Author: Jay Wallace

Features, Print

R.W. Perkins: Small Town Remedies

August 8, 2020

A comedy-drama from R.W. Perkins of Loveland, “Small Town Remedies” tells the story of two siblings (Andrea Dratch and Ty Sells; Dratch is also an executive producer) dealing with their relapsing alcoholic mother (Sally Knudsen) while juggling their own personal struggles and surprises. It’s not a prototypical film about addiction, and that was Perkin’s intent, saying he had a different take on addiction as a family dynamic.

The film premieres September 10 at the Horsetooth International Film Festival.

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Print, Reviews

Album Review: People In General – Piglet

December 6, 2019

People In General is a self-described jazz-pop band out of Fort Collins, though their new record ‘Piglet’ is no One-Note-Samba. Delivering complex sound behind the cutesy lyrics guitarist Abe Dashnaw sings, the trio deftly use the technicality of their compositions to draw the listener in without being heavy and pretentious.

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Music, Print, Reviews

Album Review: The 14ers – Mountaintop Folk-Pop

September 5, 2019

Ryan Kirkpatrick, frontman and songwriter for Fort Collins’ The 14ers, has a love of the outdoors, to say the least. His lyrics and crystal-clear tenor are reminiscent of the band Fun, and fun seems to be the point on ‘Mountaintop Folk-Pop.’ The band’s “pay-what-you-want” release has a joyous, travelling feel, and The 14ers celebrate it’s release Friday, September 13 at Washington’s in Fort Collins.

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Print, Reviews

Album Review: Race To Neptune – Abandon Fashion

February 21, 2019

“Abandon Fashion” from Fort Collins’ Race To Neptune is a sturdy four track EP and one of the better modern interpretations of early ‘90s grunge and alternative rock. It’s reminiscent of the music that followed hair metal’s death in the ‘80s. But this is not a throwback album. Check R.T.N. out at Pinball Jones on March 1.

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Features, Print

Saved By The Nerve: Gary Dean Smith’s Voice Returns

November 12, 2018

For Gary Dean Smith it’s been a transformative year. The 55-year-old singer-songwriter signed a deal with The Symbols’ vocalist Mer Sal and Grammy winning Jazz musician Jeff Lorber to Manta Ray records – a division of Sony. But one year ago, Smith was bouncing back from a botched surgery that destroyed his vocal chords, leaving him uncertain of his musical future.

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Print, Reviews

Album Review: Nelsen – The Wind

November 7, 2018

Fashioning themselves as Americana rock, there’s a streak of folk influences in The Wind, but it’s really a rock album with nothing to prove. Nelsen showed up to BandWagon’s Battle of the Bands with only their raw talent and came close to winning their round. The Wind is the result of that polished, raw talent showcasing each member’s abilities.

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