Every place has its own musical history and atmosphere, defined equally by the artists and bands that made it big, the ones with cult followings and the ones whose popularity never escaped the city limits.

Boulder and Denver aren’t lacking in these categories, and they also have a fair share of up-and-comers making good music more than likely just a stone’s throw from where you’re reading this.

Take a listen and get a feel for what the local music scene offers today, and what bands were paving the way long before most of us moved here.

Contact CU Independent Managing Editor Annie Melton at Anne.melton@colorado.edu.