Denver psych-groove rock band RADO is thrilled to announce the release of its debut album, “Baker's Measurements,” which dropped on August 9, 2024. The offering is a celebration of the genre-blending, improvisational band’s musical evolution, capturing the essence of their live performances and the raw spontaneity that has won the quartet fans across the country. To celebrate, RADO hosted an album release party at Cervantes' Other Side on that same day.
Currently on a summer tour, RADO has been playing to packed audiences, including a recent three-night run in Nebraska and a standout show at Terp Float Fest in Tahlequah, OK. Sprinkled in the band’s set list are performances of previously released songs off the forthcoming album. The singles: “River” (August 2023), “The Twist” (November 2023), and “Thank You Mr. Science” (March 2024) are featured on “Baker's Measurements,” along with four unreleased cuts.
One of those songs, “Back Nine,” was highlighted on the band’s social media along with the release of the album. Clocking in at 11 minutes, the catchy reggae-flecked jam epitomizes the band’s strong vocals and rhythmic backbone. Flanked with punchy-to-steady beats, the added percussive beats are handled by RADO’s good friend and guest musician Adam Langdon. “Adam provided the cherry on top of an already great song. His subtle and tasteful textures fill up the space beautifully,” notes vocalist and guitarist Dylan Tuthill.
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RADO, short for Colorado where the band met and began their musical journey, has taken on a life of its own. “We initially named the band ‘RADO’ where we all met and lived. It was a placeholder, thinking we’d come up with something better,” explains Tuthill. “But people seemed to dig it, so we went with it. When James (Hatch) joined, he referred to it as ‘raw dough’ like what you’d make a pizza with, and we thought it was hilarious. Our fans brought this name to life when our friend Lucia handed out 50 baker's hats at our 2023 Cervantes show, so we now call our fans ‘The Bakery.’”
After years of focusing on live performances, RADO felt it was time to bring their music to the studio. “We’ve been touring for over three years now and have never released a studio album because we focused on the live show and gaining organic jam fans,” says Hatch, the band’s keyboardist. He says at first the studio felt intimidating and out of the band’s comfort zone. “Up to that point, we had really been focusing on the live setting, where we could lean into our improvisation and ‘being in the moment’ style of playing. The band was worried that if we went into the studio, it would sound different from what the band is all about. We really wanted it to capture the essence of the live band.” Mission accomplished. The band’s music, much like their name, embodies a raw and unfiltered creativity.
“I think the album title “Baker’s Measurements” really speaks for itself. We think the record embodies this identity of ‘Raw-Dough,’” confirms Tuthill. “Ultimately, it spawned the ethos and overall sonic and artistic vision we had for the album. A couple of the tracks have major improv dance/jam segments that we know our fans are absolutely going to love because it was off the cuff, first takes, and pure spontaneity.”
The recording process, which took almost a year, was a growth journey. “We treated it as a learning experience, refining our process with each trip to the studio,” says Hatch. “Since this was our first studio effort, the whole process was fun and exciting, especially once we finished one of the songs, ‘River’ and listened to it on repeat with giant smiles on our faces for weeks. It was amazing to hear our music with that crisp studio polish, and it was rewarding to nail the jam sections in just one or two takes, letting it unfold organically with almost no edits.”
RADO’s songwriting process is as dynamic as their performances. “Our process for writing is pretty fluid. Sometimes songs come as fragments, other times they’re more finished,” Tuthill explains. “James typically brings more structured songs with a verse, chorus, bridge, and lyrics, while I bring rougher drafts.”
Trusting the band’s input and collective creative process enables the members to contribute a multitude of songs, resulting in over 50 original tracks, including a Rock Opera about robots, AI, and space. “Without our collaboration and trust in one another, we wouldn’t have so many original songs in such a short period of time. It can be alluring to ‘chase perfection,’” says Hatch, “but one of the things that clicked well between our engineer Logan, Dylan, and the band was making quick decisions and continuing to push forward – not fixing every blemish. I think this also lends itself to the ‘organic’ and ‘live’ feeling of the album.”
