There was a moment during The Lone Bellow’s session at Second Story Garage when a song came to a point of silence, and there was so much tension behind it, so much emotion, that it was one of the most powerful three seconds we’ve experienced in the studio. For all the music we tape in the Garage, an instance of silence stands out as all-time highlight.

The Lone Bellow, based in Brooklyn, were in the area to perform at Red Rocks for Film on the Rocks, where they opened for the ’80s classic “Risky Business.” That was an odd pairing. We decided the trio would be a great fit after we checked them out on YouTube. That was a good call.

Lead singer and songwriter Zach Williams looks about to burst with emotion when he sings, and his voice is able to channel all that emotion in a way that’s open to the vicissitudes of the here-and-now but never out of control. What really makes this group a thrill to hear, though, are the three-part harmonies. They take memorable vocal melodies and present them with finely constructed layers of vocal paint.

Don’t miss their performances of  “You Don’t Love Me Like You Used To,” “Teach Me to Know” and their interview with Quentin.

What they brought us: A black and gold Hatch Show Print of a tour poster.

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There was a moment during The Lone Bellow’s session at Second Story Garage when a song came to a point of silence, and there was so much tension behind it, so much emotion, that it was one of the most powerful three seconds we’ve experienced in the studio. For all the music we tape in the Garage, an instance of silence stands out as all-time highlight.

The Lone Bellow, based in Brooklyn, were in the area to perform at Red Rocks for Film on the Rocks, where they opened for the ’80s classic “Risky Business.” That was an odd pairing. We decided the trio would be a great fit after we checked them out on YouTube. That was a good call.

Lead singer and songwriter Zach Williams looks about to burst with emotion when he sings, and his voice is able to channel all that emotion in a way that’s open to the vicissitudes of the here-and-now but never out of control. What really makes this group a thrill to hear, though, are the three-part harmonies. They take memorable vocal melodies and present them with finely constructed layers of vocal paint.

Don’t miss their performances of  “You Never Need Nobody,” “Teach Me to Know” and their interview with Quentin.

What they brought us: A black and gold Hatch Show Print of a tour poster.

Sign up. Don’t miss out! Sign up for the Second Story Garage newsletter to keep up with local music news — show announcements, ticket sales information, previews, interviews and even an opportunity to sit in on a Second Story recording session.  Sign up here.

There was a moment during The Lone Bellow’s session at Second Story Garage when a song came to a point of silence, and there was so much tension behind it, so much emotion, that it was one of the most powerful three seconds we’ve experienced in the studio. For all the music we tape in the Garage, an instance of silence stands out as all-time highlight.

The Lone Bellow, based in Brooklyn, were in the area to perform at Red Rocks for Film on the Rocks, where they opened for the ’80s classic “Risky Business.” That was an odd pairing. We decided the trio would be a great fit after we checked them out on YouTube. That was a good call.

Lead singer and songwriter Zach Williams looks about to burst with emotion when he sings, and his voice is able to channel all that emotion in a way that’s open to the vicissitudes of the here-and-now but never out of control. What really makes this group a thrill to hear, though, are the three-part harmonies. They take memorable vocal melodies and present them with finely constructed layers of vocal paint.

Don’t miss their performances of  “You Never Need Nobody,”  “You Don’t Love Me Like You Used To” and their interview with Quentin.

What they brought us: A black and gold Hatch Show Print of a tour poster.

Sign up. Don’t miss out! Sign up for the Second Story Garage newsletter to keep up with local music news — show announcements, ticket sales information, previews, interviews and even an opportunity to sit in on a Second Story recording session.  Sign up here.

There was a moment during The Lone Bellow’s session at Second Story Garage when a song came to a point of silence, and there was so much tension behind it, so much emotion, that it was one of the most powerful three seconds we’ve experienced in the studio. For all the music we tape in the Garage, an instance of silence stands out as all-time highlight.

The Lone Bellow, based in Brooklyn, were in the area to perform at Red Rocks for Film on the Rocks, where they opened for the ’80s classic “Risky Business.” That was an odd pairing. We decided the trio would be a great fit after we checked them out on YouTube. That was a good call.

