
Teacup Gorilla inhabits the venues of Denver, CO with dark indie-rock soundscapes and evocative poetry – often compared to early Modest Mouse, Explosions in the Sky, or the Velvet Underground.
We also enjoy collaborating across media with theaters, writers, dancers, and other artists.
- In the summer of 2015 we released our debut EP, The Holes They Leave, along with the multimedia novel Riding SideSaddle*.
- In 2015 and 2016, we collaborated with Buntport Theater to crerate ReTriplicate for the Clyfford Still Museum, and a full-length play – 10 Myths on the Proper Application of Beauty Products – which recieved a True West Award.
- In 2018, we collaboratted with Grapefruit Lab to create JANE/EYRE, a concert/theater adaptation of the classic.
Teacup Gorilla’s amiable creative approach, unorthodox roots, and sense of community have resulted in a sound that is difficult to pin down: part instrumental rock, part glam, part psychedelic, part jazz-inflected. And it sounds like nothing much else in this highly imitative era.
—Tom Murphy, The Westword
Reminiscent of late ‘90s punk with elements of spoken word combed through, Teacup Gorilla never fails to put the moodiness to their heavy indie-rock.
—Kori Hazel and Alex Kramer, 303 Magazine: 14 Colorado LGBTQ Musicians You Should Know
I was just digging everything, and didn’t want the night to be over.
—Sam O’Daniel, Your Older Brother
Expect performances that blend mediums, styles and disciplines.
—Luke Leavitt, The Westword
One of the most ambitious projects that has come across our desk recently.
—Tim Wenger, Colorado Music Buzz
Teacup Gorilla is Daniel Eisenstat, Sondra Eby, Miriam Suzanne, and Josselyn Cool.
91 ‘teacup gorilla’ episodes
2019
PRF BBQ Denver @ The Bakery | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Lion’s Lair | Denver, CO
2018
Teacup Gorilla @ Ross-Cherry Creek Library | Denver, CO
Not the UMS @ Remixed Gifts | Denver, CO
JANE/EYRE @ The Bakery
We are not here to flatter egotism, or prop up humbug; we are merely telling the [queer] story. We value what is good in the book; but we believe in the existence of other, and more vivid kinds of goodness.
Wolf, Woman, Man (with Dancers) @ The Bakery | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Lion’s Lair | Denver, CO
2017
Punk for Positive Change (AIDS Benefit) @ Surfside 7 | Fort Collins, CO
Dsm-73: Queer Rock Night @ Moon Room at Summit Music Hall | Denver, CO
Bands With Benefits @ Mutiny Information Cafe | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ 7th Circle Music Collective | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Lion’s Lair | Denver, CO
Weird Wednesday! @ 3 Kings Tavern | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Syntax Physic Opera | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Globe Hall | Denver, CO
Claudzilla Curated Musical Mayhem @ Skylark Lounge | Denver, CO
Anti-UMS Fest @ 1010 Workshop | Denver, CO
Queer in the Headlights, Pride Party @ Larimer Lounge | Denver, CO
Just Like That Video Release @ Lost Lake | Denver, CO
official music video by Gio Toninelo
Teacup Gorilla @ Lost Lake | Denver, CO
ACLU Benefit @ The Bakery | Denver, CO
2016
2016 True West Award @ Denver Center for the Performing Arts
A stage adaptation of my novel, Riding SideSaddle*, created with Buntport Theater and Teacup Gorilla.
Empowerment Benefit Show @ Deer Pile | Denver, CO
FACEMAN’s 100 Year Storm @ The Oriental Theater | Denver, CO
Halloween House Party | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Globe Hall | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Syntax Physic Opera | Denver, CO
Sunday BBQ Series @ Larimer Lounge | Denver, CO
A Night of Grand Guignol @ The Bakery
Underground Music Showcase @ Illegal Pete’s
Founded in 2001, The UMS is an annual three-day celebration of music featuring hundreds of bands across multiple venues.
