to A$AP Ferg, Danny Brown, K. Flay & Big K.R.I.T. to name but a few; and this year’s Denver date served only to stoke the already vibrant fire within our Ninja hearts. It was yet another excellently curated day in Denver’s hipster bastion of the RiNo neighborhood, and we’ve got plenty to dish about the second Denver Project Pabst date.

As always, the day kicked off sprightly at 2:00 p.m. behind a choice segue into the beautiful day with a frenetic performance from Chicago indie rock outfit Twin Peaks. In a rather short span beginning in 2013, Twin Peaks have rapidly evolved from a hectic, sloppy group of teenage rockers into a firmly polished five piece with the ability to command a stage with the best of them. Twin Peaks cycled primarily through fare from LP’s Wild Onion and Down in Heaven including staples like “I Found a Way”, “Making Breakfast” and “Holding Roses”, but more than made sure to satisfy their diehards as well with a few cuts from debut long player Sunken. With the day’s first performance under our belts, it was time for some $3.00 PBR and a jaunt to the other end of Larimer Street for a little slice of scuzzy L.A. rock duo Deap Vally.

Read Our Entire Project Pabst Review After the Jump!

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[Music Video] Rayven Justice – Why Me

Sometimes a radio-centric R&B track comes along that we just can’t get out of our heads. “Why Me” is the latest one and it comes to the dojo from Rayven Justice. Not only do we get his female-friendly single, but we get a cool little music video to expand the project.

Hailing from Oakland, Rayven’s got a style that can bring him out of the Bay Area and into the starlight with world-wide recognition. The playful, tasteful nature of his music and video echoes the underground nature of his hometown’s music scene, while also allowing himself room to peak outside his own territory. It’s a sound that is highly accessible and although it’s not something completely new, the sound is fresh and exciting. It’s nice to hear something dope from a new name that can make a break for the top. Check out the video below and get a copy of “Why Me” from iTunes today.

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[Pop] Xavier White – A Wonder

Xavier White
A Wonder (prod. by Paul Couture)

“A Wonder” sees one of our favorite R&B artists in Xavier White teaming up with Paul Couture yet again for another solid single. This one comes to us through the imprint Lush Records who has backed both of these artist’s work several times before. These three parties are a match made in music heaven.

Usually we get a very edgy, hip-hop meets R&B sound from Xavier. This time around, he brightens things up with a bit of a more pop-centric tone. Wavy and light, “A Wonder” shows a new side to both artists involved, giving us a glimpse of where their sounds can go. We’ve said this many times before and we’ll continue to say it: keep your eyes and ears on Xavier. We can’t stress enough that he’s got what it takes to go to the top.

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[R&B] French Montana – Unforgettable (Xavier White Remix)

French Montana
Unforgettable (Xavier White Remix)

Xavier White couldn’t wait to release a track, even though he’s got a project coming very soon. We’re okay with it and we think you’ll be okay with it too. As a sign of love for his fans, Xavier dished out a free download of his remix of “Unforgettable” by French Montana. No follow to download or anything, just a straightforward download for fans.

Even though you can get this easily, it’s worth a follow or even a purchase price if it had one. If you’re familiar with Xavier, then you’ll be used to his soothing R&B sound, one that he dives even deeper into this time around, shying away from the hip-hop sensibilities that find their way into some of his other works. Xavier has been making major moves lately, so expect to see him take over this Summer and the rest of the year with some quality material like this.

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[Indie] DVWEZ – The Life

DVWEZ
The Life

“The Life” is here thanks to DVWEZ, the Florida songstress that’s coming up strong. Her dark, R&B original has seduced us with its infectious sound, one that is right up the alley of anybody looking for something with a shadowed hue to it.

DVWEZ gives us something that’s a bit different from the usual R&B sound. It takes more of an indie stance with intoxicating melodies and driving soundscapes that show more of a love for the underground than the mainstream. In giving her own take on things, DVWEZ stands out as someone to be not only noticed, but revered. “The Life” is a magnificent piece of music that your ears need to hear. Hence why we’re sharing it with you today!

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