Lead singer and songwriter Zach Williams looks about to burst with emotion when he sings, and his voice is able to channel all that emotion in a way that’s open to the vicissitudes of the here-and-now but never out of control. What really makes this group a thrill to hear, though, are the three-part harmonies. They take memorable vocal melodies and present them with finely constructed layers of vocal paint.

Don’t miss their performances of  “You Never Need Nobody,”  “You Don’t Love Me Like You Used To” and “Teach Me to Know.”
What they brought us: A black and gold Hatch Show Print of a tour poster.

Sign up. Don’t miss out! Sign up for the Second Story Garage newsletter to keep up with local music news — show announcements, ticket sales information, previews, interviews and even an opportunity to sit in on a Second Story recording session.  Sign up here.

When Jon Wayne and The Pain was in the area to play at Cervantes’ Other Side in Denver last week, we asked the Minneapolis-based trio to swing by the Second Story Garage so we could hear its “reggae-tronic dub” in person.

The band plays a socially conscious form of reggae tinged with rock and dub, and it is out to spread positive vibes wherever it goes (and the band is going lots of places; it currently is in the Pacific Northwest, then it moves on to Montana, the Dakotas and the Midwest).

The band had limited time for its Garage session, but we captured a great take of a cool tune, which we think you’ll enjoy. Plus, members of the band sat down to chat with Ashley, so be sure to check out the interview, too.

What they brought us: Merch. CDs and stickers for all!

Sign up. Don’t miss out! Sign up for the Second Story Garage newsletter to keep up with local music news — show announcements, ticket sales information, previews, interviews and even an opportunity to sit in on a Second Story recording session.  Sign up here.

When Jon Wayne and The Pain was in the area to play at Cervantes’ Other Side in Denver last week, we asked the Minneapolis-based trio to swing by the Second Story Garage so we could hear its “reggae-tronic dub” in person.

The band plays a socially conscious form of reggae tinged with rock and dub, and it is out to spread positive vibes wherever it goes (and the band is going lots of places; it currently is in the Pacific Northwest, then it moves on to Montana, the Dakotas and the Midwest).

The band had limited time for its Garage session, but we captured a great take of a cool tune, which we think you’ll enjoy. Plus, members of the band sat down to chat with Ashley, so be sure to check out the interview, too.

What they brought us: Merch. CDs and stickers for all!

Sign up. Don’t miss out! Sign up for the Second Story Garage newsletter to keep up with local music news — show announcements, ticket sales information, previews, interviews and even an opportunity to sit in on a Second Story recording session.  Sign up here.

Sam Bush performs at sunset at the 2010 Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Photo by Hans Lehndorff

John Lehndorff peers from his backstage spot as Hot Rize performs at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Photo by Hans Lehndorff

Veteran Colorado music writer John Lehndorff will be blogging and posting photos live from the 40th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival, June 20 to 23. Besides four, 12-hour days of music on the main stage, Telluride features Nightgrass performances at various venues including a sold-out show by Mumford & Sons at the Sheridan Opera House, and free workshops in Elks Park by Edgar Meyer, Punch Bros., Sara Watkins and the Drepung Monks.

Lehndorff first attended the now internationally acclaimed festival in 1977. He has been writing about the gathering for so long that his first freelance story about Telluride for the Daily Camera in 1980 was pecked-out with two fingers on a typewriter. As a Camera, Rocky Mountain News, and Aurora Sentinel staff music critic, he covered the festival from 1985 to 2012.

Thursday June 20: Chris Thile, Greensky Bluegrass, Steep Canyon Rangers, Richard Thompson, Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, and Mumford & Sons.

My first Telluride

Bella Betts has performed with such musical luminaries as Chris Thile, Amos Lee and Langhorne Slim. She plays mandolin, guitar, piano and several other instruments, and she is an accomplished songwriter who recently released her first album. Her stage presence is confident and exciting, and she knows how to jam with the best of them. The amazing thing about Betts is that she’s 12 years old.

Betts, who lives in Boulder, performed a Second Story Garage session last month with Steve Szymanski on guitar. Szymanski is vice president of Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, and he’s also a talented musician. The two first met when Betts was a music student at the Planet’s RockyGrass Academy, an annual week of bluegrass classes.

