Bare Bones

Bare Bones’ self-titled sophomore E.P. is a stunning nod to the group’s alt- country roots. Vocals are layered over a dripping violin, a weary steel guitar and a locked in rythm section, taking one back to a time that once was.

Check out the irresistible Hope & Feather, which gallops along on the back of perfectly judged fiddle and drums. - The Mad Mackerel (U.K.)

Bare Bones’ self-titled sophomore E.P. is a stunning nod to the group’s alt- country roots. Vocals are layered over a dripping violin, a weary steel guitar and a locked in rythm section, taking one back to a time that once was.

Check out the irresistible Hope & Feather, which gallops along on the back of perfectly judged fiddle and drums. - The Mad Mackerel (U.K.)

(Translated from German)

No idea who does the art-work for the alt-country, americana band bones out of denver. At any rate it made me sceptical. these retro style pictures, the style makes me want to click somewhere else. Only the oppurtunity to listen to their music directly on the homepage, kept me there and that is why i am wiriting this. Because what the sympathetic quintette succeeds at there, deserves all honor.i like the combination of folkloric elements, relaxing with many sinewy flows.

on the helm, a certain blake brown, steamed through history solo for quite some time, until he encountered violinist frieda stalheim (the name, by the way, is also the same as the founding member of munly and the lee lewis harlots), fell in love, and from then on was no longer traveling alone.

they worked on several song ideas together, and soon found that it would be rewarding to add a few extra instruments. so they heaved bassist James yardley of the snake rattle rattle snake, the lapsteel guitarist jordan wyatt of hearts in space and drummer ben desoto, also well known for his involvement in nathaniel rateliff and the wheel, on board.

jointly they create a sketch of sound, that shimmers between the alarming fiddle and melancholy vocals. generally, this. male and female attack, and sometimes you cannot distinguish, which of the sexes is at work. frieda has a special type of voice, full and effortlessly sensual. the quintette have made a few songs from their self-titled ep available to you to get a first impression of the band. it appeared this summer on notably fine audio. the song "hope and feather" sticks out especially, a grasping melody with a strong pithy instrumentals. horse feathers, broken numers band, cave singers, smith westerns, there have been many notable bands sharing the stage with bare bones. I am anxious to see what the future holds for the young band. - das klienicum (Europe)

(Translated from German)

No idea who does the art-work for the alt-country, americana band bones out of denver. At any rate it made me sceptical. these retro style pictures, the style makes me want to click somewhere else. Only the oppurtunity to listen to their music directly on the homepage, kept me there and that is why i am wiriting this. Because what the sympathetic quintette succeeds at there, deserves all honor.i like the combination of folkloric elements, relaxing with many sinewy flows.

on the helm, a certain blake brown, steamed through history solo for quite some time, until he encountered violinist frieda stalheim (the name, by the way, is also the same as the founding member of munly and the lee lewis harlots), fell in love, and from then on was no longer traveling alone.

they worked on several song ideas together, and soon found that it would be rewarding to add a few extra instruments. so they heaved bassist James yardley of the snake rattle rattle snake, the lapsteel guitarist jordan wyatt of hearts in space and drummer ben desoto, also well known for his involvement in nathaniel rateliff and the wheel, on board.

jointly they create a sketch of sound, that shimmers between the alarming fiddle and melancholy vocals. generally, this. male and female attack, and sometimes you cannot distinguish, which of the sexes is at work. frieda has a special type of voice, full and effortlessly sensual. the quintette have made a few songs from their self-titled ep available to you to get a first impression of the band. it appeared this summer on notably fine audio. the song "hope and feather" sticks out especially, a grasping melody with a strong pithy instrumentals. horse feathers, broken numers band, cave singers, smith westerns, there have been many notable bands sharing the stage with bare bones. I am anxious to see what the future holds for the young band. - das klienicum (Europe)

Oscar Wilde once observed that, ‘Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life’, but for Denver alt-country newbies, BARE BONES, the saying has evolved, and bears a new meaning altogether. Guitarist/singer Blake Brown and violinist Frieda Stalheim actually gathered around the idea of playing together during art museum after-hours (at which they both work). Does that mean, now, that art imitates the influence of life at the art museum? Who knows. But early examples of the haunting and romantic music the band conjures is something more internal, requiring more listening than speaking.

