By Clara Gauthier
Looking to refresh your music taste this summer? Check out some of our favorite up-and-coming queer-fronted Denver Metro Area bands.
YAN YEZ
Made up of guitarist Calvin, drummer Kira, and frontman and vocalist Nico, this band is uncategorizable, and filled with punk, electric, hip-hop, rock, and pop influences. Personally, their sound reminds me of an evolved version of 80s pop music. Self-described as Indie Post-Pop, YAN YEZ is unexpected and incredibly refreshing in a world where all our pop music sounds incredibly similar. Their live performances are unbeatable and unpredictable, entertaining as much as they are serious commentaries on the political and economic states of our country. Despite only having four singles out, each one has a consistent and incredibly interesting sound for anyone looking for something new.
DOGTAGS
Made up of a core duo of guitarist Michael Merola and singer and songwriter Regi Worles, and backed by an ever-rotating Big Band of Denver locals, DOGTAGS creates a conversation between the genres of Latin Jazz and Neo-Soul, combining the two in a way that feels endlessly creative and built out of a love for both genres. Every song is so clearly full of heart and love, not only for the music itself, but also for the act of collaboration with other musicians. Listening to DOGTAGS feels like remembering every comforting memory of your life at one moment, being filled with nostalgia and love for life.
May Be Fern
May Be Fern is a funk rock foursome that is quickly shooting to popularity within and outside of the Denver Metro Area, as they recently completed a tour along the West Coast. Featuring bassist and vocalist Kate Fern, keyboardist and vocalist Hannah May, guitarist Madi Spellman, and drummer Evan Jeffers, May Be Fern continues to push genre boundaries as it combines each member’s differing styles, creating a refreshing example of good collaboration and interesting music. Their debut album, Okay Grandma, Your Turn, released in 2023, reflects this with beautiful keyboard solos, steady and grounding drums, and wonderfully wailing vocals.
Soph and Austin
The passion project of two CU Boulder jazz majors, Sophia Stout and Austin Skeffington, Soph and Austin is a jazz-inspired indie-rock band just making its start in the Denver music scene. The guitar and piano duo is often joined by Kyle Nakaji, Nathan Burak, and Maya Napolillo for a stronger, fuller sound during live performances. Their debut album, You Could’ve Just Called Me, released in late November 2023, explores the post-pandemic collegiate experience in a delightfully angsty early 2000s pop-punk-inspired incredibly personal musical exploration. Each song feels like a diary entry and the lyrics are only elevated by the instrumentals to create such a genuine album.
Mr. Knobs
Filled with unexpected instrumentals and a spirit of so much fun, Mr. Knobs is an Electronic Prog Pop act made up of Vidushi Goyal on vocals, Sarah Hubbard on violin and theremin, Steve Lamos on drums and trumpet, Isaac Vance on bass, guitar, and keyboard, and John Baldwin on drums. The combination of violin and strong vocals with synths and heavy electronic production creates an endlessly entertaining listening experience, where you learn to expect the unexpected while still enjoying a united sound. This is a project clearly motivated by creativity, fun, and a love of experimentation that drives Mr. Knob’s sound to another level than many other musical acts right now.
Originally published in Out Front Magazine.
Posted on Aug 24 – 4:15pm