If you are feeling the urge to listen to live music, the upcoming week of concerts in Albuquerque and the vicinity should definitely satisfy that primal feeling.And as springtime draws ever nearer, the days get longer. And, of course, the nights get shorter. For the average live music fan, this means less of a reliance on home electricity, though the short nights of the approaching summer can sometimes get in the way of those fantastic afterparties for which Burque is famous.When music is your special friend, you might just get invited to such a shindig. In the meantime, here’s a listing of shows this week that may lead up to such a tale of beatnik glory. Onward.
Thursday Part I
Cali Shaw is one of Burque’s most consistently interesting singer-songwriters. A former longtime member of Albuquerque funk ensemble Felonious Groove Foundation, Shaw has found a singular place in our town’s music scene. He’ll be performing on Thursday, Feb. 20 at Lava Rock Brewing Company (1720 Unser Blvd. NW). Shaw’s intricate guitar stylings and emphasis on traditional folk music makes each of his performances captivating and memorable. And with triumphal releases like Under The Olive Tree and Winter Bloom under his belt, Shaw is the man to hear as the genre of traditionally influenced Americana grows and grows in these parts. 6pm • Free • All-ages
Thursday Part Ii
Do you remember MySpace? As one of the first attempts our robot overlords made to rule the world through social media, MySpace was basically a precursor to the ubiquitous Facebook. The whole schmear is back for one night only on Thursday, Feb. 20 at Sister (407 Central Ave. NW) when the venue presents an event aptly titled MySpace Night Live. The live concert portion of this fun trip back through time includes performances by some of Albuquerque’s best emo rock bands. Those combos include Right On, Kid!, Coda and Blow Up The Neighborhood. Scene to Be Seen will also be spinning hits from that halcyon era. 7pm • $5 • 21+.
Friday
Pink Floyd may never tour again and that is not just because their phenomenal keyboard player Richard Wright has passed on. Whatever the real, watery reasons for the great band’s demise, Burqueños are lucky enough to have an incredible Floyd tribute band playing gigs right in the middle of Downtown. Pink Freud is comprised of Tony Orant, Chuck Hawley, Rachel Ross, Brad Yablonksy, Doug Bellen and Carli Marshall. They’re in performance on Friday, Feb. 21 at Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW). In addition, Santa Fe’s totally tight Zep cover band Moby Dick fills out this 1970s fever dream with loud and lustrous jams practically guaranteed to have you fleeing the killing floor in a rocked-out frenzy. Breathe. 9pm • $12 • 21+.
Saturday
Ashes of Jupiter, an awesome local prog-metal band with a hint of sci-fi influence and a ton of musical power, headlines a night of eclectically loud rock and roll at Moonlight Lounge (120 Central Ave. SW) on Saturday, Feb. 22. Fronted by Adam Liston and featuring the metallic talents of drummer Jared Houston, bassist Robson Guy and guitarist and mad axe handler Tim Scarberry, Ashes of Jupiter has risen to be one of the most notable bands on the scene. This Saturday night, join them as they jam out with electronic artists Ganesha as well as the combos called Amber Eye and Antrim Six. Get your rock on, Albuquerque! 9pm • $8 at the door • 21+.
Monday
Blues-rock guitar virtuoso Tinsley Ellis brings his guitar—and the intention to play it blisteringly well—to Albuquerque’s Cooperage (7220 Lomas Blvd. NE) on Monday, Feb. 24. Ellis is well known for his super-sharp, jet fuel-propelled brand of rocking blues and the artist uses his guitar as a means of both transcendence and defiance that comes across deep and bluesy as well as sharp and piquant. Influenced by folks like B.B. King and Carlos Santana, Ellis’ guitar playing is something that everyone who thinks they’ve heard rock guitar ought to listen to before they finally decide. Ellis is the man proves his acumen on tunes like “Your Love’s Like Heroin,” from his new album Ice Cream In Hell. 7:30pm • $24 in advance, $29 day of show • 21+ without parent or guardian.