Brown and Stalheim (along with bassist James Yardley of Snake Rattle Rattle Snake and drummer Ben Desoto of Nathaniel Rateliff and the Wheel) separate themselves from dozens of genre-sharing outfits by laying the bareness to the bones of heartache–their strength, namesake and the corporeal body of the work. And although newly realized, Bare Bones’ collective and experienced talents make them less prone to unfocused ramblings. They know exactly who they are and what they want to sound like. That’s refreshing. Blake’s syrup and whiskey vocals hover above the druggy echos of Frieda’s fiddle, bringing to mind less human comparisons, and breaching sounds more akin to something supernatural.
I believe Wilde would have zero trouble amending his statement, post-Bare Bones listening session. - 303 Magazine

Oscar Wilde once observed that, ‘Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life’, but for Denver alt-country newbies, BARE BONES, the saying has evolved, and bears a new meaning altogether. Guitarist/singer Blake Brown and violinist Frieda Stalheim actually gathered around the idea of playing together during art museum after-hours (at which they both work). Does that mean, now, that art imitates the influence of life at the art museum? Who knows. But early examples of the haunting and romantic music the band conjures is something more internal, requiring more listening than speaking.

Brown and Stalheim (along with bassist James Yardley of Snake Rattle Rattle Snake and drummer Ben Desoto of Nathaniel Rateliff and the Wheel) separate themselves from dozens of genre-sharing outfits by laying the bareness to the bones of heartache–their strength, namesake and the corporeal body of the work. And although newly realized, Bare Bones’ collective and experienced talents make them less prone to unfocused ramblings. They know exactly who they are and what they want to sound like. That’s refreshing. Blake’s syrup and whiskey vocals hover above the druggy echos of Frieda’s fiddle, bringing to mind less human comparisons, and breaching sounds more akin to something supernatural.
I believe Wilde would have zero trouble amending his statement, post-Bare Bones listening session. - 303 Magazine

From the ashes of Munly and the Lee Lewis Harlots, the Wheel (Nathaniel Rateliff’s backing band) and a little help from Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, comes Bare Bones. Their music resonates like heartache after a night of crying profusely with only a bottle of Stranahan’s Whiskey close by in an open field of blanketed by shining stars as the only means of company. Look for them to drop their first demo mid-March which will be available at their shows.Bare Bones will only be doing two shows at SXSW this year. Not bad, considering they’ve played a handful shows around town since their inception. Time is very precious in SX for the people that want to fit in the most acts they can in a 4-5 day period. Not to mention when there’s acts only doing one or two shows and you have others doing nine or ten. Tons of strategy is involved, and no time to waste - Cause = Time

From the ashes of Munly and the Lee Lewis Harlots, the Wheel (Nathaniel Rateliff’s backing band) and a little help from Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, comes Bare Bones. Their music resonates like heartache after a night of crying profusely with only a bottle of Stranahan’s Whiskey close by in an open field of blanketed by shining stars as the only means of company. Look for them to drop their first demo mid-March which will be available at their shows.Bare Bones will only be doing two shows at SXSW this year. Not bad, considering they’ve played a handful shows around town since their inception. Time is very precious in SX for the people that want to fit in the most acts they can in a 4-5 day period. Not to mention when there’s acts only doing one or two shows and you have others doing nine or ten. Tons of strategy is involved, and no time to waste - Cause = Time

Here’s a little something new for y’all. It’s a roundup of our favorite new songs of the past month. Hope you enjoy!

Bare Bones: Come In/Stay Out – Allison Kraus meets U2 - Family Reunion Country

Here’s a little something new for y’all. It’s a roundup of our favorite new songs of the past month. Hope you enjoy!

