MUSICMARAUDERS

Cervantes Other Side Denver, CO Words By J-man Photos By Carly Marthis Hopes weren't set very high regarding turnout on a night that Furthur sold out Red Rocks. Though the hopes were definitely elevated for a fantastic evening of music from two staples of the live music/jam scene. As a few die-hard fans began to trickle in, we found ourselves downstairs with Skerik for a "conversation" about Bandalabra, jazz and politics. Following our "conversation" we made our way back upstairs to a surprising crowd as Skerik's Bandalabra took the stage. Skerik's projects bring a certain amount of energy and unpredictability to the stage and Bandalabra was no different. Each member of the new project represented an integral piece to a complex and beautiful musical puzzle. The music was edgy and complex, while channeling a clear party vibe. Under no circumstances do I anticipate seeing Bandalabra as an opening band again. They are a headlining, show-closin...

Jomeokee Campground Pinnacle, NC Words By Lena Brodsky & Scott Shrader Photos By Scott Shrader ( J. Scott Shrader Photography ) The Jomeokee Music and Arts Festival that took place September 14-16 in Pinnacle, NC boasted a stellar line-up, but actually a smaller attendance than we expected. The smaller sized festival allowed for some more intimate shows, and a chance for the attendees to mingle with the acclaimed artists. Arriving at the Jomeokee Campground we could tell there was a buzz of excitement and anticipation. Camping was spread out in all directions around the two stages, the main, “Mountain Roots Stage,” which featured mostly bluegrass and is a permanent structure on the Jomeokee grounds, and the smaller, temporary stage, the “Head Jamz” stage. Most of the camping was done in open fields, and it seemed like vehicle camping was the more popular choice, although, while drinking a nice cold beverage, we watched quite a bit of people park in a field and haul the...

Highland Tap & Burger Denver, CO Words By J-man Photos By Carly Marthis & Paul Brown Video By J-man The highly anticipated return of Vital Organ to The Highland Tap & Burger triggered a social-networking frenzy in Colorado on this particular Wednesday. Facebook posts from Juno What, The Motet, MusicMarauders  and even Kyle Hollingsworth eluded to a special evening. Speculation surrounded rumors of Kyle's potential turnout at Tap and sure enough as the Evening's crowd began to show face, so too did Kyle. The crowd was larger than usual and there was a buzz in the air as the quartet consisting of Joey Porter, Garrett Sayers, Dan Schwindt and Daren Hahn sound checked. Before the band began, the room was packed and when they finally fired up, the room went wild. Organomics Live at Highland Tap & Burger on September 19, 2012. The funk/jazz vibe that overtook the room was intense and driving. Each member of the band output a frenzy of impressive nota...

Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom Denver, CO MusicMarauders Presents Juno What?! this Friday, September 28th at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver, CO! Join us for an evening of "Shameless" electro-dance music from one of our hometown favorites! Opening for Juno What?! will be Bedrockk & Sunsquabi! Purchase Tickets Here! www.junowhat.net www.cervantesmasterpiece.com

Boulder Theater Boulder, CO Words & Photos By J-man From the beginning, this show was the most highly anticipated of the three night Umphrey's McGee/Railroad Earth run, if not the most anticipated show of the summer for Colorado jam fans. First, it was RRE's sold out show at The Boulder Theater, then UM and RRE's near sell out at Red Rocks. Lastly, would be a sold out Saturday night in Boulder with UM at The Boulder Theater. The line in front of the beautifully lit venue extended down the block and around the corner. There was a buzz in the air that night as those who had already obtained their tickets knew that they were in for a treat, and those who had not, reflected pure hope into the universe. Friends from all over the country embraced, as that evening would mark one of the handful special occasions in which travelers would reconnect. This wasn't your normal show from a local band, this would be an experience from one of the most ragingly precise nation...

Red Rocks Amphitheatre Morrison, CO Written By Nicholas Stock Photos By Nicholas Stock & Justin Picard After a lazy night with Railroad Earth at The Boulder Theater it was time for the main event with both RRE and Umphrey’s McGee showcasing their skills at Red Rocks. Opting out of throwing their third Red, Rocks, & Blue show around the 4th of July, UM instead, created a late summer run that included both bands playing in Boulder. Traffic was murder as all the Coloradoans sped down the road for one more summer adventure before the leaves turned. We arrived at the box office, which was swamped with all manner of wooks, hippie chicks, and lot regulars. It was like working my way through the Cantina on Mos Eisley in Star Wars complete with alien life forms and shitty oboe jams. After procuring my pass we headed to the top and parked in Upper North. The lot was full as randoms milled about waiting to head inside. Our time was short, but we managed to see a few friends an...

Words By J-man From the first few notes of the self-titled track "Live For Today," the listener is sucked into the sonic world of Andrew McConathy's musical vision and Tim Carbone's (Railroad Earth) masterful production. Andrew's voice powers through the ambient instrumentation with clear resemblances to Eddie Vedder's sound or the candor of Johnny Cash. The message is clear, "Live For Today," and who could argue with that? Driven by a poetic approach, songs like "Goes To Show," "Make It Out Ahead" and "Don't Go" reflect the On The Road theme. Even more clearly with "Dean Moriarty's Blues," and the chorus "I wonder if I'll ever make it home again," McConathy leans on cultural icon Jack Kerouac. Welcoming guests like Tim Carbone, Scott Law, Chris Misner, James Thomas, Kyle James Hauser, Stephen Kerlinger & Damian Calcagne further elevates the complete sonic sound of the album with a he...

Boulder Theater Boulder, CO Words By J-man Photos By J-man, Nicholas Stock & Carly Marthis Video By Nicholas Stock The sun shined down on Boulder, CO as the first few leaves of the season began to fall. We found ourselves on the Pearl St. Mall scouting a location for an exclusive session that we would be doing with Railroad Earth. With the location being selected and the band wrapping up their soundcheck, I made my way backstage to provide some assistance in rounding up the group. As we walked down the alleyway from the backstage door of the Boulder Theater to the mall, I could hear Tim Carbone's fiddle bouncing off of the brick wall as he warmed up. "Today they would perform the exclusive session, tonight they would play the sold out Boulder Theater and tomorrow they would play Red Rocks alongside Umphrey's McGee," I thought to myself as the crowd on the mall came into my view. I was thrilled to see so many familiar faces and as the band tuned and prepared... Fol...

Quixote's True Blue Denver, CO Words, Photos & Video By J-man Audio By Ed Simon ( Kind Recordings ) Every band, regardless of it's size and/or popularity, has its fan base. It just so happens in magicgravy's case, their core group of fans is a group of gentleman whom I have a lot of respect for. The name magicgravy gets tossed around the Denver scene like an underground cult classic movie title, shared only between those with intimate knowledge of its existence. Comprised of Dan Lebowitz (Animal Liberation Orchestra), Garrett Sayers (Garrett Sayers Trio, The Motet, Kyle Hollingsworth Band) & Dave Watts (The Motet, Juno What), magicgravy is a music fans dream! The rarity of the project also helps to elevate the anticipation and demand, however on that Sunday, only the hardcore fans/insiders turned out to Quixote's to mark the occasion. magicgravy Live at Quixotes True Blue on September 9, 2012. Lebo's funk chops opened up the show with Colorado's most inf...