by Ashe in America | Jul 22, 2022 | Feature Story Bottom Left
In 2021, I gave many speeches that included some variation of, “How are we going to fight Democrats with Republicans stabbing us in the back?” I was told to rejoin the party and attend caucus.
That went well.
Back then I was attempting to convince Republicans that their party was evil. They no longer need convincing.
I was a flag waving, Bush-defending Republican from my 18th in ’97 to my disillusioned departure in ’11. My first Presidential was 2000’s Bush v Gore and, as a Floridian journalism student at CU Boulder, I voted absentee.
I spent the early days of the Colorado winter with my eyes fixed on Fox News’ coverage of hanging chads while my liberal — at CU to become hardcore leftist — roommate and friends mocked and belittled my backward Christian, conservative values. I was used to it by then, my junior year. Even in those early years of adulthood, I had a big mouth and an enthusiasm for debate.
Realizing the depths of my deception was a rough awakening. Based on public records and the original reporting of brave eyewitnesses to uniparty corruption, we now know that the 2000 election was like 2020. And 2018. And 2016.
It was theatre. It was rigged.
“But Republicans won!”
Yep. They sure did.
I’ll say it again. It’s a uniparty.
I came to comprehend the reality of the uniparty in 2011, after the left and right came together to destroy Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann. From mockingbird hits to orchestrated walkouts of Bachmann’s campaign staff, many of whom were then rewarded by the party, I ragefully unregistered from the Grand Ol’ Party.
In early January, Bachmann withdrew from the contest and in six months I moved to Colorado, swearing off politics forever. It’s going well.
A couple of years earlier, the GOP’s destruction of the Tea Party in Colorado was rhyming with the national story. The Republicans put up embattled candidate Dan Maes, a non-starter for Coloradans due to plagiarism allegations and likeability problems. As an uninvolved observer — and history — would tell it, the American Constitution Party’s Tom Tancredo was the better choice for right-leaning Coloradans in 2010. Tancredo received over 36% of the vote to Maes 11%. Hickenlooper won handily with 51%. The GOP narrowly missed a demotion to Minor Party status (<10%).
If GOP leadership listened to the people rather than their instincts, they would have secured at least 47% of the vote. If a candidate cannot secure the conservatives in the party, they have no chance for the Americans in the middle who are finished with the two-party system, many former Republicans.
If we don’t vote for Republicans, who can we vote for?
While Heidi Ganahl seems like not the worst governor, based on historical data, I don’t think a Republican can win in Colorado. The label carries too much baggage because COGOP leadership comprise elitist, authoritarian, big government globalists. They’ve lost the trust of the electorate.
This year, the American Constitution Party has put up Danielle Neuschwanger, a candidate with common sense policy proposals and without the baggage of the “R.”
Similarly, the Libertarians are running a strong, unapologetically prolife U.S. Senate candidate Brian Peotter — against Republican Joe O’Dea who supports codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law.
This story is repeating in contests around the state as voters look for a choice outside the corruption of the uniparty.
If the vote splits in 2022, which way will it break?
Elections are rigged, but you want us to vote?
In case you think I’m contradicting myself, please know that I believe the elections are rigged. All of them.
“So do you vote?”
Of course. Voting is my duty.
“Huh?”
I have zero interest in candidates or campaigns. Elections aren’t about them. Elections are about us, the will of the People.
Every time they steal elections, we get more evidence of how they steal elections. For example, we now know that high turnout impacts their pre-planned efforts causing them to adapt in real-time and make mistakes.
The fact that high turnout in November’s election could also radically change the political landscape in Colorado by establishing a new (uncontrolled) major party is just gravy.
Rock the vote.
Ashe Epp is a writer and election integrity activist. Read her work at asheinamerica.com and follow her on Telegram and other socials @asheinamerica.
by Ashe in America | Jun 24, 2022 | Feature Story Bottom Left
At the time of publishing, the 2022 Colorado Primary results will be rolling in. While this is largely a nonevent for Democrats running unopposed, for Republicans it’s a critical moment of choosing.
What is “Self-Governance”?
When I started fighting for election integrity in November of 2020, my desire was to reacquaint Americans with their self-governance. From November 2020 to November 2021, I watched regular Coloradans, who were formerly apolitical or only peripherally aware of their local political landscape, become strong grassroots leaders across all Colorado counties.
