XOXO

Mark your calendars

Thursday, July 19

click to enlarge XOXO
Courtesy
Drew Cooper

Harnessing power directly from the red rock mountains and vortexes of Sedona where he resides (or so we are asked to believe): decker. Channels electromagnetic Earth energy at Club Congress with his psychedelic/desert folk. With Billy Sedlmayr and Gabrielle Louise... This Songwriter's Hall of Fame inductee is best known for writing hits for the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Trisha Yearwood, George Strait, etc. His latest album, Tenderness (Sony), balances understated jazz along with the pop narratives that drive his success. Twenty years since its founding, brothers Cody and Willy Braun no longer wish for their band to be pigeonholed simply as a bunch of rowdy, beer-drinking party boys. Willy says. "We would like folks to really hear the lyrics and appreciate the musicianship that goes into the arrangements." Out touring in support of Sunset Motel, country rockers Reckless Kelly stomp wildly into 191 Toole. The red dirt country of Drew Cooper opens... Their debut EP, Colors, is kinetic. Lose yourself in the psychedelic rock of Silver Cloud Express at Cans Deli. With The Others (experimental/instrumental) and Still Life Telescope (psychedelic/prog rock)...

Friday, July 20

In 1979, this San Antonian’s self-titled release won a staggering five Grammy Awards, unofficially crowning him the undisputed “King of Yacht Rock.” Christopher Cross sails into the the dry dock at the Desert Diamond Center… Multiculturalism in full effect, their unique sound is a mezcla of rockabilly, cumbia, jazz and flamenco sung, in both English y Español, by a trumpet wielding firebrand of a singer. Clear away any buffelgrass when Jenny and the Mexicats blaze a trail towards 191 Toole. With Latin rockeros Santa Pachita… They add a pinch of rock in with their blend of “desert reggae” before rolling. Wanna puff? Desert Fish celebrate the release of It’s Getting Late at The Rialto Theater. With Straight Villain, Something Like Seduction and more… Club XS is the site for a Tribute to Chester Bennington. Proceeds from this event will be donated to Talinda Bennington’s 320 Change Direction Fund, an initiative to change the culture in America about mental health, mental illness and wellness. Featuring Lethal Injektion, Her Name Echoes, Dirty Magic, Mr Wiley, The Diversion Program and Creating The Scene. Former Linkin Park bassist Scott Koziol is to make a special appearance… Mr. Free & The Satellite Freakout (art rock/words cannot describe), Tight Fright (punk/metal/with a dash of Flavor Flav, NYC) and The Manx (“weirdo” folk/punk, L.A.) are at Cans Deli… Indie rock radness wreaks havoc when The Exbats and Weekend Lovers rock Saint Charles Tavern. Perhaps, “Mr. Bucky” will show up?…

Saturday July 21

Recorded in “Music City,” First Comes The Night (Vanguard, 2015) reflects Nashville’s musical traditions, but moreover this singer-songwriter’s passion. “I don’t think, ‘I’m going to sell 40 million records.’ I think, ‘How am I going to make a hell of a record even if it’s for 40 people who’ll listen to it a million times.’ The thrill is not gone.” Chris Isaak at The Fox Theatre… The brick and mortar walls may tremble when Cowboys ‘n’ Hell, Faceless and Kill ’Em All salute the music of Pantera, Godsmack and Metallica at 191 Toole… Channeling the classic sounds of the American west, singer-songwriter Dan Simonis will recount tall tales and desert lore in the listening room at Exo Roast Co… Best known for her 1974 smash hit “Midnight at the Oasis,” in 2012, this American roots singer released her 40th album, featuring Bonnie Raitt, Phoebe Snow, Ruthie Foster, Koko Taylor and Rory Block. First Came Memphis Minnie (Warner), honors pioneering blues woman Lizzie Douglas (aka Memphis Minnie), a guitarist/vocalist/songwriter from the 1920s, who influenced many female blues artists who followed in her footsteps. Maria Muldaur performs at House of Bards…

Sunday July 22

In spring 2017, while still a high school student in Norway, Nicolas Pablo Muñoz unassumingly uploaded “Everytime”—the story of a lovesick girl desperately trying to lure an uninterested cad—onto YouTube. It went viral. Boy Pablo reveals his bedroom pop creations at Club Congress. With local shoegazers Mute Swan… This brother and sister duo scored on both the pop and country charts with “Puppy Love” and “Paper Roses” during the early 1970s. Their trademark oblivious to the passage of time sunniness continues to thrill Las Vegas audiences to date. Donny & Marie’s Summer Tour eases gently into the AVA Amphitheater…

