Laura Hickli w/ Syrinx Effect
Thursday, May 29 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Laura Hickli (Mohkínstsis/Calgary) is an internationally touring progressive art pop songstress known for her tightly arranged dreamy soundscapes, exquisite vocals, evocative lyrics, and emotionally powerful performances. The classically trained pianist was homeschooled in a conspiracy-laden religious household where she honed her ability to reflect deeply felt emotions through dynamic, textured, and technical songwriting and production.Hickli’s highly-anticipated upcoming album, ‘stranger to myself’ tells her compelling story of survival and human resilience after a serious motor vehicle accident on her 2023 tour left her with PTSD and a traumatic brain injury. Released through Ba Da Bing Records (Sharon Van Etten, Hawksley Workman), this lush, genre-spanning record showcases Hickli’s captivating songwriting, vivid production, and even intimate clips from her exposure therapy sessions.Recipient of numerous Top Album of the Year awards, nominations, glowing accolades for her growing collection of impactful works, live and recorded spotlights on CBC, BBC, and an expansive tour this summer, Hickli offers a fresh and inviting look at what life can be, while carrying the foundations of her spellbindingly intimate, yet explosive brand of dark process-music. An acoustic-electric duo with expansive possibilities, Syrinx Effect plays their own brand of interstellar folk punk jazz. They blend dreamy ambient loops, catchy pop riffs and sampled drum sounds, all the while paying homage to their experimental roots. Naomi plays trombone with guitar pedals and Kate plays soprano saxophone with laptop and other toys.
Now That’s What I Call the 2000’s with Hot Stepdad & MP3
Tuesday, May 6 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // Free and Open to the Public! **$10 Suggested Donation The University of Montana School of Music Commercial Music Ensembles are proud to present Hot Step Dad and MP3, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 7:30 pm at the ZACC. Admission is free for all, but there is a suggested donation of $10. The Commercial Music Ensembles at the University of Montana are dedicated to teaching students the skills necessary to be in a pop band and to be gigging musicians. Most songs they perform are covers, but they also perform original songs written by students of the group. Each semester, the students collaborate within their band to create a setlist for their end of semester performance. Each student is able to suggest a song, and throughout the semester they learn each song. This semester, the bands have the theme of Y2k. Each song of their setlist is from the early 2000s. “I really love playing in CME because John and Bryan are not only teaching us about how to make the music sound good, but also how to perform to a professional caliber.” – Danger Gersh (Hot Stepdad) “I’m looking forward to wearing a funny outfit and playing Britney Spears for all my friends.” – Sam Haveron (MP3)
Just 4 Frillz w/ Jesse The Ocelot & Riley James
Wednesday, January 10 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist SupporterJust 4 Frillz is a dynamic musical group consisting of talented and happily married Ryan & Kelsi Staninger. After 13 years of playing music together, they focused their efforts into creating a truly special concept album titled Public Display of Affection, that recounts their journey through life and love. With a perfect blend of soulful vocals and catchy beats, Just 4 Frillz is a band that is sure to leave a lasting impression on any audience.Jesse The Ocelot is a solo artist from the mountains of Montana who uses guitar and vocal loops to create atmospheric soundscapes. Dreamy sounds of reverb-y vocal harmonies and warm guitar melodies combined with jazzy, soulful style. Jesse The Ocelot wants to help guide you through the cosmos with meaningful lyrics and good energy.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. 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/.
FRENSHIP
Wednesday, February 14 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 8 PM // $20 Advance // $25 DOSWith their chart-topping hits and innovative soundscapes, FRENSHIP will guide you through a sonic landscape that transcends boundaries and connects hearts. From dance floor anthems to introspective ballads, their music will take you on an emotional rollercoaster with their infectious sound and heartfelt lyrics.Formed in 2013, FRENSHIP began as a collaboration between friends, James Sunderland and Brett Hite, who met selling spandex at Lululemon. In 2016, FRENSHIP gained international recognition with their breakout hit single, “Capsize,” featuring Emily Warren. The song quickly became a chart-topping success, reaching platinum certification in multiple countries. Since then, FRENSHIP released their debut album and an array of captivating singles, each showcasing their evolving sound and growth as artists. Tracks like “1000 Nights,” “Wanted a Name,” and “Remind You” have garnered critical acclaim and cemented their reputation for crafting emotionally charged anthems that resonate with a broad audience. FRENSHIP’s live performances are a testament to their magnetic presence and showmanship. With a commitment to delivering powerful shows, FRENSHIP’s energetic stage presence and genuine connection with their audience creates an immersive and unforgettable experience.This Fall, FRENSHIP is releasing their 6 song “Base Camp ” EP with new label partner, ONErpm. Base Camp marks the beginning of new music, a US headline tour and the start of a long climb upward that leads into their 2024 sophomore album. The Base Camp EP showcases collaborations with international artists and tells stories you would hear around a campfire: stories of love, heartbreak, adventure and escapism. Join the climb as FRENSHIP leaves their indelible mark on the industry and fans alike.<//////////> Nashville-based alt-pop band VEAUX is on the rise — and they aren’t coming down any time soon. Formed in 2016, the trio, comprising brothers Aaron and Dominick Wagner along with Andrew Black, has carved a unique niche in Nashville’s music scene, creating authentically alt-pop songs that weave in elements of R&B and rock alike. The trio’s music reflects their commitment to not just making good music, but crafting sonic experiences. Frontman Aaron Wagner is celebrated as one of the top 25 songwriters in Nashville — and it makes sense. The band consistently pens unabashed bangers that keep listeners coming back for more (and more). This magnetic appeal is part of what cements VEAUX’s status as one of Nashville’s must-watch bands. Since their conception, the band has toured coast to coast, sharing the stage with the likes of Wet Leg, Charlotte Sands, Twen, and indie rock legends Mae. VEAUX’s impact extends beyond live performances, with millions of streams to their credit and TV placements on MTV and ABC. As they continue to tour and release jam after jam, VEAUX stands as a beacon of what modern alt-pop can be — diverse, dynamic, and utterly unmissable.<//////////>“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/.
