Pale People + The Naked Limbs + Arrowleaf
Sunday, April 14 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Pale People is an aggressive piano rock quartet from Missoula. Assembled in 2015 by music-school refugees. Recorded five albums in five years. Toured the Pacific coast. Members left. More members joined. Grew lonely during the plague. Took the vaccine. Wrote thirteen new songs. Mack Gilcrest, Kurt Skrivseth, Saje Johns, and Lexi Vine will answer the question “What happens when you throw 4 music degrees at a song about ghosts watching a divorce unfold?” The Naked Limbs play music with rocks in it. 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. 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/.
The Reason We Fall / EP Release Concert: Azure Larkwood w/ Nyon & Ravi Marsolek
Thursday, April 11 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter In celebration of the release of their brand-new EP, The Reason We Fall, Azure Larkwood has brought together an ensemble of Missoula’s best, with openers Ravi and Nyon Marsolek. Hear songs from the EP in a new light and be the first to hear selections from their unreleased follow-up EP, Father Watches News. Azure Larkwood is an award-winning poet, musician, and performing artist born and raised in the heart of the Missoula Valley. From brooding piano ballads to eclectic folk tunes, Azure’s bare, confessional music is laden with the deeply personal color of a small-town singer-songwriter. Shaped by the folk, flora, and fauna of their mountain home, Azure’s sharp, stirring lyrics poetically articulate the intolerable love, debilitating grief, and existential longing of the holistic human experience. Their newly released EP, The Reason We Fall, is a cathartic dissemination of regret and forgiveness; a love letter to the bittersweet memory of youth. Nyon & Ravi Marsolek are two up-and-coming Missoula area musicians each exploring their own unique musical style and artistic expression. They’ve been creating and performing music since they were very young and have a large repertoire of original songs and compositions written over the last decade. Multi-instrumentalists both, Nyon and Ravi were raised in an environment of music-making, rhythm workshops, and numerous road trips with the world fusion group, Drum Brothers. Since 2021, they have been performing and touring with the band, contributing greatly to the group’s new sound with bass, electric guitar, percussion, and vocals. Inspired by many artists in the singer-songwriter tradition, they bring to the stage a wide set of influences ranging from Joni Mitchell, CSNY and Jeff Buckley, to Phoebe Bridgers and The Tallest Man on Earth. 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/.
WARPONY & the Troubadours + Jolene Green & the Order of the Sunshine Deity
Wednesday, April 10 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Enjoy the sound of the mountains with Montana’s finest, WARPONY and The Troubadours. This soul/funk/blues fusion “super band” is Missoula’s newest rizz on the street. The band lead, WARPONY, (a Montana native) recently moved back to the motherland to gather her favorite musicians into one explosive ten-member band. With the help of these talented musicians, her booming vocals have been taking the locals by storm. WARPONY sings and writes all her original music inspired by jazz roots and the love we all share for Montana. They are known for being quite the entertainers. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you damn well better boogie! Come see WP&TT to help spread the love and grooviness that lives within us all! 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. 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/.
JAZZOULA 2024
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday // April 24, 25, 26, & 27 // Doors at 5:30 // Show at 6:30 PM // $20 // $17 Students & Seniors (50+) It’s Jazzoula ‘24! Celebrating 20+ years of Jazz in the Missoula community – presenting nearly 20 jazz combos, big bands, vocalists, and multi-instrumentalists over four days, April 24, 25, 26, and 27. Providing a complete variety of the only original form of American music: jazz. Jazzoula gives the listener a chance to experience Missoula’s eclectic jazz performers showcasing their individual talents with their groups, and as soloists. With combo jazz, trios, big band, vocalists, student groups, and various musical incarnations. Enjoy short sets and a fantastic variety of awesome jazz music. See you there. Wednesday, April 24 Line-up (MTPR Recording):All-City JazzOwen RossKyle Curtis TrioC.Florence/D.Horgan/B.Lo Trio Thursday, April 25 Line-up:Bill Kautz’s Golden MeanNight Blooming JasmineConnor RacicotAbsent Wilson Conspiracy8 Ball (Boyd B) Friday, April 26 Line-up:Naomi Moon Siegel MSO TrioVerne Stimpling ProjectBob PackwoodBasement BoysAlly Fradkin Saturday, April 27 Line-up: Dylan Bautiste TrioPatti Nolan and the UndeniablesJohn Wicks/Loren Stillman PunisherCanta BrasilJolene Green and the Sunshine Deity For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
JAZZOULA 2024
