ou won’t have to be railroaded into seeing Railroad Earth’s CD release parties at the Ogden Theatre in Denver Friday and Saturday. The New Jersey band will be promoting its latest record “Amen Corner” – an album that will be released on the Boulder-affiliated label SCI Fidelity Records.

Railroad Earth doesn’t sound like your typical “Jersey” band. Instead of cranking out Bruce Springsteen or Bon Jovi (fellow Jerseyites) chords, this group prefers to combine acoustic-driven elements of rock, bluegrass, Celtic and jazz sounds into its mix. Band leader Todd Sheaffer fronts Railroad Earth. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because the musician headed the popular 90s rock outfit From Good Homes. These days, Railroad Earth is creating lots of steam and its own path to success.

The band has been making a name for itself on the college and festival circuit, and now Railroad Earth is touring behind its latest record “Amen Corner.”

“We’ve been busy since our last CD – the ‘Elko’ double-live record,” said Sheaffer. “We’ve been going around the country playing shows, and now we’re back with a fresh new album. We actually had started working on another record, but we shelved it and wrote a whole new batch of songs. I think we really captured a moment in time for this band. It has a real, warm inviting feel to it.” Railroad Earth’s “Amen Corner” takes the group’s acoustic and improvisational grooves to a new level, as it melds together the worlds of Americana, roots and bluegrass sounds. Railroad Earth focuses on its songs, but it can also cut loose with some tasty improvisations.

“We did decide to try a few new things on this record,” said Shaeffer. “We added some electric guitar and horns, but it’s basically the Railroad Earth sound. Above all — the songs are our focal point. The jams just ‘comment’ on the songs and give them color.”

Railroad Earth will also be performing a special set at Twist and Shout Records. The free show will take place at the store’s East Colfax location in Denver and starts at 5 p.m.

¥ 

BLUES MOVES

If you haven’t heard the name Keaton Simons in a musical context – you’re going to start hearing a lot about this young, new blues and soul artist. The musician’s dad (Jimmy Simons) produced TV’s “Malcolm in the Middle,” he’s acted in several movies, his music’s been featured on hit TV shows like “American Dreams,” and Simons was even signed to Madonna’s late, great Maverick Records.

Simons is now touring with his new record “Can You Hear Me.” The CD is being released on the new CBS-TV record label. That makes sense, right? These days many acts are breaking via TV shows, so now the channel has access to its own stable of up-and-coming music stars.

“I grew up in the entertainment industry, so it primed me for that kind of lifestyle and schedule,” said Simons. “I really fell in love with music when I was young, so it was a no-brainer to for me to do this. When I was younger, I was a huge fan of The Beatles, Marvin Gaye and Jimi Hendrix. I see my music as blues, rock ‘n’ roll — and some pop stuff in there.”

Simons began his career as the musical director for Tre Hardson from the group The Pharcyde. The young musician went on to work with the Black Eyed Peas and Snoop Dogg. In the past few years, Simons has toured with Coldplay, Gnarls Barkley, Guster and Five For Fighting. Now, he’s getting ready for people to discover his new tunes on “Can You Hear Me?”

“David Bianco produced the new CD – he’s worked with everyone from Tom Petty to Bruce Springsteen,” said Simons. “I wanted this record to capture my truest self — not be a slick L.A. project. I wanted this record to be organic and I felt we kept to that. I can’t wait to play Denver. I’ll have a full band with me to play these new songs.”

See Simons play The Walnut Room in Denver Saturday.

¥ 

‘DARK SIDE OF THE MOON’ – LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN IT

Saturday, Boulder will get to experience a whole ‘nother kind of concert.

That’s the night that the 40th Parallel Productions will host a live presentation of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.” The actual shows will take place at CU’s Fiske Planetarium and will feature an all-star cast of local and national musicians. Before and after the live 6 and 7:30 p.m. shows, concert goers will get to see music sets performed at CU’s Stadium Club (located by Folsom Stadium). All the entertainment can be purchased for one ticket price.

The Fiske Planetarium Pink Floyd shows will feature Bill Nershi of String Cheese Incident, Ben Sproul, Lionel Young and lots of other up-and-coming local and national artists.