Every year, DJs and producers across the vast spectrum of electronic music move to Denver to embrace the iconic bass culture found in the Mile High City. From Griz and Mersiv to CloZee and Haywyre, and more recently, Tvboo, there are countless examples of iconic musicians that migrate to their Denver home in between sold-out tours and summer festival runs. Occasionally, though, homegrown Colorado artists make headway in the mainstream EDM industry. Ehren River Wright — better known as SoDown, a multifaceted bass artist who’s rarely found without his saxophone in hand — is a perfect example.
If you listen carefully to his music, which ventures into funky electric jams on his new EP Get Up, the Colorado influence laced in his style and sound becomes clear. Frequent trips to the Red Rocks Amphitheater growing up, a subtle spirituality and clear connection to his dedicated fan base (dubbed “The GetDown”), all point to his Colorado roots. Unsurprisingly, his journey into the world of music began with Pretty Lights on the Rocks.
Photo courtesy of SoDown
“I had been to Red Rocks before, but had never been to a dance show or an EDM show,” Wright said, remembering the spark of inspiration he felt during a Pretty Lights show at Red Rocks Amphitheater in 2010. Speaking with 303 Magazine during an exclusive interview backstage at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater before his opening set for Boogie T, Wright recalled the genesis of his love for dance music while he cleared his head before his performance at the legendary venue.
“I just saw how the crowd was all on the same wavelength and it was so inspiring, so connecting. I felt something that I hadn’t really felt before in a large crowd like that. Six months later I was beatboxing on a porch after a show at four in the morning, and I was like, ‘I think I could do this. I wanna do this.’ From that moment forward, I started studying music.”
And so began Wright’s long journey to a sustainable career as a DJ, producer and performer as SoDown.
Wright spent seven years making music in his parents’ shed, overcoming the trials and tribulations commonly associated with the learning curve of music production. One thing he always knew, though, was that live instruments were a crucial part of the experience he wanted to provide for his audience.
Photo by Cait Falc
Wright’s musical influences are unbound by contemporary genres. From funk and reggae to classical and jazz, no stone is left unturned in his musical exploration. Usually, bass artists don’t cite Curtis Mayfield, James Brown and William DeVaughn as influences. It’s easy to assume those inspirations are exclusively tied to Wright’s love for the saxophone, which he routinely includes in his songs and performances, but Wright’s appreciation for the jazz genre is deeper than that. It’s about the musicality, the feeling that’s so deeply embedded in musical improvisation. Whether he’s improvising or meticulously crafting a well-thought-out tune, Wright describes creating music as a “spiritual journey.”
“[Making music] is a spiritual experience, you know? Writing music is a journey in itself. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but I think as long as I show up and I’m open to the ideas, something will happen.”
Thankfully, Wright was very open to all sorts of ideas on his recent three-track EP Get Up. The funky reggae-dub fusion showcased throughout the three tracks pays homage to rasta styles with bouncy energy and good vibes led by smooth saxophone and gritty bass drops that definitely make you want to “get up.”
Photo by Cait Falc
Get Up is painted with Colorado inspiration. Everything, from the warm cover art crafted by Wright’s friend and collaborator, Defunk (who also makes a welcomed appearance on Get Up’s title track) to the groovy production, is a spirited showcase of the bass capital of the world.
The music sounds exactly like what you’d expect from a home-grown Colorado bass artist and matches perfectly with the cover art — a snapshot of a sunset drive beneath flat iron rocks and a planetary sky. As Wright’s skeleton caricature speeds down a dirt road, dice in the mirror, saxophone safe in the back seat, we’re reminded of a key philosophy in Wright’s life: memento mori.
“There’s this narrative that I heavily relate with — memento mori, which essentially means ‘remember your death.’ I feel like if we can do that, then it makes living in any circumstance much more enjoyable.”
That subtle spirituality, partly grown from his Colorado roots, is a compelling force that drives Wright’s life and music on a daily basis. It’s also one reason he has such an authentic connection with his dedicated fan base.
Photo courtesy of SoDown
On more than one occasion, Wright has opened his DMs up to struggling fans, reminding them that no one is alone, offering up his time and attention to hear their struggles and empathize with the universal problems humans face on life’s long and winding road. Although these experiences can be heavy, Wright often comes away inspired by short glimpses of hope provided by his endearing fans.
