More than 120 bands will be performing at the 2015 Colorado Music Party at South By Southwest in Austin, Texas.
Can't make it out to Austin? Here are six Colorado Music Party acts you should make a point of checking out live when they return home.
Qbala
One of the hardest working hip-hop artists in Colorado, Fort Collins’ Qbala has never shied away from putting herself out there – whether it’s onstage or in the studio. Her raw lyrics tap into personal subjects such as sexuality and family, as well as the everyday hustle of trying to make it in the music business.
Consider this your warning about explicit lyrics if you click play
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV8HrasfcgI
Maxwell Hughes
Briefly a member of The Lumineers and a contributing artist to the folk-pop band’s Grammy-nominated debut CD, Hughes is known for his percussive fingerstyle guitar playing, influenced by the likes of Tommy Emmanuel and Kaki King.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNB3QcIiWp0
Stella Luce
The avant-pop band has been around since 2008 but had backed away from doing many live performances while frontwoman and violist Alana Rolfe worked with her other band, Fierce Bad Rabbit. They’ve resurfaced in a big way during the last year, particularly with their latest release, Caldera.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37rtL528NlQ
Rob Drabkin
With big hair and sound to match, this Denver singer-songwriter’s original career path was on a life in medicine. After a trip with his parents to New York City to see some of his father's old musician friends, Drabkin decided that music was the life for him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI6tqSelT1w
Jesse Manley & His Band
If Jesse Manley’s old-time/new-style folk music feels a bit theatrical, it’s by design. Manley is not only known for his live concert performances, but for his collaborations with groups including Wonderbound (formerly Ballet Nouveau Colorado) and Curious Theatre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR1-WQQPOyA
In the Whale
No bass? No problem. There's only two members of this band but they sound like a lot more. While their lyrics definitely veer into comedic territory, In the Whale’s driving beats are seriously rocking.
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Dave Arcari
OK, so technically Arcari isn't from Colorado (Glasgow, Scotland actually) but his Colorado connection comes courtesy of his work with Fort Collins music nonprofit SpokesBUZZ and its BandSwap program. The bluesman’s Scottish growl and steel guitar style add a cowpunk vibe to his songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n-UkA6DR0c
