Jupiter Beat w/ New Old Future & Pale People
Friday, July 7 // Door at 8 PM // Show at 8:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket Jupiter Beat is spacey rock n roll and danceable funk collide – complete with ripping guitar solos, analog and electric drum beats, and two frontmen you won’t soon forget. Pale People is Missoula’s worst-kept secret … An eccentric piano-rock quartet with a varied oeuvre, from soft confessionals to howling rants about the lonely and insane. New Old Future is a four piece garage pop, alt rock, grunge band that has been playing in Missoula for ten years. The members are Logan Heindl on lead guitar, Kyle Campbell on bass, Zach Froehlich on drums, and Bry Froehlich on vox and rhythm guitar. ‘Birds’ is their third studio album. Follow New Old Future @newoldfuture on Instagram or visit newoldfuture.com. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
MAITA w/ Sarah Frazier
Wednesday, August 23 // Doors at 7:30 PM // Show at 8 // $12 Advance // $15 Day of Show There are few things as chilling as attempting to parse the emotional tone of the punctuation in a text message from a partner – a period, a single dot that at once can mean so much. On her latest album with MAITA, Maria Maita-Keppeler digs into that crippling oxymoron of modernity, the constant bombardment of communication paired with utter disconnection. Avaialble via venerable indie label Kill Rock Stars, I Just Want To Be Wild For You grasps passionately for a world that too often seems at a gauzy distance. Splitting time between her mom’s Japanese-speaking home and her father’s English-speaking home, Maita-Keppeler found an expressive avenue out of her childhood shyness through music. The Portland-based singer-songwriter tapped into that grand yet intimate reverence for MAITA’s sophomore album, from the churning twinkle of “Pastel Concrete” to the riotous give-and-take of “Honey, Have I Lost It All?”. In those moments of disconnect, of confusion, of isolation, I Just Want To Be Wild For You thunders ahead, forging unexpected connections along the way. Named Portland’s “Best New Band by the Willamette Week,” MAITA, has gone on to reach national acclaim, opening for the likes of Mirah, Blind Pilot, Horse Feathers, Typhoon, as well as completing a headlining national album release tour culminating in official showcases at Treefort and SXSW, where they were named one of the 101 Essential Acts (Austin Chronicle). “A clear-eyed look at growing up and holding yourself responsible for actively creating the life you want to live instead of just waiting around for it to happen.” — Cyrena Touros, NPR’s All Songs Considered “I Just Want To Be Wild For You is emotional gold.” — BUST “One of the most impressive and shining acts to come out of Portland in quite some time.” — Portland Mercury “The rarified class of artists with the ability to enthrall the listener right from the jump.” — Spin “Sarah Frazier’s unique brand of electronic music is composed of ethereal and melodic vocals, layers of looped instruments, and undeniable pop sensibilities. Her music feels like a journey with songs that swell only to fall away again. Her performance at Humble Burger earlier this year was absolutely breathtaking to watch.” — Nate H Wolf (Modest Music Festival, Moscow, ID) 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/.
Synthesis Nights featuring Snow School, Auntie E, & Queenager
Friday, June 30 // Door at 8 PM // Show at 8:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Snowschool is the dance music project of Helena-based Josh Stumberg. Snowschool is meant to get you up and on your feet, ready to dance the night away. Heavy hitting bass mixed with choppy vocals and heady chords all amount to a show worth bobbing your head to. Josh found electronic music outside of Montana, and has decided to try and bring some new, alternative music back home. You can find Snowschool on all the streaming platforms, and can follow Josh on social media to see what he is up to. Let’s dance! 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. If you don’t already know what a party’s like with DJ Auntie E, you wanna find out. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Desolation Horse + Bart Budwig + Sarah Frazier
Wednesday, June 28 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Desolation Horse makes kinda sweet, crunchy, guitar-driven music rooted in pop in a way that takes the listener somewhere much weirder and wilder than they may immediately realize. These are confidently eclectic songs, dusty, lived-in, and melody driven. Alternately based out of Idaho and Oregon, the band has put out two full length albums since 2020, with their next effort due for release on American Standard Time in 2023. Sometimes when Bart Budwig sings, I forget what we’re talking about. I’m sure he knows though. I trust him. He sounds like John Prine, plays like Hoyt Axton, and looks like well … Bart Budwig. He’s a cosmic country lawn gnome. He’s cherubic, cheery, and an old soul. Songs spring from the dreams of his noonday naps, and punch the keys of his typewriter above the OK Theater in Enterprise, Oregon. When words won’t take, he calls ’em in with a bugle of his trumpet, or a strum of soothing guitar. “Sarah Frazier’s unique brand of electronic music is composed of ethereal and melodic vocals, layered of looped instruments, and undeniable pop sensibilities. Her music feels like a journey with songs that swell only to fall away again.” – Nate H Wolf (Moscow, ID) For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
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/.