Robust and thriving communities of civic-minded Americans sprung to life — during a non-election year — as the stolen 2020 election awakened them to just how far America had fallen from her founding. These unexpected leaders became the voices of sound logic and reason in their local communities, and many of us who once marched together began sharing meals, attending church, and doing life together.
Then came the November 2021 municipal elections and, literally the next day, it was an election year.
What is “Conservative”?
The thing about growing leaders is that they then desire to lead. Who knew?
When the midterm election year officially kicked off, many of the strongest grassroots leaders in Colorado became candidates. Then they qualified through the caucus and assembly process, with many of them winning the most support at the assemblies. Those who gain the most support during the assembly process win the top line spot on the ballot. Go to toplinevote.com for more information.
The Republican establishment was caught off guard by the assembly results. The following Monday, card-carrying establishment member and Republican Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown went on The George Show, hosted by failed Republican Attorney General candidate George Brauchler, to lament the changing dynamics of the party.
The two establishment representatives were joined by Vice Chairwoman Priscilla Rahn, who added little to the conversation other than calling 67% of Republican delegates “Judas” during Holy Week. The show was dedicated to mocking and belittling the party they claim to lead. It was a stark moment of contrast for right-leaning voters, many of whom are, like me, unaffiliated from any political party. Not a good look.
Still, these unlikeable and ineffective Republican leaders call themselves “conservative,” rendering the term effectively useless in describing any meaningful distinction from, “Republican.”
Engaged voters, however, see a big distinction in these two types of candidates. For example, at a recent Liberty Girls gathering in Highlands Ranch, candidates for US Senate and Congressional District 4 faced off in debate…sort of. While America First candidates Ron Hanks (Senate) and Bob Lewis (CD4) showed up in person, the two establishment candidates Joe O’Dea (Senate) and Ken Buck (CD4 incumbent) sent surrogates.
The audience favorites were indisputable, to the point of feeling a little sorry for the surrogates who fundamentally misunderstood their audience. A group of us spent nearly an hour after the debate red-pilling Ken Buck’s surrogate to the point where we speculated that he would quit the campaign. He was passionate about election integrity and completely unaware of the positions and history of the candidate — for whom he was speaking — on that important issue. He hadn’t even heard about Buck’s disastrous, late 2020 Town Hall.
What is “American”?
In Colorado, the Republican establishment truly enjoys their minority party status. They campaign and fundraise, and give strongly worded statements, but when it’s time to represent their constituents, the answer is always, “Sorry! Democrats! There’s nothing we can do.”
In other words, they provide no recognizable distinction from Democrats.
Colorado’s America First candidates are that distinction — and arguably Colorado’s last chance. These candidates are running on the traditional American values of self-governance and conserving the Constitution. These are our most powerful weapons against the long train of abuses from the triple Communist majority in Denver.
For decades, regardless of which party was elected, globalism flourished, the state expanded, and Americans largely suffered. The grassroots candidates across Colorado provide a clear alternative to the Colorado contingent of the uniparty.
As the parties drifted father and farther apart in recent years, I’ve speculated that, “the people are in the middle.” That is, the people are, at their very core, still American.
I guess we are about to find out.
Ashe Epp is a writer and election integrity activist. Read her work at asheinamerica.com and follow her on Telegram and other socials @asheinamerica.
by Ashe in America | May 20, 2022 | Feature Story Bottom Left
ASHE IN AMERICA
In April, the NY Times published another bit of fiction, “A Crusade to Challenge the 2020 Election, Blessed by Church Leaders.” The piece highlights Colorado’s election integrity activists and offers as a premise: “Some evangelical pastors are hosting events dedicated to Trump’s election falsehoods and promoting the cause to their congregations.”
Charles Homans, an activist in disguise based on his body of work, reached out to me in April for comment on this piece. He wanted to talk about Colorado churches and the election integrity movement. After reviewing his work, I ignored his four emails.
