This Sunday, our own Carolina Panthers take on the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. The Mile High City’s Colorado Public Radio reached out to WNCW to pick our brains about our rich music scene (you can see our list here), and they were happy to oblige with what local favorites they’ve been digging, too.
So, in the interest of music exploration, and a little friendly rivalry, here are some of the Broncos’ home-team acts, courtesy of CPR’s “Open Air” Digital Producer Daniel Mescher:
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats - “S.O.B.” - One of the most delightfully infectious songs of 2015 came courtesy of this longtime Denver based singer-songwriter who turned to soul music for the Night Sweats project, which features members of other local bands like The Other Black and The Blue Rider
Dressy Bessy - “Lady Liberty” - This long running Denver band has been on our minds lately for their new album “Kingsized,” which features members of The Apples in Stereo (another wonderful Denver band) and R.E.M. Dressy Bessy is loosely affiliated with the Elephant Six Collective that includes Neutral Milk Hotel and Of Montreal.
Covenhoven - “Past Life” Joel Van Horne of Covenhoven garners some comparisons to Bon Iver for his folk leanings, and the fact that he recorded his most recent album in a secluded Wyoming cabin. However, this project is distinctively Coloradoan, and Van Horne is a remarkable artist in his own right.
The Yawpers - “Deacon Brodie” One of Denver’s rowdiest live rock bands found themselves signed to Bloodshot Records for the new full-length “American Man” after impressing audiences at SXSW.
The Czars - “Paint the Moon” John Grant fronted this premier Denver indie band. He has since relocated to Iceland but continues to make emotional, darkly humorous and challenging music that we simply cannot ignore.
Tennis - “Never Work For Free” Tennis is one of Colorado’s most popular exports in the past ten years, and for good reason: their surf-influenced pop hooks and singer Alaina Moore’s charming vocal melodies.