House of Dub Continues to Draw Large Crowds

The electronic music wave is still sweeping northern Colorado.

You can see it at a plethora of venues from Cervantes in Denver, to the Fox in Boulder and in Fort Collins the Aggie, the prognosis is definitive: people want to dance, and they want a stimulating night club experience to accompany the feel. Bigger names are no longer even necessary to draw a more filling crowd. The masses want heavy bass and all its the bells and whistles, and this is what they get.

House of dub, as previously mentioned, is a group of local DJs playing house and dubstep music, and caters exactly to this agenda. The formula is simple and the results are lucrative. The past several House of Dub shows have achieved to completely pack the Aggie, even as free shows. This last show on November 5th left the venue busting at the seems and even lined those that left to smoke outside in a line to wait to return to the show as they were over capacity. Many never even made it through the doors as the entry line spanned through the night.

"A lot of our resources are going into the visual aspects" says Scott Schreiner also known as DJ Juggernaut. Juggernaut alongside DJ Seth Abrumz formed the House of Dub organization that currently includes four other DJ members. The first House of Dub set was in October, and the results have been much more explosive than expected, as explains the picture below.

Juggernaut has been playing in the area for over ten years now and was most recently a resident DJ at the Vault bar alongside other local performers. He has played several shows and events in Fort Collins, Denver and surrounding areas. Interested in some of his mixes? Check out his Soundcloud page.

With the local success of the musical mesh the organization does not currently have plans to take the act out of town, but has toyed with the idea of moving to another venue that might be able to accommodate to a larger crowd.

Their sister organization Got Bass has also recently achieved capacity at the Aggie in recent months. The two groups coordinate shows together and aim to each play one show at the Aggie per month. Got Bass is similar to the House of Dub, but puts more of a focus on Dubstep rather than house music. With designated sets and mutual organization these two groups have rapidly built a string of shows that have left fans anticipating more shows and consistently forming lines earlier in the night.

"It was definitely unexpected," says Bobby Brunette who attended the last show, "it was the most fun I've ever had in a club." Brunette recently moved to Fort Collins from south Texas and went to the last House of Dub after a friend recommended the Aggie as a good club. New to the electronic music scene Brunette was treated to a night of dancing and fun, as exhibits this video from the set.

Local music enthusiasts have also been surprised with the production value of the sets. "They're epic," Remarks Chris Reed, a local music follower of many years. Reed was born and raised in Fort Collins and has been impressed with the House of Dub shows. "It was hot and grimy...it was awesome!"

The next House of Dub show is scheduled for December 11th, and will likely follow in the tradition of the past shows by reaching capacity by 10:30 pm, so come early or take the gamble of a long line that may not even lead to entry. The show will be free as all House of Dub and Got Bass shows to date.

"That in itself is a big plus, its so much better than the ten bucks most charge to get in the door." States Juggernaut.

How long will these electronic shows draw the crowds they have seen? It is difficult to say in an industry driven by trends and abrupt changes, but it is for sure that the House of Dub has created a show that will impress, and this is a great opportunity to catch a hot act in its heyday.

Get Funky With Mug Night

Little known to many in the area every monday night Hodis Half Note hosts a weekly funk jam consisting of local musicians. One of the best things about the jam is that anyone is able to join so long as they bring their own equipment and have an idea as to how to play music. By simply contacting Hodis prior to joining the jam all musicians are able to share their talent. The jam is funk oriented, but also branches out into jazz and even hip hop. Even those interested in vocal preformances are welcome to join.

Not a musician?

Even better! The drink specials are great; the name mug night refers to the plastic mugs which anyone can purchase and bring back every mug night for discounted refills. Domestics are slightly cheaper than micros, and all beers are reasonably priced.

Whether you are joining the jam or just looking for a tasty brew mug night offers good vibes and infectious beats for all. Come join the boogie!

Spotlight: Avogadro's Number

Sometimes a night out with live music beckons for more than just music alone. Sometimes the a good time asks for a step away from the crowd for a bite to eat, or a beer to quench the thirst of the moment.