Bare Bones: Come In/Stay Out – Allison Kraus meets U2 - Family Reunion Country

Denver Colorado based Americana band Bare Bones have released a six-track self-titled EP, the band were formed by Denver music scene veterans Blake Brown (guitar, vocals) and Frieda Stalheim (violin, vocals) after meeting at the art museum where they both work, with some songs ideas developed the pair decided they needed to expand their sound and recruited friends James Yardley (bass), Ben Desoto (drums) and Jordan Wyatt (lap steel, guitars) to complete the line-up and have released a fine debut EP that bodes well for the future - Beat Surrender (U.K.)

Denver Colorado based Americana band Bare Bones have released a six-track self-titled EP, the band were formed by Denver music scene veterans Blake Brown (guitar, vocals) and Frieda Stalheim (violin, vocals) after meeting at the art museum where they both work, with some songs ideas developed the pair decided they needed to expand their sound and recruited friends James Yardley (bass), Ben Desoto (drums) and Jordan Wyatt (lap steel, guitars) to complete the line-up and have released a fine debut EP that bodes well for the future - Beat Surrender (U.K.)

This self-titled EP from Bare Bones feels a lot like fall, which could be a generic seasonal connotation that comes along with the sawing and shuffling sounds typical of Western Americana and alt-country. But the sense of an inevitable autumn isn't a bad thing at all: The quartet's founders, Blake Brown and Frieda Stalheim, have built three solemn and very beautiful melodies together, solidly backed by drummer Ben Desoto (Nathaniel Rateliff and the Wheel) and bassist James Yardley (Snake Rattle Rattle Snake). The slow and steady "Kissing Knives" finds Brown's voice and Stalheim's violin working in fluid unison, blurring the line between human and instrumental melody. "Stop Shaking," meanwhile, is an emotionally deliberate ending to this short offering, stretching the band beyond its initial stripped-down country sound. In just three songs, Bare Bones's first EP leaves a lot of room for a full-length followup. - Westword

This self-titled EP from Bare Bones feels a lot like fall, which could be a generic seasonal connotation that comes along with the sawing and shuffling sounds typical of Western Americana and alt-country. But the sense of an inevitable autumn isn't a bad thing at all: The quartet's founders, Blake Brown and Frieda Stalheim, have built three solemn and very beautiful melodies together, solidly backed by drummer Ben Desoto (Nathaniel Rateliff and the Wheel) and bassist James Yardley (Snake Rattle Rattle Snake). The slow and steady "Kissing Knives" finds Brown's voice and Stalheim's violin working in fluid unison, blurring the line between human and instrumental melody. "Stop Shaking," meanwhile, is an emotionally deliberate ending to this short offering, stretching the band beyond its initial stripped-down country sound. In just three songs, Bare Bones's first EP leaves a lot of room for a full-length followup. - Westword

If you’re looking for a real fine way to spend about 21 minutes and 8 seconds, may I suggest this incredible EP from Denver’s Bare Bones.

The band consists of Blake Brown on guitar/vocals, Frieda Stalheim on violin, James Yardley on bass, Jordan Wyatt on guitar/lap steel, and Ben Desoto on drums.

This is music that draws on such great bands of the past. I was immediately reminded of the late 60’s classic progressive rock band, It’s a Beautiful Day. I know they must have been turned on to them at some point in time. Or more recently, Cowboy Junkies come to mind, but one thing is for sure - This is a band that may have been influenced by other great bands but from that, they have developed their very own solid, eclectic sound.

You could say it’s alt-country or Americana, but I believe it’s much more than that. It’s a sound that I have written about before. It’s a sound that would seem to be emerging out of rich dark fertile soil, engulfing the listener in rich, textured, organically grown sound. Sound that penetrates the inner-ear, planting itself firmly into the creative right side of the brain.

It’s a sound that inspires, creating chills or goose bumps up and down the listener’s spine. It penetrates every pore, causing nearly orgasmic gyrations to emerge from within. It wouldn’t be considered dancing by most, appearing to be spasmodic reactions to a strange and wonderful new sound, but to those in the know, it is a dance. It’s a Bare Bones dance.

Ms. Stalheim’s violin enables the music to seemingly ooze texture, texture you can almost see with your ears, completely confusing the two senses. On a tune or two, Mr. Wyatt’s lap steel lays just underneath everything, creating an eerie atmosphere to this profoundly original music.

