Rob Travolta Tour Kickoff! w/ Riley James & But I’m a Cheerleader
Sunday, June 25 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Rob Travolta is the ideal soundtrack for road trips through space and time. Drummer / beat producer Cole Bronson creates dynamic shifts within bassist Rob Cave’s bass lines. Fresh from releasing their new record “Landscapes and Soundscapes” Rob Travolta’s aim is to create thought provoking / heart-felt compositions that keep you on your toes. Riley James is a multi-instrumentalist artist based out of Missoula, who uses sonic textures and life experiences to weave a portrait of the human condition. Ranging from the psychedelic to pop, blues to trap, he strives to create an atmosphere where people can face their hearts with hope and encouragement. He believes that art is meant to be good medicine whose purpose is expanding the consciousness of humankind in order to draw nearer unto the divine. But I’m a Cheerleader (Missoula, MT) wants you to scream, cry, trans your gender, and sing along to their twee-punk wailings. You don’t have to, if you don’t want to, though. You can just pick one. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Barbara w/ Arrowleaf & Wildlands
Sunday, June 18 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket Barbara is a band from Denver, CO, composed of established musicians Bridget Hartman, Anna Panella, and Camilla Vaitaitis. After meeting in mutual pursuit of certificates denoting that they Know About Music, the three moved in together. In a new creative sandbox void of stamped papers and prerequisites, they excavated a fresh, intuitive approach to composition. The infinite jam session that is implicit to cohabitation formed an uncanny scaffold for the natural sound of Barbara— psychedelic, liminal, and vibrant. Barbara has a sound that’s been lived in. Stay for a while, come dance in the kitchen. You can be our fourth-dimensional roommate. 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. Wildlands is an aspiring three piece Indie Pop band based out of Missoula. The band’s goal is to create and perform electrifying pop music for all to enjoy. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Yegarma + The Love Darts + JAAG
Wednesday, June 14 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket Yegarma (rhymes with “egg-harm-uh”) has evolved over the years from Alex Soveroski’s one-person experimental songwriting project into whatever it is now. There are 4 people playing rock n’ roll instruments, so let’s call them a rock band. They have a new album coming out in Summer 2023. Love Darts is high energy, low intelligence rock and roll from Bozeman, Montana. JAAG is a new band drawing from post-punk and 90s rock to craft a dark and driving sonic journey. The project was initiated by Hank Donovan on guitar (Magpies, Rattlesnake Cable Company) and recent homecomer Jamie Aaron Aux on vocals and guitar (Le Butcherettes, XVIII Eyes), acquaintances with long mutual respect in the Northwest music sphere, both agreeing to test the waters after each taking breaks from band life. With a handful of demos written, the two brought in John Sporman on bass (Wylie & the Wild West, Jupiter Beat, Shahs) and Christopher Baumann on drums (Mass FM, Victory Smokes, Dead Hipster) to kick the rock into high gear. Christopher and Jamie share a long musical history as former bandmates in the early-2000’s Jay’s Upstairs-era emo band, The Pleasure. The group has not yet recorded any material but probably will soon because that’s what bands do. IG: @_j_a_a_g For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Joyce from the Future + (latent) + R’Know
Sunday, June 11 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket Hailing from the high plains of eastern Montana, Joyce from the Future delivers an eclectic blend of synth pop, funk, and r&b. Their second EP, Illusions, is available now on all streaming platforms. “It’s easy to appreciate a group like Joyce From the Future for a lot of reasons – but what stands out is their ability to jam-pack such an assortment of sounds into such a neat little package. No instrument sounds the same track to track and no mood feels duplicated. Rather, they find enough sonic space to fit contrasting tones and shifts in atmosphere while staying confidently buoyant.” – Jordan Finn (Waste Division) (latent) is a Missoula-based band composed of Zack Buchholz, 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. 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. If you’re looking for snappy, crisp delivery and a dynamic stage presence, you found your guy! For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Margo Cilker / ‘Valley of Heart’s Delight’ Album Release Tour, w/ Opener Christy Hays
Thursday, October 5 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $16 Advance // $18 DOS Margo Cilker’s sophomore album, Valley of Heart’s Delight, refers to a place she can’t return: California’s Santa Clara Valley, as it was known before the orchards were paved over and became more famous for Silicon than apricots. In this 11-song follow-up to 2021’s critically acclaimed Pohorylle, family and nature intertwine as guiding motifs, at once precious and endangered, beautiful and exhausting. Cilker and Pohorylle producer Sera Cahoone brought most of that record’s highly-acclaimed crew (studio players for The Decemberists, Band Of Horses, and Beirut) back to the studio with additional contributions from acclaimed Northwest traditionalist Caleb Klauder. Valley of Heart’s Delight, Cilker’s second record on Portland, Oregon label Fluff & Gravy Records, follows a year busily reaping the fruits of Pohorylle’s success, with festival appearances at Pickathon, Treefort, and End Of The Road, and tours supporting American Aquarium, Hayes Carll, Drive-By Truckers, and Joshua Ray Walker. Margo Cilker lives near the Columbia River in Goldendale, Washington with her husband, songwriter and working cowboy Forrest VanTuyl, as well as their dog and some horses. https://www.margocilkermusic.com/ Christy Hays has been a professional touring songwriter for 15 years playing nationally and internationally. She has released 6 studio albums and spent 12 years in Austin, TX as a working musician. She now lives in Butte, Montana where she runs a non profit called Working Quiet and a writers in residence program called Dear Butte. Hays continues to create music and tour sparsely. https://christyhays.com/ For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Red Onion Purple + Gabrielle Tusberg + Norwell
