When Aaron Mitchell was 15, he went on a family vacation to Mexico. While browsing around a marketplace, he happened to spot an old, cheap guitar and told his father how much he wanted it. His dad let him get the guitar, and he immediately started teaching himself how to play it so that he could write his own songs.

When he was young, he mostly listened to alternative and punk, and country music was always in the background for him. After he moved to Chicago, though, he started listening to folk artists such as Hank Williams, Woody Guthrie, and Townes Van Zant, becoming obsessed with classic country. He also cites Bob Dylan as an influence, getting into classic songwriters and later finding John Prine as an inspiration.

Every now and then, Mitchell will write songs outside of country and folk, including writing with a band of his that he started in Chicago called Dirty Green which focuses on alternative country. However, for the most part, he sticks with country and folk. He also calls the music he writes “indie western folk.”

He loves the connection that he gets with an audience when the songs are heartfelt and honest enough, finding himself to be vulnerable when performing and writing.

Mitchell has experienced over the years that there’s always an unknown factor when it comes to live performances – unexpected stories, different ways of playing songs, and more – that is particularly invigorating to him. He still gets nervous going on stage, but once he starts playing, he’s able to ease into communicating with the crowd through his music.

There’s a certain structure present in playing in a band that disappears when playing solo, and even though he loves playing with his band, he also loves the freedom that comes with solo performances. Ultimately, he hopes that the songs resonate with those who come and see his shows, and he’s excited to release a solo album, Fictional Lover, on March 29.

You can see Aaron Mitchell performing live at Very Nice Brewing Company, 20 East Lakeview Drive #112 in Nederland, on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 6 p.m.

Music Events

Busey Brews
Sunday, March 10 at 2 p.m. - Lost Penny Duo
Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. - Nick of Time and Steph Jay
Sunday, March 24 at 2 p.m. - Sarah Banker
Sunday, March 31 at 2 p.m. - Shakina Ma

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuseyBrews/
Website: https://buseybrews.com/
Location: 70 E. First Street, Nederland.
Phone: 1-855-633-2739

Diner Bar Ned
Tuesdays at 9 p.m. - DAMN Jam: Open Jam Night
Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. - Karaoke
Fridays at 9 p.m. - DJ Friday
Sundays at 6 p.m. - Open Mic Night

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profilephp?id=100095276740341
Location: 121 N. Jefferson Street, Nederland

Eldora Mountain Resort
Friday, March 8 at 11 a.m. - Friday Timbers Taphouse: PJ Moon
Friday, March 8 at noon - DJs in the Woodward Boombox: JJ
Saturday, March 9 at 9 a.m. - DJs in the Woodward Boombox: khU
Saturday, March 9 at 1 p.m. - Fireside in Timbers Lodge: Family Dog Duo
Sunday, March 10 at 9 a.m. - Level 1 Women’s Rail Jam with DJ Mista.Cal
Sunday, March 10 at 1 p.m. - Fireside in Timbers Lodge: Daniel Jones
Friday, March 15 at 11 a.m. - Friday Timbers Taphouse: PJ Moon
Friday, March 15 at noon - DJs in the Woodward Boombox: Erin Stereo
Saturday, March 16 at 9 a.m. - DJs in the Woodward Boombox: Well Chuned
Saturday, March 16 at 1 p.m. - Fireside in Timbers Lodge: Andrew McConathy Trio featuring Dan Andree and Silas Herman
Sunday, March 17 at 9 a.m. - DJs in the Woodward Boombox: 3R$T
Saturday, March 17 at 1 p.m. - Fireside in Timbers Lodge: Pineytops
Friday, March 22 at 11 a.m. - Friday Timbers Taphouse: PJ Moon
Friday, March 22 at noon - DJs in the Woodward Boombox: The Vibrarian
Saturday, March 23 at 9 a.m. - DJs in the Woodward Boombox: DJ Blue
Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m. - Fireside in Timbers Lodge: Grateful Holler
Sunday, March 24 at 9 a.m. - DJs in the Woodward Boombox: Guaro
Sunday, March 24 at 1 p.m. - Fireside in Timbers Lodge: Whumpf