These are truly six of the best original tunes I have heard all year. I just cannot wait to for them to put together an entire album.


By ‘Rebel’ Rod Ames

- From Under the Basement

If you’re looking for a real fine way to spend about 21 minutes and 8 seconds, may I suggest this incredible EP from Denver’s Bare Bones.

The band consists of Blake Brown on guitar/vocals, Frieda Stalheim on violin, James Yardley on bass, Jordan Wyatt on guitar/lap steel, and Ben Desoto on drums.

This is music that draws on such great bands of the past. I was immediately reminded of the late 60’s classic progressive rock band, It’s a Beautiful Day. I know they must have been turned on to them at some point in time. Or more recently, Cowboy Junkies come to mind, but one thing is for sure - This is a band that may have been influenced by other great bands but from that, they have developed their very own solid, eclectic sound.

You could say it’s alt-country or Americana, but I believe it’s much more than that. It’s a sound that I have written about before. It’s a sound that would seem to be emerging out of rich dark fertile soil, engulfing the listener in rich, textured, organically grown sound. Sound that penetrates the inner-ear, planting itself firmly into the creative right side of the brain.

It’s a sound that inspires, creating chills or goose bumps up and down the listener’s spine. It penetrates every pore, causing nearly orgasmic gyrations to emerge from within. It wouldn’t be considered dancing by most, appearing to be spasmodic reactions to a strange and wonderful new sound, but to those in the know, it is a dance. It’s a Bare Bones dance.

Ms. Stalheim’s violin enables the music to seemingly ooze texture, texture you can almost see with your ears, completely confusing the two senses. On a tune or two, Mr. Wyatt’s lap steel lays just underneath everything, creating an eerie atmosphere to this profoundly original music.

These are truly six of the best original tunes I have heard all year. I just cannot wait to for them to put together an entire album.


By ‘Rebel’ Rod Ames

- From Under the Basement

Alberta Cross brought its ragged version of rock ‘n’ roll to the Bluebird Theater on Thursday for a free show sponsored by Vitamin Water. For the price of a text message to the company fans of the band enjoyed a night of free music including an opening set from Denver folk band Bare Bones. - Reverb

Alberta Cross brought its ragged version of rock ‘n’ roll to the Bluebird Theater on Thursday for a free show sponsored by Vitamin Water. For the price of a text message to the company fans of the band enjoyed a night of free music including an opening set from Denver folk band Bare Bones. - Reverb

Denver, Colorado based Bare Bones return with their sophomore E.P. simply titled Bare Bones. Transporting the listener to a different time and place, Bare Bones is full of haunting, airy and chilling melodies, heart piercing fiddle and simple yet beautiful arrangements as well as solid musicianship. Standout tracks Doves and Crows and Last Dance will fill your mind with imagery of ghosts of long dead friends and family. But don’t worry; even with an overall darker theme, Bare Bones will leaves you left with a peaceful, quiet feeling. - Americana Roots

Denver, Colorado based Bare Bones return with their sophomore E.P. simply titled Bare Bones. Transporting the listener to a different time and place, Bare Bones is full of haunting, airy and chilling melodies, heart piercing fiddle and simple yet beautiful arrangements as well as solid musicianship. Standout tracks Doves and Crows and Last Dance will fill your mind with imagery of ghosts of long dead friends and family. But don’t worry; even with an overall darker theme, Bare Bones will leaves you left with a peaceful, quiet feeling. - Americana Roots

Last night, I went to a free show featuring local Denver opener Bare Bones and headliner Alberta Cross. I went at the urging of Jessie, who has good tastes and is friends with Bare Bones. It turned out to be a good show; one which I could be inspired to write about both bands. For now, I’ll highlight Bare Bones.

This was actually my second time seeing the local band. They played a set at UMS that I caught and they were good there as well. It’s time to give them their due here on the blog.

