Cactus Cuts w/ Kyle Hunter & The Mountain Standard
Sunday, October 6 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Cactus Cuts, a five-piece Americana band from Bozeman, MT, continues to captivate audiences by weaving together modern songwriting with americana styling. Forming in 2022, they have continued to fine-tune their passion and foot stomping energy on stages with The Last Revel, Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs, AJ Lee and Blue Summit, Midland, and many other artists across the US. They’ve headlined venues such as Pine Creek Lodge and the Rialto, and taken the stage at The Elm, Bridger Brewing Amphitheater, and other popular Northwestern venues. Whether performing in intimate venues or commanding larger stages, their passion for the music and genuine camaraderie shines through, creating an unforgettable experience for their audience. Hailing from rugged landscapes of Montana, Kyle Hunter is an emerging force in the Americana and alt-country scene. Blending the raw, untamed spirit of the West with heartfelt lyrics and rich harmonies. His music captures the essence of life in the mountains and out on the road. Influenced by the likes of Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline, & The Allman Brothers, Kyle Hunter & his band bring a fresh, contemporary edge to traditional country sounds. Their live performances are a stirring mix of foot-stomping energy and soulful ballads, making them a must-see act for fans of roots music. As they continue to gain traction, Kyle Hunter & The Mountain Standard are quickly becoming a band to watch in the Americana world. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Goth Ball
Saturday, October 26 // 8 PM to Midnight // $15 It’s time for the Montana Goth Ball! Release the bats Saturday, October 26 at the ZACC! DJs GingerBat and Sister Midnight will bring you the spookiest tunes along with a LIVE performance by Negative Gain recording artist Order of The Static Temple. DJs will rotate throughout the night, so be ready to DANCE! This is your excuse to dress up and party! Gothic, leather, punk, Victorian, latex, lace (if in doubt, wear black). Dress to DEPRESS! For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Dreams of Winterreise: Music Inspired by Schubert
Sunday, November 24 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $30 GA // $10 for Students Conceived as a journey into the cold of winter, Franz Schubert’s Winterreise sets to music a selection of poems by Wilhelm Müller: Seventy-Seven Poems from the Posthumous Papers of a Travelling Horn-Player. Fluidly drifting between the world of dreams and bitter reality, the wanderer is heard in conversation with their own heart, by turns reflective, questioning, ironic, and finally resigned. Schubert’s achievement in setting these poems is to give musical life to the wanderer’s symbolic companions – the sun, wind, trees and leaves, flowers, rivers and snow, crows and ravens – not only in the contours of the singer’s melody, but especially in the pictorial vividness of the piano score. Our first concert of the season, Dreams of Winterreise, will feature works inspired by Schubert’s beloved masterpiece. December Songs by Maury Yeston (composer of Tony Award-winning “Nine”) is a retelling of Franz Schubert’s Winterreise with a cabaret sensibility. Where the Schubert masterpiece features Müller’s poems portraying a jilted young man’s wandering the snows of the Vienna woods and ultimately sinking into madness, the Yeston lyrics depict a contemporary young woman wandering a snowy Central Park in New York City and finding recovery and hope on her journey. Composer Jay Schwartz was especially bold in his reworking of Winterreise. Schubert’s vocal melody remains intact while the saxophone ensemble assumes the emotional burden of the wanderer’s inner turmoil. Schwartz’s music has been described as “us[ing]the overtone spectrum, microtonality, and glissandi in a poetic context with a captivating sensuous drawing power and an unabashed emotional disposition.” The result is a captivating and wholly immersive take on Winterreise. Concert Program: Selections from Winterreise by Franz Schubert Selections from Winterreise by Jay Schwartz Selections from December Songs by Maury Yeston Caitlin Cisler (soprano), Jan Halmes (piano), Jesse Dochnahl, Johan Eriksson, Brooke Florence, Owen Kirby, Lewis Nelson, and Jared Supola (saxophones) For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Sunbather Die (Seattle) w/ Poverty Porn & The New Nightmare
Wednesday, September 25 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Sunbather Die is a trio based in a Ballard basement too short to stand in. Long time friends and brothers drawing influence from everything on the planet they’ve seen so far up to this point. Tragic noises and cannabis and pessimistic loudness. Poverty Porn is a three-piece punk rock band from Missoula, Montana. Their queer and BIPOC backgrounds also shape their unique perspective. The band’s guitarist and vocalist, Kye, is a member of the Meskwaki First Nation from Iowa, while their bassist, Anthony, is Puerto Rican. The band has had several drummers in their rotating cast, some of whom are also people of color. Their music is characterized by buzzsaw guitars, heavy bass riffs, and gruff vocals, with deeply personal and raw lyrics exploring addiction, frustration, and the struggles of life. With their latest EP, “Upper-Middle-Class-Softcore,” produced by Nataanii of the Missoula rock band Fuuls, the band showcases even more sonically punishing and emotionally charged songs than their previous releases. Their high-energy live shows create a sense of community among fans and make them a force to be reckoned with in the punk scene. Poverty Porn has a bright future ahead of them as they continue to tackle complex and uncomfortable topics with self-deprecation and humor. The New Nightmare is a hard rock band out of Missoula sharing tales of living through the new nightmare. Thrash metal / grunge / and psychedelic influences with haunting vocals and driving riffs. All tickets are general admission. Artist Supporter Tickets are a way for patrons to provide more financial support to performers. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Jan Richter (Prague) w/ Roy’s Orb (New Orleans) & Wailing Aaron Jennings
