Photo by Jesse Haswell
New people have been moving to Colorado Springs for a while now, and though many complain about it increasing housing costs and traffic, I feel it’s a good thing, especially great for art, music and culture. There are more people here to go to shows, more people to perform, and more people with progressive ideals in a town that has been well-known for not sharing those ideals.
Josh Jessmore — better known by his stage name Def One — is a hip-hop artist who came to Colorado Springs from New York in 2015. “I moved here to try a new music scene and to be around these amazing mountains” says Jessmore, who moved back to New York for a few years but returned in late 2020. In his time in Colorado he’s accomplished a lot with his music. “I’ve opened for some of my favorite artists such as R.A. the Rugged Man, All Flows Reach Out, Onry Ozzborn, Madchild, Palmer Squares, Kottonmouth Kings, Afroman, Keith Murray, Lil’ Flip and many, many more,” he says. He’s played upwards of 200 shows and has released three albums.
On Friday the 17th he’ll be releasing his newest album, Bad Guys Finish First, at The Black Sheep. This will not just be a release show, but also his farewell, as he’s headed back to New York.
“I’m moving back because I had a bunch of opportunities pop up on the East Coast and I just have some unfinished business,” he says. “I’ve journeyed the whole state basically and have done everything Colorado has to offer. It definitely will always be my second home.” Def One will be joined at The Black Sheep by Affliction Music, Holy Smoke, W.F. YETi and Shaneathan, and will be hosted by Earsiq with DJ Gravity spinning the music all night.
It definitely will always be my second home. — Def One
There’s a lot more coming up around town this weekend. On Friday night, Lulu’s in Manitou will be hosting two shows, upstairs with the Americana/string sounds of Della Mae, and downstairs with singer/songwriters Joe Pug and Lizzie Weber. Vultures will also be having an evening of singer/songwriters with Chuck Snow, Jerry Minson and George Duncan.
Saturday is now upon us and there’s something for everyone. Lulu’s has the bluesy soul sounds of Eddie 9V, while Vultures has the punk rock of Plasma Canvas, SPELLS, Bad Year and Cheap Perfume. Head next door to The Black Sheep for a sold-out heavy show with Thy Art Is Murder, Kublai Khan, Undeath, I AM and Justice for the Damned.
Sunday offers a great way to wind down the weekend, with the smooth songs of singer/songwriter Martin Sexton at Lulu’s. Sexton started releasing albums in 1992, received the National Academy of Songwriters Artist of the Year Award in 1994 and hasn’t slowed down since, releasing a total of 13 full-length albums and two EPs. Be sure to catch this special event, which promises to be a great intimate musical experience.