Second Story Garage: Justin Roth performs ‘Out of the Blue’

Justin Roth performs “Out of the Blue” at Second Story Garage in Boulder.

Second Story Garage first learned about Justin Roth when hosts Quentin Young and Ashley Dean were on a flight to the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas. An organizer with Fort Collins music promoter SpokesBUZZ, who was on the same plane, said singer-songwriter Justin Roth was a must-see.

Later that week, Roth played in a loud bar on Austin’s Sixth Street — not the ideal venue for a performer whose strengths are nuance and dynamics. Roth powered through the gig fine, but it was just a taste of what he could do.

That’s why it was a treat to hear Roth in the Garage. The still setting of the studio permitted the subtleties of his voice and guitar to come through, and this, by his own telling, is how his music ought to be heard. Listen especially to Roth’s fret board work on the instrumental “Spaghetti Junction.”

One of the songs Roth performed for us was “Rise,” which he wrote in response to the Colorado flooding in September. Proceeds from sales of the single will benefit Colorado flood relief. Visit his website, justinroth.com. Don’t miss his performance of “Out of the Blue” or his interview with Quentin, either.

What he brought us: A signed poster.

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