Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
Denver, CO
Words & photos By Brad Yeakel
This weekend was about connections. The Unified Field theory, in it's simplest form described that we are all extensions of one being. Within that one being, there were infinite variations, sometimes repeating within the whole. Our lives, intwined in a series of systems, webs, and planes, have become increasingly connected through the Internet, Facebook, and other fields of communication. The theory pointed to those types of examples as evidence of the Unified Field. The presentation was brief, and vague, but carried enough resonance to be effective in piquing my interest.
Musically the weekend featured artists from next month's Sonic Bloom festival, and served as a sort of pre-party. The dj's and bands were all unique, and several of them were fun to watch. The two who really grabbed my attention were Orchard Lounge and Zilla.
Orchard Lounge, a Chicago-based dj collective, played some of the best house music I've ever heard. Consisting of a husband and wife (Spencer and Beth Lokken) and friend, Ben Silver, the trio rotated in and out, spinning off of each other's hooks, and inciting a dance party I didn't want to leave. I can honestly say I think Spencer Lokken's part of the set was my favorite DJ'ing I've ever seen. His mix was funk-heavy, groove-based, interesting, and unique... But most of all it was fun, and it made me move.
Zilla featured Michael Travis (String Cheese Incident, EOTO) and Jamie Janover accompanied by Aaron Holstein. As Travis laid down the rhythms, Janover countered with a combination of percussion and his specialty, the hammer dulcimer. Holstein provided bass and sampling to help propel the music. The trio was unique, entertaining, and sharp. It had been a while since Zilla played, and even longer since I'd seen them... It was refreshing to hear they were still as vibrant as ever. The band played a free flowing set that lasted about an hour and a half as Alex and Allyson Grey painted live on stage.
When Zilla ended, another DJ took the stage and played into the night. At approximately 3:00 am I peeled myself away from a still-raging crowd, as the Grey's painted. With no end in sight, I reluctantly left the party. There was something peculiar about stepping out of Cervantes. Like leaving an Andy Warhol warehouse party with a touch of Burning Man flair, and stepping into a reality I'd nearly forgotten. A reality I was a part of.. We were a part of... just another node of the universe.
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www.sonicbloomfestival.com
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