THURSDAY 6/26
INDIE
MALIBU BARBABE
Who doesn’t love a singer-songwriter who isn’t afraid to plug in? Also, a woman with a poison pen, full of piss and vinegar, instead of a whiney dude with a broken heart? Malibu Barbabe fits the bill. In the tradition of 4-Track Demos era PJ Harvey and early Liz Phair, Barbabe attacks the strings while singing songs of love, lust and other amusements with a wicked sense of humor and a poet’s command of language. Fellow singer-songwriter Mya Byrne and San Francisco’s Country Risque will be on hand to get the crowd good and warmed up. KEITH LOWELL JENSEN
INFO: 8pm, Crepe Place, 1134 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. $10. 429-6994.
FRIDAY 6/27
DANCE
LOST + FOUND
Pulsating basslines and infectious grooves are calling everyone to the dancefloor at this all-out, inclusive dance party. A colorful blend of Bay Area-based DJs will deliver an experience that’ll keep bodies moving and spirits soaring, with a central goal of building community and creating a safe space for self-expression. People can shake it to sets deeply influenced by global and West Coast bass, Latin rhythms, and hip hop, featuring the sounds of El Papachango, Wet Panther, RatchaelBeats, Cocoa Crescendo and Grewvangle. Attendees will get lost and found in this sonic celebration that’s “cheaper than (but not to be replaced by) therapy.” SHELLY NOVO
INFO: 8pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz, $20/adv, $25/door, 479-1854.
ELECTRONIC
LOTUS LAB TAKE OVER
As Lotus Lab prepares to unleash Tides of Mystery in July, they must have realized the anticipation and excitement could be too much for some partygoers. So, to relieve some of the pressure, they’ve arranged an official (don’t fall for any knock-offs) pre-party this Friday featuring DJs Sakiya, Zipse and Neumonic. Of course, they always run the risk that they’ve put together too killer of a lineup and the pre-party will surpass and eclipse the main party. It’s probably a good thing they’ve decided to chance it. However, to be safe, it’s best for everyone to attend both events. KLJ
INFO: 8pm, Felton Music Hall, 6275 Hwy 9, Felton. $20. 704-7113.
SATURDAY 6/28
COMEDY
EMPTY NEST AND ALL THE REST
Family life can be hectic and chaotic. Take a night off from the family to enjoy this one-man comedy show that focuses on the frenzy of family life: Empty Nest and All the Rest: A One-Man Comedy Show by Clay Hausmann. During the show, Hausmann will break down how women and men think and figure out what fills the void when the kids leave and don’t come back. Additionally, this show is a benefit. All the proceeds go directly to The Landing, a performing arts center, which is run by the local nonprofit Scotts Valley Community Theater Guild. This organization and venue are dedicated to putting on accessible shows, so take a break from the family to laugh at the chaos that comes with having one.
ISABELLA MARIE SANGALINE
INFO: 8pm, The Landing, 251-B Kings Village Rd, Scotts Valley. $40. 566-9411.
METAL
UNHOLY THINGS
Formed almost exactly a year ago to the day, Unholy Things is psychedelic-dipped, Hamm’s beer–soaked heavy metal that’s perfect for destroying any sense of common decency. Completely skipping the studio, this Santa Cruz metal trio went straight to recording a six-song live album last April from the “expedition to the ocean’s floor” of dive bars, the Jury Room. Take some ibuprofen with a six pack and get ready to headbang the night away with them as they rip it up at the Blue Lagoon with fellow heathens Heavy Blazer, Midnight Dumpster Fire, Sequitur and Nuisance in Public. MAT WEIR
INFO: 8pm, Blue Lagoon, 923 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $10. 423-7117.
HIP HOP
LARUSSELL
Brimming with talent and a rapidly growing fan base, LaRussell has been called hip-hop’s #1 prospect but maintains remarkable humility and stays devoted to his hometown of Vallejo, California. Influenced by classic Bay Area hip hop and hyphy, LaRussell has been cosigned by some of the most notable Bay Area rappers, including E-40, Too Short and P-Lo. LaRussell has a purity about him, in his authentic storytelling, his “pay-what-you-want” merch and shows, and his sonic backing, featuring harp, flute and small choir. It’s a wave of good energy with touching lyrics, danceable rhythms and LaRussell’s big, beaming smile. SN
INFO: 3pm, Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $25. 713-5492.
SUNDAY6/29
PUNK
45 GRAVE
Coming out of 1979’s L.A. punk scene, 45 Grave are widely recognized as pioneers of deathrock and horror punk. The original lineup featured prominent figures from other bands, including The Gun Club and The Germs. The band’s 1983 debut LP Sleep in Safety is a genre classic. 45 Grave even made inroads on MTV with their track “Evil.” The band has gone inactive twice over the years, but returned in 2004, led by original vocalist Dinah Cancer. 2012’s Pick Your Poison was well-received, and their continued presence on the live scene underscores the band’s enduring legacy. BILL KOPP
INFO: 7pm, Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $30. 479-1854.
MONDAY 6/30
INDIE ROCK
JOHN TURKEY’S NIGHTMARES
Citing influences including Nirvana, Neil Young, and (more contemporarily) MJ Lenderman, Oakland-based musician Sam Carpenter calls his solo project John Turkey’s Nightmares. A prolific artist, Carpenter has an extensive catalog. His current tour focuses on Rock a Pee Jay!, an album first released in 2020 and featuring tracks like “Maggot Merry,” “I Was Told There Would Be Food Here” and “Too Tired to Stand Up and Go to Bed.” He’s nothing if not concise: those three creaky folk-flavored tunes blow by in a total of less than five minutes. JTN’s spooky vibe may remind some of Skip Spence’s Oar. BK
INFO: 5pm, Streetlight Records, 939 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. 421-9200.
WEDNESDAY 7/2
LITERARY
RACHEL KUSHNER
Author and journalist Rachel Kushner will be reading from and signing copies of her latest book, Creation Lake. A two-time finalist for the Booker Prize and National Book Award, Creation Lake follows the story of Sadie Smith, who is instructed to infiltrate a group of French environmental anarchists but discovers it might be at the risk of losing her humanity. Described as “wickedly entertaining” by The Guardian, this is Kushner’s fourth novel and is based on the events of UK undercover agent Mark Kennedy and environmental activist Eric McDavid. MW
INFO: 7pm, Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. Free. 423-0900.