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday // April 24, 25, 26, & 27 // Doors at 5:30 // Show at 6:30 PM // $20 // $17 Students & Seniors (50+) It’s Jazzoula ‘24! Celebrating 20+ years of Jazz in the Missoula community – presenting nearly 20 jazz combos, big bands, vocalists, and multi-instrumentalists over four days, April 24, 25, 26, and 27. Providing a complete variety of the only original form of American music: jazz. Jazzoula gives the listener a chance to experience Missoula’s eclectic jazz performers showcasing their individual talents with their groups, and as soloists. With combo jazz, trios, big band, vocalists, student groups, and various musical incarnations. Enjoy short sets and a fantastic variety of awesome jazz music. See you there. Wednesday, April 24 Line-up (MTPR Recording):All-City JazzOwen RossKyle Curtis TrioC.Florence/D.Horgan/B.Lo Trio Thursday, April 25 Line-up:Bill Kautz’s Golden MeanNight Blooming JasmineConnor RacicotAbsent Wilson Conspiracy8 Ball (Boyd B) Friday, April 26 Line-up:Naomi Moon Siegel MSO TrioVerne Stimpling ProjectBob PackwoodBasement BoysAlly Fradkin Saturday, April 27 Line-up: Dylan Bautiste TrioPatti Nolan and the UndeniablesJohn Wicks/Loren Stillman PunisherCanta BrasilJolene Green and the Sunshine Deity For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
JAZZOULA 2024
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday // April 24, 25, 26, & 27 // Doors at 5:30 // Show at 6:30 PM // $20 // $17 Students & Seniors (50+) It’s Jazzoula ‘24! Celebrating 20+ years of Jazz in the Missoula community – presenting nearly 20 jazz combos, big bands, vocalists, and multi-instrumentalists over four days, April 24, 25, 26, and 27. Providing a complete variety of the only original form of American music: jazz. Jazzoula gives the listener a chance to experience Missoula’s eclectic jazz performers showcasing their individual talents with their groups, and as soloists. With combo jazz, trios, big band, vocalists, student groups, and various musical incarnations. Enjoy short sets and a fantastic variety of awesome jazz music. See you there. Wednesday, April 24 Line-up (MTPR Recording):All-City JazzOwen RossKyle Curtis TrioC.Florence/D.Horgan/B.Lo Trio Thursday, April 25 Line-up:Bill Kautz’s Golden MeanNight Blooming JasmineConnor RacicotAbsent Wilson Conspiracy8 Ball (Boyd B) Friday, April 26 Line-up:Naomi Moon Siegel MSO TrioVerne Stimpling ProjectBob PackwoodBasement BoysAlly Fradkin Saturday, April 27 Line-up: Dylan Bautiste TrioPatti Nolan and the UndeniablesJohn Wicks/Loren Stillman PunisherCanta BrasilJolene Green and the Sunshine Deity For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
JAZZOULA 2024
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday // April 24, 25, 26, & 27 // Doors at 5:30 // Show at 6:30 PM // $20 // $17 Students & Seniors (50+) It’s Jazzoula ‘24! Celebrating 20+ years of Jazz in the Missoula community – presenting nearly 20 jazz combos, big bands, vocalists, and multi-instrumentalists over four days, April 24, 25, 26, and 27. Providing a complete variety of the only original form of American music: jazz. Jazzoula gives the listener a chance to experience Missoula’s eclectic jazz performers showcasing their individual talents with their groups, and as soloists. With combo jazz, trios, big band, vocalists, student groups, and various musical incarnations. Enjoy short sets and a fantastic variety of awesome jazz music. See you there. Wednesday, April 24 Line-up (MTPR Recording):All-City JazzOwen RossKyle Curtis TrioC.Florence/D.Horgan/B.Lo Trio Thursday, April 25 Line-up:Bill Kautz’s Golden MeanNight Blooming JasmineConnor RacicotAbsent Wilson Conspiracy8 Ball (Boyd B) Friday, April 26 Line-up:Naomi Moon Siegel MSO TrioVerne Stimpling ProjectBob PackwoodBasement BoysAlly Fradkin Saturday, April 27 Line-up: Dylan Bautiste TrioPatti Nolan and the UndeniablesJohn Wicks/Loren Stillman PunisherCanta BrasilJolene Green and the Sunshine Deity For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
James McMurtry
Saturday, June 22 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 8 PM // $25 Advance // $30 DOS “Lyrically gritty, musically gutsy, go tell ‘em all…we need James McMurtry bringin’ us more.” —Andrew Farrris, INXS “James McMurtry may be the truest, fiercest songwriter of his generation” —Stephen King “I first became aware of James McMurtry’s formidable songwriting prowess while working at Bug Music Publishing in the ’90s,” says New West president John Allen. “He’s a true talent. All of us at New West are excited at the prospect of championing the next phase of James’ already successful and respected career.” McMurtry perfectly fits a label housing “artists who perform real music for real people.” After all, No Depression says of the literate songwriter’s most recent collection, Complicated Game: “Lyrically, the album is wise and adventurous, with McMurtry — who’s not prone to autobiographical tales — credibly inhabiting characters from all walks of life.” “[McMurtry] fuses wry, literate observations about the world with the snarl of barroom rock,” National Public Radio says. “The result is at times sardonic, subversive and funny, but often vulnerable and always poignant.” His lauded storytelling — check out songs such as “Operation Never Mind” and “Ft. Walton Wake-Up Call” on The Horse and the Hounds— consistently has turned heads for decades now. “James writes like he’s lived a lifetime,” said John Mellencamp back