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eldoramountainresort
Website: https://www.eldora.com/
Location: 2861 Eldora Ski Road, Nederland

Gold Dirt Distillery
Wednesday, March 27 at 7 p.m. - Open Mic Night with the Rollinsvillains

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldDirtDistillery
Website: https://www.golddirtdistillery.com/
Location: 41 Main Street, Rollinsville

Gold Hill Store
Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m. - The Halbrooks Family Band
Saturday, March 9 at 7 p.m. - Avasso
Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m. - Goldie and The Grindstones
Saturday, March 16 at 7 p.m. - Derek Dames Ohl
Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m. - Noah Fowler

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gold-Hill-General-Store/
Website: https://www.goldhillstore.com/
Location: 531 Main Street, Gold Hill

Jamestown Mercantile
Saturday, March 7 at 7 p.m. - Charlie Scott and Emma - Bread and Roses
Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m. - Joe Guy Duo
Sunday, March 10 at 10 a.m. - John Shepherd and the Front Porch Posse
Thursday, March 14 at 7 p.m. - Starlight and Pine
Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m. - Clay Rose
Wednesday, March 20 at 5 p.m. - Open Mic
Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m. - Many Mountains
Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m. - Hundred Pound Housecat
Friday, March 29 at 7 p.m. - Out & About

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamestown.mercantile/
Website: https://www.jamestownmercantile.com/
Location: 108 Main Street, Jamestown
Phone: 303-442-5847

Knotted Root Brewing
Friday, March 8 at 6 p.m. - Mickey Lenny
Saturday, March 9 at 5 p.m. - New Family Dog
Friday March 15 at 6 p.m. - Whumpf
Saturday, March 16 at 1 p.m. - PJ Moon
Saturday March 16 at 3 p.m. - Break Signals
Saturday March 16 at 5:30 p.m. - B-Random
Friday, March 22 at 5 p.m. - Matt Flaherty
Saturday, March 23 at 5 p.m. - Tyler Stuckey
Friday, March 29 at 6 p.m. - Dog Log
Saturday, March 30 at 5 p.m. - Andrew McConathy
Sundays at 5 p.m. - Jazz Sundays

Website: https://www.knottedrootbrewing.com/home
Location: 250 N. Caribou Street, Nederland
Phone: 720-248-7129

The Caribou Room
Saturday, March 9 at 7 p.m. - Flash Mountain Flood with River Spell
Saturday, March 23 at 7 p.m. - Magic Beans

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaribouroom/
Website: https://www.thecaribouroom.com/
Location: 55 Indian Peaks Drive, Nederland
Phone: 303-258-3637

The Train Cars
Thursday, March 7 at 4 p.m. - Train Jam with Emmet Griffin and RMP friends! Bring an instrument and join the fun! Free event
Sunday, March 10 at 6 p.m. Apres Skeez; Eldo Celebration and Costume Contest to benefit Victory Gardens. Djs Rizzy Rails, Guaro, ADIN, B Random and Glipish - 18+ event with ID, free for Eldo Staff, $5 general admission

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thetraincars
Location: 101 Peak to Peak Highway, Nederland
Phone: 303-258-0440

Very Nice Brewing Co.
Friday, March 8 at 6 p.m. - Jeanne Em & Patrick Keenan
Saturday, March 9 at 5 p.m. - Eric Stone
Friday, March 15 at 6 p.m. - Aaron Mitchell
Saturday, March 16 at 5 p.m. - Paul Dyer
Sunday, March 17 at 5 p.m. - The Gael
Friday, March 22 at 5 p.m. - Jay Stott
Saturday, March 23 at 5 p.m. - Windy Pines
Friday, March 29 at 6 p.m. - Strangebyrds
Saturday, March 30 at 5 p.m. - Andreas Boehmer

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.