Denver-based instrumental progressive rock duo The MC2 Project invites listeners to experience the thrill of a perfect ski day with their latest release, A Day at the Slopes. Guitarist Anthony A-man and pianist Larisa Gorodinski have crafted an album that blends rock’s raw energy, classical’s precision, and jazz’s free-flowing spontaneity into a cinematic and immersive sonic exploration.

Concept is a driving force behind The MC2 Project’s music, and as Anthony explains, A Day at the Slopes is a love letter to skiing and snowboarding in Colorado—specifically in Vail. “The anticipation and enjoyment of the ski trips, driving from Denver to the mountains, and then coming back home satisfied and tired—it’s a special feeling,” he shares. That sentiment is woven throughout the album, with each track representing different moments of an adventure on the slopes.

The album kicks off with “One Day Morning,” setting a peaceful, expectant tone. The interplay between A-man’s guitar work and Gorodinski’s expressive piano evokes the crisp morning air and quiet anticipation before the action begins. “Hello Mountains” follows, building excitement with ascending melodies and layered harmonies that reflect the grandeur of arriving at the peaks.

As the album progresses, the duo captures the full range of a skier’s experience. “Mountain Top” delivers a sweeping, majestic atmosphere, while “Skiing Down” translates the rush of carving through fresh powder into a flurry of cascading keyboard arpeggios and rapid-fire guitar runs. The exhilarating “Race on the Slopes” mirrors the intensity of high-speed downhill racing, brimming with complex time signatures and fast-paced interplay.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. “Tough Terrain (Hairbag Alley)” throws listeners into a technical, almost chaotic landscape, mirroring the challenge of navigating treacherous slopes. Anthony explains how The MC2 Project approaches composition through vivid imagery: “We have a track called ‘Cloud 9’ on the new album. Some of you might know the Cloud 9 run in Blue Sky Basin at Vail. It’s my favorite place to snowboard. We had no demos for that tune, but after reviewing photos and videos from the place, the track came together naturally.” That organic approach to composition is a testament to the duo’s ability to translate experience into sound.

The album begins to wind down with “Last Run of the Day,” a reflective, almost wistful piece that captures the final moments before packing up, followed by “Driving Home” and “What a Day!”, which bring a sense of satisfaction and closure to the journey.

Beyond their impressive musicianship, The MC2 Project’s ability to work with collaborators adds another dimension to their music. Anthony speaks highly of drummer Alex Bituckih, who has become an essential part of their recordings, and bassist Matt Skellenger, whose versatility helped shape the final sound of A Day at the Slopes. Their approach to production is equally meticulous, as Anthony details: “Sometimes it takes 20 takes to get things right. I listen to what I record again and again, even as a separated guitar part, before sending it to our sound engineer, Alex JaJa. He’ll tell me if something doesn’t sound right, so I’ve learned to be extra critical from the start.”

With A Day at the Slopes, The MC2 Project proves that instrumental progressive rock can be both technical and highly evocative. By drawing from personal experiences and translating them into complex musical landscapes, the duo delivers an album that not only breaks confines but also resonates on an emotional level. Whether you’re a fan of prog, jazz, or simply enjoy adventurous, concept-driven music, this is a ride worth taking.

For more information about The MC2 Project visit their website.