24 MARCH 16-22, 2023 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Dominating Denver BY JULIANNA O’CL AIR From catchy indie tunes to intimate jazz soundscapes and everything in between, Denver’s robust music scene is one of its greatest gems. While the Mile High City may be known for nationally acclaimed venues such as Red Rocks, it also boasts a plethora of strong Denver-dwelling musi- cians who keep the scene alive. In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re highlight- ing ten women who are prime examples, creating careers with genre-bending mixes, artistic activism, and original music, style and attitudes that mark each as a force to be reckoned with. Deva Yoder Deva Yoder is a Denver-raised, self-taught DIY artist who creates soft Americana and folk-rock music accompanied by glitter- ing acoustic guitar riffs. Yoder, who’s been making music since high school — when she taught herself to play the guitar using instructional books by the Beatles — now has a fully self-produced album, Storm Chas- ers. Drawing inspiration from her spiritual journey, she’s dedicated herself to continu- ous learning and personal awakening while creating her music. Yoder’s second album, Be Well, is set to drop in May 2023. Hazel Miller Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Hazel Miller is a Colorado icon, bringing a powerful combination of jazz, blues, R&B and popu- lar music to Denver audiences since 1984. Miller’s music is imbued with hints of Aretha Franklin and jazz singer Nancy Wilson, who both serve as musical inspi- rations for the performer. With a soulful vibe and smooth, smoky vocals, Miller transforms every show into an intimate, lively experience, performing in a wide range of genres in locations ranging from wine cafes to street festivals. Kalyn Heffernan Kalyn Heffernan, founder and MC of the hip-hop band Wheelchair Sports Camp, is the very defi nition of a badass woman. Born in Denver, Heffernan is a queer, dis- abled activist and rapper who does it all. A self-proclaimed “rebel rouser,” she’s been at the forefront of many Denver protests, including a 2017 sit-in at then-Senator Cory Gardner’s offi ce to call for the protection of Medicaid funding — and in 2019, Heffernan was “rolling” for Denver mayor. A multi- faceted creative, she also has an exhibit at Meow Wolf Denver’s Convergence Station. Heffernan’s music is just as fi erce as she is, with truth-dropping lyrics backed by trippy videos and catchy beats. Lolita The vocalist for Denver Latin alternative pop hip-hop group 2MX2, Lolita is a Denver- born-and-raised bilingual artist who blends elements of pop and hip-hop to create ad- dictively groovy tunes. An active advocate for the arts, Lolita breaks down the barrier between English- and Spanish- language music by producing songs that seamlessly switch between the two. Her newest single, “Chi-Chi Suelta,” is a sassy, bass-heavy Latin urban track that perfectly encapsulates the gritty sound and infectious energy of club music. Jelie A graduate of the University of Colorado Denver’s recording arts program, Jelie raps and produces deeply lyrical hip-hop that tells her personal story in an intoxicating mix of booming bass, melodic choruses and skillful bars. Infl uenced by artists such as Missy Elliott, Tech N9ne and Brotha Lynch Hung, she views the production studio as an escape from the daily grind and a powerful emotional release. An activist for marginalized communities, Jelie cites her autistic brother and sister as a huge source of motivation for her work with disadvantaged individuals. Her most recent drop, “Do It 4 Me,” hit streaming sites on February 24. Maddy O’Neal Maddy O’Neal has produced her own mu- sic since 2010, when she began creating sample-based beats from vinyl records. Now a self-taught EDM producer, O’Neal has played Red Rocks multiple times and has an extensive performance résumé in the U.S. and beyond, recently appearing at the 2023 Envision Festival in Costa Rica. O’Neal makes gritty, funky bass music that com- bines soundscapes from multiple genres to create unique mixes with distinct vibes. Her latest single, “Never Fades (AHEE Remix),” released on February 24, is a collaboration with artists Sink and AHEE. Big Richard Big Richard is the self-proclaimed “aggres- sive and empowering” female group that the Americana music scene was missing. All four members of the group (Bonnie Sims, Emma Rose, Eve Panning and Joy Adams) are incredible musicians in their own right, merging their individual talents into a powerful bluegrass quartet. Despite having fi rst performed together in 2021, the group has rapidly gained success with three singles, an album, and festival dates across America. Big Richard neatly inter- twines harmonic vocals with a twanging fi ddle, cello, bass and guitar that comprise both feminine and masculine energy, with gender-bending, heartfelt results. Lokana Hawaii-born and Denver-raised, Lokana is a singer, songwriter, actor and model who dabbles in R&B and pop. Her debut single, “Ride or Die,” reached international status when it became a top-ten hit in Japan in 2019. Lokana’s sweet vocals and addictive chord progressions create catchy songs that invite repeat listens. Inspired by artists including Lauryn Hill, Drake, Alicia Keys, The Fray and Coldplay, Lokana’s playful, soft sound is easily identifi able. Esmé Patterson Originally a member of Denver indie folk band Paper Bird, Esmé Patterson began her solo career in 2012 with the astounding success of her debut album, All Princes, I. Her iconic mix of folk, indie and pop sound- scapes has elevated her career as a nationally touring artist. Patterson’s sound is soft and intimate, and her lyrics touch on the human experience in a romantic, bittersweet way. The New York Times has said that her songs “hint at mystery and morality.” Patterson’s newest album, There Will Come Soft Rains, was inspired by life’s cycle of creation and destruction and the peace of letting go and beginning again. LVDY Kathleen Hooper and Aubrey Mable, col- lectively known as LVDY, have been mak- ing waves since the release of their debut album in 2019. The two met while in New Zealand on a study-abroad trip in 2012 and reconnected in 2017 after Mable traveled to Colorado following a breakup. Forming a heartfelt and dynamic creative partner- ship, LVDY quickly blossomed into musi- cal success. With melodic, lilting vocals backed by the soft twang of acoustic guitar, LVDY weaves a sense of romance and inti- macy into every album. The duo performs regularly at venues around Denver; catch LVDY at the Soiled Dove Underground on Sunday, March 19. Email the author at [email protected]. MUSIC Hazel Miller is a Denver icon. COURTESY OF HAZEL MILLER
