Though Denver electronic/metal quintet Caramel Carmela hasn't been around that long, the band is already becoming a staple in the local music scene. Selected to play on the Denver date of the Warped Tour in 2010, featured in Colorado Music Buzz Magazine, and praised for their killer debut album Ominous Walrus which dropped last November, the talented outfit is showing that they are here to stay. Caramel Carmela- Jack Roberts (vocals), Ryan Bratton (guitar/screams), Sha Gipson (bass), Joe Meggison (guitar), and Lance Esparza (drums)- took the time to answer a few of my questions about the music scene in Denver, how they write songs, and finding inspiration in Peter Pan.
What's your favorite venue to play in Colorado?
Playing the Marquis has been great so many times. Since Summit Music Hall has opened, we've played it twice and it has been excellent to play there as well- awesome sound, great staff. Bottom line, Soda Jerk is a well-oiled ship.
Give me some insight into the songwriting process.
Pretty interesting stuff. We have so many elements, it's amazing that ideas ever get organized. But we generally try to do most of the writing starting with our synths and drums. Everything else blossoms from there.
What is the weirdest thing to inspire a song?
"The Man Downstairs" is basically about Peter Pan. Not exactly the movie, but the drive to stay young forever. That's not really weird, but it's better than a sob story about a girl.
What is your view of the local Denver music scene and how do you fit in?
The Denver music scene has been fantastic to us and it's always great to play at home. We still think it could be so much better though. There are so many active music lovers here but the medium of how bands grow fan bases has changed so much in the last five years. Music can be instantly in your home at the click of the mouse, but there's a multitude of great local music HERE and happening constantly.
If your music was the soundtrack to a movie, which one would it be?
Something intense! It would have to have a lot of elements. It would be cool to see Scott Pilgrim vs. The World or Tron: Legacy with our music.
If Caramel Carmela were to grace the cover of any magazine, which one would it be?
It would always be nice to be on something big like AP, but we never take anything serious enough, which is part of our attraction. Our music is spontaneous, fast, heavy, but it’s not always serious. We do this because we love it to death and anything you dedicate yourself to like that has to make you laugh every now and then. So maybe we wanna be on the cover of Pet Lovers Monthly. Lance is good with animals.
You're in a karaoke bar and forced to sing a song- what is your go-to tune?
"Mr. Jones" by Counting Crows. Epic song. Best writing.
If you could select anyone in the world to be your #1 fan, who would it be?
So many interesting people out there. It would be great to have Oprah or Ellen on our team haha. Maybe even Mike Tyson. Never gonna get hustled in that position.
Catch Caramel Carmela at the Marquis Theater this Thursday, February 10th. Supporting acts include Aim2miss, The Shake-Up Brigade, and The Field The Ocean. Doors open at 7:30pm, tickets are only $5, and it's an all-ages show.
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