Welcome to another edition of Steal This Track, your weekly opportunity to pilfer great Colorado music from Reverb. This week, we have brand new tracks from Denver cello-loving chicks , the newly formed and rapidly ascending hip-hop trio . Let’s steal some tracks.
Katie Gold and Becky Christian are Lady Parts, and though the name might sound vaguely dirty, there’s nothing unclean about the duo’s richly crafted chamber pop. Multi-instrumentalist Gold creates simple, layered textures with guitar, piano, harpsichord and other tones, while Christian, a cellist since early childhood, adds the warmth of her instrument, but where that combination could land in the tepid mud of familiarity, Lady Parts instead stirs up a rich, peaty loam that sprouts some unexpectedly lovely flora.
Lady Parts’ debut album, “So It Goes,” is a treasure chest of well-written and beautifully performed nuggets that aren’t quite like anything you’ve heard before. Listening to the record while leafing through the exquisite handmade packaging in which it rests is like rummaging through boxes in your grandfather’s attic — yellowed wedding photos, pin-up calendars, newspaper clippings, a dried corsage. The pair’s quirky songwriting — with its melodic twists, eccentric lyrics and organic structures — is enhanced by Gold’s unique phrasing and the not-always-dulcet timbre of her voice. You might hear reverberations of the history of artsy female performers — from Regina Spektor back to Tori Amos and back further to Kate Bush — but there’s something new here too. It’s too soon to tell what Lady Parts is capable of, but “So It Goes” is likely to end up on some best-of lists this year. Steal “Robot” and you’ll understand why. Then go buy “So It Goes” from the band’s website. This is one case in which we highly recommend getting the physical CD.
While Lady Parts surprises, there’s something oddly familiar about Port Au Prince. Maybe that’s because anyone familiar with Denver music probably knows its members. At the heart of the operation are blood brothers Jason and Josh Cain, whom you’ll recognize from their lead roles in the Moths, and . Bassist Tyler Campo is probably best known for his work in sunny pop outfit . , who drums, sings and writes for Port Au Prince, is a well-known experimental musician and singer-songwriter. Guitarist Brian Gerhard hasn’t been in the limelight, but through his studio and previous work with , the producer and engineer has left his mark on a number of Denver recordings.
Though the quintet has quite a pedigree, Port Au Prince’s debut EP, “Hollow Bones,” is best appreciated on its own merits. The creative interplay among these experienced musicians is undeniable, and the very different songwriting and performing aesthetics of Jason Cain and Hunter Dragon collide in sublime and surprising ways. The four-song EP only hints at Port Au Prince’s direction, and with the band making its live debut at South By Southwest, bigger things are sure to come later this year. For now, however, you can pick up “Hollow Bones” for whatever price you deem fair . Before you do, you might want to steal our personal favorite, “Jesus Kathleen.”
Speaking of familiar faces with new names, we’re delighted to share with you the first official release from Denver hip-hop crew Prime Element. Formerly known as 3 the Hardway, the trio of DJ Cysko Rokwel, producer/emcee and emcee changed its name last year after signing to California-based Kamikazi Airlines and discovering that their previous name was already spoken for.
Though dizzying opportunities await the newly christened group — tours in Europe and Asia, licensing deals, re-releasing “Set In Stone,” the album that made 3 the Hardway’s reputation — the three young men of Prime Element are most excited about getting down to the business of making music. Last Tuesday, the group released a three-song single (yes, we realize the number’s there are completely illogical), its first under the Prime Element moniker. “Do I Belong,” “Where You Are” and “Think of the Day” all contain the clear-headed rapping, boom-bap beats and funky grooves that have been the threesome’s signature.
Though it’s plenty strong on its own, the lead song, “Do I Belong,” gets a lyrical boost from (of the Demigodz crew and ) and a major bass boost from local thunderbroom street sweeper (of , Matthew Bandy, VibeSquad and countless others). Steal it for yourself and hear what what happens, then pop over to to steal all three high-quality tracks, along with instrumentals and radio edits.
If you like Steal This Track, you’re gonna love Steal This Track: a Reverb Dance Party at the Hi-Dive. We’re taking over the South Broadway indie rock institution on the last Thursday of every month with special guests, giveaways, drink specials and more. In the later hours, DJ Savior Breath (a.k.a. Reverb’s own Eryc Eyl) turns the shindig into a pants-dropping dance party. And just like Steal This Track, itap absolutely free. You won’t want to miss it.
Please note that downloads offered via Steal This Track are intended to whet your appetite, and are NOT CD-quality recordings. If you want those, please support the artists by buying their music and/or seeing them live.
If you’re a band or musician ready to expose your fresh sounds to the readers of Reverb, email your tracks — along with any interesting facts about them, as well as a photo or album art — to Eryc Eyl for consideration.
Eryc Eyl is a veteran music journalist, critic and Colorado native who has been neck-deep in local music for many years. Check out every Monday for local music you can HEAR, and the every Friday. Against his mother’s advice, Eryc has also been known to . You can also follow Sorry, Mom.
