Magenta Wave w/ Apocolipstick & J.A.D.E.
Wednesday, April 30 // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // Artist Supporter $15 or $20 Magenta Wave is an alternative indie-rock band based in Seattle, Washington. After forming in Bellingham in 2022, the group quickly made their way from house shows to well known local venues, playing shows at the Wild Buffalo, the Shakedown, and the Blue Room. Known for emotionally charged vocal melodies and evocative guitar solos, their sound is constantly evolving and showcases their diverse influences, ranging from singer songwriters, to funk rock bassists, to classic rock and Jimi Hendrix. Relocating to Seattle in the fall of 2023, the group hit the ground running, and now have (among others) shows at the Tractor Tavern, Central Saloon and Neumos under their belt. The band entered the studio for the first time at the Hallowed Halls in Portland. With the release of their debut single in February 2024 and a four-song EP later that year, the group is proud to have accumulated over 250,000 Spotify streams to date. Magenta Wave will add a new EP to their discography with the help of producer Ethan Bovey (Dave Matthews Band) in the winter / spring of 2025. Accompanying these new releases, the band is embarking on their inaugural West Coast tour on April 24th in Vancouver, BC. Apocolipstick is a relatively new art punk band from Missoula, Montana. They incorporate a myriad of styles into our sound such as new wave, glam, blues, and even a little country twang. They love performing and we try to put as much energy as humanly possible into our live shows. J.A.D.E. is a high-energy band hailing from the mountains of small-town Western Montana. Their wide variety of influences shines brightly in their songs. This unique, not quite rock, not exactly pop sound with an edgy punk rock twist is addictive. They send driving rhythms, interwoven melodies, and powerful vocals straight through your ears deep into your heart and soul. When on stage they are focused on bringing a sound that inspires everyone to get on their feet and dance like the universe depends on it.
Lightweight Champion w/ the Spills, Diaphane, & Calamity Cowboy
Friday, April 11 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Lightweight Champion exact alt-country with an air of orderliness…The melodies are simple but compelling, the rhythm section is tight, and Gabriel Delayne’s versatile piano keys makes for a formidable secret weapon […] Lyrics pair surreal, circuitous metaphorical imagery with plainspoken wills and wishes, the type of writing that’s become a staple of alt-country.” Based out of Seattle, members are Aaron Spieldenner, Gabriel Delayne, Cam Hancock (of The Whags, Coral Grief) and Tom Moskal (of Coach Phillips, High Romantics). The Spills are the strumminest, pluckinest, bowinest, shredinest, wailinest bunch of sorry sons of guns this side o the land. Diaphane is an indie-rock band currently in its high concept era, cosplaying as an ensemble of queer cowpokes who make country music… kinda. They give it their best anyway. The band is the brainchild of singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kyle Blessing (he/they), a Long Island native who exiled himself to South Dakota in 2020 amidst the urban diaspora of the covid pandemic. Originally forming the band in Philadelphia in 2016, Blessing recorded an EP of noise-folk tunes, the Red Shift EP, which he released in May of 2018, followed by the full-length LP, Portraits, released in 2022. Recorded, re-recorded, and mixed over 4 years with a sprawling cast of Philadelphia musicians, Portraits is an indie-rock epic, spanning everything from free-jazz, to emo, to punk, tied together by the concept of painting portraits of those around us, only to find ourselves in the end, reflected in every facet of what we decide the important details of our muses are. Moving out West was intended by Blessing as a journey into the wilderness, a solitary search for a voice he felt he had lost along the way in his sojourns with various bands up and down the east coast. This happened to coincide with a self-realization of identity and queerness in a place seemingly hostile to such things. Set against a picturesque western backdrop, it set the scene for the country record he’d always wanted to make. Calamity Cowboy is the colloquial name given to a group of viscous homunculi believed to have originated sometime in the early 19th century. After aimlessly wandering for a couple hundred years, they decided to start a rock and roll band together. They play a blend of country and psychedelic rock that has garnered tens of fans. It’s the real deal!
