Aas your sonic nutritionist, it’s our job to make sure you receive a well-balanced musical diet. This week, Santa Cruz is serving up a wide range of styles and flavors for you, including Asian-American fusion from San Francisco, local home-style Western cookin’, spicy south-of-the-border flavor, and classic English pub grub from the other side of the pond. Eat up kids, Granny said you’re looking a little thin.
Wednesday, July 20
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down at The Catalyst Club Main Stage
As quirky and fun as the name implies, Thao Nguyen and her band of indie darlings have been releasing catchy, bouncy jams since they got together in San Francisco back in 2005. Although the subject matter of their songs has usually matched the upbeat and lighthearted tempo of their track, on their latest album “A Man Alive”, release in March, they decided to get a little deeper, exploring loss, family relationships, and empowerment.
Show at 9pm. Tickets $20 in advance/$25 at the door
Wednesday, July 20
Western Wednesday at The Crepe Place
Every third Wednesday of the month, tumbleweeds roll, the coyotes start to howl, and the saloon side of The Crepe Place gets ready for one of the hottest shindigs this side of the Mississippi—Western Wednesday. This week, they have touring musician Trevor McSpadden playing his “Automatic Western Music” alongside hometown hero Mccoy Tyler. Expect some classic country with a little new age style, plus an awesome photobooth where you can get your old timey photo taken. Shake the snakes outta those boots and mosey on down.
Show at 9pm. $8 at the door/$7 with cowboy boots
Friday, July 22
The Psychedelic Furs at The Catalyst Club Main Stage
The word “legend” gets thrown around a lot these days, but I think it’s pretty safe to say that if it applies to anyone in the alternative rock genre, it would be the Psychedelic Furs. Although they cut their teeth in England’s punk scene back in the 70s, their poetic lyrics and melodically driven songs have always outweighed their distressed punk rock aesthetic. Most modern and alternative rock bands from The Strokes to The Flaming Lips have rightfully paid homage to their influence and trailblazing. Although they haven’t released any new music since 1991, it’s been almost 40 years since their first album and the guys are still touring. Mad respect. If you’re a fan and haven’t seen them, now is your chance. If you’re not, you should at least come see what all the fuss is about.
Show at 9pm. $35 in advance/$38 at the door
Saturday, July 23
La Santa Cecilia at Moe’s Alley
As usual, Moe’s Alley is bringing some world-class talent your way this week with Grammy winners La Santa Cecilia performing their new album “Buenaventura”. A true musical rags-to-riches story, La Santa Cecilia got their start serenading passers-by on the historic Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles, and have since gone on to collaborate with Elvis Costello, tour the world, appear on the Conan O’Brien show, and share the stage with Led Zeppelin’s Jon Paul Jones. Their Latin American inspired modern rock, supplemented with accordion and traditional Requinto Spanish guitar, has led them to be identified by some as the voice of their bicultural generation
