Branden's Blog

The Walnut Room

Fri, 11 May 2012 21:25:00 GMT

Thanks to Becca Greer at The Walnut Room for these cool photos from last month's show. It was fun to be a part of this great night of music.

The Bluebird Cafe

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:15:00 GMT

I'm in Nashville for a few days and had a great time performing at The Bluebird Cafe last night. This was my first time playing at the Sunday Writers Night after passing the audition in 2011. The room was full of guests from all over who had waited in line for a seat at the prestigious venue, and for a chance to hear some great songs in Nashville. It was an honor to sing my songs on that stage, and I hope to be back again soon. I have a couple more shows left here before heading back to Colorado. More to come...

Cover song Video - Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:40:00 GMT

My cover of "Hallelujah" written by Leonard Cohen, as recorded by Jeff Buckley. Watch more and subscribe at YouTube.

Cover Song Video - Lucky Now by Ryan Adams

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:15:00 GMT

Here is my latest cover song video for "Lucky Now" by Ryan Adams. Check out my YouTube channel and subscribe at www.youtube.com/brandensipes.

Cover Song Video - Come On Get Higher by Matt Nathanson

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:45:00 GMT

I posted a new video of my cover of "Come On Get Higher" by Matt Nathanson. I have lots more on my YouTube channel, so please click over and subscribe! www.youtube.com/brandensipes

Spring Tour Video

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:10:00 GMT

I finally got around to some overdue video editing. Here is a description of my latest project:

A sequential collection of highlights from my Midwest Tour in the spring of 2011.

I drove 3500 miles from Colorado through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee performing shows along the way to support the release of my album "That Side of Me." The adventure lasted about 3 weeks, in which time I played 17 gigs in 12 cities, and included days of driving, abundant scenery, and a lot of music. I met some great people in Nashville and Chicago, and visited family in Indiana before circling back to Colorado, making it home just in time to start a busy summer season of performing.

The song "Everything's Right" is the first track on the album "That Side of Me." Available on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody... and right here on BrandenSipes.com!

Marys Lake Lodge

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:20:00 GMT

Here is a photo from Mary's Lake Lodge in Estes Park, Colorado by the talented musician & photographer Dick Orleans. His impressive collection of fine art nature photography can be found at RareMoment.com.

I am looking forward to joining him as the special guest for the "Friends of Folk" show at Marys Lake Lodge on Friday, December 16th, 2011 and again on Friday, January 13th, 2012. I'll start the evening with a set from 7:00-8:00pm followed by an open mic until 10:00pm. Friday nights are always fun in the Tavern at Marys Lake Lodge!

Arizona

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:05:00 GMT

I had a great gig last week in Tempe, Arizona. I flew to Phoenix and performed at Arizona State University on a beautiful evening outside on the patio of the Memorial Union Engrained Cafe. With a little extra time to spend, I explored the campus and surrounding area, and even took a run up "A" Mountain by the stadium. The giant letter, "A" sat boldy on the hill and tempted me to come take a closer look. It reminded me so much of my alma matter CSU in Fort Collins which sports the "A" for aggies up on the foothills above town.

It was fun to see the interesting arcitecture (and palm trees!) on the ASU campus. I was particularly looking forward to seeing the Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium, renouned architect Frank Lloyd Wright's final design for an opera house, and it didn't dissapoint. Though I would have liked to catch a performance inside the giant building, that will have to wait for another trip. I had a great time and hope to return to ASU again soon. Thanks for hospitality, Sun Devils!

A musician's work is never done

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:00:00 GMT

Since I haven't written here for a while I decided it is time for an update. The summer has been winding down with cooler weather and shorter evenings here in Colorado. The pumpkin spice latte is back, so you know Fall is fast approaching and will be here within a few days. I've spent most of my time these past few months performing at all sorts of various venues all along the Colorado Front Range. I am developing a taste some new favorite regular gigs and enjoying exploring the unknown when I find myself walking into a place I've never played. These new gigs usually turn out very well, but part of the excitement is not knowing how well it might go. Since I have been so busy performing, I've managed to create a long list of things to do next... so now that my summer gigs are winding down I have to get back to booking to create new performance opportunities for the winter. I'm also hoping to find time for working on new songs and new recording projects. It is true, a musician's work is never done. With a change in season comes a change in objectives. I'm looking forward to the next season and to continuing this adventure with music. As for right now, I need to prepare for the next set of gigs and get packed up for a beautiful drive up to Estes Park for the show at Marys Lake Lodge tonight.

Chicago Acoustic Underground Podcast

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:30:00 GMT

I had a wonderful time recording this podcast in Chicago on my spring tour in the Midwest. Thanks to Michael Teach and Ashley Wolf for bringing me into the studio. The podcast is available here! Check it out at ChicagoAcousticUnderground.net.

Summertime

Sat, 02 Jul 2011 01:45:00 GMT

One of my favorite things about being a musician is the getting opportunity to play music for a crowd of people at a city park on a beautiful summer day. ...and s'mores, I love s'mores.

