Music of the Mountains: Where to be and what to see -- Canyon Collective Part 2 with Gregg Freeman and Ryan Benthall
04/19/25 • 33 min
[As a group, Canyon Collective] doesn’t write structured songs for their performances, instead improvising their material together on stage. They’ll talk amongst themselves about what style of piece they’ll focus on in their next performance, then they’ll perform it on the spot, riffing off of each other in the process.
Recently, the group had the opportunity to perform in a mineshaft for a private party. The performance was recorded, and upon listening back to the recording, they realized they had something special. Because of this, the group has decided to release this recording as their first live album.
For [bandleader and drummer Zach] Hedstrom, the improvisational style that the group embraces means that the musicians can embrace the present moment fully during their shows. He loves being able to take everyone’s ideas at face value and encouraging the performance to be a spontaneous musical collaboration.
Hedstrom loves being part of a band where every show gives a different energy through its spontaneity, and he hopes that everyone who comes to see a Canyon Collective show has a great time and feels encouraged to see them live again. For the group and the audience, every show is a different experience, and these musicians love that every show has a new energy.
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[As a group, Canyon Collective] doesn’t write structured songs for their performances, instead improvising their material together on stage. They’ll talk amongst themselves about what style of piece they’ll focus on in their next performance, then they’ll perform it on the spot, riffing off of each other in the process.
Recently, the group had the opportunity to perform in a mineshaft for a private party. The performance was recorded, and upon listening back to the recording, they realized they had something special. Because of this, the group has decided to release this recording as their first live album.
For [bandleader and drummer Zach] Hedstrom, the improvisational style that the group embraces means that the musicians can embrace the present moment fully during their shows. He loves being able to take everyone’s ideas at face value and encouraging the performance to be a spontaneous musical collaboration.
Hedstrom loves being part of a band where every show gives a different energy through its spontaneity, and he hopes that everyone who comes to see a Canyon Collective show has a great time and feels encouraged to see them live again. For the group and the audience, every show is a different experience, and these musicians love that every show has a new energy.
Thank you for listening to The Mountain-Ear Podcast, featuring news and culture from peak to peak! Additional pages are linked below!
If you want to be involved in the podcast or paper, contact our editor at [email protected] or our podcast host at [email protected]!
Head to our website for all of the latest news from peak to peak!
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE and use the coupon code PODCAST for A 10% DISCOUNT for ALL NEW SUBSCRIBERS!
Find us on Facebook @mtnear and on Instagram @mtn.ear!
Listen and watch on YouTube today!
Share this podcast around! Scroll near the bottom of our website's homepage or visit the podcast's main hub on Buzzsprout!
Thank you for listening!
Previous Episode
Music of the Mountains: Where to be and what to see -- Canyon Collective Part 1 with Zach Hedstrom and Christopher Clauss
Zach Hedstrom moved to Fourmile Canyon around five years ago. Around that time, he and other musicians in the area started hosting gatherings to jam and enjoy each other’s company. Eventually, this gathering of people started playing local venues as a group, and thus, Canyon Collective was born.
The name Canyon Collective comes from the rotating lineup of the group. While there are core members who consistently play in Canyon Collective, there are also many musicians who jump in and out of the group that live in and around Fourmile Canyon, creating a welcoming environment for local musicians.
Hedstrom describes the group as a “high-energy global groove funk band,” as they play music primarily rooted in funk with various global influences such as Latin, West African, and reggae rhythms. In regards to core members, Hedstrom plays drums, Christopher Clauss plays bass, Ryan Benthall plays keyboard, Eshan Escoffery plays trombone, Matthew Wilkolak plays trumpet, Derek Miles plays guitar, and Greg[g] Freeman serves as the percussionist.
Thank you for listening to The Mountain-Ear Podcast, featuring news and culture from peak to peak! Additional pages are linked below!
If you want to be involved in the podcast or paper, contact our editor at [email protected] or our podcast host at [email protected]!
Head to our website for all of the latest news from peak to peak!
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE and use the coupon code PODCAST for A 10% DISCOUNT for ALL NEW SUBSCRIBERS!
Find us on Facebook @mtnear and on Instagram @mtn.ear!
Listen and watch on YouTube today!
Share this podcast around! Scroll near the bottom of our website's homepage or visit the podcast's main hub on Buzzsprout!
Thank you for listening!
Next Episode
Music of the Mountains: Where to be and what to see -- Rob Pate and Erin Gael Friedman of d'Lovelies
At its largest, d’Lovelies performs as a seven-piece group: Rob Pate on guitar and vocals, Erin Gael Friedman on vocals, Duane Webster on bass and vocals, Ryan McCurry on keys, Mike McCloskey on saxophone, Nate Bitter on trombone, and Colin Mahoney on drums.
Often, the band plays in venues that aren’t big enough for the entire seven-piece to fit. To work around this, they rehearse and even perform in sections, including as duos and trios. When they can, though, they bring the whole lineup to perform ragtime, blues, original Americana, New Orleans R&B, and even Brazilian and Cuban rhythmic influences.
The group has been building momentum since they started performing together in December of 2023, even recording their debut album, Great Horizon, in August of 2024.
Thank you for listening to The Mountain-Ear Podcast, featuring news and culture from peak to peak! Additional pages are linked below!
If you want to be involved in the podcast or paper, contact our editor at [email protected] or our podcast host at [email protected]!
Head to our website for all of the latest news from peak to peak!
SUBSCRIBE ONLINE and use the coupon code PODCAST for A 10% DISCOUNT for ALL NEW SUBSCRIBERS!
Find us on Facebook @mtnear and on Instagram @mtn.ear!
Listen and watch on YouTube today!
Share this podcast around! Scroll near the bottom of our website's homepage or visit the podcast's main hub on Buzzsprout!
Thank you for listening!
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