FOLKING EARLY
You can read all about the 26th annual Tucson Folk Festival in Gene Armstrong's feature article this week. But if 20 hours of folk music aren't quite enough for you, head down to La Cocina, 201 N. Court Ave., on Friday, April 29, where, from 6 to 10 p.m., Greg Morton and friends will kick off the festival weekend. Throughout the evening, Morton will be joined by other musicians playing at the festival.
The festivities are open to those of all ages, and the suggested donation is $5. For more information, head to tucsonfolkfestival.org.
REAL COACHELLA (NOT REALLY)
The Tucson Folk Festival isn't the only festival happening this weekend.
Tucson music fixture Mullarkey and his pal Ryan Avery have put together the oddly named 7th Annual Real Coachella, which will feature 11 local and regional bands on one night, Friday, April 29, at The HangArt, 512 N. Echols Ave. (Night Two of the Real Coachella, featuring an entirely different lineup of bands, takes place at The Trunk Space in Phoenix on the following night.)
Here's a list of performers at the Tucson show with short descriptions, courtesy of the press release: Fathers Day ("Phoenix-based 'dad-punk'"), Captain Ahab ("internationally known Los Angeles based, electro-punk-erotica-bromance"), Treasure Mammal ("Abelardo Gil and his band of dancers have mastered the art of natural healing/medicine through music and wizardry"), JJCNV ("think about all the amazing weirdo punk bands you loved in the early- to mid-'90s"), The Ovals ("from Santo-Rancho Margarita, which is a suburb of Orange County, Calif. ... they are in their mid-teens and write songs about their parents, school and the troubles of being a misunderstood kid living in a 'juvenile nation'"), Monster Pussy ("Tucson's answer to Beat Happening"), Plague Party ("Phoenix's answer to They Might Be Giants"), Female Trouble ("modern-day riot grrl punk for lushes"), Man-Cat ("new project from Alex Benson, a very underappreciated Phoenix artist ... can be explained by three simple 'P' words: porno, pommée, pop"), Ultramaroon ("Tucson rock 'n' roll party dudes") and Mark Matos ("the father of acid gospel, back in Tucson for a limited time only!").
The 7th Annual Real Coachella begins at 6 p.m., Friday, April 29, and all ages are welcome. Admission is a mere $5. For more info, check out the event's Facebook page.
BOOST THE BOOTS
There seems to be a recent trend of holding events that combine music and art. Last week, Seashell Radio played at the Tucson Museum of Art as part of the museum's Art After Dark series; and Tom Walbank celebrated the release of his new album with a combination performance and art show at M.A.S.T.
This week, it's Golden Boots, who are throwing a combo CD-release party and art show at Candelabra Gallery.
In case you hadn't heard, Golden Boots, at least for the time being, is operating as a trio—Dimitri Manos, Ryan (or Ryen, depending on when you ask him) Eggleston and Nathan Sabatino—with members trading off on instruments depending on what the song calls for. This means drummer Ben Schneider doesn't appear on the band's new album, DBX 'n' SPF, which is being released on Piaptk/Bloat.
They still sound like the Golden Boots we all know and love, and the new album is a killer. There appears to be a little less studio trickery on DBX 'n' SPF than there was on the group's last proper album, 2009's The Winter of Our Discotheque, but the songs hold up when compared to that fine album. (Golden Boots albums tend to only get better with repeated listenings, too.)
Opener "Yuma" is a Manos-sung slice of psychedelic pop with staccato guitars, while the next song, "Radarange," could be described similarly—an Eggleston-sung slice of psychedelic pop, minus the staccato guitars—but it sounds more ornate and completely different than "Yuma." Plus, it rocks harder. The countryish "Love You Wrong" features a train rhythm and carries a Meat Puppets vibe.
There are a couple of tracks I could do without: the drum-machine instrumental throwaway "[Laughter] >> Guest," and "Pills and Cream," which never really goes anywhere. (And maybe I'll like them better after I listen to the album more.) But those shouldn't stop you from picking up a copy of the CD.
Which brings us back to the release party. Billed as Arangutang!/Tucson KnickKnack, the night will feature a show of art by all three current Golden Boots members as well as photography by Carina Auler.