Monday, September 23 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Janny Richter plays a hellfire-red guitar from the cradle of a blister beech rocking chair, demanding his place in heaven with greasy, unrepentant Delta-style blues. A gristle-coated gospel terraforms the stage into wind swept buttes and haunted plains. His lyrics are swollen and sizzled. His eyes gone black. Drink deep as the sun burns out. You don’t mind. Starlight falls hot on a hungry soul. Roy’s Orb is a budding alt-country project of Ryan Carr (formerly of Cairns) who has spent the past four years quietly writing and building up a library of songs. Currently based out of New Orleans, these songs are inspired by different corners of America, especially western Montana. Stories about nature, long highways, and life’s changes over slippery banjo melodies come out of a desire for honesty in music and capturing snapshots in a changing world. Influences range from Townes Van Zandt and Johnny Cash to Bill Callahan and Angel Olsen. This Roy’s Orb 8-show tour across the Midwest is meant to help kickstart a debut album featuring professional musicians and unconventional arrangements. 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!). All tickets are general admission. Artist Supporter Tickets are a way for patrons to provide more financial support to performers. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
J.A.D.E. w/ Big Mosquito, Vice Cream Social, & Jumping Juniper
Monday, September 16 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter 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. Big Mosquito is a local Missoula ska outfit bringing a mix of authentic ska and high energy, with renditions and covers of such classics as The Skatalites, The Specials, laurel Aitkens, Phyllis Dillon/Freddy McKay, ect. Plus originals and more lively tunes like Murphy’s law’s 1%. Big Mosquito’s goal is to bring authentic ska and love for roots music to the forefront of our rising youth movement in Missoula and beyond. Big Mosquito is made up of Zane Lambert, Maxum and Cameron Doucette, Evan Wright, Spencer Nelson, Nick Morgensen, Jacob Tirado, and Danny Boatwright. Vice Cream Social play an upbeat mix of ska, punk and rock that a crowd can dance and mosh to. Their music would be a natural fit for the soundtrack of a raunchy teen comedy or a skateboarding video game. As ska bands have done since the genre’s inception, they perform covers of hit songs that you might know the words to. Listen to this band when you’re packing a bowl— of ice cream, that is. All tickets are general admission. Artist Supporter Tickets are a way for patrons to provide more financial support to performers. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Citizen Snips (Sacramento, CA) w/ Riley James & Calamity Cowboy
Sunday, September 22 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Citizen Snips is an Indie Rock band out of Sacramento, California. They play with a style that blends elements of psychedelic rock, alt rock, and vintage pop with songwriting nods to the likes of Alex Turner, The Beatles, Brian Wilson, and The Strokes. This band of talented artists has managed to fuse the sounds of historic rock with a unique flavor of their own. Their music has defied the bounds of contemporary Indie Rock with their ability to develop their own flavor, style, and dynamic compatibility. The Snips are described as a genre of their own, with no limits. Recognized by the vocalist Trevor Ayers, The Snips will take you on a lyrical journey that will unravel your inner thoughts and untangle your soul. David Hill, the leader and core structure of the tempo, rhythm, and strength of the music is a well-known California drummist that is undeniably the heartbeat of the music group. Combined with the prodigious talent of Elliot Goldstien on the keys, and the timeless riffs of Eric Moody on the bass, vocals, and guitar, this extraordinary group of artists is an experience that will not be forgotten. Riley James is a multi-instrumentalist who creates music from his own life experiences. Often ranging from deep blues to experimental psychedelic pop, he has a style uniquely his. With a message of Love he strives to create an uplifting atmosphere, even when the story he is sharing is filled with pain. From electric solos to danceable rhythms, he truly has a style that is suitable for everyone. If you enjoy unique, expressive music that has soul, you will enjoy Riley James. 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! All tickets are general admission. Artist Supporter Tickets are a way for patrons to provide more financial support to performers. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Hez (Panama) w/ Poverty Porn & Seditious Activity
