Feature Article - Casey Nimmer

    On the corner of Laurel and Howes in Fort Collins sits Mugs, a warm colored, lightly lit venue of where nostrils are immediately filled with the aroma of coffee and modern music plays softly in the background. Behind the counter stands a guy with darker hair, displaying the scruff of an unshaved face, but with eyes that are kind and welcoming. However, common the coffee shop may appear with crumbs and laptops covering the tables; it is this employee that makes the place something special. 
    The scruffy, kind-eyed barista is actually an up and coming name in the Colorado music scene. Nick LoFaro and his band Common Anomaly are quickly being placed on the map. Having played at South by Southwest, a music festival in Texas that adheres to fans of several types of music, and scheduled to play New Westfest this summer in Fort Collins, Common Anomaly has wormed its way into Northern Colorado and Denver as a musical favorite through its polished and high energy shows. LoFaro and the rest of the band currently live in Fort Collins, but are planning to move to Denver soon.
    “We play there almost every other week,” said LoFaro when explaining why he and the band are making the choice to move.
    One would never know that LoFaro is on his way to fame. He is modest, always in the mood for a joke, and often chooses to talk about his passion of science fiction and dinosaurs over his music.Quirky as this may seem, it has come to be a bit of a hindrance in LoFaro’s personal life.      “That’s why I will never have a wife. ‘Cause guaranteed any girl that’s as into dinosaurs as me is probably weird,” laughed LoFaro when explaining his passions.
    Although the band is gaining in popularity, with over 1,000 fans on Facebook already, LoFaro explains it is all about the music for again them.
     “Even when we play shows, we’d like to make money but it’s not about that.” Anyone can listen to their music for free through Facebook page or Youtube.com. One can also find them on certain versions of Rock Band and Guitar Hero with their song “Hate to Say.” 
    The bass starts it off, followed by a steady drum beat and strumming of the guitar. Then the synthesizer and violins come in, adding a unique element to the sound. Finally, voices penetrate the rhythm, drawing attention to the lyrics being sung. LoFaro, brothers Adam and Paul Simmons, and Sean Joyce create a conglomeration of electronic pop-rock fit for dancing or hanging out with friends. Although the guys classify themselves as Indie/Alternative, their music is difficult to place into one specific genre because their songs each have such individualism.
    When asked about the inspiration for his music LoFaro had no hesitation with his answer: “life and struggle.”  As LoFaro took the mop he was using, dunking it into the browning water and squeezing out as much excess as possible he stated “I think it’s hard to be an artist if you’re not blue collar.” For him and the band, it’s the experiences of life, good and bad, that drive their music.

    Regardless of any struggles LoFaro and the other band members have had  LoFaro almost always has a twinkle in his eye. Quick to make another laugh with an impression from one of his favorite sci-fi films, or spout his political opinions with different voices of the media, LoFaro is glad to bring a smile to those around him.
    “You can’t abort your kid, but I can raise mine to be an idiot,” LoFaro exclaimed in a nasally southern accent. 
    LoFaro is also incredibly close to his family who lives in Vail which is another incentive to move to Denver.
    “I-25 sucks! If there’s a road in hell it’s I-25!” said LoFaro passionately when discussing the commute back to see his family and to get to Denver for shows.
    All of the band members are close with their families and come from a Catholic background with brothers and parents that do not waste time on sugar coating life. “When I got a job as a waiter and told my dad all he said was ‘you can’t go spilling [stuff] on people now.’”
    Due to the realism of family opinion throughout LoFaro’s childhood, he grew to appreciate real praise and accept his faults, a mentality he hopes to pass on to his children someday.
    “When people are offended it cracks me up, they’re all like ‘but I’m a special beam of light butterfly and I can do anything!’” said LoFaro when elaborating on his idea of truth and modesty. 
    However brash LoFaro appears Common Anomaly is the total opposite. The band refuses to convey political or religious subtext in its music “We want as many people to listen to us as possible without offending anyone,” stated LoFaro. Even as a Colorado State graduate, LoFaro has always wanted to pursue music; getting a degree was just to have one.
    In college LoFaro said he felt torn between wanting to do well in school and pursue his true creative passions. He is glad to have graduated in order to be able to place greater focus on music. “Being in a band is like being in a relationship, you have to be committed. It’s really hard to do with school,” explained LoFaro.
    Although the band is gaining in popularity, LoFaro still needs a little something extra to pay the bills. This is why he  often can( or may) be found at Mugs, but this is not a waste of time to him. A proponent of all art, LoFaro is also a painter and  sculptor. So while at work he practices his artistic and creative abilities with latte art, a technique of pouring foaming milk onto espresso to create interesting patterns. 
     From leaves to flowers to hearts, LoFaro has become somewhat of an expert. A prodigy of his Candace Karlin, who also used to be employed at Mugs, explained the steps in full detail as she learned them from LoFaro. From the temperature to heat the milk, to when the espresso should be filtered and poured, to the correct wrist motion when adding the milk to the espresso, Karlin demonstrated each step while making a flower in a mocha latte.
    Karlin is also a good friend of LoFaro’s and went on to talk about his tattoos and his music with enthusiasm. Eagerly twisting LoFaro’s arms to give a better look, Karlin talked about the lighthouse on his upper right arm signifying his heritage, for LoFaro is Italian for lighthouse.
    “He and all his brothers have the same one,” explained Karlin. On his lower left arm LoFaro has another intricate design, one he made himself. “Most of my tattoos are doodles I used to do in high school,” said LoFaro in a nonchalant sort of manner.
    So far LoFaro has only sold one of his paintings, choosing to give away or trade most of his art instead. Nevertheless, when the move to Denver arrives he plans to get a lot of his sculptures and other paintings out into the community.
    Even though LoFaro and the other members of Common Anomaly will soon be leaving Fort Collins, LoFaro’s art and spirit will still be found around the community. He describes the move as “bittersweet,” but exciting and that it, “will be like moving away without leaving home.”