alpenglow

Co-produced by Brad Parsons and Fruition’s Tyler Thompson, Boots marks the solo debut from critically acclaimed Montana singer/songwriter Madeline Hawthorne, who steps into the spotlight here with equal parts grit and charm. Written following the dissolution of her longtime band, The Hawthorne Roots, the album is a work of profound reflection and self-discovery, reckoning with evolution and independence while facing down the pressures of modern womanhood with unflinching honesty an steadfast resilience. The songs here are bold and ambitious, captured live in the studio over just two-and-a-half days, and the result is a raw, rousing collection that blurs the lines between roots, country, and soul as it transforms pain into beauty and doubt into hope.

Born to a classical vocalist mother and a concert conductor father, Hawthorne was surrounded by music throughout her childhood in New England, but she never considered it a viable career path until she landed in Montana, where she launched The Hawthorne Roots in 2014. The group quickly built a loyal following—The Bozeman Daily Chronicle hailed the five-piece’s “tightly woven harmonies and relentlessly catchy melodies,” while Bozeman Magazine readers voted them Best New Band and Best Folk Performers—and toured throughout the West, earning dates with the likes of Nicki Bluhm and Dustbowl Revival and landing festival slots from Targhee and Yarmony to Red Ants Pants and Big Sky Big Grass before going their separate ways in 2020.

Mighty Mystic is considered as one of the leaders in the U.S. Reggae scene and labeled by many as one of the more prolific artists to develop outside of Jamaica. He has gripped the scene with ferocious conviction and an uncanny ambition worthy to be mentioned among the greats. He has gone from being a fan of reggae music to being a contributor to the art. Mighty Mystic came on the scene in 2006 after scoring his first international hit with the song “Riding on the Clouds.”

However, it wasn’t until the release of his first album “Wake up the World” (2010) that he became a household name. “Wake up the World” boasted several standouts, such as “Revolution,” “Riding on the Clouds,” “Original Love,” and “Slipped Away” with appearances from reggae icon Shaggy and roots rocker Lutan Fyah. Mystic continues to wake up the world with his high energy, message driven brand of reggae music which he emphatically calls “HARD ROOTS.” It is this unique spin on classic reggae blended with Hip Hop & Rock that has catapulted him to the forefront of today’s Reggae Revival. Mighty Mystic is also the younger brother of current Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. When asked, does being the brother of Prime Minister Holness have any impact on your music? Mystic simply says “Andrew has a job to do and so do I, impact or not we both have our own mission to complete”.

Is a genre-bending rock band pushing the sonic envelope of conventional Latin sounds. Miguel Aviña (Lead Guitar/Vocals), Brenda Aviña (Bass) and Luiggy Ramírez (Drums) combine to create music for the relentless, the determined…the immigrant song. Inherently authentic and undeniably refreshing.

iZCALLi swigs its evolving sound from all wells of tradition, from Latin-tinged echoes to fuzz rock anthems saturated with rebellious spirit in English and in Español; creating the perfect molotov of nostalgia and euphoria, equal parts sweet and intoxicating. iZCALLi’s music ignites a sonic space to reconnect yourself with the present, to join what you’ve left behind with what you will recover, discover your heart, so you know you are home.

Based in Boulder, CO, this 4-piece rock band will rip your shirts and bras off with their shredding guitar solos and unravel your sense of space and time.  Founded in 1985, after escaping a kidnapping by a large sasquatch, the young rockstars decided to travel through time and come light up the 21st century.  While you may wake up with crimped hair, a sore neck, and no recollection of the last 12 hours, The Goonies never… ever…. say Hangover.

The Jacob Larson Band is a 10 piece funk and soul ensemble combining powerhouse vocals, classic instrumentation and an old-school approach to music. Digging inspiration from the roots of soul religion, the band shares their own take on notable influences such as Tower of Power, Stevie Wonder, and Earth, Wind, and Fire.

Jacob, an experienced entertainer with a strong and soulful voice, leads the band with true dynamic flair and presence, delivering the goods with a performance that moves and excites concert-goers of all ages.

