By Tyler Grimes
This project was a huge learning experience for me, especially about sound. I recorded with a small camera mic so the audio was static-filled, and during the crescendos of songs the audio fuzzed out entirely. Someone explained to me that there are so many sounds coming from the stage that one small mic can’t capture all of the different frequencies (the audio used in this video is from a live performance in Breck recorded by a ridiculous amount of mics). To me, that represents Leadville Cherokee – a diverse group of musicians, pulling from a wide scale of backgrounds, blasting a huge range of frequencies and genres, and- for the most part- channeling it all into one unified vibration.
Four years ago I met a new rookie raft guide who could shred the guitar. Every time a group of us went camping that summer he always brought his guitar and played it fireside. He could hold our attentions for hours and many of the songs were even originals. It turned out he was in a band and a few times that summer we watched a group of three tremendously talented musicians give a pretty raw, unshaped performance. It was always a party.
Then over the next few years three became seven, they added a bass, keys, female vocals, and another drummer. They started to rehearse, started to take their art seriously, and the parties got bigger. And the music matured as they began writing songs with more depth. The people matured too, to the cusp of making music their livelihood. This Kickstarter is a step on the path to balancing art and business. A necessary step in order to be more devoted to creating.
The biggest reason I support Leadville Cherokee is because it really is about music. Pete, who plays violin and sings, was talking about creating original music, “it has to come from within.” And with this band, I really think that’s where their inspiration comes from. That’s why every show is such an authentic experience- it’s real people vulnerably putting themselves in front of an audience to share their noise. Brian tried to put it into words after a recent show, he said the band and the audience are looking for the same thing, brains fully engaged in the present moment. It definitely beats television.
That release through music doesn’t just end with song-making either, it’s reciprocated by an audience letting go. That’s worth supporting – channeled creativity is always worth supporting. This Kickstarter provided an opportunity for me to give back to something from which I’ve received countless hours of enjoyment and inspiration.
To donate to the Kickstarter project, go to: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/552632243/leadville-cherokees-first-full-length-album
‘Incomunnicado’ On the day that John Wayne died, I found myself on the continental divide. Where do I go from here. I’ll go into Leadville and have a few beers.