MUSIC LUCKY 13 the

Get to better know Pappy’s performer Shana Cleveland, and local Jose Zavala, aka Nocontinues

by matt king

Nocontinues, has made me a fan. He’s released three albums of instrumental material that stretches from sample-heavy head-bopping hip-hop beats, to beautifully bright and creative original synth-led compositions. The vibes range from chill summer day on “Hewwo,” to funky groove on “Karen Took the Kids,” to demented video game soundtrack on “Powreaide.” His latest album, Newport Seasoning, released in March, is a re-release/ re-master of some older beats.

What was the first concert you attended?

loved to have seen Conquering Dystopia. I’ve never been to a metal concert, but I just know I’d love it, and I can see every one of their songs only getting better with a crowd.

What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?

Whatever radio bait was on the air when I was in middle school. Guilty, because it’s all so cheesy, and pleasure, just out of nostalgia. Don’t even get me started on the Minecraft parodies of all of them.

NAME Shana Cleveland

GROUP La Luz

MORE INFO We’ve covered reverb-soaked surf rockers La Luz in the Independent before; we spoke to frontwoman Shana Cleveland about the power of music. She’s returning to the desert, this time performing solo at Pappy and Harriet’s, opening for Shannon and the Clams, at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 13. Her new album, Manzanita, is a superb indie-folk mix of great storytelling and infectious guitar lines. I hope to hear her perform “Sheriff of the Salton Sea.”

What was the first concert you attended? My parents are musicians, and I grew up going to their shows, but the first big one was Smashing Pumpkins at an arena somewhere in Michigan.

What was the first album you owned?

Possibly Paula Abdul’s Forever Your Girl

What bands are you listening to right now?

Mort Garson, Alice Coltrane, early ’70s Stevie Wonder, the Incredible String Band, Kendrick Lamar, and Glenn Gould.

What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get? Big-budget radio pop.

What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?

Billie Holiday.

What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?

The jazzy hold music when I call the bank.

What’s your favorite music venue? Anytime I can play outside, I’m happy— especially on a farm.

What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?

“Sha la la, dooby wah, dum dum dum, yeah yeah,” “Blue Angel,” Roy Orbison.

What band or artist changed your life? So many, but one who comes to mind first is Cat Power. I was really blown away by a show I saw her play in Chicago when I was in college. The way she was able to captivate a big room with very quiet music was magic.

You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?

I’d ask my mom if she wanted to come over for dinner.

What song would you like played at your funeral?

“Feeling Good” by Nina Simone.

Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?

Glenn Gould’s 1956 recording of Bach’s Goldberg Variations

What song should everyone listen to right now?

“Perfect Day” by Lou Reed.

NAME Jose Zavala, aka Nocontinues

MORE INFO Jose Zavala is a close friend— but his music, released under the name

It was definitely a free concert at the Indio Fair, but my memories of seeing War and seeing KC and the Sunshine Band blur together, so it’s difficult to remember which one came first. The first concert I paid for and went out of my way for was SALES at the Glass House. That I remember fondly and clearly.

What was the first album you owned?

Gravitas by Talib Kweli. I don’t remember how or where I got it, but I remember putting it in the CD player my mom had in the corner of the kitchen all the time … then I realized I could just burn it onto my computer and listen to it from there, to my mom’s relief.

What bands are you listening to right now?

First I was on a Justin Timberlake kick; then I was on a Doechii kick; now I’m on a Chaz Bear (Toro y Moi) kick. I think I’ve listened to “Grind” at least once a day since I remembered that song existed.

What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get? Midwest emo, and/or whatever genre PUP and Mom Jeans are. There’s a certain voice/ instrument dynamic that just doesn’t click for me. I mean, I want to like it. A lot of my friends like it, and I’d love to enjoy it with them, but I just can’t vibe with it.

What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live? I’ll give you three, because it’s easier for me. (Hee hee, I rhymed.) Baby Keem is one. He’s such a fun artist, and it seems like that fun translates very well into a live performance. Another artist I’d kill to see live is Death Grips, because … well, it’s Death Grips. Finally, I don’t believe they’re active anymore, but I would’ve

What’s your favorite music venue?

The Cahuilla Desert Academy’s center amphitheater. I really like that it’s small, very personal, yet very open. I haven’t seen it in, like, 10 years, so I don’t know how my mind pulled that so easily.

What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?

“But it’s the loudest sound you’ve ever heard,” from Radiohead’s “Decks Dark.” I don’t think a single lyric has conveyed the idea of ‘there are things you can’t ignore’ in a way that stuck with me as much as that one.

What band or artist changed your life?

I’ll let out my inner edgy virgin and say Radiohead. They are one of the first artists I emotionally resonated with. Like, damn, this song feels exactly how I feel right now. It sounds exactly how I’d imagine this feeling would sound.

You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?

Mndsgn: “What am I missing?”

What song would you like played at your funeral?

“Lamb’s Wool” by Foster the People.

Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?

Boo Boo by Toro y Moi. I can’t even explain why. It just … sounds good?

What song should everyone listen to right now?

“Man on a Mission” by WonderBoi. He’s a cool dude, and I’m working on some stuff for him right now. I don’t even know for sure if it’ll drop, but if it does, listen to that, too.