Indie 102.3 Sessions

Megan Fong has been active in Denver's music scene for nearly a decade. She previously fronted Bonnie & The Beard and now makes music with her band Florea. Last month the quartet released its self-titled debut album, which continues in the blues-rock vein of Fong's previous work. Florea stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before its album release show to play four songs. Fong al...

Singer and guitarist Jay Mars started the psychedelic rock band King Eddie while living in Detroit. He's since moved to Denver and teamed up with members of Colorado bands like The Still Tide and dé​Collage. This month the quintet released its second album, "Holographic Universe." King Eddie stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before the release show for the new LP. Mars and his...

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 song...

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 rece...

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 t...

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...

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 pl...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 p...

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 a...

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...

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 &qu...

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...

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 Studi...

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...

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 studi...

Denver musician John Runnels began performing as Morning Bear in 2014. He draws inspiration from indie folk artists like Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver while adding classical instruments like flute and cello to his music. Next month the band heads to Brest, France -- one of Denver's sister cities -- to perform as part of a cultural exchange program. Morning Bear stopped into the CPR Performance Stu...

Motion Trap's music ranges from party-ready dance music to ethereal synth-rock. The Denver duo of Kyle Williams and Nathan Rogers formed the band in 2012 and this month released its sophomore album, "Heavenly Bodies." Last week Motion Trap stopped into the CPR Performance Studio for the first time. Williams and Rogers played four songs and spoke with Scott Carney about forming the b...

The music of Ancient Elk is hard to define. The Denver quartet has won a Westword Music Award in both the "avant-garde" and "Americana" categories. But it also incorporates jazz, psych-rock and folk on its debut self-titled album, which it released this week. Ancient Elk visited the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs from the LP. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweene...

The Guestlist last visited CPR's OpenAir in 2015, then known as Josh Moorehead & The Guestlist. Since the name change, the band has released the new album "Racing, Chasing." The six-piece crafts an exciting blend of jazz and Americana-rock on the new record, which explores themes of creative struggle. The Guestlist performed four songs from "Racing, Chasing" in the CP...

Pleasure Prince is a New York-based duo featuring Lilly Scott, formerly of Denver band Varlet. She and bandmate Will Duncan create pop music that blends disco, electronica and psychedelic influences. Scott switches instruments from guitar to synthesizer for the new band, but her outstanding vocals remain a centerpiece of her music. Pleasure Prince stopped into the CPR Performance Studio before a h...

Panther Martin first caught our attention with 2015's "Pile" EP, a collection of psych-surf rock songs recorded with members of Inner Oceans. The Denver quartet has since made a splash with performances around Colorado, including a gig at this year's Underground Music Showcase. Panther Martin stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play three new songs. The members also spok...