In March of 2020, Jacob Larson was hospitalized for COVID-19. After a trying time in the ICU on and off of a ventilator, it was unclear whether Jacob’s vocal cords would ever be the same. However, after months of rest and retraining, his voice came back to its full form and he was able to perform for the doctors that saved his life at UCHealth Longs Peak Hospital in August of 2021. Jacob’s bandmates, friends, and family “‘helped [him] see that light at the end of the tunnel… getting back to singing live was [his] absolute goal’” (UCHealth Today).

The band has in fact been hard at work since Jacob’s recovery. They’ve followed up their debut EP Aftershock with a full length album consisting of ten original songs. Totally Legal is proof that funk is still alive and thriving in 2023.

Rapidgrass embodies the notion that nature, and particularly mountains, can bring out the best in our art, and we have dedicated much of our creative energy into bringing that art back to the people of the mountains. Rapidgrass focuses on travel to mountain towns and inspires mountain people and athletes around the globe. Our music is motivated by and made for those who find peace in the mountains. We focus our energy to outdoor mountain lifestyle/culture events. Focusing our travels to mountain towns has also given us a great palate of mountain music styles to draw from including styles from North America, France, Italy, Russia, Tibet, Argentina, and Ireland.

The full-time lineup includes Mark Morris (guitar, lead vocals); Charlie Parker Mertens (upright bass); Coleman Smith (violin);and Alex Johnstone (mandolin, vocals). This Colorado ensemble uses classical, gypsy, bluegrass, pop, swing, and other world rhythms to create what is, and can only be described of as, Rapidgrass.

The band released ‘RAPIDGRASS QUINTET’, in 2013 and was voted as one ofthe top 5 albums by the Mountain Arts Culture Colorado. In 2015 they then released ‘CROOKED ROAD’ and went on to win the prestigious ROCKYGRASS band contest that same year.  Rapidgrass produced their 3rd album, ‘HAPPY TRAILS’ in 2017 and was released at the eighth annual Rapidgrass Music Festival June 23-25 2017.  The band recently released their 4th studio album ‘CHAMONIX SESSIONS’ at the 10th annual Rapidgrass Festival July 2019. Rapidgrass recorded their 5th studio album “Take Him River”“ at the Banff Centre of Arts and Creativity November 2019. Rapidgrass has had the pleasure of playing mountain music throughout Colorado, Alaska, the lower 48, Ireland, Hungary, Scotland, Poland, and the European Alps. The band is eager to share new music with you!

– Happy Trails!

Violet Pilot is a Neo-Psychedelic Americana Rock band based in Colorado with an affinity for lush textures and intricate arrangements. The band’s unique style of music is both fresh and familiar to a wide range of listeners and fans.
Currently featuring Michael Kirkpatrick (vocals and acoustic guitar), Sean Macaulay (drum set and percussion), and Jo Asker (double bass), the quartet released their debut record, Glad We Found You, in 2022. With this record the band was voted “Best Debut Artist 2022” by the Colorado Playlist Listener/Fan Poll. Their Sophomore record is coming together as they continue to dazzle audiences with new material through performances at major festivals and venues.

Black Opry is a home for Black artists and Black fans of country, blues, folk, and Americana
music. Country music has been made by and loved by Black people since it’s conception. For
just as long, we have been overlooked and disregarded in the genre by fans and executives.
Black Opry wants to change that. We invite you to discover, support and enjoy the Black artists
that make magic in this space. One of the most valuable aspects of country music is its
versatility and diversity in sound. Country, blues, folk, and Americana music often overlap or
weave together- these artists explore all of those sounds and intersections. The Black Opry
Revue showcases the diversity in sound and stories that Black artists offer to these genres.

Press/Reviews: 

Black Opry Revue showcases Black country and folk singers – The Philadelphia Inquirer The Black Opry: a joyful, supportive celebration of Black artists – NPR 

NPR Live Sessions 

At Black Opry Revue, Joy and Grief Become Euphoria – Adobe & Teardrops 

The Black Opry Revue Fosters Vital Connections for Black Country Musicians – Nashville Scene 

A Black Country Music Fan Didn’t Feel Safe at Concerts. So She Started a Movement – Rolling Stone