Indie 102.3 Sessions

Jade Bird released her debut EP “Something American” in June. Praise for the London singer-songwriter soon followed: Just a month later Rolling Stone named her as one of “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know.” Her music also includes elements of folk, blues and punk. Jade Bird stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a Denver show with Son Little. She played three songs and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about her musical upbringing, her first impressions of the U.S. and her recent performance on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”

Yes We Mystic makes dynamic indie rock with hints of electronic and classical music. The quintet recently visited Colorado from Winnipeg, Manitoba, as part of the Canadarado music exchange program. That effort brought four Canadian acts to Denver and Fort Collins this month to perform with three Colorado artists. Yes We Mystic stopped by the CPR Performance Studio to share some music from its recent album “Forgiver” as well as some new songs. Band members Adam Fuhr and Keegan Steele also spoke with Scott Carney about the difficulties of touring in Canada, the Winnipeg music scene and their expectations for playing in Colorado.

Kayla Marque introduced us to her blend of folk, soul and hip hop in late 2015 with a session in the CPR Performance Studio. Since then the Denver singer-songwriter has released her debut album, “Live & Die Like This.” She’s also formed a backing band and played some notable Colorado shows, including this year’s Westword Music Showcase. Kayla Marque and her band returned to our studio before a pair of Colorado gigs. She played three songs and spoke with Bruce Mitchell about her musical growth since her last visit, working on her next album and playing a fundraiser show for the local domestic violence shelter SafeHouse Denver.

Wildermiss is a new band from three former members of Red Fox Run, which split last year. They teamed up with singer Emma Cole, who adds a pop sensibility to the band’s energetic riff-driven rock. The Denver quartet releases the EP “Lost With You” with a show tonight at Larimer Lounge. Wildermiss stopped into the CPR Performance Studio this week. The band members played three songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the Red Fox Run split, how they write music via group texts and performing on the Main Stage at this year’s Underground Music Showcase in Denver.

Shenandoah Davis has strong ties to Colorado. She attended high school in Boulder and earned a music degree from the University of Northern Colorado. The singer and pianist now calls Seattle home and recently released “Souvenirs,” her third album of classical-inspired pop music. Davis and her band visited the CPR Performance Studio this month before a show at The Ubisububi Room. Davis played four songs from “Souvenirs” and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about returning to Colorado, her classical music upbringing and why she spent six years on the new LP.

Lillian made her debut appearance in the CPR Performance Studio just over a year ago. Since then, the Denver singer-songwriter has recorded a new EP called “Light Bender.” CPR’s OpenAir presents her release show Friday at Syntax Physic Opera. Lillian returned to our studio this week with her four-piece backing band. She played three songs from “Light Bender” and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about expanding her sound on the new EP, the challenge of playing solo shows and curating the all-female musician “Hysteria” shows at Syntax Physic Opera.

Landlady released its third album, “The World Is A Loud Place,” earlier this year. Frontman Adam Schatz told us back in February that he found inspiration for the LP from vocalists like Nina Simone, citing her strength and believability as a singer. As a result his unique voice is more prominent than ever within the Brooklyn band’s elaborate indie rock. Landlady stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver’s Hi-Dive. The band members played four songs from “The World Is A Loud Place” and spoke with Bruce Mitchell about plans for their current tour and the unusual story behind the song “Cadaver.”

After releasing her first album as Palehound in 2015, Ellen Kempner struggled with grief and anxiety after the death of a close friend and her grandmother. Those experiences inspired the songs on the Boston singer and guitarist’s sophomore LP, “A Place I’ll Always Go.” As a result the album is heavier and more experimental than the trio’s debut. Palehound stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a gig at Lost Lake Lounge. Kempner played four songs from “A Place I’ll Always Go” and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about maturing as a songwriter over the past two years and her inclusion on the New York Times’ “25 Women Making The Best Rock Music Today.”