Jared Justen w/ Spencer Kellum & Madeleine Tucker
Friday, September 5 // Doors at 7:30 PM // Show at 8 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Indie singer-songwriter Jared Justen is not an artist one can easily pigeonhole. He’s known for the refreshing variety and unique intricacy of his songwriting, exploring his own mind and emotional spectrum in carefully crafted, lyrical reflections. An idiosyncratic, highly introspective artist, Justen was raised on a broad mix of late-90s music, ranging from gangsta rap to underground indie rock and everything in between. That diversity still informs his stripped-down, emotionally complex sound, characterized by expansive exploration of mental and musical possibilities. Weaving together elements from a wide range of genres, his genre-defiant boldness evokes pioneering acts like Ben Harper, while his intimate vocal style draws comparisons to folk icons like Devendra Banhart, José González, and Pete Seeger. Spencer Kellum is a dynamic and genre-defying musician known for crafting thought-provoking, lyrically rich music that resonates deeply with listeners. Hailing from the soulful city of Memphis, Tennessee, Spencer Kellum has toured the western United States as a solo artist, captivating audiences with heartfelt performances and a genuine connection to the human experience.Driven by a passion for expressing the myriad emotions of the soul, Spencer Kellum brings an unforgettable energy to the stage. Whether delivering intimate acoustic moments or putting a unique spin on your favorite covers, every show is a journey that leaves fans craving more. Madeleine Tucker is a musician and visual artist from Missoula, Montana.
Briana Marela & Dorris Doom
Tuesday, July 29 // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Briana Marela is a Peruvian American composer, vocalist, and performing artist based out of Oakland, CA. Using her voice as a focal point, she makes use of visually engaging elements of tech augmented gestures and objects to compose and perform her music live. Her gestural and lyrical song performances draw from elements of both experimental electronic music and vocal driven pop music. Using a visual programming language and machine learning, she is able to make custom tools to create compositions with varying fixed elements that transition into moments of improvisation. She was most recently a spatial sound artist in residence at Audium in San Francisco for their residency New Voices IV, performing her multi-channel piece live every weekend from February to April 2025. She is currently a Montalvo Lucas Arts Music and Composition fellow. She received an MFA in Electronic Music and Recording Media from Mills College in 2020. Her newest full length release My Inner Rest, is due to be released on June 6th 2025 via AKP Recordings. Marela has self-released past albums, as well as releasing records with Jagjaguwar, Surface World and PIAPTK.
Femme Cell, Anna McClellan, & Sardines
Sunday, March 9 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Femme Cell is psychosis rock from Portland, OR. It’s ten in the morning, and Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Wanna Wait” rings from the punchy speakers of a young Anna McClellan’s living room TV. It’s the summer of 2004, and Anna’s parents have signed up for basic cable—a lifeline for a kid left to her own devices while her parents were at work. For McClellan, shows like Dawson’s Creek, The O.C., and Friends were not just entertainment but friends and mentors, shaping her understanding of relationships and life. These long summers spent in front of the TV cemented a love of narrative that would later reveal itself through songwriting. By seventeen, Anna McClellan was performing original songs in her hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. Her debut album, Fire Flames, garnered attention and earned her an opening slot on a Frankie Cosmos tour, setting the stage for her subsequently adored albums, 2018’s Yes and No and I saw first light, released in late 2020. Now, with her most recent release Electric Bouquet, out October 25, 2024 via Father/Daughter Records, McClellan crafts a musical journey that unfolds like one of her cherished television series. Each track is an episode, chronicling the past four years of her life – navigating a career change, a cross-country move, and relationships gone sour. Electric Bouquet is a narrative tour de force showcasing McClellan’s remarkable ability to transform life’s myriad of messy experiences into captivating musical stories. The Sardines are three friendly and freshly packaged fish saturated with wonder and the joy of song. The elite of the sea. If you choose to consume, you may unleash sonic whimsy.
