The Mancos Creative District will host a Mixed in Mancos album release party at the Mancos Brewing Co., featuring the live performances of artists Farmington Hill and Little Wilderness. The album release will be Saturday, Jan. 25, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
This is possibly the first event of its kind in the region, with inspiration being drawn from a similar event in Kansas.
“To my knowledge, it is the first of its kind in Southwest Colorado,” Erik Nordstrom, Mancos Creative District director, told The Journal. “An inspiration for this project was an event that occurred in my college years at the University of Kansas. ‘Loaded in Lawrence’ featured 16 bands, which were recorded in a live setting over four nights to eventually produce a 16-song album.”
The event came to be after Nordstrom went to the Mancos Creative District with the idea of a live album recording. Soon, he had joined the Mancos Creative District, and the recording plan was being set in motion.
“For the inaugural Mixed in Mancos, Little Wilderness wanted to play a show with one of my bands, Farmington Hill. Farmington Hill has had a long history of pairing with The Crags. The initial three band lineup evolved, and I approached the Mancos Creative District about the idea of a live recording at the Mancos Opera House. Before I knew it, I joined the Mancos Creative District board,” Nordstrom said. “I’m thankful for everyone that made this initial project come to life, and it took some time to have the pieces fall into place.”
Now, the Mixed in Mancos event will be held annually in March.
The album, which consists of original songs, was recorded live on March 2, 2024 at the Mancos Opera House with musicians The Crags, Farmington Hill and Little Wilderness. Mixed in Mancos said the album’s audio was mixed and mastered by Jeff Jones and the art was created by Jody Chapel, who used the Mancos Common Press.
The album will be sold on vinyl and CD and streamed through Shannon Rierson and Flak Records of Austin, Texas.
“Back in 2001, I was the co-founder of KDUR cover nights in Durango, with the idea of bringing local bands together on the same stage to perform the songs of a selected musician or band,” Nordstrom said. “Mixed in Mancos has a similar mission in uniting the music community, but with an emphasis on songwriting.”
While The Crags won’t perform at the album release, there will be performances by Farmington Hill and Little Wilderness. Vinyl records and CDs will be available for purchase at the party, and those who preordered their album can pick it up at the event.
The second-annual event is set to take place on Saturday, March 8, at the Mancos Opera House. This year’s lineup of bands are The Lindells, Carute Roma and Tha ‘Yoties.
The Mancos Creative District is also in the process of purchasing the Mancos Opera House with the hope of having ongoing musical events.
“It’s been inspiring to see this project come full circle, and we’re very thankful for the community support of Mixed in Mancos,” Nordstrom finished.
More information about Mixed in Mancos can be found online at www.mancoscreativedistrict.com/mixed-in-mancos/.
