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 Tunes By Local Artists
Totem Pocket — “Stealing Time / Light Is Shining Ext. Inst.“
Totem Pocket delivers with their double single, “Stealing Time,” an immediate burst of chaotic, fun, and danceable energy. The vocals are muffled but clear enough to catch the repetition of “stealing time,” adding to the song’s hypnotic pull. Throughout the track, it carries a reckless, let-loose atmosphere that feels like something you’d expect to hear in the background of a thriller scene where everything is shifting, unraveling, and/or coming together. The song closes with a fiery guitar riff that feels like it’s igniting a flame of something more. The other of the two tracks,”Light is Shining Ext. Inst.,” changes the mood completely. The echoes of guitars whimper while a tambourine is slithering in the background, creating a sense of sorrow and mourning. Totem Pocket continues to operate in a whirlwind of shoegaze and indie noise, streamlining an aura of chaos into something strangely fun within their latest release.
Flyin’ Hot Saucers — “Fried Mind’s Eye“
The track starts with a pounding drum intro, quickly joined by a creeping guitar that builds into a full-throttle rebellion of rock ‘n’ roll. Female vocals cut through the noise as the instruments collide, carrying a distinct Brian Jonestown Massacre influence. This anthem shines with a warrior spirit, charging forward with an energy that feels untamed and determined to prove something to the world. The lyrics, “It’s hard to walk away” and “Let me tell you why,” pull the listener into a winding narrative, a psychedelic trip that spirals in a circle of madness yet possibly bravery. The song constantly shifts shape, veering through explosive moments to stop-and-go dynamics, keeping things unpredictable until the very end. Tune into “Fried Mind’s Eye” by Flyin’ Hot Saucers. It’s an absolute banger.
Shadow Animal — “Trophy Room“
“Trophy Room” by Shadow Animal starts with an abstract daze welcoming any listener into a mystical world of wonder. Background instrumentation chimes in while vocals express pride and grief of the lyrics “I wear these scars like a trophy room.” Then, a heavy shift hits with intense pressure building, as the guitar does more than just playing a rhythm, it feels like it starts to speak its own language bending all rules of a traditional structure within this song. This track feels incredibly cinematic and abstract, making it easy to draw attention and follow through where it builds to next. Other lyrics hit hard, with lines like “At 14, weak in the knees / My world crashed down at 23 / I don’t have the strength to carry on inside of me” standing out immediately. As the track circles back to its refrain, bongo drums pulse underneath, the guitar hums in the background, and a hint of tambourine adds depth. The song moves through different complexities, flickering between psychedelic, indie, and worldly influences. It almost feels like the artist is trying to explore many different genres in one song to connect with various listeners. It’s a unique tune, definitely worth a listen.
Salomé Songbird’s — “Jellyfish“
Salomé Songbird’s “Jellyfish” drifts through a farm-style lullaby, carried by banjo and bass, and has a quiet simplicity that makes it feel right at home in a mountain town. The track shifts between playful storytelling and something more raw, its lyrics “No feelings drowning me anymore,” hinting at a deeper undercurrent beneath its easygoing flow. The three-piece band locks in a fantastic new single, each member complementing the other, creating a soothing sound. The song carries a natural tension, floating along with an eerie grace, never overblown but still quite engaging. Even the single artwork is noteworthy with a blue jellyfish drawing that adds to the charm, making Jellyfish a release worth sinking into.
bad knees — small talk
bad knees aren’t here to play it safe. Their debut EP, small talk, is a sharp, reverbed out with grunge sequences mixed with indie rock and a prescription of heavy 90s grit. It’s fun and messy in all good ways. It truly feels at home in Denver’s underground scene. If Rhinoeropolis Denver were still around (RIP), this band would have torn through a set there like they were made for it. The standout track “emo trippin” is awesome, the repeated plea of “cut me some slack” seeping through layers of distortion. Next, “false alarm” leans into psych territory, with the lyric “take off my disguise” feeling like a nod to something deeper beneath the wild energy of the track. The grunge tinted “heard something loud” takes a step back but keeps a subtle goth edge creeping in, while “small talk” titled track delivers another 90s fueled gem. Then comes “alcohol”, a total curveball that flips the energy on its head. The lyric “we’re a little more than friends” shines, and the genre shift is jarring in the best way. Bands rarely take this kind of risk, but bad knees pull it off well here. Remember when the K-Mart on South Broadway was transformed into a UMS stage a few years ago? If so, it would be super easy to see this band playing there. They are DIY and uniquely different that makes for a memorable listen and probably a fun live show too. Check out their new EP “small talk” now.