Youth Lagoon w/ Valley James |Rarely Do I Dream Tour
Friday, March 28 // Doors at 7PM // Show at 8 // $20 Advance // $25 Door
Larry Hirshberg w/ Doctor Fly & The Benevolents
Thursday, August 8 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Over time, Larry Hirshberg has been known as a “road dog,” a “poet,” a “word person,” a “songwriter,” a guitar player,” a “bass player,” a “jammer,” an “experimental musician,” a “blues guy,” a “DJ,” a “folk person,” a “singer,” and a “Missoula music stalwart.” He has never been known as The King of Hype, a promotional wizard, a sales genius, a distributor of products, or an Offerer of Things That Seem Familiar. He is certain that whatever expectations he had have been either exceeded, or abandoned, or both. Doctor Fly is an electronic musician who haunts Missoula, MT. Harnessing a brood of mysterious music machines, he enkindles an interdimensional space; all who enter shall be imperceptibly yet undeniably changed. Doctor Fly performs improvisational compositions on the guitar, keyboard, recorder, theremin, kazoo, and drum machine. For more information visit www.seansong.org. Based out of Missoula, Montana, The Benevolents are a groovy folk-rock five-piece that blends ripping guitar and fiddle solos, catchy vocal harmonies, and a driving rhythmic flow into funky, meter-crossing tunes. The band primarily plays the globally-influenced compositions of John Kratz, lead singer and finger-style electric guitarist, who writes and sings in English and Spanish about nature, beauty, love, and loss. Holly Riley animates the music with her precise harmonies and energetic fiddle playing. Michael Calucchia adds his powerful voice and rhythmic mandolin technique. Holding down the rhythm section are Daniel Kiely, who brings a bit of Alabama soul to his driving drum beats, and Ryan Stiles, groovemaster extraordinaire on the bass. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
County Conservation District w/ Jeremy Drake & Billy Kautz + koby.
Wednesday, August 9 // Door at 8 PM // Show at 8:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket County Conservation District is an experimental noise pop act hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. CCD’s music comes from influences that at first arose from rural environments and vintage halloween ephemera. Using synth noise, tapes machines, pedals, and samplers he crafts environments that range from serene to dancey. Koby is a heart-song sorcerer, delivering story through the tender simplicity of guitar and voice. His music ferries listeners down a slow river where each song is a dream materialized through melody, magic made manifest for the enjoyment of forever. Sometimes, he does other things too. Jeremy Drake and Billy Kautz create improvised sonic encounters exploring texture, rhythm, melody, noise and space. Through the use of acoustic and electric instruments augmented by effects, an intricate and multi-layered web of improvised music is created for the listener. Guitarist Jeremy Drake was deep in the Los Angeles experimental music scene from the late 90’s to the late 00’s playing with the likes of Nels Cline, Vinny Golia, Jessica Catron and countless other visionary sound artists and improvisers. Then he started composting. Now as a dad, partner, and Zero Waste consultant, he lives in Missoula and occasionally freaks out his kids with the sounds coming from the basement. Trumpet/cornet player and composer Bill Kautz has worked in a variety of creative music projects in Missoula including work with Cole Bronson, Justin Matousek, Michael Musick, Naomi Siegel, Tricia Opstad, and as a leader/composer for his ensemble crosstalk. He is a co-founder of The FreeSessions with Naomi Siegel, a DJ and producer of KBGA’s Something Else!, a music educator and a proud stay at home dad and husband. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Ocean Lee w/ Gabrielle Tusberg + Jolene Green
Sunday, August 6 // Door at 8 PM // Show at 8:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket Ocean Lee is an indie-jazz trio from Bozeman, MT. Guitar and vocalist Kailee Failla has been performing her original music as a singer/songwriter in Bozeman since 2021. She is now playing with the accompaniment of Isaac Winemiller (bass), and Josh Poole (drums), together creating a smooth, groovy vibe that’ll keep you on your toes. Gabrielle Tusberg is a singer songwriter from Portland, OR. Her inspiration comes from female songwriters like Lucinda Williams, Fiona Apple, and Sara Jarosz. Listening to Gabrielle’s songs tells a story about her life experiences, relationships, love lost, love gained, a changed perspective, with wit and charm. Her songs will make you cry and laugh with her deepest thoughts and secrets. Jolene Green, and her neo soul/fusion band Order of the Sunshine Deity, are based out of Missoula, MT. The band has Connor Racicot on keys, Llwyn Clark-Gaynor on drums, Evan Nesbitt on bass, Cameron Kinney on guitar, Cade Chastain on alto sax, Sean Stineford on trombone and Jolene Green on vocals/tenor sax. The band was started by its frontwoman, Jolene, and plays her original music which is a blend of jazz, low-fi, soul, hip hop, and metal. The band members are all former or current top music students at the University of Montana and use their formal training to create a sound that is new, unique, and informed. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Just 4 Frillz ‘Public Display of Affection’ Album Release Party
