wordplay: Bryan Matthew
(Twenty40.House Music Collective)

I stated in 2006 that Denver has a well respected electronic music scene that most cherish and some take for granted.  Little changed in '007.  How can Denver fail with Beatport (the largest distributor of digital format electronic music in the world) in its own backyard?  If that wasn’t enough, Denver has a selection of world class bars and nightclubs and is touted as the drunkest city in the United States by Men’s Health Magazine.

Also in 2006, I spoke of unprecedented expansion in electronic music as a whole.  Trajikk and Big Johnson were on the rise as promoters.  Caffeine and Skylab admitted more people than ever before.  Ryan Dykstra was in the mix with a successful 2K6 and Overload.  The Denver electronic music scene was experiencing what most would consider a boom.  I also consider the January 1st 2007’ death of Denver Bronco’s Cornerback Darrent Williams another move forward for local electronic music.

William’s death was simply an eye opener.  Such a nationally publicized event sent commercial MTV hip hop on a downward spiral locally attributing a small influx of people who now prefer electronic music in a nightclub setting.  KS107.5 FM hip hop has also been on the decline in popularity with bar owners and managers who recognize problems that are, for whatever reason, unavoidable.  “People is talking about gangsta connections,” says FreshHipHopNews.com with regard to the music being played at the event Williams attended before his death.  I contend people are getting sick of that mentality.  So what changed in the 2007 electronic music scene as a whole?  Who are the new nightlife players?  How are the established players doing? 

There was no shortage of events in 2007 as it witnessed another huge jump in growth for electronic music attendance and popularity.  Daft Punk at Red Rocks was the best concert of the year in my opinion.  Ha of the Triad Dragons and Brad of Beatport provided the Colorado mainstays such as Global Dance Fest, Skylab and Caffeine.  The city of Denver granted a capacity increase to Global Dance Fest as it was the largest event at Red Rocks in 2007 with 10,250 through the gates.  Ryan Dykstra was involved in over 50 club events and conducted a successful 2K7 and Overload while Big Johnson claimed 20 events.  The Floorbangrs and Phunk E Elements conducted numerous successes including The Gathering, Glo, Ultraworld and Frostbite.   These events were financed in part and supported by Triad Dragons but largely independent in implementation.

On the local up and coming DJ tip, Cognition played Caffeine this year, which was his first party EVER and has played most of the biggest events since.  I mention this with the hope to inspire confidence in an up and coming DJ.  Cognition, together with Kyle of Kinetic Artist Management, were responsible for Infinity 07’ featuring Darude and Miss Lisa.  “We are just trying to make a footprint in the scene just like everyone else,” says Cognition. 
Another notable up and coming DJ from Colorado Springs is Southpaw.  According to Ghosh of Old Norsk, his bangin’ house has made an impression on those at the Church, 3D, Beatwars and Countdown on NYE.  Furthermore, Ghosh (ON) and Trajikk of the Floorbangrs are holding the trance scene up.  Yes, people still listen to trance… in record numbers too.  “XLR8 and Split have also made a name for themselves as DJs in 2007,” says Trajikk. 

On the nightclub promoter tip, Kaz Q and Amy Rose at La Boheme have held up the house music scene by bringing artists like Dolls at Play, Mr. C, Pete Bones and Scooter and Levelle.  With House music in mind, I’d like to acknowledge the DJs of Twenty40 and thank them for their hard work.  T40 threw some of the largest Global Friday House music events at the Church yet.  Our House stage at CIRCA NYE with Rabbit in The Moon and Kimball Collins was absolutely incredible.  Who knew TWO-AM was so large?

The final tip of the cap goes to Alan Endorfun of Pureform Atmospheres who provided connections to the warehouse used for 3D and the Denver Merchandise Mart for February 16th’s party dubbed The Elements.  He provided the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds for Skylab and was the savior of Solar Fest by helping to secure the Palladium.  Alan provided these connections and asked for no publicity in exchange.

“The scene is growing to new levels. It’s a new young generation of dance music listeners. If you want to grow a fan base, now is the time to do it,” says Ha of the Triad Dragons.  There are a lot of DJs and promoters in Colorado who have done amazing work in 2007.  One of my favorite mottos is, "Good people, Good Music and Good times” which is exactly what Colorado’s electronic music massive delivers.  I can promise big, BIG, big changes to the Denver electronic club scene early in 2008 including a brand new nationally sponsored nightclub venue!