Bending time, space, and genre, Pretend Friend will transport you to another dimension with quick-pickin’ bluegrass, spellbinding harmonies, psychedelic jams, and award-winning songwriting.
Pretend Friend is an Americana jam band that defies convention and redefines the bluegrass genre with captivating live performances. Led by Grant Boesen, a mesmerizing lead singer and songwriter channeling the spirit of Shannon Hoon, Pretend Friend features some of the most talented musicians in the business. Kansas champion mandolinist, Evan Ogborn, renown bassist, Brody Wellman, and veteran banjoist, Garrett Briggeman, bring substantial style and depth of character to Pretend Friend.
With compelling songwriting at the core of their music, Pretend Friend weaves together intricate melodies and rich harmonies, creating a tapestry of sound that is both evocative and unforgettable. Improvisational live jamming sets Pretend Friend apart; no two shows are ever the same. Exceptional musicianship, fearless creativity, and boundless energy carry Pretend Friend across musical dimensions.
“Michael Kirkpatrick has the voice of an anthropomorphic brontosaurus that has popped out of a children’s book to teach kids about the dangers of playing with matches” – The Scene Magazine
Michael Kirkpatrick, Colorado-based singer, songwriter, and producer blends elements of acoustic fingerstyle and folk rock to cradle lush songscapes in a fuzzy paradoxical blanket of sunshine and fog. With a voice that ranges from a quiet rumble to powerful mountain-top exclamation, Michael’s passionate vocals bring to life lyrics about dreams, sensuality, and reverence for nature.
With over 30 years of experience on stage, Michael has toured extensively and won multiple awards for his songwriting, including the prestigious Telluride Troubadour award. His rich baritone voice, eclectic picking, and absurdly earnest storytelling have established Michael as an unconventionally entertaining live performer with a loyal audience. Michael currently tours as a soloist, as the front man for the Neo-psychedelic New-Wave Americana band Violet Pilot and the Grateful Dead tribute act Pickin’ On The Dead.
“Michael does things to a mandolin that shouldn’t be done to a mandolin” – Chris K, The Colorado Playlist
Michael’s latest record Away-O (released Jan 12, 2024) was recorded by Tyler Lindgren on a bright, snowy day in an empty house in the foothills of Colorado’s Front Range. The 12 songs for fingerstyle guitar and voice were captured with an organic, live approach, mimicking the vibe of Michael’s famous solo house concerts and “fun streams” that kept his audience entertained through the dark days of Ronassance.
Throughout his career, Michael has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in music, including Zac Brown, Charlie Musselwhite, Sam Bush, Billy Valentine, Sonny Charles, Jim Belushi, Darol Anger, Greensky Bluegrass, Billy Strings, Brian Nova, Leftover Salmon, and many others. Michael has received numerous accolades for his music, including the “Best Colorado Folk/Singer-Songwriter Album of 2013” from the Colorado Sound Fan Poll for his album “Key to My Cage,” and six consecutive “Best Singer-Songwriter” awards from the Fort Collins Musicians Association. In 2019, he was honored with the FoCoMA Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2022, he released the highly anticipated debut album by Violet Pilot, “Glad We Found You.”
Bottlerocket Hurricane is the labor of love fashioned by Colleen Murphy, a multi-media artist & songwriter from Denver, CO. Over the years, she has fulfilled her musical vision through the cultivation of a rotating cast of talented musicians and songwriters who each bring their heart and soul to the mix, delivering a folk-a-delic, blues-grass sound that will blast you into auditory airspace!
Colleen Murphy -Guitar, Vocals, Don O’Gorman – Bass, Brian Remple -.Percussion, Jack Laub-Mandolin , Alex Fostar- Fiddle, and Barbara Javors Vocals, Ben Hanrahan- Guitar and Vocals
She’s back from San Diego for a special show at the press. Don’t miss Kristin Esper’s solo acoustic performance!
Kristin is an Americana singer songwriter from the midwest who has captivated the Steamboat music scene. Her diverse mix of covers and original songs are always a guaranteed great show!
Jay Roemer has proven himself to be among the most gifted songwriters in the thriving Colorado Bluegrass/Americana scene. With haunting lyrics, stylish guitar and a harmonica flair, his songs continue to connect with audiences of all types.
He’ll be playing some Americana and Country Rock at the press!
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