Speakeasy Tiger

Speakeasy Tiger: The buzz surrounding this Denver quintet is building to a roar worthy of the band’s namesake Tiger. Speakeasy Tiger has been described as, “A danceable symphony of revolving doors, torrents of emotion, and stories of exploding stars in the periphery of vision” (Denver Syntax.) A most unlikely group of personalities and artistic direction, united in their motivation and love of music, Speakeasy Tiger has bred a sound accessible to the masses as well as selective audiophiles.

At the center of the band’s music are the vocals of Kyle Simmons. A professional recording artist since the age of 14, Kyle has pushed her voice in new directions to reflect her evolution as a frontwoman. Ranging from a purr to a roar, Simmons’ voice lays bare the emotions expressed in her lyrics. Long time collaborator and friend of Simmons’ is Pete Schmidt. A classically trained pianist, he brings talent and a passion for music to the keyboards. However, in a live performance, it is Schmidt’s animated mastery of the keytar that brings the crowd to its feet. Acting as both a compliment and a lead to Schmidt’s synth are Tavis Alley’s delay heavy guitars that are “primed for stadiums and airwaves.” (www.AbsolutePunk.net) Being the final addition to the Speakeasy Tiger lineup, Alley has solidified an essential piece to this infectious puzzle breaking through the Denver music scene. Lucas Gordon, on drums, has a background in fast and aggressive music, which requires great technical skill on the drums. That technique applied to a dance-rock style is the heartbeat of the band. Metronome-like in his drumming, he tightly directs the live show. Lauren Gale, a self-confessed “low frequency addict”, is clearly in her element on the bass guitar. The joy that she receives from the music is evident in her performance. Having studied music extensively, she knows her way around the fretboard, but it is her creativity that truly shines through.

In concert, these distinctive elements combine to create a performance that is more than just that; it is an experience. The audience connects to the energy of the band and in turn moves to, and is moved by, the music. With their debut album, “The Public,” Speakeasy Tiger is determined to carry their tunes to the people that inspired the album in the first place: the public.

"Believe the hype." (www.westword.com/music)

shiny toy guns, copeland, taking back sunday, franz ferdinand, muse