From Woodstock to Coachella: Denver Music Lovers Enjoy a Good Festival
September 30, 2021
When many people think of music festivals, they think about Woodstock, the iconic mud-fest that brought together 500,000 hippies to a dairy farm in Bethel, New York. Surprisingly, the history of the modern music festival didn’t start there. In 1954, more than 11,000 people got together in Rhode Island for the Newport Jazz Festival. In 1967—two years before Woodstock—music lovers gathered at the Monterey International Pop Festival, the first U.S. rock fest.
Throughout the 1970s, the popularity of music festivals spread to the rest of the world. Suddenly, large gatherings of sound started popping up everywhere, from North America, South America, Africa, and beyond. For the next two decades, music festivals offered music lovers many different subgenres of rock, from punk and new age to classic rock and heavy metal.
By the time the 1990s were underway, electronic dance music had gained in popularity across the globe, and the rave culture was born.
Meanwhile, back in the mainstream, many of the festivals we know and love today—at least prior to a worldwide pandemic—like Lollapalooza and Coachella were launched. Coachella’s first run happened in 1999 when 10,000 people came out to see Beck, Jurassic 5, and Rage Against the Machine. More recently, the music fest saw 75,000 attendees enjoying memorable performances like Tupac’s resurrection by way of a hologram.
Regardless of which decade of the modern music festival you look at, there is one thing that music festivals have always done—and will do again: Bring people together for the love of music. Beyond that, however, there are other reasons people love a good music festival.
Escapism
Sure, most people attend festivals for the music, but there’s actual science behind why it actually makes attendees escape. Music releases dopamine in the brain, which is a feel-good chemical. Music festivals are the ultimate escape from the day-to-day grind. They are entertaining and relaxing, and attendees are surrounded by new people who are also enjoying the revelry. For hours or even days, people at music festivals are lulled by the feeling that they haven’t a care in the world.
Experience
Music festivals appeal to people—even if they are not huge fans of the headlining bands. Marketing experts know that in order to draw in large festival crowds, they need to advertise a fun and festive atmosphere where attendees can socialize and have new experiences.
FOMO
FOMO, which stands for “fear of missing out,” has proven to be particularly important for the millennial generation. For this group, attending a music festival is almost a rite of passage. They want to be able to answer yes when the question “Have you been to Coachella?” is posed. It is not only an event they are talking about; it’s become part of the culture.
Clearly, music festivals are about more than the music.
Band Rehearsal Space in Denver
Does your band aspire to play in a music festival? Make sure you have the best rehearsal space available. Soundstructure Studios in Denver and Kansas City is the place for musicians to hone their musical talents. Our rehearsal studios are tailor-made for musicians and are the go-to place for rehearsals. Contact us today!
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Throughout the 1970s, the popularity of music festivals spread to the rest of the world. Suddenly, large gatherings of sound started popping up everywhere, from North America, South America, Africa, and beyond. For the next two decades, music festivals offered music lovers many different subgenres of rock, from punk and new age to classic rock and heavy metal.
By the time the 1990s were underway, electronic dance music had gained in popularity across the globe, and the rave culture was born.
Meanwhile, back in the mainstream, many of the festivals we know and love today—at least prior to a worldwide pandemic—like Lollapalooza and Coachella were launched. Coachella’s first run happened in 1999 when 10,000 people came out to see Beck, Jurassic 5, and Rage Against the Machine. More recently, the music fest saw 75,000 attendees enjoying memorable performances like Tupac’s resurrection by way of a hologram.
Regardless of which decade of the modern music festival you look at, there is one thing that music festivals have always done—and will do again: Bring people together for the love of music. Beyond that, however, there are other reasons people love a good music festival.
Escapism
Sure, most people attend festivals for the music, but there’s actual science behind why it actually makes attendees escape. Music releases dopamine in the brain, which is a feel-good chemical. Music festivals are the ultimate escape from the day-to-day grind. They are entertaining and relaxing, and attendees are surrounded by new people who are also enjoying the revelry. For hours or even days, people at music festivals are lulled by the feeling that they haven’t a care in the world.
Experience
Music festivals appeal to people—even if they are not huge fans of the headlining bands. Marketing experts know that in order to draw in large festival crowds, they need to advertise a fun and festive atmosphere where attendees can socialize and have new experiences.
FOMO
FOMO, which stands for “fear of missing out,” has proven to be particularly important for the millennial generation. For this group, attending a music festival is almost a rite of passage. They want to be able to answer yes when the question “Have you been to Coachella?” is posed. It is not only an event they are talking about; it’s become part of the culture.
