Submerge Magazine: Issue 245 (July 31 - August 14, 2017)

Dive into Sacramento & its Surrounding Areas July 31 – August 14, 2017

#245 Union Hearts Say Goodbye with New Album

so much light future pop Get Wowed: Lucent Dossier Come to Ace of Spades

Jon Pardi sc ao nl i f o r n i a s o n

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Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

SubmergeMag.com

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

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245 2017

dive in

Submerge: an independently owned entertainment/lifestyle publication available for free biweekly throughout the greater Sacramento area.

talk less, read more

July 31 – Aug. 14

Melissa welliver melissa@submergemag.com cofounder/ Editor in Chief/ Art Director

Melissa Welliver melissa@ submergemag.com

dIn Accor

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Jonathan Carabba jonathan@ submergemag.com

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senior editor

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sacred fire

06 The Stream

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so much light

Optimistic 07 The 20 Pessimist

wide open walls

08 the big sick

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calendar

10 Submerge your senses

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the shallow end

the grindhouse

12 jon pardi

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

James Barone Assistant Editor

Daniel Taylor

Contributing Writers

Ellen Baker, Robin Bacior, Robert A. Berry II, Bocephus Chigger, Ronnie Cline, Justin Cox, Alia Cruz, Josh Fernandez, Andy Garcia, Lovelle Harris, Mollie Hawkins, Niki Kangas, Nur Kausar, John Phillips, Ryan Prado, Claudia Rivas, Daniel Romandia, Andrew C. Russell, Amy Serna, Jacob Sprecher, Richard St.Ofle, Haley Teichert Contributing photographers Wesley Davis, Evan Duran, Kevin Fiscus, Dillon Flowers, Jon Hermison, Sam Ithurburn, Jason Sinn, Nicholas Wray

Submerge

1009 22nd Street, Suite 3 Sacramento, California 95816

916.441.3803 info@ submergemag.com All content is property of Submerge and may not be reproduced without permission. Submerge is both owned and published

by Submerge Media. All opinions expressed throughout Submerge are those of the author and do not necessarily mean we all share those opinions. Feel free to take a copy or two for free, but please don’t remove our papers or throw them away. Submerge welcomes letters of all kinds, whether they are full of love or hate. We want to know what is on your mind, so feel free to contact us via snail mail at 1009 22nd Street, Suite 3 Sacramento, California 95816.

Or you can email us at info@submergemag.com.

Submergemag.com Follow us on Twitter & Instagram! @SubmergeMag printed on recycled paper

Front Cover photo of jon pardi

by Jim Wright back Cover photo of so much light

by Andrew Paynter inset photo of sacred fire by jason sinn

Back when I was growing up, in junior high, there were a couple of girls I would hang out with and we would regularly put each other in check.

When one of us got to talking too much or thought we knew everything, one of us would jokingly say, “Talk less, listen more.”

It’s funny to think back about how it was our little inside joke, but it has really stuck with me all these years later. And deep down I think that saying, in some way, helped shape me into who I am today.

In this day and age where everyone is overly opinionated about everything from politics, to TV shows, to their thoughts on the music scene, I think it’s of the utmost importance to listen to things that you don’t necessarily agree with or like, to really help yourself grow.

What I’m getting at in this case is people who are overly opinionated about certain styles of music and genre shaming, specifically country music. And while I’m not really a fan of country, I can respect those who are. For some reason it’s just not my cup of tea, I don’t know how that’s even possible considering I grew up in Northern California, all the way up in Siskiyou County. My parents liked their fair share of country. I had a ton of friends who liked country. I went to things like the Yreka Rodeo and the Red Bluff Rodeo. My parents even owned a couple horses growing up, and thus a requirement to ride one was owning cowboy boots. But for some reason, country music just didn’t really click with me (aside from when I got older and could get down with some songs from Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson, you know, “outlaw country”).

I know we don’t do a large amount of country music coverage here in Submerge, but when we do, it’s definitely noteworthy folks. For example, take the gentleman on our cover now, Jon Pardi.

Pardi grew up in Dixon, and was in a band in Chico in the mid-2000s called Northern Comfort. Lately, he has been doing his own thing out in Nashville and is topping Billboard charts in his own genre and, as of writing this column, his song “Heartache On The Dance Floor” sits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at 81 and climbing.

We wanted to feature Pardi for a year or so back when he played Ace of Spades, but it sold out super fast, so we passed. However, he’s currently on tour opening for Dierks Bentley and will be playing an even larger stage at the Toyota Amphitheatre in Wheatland on Aug. 19.

So if country is your thing, be sure to get your tickets before they sell out and if it’s not your thing, perhaps just read our feature and you can learn about a local boy who’s been working hard to make his country dream a reality, starting on page 12.

Talk less, READ more.

–Melissa

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

SubmergeMag.com

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

5

The stream

Jonathan Carabba

Send regional news tips to info@submergemag.com

ODESZA Announce “A Moment Apart” Tour Is Coming to Sacramento on Halloween Night!

One of the biggest names in electronic music recently announced they will bring their latest world tour to Sacramento on Halloween night. Seattle-based duo ODESZA, known for creating atmospheric electronic pop music while incorporating live instrumentation into their performances, are no strangers to playing in front of massive crowds: They sold-out every single show they played in 2015 and 2016, and they’ve appeared at pretty much every major music festival around the world, so it’s really no surprise they’ll be playing one of the larger venues when they visit Sacramento. Cal Expo’s Papa Murphy’s Park, a stadium with a capacity of approximately 15,000, give or take, depending on the concert’s set up and lay out, will host ODESZA’s “A Moment Apart” tour on Oct. 31. The tour shares the name of their new album, which comes out Sept. 8 on Counter Records/Ninja Tune. Before making its stop in Sac, the tour will play three nights in a row at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley (two of which had already sold out as of press time), just to give you an idea of how much demand there is for this group right now.

Since they burst onto the scene in 2012, ODESZA has earned a Grammy nomination, Gold singles in the United States and Australia, 31 Hype Machine No. 1s, over half a billion combined Spotify and YouTube plays and over one billion plays on Pandora. So yeah, if you’re at all interested, you’ll probably want to get your tickets to the Sacramento show ASAP before it sells out. Sofi Tukker and Kasbo will also perform. Visit Odesza.com for more info and for a link to buy tickets.

Local Artists Contribute to Benefit Show In Honor of Late-Great Sacramento Artist/DJ Daniel Osterhoff On April 8, Sacramento lost one of its most beloved artists and musicians, Daniel Osterhoff, better known to many as DJ Whores. Dan was an amazing friend to many, a loving father to a daughter and an extremely talented and creative guy. He was a true gem, and he is greatly missed. In honor of their fallen brother, a huge group of local artists are throwing a rad art show and benefit event on Saturday, Aug. 5 at 2627 J St., home to Leave Your Mark Sac and the brand new John Dozier Signs & Gallery. The “That’s The Homie” party, as it’s being branded, will feature artwork for sale by Austin McManus, Anthony Padilla, Andy Garcia, Franceska Gamez, Shaun Burner, Jenn Ponci, John Horton, S.V. Williams, Milly Devlin and many others. There will also be limited run T-shirts and other merch for sale, with all proceeds going to Osterhoff’s daughter. The event will run from 6 to 9 p.m. and all ages are welcome. For more information, check out @johndoziersigns or @leaveyourmarksac on Instagram.

B Street Launches $20 Per Month “Netflix of Theatre” Membership Service One of Northern California’s top professional theatre companies, Sacramento’s very own B Street Theatre, recently announced a creative new way to get butts in seats and to engage with even more community members interested in the performing arts. The “B-Flex Membership,” which B Street called “the Netflix of theatre” in a Facebook post on July 6, will cost you just $20 per month and will give you access to any B Street-presented show. You can even see the same show twice! There is no major commitment, and you can cancel anytime, though I don’t see why you would want to with how many awesome productions they have in the pipeline. The B-Flex plan is more affordable than a typical “subscription.” According to Bstreettheatre.org, the difference between the new flexible membership plan and a subscription is that, “Subscribers have guaranteed and priority seats to each Mainstage production. Members have access to showtimes based on availability,” going on to point that that, “A membership covers all B Street-presented shows. Not just the Mainstage Series.”

