ANDY BABB & LARA ELLE POSITIVE MANTRAS FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY ANDY BABB grew up in the eastern plains town of Burlington, Colo., with a population of 3,172. Burlington is the county seat and most populous city of Kit Carson County and sits about 12 miles from the Kansas border. Lara Elle was raised in the JOSHUA ABEYTA DENVER VOICE MUSIC REPORTER coastal city of San Diego, Calif., with a population of 1.4 million in the city proper and 3.3 million total in the surrounding metro area. San Diego is California’s second-most populous city and sits about 18 miles from the US-Mexico border crossing into Tijuana, Mexico. Then, just over a decade ago, they found themselves in the same place at the same time. “When we met on the dance floor, I told her I was in Andy Babb and the Big Beautiful Band. She was like, ‘What is that? That’s a crazy name,’” Babb said. Elle countered, “I didn’t say that, actually, but I thought it.” Their connection was born that night at Rhythm Sanctuary, a revolving ecstatic dance party that has become a staple in the Denver-metro area for people who want to move to rhythms outside of a club atmosphere. Their romantic connection grew quickly, and with a shared love for dance, music, and musical theater, it was only a matter of time before collaboration. their connection progressed into creative “Once I fell in love with him, like six months later, he asked me if I wanted to be in the band. And, I was like, ‘Duh, I know all your songs,’” said Elle. Babb described their sound as secular worship music. “You’re really just capturing ancient wisdom and trying to reinterpret [it] in your own words. We’re not telling people what God is or even that God exists, you know. We want to lead people back to spirit, however they interpret that, you know, or their inner spirit.” The duo recently released their second studio record, “All Of Your Colors,” to a packed house at Boulder’s eTown Hall, a nationally syndicated radio broadcast/podcast studio and live concert venue, which has the look and feel of an old church, complete with stained glass windows — a perfect setting for the occasion. After Asheville, N.C.’s Noah Proudfoot delivered a scintillating opening set, the pair took the stage to raucous applause. In addition to delivering their latest album, the couple is also expecting their first child in late September, so when Babb and Elle appeared on stage in the full glow of their third trimester, the joy and celebration of their dual creations filled the crowd. They weren’t just releasing an album; they were cementing their legacy as a family. Even though eTown Hall is a fully seated venue, people came ready to dance, and the couple pointed out where they could do so without blocking the view of seated patrons and elders. The crowd represented people of all ages and felt like a family reunion. By the end, the dance party was irresistible, and attendees burst into a conga line that stretched the entire circumference of the room. Andy Babb and Lara Elle make music to bring people together in joy and harmony. | Photo by Hailey Jane Photo While they have historically performed mostly as a duo, Andy and Lara were joined on stage by a full band, including violinist Bridget Law from Colorado staple Elephant Revival, cellist Jasmine Saraswati, bassist Tim Hanna, and drummer Greg Wilson — the other half of the rhythm section for The Copper Children, where Babb plays bass and sings harmonies. The band brought the EP to life, and the intention behind the album, and the music in general, was to create “positive mantras for a healthy community,” according to Babb. The couple is also doing that with their family-owned retreat center in Sedalia, Colo. Sol Ridge Ranch and Retreat Center is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a sanctuary of serenity. “Our biggest goal with the retreat center is to be able to bring in people of all classes. We want to host people that never have the opportunity to come to a retreat center and have a real, life-changing experience for themselves, with the intention of having a place to pause and connect with nature,” said Babb. “We’re not just trying to cater to people who are wealthy. We host different groups, men’s groups, women’s groups; a BIPOC leadership group came out from Denver. We’ve hosted different ceremonialists, sound healers, medicine people from around the world,” Babb said. Whether through their music, their community, or their retreat center, Andy Babb and Lara Elle are using their music as a vehicle to bring people together and create a positive, peaceful world for the next generation to come, and that includes their own little bundle of joy, to be released in late September. You can learn more at www.andyandlara.com DENVER VOICE COLUMN 7
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