A Unified Media, Attacking The Church And The People
The Times’ piece demonizes Colorado pastors, who’ve provided their facilities for use by grassroots activists, often for a fee. He conflates this normal business practice of churches everywhere with some sort of apostasy, even claiming, “In the 17 months since the presidential election, pastors at these churches have preached about fraudulent votes and vague claims of election meddling.” (emphasis added)
I’ve been to and spoken at many of these meetings. At no time have we made “vague claims of election meddling.” Rather, we delivered detailed analysis, forensic evidence, expert-generated and peer-reviewed reports that describe in exquisite detail exactly how the fraud is architected and executed, in Colorado and nationally.
Further, since election day in 2020, I have been writing about all this nerdy/technical/detailed evidence to make it consumable and understandable for non-technical audiences. I have been called many things, but vague would be new. I try to paint a vivid picture for my readers, and I always provide receipts. Homans should go read up at asheinamerica.com.
In early May, The Denver Post — never one to rely on original reporting — picked up the Times piece, and further explored the space. Krista Kafer wrote, “Zealous Trump supporters…hope that miraculous proof will surface to support their speculations.”
“Zealous Trump supporters” is a false premise that assumes our efforts are about Trump. Everything after use of this wording can be discarded. She revealed her bias — and so early in the piece!
Homans ascends pretense. His bias is on full display in everything he writes.
Nationally, election integrity activists expect The New York Times to slander and defame their efforts. Those of us in Colorado certainly expect the same from The Denver Post and their family of local leftist mockingbirds. These published opinions aren’t truth. They’re bought and paid for narratives, brought to you by the political establishment. They’re basically ads.
While the Times and the Post focus on attacking Colorado churches and their pastors, both outlets — and the majority of other “news” outlets — are ignoring the real story.
For Jena, Unity Means Unity Colorado’s
Three Government Branches
The passage of Griswold’s “Colorado Election Security Act” (SB22-153) transfers election oversight from the local counties to the state, with the original draft aiming to criminalize criticism of the doe-eyed Secretary.
Over in the Judiciary, Griswold neutralized the threat of Elbert County Clerk Dallas Schroeder, an honest public servant who complied with a court order to hand over the Elbert County 2020 forensic images of the Dominion machines. She now holds all the cards from Elbert County, though she continues to press for the names of those involved. No loose ends can be tolerated.
On Tuesday, May 10, a Mesa County Court Judge ruled to remove Clerk Tina Peters as the Designated Election Official for Mesa County. Peters has been repeatedly vindicated by multiple peer-reviewed reports, including three Mesa Forensic Reports, the Antrim Audit Report (December 2020), the Maricopa Audit Report and, most recently, the preliminary findings from Otero, NM.
Yet, despite overwhelming evidence that Griswold is guilty of election crimes (at best) and is engaged in a coverup, Clerk Peters is spun as the villain.
Before you blame Democrats for the “balance of powers” achieving mythological status in Colorado, remember that SB22-153 was cosponsored by Republican Senator and Massive Disappointment Kevin Priola. Priola is known for using his taxpayer funded time and resources to draft pillow-related election amendments.
The rest of the Party has been silent on the lawfare, despite the involvement of multiple duly-elected Republicans.
Kind of makes you wonder what Republicans mean by unity.
Ashe Epp is a writer and election integrity activist. Read her work at asheinamerica.com and follow her on Telegram and other socials @asheinamerica.
by Ashe in America | Apr 21, 2022 | Feature Story Bottom Left
ASHE IN AMERICA
There is a war happening in the Colorado Republican Party. Until now, however, this war has gone unnoticed by right leaning normies and has been largely ignored by the party establishment.
The Colorado election integrity movement brings together scientists, mathematicians, cyber security experts, community organizers, writers, artists, current and former politicians, current and former military, corporate strategists, digital experts, super moms, pastors, prayer warriors, and so many more amazing Coloradans.
Robust, contentious, and deeply critical examinations of what is true are happening all over Colorado, and the number of registered Republicans that question the mainstream election narrative continues to grow.
Until Saturday, April 9, 2022, the Uniparty establishment and their media lapdogs were able to pretend this wasn’t happening. Then came the 2022 Colorado Republican Convention.
The Big Winner: Election Integrity
The lead up to the convention was fiery. Senator Paul Lundeen (SSD9) lost his local assembly vote 48% to 52% to Lynda Zamora Wilson, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. with four advanced degrees (and who had only been in the race for five days prior to the vote).
