Standing outside in the amphitheater at Colorado State University for a free concert, I heard the first notes: a guitar, drums, vocals and a glorious song titled “Perfume.”
It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with Clementine. That applies to a growing number of Fort Collins fans as the band’s fame grows up and down Colorado’s Front Range.
Every band of great renown started out local. Clementine formed three years ago Fort Collins. Sam Claiborne and Liran Graff are co-founders, joined by Keiran Wisell, lead singer; Caleb Crowe, drums; and Elizabeth Radman, bass. All are college students who perform at CSU regularly. The band has two EPs out right now.
The band plays several local shows here in Fort Collins as well as Denver and Colorado Springs. “Our influences are varied for each member, but their main influences are alternative rock and ’90s grunge,” Claiborne said.
“Supporting local music is important because it builds a community. Fort Collins has one of the best and most supportive music scenes in Colorado,” he said. “We aren’t doing it for money especially since we don’t make any. We are doing it because we love music. We love music and that bonds us.”
“Music reflects the area,” Claiborne said in contrasting Fort Collins to Denver, where for most bands “it is about wanting to be an opener for bigger bands than it is about the music.
“It is not as supportive as it is here in Fort Collins, where it is more about the music and supporting each other as musicians,” he said.
The FOCOmx music festival April 19-20 in Fort Collins is an opportunity for musicians to show off their talents. put on by the Fort Collins Music Association.
“For Clementine, these services have been massive for us being one of the more successful bands here in FOCO,” Claiborne said. “I love being in a band and I love being in a band with my best friends. Please go support your local bands. It could change their lives,” he said.
Go check out this incredible local band because supporting your local music scene is important.
