In a city teeming with newcomers, Rubedo is a rarity: a born & raised Denver band that hasn’t forgotten its roots. Since forming in 2010, bandmates Kyle Gray, Alex Trujillo, & Gregg Ziemba have released two studio records as Rubedo: Massa Confusa (2012) and Love is the Answer (2013). The trio’s latest record, Vaca (2017), is their first release without Ikey Owens at the helm -- who recorded, produced and played on the first albums and toured with Rubedo -- as Owens passed away unexpectedly in late 2014. Stunned, upset and unsure how to proceed, the trio decided to push themselves into uncharted territory, recording with musician/producer Johnny Bell at JazzCats Studios in Owen’s hometown of Long Beach, CA. The result is a Vaca, a glimmering pop-minded piece of sonic catharsis, a therapy session created in honor of Ikey Owens. Unlike Rubedo’s past psych-rock leanings, Bell’s production takes the band’s specialty as a live act and translates that spirit into recorded form. It was mixed by the godfather of grunge Jack Endino and mastered by Dave Cooley of Stones Throw Records. Vaca is a record of Rubedo’s 20-plus years of friendship, a partnership with old school Denver roots, and an indelible Long Beach connection. www.rubedomusic.com @rubedomusic