Monday, July 23

The embodiment of DIY ethos, an introverted Will Toledo started releasing a series of lo-fi pop home recordings in 2010. Often sneaking off to a neighboring Target parking lot, seeking privacy, to record vocals in the backseat of his car. Prolific, but never conventional, by age 23, he'd released a dozen recordings. Embracing his shortcomings and frailties, Toledo is a wordsmith who writes about things not-so-easily said gaining a cult following in the process. Car Seat Headrest at 191 Toole. With Naked Giants, whose drummer notes, "I just want to make as much noise, have fun and get as sweaty as I can." Who said rock 'n' roll is dead? "I need a crutch/I need a chemical with a name I can't pronounce/Got your voice still in my ears." As a result, Save Face (alt/emo, New Jersey) are "jonesin' somethin' fierce." At Club Congress with Prince Daddy & the Hyena (power pop/punk, Albany) and Sundressed...

Tuesday, July 24

Yeah, but does their Coupe deVille have a pair of steer horns mounted to the hood? [An obscure reference only a few locals are likely to get.] Bask in the ear-candling sonic glory of Nashvillian country fuzz when Cadillac Three tool into town. With 7Horse (blues/rock/cosmic-country), whose song "Meth Lab Zoso Sticker" appears on Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street. At 191 Toole... From Los Angeles, "hotel bar lounge singer/aspiring daytime TV talk show host," Dent May (stylistic pop chameleon) will find himself "Face Down In The Gutter Of Your Love," and for all those willing to bear witness, at Club Congress. With indie folk songstress Shannon Lay...

Wednesday, July 25

After a hiatus, Poetry Night returns to Owls Club. With Sui, Sarah Au, and Aaron aka Broken but Workin'. Hosted by Julia Kinu... Then, stick around. "Who'd still say those who embraced thin frills could maybe get old?" That's what Buffalo's Nylon Otters (indie rock that goes great with brown shoes) are working with. With Filthy Gorgeous (prog rock/noise, NY) also at Owls Club...

Thursday, July 26

The Sugar Stains daisy chain with DJ B-Rad and Tucson Libertine League burlesque troupe. What else could possibly be hotter on a late July night? With performances by Les Femmes Merveilleuses, Hi Polish Floor Show, Kitty Catatonic, Rambo Rose, Lacy O'Cean, Fiametta Mink, Ms. Midnight, Jaime J. Soto and Lola Torch. At Cans Deli...

IN MEMORIAM...

As if by happenstance, located on the southeast corner of Tucson's Rainbow Crosswalk celebrating the LGBTQ community and serving as symbol for Tucson's embrace of cultural diversity, The Flycatcher has been running fervently with the baton Plush handed off in the summer of 2014.

This beloved music venue, watering hole and figurative safehouse has been host to everything from raw hip-hop to heretical Scandinavian black metal.

No musical genre was ever off limits. The club supported both sweaty-palmed up-and-coming locals and established international touring acts, uniting an equally diverse enclave of hardcore music junkies, barstool philosophers and weekend revelers alike.

With the final curtain closing, the staff of The Flycatcher responded on July 12-15 with four nights of Tucson's finest musical acts and otherwise to honor and celebrate the occasion, welcoming all to come kiss The Flycatcher goodbye.

Until the ever-turning wheel of creation and death buds new life, rest in peace. You shall be missed.

click to enlarge XOXO
Courtesy
Nicolas Pablo Muñoz: Sunday, July 22 @ Club Congress

ON THE HORIZON...

Featuring headliners Boombox Cartel and special guests Barely Alive, YehMe2 and Bailo, it's TRAPFEST on Friday, July 27 at The Rialto Theater... Heavy metal has a pleasurably sordid affair with mariachi music? Lots of tequila was involved, there is small doubt. Quite possibly these Los Angeles dissenters rose from unconsecrated graves, like El Tiradito, where Juan Oliveras rests not so peacefully after being murdered by his father-in-law, who (as legend has it) caught him in flagrante delicto with his enraptured mother-in-law. Covering metal classics, Metalachi at Club Congress on Saturday, July 28. Bring your holy water aspergillum... Also on July 28, The Stories We Tell Ourselves (Eleven-Seven Music, 2017) received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album, and its single "Go to War" topped the BIllboard charts and was nominated for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song. Few other bands have received such distinction. Singer Jonny Hawkins told his bandmates, "We're standing on the shoulders of giants." Nothing More on Saturday, July 28, at The Rialto Theater with Bad Wolves and Eyes Set To Kill... And finally, on Sunday, July 29, this '80s mega-tour features Belinda Carlisle, ABC, Modern English, Tony Lewis (The Outfield), Kajagoogoo's Limahl and Bow Wow Wow's Annabella. Catch the Retro Futura Tour 2018 at AVA Amphitheater. '80s kids, take heed...

Until next week, XOXO...