Music
August 12, 2022
B-Side Music Fridays with Gazes & Waiting Room
MCA Denver’s B-Side Music Fridays is going strong this season with a fabulous line-up of amazingly talented local musicians ranging from surf rock and electronic to hip hop and dreamy soundscapes. On August 5 MCA Denver welcomes Gazes and Waiting Room to the museum’s rooftop. Get your crew together and come enjoy Friday nights this summer with crisp libations and solid grooves.
Gazes
When did Gazes come together?
Fall of 2021. Fully in winter of 2021/2022 when Andy, our bassist, moved from the Bay Area to Denver.
How long have you been performing in Denver? What is your favorite thing about the Denver music scene?
We all come from other projects that have been around for the past 8-10 years. Melanie Steinway, fronted Tyto Alba and played lead guitar in Corsicana. Andrew Bair, played drums in Male Blonding and Major Babes. Noah Simons, fronted Male Blonding and played guitar in Oko Tygra. Gazes debut performance was on July 16 with Cola and Voight at Hi Dive.
Denver’s music scene has been an inclusive, mostly unpretentious one filled with collaboration and people helping people.
Where do you find inspiration for your music?
Drugs, parties, girls, boys, the eventual heat death of the universe that will destroy life as we know it.
Who are some artists/creators that are influential to your musical practice?
Praise and worship bands, i.e. Hillsong United.
Music can be an immersive experience. How would you describe your sound as a texture, a scent or a taste?
Like butter melting on a sweet sweet pile of flapjacks.
What should we expect from your performance?
Music that triggers a pseudo-psychedelic experience of complete one-ness with the world around you.
What are you excited about for this year?
The chance to live another day.
Waiting Room
When did Waiting Room come together?
Breanna Ahlegren and Jessica Mendez, have been writing and performing together formerly as The Corner Girls. Guitarist, Stevie Gunter, and drummer, Nathan Shamblin joined in the Summer of 2020. The band fully came together by the Summer of 2021 when on keys, Emmanuel Luna, joined.
How long have you been performing in Denver? What is your favorite thing about the Denver music scene?
Our first show was at Hi-Dive last summer. We really enjoy how supportive acts are of each other, from sharing opportunities to play down to equipment. It's a tight scene.
Where do you find inspiration for your music?
Of course other musicians (Japanese breakfast, The Sundays) and each other - we have such an intuitive process when it comes to writing and improving together. And life in Denver in general, since many of our songs are written from direct experience.
Who are some artists/creators that are influential to your musical practice?
Japanese Breakfast, The Sundays, The Velveteers, Dressy Bessy, Faye Webster, Tennis…
Music can be an immersive experience. How would you describe your sound as a texture, a scent, or a taste?
Swaying with your eyes closed in a crowded room, it smells like a memory and tastes a lil bittersweet.
What should we expect from your performance?
An urge to sing along. There will be groove and oscillating energy in our sets.
What are you excited about for this year?
We’ve got some music videos coming out later and will be writing lots of new music through the Fall and Winter!
