Petals Of Spain
Petals of Spain
by Tim Wenger
ADenver’s own jazz/rock outfit Petals of Spain released a new single, “Lady Luck” in August. The song features traditional Petals’ signatures of strong vocal backups and harmonies, great trumpet parts throughout and a danceable, groovin’ rhythm.
“We do really well at spur of the moment writing,” guitarist Nic Hammerberg says. “For this song, I came into rehearsal and we all wrote the song around that,” says Dylan. “And then we hash it out from there.”
Fans can find the song online at Amazon, Spotify and Itunes. Nic, Wesley and Dylan opened up about the song, their shows, and how they can’t seem to stay out of each other’s heads.
They have been working with the Vinefield Agency since February, after Sarah (from Vinefield, the group’s current manager) saw them at a show. In addition to organized management, the group has been working hard to get a street team together and keep the word of the petal flush in the minds ofDenver’s music community.
The group has been together for the past three years, and despite the typical lineup changes that most young bands deal with have made quite a name for themselves in Denver. “We’ve been trying to step up and do more for the environment,” says Nic. The band played the Green Route Festival on August 27th, an eco-friendly festival that took place downtown. They are also working on extending their fan base up into the mountains, so look for them to be rocking the après-ski party when you are up on the slopes this winter.
The band’s sound is about what you would expect the offspring of a typicalColoradojam band and a Saturday night resident at a jazz club to sound like, only better. “Hunter’s kinda got the Freddy Mercury thing going on,” says Dylan of their other singer, getting in a good laugh while Shelmire is not around to defend himself. “He’s got the Queen-esque harmonies on the new single.” As for taking a shot at the other absent band member? “Mason holds it down on the bass,” they all agree.
“We play some funky stuff, we play some rock stuff, our vibe is all over the place,” says Wesley. “We get people dancing though.” “Yeah, we go from slower songs, to some toe tappin, so some getting down,” says Nic. “But the dancing really depends if our friends that know how to dance come out,” he adds with a laugh.
“We are still trying to figure out our ambience, but my philosophy teacher told me that you by saying something, you are joining the conversation,” said Nic. “That’s what we are doing with our music, we are trying to keep music alive, keep our influences, all the greats and classics that we love, alive and try and take it to the next level.”
As a band they are constantly trying to find new ways to make it cheap for people to come out and see them, and to get a hold of their stuff. “It is a tough time to make it as a band, and be asking for people to toss their money here. But we are really trying to put our time into the product that we are giving, and I think it is worthwhile to invest and be a part of it,” says Wesley. Digital downloads seem to be the way go for the band these days, as their current single is available in multiple places online, and fans can listen to their EP online as well through www.petalsofspain.bandcamp.com and www.myspace.com/petalsofspain.
Their live shows are gaining strength, latecomers were hard-pressed to find a good spot during the band’s performance at The Hornet during the UMS in July. “We are personable, and we want to connect to people,” says Wesley. “Music is showing who you are, and it evolves, you can’t say this is who I am going to be for the rest of my life.” We can’t wait to watch these guys as their music continues to evolve.
Look for a new EP from Petals of Spain this winter, as well as petalsofspain.com. Find them currently on Facebook and Myspace.
Category: The Rock
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