It all takes place at Candelabra Gallery, 412 E. Seventh St., on Friday, April 29. The Pork Torta starts things off at 8 p.m. All ages are welcome, and cover is $5. Call 370-1465 for more info.
In other Golden Boots news: The band is seeking to raise $3,500 via Kickstarter.com by May 20 in order to fund the recording of its next album, Island Syndrome, on the island of Île de Ré, off the west coast of France. Fans can donate at different levels, each with a corresponding package of goodies (for example, donating $15 gets you a copy of the LP upon its completion, as well as a download code). At press time, the project had 37 backers, for a total of $1,920.
To help them reach their goal, head to Kickstarter.com.
SHORT TAKES
Golden Boots isn't the only local band releasing a CD this week. The jokey rap act Scrilla Gorilla, which features members of the Holy Rolling Empire, will release the follow-up to 2008's Welcome to Krunk Town, at Plush, 340 E. Sixth St., on Saturday, April 30. Opening the show at 9:30 p.m. are Dead Western Plains and The Ghost of 505. Admission is $5. For more information, head to plushtucson.com, or call 798-1298.
MC Slug and DJ Ant constitute Minneapolis-based rap duo Atmosphere, whose new album, The Family Sign, was released on April 12 on the group's own label, Rhymesayers. On early albums, Atmosphere was consistently pegged as emo-rap due to Slug's heart-on-sleeve lyrics. But on recent albums, he's largely turned outward and begun rapping about more universal concerns. Also worth noting: Atmosphere is one of the most consistently great live rap acts out there.
Atmosphere performs at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St., on Wednesday, May 4. The all-ages show starts at 8 p.m. and will feature opening sets from Blueprint, Grieves With Budo, Sab the Artist and DJ Abilities. Tickets are $22 in advance, or $25 on the day of the show. For further details, go to rialtotheatre.com, or call 740-1000.
A regular visitor to Plush, 340 E. Sixth St., many wondered if Wanda Jackson might move up to a bigger venue following the release of her latest album, The Party Ain't Over (Nonesuch, 2011), which was produced by Jack White and upped her profile considerably. But fear not: The 73-year-old queen of rockabilly returns to Plush on Friday, April 29, for a 9:30 p.m. show that will also feature Red Meat. Tickets are $18. Call 798-1298, or head to plushtucson.com for answers to any questions.
ON THE BANDWAGON
Ghostland Observatory at the Rialto Theatre next Thursday, May 5; Kaia Wilson and Jenny Hoyston at Solar Culture Gallery on Tuesday, May 3; No Joy, Beach Fossils and The Family Band at Club Congress on Sunday, May 1; Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars at the Rialto Theatre on Sunday, May 1; Dirty Vegas, Polaris at Noon and OWLS at Plush on Tuesday, May 3; Robert Cray at the Fox Tucson Theatre next Thursday, May 5; Foreigner at the Rialto Theatre on Saturday, April 30; Dark Dark Dark at Solar Culture Gallery on Saturday, April 30; NIAYH at The Hut next Thursday, May 5; Thee Headliners, Bugs and Lana Rebel at the Red Room at Grill on Tuesday, May 3; Tristen at Plush on Wednesday, May 4; the B Foundation at The Hut next Thursday, May 5; Brotha Lynch Hung at the Rialto Theatre on Tuesday, May 3; Midwest Dilemma at Dry River Collective on Tuesday, May 3; Wolves and Hellhorse at the Surly Wench Pub on Friday, April 29; Balkumbia II ("Tucson's greatest gypsy and cumbia dance night") featuring Taraf de Tucson, Salvador Duran y Los Mijitos and DJ Dirtyverbs at Club Congress on Friday, April 29; Coming Out 2: Electric Gay Boogaloo ("A Queer Dance Party") at La Cocina on Friday, April 29; Noise's First Annual Formal featuring Condemned and the Beautiful Ones at Noise Venue on Saturday, April 30; Seashell Radio and Evasion Pixel at Sky Bar on Friday, April 29; Blood and Water and American Scene at Skrappy's on Tuesday, May 3; Roll Acosta, Raised by Wolves and Bare Electric at Sky Bar on Saturday, April 30.
