Wonderkin, Slow Drags and Mighty Diamonds



by Lindsay Nelson

We hear about it all the time – the Colorado ski town cliché of outdoorsy, forever-young locals who work three or four jobs so they can afford a place to live and lots of expensive gear/ski passes/overpriced bar drinks. True though this old saw may be for some Durangoans, there is an entirely different class of citizens strolling the streets these days. Maybe it’s nothing new; could be we just didn’t notice them before. Let’s call them the wonderkins.

Here’s how to recognize one: Under 40, dressed in typical Durango shabby chic (old Carhartts with $200 Patagonia fleece, or cutoff jean shorts and $150 Chacos on tanned feet), lives in a funky rental or a small house their parents helped them to buy, has at least three favorite outdoor sports and talks about them often, knows all the others like him, and can often be seen at Carvers for lunch and dinner, Steamworks or El Rancho knocking back the pints, and grabbing leisurely mid-afternoon lattes whilst carrying messenger bags and maybe walking their expensive bike along the sidewalk. But the chief defining characteristic of the wonderkin is the single, mysteriously undemanding and well-paying local job.

Pay attention and you will see that these people exist – but how? Knowing what we know about median wages and cost of living, it seems impossible that these people can work a job that accommodates their lifestyle, without much sacrifice. One theory holds that they work for one of the hundreds of nonprofits in town, the more amorphous among them apparently paying pretty nice wages. Or perhaps they’ve snagged one of those legendary but never precisely proven positions with a local business-service company that pays better than teaching but doesn’t require 50-hour work weeks. It’s also possible that they’re a hybrid of the previously discussed location-neutral, or “neutie.”

Younger and somewhat less ostentatious, it’s possible that this type of wonderkin has evolved to take advantage of opportunities in consulting or analysis that don’t require a tie or an office in Denver. Clearly, further anthropological studies are necessary to fully understand this strange new breed. Just look around and you’ll find a few specimens within easy reach. Take notes and maybe one day you’ll crack the code.

The best way to observe the sociocultural oddities of your town is to go out on it – check out a variety of entertainment events that cater to different groups. You’ll be amazed at what you might find. Starting Friday night, there are at least three such observational opportunities. The first is a semi-regular event at the Diamond Circle Theatre – the Red Slipper Dance Club hosts the Jeff Solon Swing’n Big Band for a night of swirl-and-twirl. The fun starts at 8 p.m., tickets are $20, and, like a fancy New York nightclub, no jeans allowed – even if they did cost $300.

Scotland Barr

The Summit presents Portland-based Americana/alt-country band Scotland Barr & The Slow Drags, with local guest Boxcar. Fronted by Scotland Barr (yes, that’s his name) on guitar and vocals, and shored up by The Slow Drags, contributing acoustic guitar, pedal steel, drums and keyboard, these guys are capable of playing hard-driving roots-rock songs that make you want to dance alongside weepy, tear-in-yer-beer ballads. Barr’s
discomfiting but cozy vocal style and emotionally incisive songwriting enables a blending of styles that is by turns jangly tin-pan alley pop, suicidal ballads, garage rock, grinding two-step, and near psychedelic rock opera. Their style can be reminiscent of Steve Earle, Elvis Costello, the Pogues, and Pink Floyd, all at once. This goes along nicely with Boxcar’s sound (they have pre-approved words to describe it, but try coming up with your own). Check out this dynamic duo of bands Friday at the Summit.

For something a bit different, the Abbey has The Mighty Diamonds, a venerable roots reggae band, performing Friday night. Since 1969, this harmonious trio has been recording and performing classic reggae songs in the classic Jamaican style. New fans and old will appreciate the chance to see them live. Tickets are cheaper in advance; get yours today.

Saturday night at the Abbey is another great chance to observe a segment of our population getting down with their bad selves. Not-exactly-bluegrass band Chatham County Line appears courtesy of the Abbey and Durango Acoustic Music. This North Carolina quartet has won friends and influenced people with a style that fuses old-time, gather-’round-the-microphone bluegrass with a love for John Hartford, The Band, The Jayhawks, Wilco and traditional American-made music. Don’t let their suits and skinny ties fool you – these guys will rock.

Also promising to rock is an evening with the Eric Johnson Electric Band on Wed., Sept. 26. Popular local blues man Kirk James will open the show at 7:30 p.m. at the Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. Widely recognized for his guitar skills, and best known for his success in the instrumental rock genre, Grammy award-winning Johnson regularly incorporates jazz, fusion, New Age and country and Western elements into his performances. A strong composer, pianist and vocalist, Johnson has drawn praise for his stylistic diversity and technical proficiency from a range of artists, from Carlos Santana to B.B. King. A native of Austin, Texas, Johnson developed his music talent at an early age, born into a musically inclined family. He studied piano, but at age 11 took up the guitar, influenced by diverse artists and groups including Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery and Django Reinhardt. A visit to Johnson’s flashy website offers an introduction to his current sound for the uninitiated (i.e., me). It’s kind of a blues-rock thing that insinuates itself into your limbs.

It’s sad when you have to learn about new bands from MTV2. Go buy some CDs. •

Lindsay_damico@yahoo.com.