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" (Absolute Punk). 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" (Westword).