5 Questions for 6 Bands at Westword Music Showcase, Part 4

My last post before WMS! It’s been fun chatting with old friends and getting to know new (to me) bands around Denver. Hope you also enjoyed parts one, two and three in the series. Here is the final group; we ended with six artists this time.

See you tomorrow at Westword Music Showcase!

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Lea Luna // Vinyl Main at 6:15pm

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1. Describe your music.

Underground rave, superclub, desert party, and a dash of radio in a blonde blender. I DJ, produce, and sing.

2. Why should people come see you at WMS?

I’ll probably get pretty crazy with my set at WMS because it’s likely going to be a good mixed crowd. That’s what I’m hoping for, anyway. The cool thing about being a DJ in the classic sense is you can totally change your set on a whim. I want to see some new faces mixed in with the usual squad and get a real wild bunch of weirdos on the dancefloor. Bring on the hipsters, goths, ravers, disco queens, dads, Westword staff members, hippies, drag queens, grandmothers, and Denver congresspeople all on the same floor so I can make everyone let loose and have fun. I can mix anything, and I like it when I can get weird and keep the whole thing dance tempo at the same time. I don’t take requests, but I love a good random crowd to play with. Come give me something to live for.

3. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

My friends and fans are laughing at this question already. I’m notoriously known as a cat lady. My cats even have their own social media accounts. But cat ladies get a bad rap—I actually have a pretty decent relationship and smell like flowers and never wear a robe or go out unkempt (ok, my hair is kinda messy) … but I’m not all the things that cat ladies are supposed to be like. I am in fact closer to being an actual cat. Aloof, independent, anxiety-ridden and very sweet to the few I trust. You know, a cute, soft one with “resting bitchface.” Maybe a tad more social.

4. List your favorite Colorado bands.

I don’t often see live local bands. Just lots of DJs, solo artists, and poets. I started a live PA though this year, that counts as a band. It’s called PURR SEVERE. It’s barely even out yet. It’s my long-awaited “pet” project, and Lea Luna’s alter ego.

5. Best interaction with a fan?

Several people named their cats after me (it’s a thing now), a little girl dressed up as me for Halloween one year, a lady in Texas made me a cake, a lot of fans have made me jewelry or shirts with my name on them, and a handful of people shed a happy tear or two. It’s a tie between all of those ones. I probably missed a few. I also appreciate fans who let me be a normal human and get some fresh air when I’m done playing. I’m often the one who’s the most nervous.

Reason the Citizen // Vinyl Roof at 2:45pm

Band Members: Richard John Martinelli
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

1. Describe your music.

I’m an independent Hip-Hop artist who makes music that focuses heavily on succeeding in the face of adversity and challenging expectations. I create music as a means of expressing my personal experiences in the hope that others can relate to both my struggles and my successes. Self-reflection, insecurity, success, and failure are all regular themes throughout my records.

2. Why should people come see you at WMS?

Cause I’m the Hip-Hop equivalent of 5,000 flame emoji’s. Nah, not really but it’ll be super fun. Probably. I mean it should be. Ok, I’ll see you there.

3. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

A duck. Because ducks eat for free at Subway.

4. List your favorite Colorado bands.

The ReMINDers, Kruza Kid, Rooke5, Lily Fangz

5. Best interaction with a fan?

I had just finished playing with Lupe Fiasco and The ReMINDers at Gothic Theatre and needed food, badly. Stopped at a Waffle House and was about to sit down at the counter when two dudes recognized me from the show I just played. So I sat at the table with them and ate hash browns. Super random, super cool. Gave them each a free copy of my album Finding Success Through Failure.

The Milk Blossoms // 100% De Agave at 4:35pm

Band Members: Michelle Rocqet, Harmony Rose, Blair Larson
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

1. Describe your music.

H: It is a meld of vocals, beatboxing, keys and ukulele that rests in a moody pop space.

M: It’s got a lot of emotional and cinematic hues. The music and arrangements always are explorative of the lyrics and story. The lyrics have always been the centerpiece to every song.

2. Why should people come see you at WMS?

TMB: Because we love you.

3. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

H: I would hope to be a puppy curled up and dreaming.
B: I think I’d like to be a duck so I could fly AND swim.
M: Probably an orca whale because they’re giant aliens.

4. List your favorite Colorado bands.

TMB: Many Colorado bands move us immensely, a small sample of what we love is the work of Midwife, Other Black, Wheelchair Sports Camp, Pink Hawks, Nina and the Hold Tight, Rachel Pollard, Princess Dewclaw, Felix Fast4ward, Rare Byrd$, Mirror Fears, Los Mocochetes, Church Fire, Chella & the Charm, The Maybe Sos and Ramakhandra.

5. Best interaction with a fan?

M: One time someone told me I was the second best beatboxer they had ever seen. Which was very nice, but I also want to see if I can challenge that person who holds the #1 spot to a dance-off and take them to lunch.

Florea //Stoney’s South at 3:40pm

Band Members: Megan Fong, Alex Ferreira, Eli Saragoussi, Franco Valentino, Christine Palmer
Website |  Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

1. Describe your music.

Dark & Soulful Americana Rock: tales from desert dreams to sinners in the swamp.

2. Why should people come see you at WMS?

Because we look good when sweaty.

3. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

A slow loris. They’re adorable and deadly, with sinuous moves and hiss-like noises.

4. List your favorite Colorado bands.

There are so many! Slim Cessna, Bluebook, Lost Walks, Chella, Los Mocochetes, to name a few.

5. Best interaction with a fan?

We love talking to fans, and are lucky anytime folks want to share and engage! In the early days of this project, we were playing in Moab and a bunch of rowdy Australian bikers on vacation became our buds, giving us life in the heat!  It was one of now many wonderful reminders we’ve had of the wide range of people you’re able to meet through music.  It’s also awesome, whenever we play showcases or festivals that are all ages, to talk to kids that loved the songs and  have their own dreams of doing the same someday, to encourage them.

All Chiefs // The Church at 4:20pm

Band Members: Mic Carroll, Connor Brown, Justen Howard, Ben Batchelor, Zack Dare
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

1. Describe your music.

We’ve adopted the title of dance rock. Which is great. But honesty we try not to box ourselves in. We make music from the heart. No matter what style we feel and so will you (hopefully).

2. Why should people come see you at WMS?

One word: “Pageantry.”

3. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

We’re already animals. Animals that can do stuff like play guitar, fly planes, cook food, and watch silly videos about other animals. Think were good with that … or maybe an ocelot; they seem pretty cool too.

4. List your favorite Colorado bands.

Last time we did this bands were forgotten and feelings were hurt so let’s just say we love everyone equally but not as much as “The Patient Zeros.”

5. Best interaction with a fan?

Marty!!! Print that – no one else knows what it means but it’ll make his day.

E V P // Church Basement at 1:35pm

Members: Caitlin Hwong and Mijo
Facebook

1. Describe your music.

E V P is dark dance music. It’s buzzy and harsh, then twists into sparkles and 8bit waterfalls. We’re heavily influenced by electroclash, bands like Ladytron and Fisherspooner, so you hear electronic elements from across genres in our set.

2. Why should people come see you at WMS?

Because everyone should try and wake up early every now and then.

3. If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

I’ve always really liked sharks. I like how they can sense electromagnetic fields and have teeth for skin. All things that sound useful.

4. List your favorite Colorado bands.

Turns out a lot of our favorite bands are on Glasss Records! The Rarebyrds, Princess Dewclaw, Chromadrift, Abeasity Jones, etc.

5. Best interaction with a fan?

Honestly, the best interaction was when we played a fundraiser in early May for Girls Rock Denver, a little girl was hiding in her mom’s arms telling us she loved our set and that was absolute magic.

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And that’s a wrap. Thanks so much to all the local artists who participated. I love our Denver music scene. ❤

See you tomorrow at Westword Music Showcase!

• Bookmark the FanPlan mobile schedule (not an app, works on any smartphone browser).
• Come early in the day for all the local bands!
• See you online with the #WMSLocal hashtag.
• Visit us at Vybe to pick up your prize(s)!