It’s lonely on Larimer Street on a Monday night.
If you walk away from the bright lights on Larimer Square and toward Coors Field, the neighborhood seems active enough. Hit Park Avenue, though, and Denver feels like a different place.
The wave of gentrification is lapping gently at this part of town, but Monday is often as quiet and empty as the warehouse days of yore.
Past 27th Street, about halfway down the block, the Larimer Lounge (2721 Larimer St.), however, looks humble and warm. The venue is usually a haven for indie, punk, hardcore and other rock acts, but there’s no show on Monday.
Peek past the Christmas lights in the windows and there will be a small crowd assembled. They’re laughing and drinking and cheering, and music’s booming.
Don’t be afraid to barge in: it’s New Music Monday.
A DJ dance extravaganza on the sleepiest night of the week, New Music Monday has the vibe of a great house party. Except there’s a full bar and no line for the bathroom.
“Some folks have told me that it is a refreshing and laid-back change from the stereotypical club scene,” says organizer Matt Fecher. “We’re creating a ‘record party’ environment, where music lovers can come and hang out, possibly dance, and play some music.”
Fecher DJs New Music Monday as DJ Hot to Death, and invites along a couple of guests every week to help with mixing duties. They’re usually veterans of the local music scene: musicians, bloggers and super-fans alike. (Fecher, festival director for Monolith Music Festival, knows people.)
Music fan Julian Wakefield and Chris “Citrus” Sauthoff, of Denver funkmeisters U.S. Pipe, joined Fecher on the decks at last Monday’s event.
The three DJs used iPods, computers and traditional vinyl to mix their playlists. In defiance of the Monday night calm, their sets leaned heavily on upbeat tracks.
Get this: There wasn’t that much new music.
A few selections: James Brown’s “I Feel Good,” George Michael’s “Freedom ’90,” PJ Harvey’s “Down by the Water” and a remix of “Kids,” by MGMT.
Fecher says the abundance of familiar tracks is just the way things go sometimes.
“It’s different every week,” he says. “Music Lovers Monday would probably be a more appropriate name. . . . On some nights, you can hear music from the 1930s, so it’s a toss-up.”
And any good DJ knows to read the crowd. If they’re itching to dance like this week’s revelers were, force-feeding them unfamiliar music isn’t going to work. Break out the Michael Jackson and save the thoughtful discussion of modern popular music for another time.
New Music Monday is still young — it started only in December — but its fans are loyal, and the guest DJs keep coming.
The next party will feature guests Heather Browne, of music blog “I Am Fuel, You Are Friends,” and Patrick and Nathan Meese from up-and-coming Denver band Meese.
“Judging from what Heather Browne told me she was playing, there’s a good chance you’re going to hear some music that hasn’t been played anywhere in public in Denver yet,” Fecher said.
No matter what’s on the sound system, friends will be gathering and drinks will be pouring at the Larimer, and Monday night will be a little louder.
New Music Mondays start around 9 p.m. There’s no cover charge. Check to see who’s spinning each week.
Don’t stop.
Another weekday party to consider: Robbie Rivera at Beta (1909 Blake St.) on Thursday.
The Miami-based beat-freak whips up a signature blend of house and electro, and makes it just a little dirty too. He’s remixed for the likes of Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Basement Jaxx and more.
Presale tickets are $10 at .
