Indie 102.3 Sessions

Ghost Tapes creates a blend of classic genres on its debut self-titled LP. Singer Ishka Phoenix leads the Denver quintet with remarkably soulful vocals while the band borrows elements from jazz, R&B and hip-hop. The band’s energetic live show won them new fans at this year’s Westword Music Showcase and Underground Music Showcase in Denver. Ghost Tapes stopped by the CPR Performance Studio last month before its album release show. The band members played four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about waiting over a year to release the finished album, their songwriting process and creating a “shrine” to acknowledge their appreciation for the Denver music scene.

Kerstan Wallace has made music for years, both under his own name and as Human Milk. But the Denver singer-songwriter had never shared the songs from his debut LP “Head Bender” with a live audience until he stopped by the CPR Performance Studio last month. That record features upbeat experimental pop that compelled us to include him on our latest Colorado Music Sampler. Kerstan Wallace played three songs from “Head Bender” in our studio. He also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about balancing his work as a geologist with his music career, spending as many as 50 hours writing one song and combining his music with video art.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.