Openair Sessions

GVgrace features two of Colorado's most notable independent musicians in recent years. The married duo of Genevieve Patterson (Paper Bird) and Griff Snyder (Inner Oceans) creates lively synth-pop with the new project. The two have relocated to Los Angeles but are back in Denver this week for a set at the Underground Music Showcase. ​GVgrace stopped by the CPR Performance Studio last month to play three new songs. Patterson and Snyder also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the band's origin, getting involved with the L.A. music scene and running the Guilty Pleasure record label.

Andy Palmer has made gritty folk music as a solo artist and with the band Grub Street Writer, while also maintaining a career as a public defender. The Denver singer-songwriter in May released his latest album, "The Switch." The record explores themes of religion and social justice. ​Andy Palmer and his band played four songs from "The Switch" in the CPR Performance Studio. Palmer also spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about how his career has shaped his music, his success in a recent songwriter's competition and his ode to abolitionist Harriet Tubman.

When Male Blonding last visited CPR's OpenAir, the Denver band had just released its self-produced "Tiny Death" EP on cassette tape. In the year since, the quartet has recorded its debut full-length in Oakland, Calif. The self-titled LP continues in the post-punk style of previous releases. Male Blonding performed three new songs in the CPR Performance Studio last month. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about working with a producer for the first time, the themes of discomfort on the album and playing the Underground Music Showcase in Denver this month.

Head For The Hills has become one of the biggest names in Colorado bluegrass since forming in 2003. The Fort Collins quartet in May released its fourth album, "Potions And Poisons." It features songs about addiction and heartache, but with upbeat folk and country energy. Head For The Hills last month stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play three songs from the new album. Stream that performance and check out bassist Matt Loewen and fiddle player Joe Lessard's interview with CPR News for more on the new album.

Dandu's recent performance in the CPR Performance Studio featured a wide range of musical styles. The Denver trio -- with the help of The Other Black frontman Wes Watkins -- channeled elements of funk, hip-hop, rock and jazz. The band recently released the "Caught Between" EP and embarked on a West Coast tour. The members of Dandu played three songs and spoke with Scott Carney about how the band came together through The Other Black, recording the new EP in a basement studio and their expectations for the band's first tour.

The Patti Fiasco recently won a contest to open for Bon Jovi at the Pepsi Center in April. That gig unfortunately fell through, but the Fort Collins band has taken it in stride. The band has released three albums of Americana-influenced rock and performs regularly around Colorado and beyond. The Patti Fiasco stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play a few songs from its discography, as well as a brand new track. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the collaboration between Denver and Fort Collins artists, how the Bon Jovi gig fell through and the story behind its latest single.

Low Cut Connie's appearance last summer in the CPR Performance Studio was one of the most memorable sessions we recorded in 2016. The Philadelphia band -- led by pianist Adam Weiner -- had remarkable energy: Just watch the video of "Shake It Little Tina" for evidence. Low Cut Connie returned to our studio last month following the release of "Dirty Pictures (Part 1)" -- a record which several of our hosts selected as one of their favorite albums of the year so far. The band performed four songs and spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the themes of empathy on "Dirty Pictures (Part 1)," its growing reputation as a great live band and the forthcoming "Part 2" companion album.

Joe Sampson has been a mainstay in the Denver music scene for years. He's played in bands like Bad Weather California and Wentworth Kersey and also releases music under his own name. His latest release is last year's "Chansons De Parade" album. Sampson stopped by the CPR Performance Studio with a few backing musicians -- including singer-songwriter Esmé Patterson on vocals. He performed four songs and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about his various musical projects over the years, writing short songs and a memorable review from an Italian blog.

Surfer Blood passed through Denver earlier this month for a headlining show at Larimer Lounge. We met the Florida indie rock band at the venue to record an exclusive performance and interview. Surfer Blood this year released the album "Snowdonia," its first full-length since the death of guitarist and founding member Thomas Fekete. The band performed three songs and spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about coping with their bandmate's death, the dream that inspired "Snowdonia" and a forthcoming covers record.

The core songwriting duo behind Whippoorwill met at the 2013 South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. Alysia Kraft and Staci Foster began sending each other songs and last year made their debut album "Good To Be Around." The Fort Collins folk band expanded to a trio and shared the stage with acts like Lydia Loveless and Old Crow Medicine Show. Whippoorwill stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play three new songs. The band members also spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about the music scene in Fort Collins, the influence of Texas country artists and encountering a series of tornadoes on a recent tour in Oklahoma.