Watch ”The Sleeping Lines of Bridgeport,” “11 Almost 12” and Bella and Steve’s interview with Quentin, and witness a budding artist at the start of what promises to be a remarkable career.

What she brought us: A garden gnome. It’s a tad beat up, but she assures us the gnome was intact when her dad brought it back from Australia.

Sign up. Don’t miss out! Sign up for the Second Story Garage newsletter to keep up with local music news — show announcements, ticket sales information, previews, interviews and even an opportunity to sit in on a Second Story recording session.  Sign up here.

Bella Betts has performed with such musical luminaries as Chris Thile, Amos Lee and Langhorne Slim. She plays mandolin, guitar, piano and several other instruments, and she is an accomplished songwriter who recently released her first album. Her stage presence is confident and exciting, and she knows how to jam with the best of them. The amazing thing about Betts is that she’s 12 years old.

Betts, who lives in Boulder, performed a Second Story Garage session last month with Steve Szymanski on guitar. Szymanski is vice president of Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, and he’s also a talented musician. The two first met when Betts was a music student at the Planet’s RockyGrass Academy, an annual week of bluegrass classes.

Watch “The Sleeping Lines of Bridgeport,” “Devil’s Advocate” and Bella and Steve’s interview with Quentin, and witness a budding artist at the start of what promises to be a remarkable career.

What she brought us: A garden gnome. It’s a tad beat up, but she assures us the gnome was intact when her dad brought it back from Australia.

Sign up. Don’t miss out! Sign up for the Second Story Garage newsletter to keep up with local music news — show announcements, ticket sales information, previews, interviews and even an opportunity to sit in on a Second Story recording session.  Sign up here.

Bella Betts has performed with such musical luminaries as Chris Thile, Amos Lee and Langhorne Slim. She plays mandolin, guitar, piano and several other instruments, and she is an accomplished songwriter who recently released her first album. Her stage presence is confident and exciting, and she knows how to jam with the best of them. The amazing thing about Betts is that she’s 12 years old.

Betts, who lives in Boulder, performed a Second Story Garage session last month with Steve Szymanski on guitar. Szymanski is vice president of Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, and he’s also a talented musician. The two first met when Betts was a music student at the Planet’s RockyGrass Academy, an annual week of bluegrass classes.

Watch “Devil’s Advocate,” “11 Almost 12” and Bella and Setve’s interview with Quentin, and witness a budding artist at the start of what promises to be a remarkable career.

What she brought us: A garden gnome. It’s a tad beat up, but she assures us the gnome was intact when her dad brought it back from Australia.

Sign up. Don’t miss out! Sign up for the Second Story Garage newsletter to keep up with local music news — show announcements, ticket sales information, previews, interviews and even an opportunity to sit in on a Second Story recording session.  Sign up here.

Bella Betts has performed with such musical luminaries as Chris Thile, Amos Lee and Langhorne Slim. She plays mandolin, guitar, piano and several other instruments, and she is an accomplished songwriter who recently released her first album. Her stage presence is confident and exciting, and she knows how to jam with the best of them. The amazing thing about Betts is that she’s 12 years old.

Betts, who lives in Boulder, performed a Second Story Garage session last month with Steve Szymanski on guitar. Szymanski is vice president of Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, and he’s also a talented musician. The two first met when Betts was a music student at the Planet’s RockyGrass Academy, an annual week of bluegrass classes.

Watch “The Sleeping Lines of Bridgeport,” “Devil’s Advocate” and “11 Almost 12“, and witness a budding artist at the start of what promises to be a remarkable career.

What she brought us: A garden gnome. It’s a tad beat up, but she assures us the gnome was intact when her dad brought it back from Australia.

Sign up. Don’t miss out! Sign up for the Second Story Garage newsletter to keep up with local music news — show announcements, ticket sales information, previews, interviews and even an opportunity to sit in on a Second Story recording session.  Sign up here.

Follow veteran Colorado music correspondent John Lehndorff’s coverage of the 40th Annual Telluride Bluegrass festival starting Thursday June 20th.  Also look for Telluride Bluegrass features in the Daily Camera, Times-Call and Colorado Daily.