Had enough time to think?  The correct answer (of course) is Fort Collins, local music and rock ‘n’ roll.

If those weren’t the exact words you had in mind, you’ve come to the right place.  Welcome to The Playlist, a guide to all things involving local music in and around Ft. Collins.  Whether you’ve been a part of the scene for a long time or are interested in a little something homegrown to liven up your iPod, it’s never too late to get educated on the sounds of your own backyard.

Ft. Collins is arguably the center of the Northern Colorado music scene.  The Aggie Theatre in Old Town regularly lends its stage to acts such as Social Distortion and Tech Nine.  Tour buses for Foreigner and Willy Nelson can often be spotted in the parking lot of the Budweiser Events Center just down the road in Loveland.

Part of what makes Ft. Collins such an eclectic mix of auditory delights is the influence of the student body at CSU.  Campus has played host to a wide variety of big name acts, from Colorado heavyweights The Fray in 2006 to Lupe Fiasco in 2008.

Names such as these may hog all the space on marquee boards and fill the coveted Saturday evening slots at venues, but they all had to start somewhere.  At one point, even the biggest names were local.

Case in point: In 2005, Tickle Me Pink formed in Ft. Collins.  According to their official MySpace page, the band rose quickly, releasing two EP’s on their own before catching the attention of Wind-Up Records in 2008.  Their first full-length release, “Madeline,” was greeted by a sellout crowd at the Aggie and receives regular airplay on the radio station Channel 93.3.  Still in their early 20’s, their MySpace biography bills them as “one of the biggest bands in Colorado.”

But local music is not only about the prospect of eventual nationwide name recognition, tour buses and groupies.  It is about experimentation, fun and boundless energy.  But most of all, it is about music made by music lovers, for music lovers.

The possibility of finding something that fits your own unique tastes is endless.  Enjoy indie rock with a healthy dose of violin?  Check out the three-piece Stella Luce.  More inclined towards funky bluegrass?  The five person outfit Good Gravy! might be right up your ally.  In the mood for ukulele-playing singer/songwriters with a penchant for creating YouTube video’s?  There might only be one, but you’ll find her in Danielle Ate the Sandwich.  Looking for a bit of good old fashioned hard rock to get you in the mood before a Friday night binge?  The whiskey-loving five-piece Give ‘Er Hell will put some fire in your veins.

No matter what your cup of tea, Ft. Collins is home to a rich underground of musicians just waiting to have their music heard.  The Playlist will supply you with all you need to become a connoisseur of the Ft. Collins local music scene.  You’ll find info on venues, artist interviews, concert reviews and much, much more.

However, if you just can’t wait to delve into the scene, an excellent resource is the Fort Collins Musicians Association Web site.  You’ll find an extensive list of bands arranged by genre with links to their personal Web sites.  Dig around, get your hands dirty, and you’re bound to find something you like.

The incredible thing about becoming involved with any local movement is the people.  MySpace is a good place to get a glimpse of what exactly you’re looking for, but if you do discover a band you like, go and check them out.  Say hi after the show and let them know you appreciate what it is they do.  Buy (never steal) their album.  But most of all, take the opportunity to connect with a vibrant community that represents the musical tastes of our city.

a personal challenge…

Have you ever scrolled through your iPod, trying to find that same old Rolling Stones album you’ve listened to a hundred times, and just happened to stop on the vintage B-side you never knew you had? Well, I haven’t, but I think I’d like to.

It’s easy for music to get lost once it’s digitized. Maybe it’s because good old analog devices can’t fit in my pocket. Maybe it’s because people can afford to steal more Mp3’s than physical CD’s. Maybe I really don’t care about all 12 tracks on Kesha’s new CD, but downloading it was the only way to get the single.

Whatever the reason, files on a computer don’t stick out the way a pile of CD’S and records does. I guess you could call me a musical democratist: all music deserves to be listened to, even the lowest, oldest digital dregs.

With this in mind, I’ve set a challenge for myself. I’ll be keeping a personal “musiclogue” (like a travelogue for music) through blogspot. If you’re interested in hearing my game plan, want to join with me on your own sonic journey, or just want to discover the funky stuff I find in the nearly 11 days of music I have on my iPod, check my blog. It will be updated every week, and I promise it won’t disappoint.