Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Just getting this going.queencitysounds.orgBest Shows in Denver and Beyond October 2026Dinosaur Jr performs at The Ogden Theatre on October 29, 2026, photo by Jeff Fowler Carín León, photo by Mike Miller Thursday | 10.01What: Carín LeónWhen: 7Where: Ball ArenaWhy: Carín León is a bon… 030
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 30/09/2026queencitysounds.orgSova Coaxes Us Into Taking Our Experiences On Our Own Analog Terms on Modern Classical Ambient Song “Hymn for Slowing”Sova, photo by Kiki Vassilak In the visualizer video for Sova’s “Hymn for Slowing” we get to see a visual representation of the inside of the piano at work striking the moody and melancholic side o… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 30/09/2026queencitysounds.orgChicago-Based Psychedelic Jazz Supergroup Yr Knives Reconciles Desperation and Catharsis on “Fear&Trimbling”Yr Knives, photo by Nathan Keay Yr Knives is a new project from Chicago-based composer and arranger Paul Karner along with Andrew Trim (Hanami and Retroflector), Brian J. Sulpizio (Health&Beaut… 010
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Since I started writing for Westword again as of a couple of weeks ago. Here is the latest rundown with a handful of pieces by me.westword.comThe best concerts in Denver: Sept. 29-Oct. 5A full roundup of over 150 shows in the Mile High City this week — plus our top picks. 041
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Never thought I'd be talking with Bob Bert but that's just what I did awhile back and now finally publishing it. Super cool guy and his debut solo album Beach Bongo Bloodbath is wonderfully weird.queencitysounds.orgQueen City Sounds Podcast S6E19: Bob BertBob Bert, photo by Buzz Osborne Bob Bert finally released his debut solo album Beach Bongo Bloodbath on June 12, 2026 via Bar/None on 12” vinyl LP, CD, digital download and streaming. Bert is perha… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 28/09/2026queencitysounds.orgAbe Seiferth’s Analog Synth Infused Ambient Song “Vibrometry” is the Sound of a More Tranquil and Nurturing FutureThere is a great sense of space and playfulness to Abe Seiferth’s “Vibrometry” from his new album Halo (out August 19, 2026 via Noble Circuit Records). A spare and overlapping rhythm with a melodic… 010
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 27/09/2026queencitysounds.orgAlice Gold Invokes Trust in Times of Chaos on Folk Pop Single “BOTH HANDS”Alice Gold, photo courtesy the artist Alice Gold returns with lead single “BOTH HANDS” from her forthcoming album Faultlines. The album comes some fifteen years after her previous record Seven Rain… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 27/09/2026This one might be arcane to some but they're reissue all their albums and I was definitely a fan back in the day. Classic noise pop/alternative rock/post-punk.queencitysounds.orgQueen City Sounds Podcast S6E18: HypnolovewheelHypnolovewheel, photo courtesy the artists Hypnolovewheel formed in 1986 in Long Island, New York. The group sound threaded together elements of psych, garage rock and power pop but essential a pos… 010
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 26/09/2026queencitysounds.orgSignal-23’s “Torchrite” Has the Dramatic Flourishes and Expansive Processional Mood of Epic Science FictionSignal-23 seem to channel a touch of the percussive, low end heavy pulse of Clark or earlier Weval on “Torchrite” from EP2 (out August 28, 2026). It has a processional and darkly triumphant feel. T… 010
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 26/09/2026queencitysounds.orgMilk St.’s Slackery Jangle Rock Single “Good Grief” Attempts to Make Sense Out of a Messy LifeMilk St., photo courtesy the artists The title track to Milk St.’s “Good Grief” is accompanied by a music video that looks like the opening sequence to a kind of elevated coming of age horror film … 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 25/09/2026And another one for today. My interview with Don Cento of Jazz Americana trio Cento Threeo.queencitysounds.orgQueen City Sounds Podcast S6E17: Cento ThreeoCento Threeo, photo by Barbara FG Cento Threeo is a jazz/Americana trio based out of Austin, Texas. Led by guitarist/composer Don Cento the band writes instrumental cinematic pieces that are rooted… 021