Bare Bones is an alt-country five-piece composed of Blake Brown, Frieda Stalheim, James Yardley, Jordan Wyatt, and Ben Desoto. Several of the members play in other notable Denver bands when they don’t come together as Bare Bones. When they’re together, they form a sonic equivalent of whiskey and tears. I like the Gothic Americana description the band self-ascribes because it captures the sadness, the solemn and empty feelings, that their music itself captures. It’s a fitting aesthetic descriptor. If you get the chance to see them, I encourage you to do so. - 1146 Miles

Last night, I went to a free show featuring local Denver opener Bare Bones and headliner Alberta Cross. I went at the urging of Jessie, who has good tastes and is friends with Bare Bones. It turned out to be a good show; one which I could be inspired to write about both bands. For now, I’ll highlight Bare Bones.

This was actually my second time seeing the local band. They played a set at UMS that I caught and they were good there as well. It’s time to give them their due here on the blog.

Bare Bones is an alt-country five-piece composed of Blake Brown, Frieda Stalheim, James Yardley, Jordan Wyatt, and Ben Desoto. Several of the members play in other notable Denver bands when they don’t come together as Bare Bones. When they’re together, they form a sonic equivalent of whiskey and tears. I like the Gothic Americana description the band self-ascribes because it captures the sadness, the solemn and empty feelings, that their music itself captures. It’s a fitting aesthetic descriptor. If you get the chance to see them, I encourage you to do so. - 1146 Miles

Bare Bones, one of Denver's darkest yet heartfelt alt-country acts is only getting better with time. They have been playing in Denver for over six months and will finally be playing the Bluebird, opening up for Alberta Cross, on September 1st. The show at the Bluebird is well deserved; Bare Bones is an amazing live band. Blake Brown, the lead singer, shows us his emotions with no inhibitions- his music truly reflects himself and he has put everything he has into writing and performing it. The band is made up of crazy talented musicians and if you are a fan of music- specifically live music- this is a must see show at UMS. - The Blendd

Bare Bones, one of Denver's darkest yet heartfelt alt-country acts is only getting better with time. They have been playing in Denver for over six months and will finally be playing the Bluebird, opening up for Alberta Cross, on September 1st. The show at the Bluebird is well deserved; Bare Bones is an amazing live band. Blake Brown, the lead singer, shows us his emotions with no inhibitions- his music truly reflects himself and he has put everything he has into writing and performing it. The band is made up of crazy talented musicians and if you are a fan of music- specifically live music- this is a must see show at UMS. - The Blendd

The heartbreaking Americana of Bare Bones began as a collaboration between singer-songwriter Blake Brown and violinist Frieda Stalheim (formerly of Munly and the Lee Lewis Harlots, but didn’t really see its full expression until the addition of Ben Desoto (formerly of Nathaniel Rateliff) on drums, James Yardley (of Snake Rattle Rattle Snake) on bass and Jordan Hubner (of Hearts in Space on guitars (including some mean lap steel). Together, the quintet gives Brown’s pining odes a dusty, roadhouse treatment that makes the band’s debut EP a sad-yet-satisfying listen. Steal “Hope & Feather” to whet your appetite, and then get down to the release show — this Friday, Sep 9, at the Larimer Lounge — to pick up the whole EP. - Reverb

The heartbreaking Americana of Bare Bones began as a collaboration between singer-songwriter Blake Brown and violinist Frieda Stalheim (formerly of Munly and the Lee Lewis Harlots, but didn’t really see its full expression until the addition of Ben Desoto (formerly of Nathaniel Rateliff) on drums, James Yardley (of Snake Rattle Rattle Snake) on bass and Jordan Hubner (of Hearts in Space on guitars (including some mean lap steel). Together, the quintet gives Brown’s pining odes a dusty, roadhouse treatment that makes the band’s debut EP a sad-yet-satisfying listen. Steal “Hope & Feather” to whet your appetite, and then get down to the release show — this Friday, Sep 9, at the Larimer Lounge — to pick up the whole EP. - Reverb

Bare Bones Self-titled – Independent

So artsy that the band could almost be hung on the wall in a gallery, the folky, alt-country Denver band is just as beautiful for the notes that they do play as for the notes that they avoid in their stark approach. - Marquee Magazine

