Events

Review:

Of The Trees Presents: Codex Natura

Saturday March 11, 2023

Boulder Theater

Boulder, CO

By: Christopher J. Nolan

After flying into Denver Saturday afternoon, I drove to Boulder for Of The Trees Presents: Codex Natura Tour. Chmura was playing when I arrived. This was the perfect way to land back in my home in Colorado. Potions was originally slated to play the set time between Chmura and Of The Trees but he fell ill and so Catching Flies (DJ Set) was substituted in lieu thereof. We got to listen to some of the best music out there on Boulder Theater's new L Acoustics sound system. It's earned it's place as one of my favorite venues in Colorado.

I had seen Yheti, Ternion Sound, and Toadface at Boulder Theater a couple weeks before the Codex Natura event. I was blown away by the upgrade to the experience. Boulder Theater is an elegant theater space which typically features GA standing room on the lower floor for electronic events and first come, first served seating in the mezzanine upstairs. I saw Yheti from the floor and took a seat upstairs center left for Of The Trees. Sometimes I just like to listen and watch the show.

Chmura's sub bass was heavy and clean. The L Acoustics subwoofers deliver clear, tight bass which hits you right in the center of your chest. It was euphoric. From upstairs I had a bird's eye view of the visual show which brought the room to life throughout the night, guiding us on a journey. Catching Flies was a different type of set than Potions would have played. Chmura into Potions then Of The Trees would have been a natural progression of music all in the same realm, building energy consecutively throughout the night. Catching Flies took us on something of a musical excursion into a different but related realm. It wasn't what I was expecting but it was still enjoyable for me. I love music.

Where Chmura's tracks are driven by deep, heavy sub notes, dubby synths, and hip hop style grooves, Catching Flies uses higher bass notes in a rhythmic way - more like the way a live bass player keeps the groove in a band. On top of that were uplifting beats and harmonic synthesizer tones contrasted by emotionally woven melodies and chords. It was jazzy. Sometimes we are pleasantly surprised to find something unexpected.

Of The Trees closed out the night with his Codex Natura set. It was heavy and fluid, inspiring perhaps a spiritual experience for some of the attendees. The visuals guided us through an uplifting journey while adding texture and dimension to the experience of the music. It was synesthetic. The shape of the Boulder Theater combined with their new sound system enabled me to hear Of The Trees' music like I've never heard it before. It was very dimensional, the sound design layers constructed a warm geometric energy in the room. I was blown away.

Of The Trees and Yheti are playing Red Rocks 11/12/2023. It may be hard to top the experience of seeing them each headline the newly upgraded Boulder Theater but if anyone can do it, it's them.

-Omn1