Here’s one of two CD release shows Maxwell Hughes played to support his new album, Express.  (The other show was held at Everyday Joe’s in Ft. Collins.)

Maxwell Hughes
1.22.2011
The Mercury Cafe, Denver, CO

Source:  Oktava MK-012’s > Lunatec V3 > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. intro
2. Hot Flashes
3. Ode to Kaki
4. unknown
5. Return to Mediterrainia
6. No Name
7. Charlie Girl
8. unknown
9. Sun vs. the Moon
10. Hammerhead

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

On the eve of their album release show for Rare Forms, Woodsman played a warm-up set across town opening for Tennis.  Keep an eye out for the release party to be posted soon, and be sure to pick up a copy of Rare Forms from Lefse or Fire Talk!

Woodsman
2.10.2011
Hi-Dive, Denver, CO

Source:  [Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3] + [SBD > 1/4″] > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Mixdown > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave

Setlist:
1. Burial Ground
2. Inside/Outside
3. Insects
4. When the Morning Comes
5. Sunglass
6. Serfer
7. Balance

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be found via BitTorrent at Dime.

Dovekins headlined the Long Spoon Collective’s re-launch in January.  The collective plans to host a monthly series of shows at the Mercury Cafe.

Dovekins
1.22.2011
The Mercury Cafe, Denver, CO

Source:  Oktava MK-012’s > Lunatec V3 > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. unknown
2. The Dalles
3. The Dells (He Smells, She Repels)
4. Waltz (Dictionary; I)
5. Raining Buttons
6. Walks So High
7. Little Baby
8. unknown
9. unknown
10. No Ability
11. Broke Trombone
12. unknown
13. Great Eastern Sun

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

After waiting out interstate closings and making a laborious drive through the Rockies, Apex Manor arrived in Denver tired, but in high spirits.  The new band teams former The Broken West frontman Ross Flournoy with Brian Whelan (also of TBW), frequent co-writer Adam Vine, Andy Creighton (The World Record), and Derek Brown (of numerous west-coast bands).  One week after the release of The Year of Magical Drinking, Apex Manor played their very first show to a Santa Cruz audience.  This week sees them road-testing the live act with a short tour.

After returning home for a few weeks, the band will once again hit the road, playing SXSW and various East Coast dates:

Feb 12 Los Angeles, CA Satellite
Feb 24 San Francisco, CA Cafe Du Nord (Noise Pop Festival)
Mar 16-19 Austin, TX SXSW Festival
Mar 21 Washington, DC Red Palace
Mar 22 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Mar 23 Cambridge, MA TT the Bear’s
Mar 26 New York, NY The Mercury Lounge
Mar 28 Chicago, IL Schubas Tavern
Mar 29 Minneapolis, MN 400 Bar

No shows booked in your vicinity? The new album can be purchased directly from Merge Records or at your favorite record shop.  The following live tracks, from the band’s fifth show ever, are a perfect supplement to the studio material.  In addition to songs from Magical Drinking, the setlist includes several Broken West songs and a great cover of Nilsson’s “Jump Into the Fire” (complete with Derek playing a Jim Gordon-style solo).

Apex Manor
2.08.2011
Hi-Dive, Denver, CO

Source:  [Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3] + [SBD > 1/4″] > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Mixdown > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. Under the Gun
2. I Know These Waters Well
3. The Party Line
4. Southern Decline
5. Perfect Games
6. Gwen, Now and Then
7. My My Mind
8. Down in the Valley
9. Jump Into the Fire
10. Teenage Blood

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be found via BitTorrent at Dime.

Jen Korte and the Loss
9.21.2010
Hi-Dive, Denver, CO

Source:  Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. Fleeting
2. It’s a Little Hard, Dear
3. Shoreline
4. Ain’t No Sunshine
5. Butterfly
6. Street Lights and Bar Fights
7. 5 a.m.
8. Selfish
9. Secret
10. Pull the Plug
11. If I
(Encore)
12. Berlin Wall

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

While hard at work on her upcoming album (titled Mariana), Michelle Blades has been sneaking in frequent shows around Phoenix.  Here’s a full band performance opening for Flesh the Racist Crayon at The Trunk Space.  Michelle’s last two releases are both available via bandcamp.

Michelle Blades
12.12.2010
The Trunk Space, Phoenix, AZ

Source:  Mix [Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 + DPA 4060’s > DAD6001’s] > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by: Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. unknown (soundcheck)
2. Strawberry Ghost
3. To M.L’s Paintings
4. Like Wildflowers
5. Heart of Clover
6. Mariana
7. La Vérité
8. improv song

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

Here’s one of my AZ favorites, Stephen Steinbrink and French Quarter.  I’d previously seen French Quarter at Rhinoceropolis, but it was nice to see the band playing on their home turf.  Most of Stephen’s output is available for purchase from Life’s Blood and Gilgongo.

Stephen Steinbrink and French Quarter
12.12.2010
The Trunk Space, Phoenix, AZ

Source:  Mix [Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 + DPA 4060’s > DAD6001’s] > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. intro/soundcheck
2. It’s Not Just Kissing
3. Lucky Passing Dream
4. unknown
5. Goodbye Alligator Skin
6. More Real [The Necessaries]
7. A Tiny Seed
8. When I Was A Young Girl [trad.]
9. Wet Cloud
10. Neighbors In The Bedroom

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

Here’s a second Hindershot show from last year!