Bare Bones Self-titled – Independent

So artsy that the band could almost be hung on the wall in a gallery, the folky, alt-country Denver band is just as beautiful for the notes that they do play as for the notes that they avoid in their stark approach. - Marquee Magazine

By Andy Thomas Wednesday, Sep 7 2011

The music that Blake Brown makes with Bare Bones could be considered a throwback, so it's only fitting that it all started in a museum. While working at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Brown struck up a conversation with co-worker and current bandmate Freida Stalheim, formerly of Munly and the Lee Lewis Harlots, and after expressing a mutual love for Gram Parsons, the two decided to bring their instruments to work and begin building the skeletal structures of what would eventually become Bare Bones songs.


With the help of an all-star cast of musicians — James Yardley of Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, Jordan Wyatt of Hearts in Space and Ben Desoto of the Wheel — the group recently put the finishing touches on a self-titled EP. We caught up with Brown and asked him about the sound he's creating.

Westword: You performed for years as a solo artist. Explain the decision to build a band around these songs. Why did you pick the musicians you did?

Blake Brown: Well, the solo thing was kind of an accident. I grew up playing in bands that were always pretty loud and on the more aggressive side, yet I've always written these delicate acoustic songs. The songs didn't really fit with any of my bands, and through word of mouth and being involved in a great music scene, the next thing I knew, I was playing solo shows with artists like Rocky Votolato and Lucero. I just tried to do it all and not really think twice about it. For one reason or another, I kind of gave up on the music thing for a while, or at least I thought I did.

I wasn't in a band, and I would rarely play live. I was way more focused on school and art, but in between writing papers and studying for tests, I found I was writing songs. With these new songs, I was focusing on the craft of songwriting and found I was constructing them as if I had a band, meaning I was writing parts with the notion that I had members filling in the holes, or where a lead guitar part would go and things like that.

To be honest, I didn't consciously make an effort to put this band together. It all fell into place quite naturally, and it's the most organic project I've ever been a part of. I had these songs, and once Frieda and I worked through a handful of them, I thought it would be fun to play a show. This being said, I felt the songs needed more accompaniment.
- Westword

By Andy Thomas Wednesday, Sep 7 2011

The music that Blake Brown makes with Bare Bones could be considered a throwback, so it's only fitting that it all started in a museum. While working at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Brown struck up a conversation with co-worker and current bandmate Freida Stalheim, formerly of Munly and the Lee Lewis Harlots, and after expressing a mutual love for Gram Parsons, the two decided to bring their instruments to work and begin building the skeletal structures of what would eventually become Bare Bones songs.


With the help of an all-star cast of musicians — James Yardley of Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, Jordan Wyatt of Hearts in Space and Ben Desoto of the Wheel — the group recently put the finishing touches on a self-titled EP. We caught up with Brown and asked him about the sound he's creating.

Westword: You performed for years as a solo artist. Explain the decision to build a band around these songs. Why did you pick the musicians you did?

Blake Brown: Well, the solo thing was kind of an accident. I grew up playing in bands that were always pretty loud and on the more aggressive side, yet I've always written these delicate acoustic songs. The songs didn't really fit with any of my bands, and through word of mouth and being involved in a great music scene, the next thing I knew, I was playing solo shows with artists like Rocky Votolato and Lucero. I just tried to do it all and not really think twice about it. For one reason or another, I kind of gave up on the music thing for a while, or at least I thought I did.

I wasn't in a band, and I would rarely play live. I was way more focused on school and art, but in between writing papers and studying for tests, I found I was writing songs. With these new songs, I was focusing on the craft of songwriting and found I was constructing them as if I had a band, meaning I was writing parts with the notion that I had members filling in the holes, or where a lead guitar part would go and things like that.

To be honest, I didn't consciously make an effort to put this band together. It all fell into place quite naturally, and it's the most organic project I've ever been a part of. I had these songs, and once Frieda and I worked through a handful of them, I thought it would be fun to play a show. This being said, I felt the songs needed more accompaniment.
- Westword