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We play Colorado music every hour and The Local 303 spotlights the best from emerging and beloved artists in our scene.
Meet December's picks:
Adiel Mitchell
Hometown: Aurora, Colo., via Oahu, Hawaii
Formed: 2016
Latest Release: "Restart" (Single), self-released, Nov. 1, 2019
About: Adiel Mitchell is a singer/songwriter, dancer, and producer. After achieving success in the pop/R&B duo Two Worlds, the former YouTube star took time to focus on his own sound. In 2018 he released his debut EP "About Last Night," a blend of New Jack swing, pop, and R&B. His follow-up "Jungle" EP in 2019 showed off his diverse musical style with a heavy dose of hip hop and rap. In the two-year run as a solo artist, Mitchell has been nominated for Best R&B Artist in Denver’s Westword Magazine, opened for Amber Mark on her national tour, and performed in several of Colorado’s most prestigious festivals. Mitchell prides himself on his energetic and interactive live show. With the magnetic allure of Bruno Mars and captivating charisma of Childish Gambino, Adiel Mitchell commands the room and seduces the audience with his seemingly effortless charm.
Band Website: http://adielmitchell.com
Get Social: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
Colfax Speed Queen
Hometown: Denver
Formed: 2012
Latest Release: "Dirty Mirror," self-released, Oct. 16, 2019
About: Once born out of the crystal clear Rocky Mountain water, Colfax Speed Queen quickly dirtied their bones with the guiltiest of life's pleasures; just like their heroes from the '60s and '70s. CSQ is far from a revival band though. They're an original breed of garage, punk, rock, and dumpster surf. CSQ is not about going fast. They're about being hopped up and strung out on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Band Website: http://colfaxspeedqueen.bandcamp.com/
Get Social: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook
cottonwood
Hometown: Aurora, Colo.
Formed: 2018
Latest Release: "Soul Set on the Afterglow," self-released, Nov. 16, 2019
About: cottonwood is a new indie-pop project that released their first single in August. Their sound blends elements from synthpop, funk, rock, soul, and hip-hop. The duo met in 2016 when Adrian Bryant (producer/instrumentalist) and Morgan Cruz (lyricist/vocalist) were in a small band that met every Sunday in Aurora. After two years, they both decided to leave the group and start making music on their own; eventually realizing they worked better as a duo. Since forming cottonwood, the two teens released their debut EP in November, six songs primarily about love.
Catch Them Live: Ophelia's Electric Soapbox (Dec. 15, 2019)
Get Social: Instagram, Twitter
Glass Cases
Hometown: Formed in Fort Collins, Colo. now in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Formed: 2017
Latest Release: "In Between" (single), self-released, July 27, 2019
About: Upon the release of their debut single “Addiction” in April 2018, the alternative trio has been making their presence heard in their native state of Colorado. They have since released their debut EP (October 2018), and an additional three singles from their forthcoming album “In Between”, set for release in March 2020. Combining influences from Twenty One Pilots, half•alive, and AJR, the group creates a sound that is all their own.
Catch Them Live: Opening for Ten Miles South at Globe Hall (Dec. 29, 2019) and Glass Cases Album Release Party for Local Set Series at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (March 21, 2020)
Band Website: glass-cases.com
Get Social: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Joel Ansett
Hometown: Denver via Spokane, Wash.
Formed: 2012
Latest Release: "A Place I Knew Before," self-released, Aug. 22, 2019
About: Songs from Joel Ansett's debut full-length album, "The Nature of Us," went on to win national songwriting awards and prompted The Huffington Post to name him a songwriter to watch. His songs combine folk and R&B to great effect; and beyond the genre of the music, Artist Review wrote: “This music is soul therapy.” With a loyal fanbase in his corner, Ansett and his fans recently crowdfunded the creation of a second full-length album titled "A Place I Knew Before." The album was produced by Jon Joseph and released on Aug. 22, 2019. Marquee Mag writes, "Striking a careful balance that only comes with great intention, 'A Place I Knew Before' blends sonic experimentation with strong songwriting, but more deeply places grief and hope side by side." The release is being followed up by a nationwide house show/small venue tour.
Catch Him Live: Holiday House Show in Boulder (Dec. 21, 2019)
Band Website: http://joelansett.com/
Get Social: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Kid Astronaut
Hometown: Born in a star cluster in Outerspace known as the Pleiades but crash landed in Denver, so officially, Denver is home.
Formed: 2015
Latest Release: "Alchemy" EP, self-released, Nov. 15, 2019
About: Kid Astronaut is a visionary, a musician and a creator. He was recently a featured artist at TedxBoulder, and his music was featured on 303 Music Volume 2, a compilation album from 303 Magazine. He’s played stages from music festivals to venues in London, England. He’s also from the future. One day, while touring with his band (a crew of time-travelers, scientists and musicians) their spaceship hit a portal - sending them hurtling into an alternate past dimension set back in the year 2015.
