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’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.

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.

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.

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.

With all of the various shut downs this year, many bands and musicians have turned to live streaming to keep the music alive and play shows for fans. Right now, there’s really no other way to play live “shows” for your followers. However, the art of live streaming successfully is full of nuance and know how. When you show up to a venue to play a show, you automatically have a great backdrop, a sound engineer, and a light display for your show. Online, it’s 100% up to you to create the experience. So where do you even begin when planning to play an online live stream?

With the second shut down of live music venues in full swing, artists across the nation have taken to the online stage to stay relevant and keep the music alive during the pandemic. The innovative Colorado Electronic project Melody Lines is doing just that, bringing their dreamy, chill tunes to ARISE Online on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. The set, complete with a high-production, live-show feel, was recorded at and will be broadcast from the legendary Colorado Sound Studios as the next installment of ARISE Music Festival’s online series, sponsored by Rocky Mountain Virtual, Denver Westword, and A-Lodge in Boulder. The Dec. 3 show will also feature esclusive interviews, live interactive chats, and virtual meet and greets with Melody Lines, as well as merchandise sales. A portion of proceeds will be donated to Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, to help support musicians and music industry workers who have been financially impacted by COVID-19, and to A-Lodge in support of the local music and hospitality community in Colorado.

Ahead of the show later this week, I got the chance to pick the brain of Melody Lines’ Vinny Crippen (Production, Guitar).

Yes, the holidays are very different this year. We can’t get together to drink spiked egg nog in our ugly sweaters. There won’t be any White Elephant games with family and friends. Holidays cheers will be made over Zoom instead of in-person. December live musc is next to non-existant. However, no matter how dull the approaching season may seem, there are still ways to get in the holiday spirit. The thing that does it for me is Christmas music, and I’m super happy to present the Local Colorado Christmas Spotify Playlist by Sonder Music Management.

Well… it happened. We’re here again - in the red. We can’t eat inside restaurants, enjoy the company of friends at bars, or be graced with the gift of in-person live music of any kind. So many people are hurting right now, and the music community is one of the top industries when it comes to lost income due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The local scene and independent venues have been especially hard, as many don’t have a security fund to fall back on. Local venue owners, full-time musicians, stage hands, lighting designers, sound engineers, and others involved behind the scenes have likely put everything they’ve got into the role they love. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t support your friends who are musicians or who work behind the scenes in the industry. Here’s how: