Jan 14 Feature – Artists to Watch in 2014

2013 was a mammoth of a year for music in the MileHighCity, leaving 2014 with big holes to fill. A handful of our beloved once-local groups have flourished into nationally touring acts, representing Denver to the masses nationwide. Some took the crown and ran, while others crumbled under the pressure. Our cover stories this year covered the gamut- indie rock bands, punk bands, solo artists, special events and festivals, even a music documentary all took their share of the spotlight in 2013.

Now, a new crop and up-and-comers look to make 2014 their year of glory, working to expand into new markets and increase their fan base away from home while maintaining their place in Denver’s scene. We’ve watched them grow, and now we are more than excited to sit back cheer them on as they continue to work toward their dreams.

This year, we look forward to new records from so many great bands (including several of those featured here) and the staff at CMB is as excited as ever to see which artists are thrust into the limelight, thrust upward from our vast scene of artists and supporters below and pushed over the wall and into the national eye.

Here we have laid out the groups we are most excited about in the New Year, each of which have some expectations both of themselves and from others that they look to fulfill in 2014. Fortunately, given the amount of talent we are talking about here, living up to the hype shouldn’t be a problem.

Claymore Disco

After a victory in this year’s Hometown For The Holidays, Claymore Disco is looking to a big year- and rightfully so. Their synthed-out alternative pop sound is all the rage right now, and with tour number one in the books they can look to the future and expand into new markets with the confidence of knowing that the current hordes of musical consumers already dig their style. They just need to continue delivering solid, captivating live performances and progressing their sound melodically, the crowds will be sure to follow. They can be seen at many big shows in 2014 including Westword Music Showcase and, because of their HTFTH victory, the KTCL’s annual holiday throw-down Not So Silent Night. Peep their single “Light Ahead of Me” and see their show listings at claymoredisco.com

Wiredogs

Changing their name has not slowed down the momentum that the Wiredogs have accumulated over the last few years. With sharp social commentary and the catchy rhythms of nineties-era punk rock, this Denver four piece have developed a reputation for emotional, fast-paced live performances that continue to draw bigger and bigger crowds. Perhaps some of their widening appeal has been generated by their ability to gig across genre lines- you can often catch them one night rocking a full on punk show while their next gig will find them in the middle of an indie-rock lineup. The release of their recent EP Resistance saw the progression of the band in a more presentable, talent-focused light. Get your hands on their junk at facebook.com/wiredogs

In The Whale

In The Whale is so hot right now. So very hot, in fact, that in addition to being picked up by Atomic Music Group (The Yawpers, Agent Orange, Reverend Horton Heat), the group has been spending more time on the road and the EP the duo dropped a new EP in December (check out our review at coloradomusicbuzz.com) drew a sold out crowd to the Larimer Lounge for its’ release. Their humor-tinged take on indie rock’s harder side is exactly what the south Broadway scene craves, and we’ll be getting our fill again in 2014. Check their Facebook for a link to the video for “HEELS.” facebook.com/inthewhale 

My Body Sings Electric

My Body Sings Electric is the band currently diving headfirst over the wall and making a splash outside of Denver. The worldwide release of their new album Part 1: The Night Ends on January 28 and the Denver release party on February 1 conclude a long road full of promotion, multiple single releases, and lots of waiting, and we fully expect this album to blow up. They rocked KTCL’s Not So Silent Night this year after winning Hometown For The Holidays in 2012, a process that saw their already spreading popularity soar to new heights. My Body is far from stagnating, and the future appears to be looking bright for these five hard working musicians. mybodysingselectric.com

Birch Street

Birch Street is establishing quite the reputation- they’ve taken home the crown in Denver’s Hard Rock Battle of the Bands and managed to secure fans from across genre lines. We are attracted to these guys because sheer talent emanates from their pores in every song- it is not often that such well endowed vocals flirt so incessantly with the melodies they sit over (after all, singing in key is still appreciated, right?). Their singe “Down The Line” is the perfect example of this- drawing in the listener with smooth vocals and a mellow undertone. CMB is more than excited about Birch Street’s upcoming album release. Check them out at thebandbirchstreet.com

Rubedo

Originality goes a long, long way in making a band memorable. For Rubedo, that just comes naturally. These guys got on the CMB radar this year with unforgettable live performances and a pop-rock sound that makes us swoon. Lucky for their everyone, we won’t have to wait much longer to get a fresh taste of their catchy style- Rubedo is dropping their new album at the Bluebird Theatre on January 25. This will be followed by a tour down to Tennessee and back in support of the record, culminating with a release show in their record label’s hometown of Nashville. Do yourself a favor and have a sample at rubedomusic.com.