The Aggie and Hodis are great for the music end of the equation, but if your looking for drink variety and a tasty meal Avogadro's Number is right up your ally. Know locally as Avo's the three room building offers a bar in one section, musical hall in another, and full restaurant in the end section. So if the music gets too loud you can wonder to the bar for a game of pool or a relaxing drink, or if hunger strikes a full menu is available into the night.

Speaking of the food -  Avo's offers several vegetarian and healthy options for those watching their weight or not fond of flesh, as well as plenty of delicious meat entrees. Famous "Tempeh Tuesdays" provide two for one tempeh burgers, a feast for one or lunch for two.

Yet it is the music calendar that is most interesting about Avo's; a wide variety of music is played at the venue, and most are local acts. In fact open mic nights allow aspiring musicians or anyone with a piece of mind to get their name out to the world.

Between the great food, warming atmoshphere of the bar and endless live music and entertainment Avogadro's Number is sure to leave your tastes amused, belly and mind.

Check out the link above for upcoming shows and additional information

Pretty Lights hits a Million, Fort Collins appears on map

According to the Fort Collins based Northern Colorado Scene Magazine  the Fort Collins electronic act Pretty Lights has now reached one million downloads online, and the number continues to grow. For anyone that has spent more than a few years in the music scene around town (even outside of the electro community) this stands as a message to the world that Northern Colorado does harbor the musical talent and ingenuity to produce an internationally acclaimed act.

The name Pretty Lights was basically unheard of in the area until just a few years ago when Pretty Lights began to gain attention in the live music community with the success of such albums as "Filling up the Skies" in 2008 and Passing by Behind your Eyes" in 2009. What is most interesting is that the track  "Still Moving", known as Pretty Lights most recognized song was released in 2006 on "Taking up Your Precious Time", years before the duo would gain any sort of fame. Pretty Lights still struggled to even sell tickets to the Aggie in those days, while now has sold out Red Rocks and toured internationally.

Beyond their live success it is the free downloads of their recorded music that has promoted the act above all else. Pretty Lights has allowed fans to download any and all of their musical catalogue from their website rather than many artists which force fans to pay for their albums. The format has worked, and as Scene Magazine has reported "He gave his music away. No seriously..."

With only three scheduled tour dates in Colorado through the end of the year and all of which sold out local fans of the area might have a bit of a wait before they can see their acclaimed favorite in town. However the success does go to show that Northern Colorado can now be regarded as a music scene that people afar will now keep in mind when listening to the music of Pretty Lights.

Common Anomaly - Up Up and Away

With a local following and hopes of a future with the promise of travel four young men find themselves at a turning point in their soon to be professional lives.

Common anomaly is a band that has fortified their insignia while enjoying small-scale touring and a sense of admiration from many in the near by area. Formed in 2007 as three piece folk experiment the band is now consists of four members producing more of an “indie dance-rock” sound, yet preferring to relinquish a genre in regards to any specific type of music.

The group began playing shows at the local club Avogadro’s Number on open mike nights and has since progressed to a multitude of venues throughout Fort Collins, Denver, surrounding areas, and even a string of shows in the mid west including dates in Chicago. Within the realm of Fort Collins the band is a regular at venues such as Hodis Half Note and Road 34, and has also played several house parties and small events.

The group released their first recoding  “These Drowning Days” in July of 2009, and have since been working on recording their next full length album which will be released to the public on March 12th.  The recording process has consisted in friend’s home studios, and the new album is due to be mastered at the esteemed Blasting Room.

“It’s not about the millions, just playing and making a living,” says vocalist and guitar player Nick Lofaro. Lofaro claims that the band tries to remain egalitarian renouncing any sort of a front man; three of the four members actively sing while playing their instruments. “It’s a brotherhood family sort of aspect.”

And such is the vibe the band portrays: all members live within the same household where they regularly practice in their basement below the hardwood floors where friends congregate and the band spends their days.  The bond between these men is discernable and a sense of vigor is elegantly displayed through their musical fashion and lifestyle.

