Welcome to our monthly series on new Colorado music. Every month, we highlight five local musicians, five local music videos and five local songs. Go here to check out previous entries to the series. Are you a Denver artist with fresh music you would like us to check out?
Send to James.Lane@303magazine.com and/or Thomas.Rutherford@303magazine.com for consideration.
5 New Songs By Local Artists
Specific Ocean — Go
Specific Ocean emerges as an exciting Denver-based dream wave project with their latest single, “Go”. This song is a shimmering synth track that feels like a warm hug on a cold evening. The song’s lyrics show a resilient transformation: “I went out on a limb, you know nothing happens if you don’t begin,” opens the track, setting the tone for a journey of growth. The cozy, enveloping synths pair perfectly with lines like, “I don’t care anymore/ It’s silly to think that I have control,” revealing sides of both surrender and hope. The new single by Specific Ocean balances the weight of self-discovery with a sense of lightness, resonating with anyone who’s ever felt the pull of the past while stepping into the unknown. Be on the lookout for many more songs by this band to come.
Cadzo — Mile A Minute Man
Denver’s indie rock scene has no shortage of talent, but Cadzo stands out as a band on the brink of something big. Their debut album, Mile A Minute Man, showcases a special, guitar-driven sound that feels familiar to other renowned indie artists yet is still something uniquely their own. The singles from the album include “Target Market,” “Larimer Street,” and “Strange At First Sight,” which are absolute bangers and deserve a listen. It’s worth noting that Cadzo isn’t just about the music. The band brings their wit and charisma to Podcadzo, their official companion podcast, where they riff on everything from musical genres to iconic eras, providing a dose of banter that’s as entertaining as their songs. Keep an eye on these guys, they won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
Moodlighting — Eyeshine / Fastball
Moodlighting is charging full speed ahead with their double single, “Eyeshine / Fastball,” a solid duo of tracks oozing with shoegaze and dream pop vibes. “Destroy everything we love,” vocalist Sophie intones repeatedly on Fastball, her voice a haunting tether amidst Alex’s Sonic Youth-inspired guitar that spirals and surges like a static wave on a late-night radio show. The tracks feel like a collision between fragility and chaos, a tension that Moodlighting turns into their greatest strength within this release. From their stunning performance at Larimer Lounge earlier this year to the release of these two gripping tracks, Moodlighting continues to show they’re a band on the rise.
Crimson Kill — True Horror
The Mile High’s punk scene has birthed a sinister new voice with Crimson Kill’s “True Horror” EP, a spooky three-track debut that mixes campy dread with unrelenting punk energy. The opening track kicks off with the infamous line, “They’re coming to get you, Barbara,” from Geroge A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead before launching into loud, edgy guitars, hammering bass lines, and thunderous drums. It’s a nod to classic horror that sets the stage for what follows in a high level of chaos and raw fun. “Rat Race” channels the grit of old-school punk, thumping and tearing through its runtime like a big shot of adrenaline, while “Brain Dead” alternates with its thrash-inflected doom. The track’s eerie intro of the AOL dial-up sample serves as a nostalgic prelude to an unhinged edge of heavy riffs and guttural chants of “brain dead, brain dead.” It’s a stark departure from the EP’s earlier tracks, showing Crimson Kill’s range without sacrificing their vibe. Needless to say, Denver’s punk underground has never sounded so alive or possibly undead.
Velvet Daydream – Leave You There/Blackberry Dream
Velvet Daydream is reviving the spirit of classic rock with their latest EP, “Leave You There/Blackberry Jam.” The band delivers a nostalgic sound tailor-made for long road trips and late-night mischief. The title track, “Leave You There,” kicks off with a standout drum intro, setting the tone for a high-energy rock party that channels pure, unfiltered fun. On “Blackberry Jam,” the band shifts gears into a more psychedelic groove, creating dreamy sounds. Tracks like “What They Say,” with its notable lyrics about a changing world, and “Revolver,” a rock and roll anthem with a vintage flair, showcase the band’s range and knack for blending retro aesthetics with a modern groove. Velvet Daydream is bringing rock and roll back to its roots, from its sound to the way they’re dressed, embracing everything about that spirit. Keep note of this rocking group.