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 25/09/2026New episode. Going to publish a lot of them this coming week because I've been slacking the past month.queencitysounds.orgQueen City Sounds Podcast S6E16: The ClaudettesThe Claudettes, photo courtesy the artists The Claudettes are a Chicago-based pop band that has been offering exquisitely crafted songs that draw upon classic songwriting performed with punk spirit… 031
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 24/09/2026queencitysounds.orgDeniz Cuylan’s Mythical Dream Pop Single “Big Blue” Evokes a Sense of a Cultivated Inner LifeDeniz Cuylan, photo courtesy the artist “Big Blue” by Deniz Cuylan sounds like music from a cult fantasy story from Iceland. The sequenced bell tones carrying rhythm and some of the melody seem to … 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 24/09/2026queencitysounds.orgDis Fig’s Mix of Ancient and Industrial Sounds on “Psaltery” Generates a Great Sense of Discomfort and CatharsisDis Fig, photo by Camille Blake Dis Fig centers a sound like hammered dulcimer but is In fact a plucked zither that gives the title on “Psaltery.” In the beginning we hear that sound alongside text… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 22/09/2026queencitysounds.orgEric Angelo Bessel’s Textural Ambient “Pathways” is an Illuminated Journey Through Dark SpacesEric Angelo Bessel, photo courtesy the artist For the single “Pathways,” Eric Angelo Bessel offers different setting of inspiration than perhaps the most cosmic outer reaches of his previous album … 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 13/09/2026queencitysounds.orgOsmunda Music’s New Age Ambient Pop Single “Truth and Light” is Vibrantly and UpliftingOsmunda Music, photo courtesy the artist The vocals on Osmunda Music’s “Truth and Light” feels fully integrated into the layers of ethereal yet vibrant sound from synth and percussion like a New Ag… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 13/09/2026queencitysounds.orgThe Wheel Workers Hope Beyond Hope For a Future For the Human Race Post-Authoritarian Takeover on Psychedelic Prog Pop Single “One More Thing To Say”The Wheel Workers, photo by Chad Fontenot “One More Thing To Say” is the title track to The Wheel Workers’ forthcoming album. Originally written in 2006 with the album essentially unfinished when t… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 11/09/2026queencitysounds.orgAnonymous Seattle Supergroup PUNKTUALS Delivers the Darkly Humorous Garage Punk Single “Death Of The Party”PUNKTUALS< photo courtesy the artists PUNKTUALS is an anonymous punk band from Seattle comprised of veterans of the Emerald City’s rock scene but adopting stage names for this project. Its secon… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 11/09/2026queencitysounds.orgJupe Jupe’s “Down With the Setting Sun” Leans Into the Cathartic Potential of Melancholic Melodies to Get Through Dark TimesJupe Jupe’s new single “Down With the Setting Sun” and its music video looks like it was conceived and shot in the space where the band brings ideas to solidify from feelings and sentiments into th… 001
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 11/09/2026queencitysounds.orgThe Body and Cel Genesis Alchemize an Urgent Industrial Doom on “Candy Crush”The Body and Cel Genesis, photo by Chris Danko In its tradition of unique collaborations, experimental heavy duo The Body teams up with Oakland’s Cel Genesis for Whole Wide World (out November 13, … 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 11/09/2026queencitysounds.orgFumiro Kaneko’s Retro New Age Single “who is behind me” is Like Upbeat Theme Music For a Thriller MontageFumiro Kaneko evokes the sounds of late 80s New Age music on “who is behind me.” But with an update on the rhythms with low key trap beats providing some texture and solidity to the bright layers o… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 08/09/2026queencitysounds.orgBadjokes’ Fusion of UK Garage and IDM on “I Know U” Pulls You in With Melancholic UrgencyWith “I Know U” Badjokes blends of classic UK garage melody and fast-paced rhythms, chopped and processed vocals and a dark, moody atmospheric elements. The combined sounds with distorted bass that… 010