Congressman Ken Buck (CD4) was even more humiliated in his local CD4 assembly, when the floor nomination of completely unknown candidate Bob Lewis resulted in Lewis taking 62% of the vote!
But perhaps most notably, Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters — totally vindicated on the evidence despite continued dishonest media — took 61% of the delegates. A vote for Tina Peters is a vote for election integrity, and 61% is a wide margin. During the June 28 primary, Peters will face Pam “ZuckerBucks” Anderson who petitioned onto the ballot. Think of the petition process like this:
“I know the people paying attention in the party don’t like me – and I can’t even convince 30% of them to give me a shot — but I bet I can trick enough of the ones that aren’t paying attention into voting for me.”
Anderson is currently on leave from the Center for Tech and Civic Life, the infamous NGO that allegedly bought the 2020 election. Also, ZuckerBucks Anderson is the establishment’s pick for Secretary of State.
Griswold vs. Anderson. Soros vs. Zuckerberg. But Uniparty is a conspiracy theory, right?
People vs. Party vs. People
In the run up to November 3, 2020, many states rushed to change their election laws, often unconstitutionally, allowing access-focused changes that provably resulted in a compromised election.
We didn’t see these law changes in Colorado because they already mirrored existing law. We practically drop mail-in ballots from the sky during election season, in the name of “access.”
And the Colorado Election Security Act (SB22-153), Secretary Griswold’s flagship legislation that is now making its way through the legislative process, ensures such practices will continue.
The inappropriately named bill does nothing to secure elections; rather, this bipartisan piece of legislation — co-Sponsored by RINO Senator and massive disappointment Kevin Priola — seeks to punish anyone who questions the integrity of Colorado elections.
It is a redistribution of power and oversight from local county jurisdictions to the Secretary of State, and the bill also removes existing checks on state power through clever language changes. During Committee discussion on April 18, 2022, Democrats held up both Matt Crane of the Colorado County Clerks Association and Republican Party Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown as examples of bipartisan support for the bill.
It’s unclear if the Committee Chair could find two more perfect examples of Uniparty Republicans, or if his comments were an intentional troll for the audience. Likely the latter.
How Low Can We Go?
While the General Assembly dives headlong into authoritarianism — in both rhetoric and law — it’s important to remember that their reasons for doing so are entirely political.
The majority, led by Griswold, want to criminalize the actions of whistleblower and rival candidate Tina Peters. It’s notable that while, rhetorically, Peters is called a criminal, the assembly needs to move quickly to make her 2021 actions an actual crime. Clerk Peters did nothing wrong.
The minority party’s opposition is also political. Republicans have been silent on elections for over 500 days, but now it’s an election year and this is a safe, albeit symbolic, vote. It’s little more than the empty rhetoric they usually offer, though certainly they will campaign on their vote “for election integrity!”
Thankfully, the people are no longer buying it. More and more Coloradans, including the proudly unaffiliated, are awakening to Uniparty corruption and demanding a return to our civic principles – and to sanity. For the establishment, their message is clear:
Stand and fight — for Colorado and for the Republic — or get out of the way.
Ashe Epp is a writer and election integrity activist. Read her work at asheinamerica.com and follow her on Telegram and other socials@asheinamerica.
by Regan Bervar | Mar 18, 2022 | Feature Story Bottom Left
Is Important In An Increasingly Critical Society
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
by Luke Schmaltz
The way you carry yourself as you go about your daily business has a lot to do with how people react to your presence.
Your physical posture, the way you walk, the expression on your face, and other nuances of body language send out a message. In the instance of a confident person, you exude strength and internally fortified will. To the contrary, if you entertain unhealthy amounts of self-doubt — it will show in your demeanor — and therein lies the problem.
Self-confidence and lack thereof is the result of internal transactions. Confidence is informed by “what you say when you talk to yourself” — a reference to the wildly successful work of author Shad Helmstetter. The notions of high and low self-esteem are reinforced by how you react to everyday events — whether you are a participant or a spectator. Rarely do people remain stagnant in the face of the constant comparisons, deprecations, and self-criticisms that are all the rage today — especially among young folks. You either buckle under social pressure and give in to low self-esteem or you make a conscious decision to fight it.
