THURSDAY 9/5
PSYCHEDELIC
THE POLYPHONIC SPREE—In our fast-paced, ever-changing society, who wants to be tied down by committing to one religion or cult (and really, what’s a cult but a religion in its beta phase)? Tim DeLaughter’s nebulous musical and visual happening, the Polyphonic Spree, allows you to join a cult for a night—a third-eye-opening, spiritual-gift-giving, soul-engaging, chakra-aligning night. Maybe you’ll drag a bit at work the next day, but at least you won’t be moving into a compound or handing out flowers at the airport. The Spree’s music is gorgeous, and they leave everything they have on the stage. Embrace! KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $36/adv, $42/door. 479-1854.
EXPERIMENTAL
THE WAMEKI—What is punk rock? The question has plagued hipsters, outsiders, cranks and cool kids for over five decades—even longer if one considers that “punk rock” can be interchanged with whatever status quo-defying trend is happening at the time. But the Wameki, a musical Molotov cocktail igniting a warehouse of C4, is here to destroy all definitions of what is or isn’t punk rock. In the true style of Japanese noise, they mix chaos, power violence, electronic static and offbeat time signatures for a sound that leaves questions but will be a helluva live show. Joining them are Apparition (hardcore industrial hip hop), Vantana Row (East Bay dystopian Nintendocore) and I’ve Never Been Here Before (hyper electronic punk). MAT WEIR
INFO: 7pm, SubRosa Community Space, 703 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 426-5242.
SATURDAY 9/7
DEATH METAL
SEPSIS—As if their indecipherable logo wasn’t challenging enough, Sepsis is back for another barn burner of a show with two killer (operative word) SC locals. Sepsis is named after the body’s extreme response to an infection and a life-threatening medical emergency; it’s a moniker that couldn’t be more apropos for a much-buzzed-about death metal quartet. For the curious, the band has a dedicated Bandcamp page that features their Twisted Remains demo (2016), the heavier-than-Hades “Facial Deformities” single (2019) and the over-the-top Interdimensional Decay, released back in October 2019. Sepsis is Sam Hughes (drums, vocals), Ballard Greedy (guitars), Liam Harris (bass) and Mason Aalgaard (guitars). Time to die! Special guests: Terra and Hideous Creature. EDDIE JORGENSEN
INFO: 9pm, Blue Lagoon, 923 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, $10. 423-7117.
ELECTRONICA
RANDOM RAB—After immersion in the San Francisco underground music scene, electronic artist Random Rab relocated to Colorado in the ’90s. There, he launched his career with a fusion of electronic sources and vocals. Deep-groove beats coexist with ethereal, ambient textures and washes of synthesizer pads, disembodied voices and evocative soundscapes characterize his work, but straightforward and catchy pop values often make themselves known, as well. To date, Random Rab has released over a dozen albums; On Magnificence is his latest. His live performances aim for—and deliver—a multisensory, enriching experience. Koresma opens. BILL KOPP
INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9, Felton. $24/adv, $27/door. 704-7113.
MONDAY 9/9
SINGER-SONGWRITER
ANGEL OLSEN—Asheville-based indie singer-songwriter Olsen has a distinctive sound that bridges folk, country and pop. Throughout nine albums, Olsen has traversed a great deal of stylistic ground; her music is informed by classic country and western, but she’s far too individual an artist to fit neatly into that category. The haunting quality of her approach colors her collaborative work, too. Olsen’s latest effort finds her guesting on “Mercury Avenue,” a Maxim Ludwig single. The tune is a modern-day indie take on the classic and grandiose Phil Spector “wall of sound” pop of the early ’60s. BK
INFO: 8pm, Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $47.25. 423-8209.
JAZZ
JAZZMEIA HORN—Jazzmeia Horn—one of the most acclaimed, celebrated jazz vocalists, three-time Grammy nominee, and NAACP Image Award winner, Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Competition winner and Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition winner—is in town for one night only. While the artist and the venue haven’t shared the specifics, it seems safe to assume only the best musicians imaginable will join an artist of her stature on stage. She is improvisational, innovative and passionate, and her voice is truly a finely tuned instrument played by a maestro, the kind of voice you need to experience live. KLJ
INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $47-$53. 427-2227.
TUESDAY 9/10
ROCK
SORRY IT’S OVER—Sorry It’s Over is here to hold the hands of everyone who needs a close and emotional talk. The brainchild of Louis Petrella, Sorry It’s Over is an alternative indie pop project flowing from the uplifting and emotionally manic to the down-and-out dog days. Throughout their music, a dreamlike sense of wonder maintains innocence while delivering the news, good and bad. The show also marks the first day of Sorry It’s Over’s West Coast tour, so even though it’s free, throwing a couple of bucks Petrella’s way toward gas in exchange for a T-shirt, sticker or CD adds karma credits from the concert gods. MW
INFO: 5pm, Streetlight Records, 939 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. 421-9200.
AUTHOR EVENT
HUMMINGBIRD POETRY PRESS POETS—Significant poets and heavyweights in the local written and spoken word arena will bring it big time to aficionados and those with noses pressed to the glass. The poets of Hummingbird Poetry Press (a rare gathering!) will share current work by Charles Atkinson, Wilma Marcus Chandler, Maggie Paul, Kim Scheiblauer, Amber Sumrall and Ken Weisner. Almost nothing is as primal, soothing and provocative as the spoken word. Discover that it is still possible, even nowadays, to fall under a spell of poetic enchantment. Okay, maybe you won’t love every poem, but bring an open mind and be prepared to engage in hand-to-hand criticism after the dust has settled. CHRISTINA WATERS
INFO: 7pm, Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. 423-0900.
WEDNESDAY 9/11
THEATER
THE GLASS MENAGERIE—When to leave home and when to stay is a dilemma many people struggle with. We love our family, but it’s healthy to leave the nest and experience the world. Even Tennessee Williams wrestled with similar quandaries. He loved his family but knew he would have to leave his hometown to grow as a writer. That internal struggle inspired the short story “Portrait of a Girl in Glass,” which then became The Glass Menagerie, a play that launched him into the spotlight. Runs through Sep 28. ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: 2pm, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, 501 Upper Park Rd., Santa Cruz. $5-$50. 460-6399.
Hummingbird Poetry Press (a rare gathering!) will share current work by Charles Atkinson, Wilma Marcus Chandler, Maggie Paul, Kim Scheiblauer, Amber Sumrall and Ken Weisner. Almost nothing is as primal, soothing and provocative as the spoken word. Discover that it is still possible, even nowadays, to fall under a spell of poetic enchantment. Okay, maybe you won’t
https://lovelanguagetest.org/