B-Side Guys

As fellow Denver residents, we at bsideguys.com feel a special connection to Wholihan’s “Red Rocks,” a folk-tinged ode to our shared Rocky Mountain home. This track serves as a musical postcard, chronicling the artist’s journey from North Carolina to the Colorado landscape we know and love.

The song opens with gentle acoustic strumming that evokes the expansive vistas of Colorado’s canyons. Wholihan’s vocals enter, carrying a warmth that feels both familiar and fresh, blending the storytelling traditions of Tyler Childers with the harmonic sensibilities of Fleet Foxes.

Lyrically, “Red Rocks” is a love letter to Colorado’s natural beauty and the transformative power of place. Lines like “Red rocks outline October” and “Blue birds strike the morning bell” paint vivid pictures of the state’s landscape, while subtle nods to the artist’s Southern roots (“The clay holds snow up above”) create a compelling narrative of transition and growth.

The arrangement builds gradually, mirroring the ascent to Red Rocks Amphitheatre itself. Wholihan’s deft guitarwork provides a solid foundation, while subtle instrumental flourishes add depth and texture to the sonic landscape. This approach showcases the artist’s ability to create a full, rich sound within the constraints of the singer-songwriter genre.

“Red Rocks” positions Wholihan as a rising voice in Denver’s vibrant music scene. By channeling the spirit of folk troubadours like Neil Young and infusing it with a contemporary indie sensibility, Wholihan has crafted a track that feels both timeless and distinctly of the moment. It’s a promising glimpse into an artistic vision that celebrates the power of place and the joy of new discoveries – something we at bsideguys.com can certainly appreciate in our shared Mile High City.