Visit them online today to learn more about upcoming shows and to sign up. Give them a ring at (916) 443-5300 if you prefer to interact with a friendly, real-life human.

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Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

1910 Q Street Sacramento, CA

The Optimistic Pessimist Get Back to Work, Slackers There are few things more joyous than hiding from work. Your boss is a slave driver, always demanding more work for the same pay. It’s just not fair! The only way to even things out is to come in a little late, leave a little early or hide somewhere in between. It’s one of those little things that can make an otherwise unending work day a little more bearable, and it’s a wonderful way to stick it to the man. Unfortunately, some jack hole in Wisconsin is trying to mess it all up now.

Three Square Market is a Wisconsinbased company that develops software systems for vending machines. That sounds extremely boring and apparently it is because now the big wigs at Three Square plan to expand into the business of turning their employees into cyborgs. Three Square Market recently announced a program to install microchips between the thumbs and forefingers of employee volunteers, because, I don’t know, computers are cool, I guess?

According to the Washington Post, “The RFID (Radio Frequency ID) chips would allow those employees who volunteer to participate in the program to open doors, pay for purchases, share business cards, store medical information, pay for stuff at other RFID terminals and login to their computers … all with a wave of the hand.”

I don’t know about you, but those sound like pretty trivial tasks to me. Most of these things can already be done by your cellphone, so why have a device implanted under your flesh by your boss?

Employees of Three Square Market, are you sure you really want this chip in your hand? Is the prospect of buying your cafeteria lunch by waving at it really worth your privacy? The company claims that it won’t be using the technology to track the movements or location of employees, but that is a thing that tech companies say and don’t really mean. After all, what’s to stop them from upgrading the tech after it has been implanted to add “new functionality” like location tracking? These guys are software engineers and they like to update things, so it’s not outside the realm of possibilities.

Once they start tracking people, the jig is up! No more extra snoozes in the

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morning and rolling in a few minutes late.

No more extra smoke breaks or long trips to the bathroom and you sure as shit are not going to skip out early. They got you, they know about all your little shenanigans and they are putting a stop to all of it.

That’s how it all begins. The folks at Three Square Market will eventually want to gain a little more control over their employees, and suddenly, the implants aren’t voluntary anymore. Before you know it, the RFID chips come equipped with a shock mechanism to keep employees in line and focused on their work. As time goes on, more and more modifications and additions get made, until eventually, Three Square Market has themselves a cyborg army, and they are using it to take over the world.

It all makes sense now. Three Square Market has been trying to kill us for years with various vending machine-delivered foods and drinks. They thought that high fructose corn syrup and salt would be our demise, but they underestimated the resolve of the American gut and the wide availability of diabetes and blood pressure medications. Now they have a new plan: filling us with microchips to take over our brains!

Sure, Three Square Market will sell the implants as the ultimate convenience and it will be, just mostly for them. While you are out waving your stupid greasy mitts at doors and cash registers, Three Square Market will be hacking your goddamn mind and forcing you to buy too many bags of Funyuns and Snickers from their vending machines. One day you’ll find yourself covered in onion dust and caramel, hooked on the junk and willing to do anything for another fix, even if that means killing someone.

The writing is on the wall, people! The threat is real and it must be stopped before it’s too late. This could be the beginning of Skynet or the tipping point toward the Matrix for all we know. If nothing else, we may be at risk of losing all those wonderful micro breaks to which some of us have grown so accustomed. We would be foolish to let this insane idea go unchallenged.

Say no to the chip; the future of humanity depends on it!

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Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

7

The grindhouse

True Romance The Big Sick

rated R Words Daniel Romandia Romantic comedies should leave us all wondering what lengths we would go to keep the ones we love in our lives. Would we follow them to a new home, effectively leaving our old lives behind? Would we give up a part of ourselves that somehow keep said loved one out of our lives?

Would we stay by their side as they lay in a medically-induced coma a few days after they ended our relationship because we weren’t ready to abandon our family’s traditions for them? The Big Sick leaves us with that last question burning in the back of our minds in what is sure to be considered the best romantic comedy of the year.

The movie follows the somewhat fictionalized, mostly true story of writers Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon during the first year of their relationship. Nanjiani plays himself as an up-and-coming comic and Uber driver who meets Emily, played

by Zoe Kazan, after she heckles him at one of his shows—it was a good heckle. The two hook up and eventually start dating.

Kumail has a rule with new relationships that he never hangs out with someone three days in a row. He tells Emily that it’s to be sure the relationship doesn’t move too fast, but it’s really so he can keep Sundays free without having to explain what he does every week. Kumail’s family meets for dinner, which essentially

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Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

exists so his mom can invite various women to their home so that he can choose a wife for his arranged marriage.

Each woman brings a file with information about themselves and photos that Kumail keeps in a cigar box at his apartment.

Emily finds Kumail’s stash of photos and a fight ensues that breaks the couple up. An average rom-com would have this be the plot’s climax, but The Big Sick is so dense with story elements that this falls maybe halfway through the story. Without going into too much detail, Emily suddenly falls ill and is rushed to the emergency room. After what is best described as incredibly specific happenstance, Kumail eventually signs a doctor’s form so that Emily is put into a medically-induced coma.

At this point, the story shifts entirely as we watch Kumail meet and eventually bond with Emily’s parents, played by Holly Hunter and Ray Romano. The two veteran actors play their roles very well. Hunter is an anxious and protective mama bear, while Romano is your classic clueless, loving father. The casting of these two was such a good move. Hunter was obviously going to play her part well, but Romano is surprising here. It doesn’t hurt to hear him say “fuck” in his voice either.

Another surprise this movie hits you with is its length. Apparently, it clocks in at just over two hours but I doubt anyone will notice. We should expect the time this movie takes up—it is produced by Judd Apatow after all—but there is more than enough to fill up the hours.

This is the best movie Apatow’s name has been connected to since Superbad.

The movie will occasionally break away from the anxiety and fear that is looming over everyone’s heads to show Kumail’s progress toward becoming a full-time comedian. He’s surrounded by funny people who prove to be good actors as well. Bo Burnham, Aidy Bryant and Kurt Braunohler play Kumail’s comedian friends who try their best to help him through the stressful situations he finds himself in.

However, true to any Apatow flick, the only way to grow emotionally is to persevere through your problems and hopefully come out the other end a stronger person.

Kumail eventually confronts his family about his decision to not have an arranged marriage. He confronts his abilities and commitment to turning comedy into a profession. Most importantly, he confronts his true feelings and intentions with the relationship that he may or may not even be in.

Emily V. Gordon is a seasoned writer and Kumail Nanjiani has been a familiar face in comedy for a number of years. The couple is married and much of the story they share with us in The Big Sick is true.

How they make complete strangers care about their relationship’s origin is in the vulnerable state the two put themselves into. They open up to the world with this pet project that not many expected to be as hilarious and as heartfelt as it ends up being. The Big Sick proves that the two are not only a fantastic couple, but they are an extraordinary writing duo.

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Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

9

Your Senses Words submerge staff

TOUCH

Local Comedian and Submerge Contributor Robert Berry to Release His “Big Book of Jokes” at Punch Line • Aug. 16 We love Robert Berry, and not just because he’s a regular contributor to this publication (though we love him for that too).

He’s also hilarious, and now you can be as hilarious as he is (almost) thanks to his new book Robert Berry’s Big Book of Jokes.

This 210-page tome contains more than 1,000 jokes and essays written by Berry himself. Within its pages, you’ll find an arsenal of puns and one-liners that you can use to trick your friends and family into thinking you’re actually pretty funny. The book is available through Berry’s website, Retrocrush.com, for just $15. Or, you can head over to Punch Line Sacramento (2100 Arden Way, Ste. 225) on Aug. 16 and celebrate the book’s release and watch Berry perform on stage with special guests, and maybe even pick up an autographed copy of the book. Purchase tickets online through Punchlinesac.com.