Andy Palmer

Andy Palmer is fresh off signing a promotional deal, and has huge plans for 2014. He has been invited to record and air a 40 minute set for Comcast to be broadcast on one of their stations, has been invited to showcase at SXSW, and will be performing at Folk Alliance International in Kansas City. Locally, you can catch him at Illegal Pete’s DU on January 30^th and Laughing Goat February 13. Check out his new record and more at facebook.com/apalmermusic.

Something Underground

With the release of their new album Confessions December 14, Something Underground is poised to take their already poignant name and make it even bigger in Denver and beyond. The remainder of the winter sees the three-piece on stage in mountain towns around the front range. Something Underground is another band that could, with enough work, do huge things outside of Denver as well as in it, as their brand emotional, harmonic alt-rock seems made for the eyes and ears of the road. Give it a listen at somethingunderground.com.

Eldren

Feel free to over-indulge here, because there aren’t any other bands like Eldren around. Their live performance is an unpredictable, carnivalic show of musicianship that at first looks like madness, but once you take the time to soak it all in you begin to notice that the seven-piece indie/folk/rock madness you are witnessing is (seemingly) perfectly planned at every step. The band is much more than the dubious characters that make it up- it is a true expression of creative originality. With the folding of a few of the indie rock heavy hitters in 2013, the stage is set for Eldren to make its’ big move.  Eldrenmusic.com.

Aspen Hourglass

Aspen Hourlgass put on the best performance of 2013’s Higher Ground Music Festival, no doubt. It was late, everyone was drunk, and the band owned The Meadowlark like a ravenous cat that just found an injured mouse, complete with a crowd-surfing guitar solo from front man Grayson Erhard. They take their music seriously and are far from humble about it. They look to be the group that instinctively comes to mind when people think of Fort Collins. They’ve got the talent, and we are more than ready to watch them step into a very large pair of shoes. Hear for yourself at aspenhourglass.com.

Megan Burtt

We have been showing Megan some major love lately, but for good reason. In Good Company, the collaborative album she dropped in November, featured Burtt alongside heavy hitters such as The Epilogues, SHEL, Chris Daniels, The Congress and many more and was the most ingenious Colorado record of 2013. With heavy touring to promote her highly appealing sound, Burtt may be well on the way to redefining the word diva (a term we’ve never heard accompany her name anywhere). She is one that we will be checking in with many times over the course of this next year. Check this out- ingoodcompanymusic.com.

The Yawpers

The Yawpers are rightfully generating a reputation as one of the hardest working bands around. They’ve grown accustomed to life on the road, playing over 100 nights a year, and still managed to put out a cover album this fall and two albums of original material prior. Their shows are crazy- the passion flows from all angles and the sound is so diverse that they attract fans from any background, a big basis of their appeal. Watching The Yawpers is reminiscent of the movie RocNRolla- all holds are enthusiastically barred and in the moment, life seems perfectly, and chaotically, beautiful. Listen to the craziness at theyawpers.com.

Straight Outta Luck

Punk rock is alive and well in Denver, and unlike most cities these days, the scene is actually thriving. Straight Outta Luck has grown their following in the punk community through well-placed opening slots and consistent progression in their stage show and songwriting. CMB has had the pleasure of seeing them a number of times over the last two years everywhere from bars around town like 3 Kings Tavern, to bigger venues such as Summit Music Hall, to our own Bandwagon 4 competition and the evolution of this band has been an amazing thing to watch. They are living proof that even in the punk world, professionalism and promotion mean everything. Currently in the middle of a kickstarter to help fund a new tour van, Straight Outta Luck is looking to make big moves in 2014. Facebook.com/straightouttaluck.

Dissonance in Design

Their new album Sentient is a solid representation of Mile High Metal, and we’ve had the pleasure of watching Dissonance in Design play some killer shows over the last year. They hope to hit the road again in 2014 to spread the love of the record. Their songs are rich with both metal and non-metal influences, resulting in an appeal not as specific as many of the heavy counterparts. If the band can continue getting their music to new ears, big things will come their way. Facebook.com/dissonanceindesign.

Rob Drabkin

Rob Drabkin just signed a record deal and has been enjoying national indie-radio airplay, leading to national tours and exposure. A true chronicle of the “changing careers to pursue music full time” parable, Drabkin’s road has taken him through everything from all night bar-band gigs to headlining theatre-level shows, and it appears that he is still in the early stages. He plans to spend a good amount of time on the road in 2014, spreading his new album Little Steps to the masses. If our review of the album is any indication, he will be very well received.  Sample the record at robdrabkin.com.