5 Local Up and Comers
Sun Jr.
Sun Jr. shines its bright rays on us with their music, crafting a sound that lands somewhere between Fleet Foxes’ pastoral warmth and Iron & Wine’s hushed melodies. Their latest album, The Canary Tapes, released in the summer of 2024, is built for peaceful moments with warm weather, a drink in hand, and the kind of photographic memories that linger forever. The band teeters with soulful grooves, acoustic textures, and a touch of piano to add a playful bounce, making tracks like Sugar Love feel like a great little ditty for a slow dance under string lights. There’s a wanderlust quality to the music, a signal to listeners to drift through scenic mountain tops and let the songs carry them somewhere new. Sun Jr. captures the feeling of easygoing adventure, where the notes feel like a familiar place but also somewhere you’ve never been before.
Kyle Moon & The Misled
Kyle Moon & The Misled bring grit and a modern edge to Denver’s American rock scene, blending rugged road energy with honest storytelling that sticks. Their latest album, News & Redos, dropped at the end of last year, and this review is a tip of the hat because it deserves its shine. The songs unfold like stories set to a Bob Dylan-esque groove, walking the beaten trail between rock and country with a working-class backbone and a restless spirit chasing dreams. The lyric nod to Jackson Hole in the song Bozeman is a subtle but cool touch, and the guitar work in that track hits just right. Meanwhile, Goodbye Denver feels deeply personal, resonating in different ways with any listener based in the Mile High. There is great storytelling throughout the entire album. Kyle Moon & The Misled capture moments that make all the moments that lead to this gem of a band worth it.
Cactushead
Cactusheads are bringing raw, no frills rock ‘n’ roll energy straight out of the garage and into Denver’s dive bars. Their recent set at Lion’s Lair proves they’re getting their reps in, and with only three tracks on Spotify, they’re already making some noise. Inferno has a bit of that English indie swagger, think like a Franz Ferdinand style if they leaned heavier into punk. It’s packed with a slick bass solo and a quick but killer guitar lead. Fresh Meat is loud, fast, and built for a rowdy live set. There’s a ton of potential for these tracks to translate into a sweaty, high energy show and hopefully, the band leans into that and struts a little on stage. Meanwhile, Shoot It Down cuts deep, letting its heavy lyrics take the front seat before the instrumentation crashes in. A fun, no-BS rock band, worth keeping an eye on.
Ignatius Reilly
Ignatius Reilly operates on pure instinct, a band that feels less like a calculated project and more like a group of friends stumbling into a basement after a long night out, hitting record, and seeing what happens. Their sound is all over the place, sometimes chaotic, sometimes surprisingly tight, but definitely unfiltered. Dog Song is as literal as it gets, living out the reality from a canine’s perspective, complete with tropical tinged drums and playful, almost church organ like keys sorta. Singing Bowls takes a more grounded approach, with a rambling country road journey vibe, while Acadiana Contradance leans into a loose, jam band energy, swirling and freewheeling in all directions. Their older album, Tearing The Skies Apart, feels more put together, but this current era of Ignatius Reilly seems like it thrives on unpredictability. If you’re looking for something completely unrestrained, where every track is its own sporadic ride, this might be it.
Moth Season
Moth Season steps onto the scene with “CYCLES,” a debut single that drifts between shoegaze haze and hypnotic psychedelia. The track opens with an eerie, slow-burn intro of a ghostly atmosphere, giving way to a noteworthy bassline and light, steady drums. Just when it feels like the song might slip into a full on trance, the guitars crash in, reverb sounds in, setting the stage for vocals that float over the mix through the static. The line “I don’t think I should stay home, but I don’t want to be home tonight” is profound, like a thought out in the open, wrapped in a mood that feels like the soundtrack to a lost ‘80s mystery show, brooding, restless, and strangely inviting. There’s an understated tension in the track, a push and pull between the unknown and the familiar, making it a promising first release from a band just starting to find its place in Denver’s scene.
