Vanimal Kingdom started as a writing project by bass player Van Powell during his time at the University of Arkansas. Drummer Aaron Sandry, who has known Van for about ten years, helped him compile the original lineup of the band by finding members online and compiling them from other groups. While the lineup has changed since its founding, Powell believes that the group is now mostly set, which allows for more time for everyone to work on new material together.

The current line-up consists of Powell, Sandry, guitarist Saar Schnitman, trombone player Jon Gauer Jr., and alto saxist Casey Wilkes. The members of the band take from various influences from jazz to rock. While Schnitman takes from influences such as Prague rock and bands such as Rage Against the Machine, Gauer is more into jazz influences and even has his own fusion group, the Jon Gauer Octet.

Powell loves being able to create music and songs that people are able to connect with in some way, and for him, it’s an honor that a group of such talented musicians would want to play the material he writes. As long as people are able to connect to the music being played, Powell believes he has done his job performing.

He takes pride in the fact that his band is able to perform so many different styles of music, and he hopes that people are able to come out of their comfort zones and hear music that they normally wouldn’t listen to on their own. He hopes that people will enjoy the shows that they perform and that through those shows they can find that music doesn’t necessarily have limitations.

You can see Vanimal Kingdom performing at Howlin Wind Brewing, 51 A Main Street in Rollinsville, on Saturday, February 4, 2022, at 4 p.m.

Weekly Music Listings

Busey Brews

Sunday, January 22 at 2 p.m. - Andrew Cooney

Sunday, January 29 at 2 p.m. - Nick of Time and Steph Jay

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuseyBrews/

Website: https://buseybrews.com/

Email: contact@buseybrews.com

Location: 70 E. 1st Street, Nederland.

Phone: 1-855-633-2739

Canyon Tavern

Friday, January 27 at 6 p.m. - Karaoke

Saturday, January 28 at 6 p.m. - Rick Lobato

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Coalcreekcanyontavern

Location: 32138 Highway 72, Coal Creek Canyon.

Phone: 303-642-3180

Caribou Room

Tuesday, January 24 at 8 p.m. - Spafford

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaribouroom/

Website: https://www.thecaribouroom.com/

Location: 55 Indian Peaks Drive, Nederland.

Phone: 303-258-3637

Eldora: Timbers Lodge Fireside Music Series

Saturday, January 28 at 2 p.m. - Gratefully Acoustic

Sunday, January 29 at 2 p.m. - Stellar Jays Duo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eldoramountainresort/

Website: https://www.eldora.com/

Email: info@eldora.com

Location: 261 Eldora Ski Rd Ste, Nederland.

Phone: 303-440-8700

Eldora: Woodward DJ BoomBox

Friday, January 27 at 1 p.m. - James Barry

Saturday, January 28 at 10 a.m. - Milk

Sunday, January 29 at 10 a.m. - Mental 69

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eldoramountainresort/

Website: https://www.eldora.com/

Email: info@eldora.com

Location: 261 Eldora Ski Rd Ste, Nederland.

Phone: 303-440-8700

Howlin Wind Brewing

Saturday, January 28 at 5 p.m. - Eric Stone Band

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howlinwindbrewing

Website: https://www.howlinwindbrewing.com/

Location: 51 A Main Street, Rollinsville.

Phone: 309-825-5245

Jamestown Mercantile

Friday, January 27 at 7 p.m. - Kristina Murray

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamestown.mercantile/

Website: https://www.jamestownmercantile.com/

Location: 108 Main Street, Jamestown.

Phone: 303-442-5847

Knotted Root Brewing

Every Sunday at 4 p.m. - Jazz Sundays with Black Dog

Saturday, January 28 at 5 p.m. - Andrew McConathy

Website: https://www.knottedrootbrewing.com/home

Location: 250 N. Caribou Street, Nederland.

Phone: 720-248-7129

Ned’s Cafe

Every Thursday at 10 p.m. - Dam Jam

Every Sunday at 7 p.m. - Karaoke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatatneds/

Website: https://www.eatatneds.com/

Location: 121 N. Jefferson Street, Nederland.

Phone: 303-258-0614

Very Nice Brewing Company

Saturday, January 28 at 5 p.m. - A Human Named David

Facebook: www.facebook.com/verynicebeer

Website: www.verynicebrewing.com/

Location: 20 E. Lakeview Drive, #112, Nederland.

Phone: 303-258-3770

Did we miss you?

Want to submit your music listing in the Peak to Peak area? Do you have updates to your business? Please call 303-810-5409 or email info@themountainear.com to be included in the next edition.