An Internal Struggle
Positive or negative self-image can be determined by what you say when you talk to yourself.
In today’s viscously hypercritical society, many people are subjugated by the strictures of an unachievable ideal. Yet others, far fewer in number, learn to steel themselves against the judgements of the status quo. The former is the path of a person who is constantly afflicted by feelings of inadequacy. The latter is a way to create a unique identity by pursuing a set of personal aspirations rather than measuring yourself by the yardstick of others.
The question, then, is how to avoid one while embracing the other. Thankfully, there are several ways to gradually build and maintain confidence and self-esteem without becoming an insufferable, overblown egomaniac. Meanwhile, this pursuit can help you insulate yourself against the quagmire of cultivating a lousy self-image.
Exercise Often
Self-esteem can be bolstered by positive daily habits including rigorous exercise, healthy diet, and sufficient sleep.
While doing a few pushups here and some jumping jacks there is a good start, maximizing this step requires a more comprehensive approach. By engaging in some form of physical exertion at least three times a week for 20 or 30 minutes, you are training your body to release endorphins which induce positive feeling while reducing your brain’s perception of pain. The best way to start is to pick a type of exercise you genuinely enjoy, and which suits your abilities, such as walking, running, swimming, or yoga. If you are new to the world of working out and you decide to become a bodybuilder overnight, you will wind up mired in unrealistic expectations, disappointment, and potentially plummeting self-esteem.
Eat Real Food
Refined carbohydrates such as processed flour and rice, sugar-sweetened juices and sodas, and processed snacks such as corn chips, cookies, and pastries can cause inflammation and hormonal imbalances due to high levels of sugar and indigestible compounds disguised as food. Conversely, raw fruits and vegetables, sprouts, leafy greens, lean meats such as chicken and fish, as well as water from a spring or a reverse osmosis filter are all easily absorbed by the body. A diet of these foods will help you to feel better after eating and more inclined to exercise whereas a diet of junk which your body cannot process will leave you feeling tired and unmotivated which can, in turn, lead to negative internal dialogue.
Get Plenty Of Sleep
Self-worth can be successfully maintained by evaluating oneself from within rather than comparing oneself to others.
Optimism and self-esteem begin with a good night’s sleep. A recent report by Harvard University’s Dr. Lawrence J. Epstein states that, “Sleep and mood are closely connected; poor or inadequate sleep can cause irritability and stress, while healthy sleep can enhance well-being.” Epstein goes on to explain, “It’s possible to eliminate many minor sleep problems by creating a comfortable sleep environment, maintaining a healthful balance of nutrition and exercise, and engaging in relaxing activities near bedtime.”
Go Easy On Yourself
When you make a mistake, and everyone does, resist the urge to punish yourself with a bunch of negative internal scolding. Whatever setback you may have encountered is enough of a reminder without willingly inflicting further damage to your self-confidence. That is not to say that denying anything went wrong is a smart course of action but having a bit of compassion for your own grazed ego can help you get back to work and put things you can’t change behind you.
Face Them Down
Stepping outside of your comfort zone is a terrific way to build self-esteem and confidence. The simple act of facing your fears, whether you succeed or not, is an effective way of building yourself up internally based on your own perceived limitations. Granted, jumping out of a helicopter without a parachute is a legitimate fear and is a practice best left to movie stuntmen. Yet, exposing yourself to non-lethal fears such as public speaking, swimming in a shallow, supervised pool, or petting a trained, tame dog can do wonders for your anxiety levels. Small victories over irrational fears can build up your self-confidence and eventually lead you to experience huge breakthroughs.
by Regan Bervar | Mar 4, 2022 | Feature Story Bottom Left
“So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie / Drove my Chevy to the levee,but the levee was dry / And them good ol’ boys were drinkin’ whiskey and rye / Singin’, This’ll be the day that I die”— Don McLean
by Luke Schmaltz
March 25, 2020, was the day the music died in Denver, Colorado. Governor Jared Polis ordered the closure of all nonessential businesses — which included music venues of all shapes and sizes, from the tiny Tooey’s, off Colfax, to Red Rocks Amphitheater.
The circumstances were devastating, not only for venues but for musicians as well — as the vast majority make their living on live performances and on-site merchandise sales.
