Havana Street
Inga’s Alpine Tavern
Products You Need For The Next Camping Trip
Camping season is here and many valley residents have already booked their reservations or will do so soon. There are obvious items you need for this sojourn and the below are no exception.
Coolers
Rugged Road: The Rugged Road 65 is the lightest premium cooler and has the capacity and ice retention that most consumers look for.
The coolers you take on a camping trip are not a small detail. You want something that will retain ice, keep your items cold, and be easily transportable. Many premium coolers today do not have wheels and they are heavy to carry.
Two coolers to consider for your next camping trip are the ROVR ROLLR 80 and the Rugged Road 65. The ROVR has wheels and the Rugged Road is the lightest premium cooler on the market.
ROVR is a company based in Longmont, Colorado, and they have a line of coolers in every size. The ROVR ROLLR 80 weighs 52 pounds empty so it is on the heavier side but the ease of wheeling this to your destination makes up for this. This cooler is ideal for camping trips as it has an official certification from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee for app
ROVR: The ROVR ROLLR 80 is a massive cooler that can haul dry goods such as chairs and umbrellas and also keep your items cold for days.
roved usage in areas shared with grizzlies.
It has an 80-quart capacity and holds up to 120 cans and 20 pounds of ice. It comes with a removable deepfreeze dry bin with two compartments that keeps items cold yet dry. And the nine-inch all-terrain tires make it easy to wheel across a soccer field, in sand, or to your campsite. The motogrip handle makes it comfortable to wheel with one or two people without bumping into the back of your feet.
This cooler is a one stop shop as it has functional accessories that allow for easier transport of items. The bin that velcros to the lid of the cooler pops up to tow items like chairs, blankets, and tents to your destination. It also converts into extra padding if you want to use the cooler as a chair.
The Rugged Road 65 is another cooler to consider as it is the lightest on the market, coming in at 13 pounds empty. It is almost 10 pounds lighter than the competition. And ice retention, which many people point to as a benchmark for a premium cooler, is outstanding. In our test, ice remained in the cooler for four days after use.
Accessories such as a snack pack and divider are included and there are four colors to choose from. Perhaps one of the coolest features and applicable for a camping or fishing trip, is that this cooler floats on water. It also has a detachable and reversible lid.
It holds 65 12-ounce cans and the size you see on the outside, is the size on the inside.
The ROVR ROLLR 80 retails for $549.99 and includes a five-year warranty and more information can be found on www.rovrproducts.com. The Rugged Road 65 fetches $349.99 with a lifetime warranty and can be found by visiting www.ruggedroadoutdoors.com.
Jacket
Coalatree: The Baseline Midlayer is a zippered lightweight jacket that is perfect for those cool nights of camping.
It may be chilly in the evenings on that camping trip so consider bringing the portable Baseline Midlayer made by Coalatree. Coalatree is based in Salt Lake City, and was founded in 2010. Their designs have eco-minded gear and apparel for athletes and photographers, to your average city folks, and weekend warriors.
The Baseline Midlayer is a zippered lightweight jacket that packs into one of its own pockets, keeping it in a tight, tidy package for when you’re not wearing it. It would also work well in a backpack. A technical midlayer is made with honeycomb fabric that doesn’t leave any microplastics behind in the wash. Spent coffee grounds are mixed and melted down with recycled plastic bottles to create the fibers.
Also, the fabric guarantees that the piece is anti-microbial and odor resistant. This jacket also has double reinforced stitching for enhanced durability. It retails for $99. To learn more, visit www.coalatree.com/products/baseline-layer.
Speaker: The XSound Mega is a Bluetooth speaker to consider for just about any activity. One of the nicest features is the fact that it is waterproof. It also delivers quality sound.
Portable Bluetooth Speaker
A speaker is a nice addition to any camping trip and the XSound Mega Bluetooth Speaker does not disappoint. It is a powerful, portable Bluetooth speaker that offers three listening modes: Music, XBass, and Audiobooks. This speaker offers enough horsepower to play at a backyard party or that camping trip you have planned. It features 30 watts of power and a frequency range of 60Hz to 20kHz.
The speaker is waterproof which is nice if you want to use it by the pool or if you get caught in the rain. XSound Mega features 5.0 Bluetooth connectivity and broadcast pairing so you can connect multiple speakers at once for party pairing. It’s waterproof, so it can be submerged in just over three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. The waterproof rating is IPX7 so you have no issue with using this speaker at the beach, lake, or pool; it’s also 100% splash-proof.
Rubber feet on the bottom panel keep the speaker firmly in place on flat surfaces. Another cool feature is the multicolor lights that synchronize with the music playing. The Tribit XSound Mega offers extra-long battery life of up to 20 hours depending on light modes and volume. We found this speaker easily lasted for days without charging and is also quick to charge fully when needed.
In addition to the USB-C charging point, the back includes a standard USB connector that lets you charge other devices. The Tribit also has a 3.5mm aux input. This port used to be a standard feature, but many recent portable speakers leave it out.