Clearly, music festivals are about more than the music.
Band Rehearsal Space in Denver
Does your band aspire to play in a music festival? Make sure you have the best rehearsal space available. Soundstructure Studios in Denver and Kansas City is the place for musicians to hone their musical talents. Our rehearsal studios are tailor-made for musicians and are the go-to place for rehearsals. Contact us today!
Denver Music Rehearsal Studio Talks About the History of Rock Music
June 8, 2021
Even if you are not a fan of rock music, you cannot deny the impact this type of popular music has had on culture as well as the music industry.
Rock and roll originated in the United States in the mid-1950s, and it quickly evolved into a more international style of music that is often referred to as “rock music.” Some describe the genre as a combination of country style and rhythm and blues style music, but others scoff at that, calling it too simplistic of a definition.
There is no doubt that the seeds of this style of music were in place for many years before the mid-1950s. Groups like the Dominoes combined gospel-sounding harmonies with earthy subject matters that caught on quickly. Disc jockeys embraced the new sound. And in 1954, Elvis Presley exploded onto the scene with a unique sound and a raunchy—for the time—style of dancing that teenagers immediately embraced. His style oozed sexuality, and he was the catalyst that merged together Black and white culture into an entirely new style of music; his impact is still felt today.
What Elvis Did for Rock and Roll
Elvis cannot be credited with inventing rock and roll, but he spread this new genre across the country, boosting its popularity among a huge audience. His impact on youth culture cannot be underestimated. Teenagers of the 1950s already have a feeling that they were very different from generations past. There was an economic prosperity of that decade that is unrivaled, and it gave teenagers of the era a lot more disposable income than generations past. Money no longer had to go toward helping the family survive; it could be spent on fashion and music. In retrospect, it should have been no surprise that Elvis’s fashion sense and hairstyle would become popular.
Other Influential Early Rockers
The of Black artists such as Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and Fats Domino fit in well alongside the sounds of performers such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Cochran, and Buddy Holly. They were all addressing the same audience—teenagers—who were ripe for the rebellion this new music provided a soundtrack for. Teens in movie houses all across America stomped on their seats when Bill Haley and the Comets played “Rock Around the Clock” in the 1955 movie “Blackboard Jungle.” That same year, “Rebel Without a Cause,” starring the youthfully defiant James Dean, was gobbled up by teenagers. There was suddenly a rock and roll culture that was quickly condemned by parents as well as church and government officials.
The music industry responded by attempting to sanitize the music, offering clean-cut artists—Perry Como, Bing Crosby, and Pat Boone, for example—to record tame versions of rock and roll songs. This began a transitional phase for rock music that eventually morphed into the more sophisticated sounds of the 1960s.
Whatever your style of music, if you are in a band, you need a Denver music rehearsal space, and you’ll find exactly what you need at Soundstructure. Our studios are custom-built with your needs in mind. Find the next “home away from home” for your band at Soundstructure. Contact us today to find out more!
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Rock and roll originated in the United States in the mid-1950s, and it quickly evolved into a more international style of music that is often referred to as “rock music.” Some describe the genre as a combination of country style and rhythm and blues style music, but others scoff at that, calling it too simplistic of a definition.
There is no doubt that the seeds of this style of music were in place for many years before the mid-1950s. Groups like the Dominoes combined gospel-sounding harmonies with earthy subject matters that caught on quickly. Disc jockeys embraced the new sound. And in 1954, Elvis Presley exploded onto the scene with a unique sound and a raunchy—for the time—style of dancing that teenagers immediately embraced. His style oozed sexuality, and he was the catalyst that merged together Black and white culture into an entirely new style of music; his impact is still felt today.
What Elvis Did for Rock and Roll
Elvis cannot be credited with inventing rock and roll, but he spread this new genre across the country, boosting its popularity among a huge audience. His impact on youth culture cannot be underestimated. Teenagers of the 1950s already have a feeling that they were very different from generations past. There was an economic prosperity of that decade that is unrivaled, and it gave teenagers of the era a lot more disposable income than generations past. Money no longer had to go toward helping the family survive; it could be spent on fashion and music. In retrospect, it should have been no surprise that Elvis’s fashion sense and hairstyle would become popular.