As the long-term implications of lockdown life settled in, some Denver musicians vowed to forge forth with online performances while others relinquished themselves to spend the downtime writing new material. A slew of lifelong musicians found a way to persevere, and now that the music scene is back in full swing, they are seeing their circumstances with newfound determination.
Meanwhile, the city itself has lost a number of beloved venues. Those that found a way to hang on during the pandemic are back to hosting shows as Denver is quickly reclaiming its reputation as a thriving hub for live music.
The Legend
Erica Brown has been dubbed, “Denver’s Queen of the Blues” and deserves the title, hands down (or up). Image: Marilyn Stringer
Erica Brown is Denver Blues royalty and an internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and recording artist. Every local publication that covers music has praised her award-winning work and she has been featured internationally in Smithsonian Magazine, Blues Matters (UK), and Rootstime (Belgium). “When the pandemic hit,” she begins, “I was putting together a dream project of mine, called the Cast Iron Queens. We had just played our first sold-out show in December at Dazzle, then in January, I had gone to Memphis and emceed the National Women in Blues Event. We were the entertainment for the Womxn’s March, we did a live in-studio for KGNU Radio in early March, then everything went ‘poof!’”
Brown is thankful that she was able to work through the pandemic, explaining, “Nearly every musician has either a regular day job or a couple side hustles (smile) and since [my job] was in a sector deemed ‘essential’ I never quit going to work.”
Brown reflects on the unfortunate Covid-related loss of Denver music institution El Chapultepec along with resident musical legend Freddy Rodriguez Sr. — a dear friend. Yet, she is thankful that longtime venues such as the Rusty Bucket, Mercury Cafe, and Lincoln’s Roadhouse are still alive and kicking.
Moving forward, Brown’s future is looking bright, “In November 2021, I’m was thrilled to be singing America the Beautiful at Boettcher Concert Hall on Veterans Day. It was the World Premiere of a documentary by professional skier and filmmaker Chris Anthony, called “Mission Mt. Mangart” which tells the story of the 10th Mountain Division’s great ski race in 1945,” she explains. In 2022, Brown will be immersed in theater productions, tribute projects, and much more — stay tuned at erica brownentertainment.com.
The Hardworking Bard
Sputnik Slovenia didn’t miss a beat when the pandemic hit, and continues on Facebook Live every Friday. Image: Sputnik Slovenia
Sputnik Slovenia has been a fixture of the Denver music scene for well over 20 years. He currently sings in a Clash cover band called The Nuns of Brixton, fronts an original, punk rock band called The Pitch Invasion, and plays regularly as a solo acoustic act. The latter served as his sole outlet during the first several waves of the pandemic. “I started streaming live shows basically the week the pandemic started,” he begins. “I had been doing a Friday happy hour at the Larimer Lounge for the past few years, so I jumped online the very first week and continued with my happy hour via Facebook Live. The response has been great. I post the shows and they get hits all during the week. I can interact with my friends from across the country and across the world every Friday, and it lets other people connect via the web as well, so check in on Facebook live on Fridays at 6 p.m. Mountain standard time.”
Slovenia contends that among the best live venues in town is the fairly new EastFax Tap and the legendary Lions Lair — which he hails as “One of the best dive bars in the country.” While he laments the loss of staple venues such as Tooey’s and 3 Kings Tavern due to the pandemic, he credits the down time for kicking him into high gear to work on his record label, Rum Dummy Records, whose Bandcamp page offers recordings from most of Slovenia’s projects. “The pandemic really was one of my most prolific times,” he explains. “I even wrote a rap song called Covid was my chrysalis.”
The Virtuoso
Juaquina “Roqui” Lluma teaches music, hosts a radio show, and awaits her next post-pandemic, high-profile bass playing gig. Image: R2Shotz
Juaquina “Roqui” Lluma is a recently naturalized U.S. citizen — originally from Argentina — who came to Denver by way of Los Angeles. She is a lifelong, classically trained musician who, for years, ground it out in the City of Angels playing in club-circuit level bands. Yet, the “L.A. Bullshit Attitude” — as she and many other musicians refer to it — drove her to seek the more genuine climes of the Denver music scene back in the mid-2000s.
