Now in its sixth incarnation, Rock the 9 celebrates Native rock and roll in unofficial conjunction with the Gathering of Nations. The four-night fest brings eclectic sounds of Native American artists to Low Spirits (2823 Second Street NW) from Thursday, April 25 through Sunday, April 28. From Phoenix, Ariz.-based and Nammy-nominated rock quintet Dawa to local Americana/roots rock trio The Old Main to Chino, Calif.-based alt.rock/pop duo Miracle Dolls, Rock the 9 proffers sixteen acts. Hailing from Los Angeles, standup comedian and self-described “indiginerd” Jim Ruel provides comic relief throughout the event, and a Navajo taco tent will be on hand to sate audio and alcohol-triggered mutton and fry bread cravings. Admission to the 21-and-over fest is $10 per showcase. For more info, visit: rockthe9.org.
Show Up! Jazz Hands
Dee Dee Bridgewater
Held in sunny California since 1958, the Monterey Jazz Festival has played host to almost every jazz legend in modern history. Even hitting the highlights would take more dead tree space than we have, but here’s a feeble attempt: Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck, Count Basie, Ornette Coleman, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Thelonious Monk, Cal Tjader and Anita O’Day. Traveling to the Golden State for a festival isn’t feasible for many New Mexicans, but local jazz fans can ride the Rail Runner to Santa Fe for the touring version, featuring bassist Christian McBride, drummer Lewis Nash, pianist Benny Green, vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, saxophonist Chris Potter and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire performing standards and original compositions. Sweet, soulful sounds manifest at The Lensic (211 W. San Francisco) on Thursday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m., and tickets range from $25 to $55. For more deets, visit lensic.org.
Show Up! Punk Sundae
Low on High
Low on High’s Amy Davis and Jon Moritsugu are complex, creative types who are difficult to reduce to list format, but, for the sake of expediency, here are three bullet points: a Grammy-nominated filmmaking team, a wife and husband and a bloody good punk duo. Moritsugu is arguably the more famous of the twosome, having made a name for himself in cult cinema, but Low on High’s latest full-length, Ice Cream Sex, showcases both their collective and individual musical strengths. Low on High calls the City Different home and serves up sweet, melty punk on Friday, April 26, at The Betterday Coffee Shop (905 W. Alameda) at 8 p.m., and admission is $5. This all-ages release riot also features four other Santa Fe duos: Gynormica, Alamo Sun, The Product Division and Lady Gloves.
Show Up! Marrow-Melting Psych
Black Mountain
Writing about so many different bands for the Alibi often lands me in marathon listening sessions trying to capture the essence of an act. With this preview, that was completely unnecessary. I’ve listened to everything that Canadian psych-rock band Black Mountain has ever released. While their latest full-length, Wilderness Heart, only garnered a couple spins, their 2005 self-titled debut and 2008’s In the Future have been played in my casa enough to qualify as a full-fledged aural obsession. There’s nothing groundbreaking about what the Vancouver-based, Jagjaguwar-signed fivesome create, but their output is the stuff of psych legend and a stoner’s wet dream. Experience Black Mountain for yourself on Tuesday, April 30, at Launchpad (618 Central SW) at 9:30 p.m. Admission to this 21-and-over gig is only $12.
