Mile High Musics

I've run into a lot of buzz about a new Mexican Summer single from a previously little-known group, unfortunately named Gauntlet Hair. Turns out this Denver duo was birthed in the same DIY space that produced Pictureplane (due at the Metro 10/27 w/ Sleigh Bells) before them and countless other Rhinoceropolis projects.

The posts got me thinking about some of my favorite Denver bands and how little national attention is paid to music from in and around the Mile High City. With the exception of the aforementioned electro wonderboys, Devotchka (thanks Little Miss Sunshine), Chairlift (remember that iPod commercial? Ignore the fact that they claim to be from Brooklyn, NY, it's by-way-of Boulder, CO), The Fluid (these guys were great and recent reunion shows, including Sub Pop's big 20th Anniversary bash, have proven they still are), 3OH!3 (suggesting this group merely started as a joke implies they aren't still), Daniel Ate the Sandwich (being a youtube "sensation" counts right? kinda? no?), and 16 Horsepower, Denver music is almost completely under the radar. Why that's the case, and why it could be said about many US cities are discussions for another time. For now, here's a taste of Mile High Musics starting with...

The Swayback

A local favorite indie-rock powerhouse that sometimes dabbles in psychedelia. Since their inception around 2004 this now four-piece has shared the stage with the likes of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gang of Four, Girls, Stone Temple Pilots, Wolfmother, Cage the Elephant, Dum Dum Girls, Swervedriver, Louis XIV, High On Fire, A Place To Bury Stangers, Dead Meadow, and The Raveonettes. Last year they walked into the legendary Capitol studio and recorded with Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Television). In May they released their latest effort, a limited edition 7" featuring two sides from the Capitol sessions. 


Check out the video for the A-Side "Die Finks":


And here's a personal favorite from an earlier single, "Forewarned":


And now you are...

*In all fairness to The Swayback they have gotten some very worthwhile national attention from Music Connection,  NPR and SPIN magazine.