See

“Experience” Lucent Dossier’s Eye-Popping Stage Show at Ace of Spades • Aug. 4 Combining music, dance and stunning visuals, Lucent Dossier has shared the stage with diverse acts, from Christina Aguilera, to The Flaming Lips, to Mötley Crüe and have even performed in front of the Dalai Lama (you know, no big). On Aug. 4, you’ll be able to witness their latest show up close and personal at Ace of Spades (1417 R St., Sacramento). For a taste of what you may be in store for, go to Lucentdossier.com and check out the trailer on their home page. You’ll see gorgeous dancers twirling fire, aerialists, fireworks and extravagant costumes … pretty much the kind of stuff that will have you oohing and aahing all night long. Tickets start at $32, but you can purchase four for the price of three through Aceofspadessac. com. If you’re looking to expand your nightlife horizons, this is the event for you. Also performing will be special guests Thriftworks and Phutureprimitive.

Hear

Bid Farewell to Local Punk Band Union Hearts at Cafe Colonial • Aug. 18 It’s always sad to say goodbye, but music is a good way to smooth over any rough feelings. Union Hearts’ drummer Patrick Shelley is moving all the way across the country to Boston, and as a result, Union Hearts will be playing one final show at Cafe Colonial (3520 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento) on Aug. 18. But this won’t only be your chance to wish the band well in their future endeavors, it will also be cause to celebrate.

This farewell show will double as the album release show for Union Hearts’ album Destroy Us, which was recorded by Patrick Hills. The album contains 10 tracks of snarling, aggressive, yet surprisingly catchy punk rock, exemplified in tracks such as “French Exit.” Sharing the stage with Union Hearts will be Bastards of Young, Trinidad Silva and Flip Offs (who will also mark this as their last show). So raise a beer to Union Hearts and take solace in the fact that at the very least they’re leaving a great album behind them. You can check out Destroy Us at Unionheartsofficial.bandcamp.com. The farewell/album release show at Cafe Colonial is all ages and will cost you just $6.

Taste

Stroll Through History and Sample Local Restaurants at the First-Ever Old Sacramento Dinner Walk • Aug. 9

Rio City Cafe

10

Ten22

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

Fat City Bar and Cafe

Old Sacramento might be a fun and kitschy place to take your out-oftown friends and family, but it’s also a great place to grab something to eat. You’ll be able to sample the menus at a selection of the historic district’s restaurants on Aug. 9 at the inaugural Old Sacramento Dinner Walk. Participating restaurants include Rio City Cafe, Fat City Bar and Cafe, Graciano’s Chicago Deep Dish Pizza and Speakeasy, Ten22 and Delta King. For $39, food lovers will be able to choose their own path, sampling the various fare some of these restaurants have to offer, such as Graciano’s meatball marinara appetizer, an entree of grilled pork chops with maple tomato salsa and basil fried potatoes at Ten22 and homemade cheesecake topped with raspberry puree for dessert at Delta King. Check out Facebook.com/oldsacramento and visit the Dinner Walk event page where you can find a link to purchase tickets.

There will be two seatings to choose from at either 6 or 6:30 p.m.

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

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916.440.0401 kuproscrafthouse.com @kuprossacto

in the valley below / flagship scott pemberton swingin’ Utters

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento • all ages • 6:30pm B l u e l a m p • 14 0 0 a l H a m B r a B lv d • s a c r a m en to • 21 & o v er • 9: 0 0 p m

western settings

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento • 21 & over • 9:00pm

thursday

aug 3 friday,

aug 4 saturday

aug 5

thursday,

aug 10 friday

aug 11 saturday,

aug 12

thursday

aug 17 friday,

aug 18

the talking dreads

Dylan CrawforD

(reggae triBute to talking Heads)

(singer/songwriter)

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento • 21 & over • 8:00pm

all The PreTTy SongS

sunday & monday

happy hour all night! buy any draft beer & add a well shot

(laTin/funk)

TruT h

for $2, fireball $3, Jameson $4

(blueS/roCk)

tuesday

(Singer/SongwriTer)

The STummieS (roCk) SaCTown PlayboyS (Swing)

discount craft beer bombers

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento • 21 & over • 8:00pm

every Other thursday • 8pm singer/songwriter night

The Golden CadillaCs • ManzaniTa

$6 coors & Jameson combo

will ComSToCk

W e d n e s d ay s • 7 : 3 0 p m Porch Pickin’ w/ ross hammond

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento • 21 & over • 7:30pm

friday

pUp tennyson photay valley qUeen

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento • all ages • 6:00pm

$7 mystery craft cocktail

(Jazz)

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento • all ages • 6:30pm

saturday

late night happy hour

EvEry Sunday • 7:30pm

the chUrch the helio seqUence marshall crenshaw y los straitjackets geographer doombird dead winter carpenters

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento • 21 & over • 7:30pm

thursday

tuesdays • 7pm oPen mic

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento • 21 & over • 8:00pm

wednesday

(roCk/ folk)

Joe mazzaferro

cleopold

H arlow ’ s • 2708 J stree t • sacr amento • 21 & over • 8:0 0pm

assorted $2 drink specials

STePhen yerkey

com trUise / nosaj thing

9pm to close

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento • 21 & over • 10:00pm

le on sdaay, fri

aug 4

saturday & sunday 10am - 2pm $12 bottomless mimosas $6 bloody marys

campfire caravan feat.

the brothers comatose / the lil smokies / mipso

tuesday

aug 1 Friday

aug 25 Friday

aug 25 sunday

aug 27 Friday

sept 1 tuesday

sept 12 Wednesday

sept 13 thursday

sept 14 Friday

sept 15 sunday

sept 17 Friday

sept 22 Friday

sept 22 tuesday

oct 3

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento • 21 & over • 8:00pm

boris

Fa m i ly o w n e d s i n c e 1 9 3 4

916-443-9751

1901 10

th

Street

eVery monday nigHt

Downtown Sacramento

liVe music 5:30-8pm, Free HeatH Williamson & Friends

guest cHeFs

serving up $5 plates, 6pm

eVery tuesday nigHt & First tHursday 9pm Free eVery wednesday nigHt

Friday august 4

Mr. Hooper Auto ReveRse AlbuM releAse pArty

lauren Wakefield, Ms. Vybe, NsAA, DJ Joe 9pm • $7

**

oPen mic!

7:30pm Free

saturday august 5

lipstiCk! iNDiepop / iNDieDANCe pArty w/

DJs roger Carpio & shaun slaugter 9pm • $5

KaraoK “i”

oPen Jam session 8pm sign ups Free

tHursday august 10

reMeDy 7 6pm • $5

Friday august 11

MoNo fuNk

the Mechula, like Wine like Water 8:30pm • $8

Deeelicious old timey lunches served monday - friday 11:30am - 2pm

CelebrAtiNg 80 yeArs of busiNess!

SubmergeMag.com

**

(from Japan) dear/25tH anniversary tour endon

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento •

21 & over • 9:00pm

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento •

all ages • 7:00pm

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento •

21 & over • 8:00pm

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento •

21 & over • 8:00pm

el ten eleven zepparella taUk Klozd sirKuT jon stickley trio Tera Melos / speedy orTiz jr jr hembree jay som palehoUnd together pangea Tall paul • side eyes twiddle / gene evaro jr the soft white sixties The Floozies The FunK hunTers • Maddy o’neal ajj (fka andrew Jackson JiHad) the flesheaters

o l d i r o n s i d e s • 19 01 10t H s t r ee t • s a c r a m en to • 21 & o v er • 8: 0 0 p m Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento •

all ages • 7:00pm

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento •

all ages • 6:00pm

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento •

21 & over • 8:00pm

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento •

all ages • 5:30pm

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento •

21 & over • 8:00pm

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento •

21 & over • 8:00pm

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacr amento • 21 & over • 8:00pm

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento •

all ages • 6:30pm

(featuring memBers of X, tHe Blasters, los loBos & more)

Harlow’s • 2708 J street • sacramento • 21 & over • 8:00pm

Wednesday

oct 4

thursday

oct 5 Friday

oct 6 thursday

oct 12 Friday

oct 13 saturday

oct 14 monday

oct 16 Wednesday

oct 18 Friday

oct 20 Wednesday

oct 25 thursday

oct 26 tuesday

nov 7 sunday

dec 10 saturday

jan 20

all tickets available at: abstractpresents.com & eventbrite.com tickets for harlow’s shows also available at harlows.com tickets for blUe lamp shows also blUelampsacramento.com tickets for ace of spades also available at aceofspadessac.com & 916.443.9202

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

11

A Country Boy Can Survive

Dixon Native Jon Pardi Carves Out a Career in Country Music Words Justin Cox • photo Jim Wright

J

august 3rd - st. louis framboise 10th - frÜh kÖlsch 17th - modern times 24th - Green flash 31st - German liter Glass niGht

Now SelliNg Beer for DogS!