in 1989, when Too Long in the Wasteland hit the Billboard 200. “James McMurtry is one of my very few favorite songwriters on Earth and these days he’s working at the top of his game,” says Americana all-star Jason Isbell. “He has that rare gift of being able to make a listener laugh out loud at one line and choke up at the next. I don’t think anybody writes better lyrics.” McMurtry’s albums Just Us Kids (2008) and Childish Things (2005) back the claim, each scoring endless critical praise. The former earned McMurtry his highest Billboard 200 chart position in two decades (since eclipsed by Complicated Game) and notched Americana Music Award nominations. Childish Things spent six full weeks topping the Americana Music Radio chart in 2005 and 2006, and won the Americana Music Association’s Album of the Year, with “We Can’t Make It Here” named the organization’s Song of the Year. Other accolades include a 1996 Grammy nomination for Long Form Music Video for Where’d You Hide the Body and an American Indie Award for Best Americana Album for It Had to Happen (1997). McMurtry tours year-round and consistently throws down unparalleled powerhouse performances, reflected in the release of two live discs: the universally lauded Live in Aught-Three on Compadre Records, and 2009’s Live in Europe, which captured the McMurtry band’s first European tour and extraordinary live set. Along with seasoned band members Ronnie Johnson, Daren Hess, and Tim Holt, Live in Europe features special guests Ian McLagan (Faces) and Jon Dee Graham (True Believers, Skunks). For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Lena Marie Schiffer [of Laney Lou & the Bird Dogs] + Gabrielle Tusberg
Wednesday, April 3 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Lena Marie Schiffer is a folk singer and songwriter based in Bozeman, Montana. She has carved a notable niche in the music industry, particularly during her decade-long journey with the bluegrass group, Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs. In this influential group, Lena’s multifaceted role as a lead singer, rhythm guitarist, songwriter, and manager helped elevate the Bird Dogs to national acclaim. Lena’s time with the band not only showcased her musical prowess but also deepened her passion for the craft, resulting in her emergence as a prolific songwriter with a distinctive fusion of folk, indie, and Americana influences. Attending a show with Lena is an intimate journey. She writes lyrics that offer deeply personal reflections and insightful observations about the world, creating a universal resonance. Her pure and soaring vocal melodies, influenced by icons like Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris, and Alison Krauss, are complemented by guitar and light percussion. With each note, Lena invites listeners into a shared experience and leaves a lasting impression on those in the room. Lena will be joined by Ani Casabonne on fiddle. Together their folk duo is bound by cohesive energy and instrumentation that enhance the overall experience of the listener. 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. 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/.
Punk Rock Pascha: Parahellion + Goners UK + Poverty Porn
Sunday, March 31 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter An off-kilter rock & roll band formed in Bozeman, MT in 2023, Parahellion forges an unlikely path reflecting the diversity of its members. Fronted by vocalist Grace Wood, Parahellion features guitarist Matthew Thacker and the rhythms of bassist Greg Sullivan, with drummer Rob Lehrkind. Parahellion shows are powerful, melodic, and appealingly mischievous. Few bands consistently bring the energy that Goners UK brings; whether on record or live shows, the hometown heroes are unwavering in their delivery of fast paced, heavy handed, no-bullshit punk rock. Hailing from the snowy caps of Bozeman, Montana, the quintet stops at literally nothing to bring their storied tunes to every corner of the map. Self starting. Hard working. Relentless in their pursuit of progressing in every show, every album, every song; Goners UK is a force to be reckoned with. Poverty Porn was born in 2016, after bass player Anthony and guitarist Kye’s previous incarnation, Deadbeats, was ruthlessly made fun of for being the same name as local Grateful Dead rap cover artists in the Chicago area while on tour. With the new name came a newer sound, faster and more aggressive than deadbeats was, with lyrical changes shifting from personal experiences with addiction to the general fed-up-ness with the world around them. The band has only gotten tighter and more sonically punishing with age, although most recordings were bootleg, practice space quality. This finally changed in 2022 when Nataanii (of Fuuls) professionally put together the latest EP, “Upper-middle-class-softcore”, finally matching up the bands attitude on stage and in recorded media. Upper Middle Class Softcore was released on Jan 6th, 2023, and can be found on all streaming services. Poverty Porn is a BIPOC centered band, Kye belonging to the Meskwaki First Nation (Iowa), Anthony being Puerto Rican, and a drummer or two in the rotating cast of drummers also being of color. 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/.