Just before the pandemic hit, Lluma was seemingly headed for the big time — juggling bass duties between blues rock powerhouse Hot Apostles and the country rock outfit Tracksuit Wedding. By late March of 2020, both acts were immobilized and a year later when things began to finally loosen up — both projects were no more.
Regardless, Lluma forges onward with music, currently teaching online lessons and co-hosting an Internet radio show dubbed El Crawlspace hosted by nucleorock.com. “I am doing this with a friend from Puerto Rico,” she begins, “The idea is to be a link between all the underground scenes. We focus on rock and underground music — anything that all the other Latin radio stations aren’t already doing. Our listeners are from all over the world: Europe, Mexico, Colombia, and more.” Lluma aspires to make this enterprise an international link between the underground scenes. “The show could be a contact point between bands overseas and bands over here,” she says.
Moving forward, Lluma keeps a keen ear to the grapevine in anticipation for the next high profile bass playing gig. She also pays particular respects to the folks at the Oriental Theater for “keeping shit real” by putting on their “Safe and Sound” music series during the waning months of the pandemic.
The Career Man
Jim Dalton (bottom left) plays solo, with The Railbenders and with Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. Image: Jim Dalton
As the front man, guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of The Railbenders, Jim Dalton has done more than his share to bolster the Denver music scene by building a fiercely loyal following and inspiring hordes of other musicians. Dalton also holds down lead guitar duties for Arizona-based national touring sensation Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers. His position in the latter act took up the majority of his time until all tours were canceled in early spring of 2020.
Dalton decided to use his pandemic down time to flesh out and record a solo album titled “In My Head.” The 11-song opus includes an eclectic array of original tunes he’d been working on over the last couple of years. “The song, ‘In My Head,’ was the first tune I wrote after my father passed away from cancer in 2015,” he explains, “It has been around quite a while and I have always included it in my live solo shows. Same with the other songs on the record,” he continues, “the pandemic gave me the time to finish recording since all of our tours were canceled for over a year.” Of all the venues the pandemic claimed, Dalton laments the loss of 3 Kings Tavern. “Lotta good memories and emotional ones,” he says. “We held an Irish-style wake there for both my Uncle Terry and my father.
Moving onward, Dalton is set to soon get back out on the road with Roger Clyne. He is also looking forward to an upcoming two-night Railbenders run at Denver’s Globe Hall. He also cherishes the fact that some of his favorite long-standing Mile High venues are still in business. “Some of my favorites are Lincoln’s Roadhouse, Soiled Dove, Bluebird Theatre, and Herman’s Hideaway. But if I had to choose one,” he explains, “I’d say everyone needs to see a show at Red Rocks once in their life.”
The Wunderkind
Red Stinger are prolific in the creativity department, having released five studio albums in their 10-year tenure before the pandemic. Yet, 2020 shifted their productivity into overdrive. During the second, third and fourth quarters of 2020, the band’s singer, guitarist, and principal songwriter — Tim Merz aka Timmy Flips — conceived of a nine-part series of content releases and proceeded to embark on the most creative period of his life.
Merz, a ballroom dance instructor by day, explains, “During covid I wrote a full-length album titled Punk Rock Ballroom — a hip hop rock album available on Bandcamp. Then, I wrote The Stinger Scriptures — a nine-part rock album rewrite of the Bible. After that,” he continues, “I wrote Crooked Town — a ballroom ballet dance interpretation of the Battle of Armageddon.”
Merz’s Covid accomplishments also include a ballroom dance love story, a stage play about intergalactic alien enslavement, and much more. The singer cites his personal philosophy as the driving force behind his creative arc. “The current state of the world and the direction humanity has chosen is broken,” he says. “Humanity is constrained by our enslavement by money, religion, and weapons. Our political system has failed us, our religious leaders have failed us, our financial institutions have failed us. The only hope is a return to what is our truth and that requires a serious reshaping of what it means to exist — which is the true punk rock mentality. Punk is the refusal to accept that anyone has power over anyone else. A return to the physical human body and the realization that we are all the same and all equal in the eyes of death.”
Moving forward, Merz and his Red Stinger bandmates look forward to more recording work including a greatest hits album and a live album while keeping alive the hopes that, “Denver doesn’t become completely overrun by corporate music joints who only book bands with the appropriate amount of Facebook Likes.”
