Denver’s investment in its thriving music scene paid off more visibly this year than any in recent memory, thanks to a combination of talent, drive, national attention and — what else? — community.
In that spirit, dozens of Front Range bands will celebrate 2007’s successes with a series of shows, from annual extravaganzas by semi-locals Slim Cessna’s Auto Club to group-hugs from indie torchbearers Born in the Flood or local reggae acts at Herman’s Hideaway.
“I haven’t seen it like this since the ’90s, when there were lines around the block for local shows regardless of who was playing,” said Bart Dahl, Born in the Flood’s manager. “There’s this sense of community, that something is going on.”
Dahl, now based in New York with Madison House Inc., should know, having managed bands like Dinosaur Jr. and, currently, Dresden Dolls.
“The difference now is how stylistically different and talented all these bands are,” he said. “There’s a sense that a band might be able to succeed just living in Denver.”
That sense has been bolstered as groups like the Fray, DeVotchKa, the Photo Atlas, Meese, Drop Dead, Gorgeous, Single File, 3OH!3 and others find national acclaim without leaving Denver behind.
“It seems like there were a lot of goals people had in 2006 and in 2007 those goals are realities,” added Matthew Fecher, co- founder of Red Rocks’ Monolith Festival.
The Monolith Festival allowed dozens of local acts to play stages at Red Rocks in September alongside the Flaming Lips, Spoon, Kings of Leon, Cake and others.
“In a word, it’s confidence,” said Eli Mishkin, lead singer of Hot IQs. “You’re putting your money where your mouth is — getting out there and touring, releasing albums, playing festivals, getting signed. It’s been more proactive this year.”
We surveyed the list of year-ending local shows to bring you this holiday slice:
Hot IQs, Saturday, Bluebird Theater
Denver’s defining indie trio will tinker with its sound by adding members from openers Cat-A-Tac, d. biddle and the Knew. “(Bassist) Brian (Feuchtinger) will move to drums for a few songs as well, because that’s his first love,” said singer Eli Mishkin. $10-$11,
George Inai, Dec. 27, Lion’s Lair
Rootsy Denver singer-songwriter Inai heads a lineup that includes Ben Jordon, Los Dos and Patrick Porter at East Colfax Avenue’s storied rock dive. $5, myspace
Born in the Flood, Dec. 28, Bluebird Theater
These Denver Post Underground Music Poll champs released the long-awaited “If This Thing Should Spill” in 2007, and will return the love with a free show featuring the Swayback and Machine Gun Blues, and collaborative sets from Paper Bird, Bela Karoli, Joe Sampson, Jeff Suthers and others.
Breezy Porticos, Dec. 28, Bender’s Tavern
Local indie pop stalwarts Breezy Porticos will get help from Six Months to Live, Action Packed Thrill Ride and the the Pseudo Dates. $5,
DeVotchKa, Dec. 29, Mercury Cafe
As big as the band has become, Grammy-nominated DeVotchKa will show its loyalty to the Mercury Cafe with this unusually intimate show. $33,
Herman’s Hideaway, Dec. 28-31
South Broadway’s live music institution will host Mercury Project, Optimal Frequency, Lion Souljahs, Irie Still, P-Knuckle and others at its series of diverse year-end shows. Various prices,
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, Dec. 30-31, Bluebird Theater
This country-gospel-punk act’s New Year’s shows are the stuff of legend and institution. This year should be similarly exultant, noisy and cathartic. $20-$25,
Syntax Masquerade Ball, Dec. 31, the Meadowlark
Gregory Alan Isakov, Ian Cooke, Rachael Pollard and Blue Light will grace this black- tie event, with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. $5,
Rose Hill Drive, Dec. 31, Boulder Theater
Aerosmith’s “Toys in the Attic” seems an odd choice for this Boulder power trio to cover in its entirety, but openers Meat Puppets and Rose Hill’s own originals should balance the equation. $26-$29.50,
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642 or jwenzel@denverpost.com
