Sister (407 Central NW) has some seriously badass subwoofers, and a bass-tastic show on Thursday, Feb. 6, puts Sister’s subs to the test. Local “devotional” supergroup Fando, industrial outfit Uranium Worker, noisy couple The Black Range and brand-new band Chicharra—which translates to “cicada”—will administer that test. All I know about Chicharra is derived from the Facebook event invite: “3 chix on bass, and Henry [Hutchinson] screaming into the sun.” The Black Range rarely performs live. Composed of real-life partners Tahnee Udero (of much buzzed-about solo project TAHNZZ) and Rene Aguilera ([H]ohm), the duo is named for The Black Range (aka Sierra Diablo or the Devil’s Mountains), an igneous New Mexican mountain range known for the Gila Cliff Dwellings, but it’s also just a rad moniker. The subs conjure low-end bliss at 9pm, and this 21-and-over recital costs $5.
Four Up Surfin’ In The Desert
The Rebel SetCourtesy of artist
Phoenix-based garage-punk/surf foursome The Rebel Set is touring in support of their new full-length on Burger Records. The album, How To Make a Monster, was released on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and it’s a reverb-drenched, psychobilly-inflected piece of work. Hear brand-new and gently aged tunes from this eerie Arizonan powerhouse at Blackbird Buvette (509 Central SW) on Friday, Feb. 7, starting at 10pm. Also on the aural menu are local pub-punk crew Get Action and Austinite trio The Angel Babies (whose point of origin is a rowdy New Mexico karaoke bar). This is a particularly strong lineup, so surf, garage and punk fans are strongly advised to consider attending this 21-plus high desert gig. Get there early to fortify your hard-drinkin’ constitution with bar food, and enjoy a slice of sonic summertime in the midst of our not-so-harsh Burque winter.
Four Up Sparkle In The Grime
Thug EntrancerCourtesy of artist
Chicagoan electronic artist Ryan McRyhew aka Thug Entrancer relocated to The Windy City after years of creating and promoting in Denver’s DIY scene. Thug Entrancer tours in preview of a forthcoming debut on Mexican Summer offshoot Software Recording Co. Thug Entrancer’s first album drops on Valentine’s Day, and it’s titled Death After Life. Judging from preview tracks, this work is perhaps best described as experimental dance hybridized with Chicago Juke and bedroom BPM. Move with Thug Entrancer at Burt’s Tiki Lounge (313 Gold SW) on Saturday, Feb. 8, along with you-can-dance-to-it experimental electronics from Denver-based artists Alphabets and Iuengliss and the homegrown swerve-gaze of REIGHNBEAU. This 21-and-over concert features truly rarefied beats, and it starts at 10pm. There’s no cover, so bring some merch money, and wear shoes you can dance in.
Four Up Romantic Tintinnabuli
REVELCourtesy of artist
Classical music and lit purveyor Chatter continues to bring ridiculously talented players and authors together every single Sunday morning. Like clockwork. On Sunday, Feb. 9, classical band REVEL along with Cármelo de los Santos (violin), Joel Becktell (cello) and Carla McElhaney (piano) present works by Soviet Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich and Estonian classical and sacred composer Arvo Pärt at The Kosmos (1715 Fifth Street NW). From Pärt’s gorgeous, chilling “Fratres for Cello and Piano”—which you might recognize from Paul Thomas Anderson’s American epic film There Will Be Blood—to Shostakovich’s "Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, for violin, cello and piano, Op. 67,” these emotive, technically challenging works provide the best of all aural worlds. Oklahoma Poet Laureate Nathan Brown’s mission statement is “tak[ing] back poetry from the hard academic grip of the ivory tower and those who too often use poetry for personal therapy.” The reading and concert starts at 10:30am, but get there early for gratis espresso. Tickets range from $5 to $15.