w/ Kapture, Enzymes, & Mission FallsFriday, August 11 // Door at 7 PM (Music starts immediately) // $15 Just 4 Frillz is a dynamic musical group consisting of talented and happily married Ryan & Kelsi Staninger. After 13 years of playing music together, they focused their efforts into creating a truly special concept album titled Public Display of Affection, that recounts their journey through life and love. The band is beyond excited to share their art with you at the upcoming album release party on August 11th at The ZACC. They will showcase their unique sound and express their passion for music and for each other. With a perfect blend of soulful vocals and catchy beats, Just 4 Frillz is a band that is sure to leave a lasting impression on any audience. Listen to more Just 4 Frillz and stay up to date @ www.just4frillz.com SPOTIFY:https://spoti.fi/3pO7iwj YOUTUBE:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2s1_bVHRNpp0y-SY7CJUlw/videos INSTA:https://www.instagram.com/just4frillz/ FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/Just4Frillz For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
How Strange It Is w/ Babytooth & Les Duck
Sunday, July 30 // Doors at 7:30 PM // Show at 8 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket How Strange It Is organizes collaborative chaos into tight, structured songs indebted to early-aughts classic synth-heavy indie rock along with 2010s bedroom pop and contemporary slowcore. The Portland band released their self-titled EP (bud030) in early 2022. While born from the songs of Jordan Krinsky, each track is embellished and morphed by a variety of collaborators. With a new 4-piece line up, their debut full length album In the Light of the Blistering Moon is out July 14 as a co-release between Bud Tapes and Candlepin Records. The record is highly collaborative and finds Krinsky’s precise, introspective writing intersecting with improvisations and experiments. Babytooth is the full band project of Portland-based singer/songwriter Isabel Zacharias. Annie Fifer (Yellow Room) lends guitar leads by turns distorted and crystal-clear, with Hugh Jepson (Soft Cheese, Moon Shy) behind the drums and Benson Chong (Honeydiu, How Strange It Is) splitting time between bass & keyboards. Fitting into and elaborating on the lineage of Pacific Northwest indie, the songs move between noisy melodic rock & twinkly folk experiments, recalling the scrappy ’90s/early-aughts rock of the region as much as the incisive lyrical focus of acts like Smog and Silver Jews. Les Duck, fka Dint 2, is all about fast cars, slow guitars, Avatar 2 the Way of Water, family, and friendship. Lukas Phelan and Sanders Smith trade songs exploring those very themes, while Nate Biehl rips the pedal steel, and James Rogers tickles the drums. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Jessie Thoreson & The Crown Fire w/ Cory Fay
Thursday, July 27 // Door at 7:30 PM // Show at 8 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket Jessie Thoreson & The Crown Fire is an upbeat folk-rock band based in Seattle that is driven by compelling lyrics and harmonies, soaring fiddle, and engaging percussion. Cory Fay is dirt pop/evil western/glam folk. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Bonny Doon / Summer Tour 2023
Monday, July 10 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter TicketTouring with Anna St. Lousw/ support from ESP Throughout the ten tracks in their new album ‘Let There Be Music’, you can hear the spaciousness Bonny Doon allowed themselves since their 2018 sleeper cult-classic ‘Longwave’. Their latest musical journey is one that has big payoffs for devoted followers and undeniable rewards for anyone just stumbling across the band for the first time. After extensively touring ‘Longwave’ by supporting Band of Horses, Snail Mail and Waxahatchee, Lennox and Colombo were invited by Katie Crutchfield to collaborate on Waxahatchee’s critically acclaimed album ‘Saint Cloud’. “The experience raised the ceiling on our imagination,” Colombo said. Soon after, Colombo and Kmiecik, whose steady percussion and devotion to the songs creates a container for the indelible guitar lines, both entered a time of serious healing, Jake tending to complications of his Crohn’s disease and Bobby to a brain injury and undiagnosed Lyme disease. While these detours of doctors’ appointments and experimental care were taking place, the members of Bonny Doon were also playing on Waxahatachee’s ‘Saint Cloud’ tour. These obstacles and commitments drew out the making of ‘Let There Be Music’ for several additional years, and in the process, redefined the record as an achievement in perseverance for the band. Over time Bonny Doon has shifted from being a Detroit band to an outfit spread between California and Michigan, and now Michigan and New York. Despite the new challenge of distance, members Bill Lennox (guitar and vocals), Bobby Colombo (guitar and vocals), and Jake Kmiecik (drums) leaned on their friendship to sustain the collaboration, which has blossomed more than ever on their third album. While many songwriters work in solitude, the back and forth magic of Colombo and Lennox’s process is what gives Bonny Doon their unique voice. The two write and compose each song together, planning writing retreats throughout the year – to gather ideas, edit songs, and give each other feedback, continuing to dedicate themselves to the collaborative effort of being a songwriting team. On this album we get a glimpse into the pure joy of Bonny Doon. ‘Let There Be Music’ serves as less of one conceptual story, and each song as their own individual offerings of putting words to the ordinary experience of being alive. The band is at their most dynamic and the songwriting deftly explores new terrain. The album is brimming with small truths – both profound and mundane, comforting and difficult – and we are invited to revel in them all. https://bonnydoontheband.com/ ESP is an indie-rock band from Missoula, MT. ESP released their debut album “Backyard” in December 2020. Erin Szalda-Petree’s songs are a collection of personal moments from her life, exploring themes of embarrassment, everyday life, and familial relationships. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
