WEDNESDAY 8/17
COUNTRY
EVENING BELL
Hailing from the country music hotbed of Seattle, Evening Bell is a throwback to an era when honkytonks ruled the weekend, Tammy Wynette and George Jones ruled the airwaves and a long ride in an old pickup truck was the height of romance. Paying tribute to the classic country sound, Evening Bell also reflects modern life in the Pacific Northwest by pulling in elements of rock, folk and psychedelic influences, furthering the contemporary roots scene in compelling ways. Also on the bill: Santa Cruz-based country outfit Doggone Lonesome. CAT JOHNSON
INFO: 9 p.m. Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $8. 429-6994.
THURSDAY 8/18
REGGAE
MIKE LOVE
So this isn’t that Mike Love—you know, the one that fronted the Beach Boys. No, this is the reggae Mike Love, and isn’t “Mike Love” a more appropriate name for a conscious-minded roots reggae singer-songwriter than a rock star? Anyway, reggae Love was born and raised in Hawaii. He’s a vegan, a family man, and very, very spiritual. All that plus plenty of politics is dripping all over his ’70s-inspired roots reggae sound. Also, the island of Hawaii serves as an influence to his sound. It’s easy-going and breezy, despite all the seriousness in the lyrics. AARON CARNES
INFO: 9 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $12/adv, $15/door. 429-4135.
ZYDECO
ANDRE THIERRY
When the King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier, deems you an accordion player, you’d be wise to take up the instrument—even if you’re still a toddler. Such was the case with West Coast Zydeco standout Andre Thierry, who Chenier dubbed a player at the age of 3. Born in Northern California, but deeply rooted to his Louisiana family, the Grammy-winning Thierry now blends the best of both worlds, combining traditional Zydeco with progressive elements from his home state. CJ
INFO: 7:30 p.m. Don Quixote’s, 6275 Hwy. 9, Felton. $12/adv, $14/door. 335-2800.
FRIDAY 8/19
SKA
ENGLISH BEAT
It’s hard to believe that the English Beat only released three albums. With that limited output, the band continues to enrapture audiences, decades later. The English Beat wasn’t even that big in the states in the early ’80s when it released those records, but, man, what amazing albums they were. The debut I Just Can’t Stop It (1980) is an amazing, infectious ska gem. Sophomore record Wa’ppen? (1981) is weirder and more reggae-influenced. The band’s final record, Special Beat Service (1982), is an absolute pop masterpiece—the group’s best album by far. Oddly, after all these years, the members are supposedly releasing a fourth studio album in late 2016/early 2017. Can it stack up to their prior brilliant LPs? We shall see. AC
INFO: 9 p.m. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $26/adv, $30/door. 479-1854.
EXPERIMENTAL HIP-HOP
JOOMANJI
Born in the concrete caves of UCSC’s music studios, Joomanji’s electro-jazz-infused hip-hop is tinged with tasty neo-soul, unique samples and intricate grooves. Now located in L.A., the group keeps their sound diverse by incorporating a variety of vocalists and guest artists. All composition, production, engineering, and mixing is their own, revealing a deep appreciation for the process. Local band Boostive brings a similar vibe: gritty hip-hop mixed with elements of dub and reggae, their energetic sets flow from ambient trance to psychedelic swing via rich bass grooves and a dynamic horn section. Openers Boostive’s opening set will be recorded for a live album, commemorating their last Santa Cruz show before the collective relocates to San Diego. KATIE SMALL
INFO 9 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $5. 427-2227.
SATURDAY 8/20
PUNK
POWER OF EXPRESSION FEST
Question: Do you love banging your head to punk rock bands, but hate those boring gaps between sets? If the answer is yes, then the Power of Expression is for you. The lineup of 15-plus local and regional bands will be playing on two stages at the Catalyst. The organizers are assuring everyone that it’s going to be bam, bam, bam, one band after another. No down time. There’s seriously some incredible acts on this line-up: Great Apes, Thanks Buddy, Good Neighbor Policy, the Defenders, and of course the one-of-a-kind Dan Potthast. AC
INFO: 6 p.m. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $10/adv, $15/door. 429-4135.
SUNDAY 8/21
CANADIAN FOLK
DE TEMPS ANTAN
Drawing from the rich and lively folk music traditions of Quebec, De Temps Antan combines age-old techniques with a contemporary flair to create music that seamlessly bridges the eras of the French-Canadian province. The band’s music is driven by traditional Quebec folk instruments, including the fiddle, accordion, harmonica, guitar and bouzouki, but it boasts a freshness and flair as traditional tunes are filtered through modern sensibilities and a fine-tuned sense of humor. As one reviewer wrote, the band blends “boundless energy with the unmistakable joie de vivre found only in traditional Quebec music.” CJ
INFO: 7 p.m. Don Quixote’s, 6275 Hwy. 9, Felton. $18/adv, $20/door. 335-2800.
MONDAY 8/22
JAZZ
JANE BUNNETT & MAQUEQUE
With relations between the United States and Cuba attaining a semblance of normality, it’s a good time to recognize the essential role that Canadian soprano saxophonist and flutist Jane Bunnett has played for the past two decades in introducing brilliant young Cuban players to the North American scene. Her Juno Award-winning band Maqueque showcases a rising generation of women—musicians who have been overlooked both at home and abroad. The band’s latest incarnation features drummer Yissy García, daughter of Irakere drummer Bernardo García, pianist Danae Olano, Daymé Arceno on percussion, Magdelys Savigne on batás, congas and vocals, and the single-monikered Yusa on tres guitar and fretless bass. ANDREW GILBERT
INFO: 7 p.m. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $25/adv, $30/door. 427-2227.
IN THE QUEUE
DEZARIE
Roots reggae great from St. Croix. Wednesday at Moe’s Alley
REDLIGHT DISTRICT
Local psych-rock. Wednesday at Don Quixote’s
LARA PRICE BLUES BAND
Blues vocalist and her ace band. Friday at Pocket
B-SIDE PLAYERS
Afro-Latin-reggae-funk favorites. Saturday at Moe’s Alley
JAMESTOWN REVIVAL
Roots-inspired indie-rock from Austin. Sunday at Catalyst
