The Carbondale, Colorado-based band Let Them Roar will introduce its new song “I See My Light” when the group performs a free show in Moab on Sunday, June 23.
The song was inspired by Sandra Lopez, an undocumented immigrant who has taken refuge in a Colorado church to protect her family from deportation.
“Our desire is to raise voices in the community that need to be heard — our music reflects that,” said Mateo Sandate, singer-songwriter and guitarist.
In fact, proceeds from the purchase of the song, as well as a music video and artwork (all available on the band’s website), will go to five immigrant women currently seeking sanctuary in churches around Colorado.
Let Them Roar will perform on the Moab Arts and Recreation Center (MARC) patio, in conjunction with a print release party for “The Dust Magazine,” an arts and culture publication founded and edited by Jacque Garcia. The band was scheduled to perform at a sanctuary church in Mancos, Colorado, the night before the Moab concert.
Sandate describes their music as “progressive folk” with elements of roots and rock and a lot of improvisation.
The band opened the Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Festival in 2016, and has performed numerous times at Steve’s Guitars in Carbondale, an intimate venue in western Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, known for drawing both local and national acts.
“In Carbondale, we’re known as the house band for Steve’s Guitars,” Sandate said.
Let Them Roar often performs in Durango, Colorado. The group was the main act for the Compassion Festival in the Roaring Fork Valley, and this summer is scheduled to play at the Carbondale Mountain Fair and the Headwaters Music Festival in Creede, Colorado.
The MARC concert will be their first Utah gig.
“We really love performing at festivals and for intimate audiences,” Let Them Roar guitarist and vocalist Sophia Clark said. “Our sound is varied and unique. We sing a lot of harmonies. Mateo has a big influence in our arrangements; we also collectively write songs.”
The other two band members are vocalist Olivia Pevec, and bass player and vocalist Ashton Taufer.
The group has produced one live recording and three studio albums. Sandate brought in guest musicians to create a six-piece string ensemble for their new song “I See My Light.”
Sandate said bringing in cellists, violas and violinists to capture that string quartet sound is “something I love to do.”
The MARC concert is part of a Tiny Stoop concert series hosted by “The Dust Magazine” whose first show happened a year ago.
“Our goal is to put on one concert a month,” Garcia said.
This will be the first Tiny Stoop concert held at the MARC.
“We like to foster community events and support local organizations whenever we can,” MARC Art and Special Events Assistant Makeda Barkley said.
In the past, the concerts have been hosted on various residential front porches in Moab.
Garcia commissioned the construction of a tiny stoop façade so she could bring a “tiny stoop” to any concert venue.
“The tiny stoop idea captures the ethos and atmosphere of the Moab music scene,” Garcia said.
Concertgoers are welcome to bring their own beverages to the show. Additionally, Castle Creek Winery is a sponsor and is donating wine for the event.
“We ask local businesses to sponsor Tiny Stoop concerts,” Garcia said. Local businesses can give donations, venue space or offer beverages or equipment. “It’s meant to be flexible so people can get involved.”
Colorado band debuts in Utah and seeks to raise awareness of sanctuary movement
“Our desire is to raise voices in the community that need to be heard — our music reflects that.”
Where: Moab Arts and Recreation Center, 111 E. 100 North
When: Sunday, June 23, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Info: Call 435-259-6272