Husbands
Monday, March 4 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 8 PM // $20 Husbands plays landlocked beach pop that sidequests Krautrock, garage rock, and tropicalia. OKC-based songwriters Danny Davis and Wil Norton got their start directing a Godzilla musical at their college and then began sharing snippets of lofi grunge pop ideas that came together in their first album, “Golden Year.” This album caught local label Clerestory AV’s attention, who assisted Husbands release its first vinyl LP, “After the Gold Rush Party,” on an imprint label, Cowboy 2.0 Records. “After the Gold Rush Party” was featured on NPR’s Heavy Rotation and Spotify’s New Music Friday, Fresh Finds, and Feel-Good Indie Rock playlists. Past performances included an OKC release show that drew 550 attendees and a stint opening for Smash Mouth (what Wil and Danny both likely consider their finest moment as a band). Pre-COVID, Husbands was slated to play bills at SXSW, Treefort Music Fest, Norman Music Festival, and a New York City release show at Baby’s All Right.Not to be deterred, Danny and Wil got back to songwriting and put together their third LP, “Full-on Monet,” released in January ’22. Their single, “Must be a Cop,” released June 6, 2021, has been featured on Spotify’s All New Indie, Today’s Indie Rock, and Grade A playlists (among other editorial playlists), and has received coverage from prominent bloggers including David Dean Burkhart, BIRP!, and Indie Shuffle. Falcon Bitch and Gumball are best friends. The Texas-based multi-instrumentalists love to make up elaborate tales of their first meeting: as chimney sweeps in the mid-1700s, as shoemakers in Middle England, as competing acrobats in a traveling circus. It’s a testament to their ever-playful attitude—one that pours over into their project, Being Dead, in which the band toes the line between jest and sincerity. The nurturing foundation of these platonic soulmates urges both Falcon Bitch and Gumball to be their full, freaky selves, prodding at the absurdity of the world with slick n’ dreamy strums, gritty percussion, and kaleidoscopic harmonies.For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Poliça (+ Wilsen)
Tuesday, July 5 // Doors at 7 PM // 8 PM // $15 (Advance tix recommended) The ZACC is excited to welcome Poliça (Minneapolis) to the Show Room JULY 2022, with opener Wilsen (Brooklyn). Poliça is Channy Leaneagh (vocals, synth), Chris Bierden (bass), Drew Christopherson (drums) and Ben Ivascu (drums), with Ryan Olson joining the band in studio as a producer. Poliça’s 2020 album, When We Stay Alive, possesses a new confidence in its sound, reflected in its fierce, determined songs and anchored by the heavy synths and punctuating beats of Poliça co-founder and producer Ryan Olson. Over the last several years Olson and Leaneagh have widely collaborated with musicians from all over the world: both with Bon Iver, and Leaneagh individually with Boys Noize, Lane 8, Sasha, Leftfield, and Daniel Wohl; Olson with Swamp Dogg in addition to countless musicians from the 37d03d collective. As a result, When We Stay Alive features one of the largest musical casts of any Poliça record to date. On Poliça’s first three albums, Leaneagh focused on restructuring the world and her relationships within it. On When We Stay Alive, she realizes the power in restructuring her inner self. The album’s title references the idea of moving forward through life – our experiences, both good and bad – and what happens next with the strength we find. “I had been living unconsciously in past trauma,” Leaneagh says. “I don’t want to deny something happened – this is not about repression – it’s about taking the power back from the past, holding the power in the present, and creating a new story for myself.”https://www.thisispolica.com/ https://www.youtube.com/user/polica https://www.instagram.com/thisispolica/ https://twitter.com/thisispolica https://polica.bandcamp.com/ For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