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Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

on Pardi has been touring pretty much nonstop since well before his first album dropped in 2014. He was in Delaware when I caught up with him by phone in mid-July, about to headline two shows during a short break in his tour in support of Dierks Bentley.

“We never stop touring,” said Pardi. “I’ve been on tour since 2012, on the same schedule with an album and without an album.”

With a chuckle, he adds that the endless grind is “almost a problem,” but one he’s more than happy to navigate because it comes with the territory of living out a dream he’s had since he was a child growing up in Dixon and singing along to his family’s George Strait albums.

Pardi played in a local country band called Northern Comfort during the years prior to his move to Nashville. The band was based in Chico, with some members rooted in Dixon and Winters, where they would routinely jam-pack local bars on weekends throughout the mid-2000s.

Northern Comfort delivered a mix of crowd-favorite covers and a collection of raw, original country tunes that put Pardi’s promise as a songwriter abundantly on display. Songs like “Changes,” “One More Time” and “DUI” were just as popular as the covers by the time the band’s CD had made the rounds and they’d become a staple on the scene. (You can hear those songs and more if you’re willing to pick through the boneyard of the old Northern Comfort MySpace page).

Northern Comfort dissolved in the late aughts as some members finished college and began scattering into various careers and starting families. Pardi did the same, but the profession that awaited him was in Nashville. His college training for his profession, to continue this analogy, was his time spent writing and performing with Northern Comfort.

The music industry in Nashville is pretty cleanly divided between fan-facing performers and behind-the-scenes songwriters who architect the radio hits. Both scenes are vibrant and competitive, which makes it all the more impressive that Pardi managed to score writing credit on the bulk of the songs on both of his first two albums.

He did so while also touring with the biggest names in the industry, from childhood heroes like Alan Jackson to newer stars like Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, for whom he’ll open when he plays Toyota Amphitheatre outside Sacramento on Aug. 19.

Pardi’s music leans away from a new-age country vibe that has edged its way into modern radio—a sound that often prioritizes club-style beats over fiddles and steel guitars. That’s not by accident.

“There’s a growing audience for throwback,” Pardi says in his bio. “People want to hear somebody who really enjoyed the ‘90s country music era and brings that to 2016 country. A lot of this record is bringing an old-school flare back to a mainstream sound.”

The opening lyrics on his second album, California Sunrise, start with this: “When I first got to Nashville town they called me and sat me down and told me all about the ins and outs of writing songs. Said write about the things you know about, if there’s anything that you don’t know about, just stick around and you’ll find out before too long.”

In our conversation, we talked about everything from that arrival in Nashville and his early days playing locally, to what goes into writing and recording a modern-day country album.

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

How did things wind down with Northern Comfort before you left to Nashville?

The band was mainly a learning point, kind of like studying and writing music in the moment.

Everyone went on with their lives and did their thing. People graduated college and wanted to go be teachers and do things they went to school for. Then there’s me who didn’t want to do any of that. But I had a lot of fun in that band and we did a lot of cool stuff.

Where did you cut your teeth in those early days?

I played in Dixon and Winters a lot; Dixon May Fair, The Wrangler, the Elk Grove area and Chico. We were based out of Chico.

Your bio says that it’s “contemporary-cool to inject country songs with programmed drums, rap phrasing and poppy melodies,” and boasts that you won’t find that on a Jon Pardi record.

L.A.-style writing has really moved into Nashville, where it’s all built on [programmed] tracks.

There are a lot of others that are way into that, but we used just one drum track on the record. We had the drummer make the loops.

But it’s all just preference of what you want. I still think I’m one of the few artists that has fiddle on their songs, or a steel. I’m just more of a new-traditional sound.

Wikipedia says you play “neotraditional country.” How would you describe that?

It’s a new way of presenting traditional country. I could play a show with Florida Georgia Line and a show with Alan Jackson.

Was there any hesitance in Nashville about you coming from California?

Nashville’s wide open! People come from everywhere.

Everybody lets you do yourself.

As soon as they start listening, they see the hard-working people and the farmers and realize it’s not just actors and surfers out in California. Nashville’s a fun town.

How and when did the #PardiAnimals hashtag on Twitter and Instagram get going?

I came up with the name. I didn’t even have fans yet, but sometimes you want a cool fanbase name. That’s the way to do it. I like thinking about fun stuff like that sometimes.

Has your rise in Nashville felt fast or slow?

We made the first record and had a top-10 gold [single] with Write You a Song. I built a fanbase off that first record. They played it on the radio and we toured around the country. We made the second record and wanted to get some number ones. Once we put California Sunrise out, we let everybody know that we’re still here. “Head Over Boots” [which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay charts] was my first single off that.

Are you making plans for the next album?

It’s not like the old days where rock ‘n’ roll bands take two months off and shack up in a studio somewhere. It’s all preproduction. I’m going to go in and record six songs and we’ll work on them until we record more songs. The guys are excited because they’re playing pretty traditional country music.

So what will the writing and recording process look like for the next album?

Just have 16 songs by the time you’re done and then move it down to 12.

Brooks & Dunn wrote “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” but they also recorded outside songs. You hear a song and make it sound like you wrote it.

Once [songwriters] know you’ll cut songs, the town comes around you. I’m always writing, too, but my goal is the best song wins. It could be as simple as writing a title.

Just keep writing titles.

All it takes is just writing it down, and then starting the hook.

“People come from everywhere. Everybody lets you do yourself.

As soon as they start listening, they see the hard-working people and the farmers and realize it’s not just actors and surfers out in California. Nashville’s a fun town.” – Jon Pardi on moving to Nashville from California

Jon Pardi returns to Northern California on Aug. 19 opening for country superstar Dierks Bentley and Cole Swindell at the Toyota Amphitheatre in Wheatland.

The show kicks off at 7 p.m. with tickets starting at $32.25 and available now at Livenation.com.

SubmergeMag.com

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

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2 chainZ empowering those who identify as girls and women through music education

final camp peRfoRmance ShoWcaSe & eveninG benefit ShoW miSSinG peRSonS • butteRScotch tRophii • WRite oR die • dRop dead Red

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August 4

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Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

August 14

T u E S dAy

August 29

RoSWell • anaRchy lace

f R i dAy

September 8

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

September 9

SAT u R dAy

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Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

15

PLAY WITH FIRE

Dance Troupe Sacred Fire Brings the Heat WORDS Niki Kangas • Photos Jason Sinn

N

o matter who you are or where you come from, fire is hypnotizing. It’s impossible not to stare. And so it goes with the artistic wielding of flame in the form of dance and performance art. If you’ve been to the California State Fair in the evening recently, you may have seen Sacred Fire, a local dance company that features fire dance performance and is impossible to ignore.

Sacred Fire’s founder, ”Sequoia” Jennifer Criteser, recollects, “I had seen many years ago in San Francisco a group of people in Golden Gate Park spinning poi. There were a lot of people and there was a drum circle and they had colorful poi.

I remember all these women and colorful things flying everywhere. I didn’t know what it was and just got sort of mesmerized by it.”

It is believed that poi and fire dancing originated amongst the Maori people of New Zealand. It spread like wildfire over a 4,000 square mile area throughout Polynesia.

“Poi” means ball on a string in the Maori language, and they were initially used in training for hunting and battle. In the United States, poi wasn’t popularized until the ‘90s when it became a thing at raves, nightclubs, beaches and parties.

Following her first contact with poi dancing, some time passed before Sequoia reconnected with the art form.

“I kind of let it go, and at some point, I decided that something in me just wanted to explore that. I didn’t know what it was called so I decided to construct my own pair of what I saw. I used tennis balls and braided my own cord, and started just trying to mimic the moves. This was a really long time ago,” remembers Sequoia.

She goes on to describe how Sacred Fire, once called Obsidian Butterfly, later came about: “Fast forward, I had eventually connected with a group out of the Bay Area who put fire in my hands. I never really had thought

16

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

about the fire part of it, I was just mesmerized by poi dance. This company was a man and a woman and it’s called Fire Pixie. They’d connected me with someone here in Sacramento who was at the same level I was, and that’s sort of how it all came about. Most of the people who started this adventure with me still cameo once in awhile.”

