Thursday, May 1 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter
Arrowleaf is an indie rock band from Missoula. Arrowleaf pairs washy guitar work, humming bass, and the occasional riotous trumpet with delicate anecdotes; dreamy conversations are carried by wistful harmonies. Arrowleaf’s 2021 album Getting By tacitly and pleasantly reconciles the unfolding of shared events with specific stories and feelings. Featuring the songwriting of Sarah Marker, the band is filled out by the thoughtful work of Brady Schwertfeger, Jake Whitecar, Peter Puczkowskyj, Amanda Ceaser, and Jon Filkins.
Missoula, MT indie rockers No Fancy have always abided by their namesake rule—let’s just rock, nothing fancy. Their 2016 debut album Basement Life was an impressive display of tight, cohesive songwriting from the trio of Jordan Meyer-Morey, Maxy Dutcher (himself, Twinsleep), and Ray Lombardi (The Best Westerns). The record’s catchy, smart vocals, and distinct syncopated drumming earned the group local renown, and they polished off their live shows with the addition of James Riach (Catamount) on lead guitar, and later Brady Schwertfeger (Norwell) replacing Lombardi on bass. Appearances at Original Festival, Plus One Fest, and other shows across Montana and the Pacific Northwest were followed by the release of their single So Good in 2017, a lush anthem mixed and mastered by Brian McTear at Miner Street Recordings.
After an indefinite hiatus prompted by adult responsibilities, No Fancy has reemerged with a fresh grip
of songs in the Terrible Things EP, but the same lease on life. The core of Meyer-Morey, Riach, and
Schwertfeger—now with the help of Jon Filkins’ (The Skurfs, Arrowleaf) formidable session drumming,
and Tyler Duncan (Wilma Laverne Miner) for the live band—know that the recipe for tasteful basement
rock has sharp lines and few tricks. The three new tracks pick up where the previous releases left off,
and fans of Lucy Dacus, Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail, and other indie heroes will recognize the sound of
distortion and chorus fostered from the outset with a millennial maturity, and a commitment to direct
delivery that knows its purpose—simple is better.