Music To Your Ears: Western Civ, Taut Strings And Dark Wells

\ Oct 18, 2012

2 min read

Boxcar Strainsun (from left) Kianah Stover and Will Phillips

Western Civ

Programmer Will Phillips and vocalist Kianah Stover create bass-heavy electronic melodies as Boxcar Strainsun. Phillips drums for Coma Recovery and Cherry Tempo and admits to having a “UFO / sci-fi / conspiracy” streak. Stover, who studies performance art at UNM, also teaches a class on the subject at a local middle school. The duo soundtracks a new installation by Santa Fe art collective Meow Wolf at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History (2000 Mountain NW) on Thursday, Oct. 18. Meow Wolf is known for immersive works, and this one-night only piece involves projecting images from past and present civilizations onto an “anomalous monument.” Attendees can build tiny LED lanterns and add to the art by placing them on the sculpture. The event is free and starts at 5 p.m.

Taut Strings

Beguiling cello rock trio Rasputina bring a fondness for corsets and yesteryear to Launchpad (618 Central SW) on Friday, Oct. 19. Over its two-decade lifespan, the band has played musical chairs, featuring 19 musicians, all told. Spectral frontwoman Melora Creager has held the center throughout. Expect a refresher course in Rasputina’s discography, but performances of their most well-known tune, “Transylvanian Concubine,” and that Pink Floyd cover are virtually assured. Faun Fables accompany on the 19-show fall tour. They’re an art / folk rock group formed around lead vocalist and performance artist Dawn McCarthy’s musings and vision. The 21-and-over recital begins at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $14.

Dark Wells

Avant-garde folk / chamber pop quintet Dark Dark Dark are on tour in support of a third full-length album, Who Needs Who. After a brief hiatus to work out some in-band romantic issues, the group turned a breakup into musical history with the latest album, which maps a path for heartbroken souls and collaborators everywhere. Violinist and vocal enchantress Emily Wells opens. Wells’ music is haunting and heartbreakingly beautiful, employing effects to maximize a sense of yearning. Head north on Wednesday, Oct. 24, for a frisson-inducing gig at Santa Fe Sol (37 Fire Place) at 7 p.m. Admission to the all-ages show is $10.