Other Influential Early Rockers
The of Black artists such as Little Richard, Chuck Berry, and Fats Domino fit in well alongside the sounds of performers such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Cochran, and Buddy Holly. They were all addressing the same audience—teenagers—who were ripe for the rebellion this new music provided a soundtrack for. Teens in movie houses all across America stomped on their seats when Bill Haley and the Comets played “Rock Around the Clock” in the 1955 movie “Blackboard Jungle.” That same year, “Rebel Without a Cause,” starring the youthfully defiant James Dean, was gobbled up by teenagers. There was suddenly a rock and roll culture that was quickly condemned by parents as well as church and government officials.
The music industry responded by attempting to sanitize the music, offering clean-cut artists—Perry Como, Bing Crosby, and Pat Boone, for example—to record tame versions of rock and roll songs. This began a transitional phase for rock music that eventually morphed into the more sophisticated sounds of the 1960s.
Whatever your style of music, if you are in a band, you need a Denver music rehearsal space, and you’ll find exactly what you need at Soundstructure. Our studios are custom-built with your needs in mind. Find the next “home away from home” for your band at Soundstructure. Contact us today to find out more!
Up and Coming Artists: Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Professional Musician?
May 13, 2021
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Denver musicians who use professional band rehearsal space might have plenty of confidence in their ability to play music, but the truth is that there is more to becoming a professional musician than having talent or skill.
The good news is that the elements you need to become a professional musician are totally learnable. Let’s take a look at what some of these important and often overlooked aspects are to becoming a professional—and successful—musician.
#1—Be On Time
Some musicians believe that their creative position gives them the license to be late. But all that does is make you look like someone who doesn’t find others’ time as valuable as yours. Think about how you might have felt when people have been late, making you wait. It’s not a great feeling. And when you apply that to a professional setting, such as a gig, it’s all that much worse.
#2—Be a Decent Human
You can be the most talented musician in the world, but if you don’t treat others well, people are not going to want to stick around. This goes for your bandmates as well as professionals within the music industry. If a bad reputation precedes you, those gigs might just start going to bands other than yours, and you could find yourself gig-less and possibly band-less.
#3—Be a Good Team Member
When you are in a team setting, you need to be a good team member who communicates and collaborates well with others. Make sure you know how to take criticism without getting defensive, and make sure you are inclusive of others. These skills will serve you well not only in your music career but in life in general.
#4—Be Prepared
Practice is one of the most important aspects of being a musician. Before you go out on that stage, you want to feel confident in your ability because you know you are prepared. Knowing you are prepared can alleviate nervousness before performances—and you’ll have a better performance because you are not too worried about things going wrong.
#5—Be Skilled in the Business of Music
There is more to the business of music than just being a member of a band. Part of being in a band is marketing—to get gigs and to get your name out into the world. Do your fair share of helping to get noticed and to find opportunities. This will make you a valuable member of your band.
#6—Be Well-Practiced
This is about more than just practicing. This means practicing sensibly—so you don’t end up with a repetitive injury. Many professional musicians, at some point in their career, find themselves side-lined because of some type of music-related injury. Practice efficiently so this doesn’t happen to you. Sidelined musicians miss opportunities.
In Summary
You can learn all of these things to help further your music career. Being a punctual, professional, decent person is not difficult. Keep your eye on the little things—and big things might start to happen.
If you are a musician seeking a high-quality rehearsal space in Denver, contact Soundstructure Studios. You’ll get 24-hour access to your rehearsal space 365 days a year.
Read More...
The good news is that the elements you need to become a professional musician are totally learnable. Let’s take a look at what some of these important and often overlooked aspects are to becoming a professional—and successful—musician.
#1—Be On Time
Some musicians believe that their creative position gives them the license to be late. But all that does is make you look like someone who doesn’t find others’ time as valuable as yours. Think about how you might have felt when people have been late, making you wait. It’s not a great feeling. And when you apply that to a professional setting, such as a gig, it’s all that much worse.
#2—Be a Decent Human
You can be the most talented musician in the world, but if you don’t treat others well, people are not going to want to stick around. This goes for your bandmates as well as professionals within the music industry. If a bad reputation precedes you, those gigs might just start going to bands other than yours, and you could find yourself gig-less and possibly band-less.
#3—Be a Good Team Member
When you are in a team setting, you need to be a good team member who communicates and collaborates well with others. Make sure you know how to take criticism without getting defensive, and make sure you are inclusive of others. These skills will serve you well not only in your music career but in life in general.
#4—Be Prepared
Practice is one of the most important aspects of being a musician. Before you go out on that stage, you want to feel confident in your ability because you know you are prepared. Knowing you are prepared can alleviate nervousness before performances—and you’ll have a better performance because you are not too worried about things going wrong.