Clouds & Mountains returned to the CPR Performance Studio just before the release of the new album "High & Low." The Boulder folk-rock band recorded the LP in Colorado, Anacortes, Wash., and Houston with members of Chimney Choir and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. Clouds & Mountains performed a few songs from "High & Low," and a previously unreleased song, in our studio. Frontman Macon Terry also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the themes of loneliness on the album, recording in various locations across the country and adding new instruments to the band's lineup.

Wolf van Elfmand started his music career as a country-folk artist in Brooklyn. Three albums later, he's relocated to Denver and teamed up with Elephant Revival members Dango and Charlie Rose for the new "Real Wolf" EP. Wolf van Elfmand and his band visited the CPR Performance Studio to play some songs from the new record. He also spoke with Jeremy Petersen about his musical career so far, writing self-referential songs and teaming up with Colorado musicians for his latest release.

Froth started out as a "fake band" that its members would tell people about at parties, but didn't actually exist. But when they picked up instruments and started playing together, the joke was over. The Los Angeles quartet has since released three albums, including this year's "Outside (briefly)." Froth stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play four songs from the new LP. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the band's origin, touring with British shoegaze band Ride and the psychedelic visuals of their music videos.

The members of Pan Astral have stayed busy since they visited the CPR Performance Studio last year. The Denver band has recruited a new drummer and written some new material. Frontman Gabriel Otto produced the politically charged "NOENEMIES" album from fellow Coloradoans Flobots -- which also features contributions from guitarist Tad Lusk. Pan Astral returned to our studio before a show at Denver's Walnut Room to play a few songs from its catalog. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about retooling its lineup, working with Flobots and incorporating live projections into their concerts.

Desirae Garcia and Inaiah Lujan are core members of the Pueblo folk band The Haunted Windchimes, but the married couple also makes music as in/PLANES. The duo's music leans more toward a sparse pop sound influenced by notable music spouses like Paul and Linda McCartney. in/PLANES -- with help from drummer Carl Sorensen -- stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play some new music. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about bonding over a love of The Velvet Underground, balancing their time with the two bands and the arts and music scene in Pueblo.

Chicano Batman is having a breakout year. NPR tabbed the Los Angeles quartet to perform at its Radio Day Showcase at South By Southwest in March alongside Spoon and Valerie June. 2017 also marks the release of the new album"Freedom Is Free," a record that finds the band incorporating retro soul and funk music into its sound. Chicano Batman stopped by the CPR Performance Studio before a show at Denver's Bluebird Theater. The band members -- along with backup singers -- performed five songs and spoke with Jeremy Petersen about the political themes on "Freedom Is Free," paying tribute to the soul music of the 1970s and how their audience has grown with the new album.

Self-described "surf" band The Kinky Fingers might reside in a landlocked state, but its reverb-heavy guitar licks bring to mind the classic California Sound. The Denver quartet has released a number of EPs since forming four years ago, and its new release "Worst Of" collects those songs onto one record. The Kinky Fingers stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play some new songs. The band members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about the decision to re-release old songs, their recent recording sessions in New York and some tour stories from Mexico.

The Patient Zeros originally hail from Lansing, Mich., but moved to Denver in 2012. The blues-rock trio last year released the album "Sirens Calling" and is scheduled to perform at Denver's Underground Music Showcase in July. They band also plans to release a new EP in August. The Patient Zeros stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play some songs from "Sirens Calling" and some older songs. The members also spoke with Alisha Sweeney about establishing themselves in Denver's music scene, the recent addition of bassist Michael Raymond and tackling relationship issues with their lyrics.

Holophrase has crafted music that blurs the line between art rock and experimental electronica for five years. The Denver band last year released the album "Stay Being," which features glitchy synthesizer sounds, horns and guest appearances from members of fellow locals Wheelchair Sports Camp. Holophrase stopped into the CPR Performance Studio and played three songs from "Stay Being." The band members also spoke with Scott Carney about the turtle-starring music video for "Alligatron," recording the album at Denver's Dryer Plug Studios and collaborating with bassist Juan Alderete of The Mars Volta.

Siblings Rebecca and Joshua Williams grew up performing in a church where their father is a pastor. They've since directed their talents outside the church toward rock music: Rebecca sings and plays guitar with Joshua on drums in The Savage Blush -- along with bassist Brian Wyatt. The Denver trio released the "Dust" EP last year and has followed that up with a two new singles in 2017. The Savage Blush stopped into the CPR Performance Studio to play a few new songs. Rebecca and Joshua also spoke with Alicia Bruce Mitchell about their musical upbringing, their busy 2017 touring schedule and plans for a full-length album.