Bluest ‘Cold Sweat’ Album Release ft. Les Duck and Tiny Iota
Friday, June 2 // Door at 8 PM // Show at 8:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Bluest is an indie band out of Missoula, Montana, orchestrated by the lyrical hauntings of Noelle Huser, brought into fruition with full band instrumentation, Erin Szalda-Petree on lead guitar, back up vox, Duncan Szalda-Petree on bass, Ally Fradkin on keys and Caleb Tutty on drums. Their debut album ‘Cold Sweat’ released on May 5, 2023 through Anything Bagel. ‘Cold Sweat’ sifts through dreams and nightmares to find solace by serenading ghosts, emboldened with a hunger to return from dissociation back into the body. Huser finds her head in the clouds, heart on her sleeve, and feet on the ground running into the unknown … Come out and kick off the summer celebrating the Bluest release dressed in your bluest best. Tiny Iota writes tiny songs that scream like a dust mite into the eternal abyss. Flavored with a fondness for doo wop and punk, their debut album HUBBUB, released May 2022 is an ode to overthinking, toeing the line between anxiety and acceptance and finding solace in uncertainty. For this special evening, tiny will be even more minuscule, playing an intimate solo set. 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/.
‘Doin’ It Live!’ Artshow & Concert ft. Noise Complaint + OneLeaf + Diskonnect
Sunday, May 28 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $20 Welcome Back strives to change community attitudes towards people who have a history of incarceration by working to break down barriers to safe, supportive housing, employment, and social support. Our mission is to take away the lifelong consequences of those who have made bad choices and connect them to the resources they need to move forward in the community as good citizens. Welcome Back defines “returning citizens” as any individual that has experienced incarceration, jail, or state-mandated treatment or who otherwise faces barriers to housing, employment, or other basic support due to a criminal record, legal record, or a history of arrests. Welcome Back also aims to increase access to availability of stable housing and employment, social support, treatment, and other resources essential to reducing recidivism and increasing personal and community safety. Welcome Back is an affiliate of the Missoula Interfaith Collaborative in partnership with Partners for Reintegration. This event is a fundraiser for Welcome Back and all proceeds will go to supporting their cause. Diskonnect was born in Wisconsin, but grew up in West Chicago, Illinois. He realized he had a passion for music early on in life, but it wasn’t until later on that he took that passion and started doing something serious with it. He is influenced by the likes of J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco, Royce Da 5’9″, and Vic Mensa just to name a few. He aspires to replicate their influence and do the same for those around him to inspire change and positivity in their own lives Noise Complaint is a local band that is a mix of punk, EDM, thrash and ska. Noise Complaint is known to be a complete experience as they often surprise the crowd with weird random outfits, quirky songs and high energy enthusiasm. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Kid’s Bops! A ZACC Kid’s Rock Camp Cover Show
Ft. Spaghetti Vampire, BillyWhips, Mido Skip, New Old Future, Western States, Hibernator, & ESPThursday, May 18 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 ZACC Supporter Ticket The Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC) will celebrate its first ever Kid’s Bops! Rock Camp Cover Benefit Show. In the style of former ZACC community rock shows such as Rocktober and Rock Lotto, Kid’s Bops! calls for local bands and musicians to sign-up and get together with their bands to cover an assigned set of ZACC rock camp classics – everything from songs about friendship and romance, to Taco Bell indigestion, to playing soccer on the moon, and shapeshifting ducks! This all-ages benefit show features local bands Spaghettti Vampire, BillyWhips, Mido Skip, New Old Future, The Western States, Hibernator, and ESP, all covering original kid’s rock camp songs and the Spring ZACC Kid’s Rock Camp performing their own original music. Proceeds from the show will benefit the ZACC’s rock camp program – from supporting the purchasing of new gear to funding scholarships. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Jolene Green Senior Recital ft. Order of the Sunshine Deity & Tech Czar
Wednesday, May 17 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket Order of the Sunshine Deity is a neo soul/ fusion band 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. This show serves as Jolene’s senior recital as she is graduating with a degree in Jazz Studies this spring. Once upon a time (actually, right now), in a small town nestled in the foothills of a great mountain range, there exists a synth band called Tech Czar. The members of Tech Czar are known throughout the town for their strange and otherworldly sound, which was created using a combination of vintage synthesizers and cutting-edge digital technology. Their music has a hypnotic quality that can transport listeners to another dimension. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Bummer + Disease + Rank and Vile + The Follies