#5—Be Skilled in the Business of Music
There is more to the business of music than just being a member of a band. Part of being in a band is marketing—to get gigs and to get your name out into the world. Do your fair share of helping to get noticed and to find opportunities. This will make you a valuable member of your band.
#6—Be Well-Practiced
This is about more than just practicing. This means practicing sensibly—so you don’t end up with a repetitive injury. Many professional musicians, at some point in their career, find themselves side-lined because of some type of music-related injury. Practice efficiently so this doesn’t happen to you. Sidelined musicians miss opportunities.
In Summary
You can learn all of these things to help further your music career. Being a punctual, professional, decent person is not difficult. Keep your eye on the little things—and big things might start to happen.
If you are a musician seeking a high-quality rehearsal space in Denver, contact Soundstructure Studios. You’ll get 24-hour access to your rehearsal space 365 days a year.
What Denver Musicians Should Do Every Day to Improve Their Skills
April 16, 2021
There is an old adage that says “practice makes perfect,” and every musician—from novice to experienced—knows very well that this is true. But there are other things you should be doing as a Denver musician if you want to improve your skills.
#1—Play Every Day
Playing your instrument every day for an hour or an hour and a half is a lot better than trying to cram a week’s worth of practice into a couple of days. It just makes sense to get your hands on your instrument if you want to get better. Even if you are a musician solely for the creative outlet it provides, there is no substitute for organized practice. Just as your muscles begin to atrophy when you don’t use them, your muscle memory for playing your instrument will start to deteriorate if you neglect it.
#2—Show Up
If you are someone who is looking to make music your career, you’ve got to treat it like a job—and that includes showing up for work. Musicians who show up for practice once or twice a week and play at gigs are not putting in the amount of time needed if they want to make music their career.
If you want to break into the music industry bad enough, you need to make the time and take the energy to get things done. This includes things like looking for new promoters, finding new venues, writing new material, and executing a good marketing strategy for the band. If you’re smart about it, you should start seeing results. After all, you reap what you sow.
The music industry is a fast-paced business. And if you leave someone hanging, you could miss out on an opportunity, so be sure to stay on top of emails, phone calls, and texts. If you are the kind of person who is slow to respond to communicate, you will probably have a tougher time making a go of things in this business.
#3—Listen to Music With a Critical Ear
This goes deeper than just turning up the jams while you in your car. This is deep, critical listening of music. There is a lot to be gained from this practice. And for starters, it’s fun! There is something incredibly enjoyable about listening to good music and good musicians.
Other benefits of listening to other artists include the inspiration it can provide. Perhaps you hear a chord or a lyric that gets you inspired and out of a rut. Maybe you hear a funky sound that you want to try to learn. The bottom line is that learning by listening will help in the development of your musical ear.
Soundstructure Is the Place for Denver Musicians
Soundstructure Studios has been around since 1993 at its Denver location, providing Denver musicians with a great space to practice in our sound-isolation rooms. Improve your craft with regular practice. Give us a call to find out more about the benefits of having your band rehearse in our studios. We welcome you to contact us today!
Read More...
#1—Play Every Day
Playing your instrument every day for an hour or an hour and a half is a lot better than trying to cram a week’s worth of practice into a couple of days. It just makes sense to get your hands on your instrument if you want to get better. Even if you are a musician solely for the creative outlet it provides, there is no substitute for organized practice. Just as your muscles begin to atrophy when you don’t use them, your muscle memory for playing your instrument will start to deteriorate if you neglect it.
#2—Show Up
If you are someone who is looking to make music your career, you’ve got to treat it like a job—and that includes showing up for work. Musicians who show up for practice once or twice a week and play at gigs are not putting in the amount of time needed if they want to make music their career.
If you want to break into the music industry bad enough, you need to make the time and take the energy to get things done. This includes things like looking for new promoters, finding new venues, writing new material, and executing a good marketing strategy for the band. If you’re smart about it, you should start seeing results. After all, you reap what you sow.
The music industry is a fast-paced business. And if you leave someone hanging, you could miss out on an opportunity, so be sure to stay on top of emails, phone calls, and texts. If you are the kind of person who is slow to respond to communicate, you will probably have a tougher time making a go of things in this business.
#3—Listen to Music With a Critical Ear
This goes deeper than just turning up the jams while you in your car. This is deep, critical listening of music. There is a lot to be gained from this practice. And for starters, it’s fun! There is something incredibly enjoyable about listening to good music and good musicians.