Hindershot
6.26.2010
Larimer Lounge, Denver, CO

Source:  Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. Take It
2. Not Ready to Go
3. Deter
4. Setting Sun
5. Black Hole
6. Cut Them Free
7. Trash Walk
8. The Mark

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

Sara Century kicked off the second day of Titwrench ’10 to a surprisingly energetic crowd!  Dialog between Sara and the audience was frequent, maintaining the sense of kinship felt throughout many of the festival performances.

Sara Century
7.10.2010
Titwrench Fest, Glob, Denver, CO

Source:  [DPA 4060’s > Lunatec V3] + [SBD > 1/4″] > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Mixdown > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. (super-long intro)
2. In the Shadow of God
3. Kitty Cat in Grass
4. Kisses
5. unknown
6. Um, Like…Did Kelly Go Crazy?
7. Witch’s Egg
8. Sexless City
9. Migration
10. Half of thee Opposite
11. No, No, No
12. unknown

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

Here’s another fine Dustin Reid set, opening for Ben Sollee at a rare 2010 Oriental Theater show.

Dustin Reid
9.05.2010
Oriental Theater, Denver, CO

Source:  Mix [Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3] + [SBD > 1/4″] > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Mixdown > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. unknown
2. unknown
3. unknown
4. Stolen Ribs
5. Mulberry Wine
6. unknown
7. unknown

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

Will The Don’ts and Be Carefuls emerge as the Next Great Band in Denver?  Judging by the frenzied audience at their Larimer Lounge show, it’s a distinct possibility.

The Don’ts and Be Carefuls
1.15.2011
Larimer Lounge, Denver, CO

Source:  [Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3] + [SBD > mono XLR] > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Mixdown > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. Track #01
2. Track #02
3. The New World
4. unknown > Daft Punk Is Playing At My House > unknown
5. (untitled new song)
6. Simple Miracles
7. Track #07
8. Track #08
9. Color TV
10. Track #10
(Encore)
11. You’ve Been Warned

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

The Maykit is a solo project by local musician Max Winne, who opened for Laura Gibson two weeks ago in support of his January release, Songs About Things That Lack Definition.  I’m not sure if the album is available at local record stores yet, but you can always contact Max directly or hit up a show!

The Maykit
1.16.2011
Hi-Dive, Denver, CO

Source:  [Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3] + [SBD > 1/4″] > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Mixdown > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. unknown
2. Made a Run For It
3. Talking Bird
4. The Girl God And The Sun
5. unknown
6. Smile So Big
7. The Recluse
8. I Thought It Was Possible
9. Completely Over and Over

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

Hello Kavita held their farewell show just before Christmas, bringing a few guests on-stage for some special treats at the end.  A set at UMS 2010 was supposed to be the group’s final performance, but that gig was canceled due to illness.  Both of the band’s superb albums are still available in physical or digital formats.

Hello Kavita
12.18.2010
Hi-Dive, Denver, CO

Source:  [Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3] + [SBD > 1/4″] > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Mixdown > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. Sunday (It’s A Chrome Tide)
2. Pillar
3. OK
4. Silent Bed
5. This May Be Over Someday
6. Late With The News
7. You Can Cal Me Al/Colorado
8. Owner Of A Lonely Heart (tease)
9. unknown
10. To A Loved One
11. banter/band intros
12. Dirty Work *
13. Lotta Love *
14. The Last Time
15. Motion In The Sun

Notes:
Farewell show!
* = with Emily Knight and Jessica DeNicola on vocals, Dav(?) on saxaphone

Band Lineup:
Corey Teruya, Luke Mossman, Jimmy Stofer, Leor Manelis, Ian Short, Adrian Short

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be found via BitTorrent at Dime.

Cars Can Be Blue
8.12.2010
40 Watt Club, Athens PopFest, Athens, GA

Source:  Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. I Wish I
2. unknown
3. Do You Remember?
4. Hope You’re Hurting
5. You’re So Cute
6. Lying
7. Seems We’re Breakin’ Up
8. Leave That Guy Alone
9. Eyeballs
10. Dirty Song
11. Let The Sun Shine In
12. Human Fly

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.

Elekibass
8.13.2010
40 Watt Club, Athens PopFest, Athens, GA

Source:  Microtech Gefell M300’s > Lunatec V3 > Oade Mod Edirol R44 @ 24/48 > SDHC > Adobe Audition 3.0 > Resample to 16/44.1 > CDWave
Taped by:  Lance Stack

Setlist:
1. We All Live Happily Together
2. All The People Come, Let’s Get Down
3. Won’t You Come Over to My House
4. One More Time!
5. Kimiha Koidorobou
6. unknown
7. Australia
8. Baby It’s Me
9. unknown

Notes:
Show performed with Jim and Jason of Casper and the Cookies.

A zipfile of the mp3s is available here.
FLAC files can be downloaded as a zipfile here.