Sunday, April 30 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket Bummer is a two piece grindcore/fastcore band from Seattle, WA that started in 2017. Influences are Gutalax, Poomp and (Hed)pe. We have 7 releases and are workin on a 3rd demo with our new drummer. Disease is a 2 piece grindcore band from Seattle, WA which started in 2016. They play old school grind with some new school tricks. Influences are Unholy grave, Insect Warfare, Superbad, and PizzaHiFive. We have 6 releases, done 4 tours and are currently working on an LP. Rank and Vile is a politically charged deathgrind quartet from Portland Oregon. While they wrap up the release of their second full length, you can see them across the western US this year. For fans of Rotten Sound, Trap Them, eating rich people, the separation of church and state, and Chris Dorner. The Foilies are a 4-piece, Montana-based speedrock/punk/rock ‘n roll band bringing tight riffs, sick leads and an always driving bass line with a full on assault to your ear drums from a relentless machine of a drummer. They balance this by exchanging lead vocals between three people and having backing gang vocals to match. This sonic attack will make you feel like you’re about to go off the rails on every song right before arriving at your abrupt destination. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Blue Dream + Erin Szalda-Petree + Wailing Aaron Jennings
Friday, April 21 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket Blue Dream is Ann Szalda-Petree and Clark Grant. The duo met through community radio and have been playing together since 2009. They have released two records: Blue Dream and Timeless Time. Their unique sound combines elements of dreamy pop and indie rock, using layers of acoustic delay and reverb to sculpt original songs about sleep, self-loathing, and the nature of friendship. Their music is surprising, powerful, at times funny, and emotional. Erin Szalda-Petree is a musician from Missoula, MT. Frequently, she can be seen playing around town in local bands, Bluest and ESP. Her songs are a collection of moments from her personal life, exploring themes of embarrassment, confliction, and familial relationships. A third-generation Montanan who had the good luck or bad timing to be born in Texas, Wailing Aaron Jennings is a singer and songwriter living in Missoula. Inspired by a book of songs and poetry written by his great-grandfather, a singing cowboy in the 1920’s, and the words “Yodel Here”, this young punk unplugged his guitar and started hooting and hollering in the mountains, valleys, and tunnels. Jennings’s songs champion the traditions of Honky Tonk and Western Swing while giving a knowing wink and a nod to the modern world. Every song is a story whether it’s a rambling waltzing exposition, a dance tune punctuated with acrobatic yodels, or a rockin boogie woogie – the ghosts of the past are jumping, shouting and dancing right along with Wailing Aaron Jennings (and YOU!). For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
420! w/ R’Know + Catnyp + Crooked Looks + The Pettifoggers
Thursday, April 20 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket R’Know has been writing and performing hip hop music since 2010. Taking inspiration from artists such as J. Cole, Tech N9ne, Eminem, and many more, he prides himself on making songs packed with clever wordplay, diverse flows, and catchy hooks. Catnyp has drawn recent comparison to Pixies, Daniel Ash, David Bowie, and even Led Zeppelin — largely based on the fearless vocal experimentation frontman Henderson K Shatner (HKS) employs on Catnyp IIII, channeling his favorite vocalists for different tracks. Melodic, agile bass parts invoke Beatles-era McCartney while surf guitar and clean overdriven tones provide a nod to California punk and Britpop. Formed by lead vocalist/lead guitarist Sage Collette, Crooked Looks is a hard stoner-rock band that rides the wave of fierce, fuzzy sounds made popular by Queens of the Stone Age and fellow Pacific Northwest band Soundgarden. Light melodies and firm riffs paired with lyrics that emanate a youthful but ever-knowing and ever-partying spirit stream from this group’s musical subconscious, and in a short span of time Crooked Looks has proven themselves worthy of a spot on the charts. The Pettifoggers are sticking it to the man. Part folk, part punk, with a dash of grunge, this super-group of poets and farmers puts the SEX in sextet. Led by singer-songwriter Daniela Garvue, Foggies tunes are impassioned examinations of the heart, the Earth, and cannabis. Although they’ve taken their sweet time in releasing their highly-anticipated debut album, “Small Claims” (to be released this Spring), this band is not slowing down. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Gilda House w/ Queenager & Jesse The Ocelot
Thursday, May 11 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $15 The Montana-based electronic duo, Gilda House, is out to snare your soul with their new single “Give Me Some”, a synthpop smasher that leans toward the shadow inside. The group is comprised of Tony Morales – guitar/keys/backing vocals/production, and the relentless engine of this machine, Meg Gildehaus – lead vocals/bass synth/writing/ engineering and production. Increasingly known for their energetic live show, Gilda House has been performing across their home state; not an easy task in the expanse of Montana. Playing the mainstage for Missoula’s State Pride Festival and opening for Milky Chance are a taste of the shows they are beginning to stack up, yet no matter the city, Gilda House is notorious. Their shows invite the audience in to be part of the mood, a part of the show. Feel the synths. Feel the bass. Forget where you are. Disappear. Queenager is the combination of glitchy, punchy synth tones mixed with vocoded lyrical beauty that pierces listeners straight to the heart. The project was started in January 2020, and through the pandemic the duo Sarah Frazier and Bryan Kostors hunkered down together on a sexy synth wave mission. With the release of their debut album “Easy” in June 2021, Queenager is on the path to leading crowds to dancing bliss and leading the charge on making Montana a place for letting loose Jesse The Ocelot is a multi-instrumentalist artist from the mountains of Bigfork, Montana. Now a veteran of the Missoula music scene, he plays a variety of genres and incorporates a healthy mix of originals and covers lead by his powerful vocals. He uses guitar, keys, percussion and vocal loops to create atmospheric landscapes that are heavily based on improvisation. Dreamy sounds of reverby, ethereal vocal harmonies and warm guitar melodies combined with jazzy, soulful style. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Pile (Boston, MA) w/ Panther Car & (latent)
Tuesday, September 19 // Door at 7:30 PM // Show at 8 PM // $16 Advance // $18 DOS For fifteen years, Pile’s evolving take on rock has earned the group one oft-repeated superlative: “your favorite band’s favorite band.” Ceaseless touring took its members from Boston’s basement circuit to international festivals, hitting loftier technical apexes with each new record. Maguire—the fastidious composer, evocative guitarist, and potent voice behind the solo-turned-punk project—gives musical body to his interior world in scream-along-able lyrics that skew surreal. Drummer Kris Kuss’s time-defying performances, layered over gnarled basslines, have garnered widespread acclaim. 2019’s Green and Gray took Pile’s thunderous noise to more intricate realms, thanks to new recruit Alex Molini’s work on bass and keyboards, and Chappy Hull’s dextrous interplay on second guitar. After completing past records, Pile’s had goals bubbling on the backburner. Maguire poured all of those and then some into All Fiction, and this purity of intention unlocked a refreshed sense of joy and fulfillment in Pile’s music. “I like thinking art has the capacity to change things and the way people function. But the means to get that art out there and get people to connect to it can be draining—and I overcommitted, in a lot of cases, to trying to be an island,” Maguire admits. All Fiction was sparked by a beguiling sonic palette, but it’s also infused with love from the years of trust between Kuss, Molini, and Maguire. Proof’s in the aftermath: though they spent five years as a long distance project, post-All Fiction, all three members of Pile are once again living in the Northeast.https://fieldbookingagency.com/pile/Photo credit Adam Parshall. Panther Car comes in the shape of a traditional rock band yet sounds far from it. Their amorphous brand of pop music teeters between the radiant iridescence of psychedelia and the murky darkness of dreams. Every moment is a door that opens into a new room. Songs progress through tangential wormholes as in an ecstatic conversation; music that is equal parts meditation and celebration. Hard to categorize, maybe Panther Car is better defined by negation. Panther Car is not something you want to miss. (latent) is a Missoula based band composed of Zack Buchholo, Nick Togliatti and Jake Swank. These three fellers have been playing music together for nearly a decade and this band is a culmination of their endeavors to incorporate absurdity, sincerity, and high energy music into a single intense project. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Bluest + Summer like the Season (Detroit) + Modular Haze
Tuesday, March 28 // Door at 7:30 PM // Show at 8 PM // $10 // $15 Tour Supporter Ticket Bluest is an indie rock band out of Missoula MT, orchestrated by the longings and hauntings of Noelle Huser. Her songs are chalked full of adolescent nostalgia and sweetness, soured by the biting existential dread of figuring out who you are in it all. With pleas of empathetic anger a la diary-scrawled lyrics, she pays homage to her 90s/00s angst pop and country influences Alanis Morissette and Sheryl Crow. Bluest’s chilling debut album Cold Sweat, sifts through dreams and nightmares to find solace in serenading ghosts. It is emboldened with a hunger to return from dissociation back into the body, finding oneself in the present, feet on the ground, blood boiling, head in the clouds and heart on the sleeve. Cold Sweat will be released in May 2023 through Anything Bagel. Summer Like The Season is an indie electronic/art rock/experimental pop band performing the musical musings of Summer Krinsky. Based out of Detroit, Summer’s sound is characterized by poppy vocals mingling with polyrhythmic harmonies, bizarre breakbeats, and ethereal soundscapes. Exploring themes of this cyborg era, the musical/lyrical content examines the intermediary role technology plays in modern identity. The sound is stylized by the use of mixing and production as a compositional foundation, tracing the edge between live instrumentation and contemporary electronics. Summer experiments with programming novel audio controllers and designing interactive installations, pushing boundaries to ameliorate human/digital expression. For the live show meticulous songwriting collides with bursting noise, Summer plays drum kit and sings alongside Scott Murphy (synth/electric violin/mpc) and Liam McNitt (guitar/backup vox/electronics). ModularHaze is a wave of sonic, synth thickness and visuals! Consisting of Sam Kaley, Chris Lee, Chris Bacon, and Sarah Frazier. We make you want to get in Neon Powered Cars and drive fast! For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
