“Der Abschied” is ideal for Simson’s MahlerFest farewell because the text literally describes the parting of two friends. It is, Olson says, “the most colorful, beautiful, intimate piece of music ever written. Period.”

Akerfeldt, singer/songwriter/guitar/driving force of Opeth, says touring is how the band became known outside of Sweden and how it built its following and reputation.

Staying the same for almost 30 years has it benefits, explains Yo La Tengo helmsman Ira Kaplan, but it’s also OK to shuffle the deck once in a while.

Tired of weird spring weather? Bahmann Saless is doing something about it. The conductor of the Boulder Chamber Orchestra has programmed Beethoven’s Third Symphony and Fifth Piano Concerto, two popular avatars of the composer’s heroic style, for its upcoming concert.

There’s a nostalgic element to the term “psych-rock” that harkens back to the tie-dyed, patchouli-scented dorm rooms that spun the records of The Doors, Jefferson Airplane and Velvet Underground. Calling something “psychedelic” invokes a sort of free-love, tripped-out aesthetic that recalls the ’60s and the pioneering days of rock ’n’ roll.

We caught Ned Scott, keyboardist and one of The Egg’s founding twin brothers, during a quiet evening a couple of weeks ago at home in his Notting Hill flat, just as he was about to step away to prepare (honestly) a cup of tea.

A slew of changes has rocked Nate Cook’s world this past year. His band, The Yawpers — rock ’n’ roll with a country twinge, starring two acoustic guitars and a drum set — is letting their record deal with Boulder label Adventure Records expire, and the band has leapt over to Colorado SpokesBUZZ, becoming the first non-Fort Collins band to sign with the FoCo-based nonprofit/label.

Even though there’s not a single piece by Beethoven on the next program of CU’s Takács Quartet (at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 28 and at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 29 Keith Saunders in Grusin Music Hall), the quartet’s first violinist sees him everywhere he looks.

Shafer’s newest solo release, Wherever You Are, captures all of the heartfelt musings that the veteran singer-songwriter’s fans have come to anticipate.

West Water Outlaws had a plan heading into this year’s South By Southwest. Before arriving in Austin, the band played a slew of tour dates with the aim of honing its chops prior to the big stage at SXSW. The four band members slogged through shows of varying quality, sometimes just playing for the bartender, sometimes drawing a crowd.