I'm a little under whelmed, Denver. You claim you like Art. You claim you like the nightlife. Even our mayor loves the rock and roll (his favorite band is X!).
So where are you?
In the spirit of collaboration - and to further prove the IQs in the band - this week, I've opted to devote this space to my drummer Elaine Acosta. The following is a chapter from her forthcoming book, Holy Sweet Goddamn: The Memoirs of An Aspiring Rock Star and Psychiatric Nurse/Patient. It's brilliant! Top quality. I wouldn't be surprised if she finds a big time publisher. She's still writing but hopes to complete by late Fall.
Enjoy!
Eli
When people find out I’m in a band, they ask a series of questions. The first one is always, invariably, “Does your drummer have a boyfriend?” followed by, “What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to your band on the road?”
Dear Bandicoots,
My band hasn’t figured out what costumes to wear on stage. Got any advice?
- Anonymous
Dear Bandicoots,
See comments from “Chad” here -- in which his close to 700-word diatribe calls into question a “thriving” Denver scene and forces me to put South Broadway culture into context.
Chad,
I feel your frustration. As someone who has given his blood, sweat, and tears to the Denver music scene, it can be a struggle to not fall prey to the gut-reaction cynicism towards the pettier parts of a “scene.” It’s a natural inclination to question a scene’s worth. And it’s an important evolution too. However, it’s fool-hearted to assume that our “scene” can be boiled down to those that “hang out at the Hi Dive.” I can’t define what our scene is, nor will I even attempt to. What I can tell you is that because Hipsters are very savvy consumers/marketers, they can become figureheads for a music scene. You seem pretty susceptible to savvy marketing yourself—closet Hipster? Sorry, no fair taking potshots at my own. Maybe your reluctance to view Denver’s music scene as bubbling, thriving, vital, is directly tied to your overestimation of their (Hipsters) worth? What I know is that Hipsters in no way are the scene—they’re simply a fancy-haircut, tight-pants part of it. Just like people in bands are an egotistical-mouth, leg-kick, cymbal-crash part of it. And the shredding metal band at Wyatts Torch, and the jazz combo at Dazzle, and the singer-songwriter at the we-grind-em coffee shop…
Dear Bandicoots,
I have been playing guitar for years now and have always aspired to be in a band -- although now that I have graduated I am working at this monotonous financial reporting job. When and how did you make the commitment to say fuck the 9-5 and be a musician? I NEED HELP!
-- James
Your taste in music is a cultural bullhorn. In a genre obsessed culture, what you listen to can project your overall aesthetic more than your fashion sense or the car you drive. Accordingly, there’s a part in our brains that organizes types of people based on the music they like. Let’s call it the Pigeonhole Region.
