Performance Studio

Ian Cooke Shares Music From New Wonderbound Collaboration At CPR's OpenAir

By Daniel Mescher Oct 3, 2017

Ian Cooke is one of our favorite recurring guests in the CPR Performance Studio. Last month the Denver experimental folk artist made his fifth appearance at CPR's OpenAir to share music from his forthcoming LP "The Flight I Flew." Music from the record will serve as the soundtrack for Celestial Navigation, the new show from Denver dance group Wonderbound opening Oct. 13. Ian Cooke and his band -- featuring Tom Hagerman of DeVotchKa -- played three songs from "The Flight I Flew." Cooke also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about creating an "intimate" vibe on the new LP, writing a narrative that takes place in outer space and what it's like to see his music interpreted through dance.

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Ride Plays A Special Acoustic Session At CPR's OpenAir

By Daniel Mescher Sep 29, 2017

Shoegaze pioneers Ride visited us in the CPR Performance Studio before a show in Denver. The band played acoustic versions of two "Weather Diaries" tracks along with two songs from "Nowhere."

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Thee Commons Perform Psychedelic Songs From 'Paleta Sonora' At CPR's OpenAir

By Daniel Mescher Sep 28, 2017

Thee Commons have crafted a rousing blend of psychedelic rock and Mexican cumbia music over the course of three albums, the latest of which is this year's "Paleta Sonora." The trio -- featuring brothers David and Rene Pacheco and bassist Jose Rojas -- has a reputation as one of Los Angeles' best live bands for its feral energy and unique sound. Thee Commons stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver's Lost Lake Lounge. The band members played four songs off "Paleta Sonora" and spoke with Bruce Mitchell about the musical upbringing in the Pacheco household, their love for '90s pop stars like Mariah Carey and Backstreet Boys and how the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" influenced the new record.

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Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas Perform Songs From 'Telephone' At CPR's OpenAir

By Daniel Mescher Sep 27, 2017

Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas describe their music as "Latin-punk-Motown-soul." The Detroit band released two versions of its latest album: An English version called "Telephone," and the Spanish "Teléfono." Regardless of the language, Hernandez and her band bring a raw garage-rock energy to their songs. Jessica Hernandez & The Deltas played four songs from "Telephone" in the CPR Performance Studio. Hernandez spoke with Alisha Sweeney about channeling her Cuban heritage on the new albums, translating her English lyrics to Spanish and how her pregnancy has affected her recent live performances.

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King Cardinal Returns To CPR's OpenAir With New LP 'Great Lakes'

By Daniel Mescher Sep 27, 2017

King Cardinal recently made its second appearance in the CPR Performance Studio. The Denver folk-rock six-piece is set to release its debut album "Great Lakes" this week. Singer Brennan Mackey and his band headed to Sonic Ranch Studios in Tornillo, Texas, to record with producer Ted Young, whose resume includes work with Kurt Vile and Sonic Youth. King Cardinal played four songs from "Great Lakes" in our studio. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about their admiration for Young's work and the story behind the song "Chicago."

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Watch: Four Flutists Play Refreshing 'Music For Water' By Young Composer Dianna Link

By Brad Turner Sep 26, 2017

Some of the best flutists in the state came to the CPR Performance Studio to record the piece.

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Cigarettes After Sex Plays Music From Breakout Debut LP At CPR's OpenAir

By Daniel Mescher Sep 22, 2017

Greg Gonzalez started making music as Cigarettes After Sex in 2008. After nearly a decade of relative obscurity, the El Paso singer and guitarist released his debut album in June. The dreamlike ambient rock of the self-titled LP quickly won over fans and critics alike. Cigarettes After Sex joined us in the CPR Performance Studio this week before a headlining show at the Bluebird Theater. The band played four songs from its album and Gonzalez spoke with Jeremy Petersen about how moving to New York changed the trajectory of the band, receiving high praise from French singer Françoise Hardy and his aspiration to work on film soundtracks.

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The Yawpers Return To CPR's OpenAir With Concept Album 'Boy In A Well'

By Daniel Mescher Sep 21, 2017

The Yawpers last joined us in our studio in 2015, shortly after the release of the album "American Man." The Denver trio continues to meld blues, country and punk rock on "Boy In A Well," the band's third LP. Tommy Stinson of The Replacements produced the new record, which is a concept album set in France after World War I. The Yawpers returned to the CPR Performance Studio last weekend to play three songs from "Boy In A Well." The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about how the concept for the album came together, its comic book companion piece and an upcoming international tour.

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Mount Orchid Shares Music From 'Wallflower Child' At CPR's OpenAir

By Daniel Mescher Sep 19, 2017

Mount Orchid takes cues from surf, pop and psychedelic rock on the new EP "Wallflower Child." The quartet hails from Grand Junction and recently visited Denver for a headlining gig at The Curtis Club. Mount Orchid performed a few songs from "Wallflower Child" in the CPR Performance Studio earlier this month. The members also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about how Mount Orchid was originally a studio-only band, recording in a particularly cozy home studio in Grand Junction and the music scene in western Colorado.

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Pickwick Returns To CPR's OpenAir With Disco-Influenced LP 'LoveJoys'

By Daniel Mescher Sep 15, 2017

Pickwick last joined us in the CPR Performance Studio back in 2014, when the Seattle indie rockers were on tour in support of their debut album, "Can't Talk Medicine." The six-piece returned to CPR's OpenAir last month following the release "LoveJoys," a sophomore record nearly five years in the making. Pickwick played four songs from "LoveJoys" in our studio. The band members also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the long break between albums, working with hip-hop producer Erik Blood and taking inspiration from disco artists like The Bee Gees.

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