At time of press, this speaker has a price tag of $79.99 and can be purchased on www.tribit.com.
How Harry Springer Found His Creative Freedom With Moon Walker
by Mike Wheaton
Springer’s unique fashion style matches the band’s unique sound.
Harry Springer is no stranger to the rock scene. He was the guitarist of the Colorado-based band The Midnight Club, which relocated to Los Angeles in 2020, hoping to find more opportunities for their music. But then the pandemic hit, and everything changed.
Springer found himself stuck at home, unable to play live shows or collaborate with other musicians. He decided to try creating songs for sound libraries, which supply music for movies and TV shows. He thought it would be an excellent way to earn money and practice his skills.
But something unexpected happened. As he was writing songs inspired by his idols like Jack White, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, and T-Rex, he realized that he had a lot of things to say; thoughts that he didn’t want to give away to someone else.
“I sold some, and it was going fine, but then I wrote some songs, and I was like, ‘I don’t want to give these away,’” he says.
That’s how Moon Walker was born; a solo project that allowed Springer to express his political views, his sarcasm, his mysticism, and his love for fuzzed-out ‘70s rock. He played all the instruments, sang all the vocals, and produced all the tracks in his bedroom. He also recruited his friend Sean McCarthy to play drums on some songs.
The result was Truth to Power, a seven- track album that quickly gained attention on TikTok and earned praise from The Darkness’s Justin Hawkins. The album showcases Springer’s versatility as a songwriter and performer, from the catchy anthem “Tax the Churches” to the psychedelic ballad “The Attack of Mirrors.”
The songwriter and performer says that Moon Walker is what he was always meant to do. “I think this is what I was always getting towards, at least in my music-making journey,” he says. “I was always meant to sound like this and look like this. … It happened naturally in the context of the most unnatural thing ever.”
Moon Walker performs live at the Mercury Lounge in New York City.
Started Songs For Sound Libraries
The musician says he learned a lot from making songs for sound libraries. He had to follow specific guidelines and formats and adapt to different genres and styles. He also had to sign away any rights to his music when he sold it.
“It was a good exercise for me as a musician,” he says. “It helped me develop my skills and my ear. But it also made me realize I wanted more control over my music. “
Springer says he started writing more personal and original songs reflecting his influences and opinions. He says that he was influenced by the political and social turmoil of 2020 and wanted to make music that spoke to that.
“I wanted to make honest and raw music,” he says, “music that has a message and a purpose.”
Springer Drew From His Idols And Views
He grew up listening to classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, and T-Rex. He says that he admired their creativity and their charisma, as well as their musical prowess.
“I love how they blended different genres and elements,” he says. “They were not afraid to experiment and try new things.”
He also looked up to Jack White, one of his favorite modern rock artists. He says that he was inspired by White’s guitar playing, his songwriting, and his attitude.
“He’s a genius,” he says. “He’s always pushing the boundaries of rock music. He’s also very outspoken and authentic.”
He wanted to emulate these artists by creating unique and distinctive music. He says he also wanted to infuse his music with his views and beliefs, often critical and sarcastic.
“I’m not a fan of organized religion or capitalism or any of the systems that oppress people,” he says. “I like to poke fun at them and expose their hypocrisy.”
Some of his songs have been misunderstood or misinterpreted by some listeners, who have accused him of being conservative or offensive. He says he uses sarcasm to convey his message, but some people don’t get it.
“I’m not trying to offend anyone,” he says. “I’m just trying to make people think and question things.”
Plans To Keep Making Diverse
And Adventurous Music
He is not planning to stop making music anytime soon. He says he has already finished his second album, which he expects to release soon. He says the new album will be even more diverse and adventurous than the first one.
“I tried to explore different sounds and genres,” he says. “I have some peppier songs, some that are funkier, some that are heavier. I also have some songs that are more personal and emotional.”
Springer hopes his music will reach more people and inspire them to follow their creative passions. He wants to show that anyone can make music, even in difficult circumstances.
“I made this music in my bedroom with a laptop and a guitar,” he says. “I didn’t have a big budget or a big team. I just had a vision and a drive.”
He is grateful for the support and feedback that he has received from his fans and peers. He says he is always open to collaborating and learning from other artists. He says he is also looking forward to playing live shows again after the pandemic.
“I can’t wait to get back on stage and share my music with people,” he says. “I think that’s the best part of being a musician. ”
Moon Walker is not just a band name but a state of mind. He says that it represents his attitude and his philosophy of life.
“Moon Walker means being yourself, being free, being adventurous,” he says. “It means walking on the moon, where anything is possible.”
See Moon Walker Live
Larimer Lounge Presents Moon Walker with Annabel Lee on Tuesday, June 20. Doors open at 7 p.m. and show begins at 8 p.m. Cost is $15 per ticket for ages 16 and up. To purchase tickets online, visit https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/3229296/moon-walker-denver-larimer-lounge.
Havana Street
