Colorado Jam Band The Buzz has been making quite the buzz (you knew I had to) over the past few years in the scene! I was lucky enough to see these guys play with Profetic Calaveras at Moe’s BBQ in Englewood for their Halloween show this year. Seeing The Buzz live is quite an exprience, with many highs and lows to their music that draw you in and keep you captivated for their entire set. I’m so excited that I got to ask these guys a few questions and Tom and Methiah gave me some great answers with insight into what drives their music, what their biggest dreams are, and what we can look forward to in 2022 from The Buzz. These guys have hearts of gold and they’re incredibly gifted musicians - so it’s easy to see why they’re on the upward trajectory. Enjoy their interview below, and don’t forget to check out their website, Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify for upcoming show dates and announcements!

I know I sound like a broken record sometimes, but I just feel so freakin’ lucky to be a part of the Colorado music scene and to have the opportunity to meet and get to know people like Michelle Flower Olson. It’s so incredible to watch my community members absolutely killing the game and self actualizing themselves through it - and it’s incredibly empowering to see that so many of them are badass females. I’ve been wanting to get to know Michelle, or Flower as she likes to be called, for quite a while. Luckily, after months of talking online and coordinating through the pandemic, we got to meet in person at Moe’s BBQ in Englewood at a show with The Buzz, Profetic Calaveras, and Matt Weiman Band last month. Flower is an inspiration to me, and she represents everything I strive for in the scene - to be a light guiding the way and elevating the entire community, to connect the human in each and every one of us, and to spill over with passion for the Colorado scene. Since then, I’ve been lucky to continue the conversation with Flower, and I’m beyond humbled to get to share this interview with her. Enjoy!

Sometimes, a person comes into your life unexpectedly, and you can just see their passion worn on their sleeve. I feel like meeting one of these people - a person that you can connect with immediately over shared interests and devotions - is such a gift from the universe, or whatever higher power it is that you may believe in. For me, meeting another human that’s incredibly passionate about the music industry makes me feel so lucky - to have someone who “gets it,” to buld our community just a little, and to be able to lift Colorado music up together. I felt all of this when I first met Allyce Carlson (virtually of course) in the middle of the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Through a series of social media events, Allyce asked me to be a guest on her podcast, Women, Wine, and Song, where she encourages her guests to be 100% their authentic selves. We had an awesome conversation about all things music industry, the impact of the pandemic, and life in general in this crazy time we live in. I was so happy to get to know her better. Fast forward to Summer of 2021. An event that we were both looking forward to for 2 years was coming up fast - Summer Camp Music Festival. Allyce, because she’s the bees knees, became a Summer Camp Camp Counselor. She truly embraces the spirit of what it means to be a Camp Counselor in so many ways. Make sure you check out her SCamp journey and all of the beautiful moments she captured at the festival this year. One of the most important parts of Summer Camp is building community - and Allyce took that mission to heart, even once she’d come back home. Her first independent event as a Summer Camp Camp Counselor came to fruition last Thursday: The NoCo Open Jam benfitting Groovesafe at 830 North. The event was presented by Allyce and by Mishawaka.

I’ve had my eye on Latin-Funk-Fusion-Soul band Profectic Calaveras for quite some time - and I am so excited that I got to talk with them about the things they’re moost passionate about. The four-piece band, based out of Durango, has a multitude of musical influences that they blend seamlessly into their signature sound - and I promise you, do not want to sleep on these guys. Luckily, you can check out their newest single, The Road Ahead, RIGHT NOW, and see them live on Oct. 23rd at Moe’s BBQ Englewood with The Buzz. Grab those tickets now and I will see you there!

Not only are the members of Profetic Calaveras incredibly talented musicians, they’re also humble and amazing humans who make Colorado’s music scene much richer for their presence. Make sure you check them out on social media! Please enjoy my conversation with the band below.

The past year has been a wild ride - that’s for sure. Along the way, I’ve gotten to meet, interact with, and work with so many wonderful musicians and artists who are committed to honing their craft and bringing their creativity to the people. In a year like the last one, that has been such a saving grace. One of the incredible musicians that I got to meet over the last year through a variety of avenues is Mark Cooley of Shuj Roswell and Shuj Roswell Live Band. Now, I have the extreme honor of announcing that Mark will be joining us here at Sonder Music Management.

I’ve been spending a lot of time lately getting to know Mark and his passion for his music and the local scene. I’m so excited that I got to interview him to introduce him as Sonder’s newest artist! Please enjoy learning all about Mark in this article - and don’t forget to pre-save his newest single, “Jus Because,” which is dropping THIS FRIDAY! It’s one for the fans and you won’t want to miss it. Please also check out Shuj Roswell on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Soundcloud, Spotify, YouTube, Bandcamp, and Super Best Records, and keep up with his shows and tours on his website! Without further ado, please meet Mark Cooley:

One of the most beautiful things about music is that it can mean anything to anyone. So many great songs are great because they are open for interpretation, and can mean different things to different people based on when they hear it, what’s going on their life, where they first hear the song, and so much more. Elise Lieberth’s approach to music as a tool and vehicle for healing and self-love serves that mission very well, ensuring that no matter who hears it, when they hear it, where they hear it, or what they’re going through, they’ll be able to relate and to take a very special, personal meaning from the song. As luck would have it, Elise realeased a brand new original, Live in Peace, TODAY - and it’s got a beautiful message paired with a Nashville sound. I had the extreme pleasure of talking with Elise about this new release, how her musical career has developed, what music means to her, and what’s in store for her in 2021. I hope you enjoy this interview with powerhouse singer-songwriter Elise Lieberth. Make sure to listen to her new single, Live in Peace, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, and YouTube.