Other benefits of listening to other artists include the inspiration it can provide. Perhaps you hear a chord or a lyric that gets you inspired and out of a rut. Maybe you hear a funky sound that you want to try to learn. The bottom line is that learning by listening will help in the development of your musical ear.
Soundstructure Is the Place for Denver Musicians
Soundstructure Studios has been around since 1993 at its Denver location, providing Denver musicians with a great space to practice in our sound-isolation rooms. Improve your craft with regular practice. Give us a call to find out more about the benefits of having your band rehearse in our studios. We welcome you to contact us today!
Here Is What Your Band Needs in a Denver Music Rehearsal Space
April 5, 2021
One of the most important things for every band is rehearsing, and having a suitable rehearsal space can be tough to find. There are essentially three options for practicing your craft:
What to Look for in a Rehearsal Space
Here are the items you should look for in a solid rehearsal space:
#1—Accessibility. This is a big one. Most bands spend about an hour of their practice time carrying and setting up their gear, so having big doorways and plenty of space to maneuver is crucial. Not only will this expedite the process, but it will also help reduce the chance of instruments being damaged because of dropping or hitting doorways.
You also want to make sure you can quickly get to your car while you are loading and unloading equipment, so parking is also something to consider.
#2—Soundproofing. If you’ve been kicked out of your original practice space, chances are it’s because of unhappy neighbors who are tired of the noise. Unless you can soundproof the garage or basement, you’ve got issues. This is where a professional music rehearsal space can be a real game-changer.
#3—Temperature control. Those summertime practices in somebody’s garage probably got pretty steamy, so having a practice space that is climate-controlled with adequate air-condition is key. The cool air is good not only for musicians but for their instruments as well.
#4—Lack of distractions. Sure, practicing in someone’s home or garage is the cheapest option for band practice, but it’s also loaded with distractions.
Equipment Investments You’ll Likely Need to Make
You’ll probably need to make an investment in some gear once you find your Denver music rehearsal space. Consider the following:
Soundstructure Studios has been providing musicians with rehearsal space since 1993 at its Denver location. We also have a new Kansas City music rehearsal space, and we invite Kansas City musicians to practice their craft in one of our sound isolation rooms. Your band deserves the advantages of having a rehearsal in a designated studio.
Make your neighbors happy by practicing at Soundstructure—and get out of the basement or garage. Don’t wait; contact us today!
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- Play in someone’s house, such as in the basement
- Play in someone’s garage
- Find a music rehearsal space for rent
What to Look for in a Rehearsal Space
Here are the items you should look for in a solid rehearsal space:
#1—Accessibility. This is a big one. Most bands spend about an hour of their practice time carrying and setting up their gear, so having big doorways and plenty of space to maneuver is crucial. Not only will this expedite the process, but it will also help reduce the chance of instruments being damaged because of dropping or hitting doorways.
You also want to make sure you can quickly get to your car while you are loading and unloading equipment, so parking is also something to consider.
#2—Soundproofing. If you’ve been kicked out of your original practice space, chances are it’s because of unhappy neighbors who are tired of the noise. Unless you can soundproof the garage or basement, you’ve got issues. This is where a professional music rehearsal space can be a real game-changer.
#3—Temperature control. Those summertime practices in somebody’s garage probably got pretty steamy, so having a practice space that is climate-controlled with adequate air-condition is key. The cool air is good not only for musicians but for their instruments as well.
#4—Lack of distractions. Sure, practicing in someone’s home or garage is the cheapest option for band practice, but it’s also loaded with distractions.
Equipment Investments You’ll Likely Need to Make
You’ll probably need to make an investment in some gear once you find your Denver music rehearsal space. Consider the following:
- You’ll need a PA system to run the vocals through. Find out more about getting the right PA system for your band in this article from Musician’s Friend: How to Choose the Right PA System.
- Ear protection is essential for band rehearsal. It’s a good idea to invest in a quality product to fully protect your hearing without losing sound quality.
- If you can afford them, in-ear monitors can really be a game-changer for your band. You can get a crystal-clear live mix and protect your hearing at the same time.
- If you play guitar or bass for your band, guitar pedals can really enhance your sound.
Soundstructure Studios has been providing musicians with rehearsal space since 1993 at its Denver location. We also have a new Kansas City music rehearsal space, and we invite Kansas City musicians to practice their craft in one of our sound isolation rooms. Your band deserves the advantages of having a rehearsal in a designated studio.
Make your neighbors happy by practicing at Soundstructure—and get out of the basement or garage. Don’t wait; contact us today!