Getting back to Red Rocks, in the past fans have witnessed some pretty amazing acrobatics on the stage as well as performances with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Can you talk about what you have might have up your sleeves this year for what will no doubt be an extremely special night in the band’s history.
Bonnie: I really enjoy the layers of texture added by symphony and the portrayal of our songs through dance. It is such a beautifying honor to have songs added to in that way. We are still figuring it out, but I am thinking fire dancing would be a beautiful way to illuminate song at a place like Red Rocks.
Speaking of special moments, the Steamboat Winter Wondergrass provided some of those with both Sage and Bridget sitting in. Should fans expect some of the same at Red Rocks, perhaps an opportunity to see all of the members together on stage again?
Bonnie: That would be nice. I love playing with all who have ever been a part of the band. We shall see.
Talk a little about the bands you will have along with you for the Red Rocks show on May 20, Blind Pilot and Hiss Golden Messenger. What attracts you to those artists and what’s your history with each of them?
Bonnie: I first was introduced to Blind Pilot by our friend Chad Stokes of Dispatch. Chad spontaneously hopped on a leg of a tour with us once, and their music was kind of the soundtrack to our adventures through the mountains. When I hear their song “One Red Thread,” I get sent right back to the fun we had out there. I’m just getting familiar with Hiss Golden Messenger but I like what I’ve heard and am excited to get to hear both bands live at Red Rocks!
Daniel: I’ve met Israel of Blind Pilot a few times. I met him through Gregory Alan Isakov a couple years ago and enjoyed his presence. He is such a sweet person. I loved their music from the first note. I love the sounds that Hiss Golden Messenger is coming up with. Super vibey … accomplishing that almost impossible sound that JJ Cale was getting. It’s a sound that was meant to be, but only a few accomplish. To say the least, I am excited about the lineup.
Music aside, one thing that has always been central to ER has been its focus on environmental stewardship. The band has a long history of partnering with festivals and projects that promote caring for the land we live on and for the second consecutive year in conjunction with Colorado Public Lands Day, you’ll be hosting a “Trail Revival,” the day before your Red Rocks performance. The event will present fans with an opportunity to do restorative work alongside the band, catch a private, intimate acoustic performance after the work is done, and possibly win some VIP tickets to the show. Can you talk a little more about this event, why it’s important to you and how one gets involved?
Bonnie: Our interactive experience is made up of our surroundings; we want to care for that. We see and hear and feel and eat and drink in and breathe in and out all that is around us and it becomes us. Swimming in clean, wild waters and walking through places where a variety of plants and animals live reminds me of the thriving diversity we are a part of. Trail Revival gives people an opportunity to come together and clean up and help protect areas so that there is more access for others to find that kind of peaceful connectedness and adventure in the wilderness.
Last year, Conservation Colorado and Wildlands Restoration Volunteers helped us set up two different trail clean-ups where we got to work alongside volunteers doing trail maintenance and flood damage control. We’re excited to be working with those two organizations again this year. Volunteers will be able to sign up at a first come first served basis when we announce all of the details, which will be in the very near future.
Very cool. Is there anything else either of you would like to add?
Daniel: I just want to thank the fans for supporting us in our creative and self-exploration over the years. I get goose bumps just typing and thinking about it. And it sounds cliché, but it’s true, we couldn’t have done it without you. It would fall on deaf ears. I have so much love and gratitude for being able to follow my dreams and feel the love and support in that. It’s something I feel so very grateful for.
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