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 08/09/2026queencitysounds.orgA Very Special Episode Captures the Moment of Clarity After Fulfilling One’s Desires on Fuzz Punk Single “Too Cool”A Very Special Episode, photo courtesy the artists “Too Cool” by A Very Special Episode begins with a lightly distorted bass line and hushed vocals and a sense of menace but at the same time remini… 010
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 04/09/2026queencitysounds.orgNice Boat Delivers a Short and Acerbic Dismissal on Minimal Fuzz Punk Single “SICK”Nice Boat, photo courtesy the artists “SICK” is a song that shouldn’t work. Yet Nice Boat finds a way. Electronic clap sounds for percussion with some programmed cymbals later in, minimal fuzzed ou… 010
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 04/09/2026queencitysounds.org“Funeral in my Brain” by Black Duck Featuring Elena Setién Has a Song Arc From Dark Cabaret to Gospel JazzBlack Duck and Elena Setién, photo by Mike Boyd Chicago-based trio Black Duck teamed up with Basque vocalist Elena Setién for their new album Black Duck with Elena Setién (out August 28, 2026 via T… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Barest of bones with just one preview but more added soon. First ever The Tear Garden tour including a stop in Denver on 9/21.queencitysounds.orgBest Shows in Denver and Beyond September 2026Tear Garden, photo courtesy Randall Frazier Xmal Deutschland, photo by Anton Corbijn Tuesday | 09.01What: Anja Huwe w/Plague Garden and Weathered StatuesWhen: 7pmWhere: HQWhy: Anja Huwe was the sin… 010
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 26/08/2026To the point and short previews of all the artists etc. And links to music and other Easter eggs or whatever.queencitysounds.orgA Brief Guide to Ghost Canyon Fest 2026Midwife, photo by Tom Murphy Denver’s premier left field music festival spanning weirdo heavy music to ambient, noise rock to post-hardcore and avant-pop among others runs Thursday August 26, 2026 … 010
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Third and final interview for Ghost Canyon Fest is with Sarah Christiansen who plays a collab set with Ryan Wong on the first night of the festival at HQ (8/26).queencitysounds.orgQueen City Sounds Podcast S6E15: Sarah ChristiansenSarah Christiansen, photo courtesy the artist Sarah Christiansen has been a fixture of Denver’s experimental music and improvisational scene since 2022. Her solo project Sunswept which finds her pl… 020
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 25/08/2026The next interview I did for Ghost Canyon Fest is with Kathryn Mohr who put out one of 2026's coolest, ambient/folk/garage post-punk albums of the year, Carve. And her older stuff is definitely worthwhile.queencitysounds.orgQueen City Sounds Podcast S6E14: Kathryn MohrKathryn Mohr, photo from Bandcamp Kathryn Mohr is a songwriter, composer and visual artist based in Oakland, California. She is a relative late-comer to making music first experimenting with drawin… 030
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 24/08/2026First Ghost Canyon Fest interview now live with Brian, Sean and Jeremy. The great festival runs 8/27-8/30. There may be individual days tickets left. Apparently it's a theme this year for the good festivals to sell out early.queencitysounds.orgQueen City Sounds Podcast S6E13: Ghost Canyon FestGhost Canyon Fest organizers Brian Dooley, Sean Dove, Jeremy Brashaw, photo by Tom Murphy Ghost Canyon Fest presents its fourth edition in 2026 from Thursday, August 26, 2026 through Sunday, August… 020