Thursday, June 8 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket 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, sadness, and charm. Her songs will make you cry and laugh with her deepest thoughts and unleashed secrets. With time spent in bands like Arrowleaf, No Fancy, Catamount, Mendelssohn, and The Skurfs, members of Norwell have been playing music around Missoula for more than a decade. In this form, they make songs that pair smartly with hands in pockets, long stares at the rim of a drink glass, or a mirthless Twitter scroll. Red Onion Purple began as a musical duo featuring Sean Burress (guitar) and Bethany Joyce (cello) in 2013. After a few years of experimenting with their sound and adding different members, the group coalesced into the spellbinding force that it is today with the addition of Joshua Chai (drums) and Cole Grant (bass). The ethos of the band is one of constant experimentation; treating each song as a separate world to traverse, going a little deeper with each iteration. Red Onion Purple’s sound is accessible, yet hard to pin down; at times upbeat and whimsical, other times melancholy and mysterious. They play a mixture of original songs, jazz standards, and covers. Their first full length album, ‘Frightening Sights’, was released in May of 2022. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Ceres + Intice + Tuco
Tuesday, June 6 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket Ceres is a 5-piece metal band, based out of Missoula. Formed in 2019, Ceres has had the opportunity to play Flathead Metal Fest several times, as well as travel around the Pacific Northwest playing shows. Ceres has released 2 albums and a few singles on all streaming services, and are currently working on the third album. They bring a high energy and engaging show to the stage, with original metal and occasional covers like Eskimo Callboy’s ‘Hypa Hypa.’ Tuco are a two-piece punk, metal, post-whatever, comedy-rock outfit. Being split between two Montana towns, we represent both sides of the continental divide. Social commentary is what we do. Not taking ourselves too seriously is what we hope to do. We’re both named Dave and we’ve been writing music together, under various monikers such as Bridgebuilder and Bones of Elisha, since around 2003 AD. Thanks and cheers. Intice is a progressive metal/rock band based out of Missoula Montana. They play the original music of their front man, Cameron Kinney, who plays guitar and vocals. Cameron started the band with guitarist Justin Brantley in Great Falls and met the rest of the band members while studying with them at the UM School of Music a couple years later. Along with Cameron and Justin the band features Josh Smith on drums, Lane Ulberg on bass and Jolene Green and Cade Chastain on saxophone. The band has two albums on spotify and is currently recording their third album. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Barncat Country Band + Strummingbird Vegabond + Johnny Carl
Saturday, June 3 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket Barncat Country Band formed in 2021 to explore the energy found deep in the roots of old-time country music. Roadhouse country, Texas swing, the Bakersfield sound, bluegrass, and country blues all combine and erupt on stage in a ball of fiery twang! Come dance your boots bare to the raw energy of Rocky Mountain Honky-tonk at its finest. Strummingbird Vegabond is a local trio formed around the songwriting of Rebecca Kelley. Becca has been playing acoustic guitar since 2005 and is very stoked to be joined by local musician Britt Arnesen on bass, as well as local drummer Damien Margo. Together they have been playing gigs all around town, and also recorded their first album, called Summer Triangle, in fall 2022. Find it and also Becca’s first EP on all major music platforms, and also at strummingbirdvegabond.bandcamp.com. Johnny Carl grew up in Missoula and has been homeschooled since he was 10. Johnny’s father taught him guitar, and he’s been playing and singing for the last 4 years. While he was growing up his parents listened to a wide variety of music – he was exposed to everything from the early days of country, jazz, and blues, to the rock and roll, to pop. He draws inspiration from his childhood exposure to all genres and from his huge collection of 78rpm records and LPs. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
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/.
8-Ball Quintet
Wednesday, May 31 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket 8-Ball Quintet is a five-piece jazz combo that plays the music of Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Joshua Redman, and many more inspiring jazz musicians. The quintet consists of five students from the University of Montana Jazz Program. The group is coached by local rhythm section musician, Connor Racicot. 8-Ball Quintet is Owen Cleary on bass, Drew Saltzman on guitar, Simon Hickey on drums, Ally Fradkin on tenor sax, and Owen Meador on alto sax. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
