Q&A: A guide to live music in Northern Colorado
I met with Brandon DuVal, a music enthusiast and live music frequenter, to discuss the Northern Colorado music scene and the ways in which newcomers can get involved with it. Brandon has been going to live shows on a regular basis for the last several years, learning the ins and outs of the scene and the best ways to interact with it. Here’s what he had to say:
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
A: That’s a hard topic, but I would have to say indie rock. They strive for the idea of not being part of the mainstream, not sounding the same, being different. I mean, there’s so many sub-genres. You’ve got so many different sounds. Vampire Weekend is different from someone like Wild Party. There are just so many different bands. That’s what I like; being different.
Q: Do you think that any one type of music is better live?
A: No. I think it really just comes down to experience, especially with stage hands and stuff. It’s not necessarily the artists themselves. Knowing your venue, I think, is an important part of it. There are good acts in all genres of music. It’s comes down to, in my opinion, how long you’ve been in the business and who you’ve been working with. If you’re working with guys fresh off the street that haven’t figured out the correct tuning, or who haven’t gotten the right ear for an amp, its going to be a little loud or a little choppy. If you’re working with experienced stage hands, they're on top of it. They know how their venue sounds and they know where everything goes.
Q: Do you think technology is a part of getting the right sound at a venue?
A: Not technology so much as keying into the right sound. Its a big thing. At the Moxi, for example, there are bands that like their amps set up a certain way, to a certain loudness, that just doesn't flow very well with their surrounding; it just doesn't sound good.
Q: In your opinion, Which venues do you think have the best sound?
A: You know, I really like the Bluebird, it’s a pretty good venue. In the region, the Bluebird is my favorite. Hodi’s Half Note is a pretty cool little spot; I like how its tucked in the back of the bar, but there’s still a lot of space for everybody to gather around. You can fit a big crowd in there. The Aggie is pretty cool too. I like the Moxi, just for the crows nest; that’s my favorite part. You’re not far from the stage anywhere in the Moxi, but you’re leaps and bounds above the crowd. You’re right there watching the show, and it feels like you’re in it.
Q: Do you usually like the people that you meet at shows?
A: Yeah! Oh, the people? Yeah. You know, sometimes security just becomes a bummer, but it’s not the worst thing. The people that follow different types of music are always very interesting people to meet. I mean, metal heads are the new hippies, or so it’s said.
Q: How so?
A: They’re accepting, loving, very, very fun, you know. They don’t care what you listen to. If you’re there for the show, you’re there to have a good time. Respect the mosh, and don’t hit women, that’s about it. They’re some of the coolest people I’ve ever met.
Q: How do you think people who don’t typically go to shows, but who want to, should get into seeing live music?
A: You know, just Google it. I have a buddy that just went up on stage at Hodi’s Half Note last Friday, they do an open mic once a month. The Moxi does open mic nights. If you’re really interested, there’s two shows a month right there, in the area, that you can go to to listen to up-and-coming talent.
Q: Who are some good local bands and up-and-coming talent?
In the Whale is pretty wicked, they’re a little two man jam from Greeley. There’s Draghoria, they're a local band out of Greeley. My buddy who was just up on stage - Elijah Alexander - has been killing it in the hip-hop area. There are so many. If you look around northern Colorado, you can see these printouts of Bandwagon, or a bunch of posters around bandwagon magazines for the Moxi theater. You should definitely check them out. Bandwagon is cool because it keeps everything in the loop; it lets you know where bands are going, how close they are, and it’s free, so that always a plus. If it doesn't cost you anything, why not?
