The UM is a very well-respected, live hip-hop, jazzy, funky fusion band that blends original beats with poetics and melodic tribal-backed grooves, and is comprised of John Larchick ("JL") on bass/vocals, Josh Berard ("Boogie B") on guitar/vocals, and Seth Beltran ("Sibs") on drums. Additionally, the UM features DJ Lush on turntables, Jeff Gutierrez on world percussion, and Ashleigh Cope, who captivates audiences with her wonderful live on-stage paintings.

The UM was winner of the Best Hip-Hop Band in Colorado (Westword Magazine 2009). “The Avenue” was the UM’s first full-length LP release (2008), and has been welcomed by the Colorado music scene with open arms. Formed in 2005, this three-piece live band created a debut album that has been described as “deliciously coherent and technical.”

Having rocked many premier events in Colorado, the UM was chosen by Burton Snowboards to play the 2009 Transworld snowboard video premier, and was featured as the main act at the 2009 Sol Vista National mountain biking championship. While awarded the 2009 Best Hip-Hop Group title by Westword, the UM has also shared the stage with national acts such as Arrested Development, Living Legends, Pepper, Pharcyde, B-Side Players, Wu-Tang Clan, Lyrics Born, Flobots, and even toured with Guru’s Jazzmatazz.

Currently, the UM is in the studio recording, mixing, and mastering the long-awaited, full-length follow-up album to “The Avenue.” Several tracks are already completed and a multi-track EP was recently released at a live performance in October 2010 at “The Soiled Dove Underground” in Lowry. All in all, this is a very exciting time for the UM; the band is extremely energized to begin promoting its soon-to-be-released second album and again tour throughout/beyond Colorado.