5 New Music Videos By Local Artists
SPELLS — The Sound Remains
SPELLS keep it wild in their latest video for The Sound Remains, a thriller punk rock riot pulled straight from the stage and into the crowd. The footage captures the band’s signature chaos while heads nodding, drinks in hand, and the frontman in the thick of it before the first note even hits. From the jump, it’s a full contact set. The singer barrels into a random guy, dances through the crowd, and leads the charge as a second vocalist drives the beat with a tambourine. Somewhere in the mix, a guy in a banana suit appears because, of course, he does. The energy only builds as the crowd jumps in sync, a kid gets pulled on stage for an impromptu punk rock dance lesson, and then immediately goes full send into a tambourine wielding crowd surf. This is what live music should feel like: sweaty, unpredictable, and a little unhinged. SPELLS aren’t here to posture or play it cool. They’re here to blow off steam, break down the barrier between band and audience, and ensure everyone in the room leaves just as wrecked as they are.
Luna Sol — “Head In A Hole“
Luna Sol’s Head In A Hole video plays like a desert dream of smoke, fire, and a slow-burning sense of mystery wrapped in thick, fuzzed-out riffs. It’s stoner rock storytelling that doesn’t spell things out but lets the imagery do the heavy lifting. It prolongs with a lone figure encircled by flames, cutting to a masked group moving through the desert like ghosts from an outlaw past. A car barrels down an open road, a cigarette burns, and blindfolds are shed as the song’s weighty groove locks in. The visuals ride that same Southern fried, sun-scorched vibe, wide shots of endless sand, bodies swaying against a glowing sunset, and flashes of something ritualistic as shovels hit the dirt and flames lick at the night sky. Luna Sol leans into the cinematic grit of the stoner rock tradition, but something in “Head In A Hole” feels especially untamed. It’s a slow build with a heavy payoff, the kind of track that would be blasted through a dust-covered speaker with nothing but open road ahead.
N3ptune — “WMD”
Beloved Denver enigma N3ptune returns with “WMD,” his first release in around two years. The song is a soul-stirring lament, a eulogy for a love that has died in a world that’s becoming increasingly difficult to live in. Featuring N3p’s insane vocal range and prescient lyricism, the song rips at the listener, attacking them with melancholy and notes of anger and confusion. The video reflects all this as N3ptune arrives at a chapel clad in wedding attire that’s barely hiding the black and red outfit designed by Raine of Altrd Apparel beneath. The video sees the singer moving through the chapel with chaotic grace, writhing through pews as mascara cascades down his face. When he makes it to the altar, things shatter and an intense, meticulously crafted dance sequence erupts before N3p is dragged out by people dressed in full hazmat gear. It’s a fierce, heart-wrenching visual overflowing with subtext and the creativity on which N3ptune has built his already incredible career.
Seattle Kay — “Mind Games”
Seattle Kay’s latest music video for “Mind Games” brings an edge to the highs and lows of modern romance, wrapped in a jam-friendly, girl-pop sound. The video kicks off with an image of Seattle Kay lighting a dress on fire before diving into a story that feels classic. The visuals follow a couple in the honeymoon phase, all playful nose taps and scenic hikes until the cracks start to show. A phone screen flooded with messages sets off a slow unraveling, tension building as they watch the sunset in the mountains. The band cuts in between scenes, driving the song’s energy while the relationship spirals toward its inevitable fallout. By the time the flames return, the message is clear: she’s done playing along. With crisp cinematography and a solid balance of storytelling and performance, “Mind Games” is a sharp, well-crafted addition to Denver’s pop scene.
Mitch Segura — “Closure”
Mitch Segura’s latest video for Closure brings a full band performance with a dark, jazzy undercurrent that sets it apart from the usual indie tune. Shot at The Muse Performance Space in Lafayette, the video keeps things simple, just Segura and his backing band locked in and delivering a tight, world influenced groove. With a brass section that gives the track some punch and a no vocals jam in part of the song that stretches things out in all the right ways, Closure feels like something you’d hear at a high-end lounge with a little bit of an edge. Segura leads the charge with smooth vocals, while the keys player steps in for some backup, rounding out the song’s layered sound. It’s got class, it’s got mood, and it makes a strong case for their NPR Tiny Desk submission.