In regards to why she performs, she explains that it’s more about the art than performing. “The performing part has been a major part of it since the get-go. I’ve danced and performed most of my life. I think by nature I am a performer, it’s at the core of who I am. But it was really about the art—movement art and performing art and putting on creative shows.

“We worked through a community called the Horse Cow in Sacramento that was an art community for a period of time,” she continues. “And the Horse Cow was giving us an opportunity and a place to explore, not only to become better performers, but to pursue creative ways to explore our fire. It was really about the art, honestly, in the beginning and the performing and professional company came out of that.”

But beyond art and performing, Sacred Fire also offers education. According to Sequoia, “Everyone comes to the dance to find their own flow, and inevitably that also means to find their own flow through partnership with others … It’s more than just a dance routine. We become close friends. People’s life stories become part of the dance and part of the performance. It’s amazing to help guide people into their heart’s desire, into something that makes them so alive. Some people come to it feeling like they’re not creative enough, and those are the people whose creativity is waiting to burst out. My job is to help them find it and channel it into what we do.”

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

“I think by nature I am a performer, it’s at the core of who I am. But it was really about the art—movement art and performing art and putting on creative shows.”

– Sacred Fire’s Sequoia She continues by explaining how fire itself is another important component of the learning process that she guides, “Most of the teaching I do is to train people to become performers in a company, so it’s more of an apprenticeship and ongoing classes because the process does take so long.

Because it’s not just learning dance, it’s learning how to use fire, and that comes with a lot of other elements. Some people are afraid of fire, some people are overly comfortable with it. I myself was super afraid of fire, so respect and humility with it were a big feature for me. And other people who are overly comfortable with it are learning control. Our art form is not a SubmergeMag.com

solo adventure. It’s something that, as a fire dancer, we always need fire safety. We don’t ever fire dance alone. As a dancer, I practice dance alone, but I don’t practice fire dance alone. The fire safety people that are side stage are a very important part of our show.”

Sacred Fire does all types of events, from small backyard parties to huge affairs. They’re performing at the California State Fair, and this year, they’re also performing at the Oregon State Fair. They perform at Dire World Scare Park in Roseville, Six Flags Marine World and a few local festivals. On Aug. 12, you can catch them at their self-produced Annual Fire Spectacular in Land Park,

celebrating its 10th anniversary. the skills in their quiver.

That’s a lot of teaching, But fire is not simply their event coordination and main attraction, it is sacred. performing, so at this point, “Fire opens us up to who this is Sequoia’s full-time we are at the core of our being job. “I’ve got to admit, it is and puts us in touch with our a lot. How do I juggle it all? I authentic selves and allows us am learning to juggle, quite to internally align and become literally. I’m getting better at it. whole,” Sequoia says. “We’ve It’s getting to the point where fragmented ourselves in many I’ll definitely need a helper. different ways and when we It’s getting to be a lot, and tap into the core of who we are, challenging my abilities in time we become embodied. When management, and self care and we’re aligned within ourselves, the whole thing,” she admits. it allows us to align with others What somebody’s into social coherency.” requesting for their event dictates what performances they bring Their upcoming all ages 10th Annual to the table. Sacred Fire Spectacular is quite literally Sacramento’s hottest festival of the Fire is more than just year and takes place at William A. fire dancing. Their Carroll Amphitheatre (across from performers often study Fairy Tale Town) on Aug. 12 beginning more than one type of at 11 a.m. Tickets are available online and should be bought in advance as dance or performance the event is expected to sell out. Pack art, and LED dancing, a flashlight for evening and sunscreen belly dancing, aerialists, for daytime. To purchase tickets, go stilt walking and hoop to Facebook.com/sacredfire888 or dancing are just some of Sacredfiredance.com.

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

17

Extraordinary Rays

So Much Light’s Damien Verrett illuminates the ideas underpinning his new album, Oh, Yuck Words Andrew Russell • Photos Andrew Paynter

P

op music gets all the attention, but rarely the credit it deserves as a powerhouse of infinitely mutable creative potential. Unlike more ostensibly sophisticated genres, it can’t be pinned down to any one palette of instrumentation, and even if it periodically backs itself into a corner of rote vapidity and commercial navel-gazing, it always leaves room somewhere for the tables to be flipped, the rules overwritten and the infiltrators to subtly inject new modes and meanings into the DNA. For Damien Verrett, multi-instrumentalist and former prime mover of math rock experimentalists The Speed of Sound in Seawater, pop is simply the broadest possible canvas on which to test his constantly developing songwriting and production abilities while wryly toying with perpetual pop concerns such as power, authenticity and ego.

As So Much Light, Verrett has gradually cultivated these new stylistic leanings over several years, a time roughly encompassing his graduation from UC Davis, the humbling experience of moving back home and the countless hours spent chiseling at and defining the parameters of his new aesthetic. Toning down the intricate acoustic guitar work of his math rock days, he has taken the intimate, miniaturist bedroom pop of his previous solo project, Mansion Closets, and subsumed it into the more ethereal strains of present-day R&B. Sometimes the results can be downright haunting, as it is with last year’s single “Justin Bieber at the Gates of Hell,” which marries supernatural lyrics and macho posturing with dread-tinged, Erik Satie-like piano ambience.

Much of Verrett’s latest album, Oh, Yuck, however, is

18

characterized by a newfound ebullience in sound and vision, as showcased in the new video and single “Be Afraid,” a sensational piece laden with pipe-organ hooks and a carnivalesque atmosphere. Each track teems with perfectly placed flourishes on various instruments that make the record feel like it was recorded in strikingly different locales instead of the confines of a suburban Elk Grove bedroom.

The attention paid to every detail, the clear unity of impulse going into a tuneful record, seems enormously exciting in this day and age. If ever there was an era in dire need of more variance, more mystique and topsyturvyness to its current music scene, it’s ours. In that sense, Oh, Yuck is weaponized catchiness, a compelling music-box with the depth to match its surface, seeking out a wider audience like a missile with inexhaustible imagination to fuel its fiery surge.

One can’t help but compare Verrett’s trajectory to a certain generation of artists who arrived in the wake of the first great era in alternative music. Young punks and experimentalists who began to move away from their scenes’ growing esotericism and set their sights on infiltrating the charts via a “new wave” of subversive takes on pop concepts. As he continues to extend his reach, one hopes that he continues the work of those forebears, leading new listeners further down the rabbit hole.

Below, we get Verrett’s take on everything from Disney musicals to H.P Lovecraft to Kanye West, and how the connection between all three may one day unlock the secret to the perfect record.

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

What’s the first melody you remember hearing that made an impact on you?

I actually remember.

There was this song from Aladdin, I think it was “One Jump Ahead,” one of the first songs in the film.

There’s this melody in it, I remember it sticking out to me when I was just a baby—I thought it was so beautiful. That, and “A Whole New World,” that whole melody. I think my first love of music came from Disney movies because it was the first really composed music I was ever exposed to. As a kid, you watch those movies so many times that it’s just like an earworm, and it must do something to your musical brain. It’s funny to think about now, because I think I lean in to some of those melodic stylings a little bit when I write songs.

How did you get into the math rock genre originally?

It’s a really big Sacramento influence, actually. I didn’t really give that as much credit until recently. When we’d travel with my old band, The Speed of Sound in Seawater, people would say “Oh, you guys are from Sacramento, you must know Tera Melos and Hella.” Other people perceived this huge math rock scene here where everybody knew everyone else, but they were from a totally different generation of Sacramento musicians.

We weren’t really aware of how much the trickle-down from their musical style affected us, because we had a little venue in Elk Grove, where bands like Dance Gavin Dance used to play. Just by nature of it being near Sacramento, there was a lot of pretty complex polyrhythmic stuff going around. It’s definitely something I still like, and I’m glad to have had that influence, but I was always more interested in the pop side of things.

I’m glad to have expanded my influences a bit; more complex, guitar-driven stuff for a while. I think it served me well in the long run.

What led to your huge change of style toward pop/R&B in the last few years?

