"Everyone loves reggae music, they just don't know where to find it"

When someone hears "Colorado Local Music" the last thing that comes to mind would be Reggae. I mean if you were playing Family Feud and said that, your family is gonna smack you upside the head. The front range does have a wide variety when music genres is concerned, come to find out...the reggae scene is growing. To assist the artists that make up the "jammin" community is the man behind www.ReggaeMovement.com. We sat down with Larry Leiber to find out how he's trying to bring reggae to the people and call more attention to a genre that should get more recognition around Colorado.

Make sure you take a minute to surf through ReggaeMovement.com and get to know your local reggae artists, check out show dates, listen to some music links, read reviews and familiarize yourself with the whole scene going on around you!


denverlocalmusicscene.com
First off, I love what your doing with the website.... Could you tell us what your trying to accomplish with The Reggae Movement?

ReggaeMovement.com: Thank you for the comments.  The Reggae Movement is dedicated to promoting and cultivating a reggae scene here in Colorado and New Mexico.

What I'm trying to do is to build a reggae community here in Denver, and to raise the awareness of the diversity and talent that not only artists here in Colorado have, but where reggae has come from and where it will go both locally and globally.  To build that bridge from the fan to the artist so that everyone knows more about reggae music.


denverlocalmusicscene.com
Now, Colorado isn't the first place you think of when you hear about Reggae... can you tell us more about what the scene is like? I don't even know how many reggae artists are around the front range.

ReggaeMovement.com: Colorado is an interesting place for music in general, and the genre of Reggae is no different.   Boulder, which has been described as a Rocky Mountain Berkley, is probably the best scene for Reggae Music at this point.   Ft. Collins has some good reggae, but it's more seasonal based on the Colorado State University schedule.  Denver, as I said before, is still a struggle, but I keep my motto in my head, "everyone loves reggae music, they just don't know where to find it", as I continue to envision how things can be.

There are actually quite a few really quality acts here in Colorado.  From Jah Family Band coming out of Boulder to Preacherman in Denver and Zion Express out of Colorado Springs, just to name a few.  There are a wide range of reggae bands to see and hear throughout the frontrange.  Lion Souljahs, Irie Still, Zionway Soundsystem, Mateo Monk are a few more names.

But in addition to live reggae bands, there is another method of expression of reggae music, and that is the format of the DJ Show.  The casual reggae fan may not be aware but, throughout the history of reggae, dating back to the 60's, the DJ, aka Selector, has been an instrumental part of bringing the latest greatest reggae to the people.  There are also many local DJ shows up and down the frontrange.  Knowing the Denver scene well, DJ Uplifter at Dulcinea's every Sunday night, and Muzik Maker (who also does our online radio show) every Friday Night at Axum Restaurant are the two most prominent off the top of my head.  Watching both of those shows will give an idea of the difference in reggae styles and the variety and diversity that reggae music has to offer.

If everything goes well with what I'm trying to do down at Herman's Hideway, everyone in Denver will have the opportunity to check all these artists, DJ's and more on a regular basis.


denverlocalmusicscene.com
You contribute to the live show aspect with Reggae On Broadway right?... wanna tell us more about that show?

ReggaeMovement.com: Reggae on Broadway is a reggae concert series held the first Thursday of every month at Herman's Hideaway.  Right now, we've been bringing local bands and such, but plan to expand to larger acts as more and more national acts start to tour to give the people more and more reggae to enjoy.

Reggae on Broadway is not a new concept. It's based upon Herman's Hideaway long running reggae series back in the 80's.   My dream is to have that place filled with reggae people smiling and dancing. We just had a show down there the other night.  Great show!   Not as many people as there should be, but a great show and everyone was smiling who was there, which is a positive and great thing to see.  It's a great feeling to see people smiling and dancing and having fun, and knowing that they'll be there the next time.


denverlocalmusicscene.com
Denverlocalmusicscene.com is out to represent the entire scene in & around Denver, You're doing the same thing for Reggae. What is your motivation behind promoting the scene?