The seven-track “Baker’s Measurements” is what RADO dubs a ‘full-spectrum jam-band album,’ showcasing its eclectic musical influences, blending dance, funk, rock, reggae, and jazz. “We wanted to touch on the different elements we bring as a band with our electronic, psychedelic, live improv feel,” says drummer Benny Cummings. Recorded at Camera Jams Studios with engineer Logan Firth, the album is a testament to the band’s dedication to their craft.
Lyrically, “Baker’s Measurements” draws from personal experiences and everyday inspirations. The band looks for oddities, synchronicities, and unique phrases to capture those patterns through the lyrics. “We love innovative sounds that push boundaries while staying true to our style,” explains Cummings. Songs that made the cut on “Baker’s Measurements,” he says, needed to capture certain elements, including “emotional resonance, musical complexity, have a unique sound, an intention and message, be cohesive with the album concept, and highlight the band’s chemistry.”
The band says “Back Nine” is one of their favorite songs on the offering, and was inspired by a memory of a golf tournament and turned into a powerful anthem about overcoming mental struggles.
“It was a random memory I had one day, thinking about a golf tournament I watched as a kid,” says Tuthill. “This golfer, Jean van de Velde, lost the 1999 Open Championship on the last hole while being up three strokes. He basically choked and had this famous chaotic collapse, which for some reason came into my head in 2019 during a solo songwriting session. So, I decided to use the idea as my inspiration. The song focuses on the contrast between the thoughts in our head and how we struggle to overcome them directly and openly, with the chorus stating, ‘Step outside the hallways of your mind and open the door.’”
Formed in 2019, RADO has quickly become a standout in Denver’s vibrant music scene. Known for their psychedelic rock combined with syncopated dance grooves and stylistic melodies, the band’s music is heavily centered around building improvisational jams that reach soaring peaks. Compose Yourself Magazine praises the band, saying, “RADO’s roots are nested deeply in Denver’s jam scene; each member’s eclectic background helps build a diverse yet cohesive sound. Their mutual respect to the scene and commitment to originality has propelled the band to a multi-state tour covering the midwest and east coast. The genre mashing conglomerate of styles has something for everyone. Whether it’s a high-speed four-to-the-floor psychedelic jam, or a low bpm groovy, funk section, RADO keeps the bodies moving.”
The band draws inspiration from a wide range of genres, blending dance, funk, rock, reggae, and jazz into a cohesive jam-band experience. Their influences include The Beatles, Phish, Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead, and Motown legends like James Jamerson and Bootsy Collins. They also love Hip-Hop and EDM.
RADO is excited to share “Baker’s Measurements” with their fans and continue their musical journey. The band thrives on the connection with its audience. “There’s something about playing live to an audience that we can’t quite describe with words, especially when you’re deep in an improv moment. I suppose the best way to put it would be ‘true presence,’ where everything is deeply connected and interwoven—the band, the audience, and the music,” affirms Tuthill. “It’s a vibe! One of the best feelings in the world, truly.”
To catch RADO on tour and buy tickets, visit the band’s official website at www.radoshreds.com
RADO Tour:
August 2 Central Standard Brewing- Wichita, KS
August 3 Terp Float Fest- Tahlequah, OK
August 9 Cervantes Otherside- Denver, CO [tickets]
August 16 Elevation Music Festival- Alma, CO [event info]
September 28 Woodcellar- Evergreen, CO [event info]
October 5 Armadillo Ranch- Manitou Springs, CO [event info]
October 12 Devils Craft- Winter Park, CO [event info]
October 25 Friendsgiving- Tulsa, OK
“Baker's Measurements” Tracklist:
1. Run n’ Hyde
2. Back Nine ft Adam Langdon
3.My Song
4.Thank You Mr. Science
5. The Twist
6.Tea for Two
7. River
