DENVER, the band, has confirmed the July 15th release of their second full-length album, Rowdy Love, via Mama Bird Recording Co. A personal favorite of tour mates Shovels & Rope, Denver sits comfortably on the vanguard of a new generation of Americana music.
“When we BBQ in our driveway, we prefer to do it listening to Denver, the band.” – Shovels & Rope
Sharing vocal and songwriting duties, Birger Olsen, Mike Elias and Tom Bevitori are the heart of Denver, while the rest of the line-up has long included several of Portland’s finest players. Currently, the band consists of drummer Sean MacNeil, bassist Billy Slater (Grails) and the legendary Lewi Longmire on lead guitar. Past and future editions include Blitzen Trapper’s Eric Earley and Michael Van Pelt, Ben Nugent (Dolorean), Ryan Spellman (Quiet Life), Ray Raposa (Castanets), Tom Menig and many others.
Paste praised their 2012 self-titled debut’s “perfect tunes,” while KEXP hosted a live session and proclaimed, “sweet harmonies and tight arrangements abound.” Statements like these become all the more relevant with Rowdy Love, as Denver teamed up with Earley and Adam Selzer (M. Ward, Norfolk & Western) for their first trip to a proper studio. Recorded live in just two days at Selzer’s Type Foundry Studio, Rowdy Love certainly showcases all the endless chops at Denver’s disposal.
The record’s true focus, however, lies in the rare way Olsen, Elias and Bevitori’s distinct voices co-exist. There’s a natural melding of styles that’s evolved from afternoons on Olsen’s back porch, late night’s around Elias’ fire pit, and every last time they’ve nailed “The Weight” harmonies at the old Triple Nickel. Denver’s three songwriters may come to the process with varying style and influences, but Denver’s songwriting is universally honest and bare, whiskey-fueled, sweat-soaked, and steeped in working class life. Some might call it country. Some might call it rock. Some might call it a few drunks on a stage. Either way, bullshit and irony have no home here.
Paste Magazine has the first mp3 "Carry On," saying, "the whisky-drenched tunes of Denver are packed with sweet harmonies and rowdy arrangements": http://www.pastemagazine.com/
Mike Elias said "I wrote 'Carry On' in the midst of uncertainty with my marriage. It's a middle ground song of not knowing whether to keep running away from the problems of my life or standing up and facing them."
Veterans of Pickathon, Denver has confirmed a set this year at the Timber! Music Fest alongside J. Mascis, Charles Bradley, Damien Jurado, and others.
Denver Tour Dates:
July 17th & 18th - Adrift Hotel - Long Beach, WA
July 19th – Record Release at Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR (w/ Michael Hurley)
July 24-26th - Timber! Music Fest - Carnation, WA (w/ J.Mascis, Charles Bradley, Damien Jurado, Horse Feathers, etc.)
July 27th - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA
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