It was conscious. I think the goal was always to be really expansive. I don’t want it to sound like it’s one person, I want it to sound cinematic, kind of orchestral in a sense.

It’s very visual, and I plot out different scenes when I’m making music. As I got into programming and sound design, I realized a guitar can only do so much. Now I can write woodwinds, I can write weird bass sounds that aren’t anything like real instruments, I can have more nuance. I don’t feel attached to any one compositional element.

I remember in high school, and it might have been just because of the time period when we were growing up, but I remember people saying “Oh, pop music is so shallow and stupid, it’s not substantial in any way.” So I gravitated toward indie rock— it felt more substantial. But now I feel like the pop that comes out is done with so much more intention, the production, the songwriting and the arrangements and instrumentation. I started listening to the latest Justin Timberlake album that came out around 2013, The 20/20 Experience, and I was like “Oh my god, this is so much more complex, production-wise, than most experimental stuff I’ve been listening to.” It was so much more impressive, and it was being done at such a higher level. I think that opened my eyes to this way bigger world that was out there.

Does it kind of feel like you’re infiltrating the pop genre?

Yeah, especially lyrically. I think there is something to be said about pop music being a little bit shallow in terms of the ideas that are explored.

We don’t need more breakup songs that explore these ideas in ways that they’ve already been explored. So for me, I want to know what a pop song sounds like and what it’s about in 2017 and what does it feel like it needs to be about to push the envelope in the present and also age well?

There’s so many love songs from say, 50 years ago, and you listen to them now, and the ideas that some of them explored seem really dated.

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

And oftentimes, the main thing you find is that the music is really misogynistic or shallow.

So I wonder, what does the male pop star need to sound like in 2017 to not sound ridiculous in 2027?

I think it’s a good time to be making music that’s accessible, because complexitywise, the ante is being upped in pop. The chord choices people are making are so less standard and boring and cheesy. People are hitting emotional tones that are really cool and complex and feel more like the human experience. It’s like you have to now, which is great. It’s such a good move, it’s going to make everything so much better socially and artistically.

How was the “Be Afraid” video thought out?

I did the video with Giraffe Studios in L.A. It’s these two sisters, Nicki and Juliana Giraffe.

The video was their idea—they definitely heard the potential for a circus theme in there.

They wanted specifically to reference Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

They sent me a clip from it; I’ve never seen the movie, but there’s this one scene where a doll comes out of this box and does this cute choreographed dance. They wanted it to feel kinda like that combined with an old Nosferatu-style horror movie—very harshly lit, very wide and surreal. I thought it was perfect. I felt like they did a really good job putting the song into a visual medium.

There seems to be a big supernatural underpinning to your songs.

That’s definitely something I’ve done a ton of throughout all my projects. I think it just has to do with my own interest in fantasy and horror.

I’m a huge H.P Lovecraft fan.

There weren’t many avenues to explore that in this record, but in my old band, I think I had around four songs about Lovecraft. That, and I’ve written like two songs about Buffy.

Horror is my favorite genre ever. The sense of scale and drama, a cinematic feeling, is something I’m chasing. It sometimes feels like I’d rather be making movies if I had the means, but this is sort of like the next best thing. Budgetwise, you can make a song feel huge for a lot less money than SubmergeMag.com

T aug 4 aug 6

aug 11

sunday,

aug 13

You tackle the ego a lot in your lyrics. What does it mean to you?

Yeah, it’s a running theme. I think it has a lot to do with just writing pop music, which is like this super egotistical pursuit. It kind of necessitates being that person and being so macho and so about your own brand, and it’s something I don’t really identify with. So I feel there’s a way to speak about those things that rings truer to me, and that’s how it comes out. Where I see the holes in that ideology. You can’t be so about your own being and also be a good person contributing to society on the whole in a positive way.

A lot of Oh, Yuck is in my own head, my own ego. That’s why the album art is of me at the bottom of a well, because that’s what I felt like while writing these songs. I was super isolated, just me, writing these songs. I imagine that that’s where I’m performing all of the songs for no one, and nobody is hearing them—none of them are getting out of the well. It’s like a jab at myself.

Maybe that’s actually the reality of what it is, but then again maybe it’s good for me to be down there in that well, doing it for myself.

What are your biggest musical influences?

The main one always is Joanna Newsom. I’m a huge Joanna Newsom fan. I think she creates a world with every one of her releases. It’s like when you’re watching a movie, and you forget that everyone’s an actor, that’s what her music is like. You forget that there’s anything outside of those songs, or that anyone has written any songs other than Joanna Newsom. I’d love to someday write a pop record that people feel like they can’t talk over. Like, you never put on Joanna Newsom at a party and just have a conversation over it. It sucks you in. I love Prefab Sprout. I was listening to them so much while writing this record, because the complexity of their arrangements and their chord voicings. I think if they had never existed and they came out today, people would go crazy for it, it’s still next-level.

And also, maybe it’s obvious, but Kanye West. I was listening to him a lot because when I was writing this, I felt very isolated. I’d just graduated and moved back in with my folks, wasn’t really doing anything and listening to earlier Kanye stuff. There I was, wanting to do this thing that was so lofty and ambitious, but having such humble

surroundings, and kind of impotent about my ability to direct my own life.

You’ve said that you like to think of your songs as plays while writing them. Would you ever do a concept album?

I’d really like to weave a story into the next one, because that’s what I used to do with every Speed of Sound in Seawater song. They were almost all stories. It felt more appropriate to do the more introspective thing for my first pop-style record, but I think that the next time, even it’s not explicit, I’d like to make the songs more connected.

I think it would be a huge challenge that would be a lot of fun.

And I have a lot of material already, and it feels like it’s all a part of its own world more so than Oh, Yuck did. On this album, it feels like a lot of things change and shift. For the next one, I’d want everything to be in one environment.

T

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So Much Light’s new album, Oh, Yuck, will be released Aug. 11.

Pre-order the album and listen to a stream of the album’s first single, “Be Afraid,” at Somuchlight.com.

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adaPtEd, ProduCEd and dirECtEd by stanlEy kubriCk CoEn brothErs’

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starring Cary ElwEs, Mandy Patinkin, Chris sarandon, ChristoPhEr guEst, wallaCE shawn

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“I think it’s a good time to be making music that’s accessible, because complexity-wise, the ante is being upped in pop. The chord choices people are making are so less standard and boring and cheesy. People are hitting emotional tones that are really cool and complex and feel more like the human experience.”

– So Much Light’s Damien Verrett on exploring pop music

h

THE PRINCESS BRIDE

Friday,

friday august 25

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lunch/ Dinner

7

Day s a Week

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

*33*

Beers on Tap!

19

David Sobon Hopes to Bring Art to Everyone with His Wide Open Walls mural Festival WORDS Nur Kausar

S

tanding in front of a blank wall bigger than a basketball court with 800 cans of spray paint and a surgical mask at the ready sounds like a scary adrenaline rush. But it’s a small piece of heaven for Michael McDaniel—an opportunity for the heart, mind and spirit to relax and create.

After living a childhood with uncontrolled psychosis that led to drug abuse and long stints in psychiatric hospitals, McDaniel’s spirituality helped him find a path to reality, and it included painting and helping others with their mental illness to be independent and creative.

McDaniel, 48, has been painting in Sacramento for nearly a decade.

He has also been a case manager since 2005 at Transforming Lives, Cultivating Success (TLCS), a nonprofit that works to empower people who

20

have mental illnesses and to prevent homelessness.

At TLCS, McDaniel has facilitated an art class for several years and has worked with more than 80 clients who struggle every day with psychotic symptoms, using art to provide them with a source of comfort and a way to express themselves.

“Art is in everything, and the greatest work of art is the human being,” McDaniel says. “I want to be able to share my artwork and use it to create community.”

McDaniel says he pictures these murals alongside community gardens, where students can learn about the importance of their environment in multiple ways.

Founder and producer of Wide Open Walls, David Sobon, has a similar goal. For Sobon, an international

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

mural festival in Sacramento is the perfect way to build community, provide for underfunded art education, create landmarks, spur the economic engine and, ultimately, provide free, beautiful, art to all people.

Wide Open Walls (WOW), formerly the Sacramento Mural Festival, will feature McDaniel and 39 other artists— local, national and international—to transforming walls and neighborhoods across the city. He and 2 Hermano, of Sol Collective, are the two individual artists chosen through WOW’s commitment to supporting local nonprofits at the event.