According to Wright, inspiration comes in all shapes and sizes. From a chance conversation with an elderly yoga instructor from Hawaii to a single green strobe light flashing at a Rusko show, revelations often reveal themselves during unsuspecting moments in Wright’s life.
One thing that has always inspired him is the connective tissue that holds the dance community together, something he was overwhelmed by during his first EDM experience with Pretty Lights at Red Rocks. With a long-standing reputation for embracing weird antics and refraining from judgment, the EDM fan base is one of inclusivity and love — two defining characteristics Wright strives to promote during his live performances.
“Going back to that Pretty Light show, I felt connected with everyone. I want everyone to feel that way at my shows. I want to feel that way with my fans and my friends.”
Photo by Cait Falc
Anticipating the Get Up release, Wright wanted to do something special. His fan base has grown substantially in the past few years, and he’s reached a place in his career that can afford some unique, interactive campaigns that go beyond the traditional PR strategies and social media promotion. After all, what’s the use in having such a passionate fan base if you don’t connect with your audience in a personal way?
So, Wright and his team decided to announce the Get Up EP through a series of short, cryptic videos, hand-delivered letters with a special note, VIP tickets to see him open for Boogie T at Red Rocks and a hard drive containing an exclusive listen to the new EP.
Exploring “The GetDown” Facebook page, it’s clear the campaign worked. Dozens of fans took to social media to show off their special delivery and express their gratitude for their favorite producer’s music and good nature. Comments like “I don’t know what I did to deserve this” and “My heart is literally overflowing” are in abundance among the lucky few who received the announcement letter.
Photo courtesy of SoDown
One fan who couldn’t make it to the Red Rocks show held a contest to give away her ticket. To win the ticket, fans expressed what SoDown meant to them. “To me, SoDown means living your life to achieve your max potential” and “to be SoDown means you are down to be positive and spread love and kindness to everyone, stranger or friend” are just two of many inspiring responses.
It’s clear that Wright is here for the long run. The love he has for his fans parallels his love for music and his home state of Colorado. Clearly influenced by the Colorado lifestyle, his music represents the groovy electronic sound cultivated by legendary Colorado musicians, carefully curated Red Rocks performances and a community-focused approach that puts fans first.
With summertime right around the corner, Wright is gearing up for festival season and looking forward to building a dedicated community that strives to celebrate all the great characteristics of the dance community. He assured 303 Magazine that there’s much more to come for SoDown during 2022, but in the meantime, check out Get Up and get ready for his two-night Mishawaka performance on July 30.
303303 Magazine303 MusicbasscoloradoDenverdenver musicedmelectronic musicGrizHaywyreLogan SasserMersivpretty lightsred rocksRed Rocks AmphitheatreSoDown
Logan is a staff writer for the music desk here at 303 Magazine. A recent graduate from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, he is excited to begin his career as a music journalist. He can almost always be found with a good book or a guitar in his hands.
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303magazine
Nov 26
The country’s biggest whiskey lovers descend upon @stranahans Denver distillery for the legendary Snowflake Whiskey Festival from 12/2-12/3.
With live music, barrel building demonstrations, a cornhole tournament, and whiskey pairings with cheese, chocolate, and cookies.
It’s all to celebrate the release of Stranahan’s Snowflake Whiskey, which is their rarest whiskey
expression that has received global acclaim. The music and festivities start Friday afternoon and go all night long. The time of the bottle release will be announced on Saturday morning.
Entry to the festival is
free, and you must be 21+ to enter. Find the full schedule on their website.
303magazine
Nov 22
Denver's premier holiday market is back on Small Business Saturday & Sunday, November 26 and 27 in Northwest Denver! Shop over 120 makers, vintage vendors, artists, culinary food makers, designers and artists at @horseshoemarket.
Find something for everyone on your list and shop & support local.
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303magazine
Nov 17
From timeless and classy to bursting with creativity, the most anticipated night of Denver Fashion Week, the day three lifestyle Show, held nothing back. The event, held at the Sports Castle, a Non-Plus Ultra Venue, hosted hundreds of eager guests excited to see new looks from both seasoned and new Denver designers.
Haven Collective, Glam It! Colorado, Icon Suit, Kawesii, Fashion Curator, MDC STUXIO, and Meow Wolf’s Kate Major wowed the audience with fresh designs for the upcoming season.