Joyer w/ The Pond & (latent)
Monday, December 9 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 Advance // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Joyer formed in New Jersey in 2017, and after releasing two self-recorded demo collections, they released their first studio album, Sun Into Flies, in 2020, followed by Perfect Gray in 2021. Night Songs marks a departure from their hushed slowcore beginnings and displays a more expansive sound—from blowtorched shoegaze guitars and poppier vocals to melancholy synths and pastoral lap steel. Fittingly, their detour into twistier, heavier territory coincides with the depraved nature of nighttime activities, and their foray into a more hi-fi, pop-forward direction aligns with the stark clarity that pitch-black skies provide. Their devilish distortion also functions as a cathartic foil to their quiet, real-life demeanors, and was informed by their live shows, which increasingly featured gnarlier versions of past Joyer songs. The more Joyer traveled to new places, the more they connected with like-minded artists, and consequently, Night Songs became their most collaborative record to date—also featuring appearances from Teethe’s Boone Patrello (guitar and piano on “777”) and Kitchen’s James Keegan (synth on “Night Song”). Another friend recorded and mastered the album, Big Nice Studio’s Bradford Krieger (Horse Jumper of Love, Squirrel Flower), who they describe as a magician and worked on their two previous full-lengths, while Drop of Sun Studios’ Alex Farrar (Wednesday, Indigo De Souza) mixed the LP and was a new addition to Joyer’s sonic universe, bringing a newfound polish. The writing and recording process for Night Songs was by far the longest period they’ve spent working on a Joyer record, and its dynamic songwriting and dense textures—beaming, blinking and evaporating like the headlights of distant traffic—bear this out. The Pond is Tender slowcore melancholy. They’ve got a new album coming out sometime with the band fka Bombshell Nightlight. (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.
Beau Akimbo Album Release Party
Thursday, October 24 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Formed in 2020, Beau Akimbo is a Missoula-based Indie Pop band that is crafting their sound over the last four years. Their music consists of lush harmonies, earworm melodies, and tongue and cheek lyrics about their fucked up 20’s. Their music resembles the influences of bands like The Magnetic Fields, Lake Street Dive, Avett Brothers, Stevie Wonder, and more. Come join them for the release of their debut album at the ZACC. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Ivory Daze w/ Wildlands & Perfect Blue
Tuesday, September 3 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Ivory Daze is an alternative shoegaze band from Lincoln, Nebraska formed in early 2022. Consisting of Isahen Harms, Maeve Nelson, and Van Foster. They released their debut EP “Doing Just Great” in May of 2023 and released their newest single “Junebug” August 16th. The band seamlessly mixes new sounds and ideas with classic 90s grunge influences while consistently pushing how much power a three piece can have. Wildlands is an aspiring Indie Rock Quartet based out of Missoula. The band creates and performs with an electrifying stage presence for all to enjoy. The power of the songwriting and the chemistry between the members creates an infectious atmosphere full of excitement, heartbreak and the urge to move around. Wildlands is here to inspire, entertain and show the world the passion of music. The band consists of Ben MC, the snow loving frontman. Josh Streit, the resident electrician that rips on the guitar. Runyon Matthews, the 1# King Gizzard fan that lays down the bass and Spencer Nelson the Titan of sound behind the drums. Perfect Blue is an Instrumental, Experimental Post-Rock band from Missoula, Montana. 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/.
