SANTA CRUZ
James McMurtry returns to Rio Theatre
With a new album, “The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy,” out June 20, the time is right for Texas singer-songwriter James McMurtry to return to Santa Cruz. He will be playing the Rio Theatre Thursday.
Since his 1989 debut album “Too Long in the Wasteland,” McMurtry has been a legend in the alternative country movement with a sound and themes more akin to traditional country music than what’s played on the radio today. With his gritty voice and story-driven songs, he has touched upon themes such as poverty and the human experience in America, notably on 2005’s “We Can’t Make It Here,” which won an Americana Music Award for best song.
“The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy,” McMurtry’s 11th studio album, is bookended by two covers — Jon Dee Graham’s “Laredo (Small Dark Something)” and Kris Kristofferson’s “Broken Freedom Song” — and also features songs diving into topics such as President George W. Bush’s legacy, a Southern California road trip gone wrong and the title track, inspired by hallucinations McMurtry’s father Larry was experiencing toward the end of this life. The album reunites McMurtry with producer Don Dixon, who previously helmed his 1995 album “Where’d You Hide the Body.”
“Don’s real easy to work with,” McMurtry told the Sentinel last month. “He’s real upbeat, and he saves you a lot of time because he’s got real good instincts about when the take is happening. You don’t have to go into the room and listen to the three takes you just did and try to decide which one’s better. He already knows his is going down.”
The concert is 8 p.m. Thursday at the Rio, 1205 Soquel Ave. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $42. Opening will be BettySoo, who also performs on McMurtry’s new album. For more information, go to RioTheatre.com.
Little Feat strike up the band at Rio
Since their debut in 1969, Los Angeles’ Little Feat have been known for blending a wide variety of genres, including Southern rock, blues, jazz, funk and more, earning a devoted following along the way. Now as the group embarks on its Strike Up the Band tour, they will be stopping at the Rio Theatre Friday.
Little Feat were formed in 1969 when vocalist Lowell George, a member of Frank Zappa’s The Mothers of Invention, met keyboardist Bill Payne, and along with other The Mothers of Invention members, they formed a new collective that released their debut album in 1971. The band achieved critical and commercial success throughout the rest of the decade with songs like “Dixie Chicken,” “Spanish Moon” and “Oh Atlanta.” George died in 1979, spelling the end of the band for eight years until they decided to reunite and have performed continuously since. The band is currently fronted by Scott Sharrard, former guitarist for the Gregg Allman Band. In May, Little Feat released their 17th album, “Strike Up the Band,” boosted by the lead single “Too High to Cut My Hair.” The band will kick off its four-month tour to support the record with a show at the Rio.
The concert is 8 p.m. Friday at the Rio, 1205 Soquel Ave. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $65 for general admission and $95 for Gold Circle members. For more information, go to RioTheatre.com.
L.A. Witch highlight their craft at Moe’s Alley
The spirit of Southern California garage rock is alive with Los Angeles trio L.A. Witch who will be performing at Moe’s Alley Friday.
Formed in 2011, L.A. Witch take inspiration from a wide arrange of genres, including psychobilly, psychedelic folk and new wave. This is all present on their third album, “DOGGOD.” Recorded in Paris, the album expands L.A. Witch’s sonic terrain with spacier jams while still retaining their foreboding tone they have become known for. Opening will be San Francisco band chokecherry.
The concert is 9 p.m. Friday at Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way. Doors open at 8. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show. This is a 21-and-older concert. For more information, go to MoesAlley.com.
FELTON
Tune-Yards bring tunes to Felton Music Hall
Tune-Yards, consisting of Oakland duo Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner, have been acclaimed since their 2009 debut “Bird-Brains,” both with their recorded output and live shows, where they are joined by more musicians. With a new album, “Better Dreaming,” released in May and a tour in support, it is a good year to be a Tune-Yards fan. They will be playing Felton Music Hall Saturday.
“Bird-Brains” introduced Tune-Yards to the world, but it was 2011’s “Whokill” that saw them expand their sound and receive recognition from the Village Voice, which named it the top album in that year’s annual Pazz and Jop critics’ poll. They have remained critical darlings, with songs turning up in shows like “Orange is the New Black” and “Transparent,” and the band collaborating with the Blind Boys of Alabama and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Opening will be jazz drummer Kassa Overall.
The concert is 8 p.m. Saturday at Felton Music Hall, 6275 Highway 9. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $47.32 for advance general admission. Through a partnership between the band and nonprofit PLUS1, every $1 from ticket sales will support the East Bay independent newspaper Street Spirit, which reports on homelessness and poverty from those impacted by it and is sold on the streets of Oakland and Berkeley. For more information, go to FeltonMusicHall.com.
This week’s calendar was compiled by Nick Sestanovich.