A small storage unit off of I-70B is an unlikely venue for creativity and passion. However, a couple times a week, this small space transforms into an artistic haven for the Grand Junction band, Intertwined.

They meet there to share their talents. Barak Erin on bass, Blane Robinson on drums, Colin Cummings on guitar, Jesse Ortiz also on guitar and Jeremiah Campbell on vocals, each member brings an entirely different element to the band; hence the name, Intertwined.

“We have very talented members and it is neat to see how it literally does come together, we couldn’t have any other name than what we have,” Cummings said.

“Our music is digression from the norm, with potent hooks, and with an obscure appeal.”

Formed in late 2004, the band has some key accomplishments. “We played with the MTV 2 Tour, played in the Head Bangers Ball Tour, and performed with Dead by Wednesday,” Campbell said.

The band has two albums available in 4,800 stores, including F.Y.E., Borders, Best Buy, and Target, the band has its sights set on making music a full-time career.

The Grand Junction band is not confined to the Grand Valley.

“Our message is universal, somebody on the other side of the world, who doesn’t know our language, or what it is like to be an American, or a Coloradan, as long as they know what the play triangle on a CD player looks like, could put in our music and it could mean just as much to them in their own way as it did to us when we wrote it. Why be bound to this location, it is merely the place we are,” Cummings said.

“Ultimately, this is our fun time but we do take it seriously because we all do want to make a living at it,” Cumming said “we feel that we are on the right track, but production costs are expensive, and it is really difficult doing it all ourselves.”

Cummings, a 2007 graduate of Mesa State, and bank manager by day, spoke of his passion for music and the realities that keep him grounded. “I knew at a young age that music wasn’t going to pay my bills, while that would be a great plan B, I worked on plan A in order to get a decent job.” Without a well-paying job, Cummings would not be able to afford his extensive collection of guitars, recording equipment, and the ability to tour with the band.

At the inception of the band, Cummings was a mass communication student at Mesa State. After contributing about fifteen hours to the band a week, taking between twelve and sixteen credit hours at school, working thirty hours a week with full-time sales goals, and having a social life, he felt very tested. “It is what I call my rubber-band era, how far could I possibly stretch myself? It was amazing and it was a neat challenge. I said that to myself every day. At times, I thought I was going to fold over, but then I told myself I can, and that is what kept me going.”

Cummings advice to others considering a career in music is this: “Have a very realistic view on it. Do not ever give up on your passion, but get a degree, and get a real job so you can have decent quality of life while you let your passion manifest,” Campbell said “the music industry is just blowing up everywhere, in every major city, there’s hundreds and thousands of bands out there.”

This challenge, however, does not hold the band back from working towards their musical goals.

“We try to really direct ourselves and make smart business decisions, we don’t try to fit into a fad,” Campbell said “we don’t buy into things, we do it ourselves, because we want to, and people respond to that very well.”