Transformation is a key theme for this year’s WOW festival, which runs Aug. 10–20. Sobon has taken over last year’s inaugural Sacramento Mural Festival, run by Friends of the Arts Commission, and turned it into

the largest event of its kind. No other mural festival has had 40 artists— many of them world renowned—create 40 murals in less than two weeks in one city, Sobon says.

The aim is to build upon the rich art culture of Sacramento that already permeates city walls, Sobon adds.

“I love going to museums—the Crocker is one of the best museums on the West Coast—and I love going to all the galleries around town, but I want to bring art to everyone, and bring art to everyone for free,” Sobon says about his vision. “Bringing art to everyone is not a new concept at all, I just want to bring it to the next level.”

For him, the next level means continuously adding new murals to the list of nearly 700 that already exist in the Sacramento area (check out Nathaniel Miller’s interactive mural

map, to which Miller will be adding each WOW piece: Journalistnate.com/ sacramento-mural-map/) and putting Sacramento on the international stage.

WOW seems a perfect companion to the Crocker’s current special exhibit, The First 10 Years of HiFructose, which showcases many contemporary artists who are, or started out as, street artists.

Excitement is already building for artists like Lora Zombie—frequently featured in Hi-Fructose magazine—a self-taught, self-described grunge artist, who has gained a massive online following across the world with her pop culture and cartoon-inspired watercolor paintings and wall murals.

Through her art, she shares her mind and colors, which are influenced by her path, Zombie writes from her home in Russia.

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

“Sharing inspiration with as many people as possible,” Zombie says, is part of the importance of art accessibility. Inspiration—from American cartoons, comic books and the Gorillaz—is what led the down her to becoming an artist, she notes in her explanation of her latest project, a clothing line called HEROTIME. Wanting to join Zombie Flesh Eaters, the studio behind the Gorillaz, she changed her name and flew to London at 16.

“I looked up the address for the Zombie Flesh Eaters studio and rang the doorbell with my portfolio in hand, and a lady opened the door, looked at me and unsure of what to make of me, promptly closed it again,” Zombie writes. “I learned an important lesson at the time about the discrepancy between the desired and the actual, and the need to have a flexible mind that is ready for introspection and change.”

For the next decade, Zombie chose to create her own work. The emergence of street art from those like Banksy, and online forums that followed, catapulted her to star status.

Her mural on R Street for WOW, she says, will be about a feeling of

gratitude to the universe.

“I warned R Street, Lora just did a West Coast tour … she had thousands and thousands of people waiting in line to get her autograph, and meet her, and take selfies with her,” Sobon says.

“They’re going to have a lot of people on R Street coming to watch her paint.

Or coming to watch Molly-Devlin and S.V. Williams paint on the side of the Foundry. And Micah Crandall-Bear is going to be painting behind the SMUD station next to Beatnik [Studios].”

Sobon continues, “When our artists are painting in the same venue, the same event, the same festival, we get the attention of not just sponsors worldwide but organizations like Visit Sacramento—I mean, Visit Sacramento is our presenting sponsor and I could not be more thrilled,” Sobon says, eyes wide, punctuating each word for emphasis. “When we have the agency that is in charge of marketing Sacramento globally, thinking that this is the biggest event in town, that it could add more beauty, more long-term benefits than anything else we’re doing, it gets me pretty excited.”

Sobon notes that the murals will go up not just on the grid, but also in outlying areas like the River

District, where an increasing number of Sacramentans experiencing homelessness are struggling to find help.

“Art is for everyone, and they deserve beautiful art like everyone else,” Sobon notes.

Power Inn Alliance, the business alliance for the vast commercial/ industrial area around Power Inn Road, is also a partner, wanting to bring beauty among the rows of warehouses.

Particular attention has been given to Sacramento’s Promise Zone, which encompasses 22 square miles of the economically hardest-hit neighborhoods in the city—from Del Paso Heights in the North Area to The Avenues in the South County. Sobon says the art is a catalyst to spur more activity, tourism and interest beyond downtown and Midtown.

He adds that WOW will only get bigger, and he’s already received calls from Citrus Heights, Roseville and other communities.

“Our supporters include the California Endowment, SMUD and Bank of America, but the support of private citizens has been important,” he says. “It has to be art for everyone and everyone has to be able to apply, and it has to include all cultures, be inclusive

and expanded to other neighborhoods.”

Sponsors assist in paying for materials and to get the artists to Sacramento, and businesses and landlords pay for the opportunity to have a mural, with additional revenue going toward art education.

“I’d love to inspire art education and teach kids how to do this art form correctly,” Sobon says. “Teach them the rules and do murals in their schools in their neighborhoods.”

The purpose is similar to why murals started going up in Sacramento in the first place, 40 years ago.

The Royal Chicano Air Force (RCAF), a Sacramento-based art collective that started with the name Rebel Chicano Art Front in 1970, led much of the public art scene in Sacramento to promote political awareness, educate and feed youth, and foster support for Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers.

The impact of founders Jose Montoya and Esteban Villa is still widely felt in the region, and continues to be integral to the Chicano Art Movement in the western United States.

That tradition of accessibility and social responsibility is what Sobon hopes to continue. WOW will include opportunities for the public to engage

“I love going to museums—the Crocker is one of the best museums on the West Coast—and I love going to all the galleries around town, but I want to bring art to everyone, and bring art to everyone for free.”

– David Sobon, Founder of Wide Open Walls Mural Festival

photo of david sobon by dillon flowers SubmergeMag.com

with the artists at gallery openings, public mural tours, artists’ receptions and panels, First Friday and Second Saturday celebrations, the Wall Ball— an art-themed fundraiser for arts education—and while the artists are actually creating their large-scale works.

Sobon and curator Warren Brand gathered artists by both invitation and with a public call for artists. The final 40 will create works diverse as Sacramento and each bring a different perspective to mural art and participation in some of the most ignored alleys and streets.

McDaniel’s mural is set to go up at 917 Seventh St. in Improv Alley, just one of many alleys downtown sprinkled with art but that leave much to be desired.

His mural of the American River will show the greater universe above and below it.

“Light and water and matter create this incredible reality we get to experience,” McDaniel says of his concept, as he shares childhood memories of growing up with the American River in his backyard, and of fishing, hiking and biking. His paintings often include a bearded iris in memory of his mother, who suggested he start painting as a way to help him through his mental illness.

He includes the flower for a second reason.

“One day I was riding my bike with my camera and I stopped outside Sacramento State where I first saw this bearded iris, and started crying, ‘Dang Lord, I’m almost 30 years old and I’ve never seen a flower like this?’ It humbled me and reminded me that life can be beautiful but can also be like a vapor.”

The thought matches the reality of street art—that it is, ultimately, temporary.

Sobon hopes that the murals created as part of WOW gain the same respect and recognition of those historic pieces around town that have been preserved over decades.

But even he’s not worried about losing this form of art.

“Last year, we only did one mural in Jazz Alley as part of the festival, but five more have gone up since then because artists got permission from landlords to do more,” he says. “A lot of artists are just looking for canvases to paint on. And festivals like this bring legitimacy to street art.”

You’ll have several opportunities before, during and after Wide Open Walls to experience the art of more than 40 muralists descending on Sacramento during the month of August. For a chance to purchase art and swag, visit Beatnik Studios Aug. 4–25 for the WOW gallery show, which will have more than 50 pieces on display for sale. The reception is Aug. 4. To check out the full list of WOW events, learn more about the artists, and donate to the cause, visit Wow916.com and follow WOW on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

21

music, comedy & misc. Calendar

Now AcceptiNg AppoiNtmeNts!

july 31 – Aug. 14

Book oNliNe At sAcrAmeNtoBArBershop.com

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Armadillo Entresol, 5 p.m.

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Cafe Colonial Slutzville, Jabb, ¡Las Pulgas!, 8 p.m.

The Colony Paralysis, Xenophile, Trecelence, Scythe, 17Ten, 7 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Fox & Goose Open Mic Night, 7:30 p.m.

Golden 1 Center Avenged Sevenfold, A Day to Remember, 6:30 p.m.

Goldfield Maddie Leigh, 7 p.m.

