THURSDAY 2/6
FOLK
JACKSON EMMER
When it comes to singer/songwriter Jackson Emmer, take it from Rolling Stone: โAmericana songwriters are a dime a dozen these days, but few are writing songs like Jackson Emmer.โ Emmer has been compared to Townes Van Zandt, John Prine and Guy Clark for his blend of humor and heartbreak. His songs are stories, some truthful, others tall tales, but all done with a signature style that has earned him places on Billboard and Spotify playlists and getting to play with artists like Sierra Ferrell and Robert Earl Keen. Joining him are musicians Abigayle Kompst and Mike Hellman for a Nashville-style songwritersโ round, playing music while surrounded by the audience, keeping it as folksy as it can get. MAT WEIR
INFO: 7pm, Ugly Mug, 4640 Soquel Dr., Soquel. $20. 477-1341.
JAPANESE NOISE
MAYUKO HINO
Japanese noise luminary Mayuko Hino is a tour de force. Best recognized for her work in forming the trailblazing noise band C.C.C.C. (Cosmic Coincidence Control Center) in the early โ90s, the artist continues to meld raw electronics with visceral performance art. Her work brims with intensity: from metal percussion to self-made instruments and a bright-pink six-theremin oscillatorโa one-of-a-kind instrument crafted for her by musician Ryo AraishiโHinoโs musical explorations continue to push the limits of the genre, forging immersive experiences that are unrelenting, cohesive and startling. With deep roots and influence reverberating across the genre, Hino remains the queen of Japanese noise. MELISA YURIAR
INFO: 8:30pm, Indexical, 1050 River St. #119, Santa Cruz. $16.
FRIDAY 2/7
FOLK
STEVE POLTZ
The inventive Canadian-born SoCal-raised guitarist built his career blending offbeat humor with poignant storytelling. From cofounding San Diegoโs underground indie-rock cult favorite the Rugburns to cowriting Jewelโs hit โ90s single, โYou Were Meant for Me,โ the wildly eclectic Poltz has remained a fearless and unrelenting touring musician after decades of live performances and consistent output of independent projects. His latest, Stardust and Satellites, is all wit and warmth and may be the artistโs most sincere and interesting work yet. MY
INFO: 7:30pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $39. 479-9421.
BONNIE PRINCE BILLY
Some call his music freak folk; others label it lo-fi or gothic country. Whatโs undisputed is that Bonnie โPrinceโ Billy (born Will Oldham) is an original artist. Combining a punk aesthetic with a folk mindset, BPB quickly became a criticsโ darling with releases like 1993โs There is No-One What Will Take Care of You. Heโs as prolific as he is creative, with some 20 albums under his own (stage) name plus nearly as many others with previous and outside projects. His latest is The Purple Bird. David Ferguson opens. BILL KOPP
INFO: 8:30pm, Vets Hall, 842 Front St., Santa Cruz. $53-$72. 454-0478.
SATURDAY 2/8
PUNK
OPPRESSED LOGIC
Oppressed Logic remembers having fun, and this weekend, theyโll make sure Santa Cruz gets a full dose of fun straight in the teeth. The Oakland punk band has represented Bay Area punk worldwide for three decades with its thrashing riffs and political lyrics. Rounding out a California showcase are Berkeleyโs the Boneless Ones, Nuisance in Public and C.R.A.P. (both from Santa Cruz) and Southern Californiaโs Paint the Town Rad! For anyone saying the punk scene is dead, this show begs to differ. Weโre talking circle pits, three-minute songs and all the cheap beer and shots the Blue Lagoon offers. Pull up and remember what it was like to have a soul instead of a nine-to-five. MW
INFO: 8:30pm, Blue Lagoon, 923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $18. 423-7117.
KIT MAJOR
As the generation that grew up post-Green Day and Nirvana now take the torch into their own hands, breaking the โrulesโ of punk feels more natural. Kit Major grew up in Chicago, Tokyo and Beijing and now calls LA home. Her multicultural upbringing may explain the ease with which she breaks orthodoxy, mixing indy, alternative, pop, grunge and the many other โcoresโ that branch off punk. The result is aggressive, at times anthemic, and always catchy. Charming sister band Dog Party and Bay Area punk four-piece Tess & the Details kicks things off. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
INFO: 8pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 429-6994.
TUESDAY 2/11
ย ROCK
ย STORM LARGE
The appropriately named Storm Large will unleash her tempestuous voice, giving her passionately growling take on songs associated with women artists from รdith Piaf and Billie Holiday to Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo and Lorde, along with her original compositions. Her sound is, well, largeโand powerful, combining the range of a classically trained singer with the gravel and grit more expected from punkโs maternal progenitor Patty Smith or Sonic Youthโs Kim Gordon. Those who like their torch songs with a bit of gasoline poured over them will want to catch Large with longtime music director and collaborator James Beaton on piano. KLJ
ย INFO: 7pm, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $58. 427-2227.
WEDNESDAY 2/12
COUNTRY
NICK SHOULDERS AND THE OKAY CRAWDAD
The distance between punk and Country & Western isnโt as far as it might seem, and Nick Shouldersโ music bridges the gulf. While the Fayetteville, Arkansas native got his start playing in punk bands, by 2017, heโd pivoted to a solo career in an unabashed C&W style. Heโs been a vocal critic of โersatz countryโ and exemplifies the real deal in his music, complete with shouts, whistles and yodeling. Since his solo debut in 2018, Shoulders has released four albums and an EP. Jonny Fritz opens. BK
INFO: 8pm, Catalyst, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $30. 713-5492.





















