AUGUST 2008 ONLINE EDITORIALS
Around Town Previews
John-Alex Mason & Shawn Kellerman, Saturday August 9th,
Rd 34, $8
One of Colorado’s hidden musical treasures will make an appearance in Fort Collins on Sat. August 9th. John-Alex Mason, who has been emerging on the national blues scene for the last few years as an artist to watch, calls Colorado Springs home. This one-man band brings the Mississippi Delta blues to the mountains in a not-to-be-missed show that pairs Mason up with Ontario bluesman Shawn Kellerman. Kellerman makes his first appearance in Fort Collins, showcasing his modern blues style. - Greta Cornett
South Austin Jug Band, Friday August 15th, Hodi’s, $5-$7
Don’t let their name fool you. There is no jug in this band, but they are from Austin. If you listen, you can hear fiddle, mandolin, an upright bass, and surprisingly, a mix between Beck and Jack Johnson. As strange as that combination may sound, it works for them. And it also works for audiences, as they play to eclectic crowds across the country. The band members met on the competition circuit as kids and have continued playing music all these years. - Greta Cornett
Mike Gordon, Mishawaka, Saturday August 30th, $25
Most people may recognize Mike Gordon as the bass player from Phish. And although Phish fans are sure to be in for a treat, getting to see one of the greats at the outdoor Mishawaka, his new CD should appeal to a larger audience. The Green Sparrow is critically acclaimed for its playfulness and includes lots of deep-rooted funk, some rock riffs, and an overall solid vibe. The album also showcases Mike’s ability as an accomplished musician on many different instruments, including: banjo, harmonica, piano, guitar, and percussion. - Greta Cornett
3OH!3, Aggie, Thursday August 28th, $13
3OH!3 is one of a recent string of local bands who have signed a national record deal. Hailing from Boulder, CO, this rock/rap-electronica duo has been busy this summer on the Van’s Warped Tour, dropping the national release of their album, Want, tearing up the radio with the single “Don’t Trust Me”, being a MySpace featured artist, and working on a music video. Somehow, they still found a little time to stop by Fort Collins just in time for the first week of class at CSU.
- Greta Cornett
Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest - August 15-17
Chris Galis
For the last twenty years, over 100,000 people have descended upon downtown Fort Collins to celebrate the birth of our sprawling riverside community and this year will be no exception. As the largest community festival in Fort Collins, NewWestFest hosts over 300 artisan booths, two beer gardens, and, most notably, the Bohemian Nights Music Festival. Sixty bands will play on seven stages sprawled about Old Town during the two-day festival showcasing Colorado talent as well as national acts.
12 Cents for Marvin, Old Town Square Stage, Friday August 15, 7p
As a community, I think we have forgotten what ska music used to sound like. That’s why local ska-rockers, 12 Cents for Marvin, will be conducting New West Fest opening ceremonies to remind us. All we have to do is watch. Playing gig after gig in and around the confines of Fort Collins has earned them a spot on the front lines of local live music. They play the way that other bands wish they could play: with energy, emotion, and a damn good horn section.
Taj Mahal Trio, Mountain Ave Stage, Saturday August 16, 8:30p
Blues legend, Taj Mahal, will be the headliner on Saturday with his band, the Taj Mahal Trio. Over the past forty years he has accrued countless nods from critics and aficionados for his progressively traditional brand of blues music that he has pursued since the late sixties. He is considered one of the most innovative players of our time. Much of this is due to the fact that he was one of the first artists to combine elements of world music into his sound thus creating a richly textured and eclectic kind of blues.
Little Feat, Mountain Ave Stage, Sunday August 17, 4:30p
For a band that has undergone as many changes as the collective group known as Little Feat, it would be difficult to retain the qualities that once made them the face of blues-rock/cult fame in the seventies. After the original group disbanded in the late seventies, they reformed in 1988 with a new front man and released a slew of albums to mild critical acclaim, though they still remained a renowned live act. In the late 90s, Little Feat opted for front woman Shaun Murphy and released a couple live albums much to pleasure of dedicated Feat fans – the last of them was called Rocky Mountain Jam. The band is currently known for their provocative performances where one can witness the mastery of live craft as well as hear the classic blues and funk infused rock that brought Little Feat to fame.