COLORADO BANDS HEAD TO CMJ

by SILAS ROWE

Colorado’s music scene continues to grow at warp speed, with several acts rising to the top of the list as of late. Among these, Denver-based band EDISON, along with Red Fox Run, and Fort Collins-based band, Slow Caves, are three that have been accepted in official showcases at this year’s College Music Journal (“CMJ”) Music Marathon in New York City. Similar to SXSW, which is held in Austin, Texas each March, CMJ happens every October and includes unofficial and official showcases held in multiple venues in NYC. Specifically, CMJ features rising acts that are on trend, playing to the college and newly post-college demographic and typically bands that one would hear on college radio. CMJ is a turning point for many artists, and the Colorado bands that are headed east this month commented on this opportunity.

Daniel Rondeau, lead singer of Red Fox Run, which will play Holy Underground’s official showcase on October 14, remarked, “We’ve been rallying hard since the release of our new self-titled record, and finally after years of scratching and pushing we feel like we’ve been getting to see some of the fruit of our labor. We’ve shared stages with bands that are way out of our league, we’ve played more shows outside of our state lines than within, got to play our first SXSW showcase, and we have learned so much about ourselves and the journey that we’ve been creating.

When we were on the road last month, our buddy, Sarah, called us to ask if we would be interested in playing CMJ. We thought it was too good to be true, but we jumped for it. In time, it started to materialize right before our eyes through emails (and ears through patchy reception phone calls.) Later, we found out that we have an advocate on the other side helping make this happen, James Irvine of Holy Underground, the same dude who got us our first show ever, now getting us our first show in New York, for an official showcase. Killer. It’s humbling how those relationships that have been part of your success for so much time can elevate you to a level you could have never gotten to before. Getting invited to CMJ was a reminder of how much we have to be thankful for the people that keep us growing.”

Slow Caves had similar comments about the upcoming experience of playing CMJ for the first time.

“We couldn’t believe it when we heard we were going to CMJ. We’ve always wanted to go just to watch, but playing it is going to be even more fun and wild. We’re anticipating total randomness. (Can you anticipate that?) It’s going to be interesting to transport gear around the city. We’re trying to get that sorted out and rehearsed in our heads. But the randomness is what makes it so special right?”

Overall, the band is looking forward to networking and connection with other bands, industry contacts, and NYC itself.

“We’re excited to see tons of incredible bands and to be in the city where most of our influences come from. And of course we are excited for our set(s), meeting interesting and important people, and hanging out with our buds in Red Fox Run and lots of other bands.”

Brett Rowley of Holy Underground added, with regard to selection of Red Fox Run and Slow Caves,

“This year Holy Underground is fortunate enough to host three official CMJ showcases. This really allowed us the freedom to book acts that we love and feel are good representations of different music scenes from around the country. Red Fox Run and Slow Caves certainly fall into this category as we think they are perfect examples of the emerging Colorado scene, one we feel is largely overlooked. Holy Underground’s goal is always to put together interesting, forward thinking bills. CMJ is the perfect place for us to stretch our legs in that regard.”

Information: www.cmj.com

www.redfoxrunmusic.com

www.slowcaves.com

www.holyunderground.com