This month’s featured artists include Mean World’s very own: In Plain Air and Shady Oaks, as well as others such as Moonlight Bloom and even more!

The purpose of this series is to spotlight some bands and artists that are currently crushing it in the Colorado music scene, whether by releasing new music, playing high profile shows, or just overall being great people to know! There's so much talent to go around and not enough recognition, so this is just one way to shed some light on the incredibly unique acts that grace the stages around the Rocky Mountain region. There is also a Spotify Playlist every month with the featured bands and artists to accompany these lists, so that you can give them a listen for yourself! Without further ado, let's jump right into it!

In Plain Air

Formed by one of Mean World’s very own founders, Jake DeMarco, along with good friends Nate Tharp and Ben Maillaro, In Plain Air has been dominating the psychedelic scene in Denver for years now. After the release of their debut EP Pillars in 2022, In Plain Air have only continued to shock and awe audiences - not only due to their insane talent for their respective instruments, but also because of their relatively young ages (Jake is 22, Ben is 19, and Nate is only 18), making them some of the youngest established musicians within the scene.

Their brand new EP Sunnyside releases December 8th via Mean World Records, and to celebrate they’ll be playing at the Mercury Cafe in Denver on December 7th along with Shady Oaks, Mr. Knobs, and Valkin

Shady Oaks

Named Westword Magazine’s “Top Live Band of 2022”, it is easy to see why Shady Oaks have earned themselves such an accolade. Consisting of Ty Gallaway, Jonah Samp, Isaac Vance, Mean World co-founder Hunter Bates, and the recently added Sarah Hubbard on violin, Shady Oaks does not disappoint and they bring sheer, raw rock n’ roll energy in their live shows and recordings that is hard to match.

You can catch Shady Oaks at their next show on December 7th at the Mercury Cafe in Denver opening up for In Plain Air! Additionally, make sure to stream their newest single “Drinkin’ You Away” - released via Mean World Records and available everywhere now!

Moonlight Bloom

Moonlight Bloom have easily established themselves as one of the top names within the psychedelic rock and jam scene within Denver. Moonlight Bloom not only provides your ears with a nice relief, but they give you a full, out of body experience listening to their music. This otherworldly sound can be heard on their most recent album, Lazarus - which was released earlier this summer. On this album they provide a little bit of something for everyone, ranging from more “mainstream” psychedelic songs that are reminiscent of the likes of Tame Impala or Hippocampus, with other more dreamy songs that keep you hooked from start to finish.

You can experience the magic that is Moonlight Bloom live on February 24th at Ophelia’s Denver for Boot Gun’s album release show!

Shadow Work

Shadow Work is only a trio, but you would never be able to tell just by listening to them. With such a full sound, Shadow Work is able to create a powerhouse sound that many larger bands have a difficult time replicating. With emotional lyrics they just cement their songs further as being something worth listening to. Originally from Boise, Idaho, Shadow Work has already taken over the scene by storm and doesn’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon.

Make sure to stay updated on everything Shadow Work via their social media channels, as they have new music in the works that is expected to be released next Spring!

Cherished

Serving up dreamy shoegaze vibes to audiences around the Rocky Mountains, Cherished combines beautiful melodic vocals with hard-hitting drums and guitars to craft a beautifully unique sound for themselves. Known as Lowfaith from their formation in 2015 up until 2022, Cherished retains the core members while the band itself is purposefully different. It’s honestly hard to find a lot of bands who have been on the scene for more than 5 years, never mind as long as these musicians have; and that should say something about the quality and dedication to their music.

You can check out Cherished’s brand new EP, other bodies - which is available everywhere you listen to your music online!

Colorado Scene Spotlight: December 2023