Mixtape: Jeff Cramer and Dylan McCarthy

This is an intimate live show in downtown Longmont, Colorado presented by The Soundpost Sessions at The Times Collaborative featuring songwriters and host Monica Marie LaBonte all on stage swapping songs and stories in-the-round. Music is from 7-9, doors at 6:30. Join us for this very special ongoing musical series once a month!

$18 Advance (reserved seating)

$20 Day of Show

This event is sponsored by:

Longmont Creates

https://www.downtownlongmont.com/creative-district/longmont-creates

Longmont Creates is the non-profit arm of the Longmont Creative District. They support activities in the Longmont Creative District and the creatives throughout Longmont. Mixtape was the first recipient of their new Pop-Up Grant and we are so thankful!

The Artists:

Jeff Cramer https://www.jeffcramer.com/

Jeff’s anticipated new release “Forever Morning” - written and recorded all in Colorado over the past two years - is set to release throughout 2024. Recorded at the iconic Blasting Room Studios in Fort Collins, Colorado, Jeff and acclaimed producer Andrew Berlin crafted during bits of time here and there, carving away, without a clear idea of what they were building. Ultimately, after tracking what was to be a single 10-12 track record, they ended up with a 16-track journey of discovery. The record traverses through mystical mountain passes, echoes in the haunting corridors of coastal catacombs, rides along desolate desert railroads, and resonates with the distant thunder of faraway battlefields. Yet, it always circles back to a place profoundly intimate and close to the heart. "Forever Morning" eventually finds its way back to the soothing currents of the River Jordan, meanders into the rugged high country, and basks in the morning desert sun where its story began. Unveiled in three compelling parts, "Forever Morning" began its journey with Part I in the spring of 2024.

“Forever Morning” features an all-Colorado cast – including Andrew Berlin producing (Gregory Alan Isakov), Emma Rose on bass and harmonies (Sound of Honey), Max Barcelow on drums (Gregory Alan Isakov), Charlie Rose (Elephant Revival) and Dave Divine (Brian Blade, Megan Burtt) on electric guitars, Russick Smith and Eve Panning (Big Richard) on cello and fiddle, Jon Estes (Abigail Washburn) on organ and keyboard, and Jeff on lead and background vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, piano, rhodes, and the water bucket.

The new record comes on the heels of Jeff’s work with Jeff Cramer and the Wooden Sound on “The Shed Sessions” video series, also found on all audio streaming services. The Wooden Sound – featuring Jeff on acoustic guitar and vocals, Emma Rose on upright bass and vocals, Dylan McCarthy on mandolin and vocals, and Dave Pailet on dobro and vocals, was built in January and February of 2020. They were set to play their first show on March 26, 2020, when the world came to a halt. They were finally able to come back together that summer – negative COVID tests in hand – and film the video series for their fall release featured by The Bluegrass Situation that November. The band and video spurred a backyard music series in Jeff’s yard called the Denver Shed Sessions, which hosted stellar Colorado music talent for the next 2 years including Big Richard, Travis McNamara, Sturtz, David Burchfield, and others.

Jeff’s love for great songs, those that tell the truth without a heavy hand, is evident in his music. He draws inspiration from the sounds created by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois in their basements in the 70s to the lonesome cowboy songs of Townes Van Zandt, and more contemporary songster icons Jason Isbell and Adrienne Lenker. Beyond his musical endeavors, Jeff is a full-time solar energy industry and environmental advocate and executive, loves a good new pair of socks, and is always on the lookout for a good pretzel, a new singletrack trail run, or a good sunny café, park, or beach to hole up with his New Yorker, or notepad to conjure his next big idea.

Dylan McCarthy https://dylanmccarthymusic.com/home

Dylan McCarthy grew up with music. Some of his earliest memories include listening to "Breakfast with The Beatles" with his dad on Sunday mornings and making up songs for his grandmother. The passion grabbed him early and never let go.

With over 20 years experience playing and performing, his musical background is deep and diverse. Beginning with classical piano at the age of 7, he has explored a breadth of musical genres and instruments. His high school years were steeped in classic rock and roll, cutting his teeth in Denver dive bars at 14. He hit a turning point at 18 with his decision to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA in 2012 for electric bass, while simultaneously discovering his love for mandolin and bluegrass music. He eventually made the decision to return to Denver and pursue his music career in the bluegrass music scene.

Since then, Dylan has relocated to Lyons and established himself in Colorado as a hard-working professional in the bluegrass and acoustic music scene. In 2016, he brought home a Heartland Emmy award for Musical Composition, and in 2017 his live performances started shifting from breweries and bars to festivals and international tours including India and the UK. Recent notable achievements include playing at the 2018 Rockygrass Festival with The Lyons Bluegrass Collective, sharing the stage with Hot Rize at the 2018 Charles Sawtelle Memorial Mountain Jam and taking first place in the 2019 Rockygrass Mandolin Championship. In 2020, he released his debut album of original instrumentals, Lost & Found, and one of the tracks was awarded 2nd place in the Mike Auldridge Instrumental Contest. His finesse on the mandolin, fierce guitar playing and strong vocal presence have made him a notable member of the Colorado bluegrass community.

Monica Marie LaBonte monicamariemusic.com

From a wide-eyed tike delicately pressing the keys of her mother’s upright piano to a seasoned artist taking various stages across the country, Monica Marie LaBonte has always been guided by song.
With the sharp ability to craft tracks that speak to the fragility and wonder of life, the crystalline vocalist continues to attract listeners with her stirring blend of folk and country. At times, her lyrics come across as wise whisperings from a dear friend. At others, they hold all the vulnerability and transparency of raw confessions. A keen observer, LaBonte bears witness to life’s magic and heartache and artfully weaves the intricacies of the human condition into tunes that possess undeniable intimacy, grace and grit.
In her over 10-year career, the Colorado native has played hundreds of venues, including the historic Gold Hill Inn and Planet Bluegrass. Whether belting out ballads in a small listening room or playing to tens of thousands at an open-air venue, she brings a palpable authenticity to each gig.
Known for her stint in mystic-Americana band Monocle, her stellar musicianship and gift for commanding a stage shines just as bright in her solo work.
Armed with an acoustic and her truth, it’s clear LaBonte is pursuing her art for all the right reasons. Although her creative pursuits are guided by pure passion, LaBonte hasn’t escaped critical praise and success. A finalist In the 2018 Songwriter Showcase, at Rocky Mountain Folks Fest in Lyons, Colo., she continues to impress with her art.
A natural-born wordsmith — in the vein of Joni Mitchell and Alison Krauss — it’s easy to see why the songstress has packed coffeehouses, held her own on the lineup at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and been hailed as having “a voice I trust” by fellow musician Daniel Rodriguez (founding member of Elephant Revival).
Powerful, yet understated — poetic, yet real — LaBonte remains one to watch.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Times Collaborative, 338 Main Street, Longmont, United States