Teacup Gorilla @ Lion’s Lair | Denver, CO
Beat Soft Pop Album Release @ Lost Lake Lounge | Denver, CO
Afternoon House Party | Denver, CO
MoonConf @ Galvanize Boulder | Boulder, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Lion’s Lair | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ The Squire Lounge | Denver, CO
10 Myths Script
Award-winning stage adaptation of Riding SideSaddle*, weaving myth with everyday ritual
10 Myths on the Proper Application of Beauty Projects @ Buntport Theater
A stage adaptation of my novel, Riding SideSaddle*, created with Buntport Theater and Teacup Gorilla.
Teacup Gorilla @ 7th Circle Music Collective | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ 7th Circle Music Collective | Denver, CO
2015
Teacup Gorilla @ Lion’s Lair | Denver, CO
ReTriplicate @ Buntport Theater
Teacup Gorilla @ Lion’s Lair | Denver, CO
Holes / SideSaddle Midwest Tour @ Gabe’s Iowa City | Iowa City, IA
A joint tour for Teacup Gorilla’s debut album The Holes They Leave, and my debut novel Riding SideSaddle*.
Holes / SideSaddle Midwest Tour @ High Noon Saloon | Madison, WI
Holes / SideSaddle Midwest Tour @ Art House | Goshen, IN
Holes / SideSaddle Midwest Tour @ Red Line Tap | Chicago, IL
Holes / SideSaddle Midwest Tour @ Red Herring Lounge | Duluth, MN
Holes / SideSaddle Midwest Tour @ Private Beach Party | New Buffalo, MI
Holes / SideSaddle Midwest Tour @ Eighth Street Taproom | Lawrence, KS
Holes / SideSaddle Midwest Tour @ Kirby’s Beer Store | Wichita, KS
Holes / SideSaddle Midwest Tour
A joint tour for Teacup Gorilla’s debut album The Holes They Leave, and my debut novel Riding SideSaddle*.
Underground Music Showcase
Founded in 2001, The UMS is an annual three-day celebration of music featuring hundreds of bands across multiple venues.
Underground Music Showcase @ The Historian
Species of the Stars
We’re excited to be part of the single release for Species of the Stars by our good friends Open to the Hound!
Species of the Stars @ The Bakery | Denver, CO
We’re excited to be part of the single release for Species of the Stars by our good friends Open to the Hound!
Departure Tour @ Tennyson’s Tap | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ G***y House Cafe | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Merchant’s Mile High Saloon | Denver, CO
SideSaddle Book Release @ Syntax Physic Opera
Gorilla Hound Party @ The Bakery | Denver, CO
Denver Indie/Alt Fest @ Merchant’s Mile High Saloon | Denver, CO
2014
Teacup Gorilla @ Larimer Lounge | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Lion’s Lair | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Pikes Peak Brewing Co. | Monument, CO
Pig Sez
I’m Not Ready To Go Yet
A Dark Plain
Mile High Erotic Spoken Word (#4) @ The Bakery | Denver, CO
Bouldering Poets Two Year Anniversary @ Trident Booksellers & Cafe | Boulder, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Pikes Peak Brewing Co. | Monument, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Larimer Lounge | Denver, CO
2013
Bad Shadow Affair @ Lost Lake Lounge | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Toad Tavern | Littleton, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Larimer Lounge | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Herman’s Hideaway | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla @ Zach’s Garage | Denver, CO
Bouldering Poets @ 303 Vodka | Boulder, CO
Five(5)
2012
Leon Presents a Reading Series #6 | Denver, CO
2010
Fundraiser @ The Packing House | Denver, CO
Teacup Gorilla
Missa Populi
A modern, theatrical interpretation of the Catholic Mass – created by Grapefruit Lab and Teacup Gorilla.
Missa Populi @ PackingHouse Center for the Arts
Combining the sacrifice, transcendence, blood, and circumstance of the Catholic Mass with history, live music, science, dance, literature, and pop culture to find a wholly modern communion experience. What we have left is our selves, broken and battered, but surviving together.