I've already had the pleasure of performing this summer at Berthoud Days, and the Capitol Hill People's Fair in Denver.
I'm still looking forward to several more large outdoor shows. You can join me at the following:

July 10th - Summerfest in the Rockies, Loveland
July 24th - Lions West Park, Golden
July 30th - Greeley Arts Picnic, Greeley
August 13th - Canyon Fire Days, Big Thompson Canyon Fire Dept.
August 14th - Bohemian Nights at New West Fest, Fort Collins
August 28th - Rocky Mountain Music Festival, Littleton

I have so many more performances in addition to these, so head over to the Gigs page to see where all I'll be playing for the rest of the summer.

Home

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 00:37:44 GMT

I am home from an eventful spring tour in support of my new album. I played 15 shows and travelled through several states in the Midwest. After a lot of miles, downpouring rain, and humid weather, it is great to be back in Colorado where the sun shines and the air is crisp! I'll share a few stories on here soon, but for now it is off to the next gig.

We're not in Kansas anymore...

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:25:00 GMT

...but I'm on my way. I'll be finishing off my Midwest tour with another show at Cafe Somolino tonight in Hays, KS. This place was fantastic a few weeks ago when I played it as my first tour stop out of Denver! I'm hoping to see some of my new Hays, KS friends out tonight, and for the chance to see new faces too. Tomorrow, I'll be back in Colorado.. I'm homeward bound!

Tour Update

Mon, 30 May 2011 05:55:00 GMT

After a few shows in Indiana, I headed south to Nashville, TN last week. It has been a busy week with several shows and writers' nights in Nashville, and a quick trip up to Chicago for a vist to Chicago Acoustic Underground. I recorded a podcast with CAU in the afternoon then had a show at Elbow Room that night. I was fortunate to open the Chicago Acoustic Underground Showcase at Bottom Lounge, wrapping up a great couple of days in the windy city. I'm back in Indiana at the moment and just finished a show in Indianapolis. Next, time to head west for Colorado...

Tour Update

Sat, 21 May 2011 00:40:00 GMT

I have had some fun performances on this tour so far. A few highlights so far have been Cafe Semolino in Hays, KS, and Muddy Boots Cafe in Nashville, IN. Getting ready to head for Nashville, TN next...

Ourstage, Rock-N-Bowla, & Team Fox

Wed, 11 May 2011 22:17:15 GMT

I've been invited to perform at the Rock-N-Bowla event at Lucky Strike Lanes in Denver on June 8th. Rock-N-Bowla is a fundraising event partnering with OurStage & Lucky Strike Lanes to bring the best indie rock bands in the USA. Celebrities and athletes from around the globe will start off the event in a fierce bowling competition, followed by a live concert from the best indie rock bands in 11 major US cities. Rock-N-Bowla is kicking off its Tour as a national fundraising event with Team Fox benefiting the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. The tour will showcase the innovation, social media strategies and the power of street teams to show the viral and grassroots power of the indie music scene. Our goal is to raise $200,000 for Team Fox. I need you to become my fan on Ourstage.com. The performer with the most fans will move on to the final round in November. So, take a minute to head over to my page on Oustage.com and become a fan! Thanks!

Live Internet Radio Show

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 22:55:00 GMT

I'll be featured on the Writer's In The Round Radio Network tonight, Monday April 25th @ 6:15pm mountain time! Tune in from 6-8pm mountain time to hear music from all sorts of emerging independent artists. Denver musician Katey Laurel will be interviewed on the program this evening as well. I should be on around 6:15pm mountain time. Click the link to listen: WITRR network.

Booking Gigs

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 03:32:38 GMT

I would like to fill my calendar with as many gigs as possible for the summer. Please let me know if you have a venue in mind where you would like to hear quality acoustic music. I'm working on a small tour at the moment and hope to be traveling through the mid-west for some shows in Indianapolis, Nashville, and Chicago next month. I've been invited to record a podcast with Chicago Acoustic Underground, and I've also been invited for an on air interview with Writer's In The Round, part of AcousticRoundTable.com. You can check out my page here. I'm looking forward to these new gigs and a bit more traveling. See you soon.

Creative Capital

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:55:00 GMT

I was fortunate to be selected for a professional development program with Creative Capital this past weekend. Sponsored by Beet Street in Fort Collins, the Creative Capital workshop was a great source of information visual artists, performing artists, and writers working in the art business. We were given valuable instruction and guidence in strategic planning, marketing, and promotion of our work. I have come away more focused and inspired to move forward with my music.

I also met a core group of incredibly talented artist from Colorado and I look forward to sharing their work with you as events come up. Cultivating the creative community is something in which we can all participate!

For more information about these organizations, check out their websites.

www.creative-capital.org

www.beetstreet.org

My guitar is coming home!

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:40:00 GMT

I just got a call from the Taylor Guitars factory with the news that my guitar service is finished and it is coming home! I can't wait to hear the sound of the new pickup... hopefully an improvement from the first generation Expression System I have been playing for years. My guitar also recieved a partial fret job, so it should be back to mint condition and play like new! It has been great fun playing my newest guitar, the Taylor GS Mini, while my main axe has been in the shop. I'll soon be posting a review detailing its stellar performance as a travel guitar. I am in Denver this week and played at the Meadowlark Bar open stage last night - a very cool venue with a cozy basement feel, stone walls, and awesome dim lighting. I hope to be back soon. Tonight I plan to check out the open stage at Mercury Cafe, Wednesdays @ 8pm. Stop by and share a song if you're in town...