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 24/08/2026queencitysounds.orgKoen Holtkamp Orchestrates a Perfect Synthesis of Visuals and Sound on Post-Rock Jazz Single “Slow Fox Run”Koen Holtkamp, photo courtesy the artist The music video for Koen Holtkamp’s “Slow Fox Run” is like a visual representation of the rhythm and tonal vectors of a song slowly developing from percussi… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 24/08/2026queencitysounds.orgJules Reidy’s “Clerestory Windows V” is a Masterful Arc of Guitar Maximalism to Sheer MinimalismJules Reidy, photo courtesy the artist Jules Reidy imbued “Clerestory Windows V” with a unique intricacy of tone utilizing a hex electric guitar. The Euclidean sequencing with some pitch shifting o… 010
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 24/08/2026queencitysounds.org“FRISSON” by 1201770 is an Industrial Ambient Lament For a Fallen CivilizationThe distorted streaming sounds echoing throughout “FRISSON” by 1201770 are like the voices of a forgotten subway bemoaning the neglect and seething in its accumulated environmental memory. Or the s… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 17/08/2026queencitysounds.orgDis Fig’s Cathartic and Dark, Organic Industrial Track “The Account” Evokes the Ambient Heaviness of the Current EraDis Fig, photo by Camille Blake “The Account” is the debut track from Dis Fig’s forthcoming album What To Make Of These Mortal Hands (out October 23 via Thrill Jockey on vinyl, digital download and… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 17/08/2026queencitysounds.orgJason Matu’s Psychedelic Country Rock Single “The Returning of the Leaves” is a Song About Human Frailty and the Preciousness of the Limited Time We Have on EarthJason Matu, photo by Esther Ruiz Jason Matu packs a great deal of existential introspection and commentary on aging and yearning into “The Returning of the Leaves.” On the surface its a countrified… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 17/08/2026queencitysounds.orgJason Matu’s Psychedelic Country Rock Single “The Returning of the Leaves” is a Song About Human Frailty and the Preciousness of the Limited Time We Have on EarthJason Matu, photo by Esther Ruiz Jason Matu packs a great deal of existential introspection and commentary on aging and yearning into “The Returning of the Leaves.” On the surface its a countrified… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 17/08/2026queencitysounds.orgDis Fig’s Cathartic and Dark, Organic Industrial Track “The Account” Evokes the Ambient Heaviness of the Current EraDis Fig, photo by Camille Blake “The Account” is the debut track from Dis Fig’s forthcoming album What To Make Of These Mortal Hands (out October 23 via Thrill Jockey on vinyl, digital download and… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Superstructure is one of the great arty synth pop records of recent years and I got to tak with Observation Room awhile back. They're on a mini-tour soon out west.queencitysounds.orgQueen City Sounds Podcast S6E11: Observation RoomObservation Room, photo courtesy the artists Observation Room is a synth pop duo from New York City comprised of Marina F and Chloe Olson. From its 2025 self-titled EP the project seemed to have a … 030
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 11/08/2026New episode of Queen City Sounds Podcast with Leila Abdul-Rauf. Her new album Andros Insidium came out in April and it's like a dark, ritualistic folk ambient black metal mystical journey and a deep critique of patriarchy and capitalism.queencitysounds.orgQueen City Sounds Podcast S6E10: Leila Abdul-RaufLeila Abdul-Rauf, photo by Gregory C. Hagan Leila Abdul-Rauf is a multi-instrumentalist based in Oakland, California who re;eased her latest, and sixth, studio album Andros Insidium on April 17, 20… 020
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 09/08/2026queencitysounds.orgBug Facer’s Apocalyptic Doom Thrash Song “Nuclear Bounty Hunter” is the Sound of Fascism, Oligarchy and Late Capitalism Collapsing In On ItselfBug Facer, photo by Stewart Baxter Bug Facer’s “Nuclear Bounty Hunter” sounds like a doomy thrash theme song about a post-apocalyptic future. Its distorted riff stretches, lingers and crushes and t… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 03/08/2026Finally posted this review. It's from notes and memories over a week old but had to get this live before I forgot. Photos by my friend Sam Zalkin.queencitysounds.orgKim Gordon at the Ogden Theatre 7/23/26Kim Gordon, photo by Sam Zalkin Kim Gordon and her band came on stage with little fanfare but with the expected effortless cool and poise. Everyone in the band contributed to the rich electronic so… 010
