The recording efforts of local musicians continue to chug along, and you may be surprised by the number of bands and artists recording in and around La Plata County.
Musicians certainly aren’t lazy. At any given moment, someone in La Plata County is putting lyrics to paper and vocals to melody, perhaps with eager anticipation of recording said song.
Today’s home-recording technology is as easy to obtain and use as it is professional and sophisticated, and bands are turning basements and practice spaces into studios.
The do-it-yourself movement remains alive and well for some, while others opt for local, professionally-run recording studios complete with engineers, to produce product for audible consumption.
In my two decades in La Plata County, the number of local bands has grown tenfold. The collection of rock, Americana, hip-hop and more continues to grow and includes these new and forthcoming releases:
Earlier this summer, Thom Rader completed “The Strength of Beauty,” a classical/experimental/acoustic record.
The rock band Little Wilderness has completed its debut, “The Last Stand,” recorded in guitar player/vocalist Paul Henderson’s home, to be released on vinyl this fall by Flak Records in Austin, Texas.
Country rock outfit Farmington Hill has had an album’s worth of songs in the can for more than a year. They’ll see light in early winter,. The band is currently writing another album.
Six Dollar String Band just recorded a concept album, and its 80 potential tracks of sound and music were recorded in different spaces in La Plata Canyon. “The idea is to compile music, sound, art and photos into one thing and release it on vinyl,” said banjo player Brendan Shafer.
Hip-hop band Diabolical Sound Platoon is mixing and mastering “Bring the Catastrophe,” its 14-track debut featuring three MCs backed by a full band with horns.
Local rock/funk/fusion band Sky Pilot is putting the mixing and mastering on its debut, recorded locally.
The Durango institution Bar D Wranglers recently released “Durango,” a set of pioneer songs that date to the 19th century, and band leader Gary Cook is preparing to record an instrumental album with Doug Green, founding member of Riders in the Sky.
Standard and Gable is a new band featuring former members of Papa Otis; they’re currently in the studio recording their debut of Americana, country and bluegrass.
Caitlin Cannon and The Cannondolls have finished an EP set for release in early 2016.
Let the “buy local” movement also include the goods of local musicians.
liggett_b@fortlewis.edu. Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager.
Bryant’s best
Friday: Jeff Solon Jazz Trio, 5 p.m. No cover. Animas River Café in the DoubleTree Hotel, 501 Camino Del Rio. For information, call 259-6580.
Friday: Rock music with Farmington Hill and the Crags, 6 p.m. No cover. The Balcony, 600 Main Ave., upstairs. For information, call 422-8008.
