This week, thieves, we’ve got free Colorado music for you to download from piano rocker , ‘s Andy Thomas, and outlaw alt-countryman .
Aaron Thomas Collins, of his eponymous band A. Tom Collins, is one of those pianists that you could settle in with at a cabaret and watch a multi-hour performance. He’s like Randy Newman with a lil’ stank on him, like a far less grumpy and far more sexy Tom Waits. Throw in a band featuring horns and the occasional barroom chorus, and you’ve got one of the most exciting and surprisingly danceable live shows in Colorado. Also surprising is the acrobatics: We’ve seen Aaron leap from piano to balcony.
For such a great live band, one must be suspect of the recorded songs. Not the case here. We’ve heard the yet-to-be-released LP “Stick and Poke,” and it delivers as much energy as the live performance, but with more opportunity to soak in the songs, not the sweat. The album won’t be released until July — why the wait?! — but A. Tom Collins will celebrate the release with shows at on April 19 and 20. Below, steal “Dragon” from the new album.
Andy Thomas of Denver roots-rock band has written a novel and a solo album. The novel, entitled “Hell Is in New Jersey,” was passed up by Amazon in its Breakthrough Novel award. But Thomas soldiers on, hoping to self-publish. Around the same time as he finished the book, he finished a solo album, “Wicked, Dark.” The album is available for a minimum of $5 on his with all profits helping to fun the book. Using art to pay for art. We haven’t read the book, but the album is solid. It’s a guitar- and vocals-driven collection of darker songs than Tin Horn Prayer fans may be used to. Download “Simple Solution,” a murder ballad featuring cello and growling vocals.
Ryan Chrys blazes country guitar for others. Now, he’s sharing his songs on “A Lick and a Promise.” Photo courtesy of artist.
Ryan Chrys’ career as a Colorado musician has mostly been in the background of bands, until the guitar solo. He is a guitarist’s guitarist, a country rock ax man. While he still holds fast as lead guitarist for , he’s branched out on his own with “,” an album of country rock songs with an emphasis on “rock.” Below, download “Stand & Be Counted.” Chrys will be performing a set as an acoustic duo at The Bar Car on April 20.
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 Steal This Track for consideration.
Josh Johnson is a Denver freelance writer and Reverb contributor. He is also a co-host/co-producer of the Denver podcast . He’s also studying to be a butcher. Seriously.