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 01/08/2026queencitysounds.orgMark Weatherley’s Ever-Evolving Downtempo Single “Petrichor” is Like the Soothing Soundtrack to Transitional SeasonsMark Weatherley, photo courtesy the artist The beats in Mark Weatherley’s “Petrichor” shouldn’t work. The breakbeats start and stop, seem to change directions, pick back up and yet it all fits toge… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 31/07/2026queencitysounds.orgJosaleigh Pollett’s Lushly Meditative “Cherry” is an Existential Dream Folk Song About Re-Examining IdentityJosaleigh Pollett, photo by PJ Guinto Josaleigh Pollett sounds like she’s drifting through an environment as much as a song on “Cherry.” The languid pace and intimate yet deep mood is reminiscent o… 062
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 31/07/2026Just getting started. Featured event is the return of the great Ghost Canyon Fest.queencitysounds.orgBest Shows in Denver and Beyond August 2026Experimental music festival Ghost Canyon Fest returns August 27-30 Pearl & The Oysters, image from Bandcamp Saturday | 08.01What: Pearl & The Oysters w/Green Typewriters and Pleasure Prince… 050
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 30/07/2026queencitysounds.orgSPYCAMERA’s “Hey You” Fuses Synth Pop and Dissonant Art Pop to Express a Sense of Connection in a Disconnected WorldSPYCAMERA, photo courtesy the artists “Hey You” sounds like SPYCAMERA took strands of Tubeway Army, early Radiohead and in general the song and its music video are reminiscent of that corner of the… 000
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 29/07/2026queencitysounds.orgAnnie Elise’s Shoegaze-y Synth Pop Single “everything” is Like Being Caught Up in the Euphoria of a New LoveAnnie Elise, photo courtesy the artist Annie Elise’s production choices on “everything” from the vocal processing and the layering of bright and hazy synth sounds in a drifting rhythm serve a sense… 010
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 29/07/2026queencitysounds.orgapplied communications’ Retro Synth Pop Single “return of jafar” is a Song Suggesting We Re-Examine What We Think Are Our Dreamsapplied communications, photo courtesy the artist There is something surreal and relatable about applied communications in the video for “return of jafar.” It looks like something made on an iMac i… 020
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 23/07/2026And the final interview I'm posting about Bluficer is my conversation with photographer and musician Sam Zalkin.queencitysounds.orgQueen City Sounds Podcast S6E9: Sam ZalkinSam Zalkin, photo courtesy Sam Zalkin Sam Zalkin is a photographer and musician from Denver. If you’re not from Denver, you might not know who he is but if you’ve been paying attention to the under… 010
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 22/07/2026Another Blucifer-related interview with Casey Banker of the great pop band Modern Leisure. Known him a long time and big fan of his songwriting. Glad he's back to doing the thing.queencitysounds.orgQueen City Sounds Podcast S6E8: Modern LeisureModern Leisure, photo courtesy Casey Banker Modern Leisure is the songwriting project of singer/guitarist Casey Banker. The latter grew up in the Denver metro area and played guitar from a relative… 020
Tom Murphy @tommurphy25.bsky.social · 22/07/2026My interview with Gillian Pasley and Mike Young on Blucifer Fest.queencitysounds.orgQueen City Sounds Podcast S6E7: Blucifer FestBlucifer Fest pre-show, photo courtesy Gillian Pasley and Mike Young Blucifer’s First Rodeo is the debut edition of Blucifer Fest, a music festival focused on local artists, independent venues and … 031
