If you’re a sucker for great vox, Samantha Crain’s effulgent whisper and wail will stop you in your tracks. Her latest release, Kid Face , is a breath of fresh air in the modern American folk arena. Crisp yet preternatural heartbreak number “The Pattern Has Changed” emotes post-love paradox: “The pattern has changed/ Not over time/ But a shift in the ground/ What is spare time? Spend all of mine trying to figure this out.” Crain visits the City Different on Friday, May 31. Since her biggest hit so far is titled “Santa Fe,” she’ll no doubt be welcomed with open ears. The 21-and-over concert sparks to life at 9 p.m. at Santa Fe Sol (37 Fire Place), and tickets are 12 clams.
Music To Your Ears Beats À L’orange
DJ Dirt Girl
Longing to be awash in beats and bass? Hankering for sublime house? Sister (407 Central NW) hosts DJs Ben Bitten, Brendangerous, Nicolatron and Dirt Girl on Saturday, June 1. The 21-and-over dance party also benefits from Benji Geary’s video art, which seems to promote a Blade Runner -meets-ghetto goth-meets-’80s MTV vibe; this is a very good thing. The beat sauce begins to flow at 9 p.m., and admission is $5. If you own any fluorescent clothing, a Bedazzler and/or a crimping iron, now might be the perfect time to make use of those items.
Music To Your Ears Sicksicksick Ol’ Double-Header
Monophonic Hillside
If you haven’t graced Postcommodity’s new art space, Spirit Abuse (1103 Fourth Street NW), this weekend offers two showcases of experimental, drone, electric and more. On Saturday, brutal’s the keyword. Usga’s moniker is the Cherokee word for “severed head.” Their latest, When They Return Nobody Will Know, is 50 continuous minutes of drone distributed via 50 cassette tapes; there’s a comforting symmetry there. Phoenician acoustic-drone duo Usga (Postcommodity’s Kade Twist and Jay Hufman) visits Fourth and Mountain, along with electric duo Mesa Ritual (Raven Chacon and William Fowler Collins), TAHNZZ (Tahnee Udero), Prince Charming (Austin Morrell and Kris Kerby) and Conservation Research (Stue Trory solo). The amps crank up to 11 at 9 p.m., and there’s a $5 cover. Jay Hufman, half of Usga, also calls sextet Monophonic Hillside tribe: echoes of The Gun Club and insert-your-favorite psych-inflected alt.country with yummy twinges of experimentalism. However you choose to categorize its sound, it’s gauzy, splintered and absolutely gorgeous. CanyonLands reps the 505 psych scene. On Sunday, June 2, the concert starts and ends earlier, running from 4 to 7 p.m., and admission is five bucks.
Music To Your Ears Rap And Rockabilly Roundup
Del the Funky Homosapien
Del the Funky Homosapien is as well-known for his collaborations as his solo work. He collaborated with Gorillaz on “Clint Eastwood” and “Rock the House,” and once teamed up with Kid Koala and Dan the Automator as Deltron 3030. Other notable collaborators include Dinosaur Jr., Wu-Tang Clan and The Dirty Heads. Del performs at an all-ages concert at Warehouse 508 (508 First Street NW) on Wednesday, June 5. Also featuring Bukue One, Precept and DJ Shakedown, the gig kicks off at 6 p.m., and tickets are $16. On Thursday, June 6, Del plays a 21-and-over concert at Sister (407 Central NW). This adults-only showcase starts at 9 p.m., and admission is $20. Keep your eyes peeled for Captain America’s preview reportage on the inaugural Rockabilly on the Route festival, happening Friday, June 7 through Sunday, June 9 in Tucumcari, N.M. Wanda Jackson, Whiskey Kiss and The Chop Tops perform, and other attractions include a vintage/classic car show, vendors, a beer garden, a Miss Rockabilly Route 66 Pin-Up contest and much more. To ensure travel accommodations, plan your trip early. For more info, visit rockabillyontheroute.com