Their futuristic tech destroyed, the band decided they needed to assimilate to the past as well as blend into their new reality, keeping the truth about their time travels...and themselves a secret. Until now. Kid Astronaut's latest project is "Alchemy," a three-song EP about love, spirituality and growth.
Catch Them Live: Colorado Matters Holiday Show with Colorado Public Radio at Newman Center - University of Denver (Dec. 4, 2019)
Band Website: www.kidastronautuniverse.com
Get Social: Instagram, Twitter
Kyle Emerson
Hometown: Denver
Formed: 2017
Latest Release: "Only Coming Down," Swoon City Music, Nov. 1, 2019
About: Kyle Emerson, Denver’s buzzy indie-rocker, released his sophomore album, "Only Coming Down," on Nov. 1 via Swoon City Music. As a follow-up from Emerson’s 2017 debut album, "Dorothy Alice," it puts the singer/songwriter’s skills on display, in which he deftly expands his garage-pop sensibilities with lush full-band arrangements and plenty of toothsome melodic hooks. At turns dreamy and driving, Emerson’s new release bridges classic and contemporary sounds to create a warm, inviting, and introspective atmosphere. The new album was co-produced with Emerson's drummer Mark Anderson, who also took over engineering duties alongside James Barone (Beach House, Nathaniel Rateliff, Tennis).
Catch Them Live: Moxi Theater in Greeley (Feb. 20, 2020), Hi-Dive in Denver (Feb. 21, 2020), and LuLu's Downstairs in Manitou Springs (Feb. 22, 2020).
Band Website: www.kyleemerson.com
Get Social: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Lena Marie
Hometown: Denver
Formed: 2019
Latest Release: "The Lights," self-released, Nov. 29, 2019
About: Lena Marie was always writing and singing while growing up. Born and raised in Denver, Lena Marie first realized she had a real desire to perform her music when she spontaneously played for a small crowd waiting outside an Ed Sheeran concert when she was 13. Now matured and always growing her musical tastes, Lena still sticks to the simplicity of songwriting, just writing to an idea to see where it takes her. Lena Marie found her own sound while taking influence from artists like John Mayer, Julien Baker, and acoustic folk artists Ben Howard and Gregory Alan Isakov. Combining catchy guitar riffs and soft ambient melodies, Lena Marie takes her emotionally driven songs about her feelings and beliefs and shares them with the world with her debut EP, “Closing Doors” this winter.
Band Website: lenamariemusic.com
Get Social: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Neoma
Hometown: Denver via Cuenca, Ecuador
Formed: 2017
Latest Release: "Real," self-released, Nov. 29, 2019
About: Neoma has captivated music lovers all over the world with her dreamy yet energetic "lunar pop" hits. In 2017, Neoma hit the top of the Ecuadorian charts with her infectious single "Real." Since then, she’s played concerts to thousands of fans throughout South America. Hundreds of thousands of fans have enjoyed Neoma’s music videos and have streamed her songs on digital platforms. Recently relocating with her producer, Danny Pauta, from Cuenca, Ecuador to Denver, Neoma hopes to spread the joy of her music to the wonderful people of the United States.
Catch Them Live: Performing with iZCALLi at Ophelia's Electric Soapbox (Dec. 21, 2019)
Band Website: neomamusic.com
Get Social: Instagram
shark dreams
Hometown: Denver
Formed: 2016
Latest Release: "shark dreams" LP, self-released, Nov. 1, 2019
About: shark dreams is ethereal indie rock that will put you in a daze then shake you awake.
Get Social: Instagram
Wildermiss
Hometown: Denver
Formed: 2016
Latest Release: "EP 2", self-released, Nov. 22, 2019
About: A lot has happened since Wildermiss released its debut in 2017. In the two years since, the members of Wildermiss -- Emma Cole, guitarists Josh Hester and Seth Beamer, and drummer Caleb Thoemke -- have built up a massive and fiercely loyal grassroots following in its hometown of Denver, and crisscrossed the country winning over fans as the supporting act on tours with the Oh Hellos, Jared and the Mill and Bronze Radio Return. The outfit’s ascent has all been organic. The members of Wildermiss have attracted fans the old fashioned way by writing memorable songs and playing their hearts out each night, winning over fan after fan one at a time. As viewers who happened to catch Wildermiss on Last Call With Carson Daly can attest, the act isn’t a tough sell. Portions of the band’s set at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles were captured for broadcast, and the performance was so compelling that it ended up airing on two different episodes of NBC’s late-night show.
Band Website: www.wildermiss.com
Get Social: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