Link in bio to read about Tuesday night’s show!
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303magazine
Nov 16
This week in concerts, Carrie Underwood performs at Ball Arena. Italian rock band, Måneskin books a night at The Fillmore and Liquid Stranger reserves three nights at Mission Ballroom.
Are you an EDM and electronic music fan? Then check out The Black Box for their Electronic Tuesdays, producer workshops or DJ duals. Do you like live music with your brunch? Then look no further. Dazzle, Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox, The Roxy and Your Mom’s House are all options for the brunch and music enthusiast.
For future weekly concert updates and more 303 music news, stay up to date with 303 Magazine.
Link in bio to read more about what concerts are coming to Colorado this week!
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Nov 14
There’s a lucky contingent of hoagie lovers who have enjoyed Pirate Alley since its days as a pre-pandemic pop-up — once located at the sorely-missed house of Southern cuisine Julep. But for anyone absent during that era, Chef Kyle Foster — Julep’s former co-owner and chef — recently revived the concept in downtown, sharing the space with his wife Katy Foster’s Stir Cooking School. Pirate Alley Boucherie is a weekday lunch spot specializing in po’ boys, sandwiches, melts, salads and small plates — all utilizing its top-tier deli meats made on-site.
While the original incarnation was a clear-cut homage to New Orleans, Kyle says that the Boucherie will now act as a vehicle used to highlight its house-made products.
Link in bio to read more about Pirate Alley Boucherie!
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Nov 13
Meow Wolf is showcasing their first ever collection at Denver Fashion Week (DFW) on Tuesday, Nov. 15 and costume designer Kate Major is the face of it. Themed TRASH, Major took inspiration from the trash planet in Meow Wolf’s exhibit Convergence Station.
Link in bio to read more about Kate Major and her DFW collection!
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Nov 10
Want to win a chance at a free date night giveaway?
One lucky winner will receive a pair of tickets to see @thelilsmokies on Friday, Dec. 2 at Bluebird Theater, as well as a $50 gift card to grab food and drinks before the show at Fat Sully's / Atomic Cowboy.
All you have to do is like this post, and tag your bestie you'd like to bring to the show. (Winner announced 11/26)
#sponsored #TheLilSmokies #livemusic #aegpresents @aegpresentsrm
303magazine
Nov 9
Win 2 tickets to the 9th Annual Whiskey Throwdown and Doughnut Showdown on Saturday, November 12! Enjoy some of Colorado’s best distilleries and doughnut bakeries!
To enter, tag someone you want to go with! The winner will be announced tomorrow at 6 p.m.!
303magazine
Nov 9
One of Denver’s newest independent artists in the music industry today is Brandon Theis, better known as The Orchestrator. He is Brazilian-born, Denver-based, and a wildly multifaceted artist funkin’ up dance floors across the country.
His new hybrid genre of music described as “TrapHouseFunk”, combines bass-heavy, boom-bap beats with fiery live saxophone, illuminating hip-hop vocals, and a magical energy that gets even a somnolent person grooving. His latest venture, like many other musicians, has been immersing themselves in Web3, NFTS.
Link in bio to read more about Denver Fashion Week performer, Theis!
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303magazine
Nov 7
Denver Fashion Week is fast approaching. This year’s eighth and final show is Sustainable Night, a night dedicated to fashion that in some way is created with equality, social welfare, animal rights or ecological impact at its core.
The night showcases designers and stylists committed to sustainability in fashion. The designers featured include The Pants Company, Rags, Scarlett Begonias Vintage & Thrift, The Lost Room, Killionare, Imaginary Friends and Uniqu U Jean.
Link in bio to read more Rags and The Lost Room!
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Nov 6
For its fall 2022 season, @denverfashionweek is being hosted at an iconic venue right in the heart of downtown.
The Sports Castle, a Non Plus Ultra venue, is a four-story building with an Art Deco-inspired façade, original stained glass accent windows and turn-of-the-century interior details. DFW is thrilled to bring its internationally-recognized fashion show experience to life in this unique and memorable space.
Read more about this season’s venue at denverfashionweek.com/blog
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Nov 4
There's no after party like a @whiskeyrowdenver after party! Don't miss out on an unforgettable evening following @denverfashionweek on Wednesday, November 16. Party starts at 10 p.m.!
Text or call 303-500-7696 to book a VIP table!
