Indie 102.3 Sessions

GVgrace features two of Colorado’s most notable independent musicians in recent years. The married duo of Genevieve Patterson (Paper Bird) and Griff Snyder (Inner Oceans) creates lively synth-pop with the new project. The two have relocated to Los Angeles but are back in Denver this week for a set at the Underground Music Showcase. ​GVgrace stopped by the CPR Performance Studio last month to play three new songs. Patterson and Snyder also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the band’s origin, getting involved with the L.A. music scene and running the Guilty Pleasure record label.

Andy Palmer has made gritty folk music as a solo artist and with the band Grub Street Writer, while also maintaining a career as a public defender. The Denver singer-songwriter in May released his latest album, “The Switch.” The record explores themes of religion and social justice. ​Andy Palmer and his band played four songs from “The Switch” in the CPR Performance Studio. Palmer also spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about how his career has shaped his music, his success in a recent songwriter’s competition and his ode to abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

When Male Blonding last visited CPR’s OpenAir, the Denver band had just released its self-produced “Tiny Death” EP on cassette tape. In the year since, the quartet has recorded its debut full-length in Oakland, Calif. The self-titled LP continues in the post-punk style of previous releases. Male Blonding performed three new songs in the CPR Performance Studio last month. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about working with a producer for the first time, the themes of discomfort on the album and playing the Underground Music Showcase in Denver this month.

Head For The Hills has become one of the biggest names in Colorado bluegrass since forming in 2003. The Fort Collins quartet in May released its fourth album, “Potions And Poisons.” It features songs about addiction and heartache, but with upbeat folk and country energy. Head For The Hills last month stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play three songs from the new album. Stream that performance and check out bassist Matt Loewen and fiddle player Joe Lessard’s interview with CPR News for more on the new album.

Dandu’s recent performance in the CPR Performance Studio featured a wide range of musical styles. The Denver trio — with the help of The Other Black frontman Wes Watkins — channeled elements of funk, hip-hop, rock and jazz. The band recently released the “Caught Between” EP and embarked on a West Coast tour. The members of Dandu played three songs and spoke with Scott Carney about how the band came together through The Other Black, recording the new EP in a basement studio and their expectations for the band’s first tour.

The Patti Fiasco recently won a contest to open for Bon Jovi at the Pepsi Center in April. That gig unfortunately fell through, but the Fort Collins band has taken it in stride. The band has released three albums of Americana-influenced rock and performs regularly around Colorado and beyond. The Patti Fiasco stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play a few songs from its discography, as well as a brand new track. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the collaboration between Denver and Fort Collins artists, how the Bon Jovi gig fell through and the story behind its latest single.

Low Cut Connie’s appearance last summer in the CPR Performance Studio was one of the most memorable sessions we recorded in 2016. The Philadelphia band — led by pianist Adam Weiner — had remarkable energy: Just watch the video of “Shake It Little Tina” for evidence. Low Cut Connie returned to our studio last month following the release of “Dirty Pictures (Part 1)” — a record which several of our hosts selected as one of their favorite albums of the year so far. The band performed four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the themes of empathy on “Dirty Pictures (Part 1),” its growing reputation as a great live band and the forthcoming “Part 2” companion album.

Joe Sampson has been a mainstay in the Denver music scene for years. He’s played in bands like Bad Weather California and Wentworth Kersey and also releases music under his own name. His latest release is last year’s “Chansons De Parade” album. Sampson stopped by the CPR Performance Studio with a few backing musicians — including singer-songwriter Esmé Patterson on vocals. He performed four songs and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about his various musical projects over the years, writing short songs and a memorable review from an Italian blog.