Eros and the what? Is “I’m A Boy” a band name or did they fill out the wrong part of the UMS application form? What, exactly, is an ?
Don’t worry, you aren’t out of touch. Not many of us can claim to have heard of most of these bands.
And that’s a big part of the beauty of the annual musical deluge that is the : It throws you ear-first into a veritable fun house of under-the-radar musicians.
Winging it is great and all, but should you want some semblance of a game plan, here are five () local bands you really shouldn’t miss this year.
Eros and the Eschaton
In their last album, Kate Perdoni and Adam Hawkins’ Eros and the Eschaton (“love and the end of the world,” translated from Greek) offered up 10 tracks in the two-decade tradition of shoegaze, a swaddling genre that layers wispily distorted guitars, vocals and keys to an almost analgesic effect. But don’t expect to float into the rafters if you catch them this weekend: The Colorado Springs-based duo’s new album, “Weight of Matter,” (out August 19 via Bar/None Records) is comparatively loaded with crunching rock ballast. Saddle up: It’s gonna be a manic set.
3 Kings Tavern, Saturday, 8 p.m.
The Other Black
You’ve probably seen Wesley Watkins holding down the horn section with (he’s the crazy tall trumpet player). But hearing him croon with his fledgling funk project The Other Black, you can’t help but think he’s being underutilized. The band has precious little music out right now, but trust us: Watkins and co. can pop those skinny jeans into bell bottoms with the crack of a microphone cord.
The Irish Rover Pub, Sunday, 11 p.m.
RUMTUM
Meddling in the space between sound collage and house music, Denver’s RUMTUM (real name John Hastings) crafts more nuanced beats than your average dance producer. Hastings gravitates toward the ethereal and down-tempo — think trickling harps and viscous synths. But armed with a guitar and a pair of drumsticks, his songs are never further than arm’s reach from shaking the floor.
The Irish Rover Pub, Sunday, 1 a.m.
Qbala
Rap is scarce on the UMS roster, but Loveland’s Kalhie Q Qbala does her part make up for that. Rooted in the organic ease of golden age hip-hop, the M.C.’s can flow her truths with the steady syncopation of NAS (“Mind’s Eye”) or a melodic melange of couplets that’s all her own. Catch her while you can: The rapper is prepping for a move to Oregon in the coming months.
Blue Ice Lounge, Sunday, 4 p.m.
U.S. Tygers
Cribbing off of juke-joint Americana, U.S. Tygers are a sturdy example of a Denver music scene staple: sturdy, no-gimmick rock. The band’s debut album, “Root Hog or Die,” is equally raucous and ruminant, at least in a post-bender, moment-of-clarity way. If you’ve been hankering for a local interpreter of the spirit of Gram Parsons or New Riders of the Purple Sage, look no further.
Main Stage, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.; Gary Lees Motor Club and Grub, Sunday, 11 p.m.