ReggaeMovement.com: I have a passion for reggae music that not many people will ever truly know the depth.  Listening to the music has provided me so much satisfaction in my life that I have no problem to keep the torch going to help everyone in reggae out as much as possible. And, as i've said before, I am driven to see the day when the city of Denver has a reggae scene that is worthy of the people who live here.


denverlocalmusicscene.com
How about your personal involvment in the scene?

ReggaeMovement.com: Well, starting off over a year and a half ago, a friend of mine and I (Eric Hovey, and he is now down in New Mexico and is doing the same thing we do here in Colorado), began this whole thing with a website concept.  We shared the same passion and devotion to the music, and it has since grown from a hobby to involvement on a higher level as we have actually promote shows, started an online radio network (which i hope to grow into an on air network utilizing Muzik Maker's talents).  

I attend every reggae show in the area, helping to promote the shows and to get people there.  I photograph the shows, review the shows, interview the artists.  It's actaully a  lot of fun, and the learning curve is still straight up.

What I'd like to see is the continual growth of reggae throughout Colorado more efficiently and effectively towards a more common goal of seeing everyone have the opportunity to experience this wonderful genre of music.


denverlocalmusicscene.com
What would you say are a few of the acts that we should really be paying attention to right now?

ReggaeMovement.com: Well, it depends on how you see things.  Locally, Jah Family Band and Preacherman seem to be the most consistent and continue to strive to provide better entertainment.  Jah Family Band will be at Reggae on Broadway for the February 6th Bob Marley Celebration.  

Preacherman has been around the scene for a very long time, and has done everything.  I sense a resurgence in his efforts next year.

On a larger scale, Damian Marley, Bob Marley's youngest son, has definitely made some huge strides in the past year or two.   Luciano, the future torch bearer for reggae music, has developed into his own and you will hear some big things from him down the line.


denverlocalmusicscene.com
Any of them playing soon? What shows should we really look out for in the near future?

ReggaeMovement.com: Yeah, Jah Family will be at The Reggae on Broadway on February 6th. February 6th marks the day that Bob Marley was born back in 1945.   Preacherman may even be there giving a toasting style show before Jah Family plays.  "Toasting" is the old Jamiacan style of a singer singing over tracks laid down by a DJ.

There are always reggae shows going on. More outside of denver than inside right now, but if the people get out and support the January 2nd and February 6th shows, it will give more foundation to bringing more and more reggae to Denver.


denverlocalmusicscene.com
What's one the coolest Reggae type sentence you know? All I know is "lotta mercy"

ReggaeMovement.com: Reggae is always known for the lighthearted "everything's going to be alright" feel, but what is misunderstood a lot is the level of depth in the devotion and lyrics of most of the artists.  "One Love, One Heart, let's get together and feel alright" is always a standby to look positive and proper towards your dealings with others, but in reality there are some deeper concepts to be taught.

For example, a comment by Joseph Hill in an interview I performed this past summer always sticks out.   After being asked what his message would be to the Presidents of Africa, he started his address to them with "Sirs, please remember, there is always enough to satisfy every man's need, but never enough to satisfy one man's greed."

That line has made an impact upon my outlook on life.

Another line that has always interested me is from Peter Tosh.  Peter Tosh and Bob Marley began their career together with the Wailers, but went their separate ways during the 70's. Peter Tosh was in a search for the truth, and portrayed a more confrontational style.  The line in his song Equal Rights and Justice, where he speaks out "Everyone is crying out for peace, but none is crying out for justice" has made an impact upon myself as well as to the focus and direction of our causes in life.

I could go on and on about some of the better things said in Reggae music.....


denverlocalmusicscene.com
Anything else we should Know about this genre in Colorado? Your the expert...let us have it!

ReggaeMovement.com: Reggae Music is here.  It's out there to be found, and it's a beautiful thing.  The local artists are talented and give everything they can to the life.  For reggae is a life, it's a way of thinking, creating positive vibes and treating everyone with respect.  

As with anything, if the people were to support the scene, then the scene will grow.  I truly believe that there is no one that dislikes reggae, but that the people don't know where to find it.  That's where The Reggae Movement comes into play.