“It’s funny how some people don’t come into the foreground of your life until the exact right moment - that moment when you need them to the most, and may not even realize it. That’s how I met Katie Mikesell, the newest contributor to the Sonder Blog. Katie and I went to high school together at Holy Family High School (which seems to be becoming a theme here), but were separated by a year. We didn’t really talk then; We knew of each other, but ran in different circles with different interests. As time pased, I couldn’t help feeling a growing connection with this semi-stranger, one built on parallel lives separated by hundreds of miles. One day a few years ago, and thank goodness for this, Katie reached out to see if we could grab a drink. We met up at Union Station and the rest is history. Katie is a sister of my soul - who values self-love, the beauty and passion of music, and finding the human connection in everyone. I love going to shows with her and experiencing music with her - and I am so beyond thrilled to bring her on as a contributor to the Sonder Blog. Without further ado, please enjoy Katie’s first piece.” - Sarah Shuel, Owner, Sonder Music Management

This holiday season, let’s remember that it’s not about the material things. Some of the best gifts are experiences, and our local Colorado music scene offers a wide variety for you to choose from. They need your help now more than ever - so if you’re feeling generous - support some of our local Colorado music venues this Christmas. Many of these gifts can be ordered today to go under the tree tonight, and by making purchases from our venues, you’re supporting the entire musical ecosystem. This income will help these stages survivie, which gives us all the gift of music for years to come. Here’s our giant list of how you can monetarily and non-monetarily support every single music venue in Colorado.

We are so lucky to have a massive number of music venues and I’m sure we missed some here. If you own or know of a venue that’s not on this list, let us know in the comments, along with ways people can support them during the pandemic.

COVID-19 has impacted the Music Industry a massive amount over the last 9 months. Touring staff, crew members, artists, venue owners and their staff have been greatly affected by the pandemic across the country. While artists and their immediate staff have been able to barely stay afloat through virtual concerts, merchandise sales, and streaming royalties, smaller venues are not able to benefit from these sources of income. Smaller venues’ lack of opportunity to make money has led them to become the most negatively affected Music Industry sector due to the pandemic. As COVID-19 has worsened over the course of its existence in the United States, it has affected venues across the Front Range. It has most recently contributed to the closing of the historic eighty-seven year old venue known for its jazz roots, El Chapultepec.

During the Covid-Era, there has been a shift in mentality to doing whatever we can to simply keep the music alive. Musicians, venues, and industry workers have been focused on keeping the lights on and getting the music into people’s hands - because we need music to get through all of this - and we need stages to be there when we get to back to normal. Shawn Eckels has gone above and beyond to keep music as a part of our Colorado community, and despite all of the hurdles Covid has thrown out, has continued to grow and advance his already prolific musical career. You may know him as the Lead Guitarist for Andy Frasco and the U.N., but Shawn is also constantly playing with other musicians locally and around the world - making music with his own bands and playing a multitude of socially-distanced shows and live streams as a solo artist. I’ve had the extreme pleasure of working with Shawn on various things for a few months now, and I’m so excited that I got to pick his brain about his musical history, favorite bands (local and non-local), and what he’s accomplished during Covid - which has been a whole freaking lot. Please enjoy my interview with Shawn Eckels, and make sure you head to one of his solo gigs, buy some of his merch, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to show your support.

I love it when interviews come together organically, and this one with Derek Dames Ohl of Flash Mountain Flood did just that. Flash Mountain Flood is an American Roots Rock N’ Roll band out of Boulder - and a mainstay in the genre in the local scene. The band’s members have been doing a lot during quarantine, and Derek Dames Ohl has set out to pursue a solo career in addition to his bass-licks in Flash. Recently, Derek released a new Christmas song, Blue Skies and It’s Christmas Time, with the true essence of Christmas in our beautiful state. He’s donating all of the proceeds from this song on Bandcamp to The DiChiaros, a family experiencing a time of extreme hardship in what should be the most joyful time of the year. I encourage you to go give the song a purchase - you’ll help a family in need and have a beautiful new Christmas song to enjoy. Be sure to follow Derek on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and Flash Mountain Flood on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube as well. Enjoy my interview with Derek Dames Ohl - I sure did!

When we talk about Colorado music, several names come up that truly define our state’s music scene. Hazel Miller is one of those names, making a true mark on our community with her incredibly pretigious career. I’m sure you’ve heard her on KUVO, eTown, or a variety of other places. Hazel is the picture of success as a musician and she has achieved things beyond many a band’s wildest dreams, but remains a humble, charismatic, and sweet individual through and through. From singing for Presidents to headlining Red Rocks with Big Head Todd and the Monsters to crooning to audiences at intimate (but always packed) shows around Colorado, Hazel is a true champion of the community and always lifts people up with her voice. Give her a follow on YouTube and Facebook - or visit her website to learn more - then, please do yourself a favor of seeing her live when you can.

I first had the pleasure of seeing Hazel Miller play live when I attended the Five Points Jazz Festival in 2018. I went alone, in the rain, especially to see her - and boy, I’m glad I did. She has changed my whole outlook on music and how it can be used to unite us all. Since then, I have been so lucky to work with her and get to know her a little better - and she is definitely one of my favorite people. I’m so thankful to have had the chance to interview her so that you can get to know her a little better too. So, without further ado, please enjoy this interview with the one and only Hazel Miller.