The University of Denver music scene is livelier than ever. The Lamont School of Music offers musicians a unique opportunity to formulate a multitude of bands, experimenting with genres, collaborating with friends and developing sounds unique from the rest.

The most recent addition to the scene is the band Clove. The new group released their debut single “is,” on Sept. 12, 2025. Their sound taps into a shoegazy noise-rock style largely absent from the local scene.

Clove’s beginning was simple. Thure Sullivan, guitarist of the group, was working on a demo for a school project when he reached out to friends Bella Kraus (bassist) and Kayin “Kai” Afonja, (drummer). The demo in question eventually became their first single. 

Since their debut, they have continued writing new material which hasn’t hit streaming platforms yet, but can be heard during their live sets. During a recent show at Rug Room on Jan. 16, one track, “Piece,” was a highlight.

“That song is from a very specific point of my life within the last year,” said Sullivan “[It] ended up working out very well and led to some very great things, so it’s fun to play looking back on it.”

Krauss noted that it’s not just the lyrics but the combination of the musical resolution and emotionality that defines the song. Each element of their music feels intentional, playing an important role in shaping the meaning they aim to convey. This constant evolution reflects Krauss’s belief that their music is dynamic.

As the band evolved, they added Grady Dionne, on guitar, further shaping their sound. All four members attend the Lamont School of Music which they believe has been very helpful to their formation. Their shared understanding of music theory has allowed them to collaborate while understanding where each member is coming from. 

“[We are] bringing our own inspirations to the group and coming together to make something that we all love,” said Krauss. 

Each member has a music background and many have experienced being in a band before. Dionne plays with the local band Exhaler, while Krauss and Sullivan play with As Of Today. Shared experience, plus a similar taste in music has allowed the band the freedom to develop an experimental sound that expands across genres. 

Fleshwater and Sonic Youth are two of the many artists that have inspired Clove. They have drawn from the vibe of indie-rock while adding a slight jazz twist. Clove describes their music as existing “somewhere between complete empathy and complete disengagement.”

Clove’s emotional depth, musical knowledge plus the strength of their individual friendships are bringing them to the forefront of the music scene at Denver. Though Clove is still new to the Denver music scene, they have already made a great impression and many students are excited to see what they will do next.

Following their Rug Room performance, no shows have yet been announced but they plan to announce new performances soon.