Monday, September 9 // Door at 7:30 PM // Show at 8 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Panama might be off the DIY punk map for most, but Hez have been tearing it up for a while. A few moons back, their tumultuous Guerra Interior EP exploded onto the scene, making an impact on the select few who’ve been introduced to their music. Reminiscent of Destino Final’s classic record Atrapados, Hez churns out gritty hardcore punk that pounds your eardrums with relentless percussions like a street brawl in an abandoned alley. Throw in hauntingly reverbed vocals, fractured bass, and fierce, frantic guitars, and you’re caught in the chaotic whirlwind that is their new album Panamaniacs. Peppered with more frenetic punk action and weird effects that evoke the sound of a glitching transformer, this album carves out a unique niche. While respectful of their influences, Hez have truly come into their own, proving that distinctive quality and character are the rewards of perseverance.” — Mittens, DIY Conspiracy’s 23 Raw & Filthy Hardcore Punk Records You Might Have Missed This Year, 2023 Poverty Porn is a three-piece punk rock band from Missoula, Montana. Their queer and BIPOC backgrounds also shape their unique perspective. The band’s guitarist and vocalist, Kye, is a member of the Meskwaki First Nation from Iowa, while their bassist, Anthony, is Puerto Rican. The band has had several drummers in their rotating cast, some of whom are also people of color. Their music is characterized by buzzsaw guitars, heavy bass riffs, and gruff vocals, with deeply personal and raw lyrics exploring addiction, frustration, and the struggles of life. With their latest EP, “Upper-Middle-Class-Softcore,” produced by Nataanii of the Missoula rock band Fuuls, the band showcases even more sonically punishing and emotionally charged songs than their previous releases. Their high-energy live shows create a sense of community among fans and make them a force to be reckoned with in the punk scene. Poverty Porn has a bright future ahead of them as they continue to tackle complex and uncomfortable topics with self-deprecation and humor. Seditious Activity is a punk band from Missoula, Montana. Never trust authority. All tickets are general admission. Artist Supporter Tickets are a way for patrons to provide more financial support to performers. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Desert Fantasy w/ Neutrino & Doctor Fly
Sunday, September 15 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Desert Fantasy features all original compositions and presents an eclectic mix of acoustic instruments: percussion, vibraphone, marimba, and drumset, blended with electronics: analog synths, drum machines, and live processing. Desert Fantasy sounds like old video game music that combines elements of math rock while blending traditional world percussion. Caleb ‘Neutrino’ Yeatts is a multi-instrumentalist whose primary musical discipline is playing handpan. With instruments crafted by Harper’s Handpans (Lake Havasu, AZ) and Celestial Sound (Melbourne Australia), Neutrino suspends haunting melodies over layers of rhythmic complexity, freely moving between composition and improvisational choice. 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. All tickets are general admission. Artist Supporter Tickets are a way for patrons to provide more financial support to performers. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Elana Hayden w/ Mike Gillan, Mike Leslie, Owen Ross, & Joe Sullivan
Wednesday, September 11 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 Advanced // $12 Day of Show // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Join New York vocalist, Elana Hayden & some of Montana’s most renowned and respected musicians when they perform LIVE at the Zootown Arts Community Center (ZACC) in Missoula, MT! This is Elana’s first time performing at ZACC and she’s thrilled to be joined by Montana players, Mike Leslie (bass), Owen Ross (guitar), Mike Gillan (drums) & Joe Sullivan (piano). Guest artists from Missoula will also sit in with the band for a few songs during the show, including Bob Packwood, Doc Halsell, Lhanna Writesel, and Milan House – so don’t miss this exciting event! Enjoy familiar songs from Patsy Cline to Hoagy Carmichael, John Prine to Elvis Presley, Ben E. King to Carole King, & Etta James to Norah Jones. ELANA HAYDEN is a versatile and seasoned vocalist who has written, recorded, produced, and licensed numerous songs, jingles and voiceovers for TV, film, radio, and video including spots for Showtime, HBO, and the NBA, among others. She has appeared and/or recorded with Bernard Purdie (Aretha Franklin), Liberty DeVitto (Billy Joel), Aaron Comess (Spin Doctors), Jon Herington (Steely Dan), and Richie Cannata (Billy Joel), to name a few. As a session singer, Elana was a member of several groups, both as a lead and background vocalist, recording and releasing songs in the U.S. and abroad. She was featured on Q-Club’s, “I’ll Be There,” in Italy, Force of 2’s single “Victory is Ours” (Tommy O Records), appeared on Teddy Kumpel’s CD, “Nome Sane” (Hooney Records) and sang lead vocals for the group “Push” on their cover of the ABBA song, “The Winner Takes It All”( Blank Frank Records). Elana toured with “Beehive: The 60s Musical,” the band “Renegade,” and “All About Joel,” a NY-based Billy Joel Tribute Band. She has enjoyed success with her debut album, “Carry You Home” and her voice and music can be heard on various forms of media across the globe. A native New Yorker, Elana recently made the move to Billings, Montana and now splits her time between The Big Apple and Big Sky Country. Elana is beyond thrilled to perform at the fabulous Zootown Arts Community Center and is thankful to make music with some of the most renowned and respected musicians in Montana. www.elanahayden.com For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