This lifestyle now beckons for travel and adventure. “We really want to tour and do a lot of big things now,” says Paul Simmons on guitar violin and vocals. “The idea of traveling and playing music is what appeals the most.”

On last years tour to Chicago the band paid for travel expenses out of their own pocket, but say the experience was well worth the adventure and the shows were well received in the Chicago area. The band now has aspirations of playing the South By Southwest music festival in Austin Texas this March, and whatever shows can fill in on the journey afar.

“We will see if that works out being a bigger circle,” comments Simmons on the idea of going on another tour, “We will do whatever we can to find our way there and back.”

In Fort Collins the band continues to grow popularity while working gearing up for future tours.

“I really like their synthy dance sound.” Says fan Mark Peterson. Peterson first saw the band at Road 34 a few months prior and hopes to catch more shows soon.

And plenty of shows are coming from the band, within the state and hopefully beyond. With the release of their new album on March 12th the band will host a CD release party at Hodis Half Note, one of their most popular venues to play.

“I can tell their music will last, we will look back and remember them as a band we appreciated” says Brooke Hunger, a co-worker of Simmons.

Whatever the future holds for Common Anomaly one thing is certain – the band has already built something that characterizes their energy, and not to mention have played a few great shows. Whatever the outcome of what is to come it is certain that these are accomplished young artists.

Perhaps Lofaro sums it up best, “We’re all working class kids, I guess that’s what rock n’ roll is all about.”

Local Veterans Rose Hill Drive: Rekindled Stripes of Glory

It is difficult to gauge success in the local modern musical market. Is it a broad audience in the area such as fans of local DJ organization House of Dub? Is it mainstream radio promotion such as Tickle Me Pink? Or is it an endorsed national tour such and rapid rise to fame such the recent career of Pretty Lights? When it comes down to it money may factor in most prominently for most in the industry, yet one simple factor is over looked, resilience.

Rose Hill Drive is a band that has seen their fair share of ups and downs over the years. Formed by brothers Daniel and Jacob Sproul in Boulder 2003 on guitar and bass and backed by drummer Nathan Barnes the band quickly gained notoriety in the Front Range preforming classic rock style rock and roll and attracted a following preforming cover sets such as Led Zeppelin and the Who.

Speaking of the Who, Rose Hill Drive was opening for them on a national tour by 2007 and regarded by Rolling Stone a band to watch for success that year, after the attention accumulated from their 2006 self titlled debut. 2008 then saw the release of "Moon is the New Earth". All signs pointed towards a healthy career as the band continued national touring and a set at the local Mile High Music Festival 2008 in Denver.

In parallel to the dwindling music industry the album saw few sales, and Rose Hill Drive struggled to keep attendance up, even at local Front Range Clubs. A hiatus was imposed as the band endured a period of soul searching. After over a year of rest the band began to play local shows again debuting new material and presenting a new image more linked to 90s alternative rather than the classic rock style that gave rise to fame.

On December 29th Rose Hill Drive is scheduled to play the Aggie Theater here in Fort Collins. The set will be a White Stripes "Elephant" Cover set, perhaps intended to exemplify their new direction while paying tribute to one of the most recognized rock albums of the past decade. After acknowledgment by national magazines, travels in the presence of rock royalty and a turbulent past few years one thing is for sure: Rose Hill Drive are survivors, and this set is not one to miss. Perhaps real success is the ability to look challenge in the eye and laugh as you do what you do best, and for Rose Hill Drive that is putting on one hell of a show.

After the cover set an additional set of originals will be played. For Tickets go to the Aggie's website. As always keep it local and keep it kicking.

House of Dub Tomorrow

The House of Dub is a free Aggie show featuring local DJs rocking bass heavy beats. After several successful shows over the past few months this act is poised to draw a large crowd -- especially being a weekend show. If you are interested in dupstep, electronica, house music or just dancing in general this show is a must on the local scene. This show is free for 21+ and a minimal cover for minors. Follow this link for a little taste from the last show last month House of Dub



The doors open at 8 and the set will blast until last call, or around 1:30. Hope to see you there!