Earthware & Telemarket w/ The Sardines
Sunday, July 28 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter EARTHWAREEarthware is an indie pop solo project from Portland, Oregon-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Eli Wheeler. TELEMARKETad nauseam /ad-’ nô-zē-ǝm, -am/ – adverb: 1. to a sickening extent 2. to go on endlessly due out August 25th on Elephant 6 label affiliate Cloud Recordings and Science Project Records. Running at 34 minutes and 34 seconds, this thirteen track odyssey discovers itself through bouts of exuberant feedback and snappy hooks, and ultimately finds resolution surrounded by good friends in its musical home of Athens. Among these friends is John Fernandes of Cloud Recordings, a former member of projects Olivia Tremor Control and Circulatory System and longtime Elephant 6 collaborator, who teamed up with Telemarket to release and distribute the group’s LP. Ad Nauseam features artwork from late Georgia artist Patrick Dean, to whom the record is dedicated. Dean’s piece ‘Welcome to Athens, Y’all’ was featured on Athens GA publication Flagpole’s cover in August of 1999. Telemarket provides a distorted vessel for the shape-shifting songcraft of vocalist/guitarist Adam Wayton, and features collaborations with many of his talented Athens friends. Wayton together with guitarist and engineer Will Wise hunkered down in their Odd Street home studio for much of 2021-2022—a piece of time many would just as soon forget—and managed to create something memorable together in Ad Nauseam. Vocalist/keyboardist Josie Callahan, bassist Hunter Pinkston, and percussionist Jack Colclough round out the group’s personnel, bringing counterpoint and consummation to Telemarket’s work. THE SARDINESThree friendly and freshly packaged fish saturated with wonder and the joy of song. The elite of the sea. If you choose to consume, you may unleash sonic whimsy. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Leisure Hour (Indiana) w/ The Western States & But I’m A Cheerleader
Thursday, July 25 // Doors at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Leisure Hour is an emo/pop punk band from Muncie, Indiana. Taking inspiration from bands such as The Front Bottoms, The 1975, and Weezer, Leisure Hour’s unique mix of roaring electric guitars, bright synthesizers, and cathartic vocal performances make the group the most exciting band in the upcoming emo rock scene. The band has toured extensively throughout the United States, and has played with acts such as Michael Cera Palin, Equipment, Charmer, Widowdusk, and Camping in Alaska. Their self titled EP, built on genuine passion and filled with nostalgic passion, is out now on Refresh Recs. The Western States is a punk rock band from Missoula, MT. The band just released their full length “Heavy Pours” in 2021. The album is full of anthemic songs featuring classic punk gang vocals and old school pop punk hooks. 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/.
*CANCELED* – Windier (Maine) w/ The Waddlers (Seattle) & Cactus Cuts (Bozeman)
THIS PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO ILLNESS. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE. Monday, July 15 // Doors at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Windier is foggy electric folk music from Portland, Maine, made up of cello, drums, guitar, bass, and three voices. They are touring across the US with a new album of lyric-forward songs about place, dreams, the life of mountains and towers, and strange birds overhead. The Waddlers are an alt-country band formed in Seattle, WA, made up of two young phrase-turners and three other finger-users. Just like how one candle doesn’t lose anything by lighting another, Jack has the kind of luck that’ll spread if you get close enough. The best-parking-spot-at-a-funeral kind of luck. And like water waiting to find its level, Kelsi is patient and powerful. She can lasso the whole room and pull them in tight with an ease that makes the herd trust the loop. Playfully authentic and hard to pin down, The Waddlers are an adventure to watch. Cactus Cuts is a captivating five-piece Americana folk band. Drawing inspiration from the harmonious melodies of the Milk Carton Kids and the virtuosic guitar stylings of Doc Watson, Cactus Cuts are quickly making waves with their fresh and unique sound. Formed in 2022 in Bozeman, MT, Cactus Cuts weaves together acoustic arrangements, storytelling, and simple vocal harmonies that are the perfect combination of modern bluegrass and old-time Americana. With their heartfelt delivery, the band invites listeners on a sonic journey, with beautiful ballads, foot-stomping hoedowns, and everything in between. Cactus Cuts has shared the stage with The Last Revel, and Laney Lou and The Bird Dogs along with many other groups from SW Montana and beyond. They’ve headlined venues around Montana, like Pine Creek Lodge and The Rialto. 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. For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Beautiful Freaks w/ Crash Monroe & Riley James
Monday, July 22 // Doors at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Beautiful Freaks are a hardcore glam pop band ready Formed in 2013, Peter Bryson and James Bonaci came together over their love for metal, jazz & punk. Crash Monroe is a 5-piece heavy, melodic, hard-rock band based out of Humboldt County, CA. Forming together in 2022, they have consistently blended their style into new exciting areas. Their sound combines intricate melodic riffs with heavy rhythms that create a dark but energizing atmosphere. These aspects of their song writing are matched by invigorating vocals that work to create a storytelling experience for listeners.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.For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