5 Local Up and Comers
High Street Joggers Club
High Street Joggers Club has steadily carved out a niche in Denver’s music scene since their first single dropped two years ago. Their latest release, Boulevard, continues their streak of approachable, feel-good rock. Tracks like “Fine By Friday” have a breezy, catchy quality that feels like the kind of song you’d catch yourself humming after hearing it in a coffee shop or curated in a commercial, and that’s meant as a high compliment. With a sound that thrives on live energy, they’ll be bringing their laid back charm and lively stage presence to the Bluebird Theater on December 21st alongside Hold Fast. It’s clear this band knows how to keep the momentum going, one single at a time.
Tarantula Bill
Earlier this year, Tarantula Bill released “It’s Not That Things Are Bad” via the reliably excellent Mean World Records, a track that feels like it could soundtrack the finale of an indie film or play softly through vintage speakers in a smoke-filled room. Their music captures an irresistible mood, blending nostalgia with modern psych sensibilities and drawing clear inspiration from the kaleidoscopic grooves and dreamy textures of Tame Impala. It’s the kind of music that feels equally at home on a late-night drive as it does spinning on a turntable in your living room, welcoming listeners to lose themselves in the haze while still keeping a foot firmly planted in the present. Tarantula Bill is an artist worth keeping tabs on.
Uncle Sushi
Uncle Sushi, a Fort Collins native, brings a new chapter of growth in the rap genre of Colorado’s music scene. Starting as a producer focused on sound design, he made a bold shift to songwriting and rapping in 2022, which was a transition he calls a “lyrical calling.” This change allowed him to channel his creativity into words, crafting music with purpose and personal meaning. Releasing “HIM” featuring Twista and Krizz Kaliko and “Did You Know?” featuring Kayzie Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Uncle Sushi helped solidify his sound with a mix of features and smooth production. He followed up these tracks with his debut album, GRAND OPENING, which dropped on his birthday last year, celebrating with a release show in Colorado. Ascending forward, Uncle Sushi offers a new experience and a warm welcome for listeners to join him in his music pursuit. This is a journey that’s still in its early stages but seems like there are much more exciting releases and collaborations still to come.
Hello, Mountain
Indie rock trio Hello, Mountain has positioned themselves as a distinctive voice in the city’s music scene. The band connects with listeners with their laid-back, moody tone that provides comfort on an overcast day. Their standout single, “Stuck in a Room (Thinking of You),” paired with its uniquely cool cover art, distills their approach of being abstractly different yet memorably fun to check out. The band’s album Swim, released a few years ago, further showcases their knack for creating indie tracks that make it refreshingly curious to listen to their music. With a steady hand and clear vision, Hello, Mountain has created releases that feel engaging without overstating, earning them a place among Denver’s rising indie rock talents.
YES BABY
YES BABY brings a distinct DIY spirit to Denver’s indie scene, lacing together lo-fi aesthetics with a darker, offbeat charm. Their sound has a hipster warehouse party, with reverb-focused guitars and an experimental edge that conveys a carefree, artsy attitude. Their self-titled debut, Yes Baby, arrived last year, introducing listeners to an unconventional approach to indie rock. Tracks like “Doll Hospital” aans “To Fuck With Love” lean into a nostalgic, 90s Radiohead influence, cultivating eerie undertones with an almost hypnotic allure. Pieced together with collage-style artwork and hand-drawn visuals, YES BABY delivers a fully realized creative world. The aesthetics feel as curated as their sound, making them a band that thrives between music, art, and underground culture.
