Denver – Denver

  • August 22, 2012

Denver is an up-and-coming acts in Portland, OR right now – a rare traditional country band in this corner of the PNW – and I had the fortune of catching them Thursday night at Pickathon and again at their cd release party at Doug Fir. A collaborative project, the core line-up features songwriters/lead vocalists Birger Olsen, Mike Elias and Tom Bevitori (Alela Diane’s Wild Divine), Blitzen Trapper’s Eric Earley and Michael Van Pelt, and Sean MacNeil (drums), rounded out with other local musicians. Their self-titled debut showcases eleven songs of pure country and roots rock, from waltzes to slow burners. Standouts include “Ballroom Slip-Cut”, “I’m Goin’ Home”, and “Hot Denver #1.” – Written by JFelton