This week, we have the carny folk blues of , the emotive pop of and the acoustic indie rock of .
Bonnie and the Beard’s new EP, “Cascavel,” finds the trio of , and maturing its approach to blues-based Americana into a sound that is truly its own. Recalling the Denver sound of bands like , and even a little bit of , with an added sprinkling of sawdust and the dirt of country roads, all wet down with tobacco juice and whiskey, the threesome (with a little trumpet help from of and ) creates a saucy mash that makes “Cascavel” (funded through a successful campaign) a grin-inducing listen. Steal “Lightin’ Up” for a little taste of what this crew can do, then pick up the whole EP on Bandcamp for a mere $5. The band is playing all over Colorado lately, but your next chance to catch Bonnie and the Beard in Denver is a Saturday afternoon show on June 16 at Great Divide Brewing Company. Mark your calendar.
Carbon Choir is another band whose sound has matured greatly since its last release. Still centered on ‘s powerful songwriting and evocative vocals, the six tracks on “Sakhalin” — also funded via — showcase a quartet that has found its sound and knows itself well. Comparisons can still be made to a number of melodic pop rock acts, but those would be both lazy and unfair. “Sakhalin” is richly arranged, expertly performed and beautifully recorded, with a solid soul of well-crafted songs and thoughtful lyrics. Steal “Cracks” to hear for yourself, then grab the whole EP for whatever price you think is fair. You can catch Carbon Choir live on , playing with , and . Advance tickets are just $9.33.
It’s been three years since husband-and-wife duo Steve Varney and Jess Parsons of Glowing House released their debut EP, but from what we’ve heard from the forthcoming follow-up, “Days Run Out,” the wait was worthwhile. Nurtured and developed with a host of talented local musicians — and captured in the unique environment of the tiny and picturesque Morrison Community Church — the new release shows off Varney’s increased confidence as a front man. With support from new Denver music company and record label, , Glowing House is poised to make a big impression on the local music-loving community with “Days Run Out.” Steal the hauntingly hopeful “Taming Lions” for a sneak preview of the release, then catch the group live at the Hi-Dive (7 S. Broadway, Denver) on June 9th, with stunning openers and . are just $10.
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 for local music you can HEAR, and the for stories about Denver musicians doing extraordinary things. Against his mother’s advice, Eryc has also been known to . You can also follow Sorry, Mom.