5 New Music Videos By Local Artists
Big Dopes — Moon Car
Big Dopes’ music video for “Moon Car” is a quirky, offbeat gem that integrates their fun and familiar aesthetic with playful, Wes Anderson-style visuals. The video follows an astronaut enthusiast who wakes up under a painting of space, dons his NASA gear and embarks on an otherworldly adventure involving a locker room meeting with a green alien to follow with a competitive go-kart race. The lighthearted narrative builds to a funny climax when the hero claims a trophy, much to the alien’s indifference.The video’s whimsical charm complements the song’s rays of indie pop joy, making it a standout release from one of Denver’s most consistently exciting bands. Big Dopes keeps things entertaining and imaginative, showcasing why they remain a key figure in the local music community
Bailey Elora — Come To The Water
Bailey Elora’s latest music video for “Come To The Water” feels like stepping into a surreal underwater dream. Bathed in hues of deep blues and golds, the visuals shares the mystical charm of an oceanic fairytale. Scenes of Bailey lounging on gold sheets, surrounded by lush plants, shift seamlessly to a bathtub glowing like an undersea castle. Meanwhile, a silhouetted figure carrying a surfboard walks toward the ocean, where the narrative unfolds of a romantic encounter between man and mermaid, wrapped in a blend of longing and magic. The song itself carries a dramatic flair, with hints of Spanish influence played into its lush instrumentation, grounding the visuals with some emotional weight of the video. Bailey’s commanding presence in the lit up room, making direct eye contact with the camera, adds a personal touch to this story. “Come To The Water” is an excellent music video of vivid storytelling and cinematic style.
Telly — Colorin’ Colorado
Telly’s music video for “Colorin Colorado” brings a raw, urban energy to the screen, reflecting the pulse of Denver’s streets. The video starts with dynamic, quick cuts of Telly walking through the city, slipping on headphones aboard the light rail as the skyline looms in the background. From there, the visuals shift between vibrant scenes of her rapping against an orange-lit parking lot and industrial backdrops to gritty black-and-white footage of the city’s homeless population, adding layers of social commentary. Telly’s performance is magnetic here. Whether she’s tagging graffiti on a boulder or commanding attention in front of the camera, she delivers her verses all in Spanish with confidence and grit. “Colorin Colorado” showcases her artistry and paints a vivid picture of resilience and the duality of beauty and struggle in her environment.
Alana Mars — Living Room
Alana Mars’ music video for “Living Room,” her official NPR Tiny Desk submission and a standout track from her EP The Prologue, feels like stepping into a dreamscape. Opening with moody black and white visuals reminiscent of a spooky old film, the video shifts into a warm pink glow as Alana and her band perform in an intimate living room setting. Seated on the floor, guitar in hand, she commands a subtle charm that pairs perfectly with the delicate backing vocals and understated instrumentation. The video’s lo-fi aesthetic and cinematic tone evoke the vibe of a Michael Cera indie film soundtrack, fusing nostalgia with a modern edge. As the performance winds down, Alana’s name flashes boldly across the screen before fading back into the monochrome palette, a fitting end to a visually and cohesive piece. With influences like Lana Del Rey and Stevie Nicks woven into her sound, Alana Mars has a grand sound that makes her a rising star in Denver’s alt-pop scene.
Thousand Frames — The Heart Wants What It Wants
Thousand Frames’ music video for “The Heart Wants What It Wants,” featuring Eyes Set To Kill, is a high energy snapshot of the band’s captivating presence. The video opens with a behind the scenes moment as the band enters a venue’s stage door, quickly transitioning to the thrill of live performance. Onstage, the band delivers an intense, impassioned set, feeding off the crowd’s energy. Intercut with these scenes is a haunting performance from the featured vocalist, her emotive delivery captured in close ups that contrast beautifully with the band’s chaos. Their fusion of thunderous guitars, electronic flourishes, and heartfelt lyrics makes this an exciting video to watch. Thousand Frames has an alternative style that could easily escalate them to mainstream success, so be on the lookout for this band as they could shoot up to the top of the charts sooner than later.