music to my ears

I'm a sucker for acoustic sets - violins, guitars, pianos - paired with soft, melancholy and stark vocals; written with heartfelt intimate lyrics that tug at your heartstrings.  Which is why I'm glad I got an invite from D to check out one of her favorite Denver-based musician, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Wheel. He's got a distinct, infectious, somber voice full of emotion that conveys both joy and sadness.  She got me hooked. 

:: via Nathaniel Rateliff & the Wheel ::

Check out some of his songs courtesy of the Day Trotter's review.  The video below is of his piece "Early Spring Till" accompanied by Julie Davis' (of Bela Karoli) harmony, who is also incredible all by herself.  She possesses a powerful voice; smooth, smoky and jazzy, which was a nice addition to Nathaniel's set. 

 

:: Julie Davis via Bela Karoli ::

Another local musician I discovered that night was Ian Cooke.  I arrived at the Bluebird Theater to find him, center stage under a dimly lit spotlight, and his cello.  He uses a loop pedal during his solo performances to layer his cello, like in his video below.  His compositions are pulled from Classical influences mixed with Folk and Jazz... all recipes for a truly original and eccentric type of music.  I dig it.

Julie Davis, on the bass, also joined him on stage for a few songs that made for a perfect combination of classical and jazzy acoustic compositions.

:: via Ian Cooke ::

We also loved Houses' performance and I especially loved their song, "We'll See the Sun."

Other Denver-brewed bands also threw a lively, entertaining show.  Especially the one who we thought was just the "tamborine girl" but to our very pleasant surprise, was the lead vocalist of Snake Rattle Rattle Snake. She's talented and her voice seductively soared over dance rock rhythms. The hottest tamborine girl ever. She made me wish I were in a band.