Moving away from Denver a few years ago meant figuring out what I wanted to do about making music. Assuming opportunities to play in Fairplay (the real world location of South Park) would be scarce, I considered giving it up to become a mountain recluse. However, I met two people one day who were in a local band. I said I played trumpet and they invited me to play at their next show on New Years Eve at a local bar.
Out of that chance meeting developed a whole new circle of friends and a connection with my community I’d never really felt in any of the cities where I’ve lived. It turns out there are quite a few local bands here and plenty of places to play. The feeling of gigging in smaller mountain towns is less mercenary, less competitive, and less exploitative. More congenial!
With my newfound interest in performing I eventually started becoming interested in recording some new music. I made a humble little studio in a bedroom of our home and got to work. Instead of being cooped up in a suburban basement my window opens to the forest outside. I had no idea how much a view like that would help with inspiration and motivation! And in the mountains, on those really cold snowy days a good selection of cute fuzzy slippers counts as essential gear.
-V