Louie’s Cocktail Lounge Karaoke, 9 p.m.

LowBrau Motown on Monday’s w/ DJ Epik, 9 p.m.

Luna’s Cafe Nebraska Mondays hosted by Ross Hammond, 7:30 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe The Sometimes Island, 4 p.m.

Old Ironsides Heath Williamson & Friends, 5:30 p.m.

On The Y Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Press Club Monday Vibes, 9 p.m.

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Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

Ace of Spades Taking Back Sunday, Every Time I Die, Modern Chemistry, 6:30 p.m. (Sold Out) Blue Lamp Kap-G, J.R. Donato, Pricilla G and More, 8:30 p.m.

The Boardwalk The Sacramento Showcase 2 feat. C-Plus, YP, Natho, Blazee Ali, Deano, 3LE, Goldie, Neno, Serge, Booda and More, 9 p.m.

Crest Theatre 10,000 Maniacs, Cindy Lee Berryhill, 6:30 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Golden 1 Center Ed Sheeran, James Blunt, 7:30 p.m.

Golden Bear For the Heads w/ DJ Nocturnal, 10 p.m.

Goldfield John Nolan of Taking Back Sunday (DJ Set), 10:30 p.m.

Harlow’s In The Valley Below, Flagship, 6 p.m.

Kupros Craft House Open Mic, 8 p.m.

Old Ironsides Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Pine Cove Open Mic Night, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Live Band Karaoke, 8 p.m.

Press Club DJ Dweet, 9 p.m.

Torch Club Jessica Malone, 5:30 p.m.; Michael Ray, Bazooka Zoo, 8 p.m.

8.02 Wednesday

Bar 101 Open Mic, 7:30 p.m.

B Street Theatre Rat Columns, Daniel Beaman, Andrew Diamond Henderson, 9 p.m.

The Club Car (Auburn) The Double Shots, 7:30 p.m.

The Colony Origami Ghosts, Wayne Jetski, Lucky/You, 8 p.m.

Crest Theatre Toad the Wet Sprocket, Beta Play, 6:30 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 9 p.m.

El Dorado Saloon Open Mic Night, 7:30 p.m.

Fox & Goose All Vinyl Wednesdays w/ DJ AAKnuff, 8 p.m.

Golden 1 Center Neil Diamond: 50th Anniversary Tour, 7 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe Acoustic Open Mic, 6 p.m.

Old Ironsides Open Mic, 9 p.m.

Press Club Teenage Dirtbag 90’s Alt Rock House Party!, 8 p.m.

Shine Speak Out! Sacramento, 8 p.m.

Sophia’s Thai Kitchen Open Mic, 8 p.m.

Streets Pub and Grub Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Torch Club Sandra Dolores, 5:30 p.m.; Jonny Mojo, 9 p.m.

8.03 thursday

Ace of Spades Firehouse, SJ Syndicate, Resurrection of Ruin, 7 p.m.

Bar 101 Karaoke, 7:30 p.m.

Capitol Garage Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Center for the Arts Tyler Rich, 8 p.m.

The Club Car (Auburn) Songwriters Showcase, 8 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Dive Bar Dueling Pianos, 9 p.m.

Fox & Goose Que Bossa, 8 p.m.

Goldfield Morgan Wallen, Drew Baldridge, 7 p.m.

Harlow’s New Breed Brass Band, Element Brass Band, 6 p.m.

Kupros Craft House Dylan Crawford, 9:30 p.m.

Louie’s Cocktail Lounge Karaoke, 9 p.m.

On The Y Karaoke, 10 p.m.

Palms Playhouse (Winters) Jaime Wyatt, 8 p.m.

Pine Cove Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Moonshine Crazy, 9 p.m.

Press Club The Strange Party, The Kegels, TV Static, Rebel Holocrons, 8 p.m.

Shine Sac’s Coolest Jazz Jam, 8 p.m.

Torch Club Mind X, 5:30 p.m.; Jason Ricci, 9 p.m.

8.04 friday

Ace of Spades Lucent Dossier Experience, Thriftworks, Phutureprimitive, 7 p.m.

Bar 101 Jacob Westfall, 9:30 p.m.

Berryessa Brewing Co. Red’s Blues, 5 p.m.

Blue Lamp Disastroid, Roswell, Pröwess, Ironaut, Motorize, 8 p.m.

The Boardwalk Soul Taco, The Rockafellas, Prairie City Band, The Watt Ave. Soul Giants, Los Blazing Hangovers and More, 8 p.m.

Capitol Garage Capitol Friday’s Reggae Night w/ DJ Veyn, 10 p.m.

Center for the Arts The Secret Sisters, Wolf Creek Boys, 8 p.m.

The Club Car (Auburn) Dream and the Dreamer, 8:30 p.m.

The Colony Cliterati, Dolores 5000, Slutzville, Deadname, Mass Arrest, 7 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Fox & Goose Kevin & Allyson Seconds, Alex Walker, Vinnie Guidera & the Dead Birds, 9 p.m.

Golden Bear DJ CrookOne and Guests, 10 p.m.

Gold Country Lanes (Sutter Creek) C.T. Locke: DJ, Sing & Dance, 6:30 p.m.

Goldfield Black Map, Horseneck, 7 p.m.

Harlow’s Steelin’ Dan (Aja 40th Anniversary Celebration), 5:30 p.m.

Harris Center for the Arts JD Souther, 7:30 p.m.

Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Slightly Stoopid, J Boog, The Movement, 5 p.m.

Kupros Craft House All the Pretty Songs, 9:30 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe Open Mic Night, 6 p.m.

Old Ironsides Mr. Hooper (Album Release), Lauren Wakefield, Ms. Vybe, NSAA, DJ Joe, 9 p.m.

Opera House Saloon (Roseville) The Greg Golden Band, 9:30 p.m.

Palms Playhouse (Winters) Pat Hull, 8 p.m.

The Park Ultra Lounge DJ Elements, 9:30 p.m.

Pine Cove Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub WonderBread 5, 10 p.m.

Press Club DJ Rue, 9 p.m.

Shine Commerce, Tx, Silver Lake 66, David Jacobin, 8 p.m.

Sol Collective Sparks Across Darkness’ The Ill Skill Show w/ Tavis, Poor Majesty, Mahtie Bush, Boney-Jay and More, 7 p.m.

Streets Pub and Grub DJ Night, 9 p.m.

Strikes Unlimited (Rocklin) Live DJ & Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Swabbies on the River Metalachi, 6 p.m.

Torch Club The Outcome, 5:30 p.m.; Mike Eldred Trio, 9 p.m.

8.05 Saturday

Ace of Spades Girls Rock Sacramento Showcase, 11 a.m.; California Women’s Music presents Girls Rock Sacramento Benefit Concert featuring Missing Persons, Butterscotch, Trophii, Write or Die, and Drop Dead Red, 6 p.m.

Bar 101 Orion Walsh, 9:30 p.m.

Berryessa Brewing Co. Mike Blanchard and the Californios, 3 p.m.

Blue Lamp Sacramento Hip Hop Showcase, 9 p.m.

The Boardwalk Remix, Malcolm Bliss, Dawn of Morgana, 7 p.m.

Cache Creek Casino The Stylistics, 8 p.m.

Cafe Colonial Thrash or Die, Blessed Curse, 24Gore, Solanum, 7 p.m.

Capitol Garage Wavy w/ DJ Eddie Z and Guests, 10 p.m.

The Club Car (Auburn) Todd Morgan and the Emblems, 9 p.m.

continued on page 24

>>

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

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Oct. 10: Max

Oct. 1: luk e P ell

Oct. 30: secondhand serenade

Oct. 7: P .O.S.

UFC PPV Fights no charge

and

+ special guests

Sept. 8: N i ckel slo ts

MLB,

College Games,

& luke holland

Sept. 7: A n a po povi c

every Saturday & Sunday ‘til 2pm

Oct. 17: Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band Nov. 11: Stabbing West ward

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

23

30

2708 J Street Sacramento 916.441.4693 HarlowS.com Monday Tuesday

In The Valley Below

AUG 291 AUG

5:30PM $15adv 6PM $15adv all all ages ages

Flagship

New Breed Brass BaNd

Thursday

SEPT AUG 31

(TromBone ShorTy proTegeS from nola)

8PM 6PM$40adv $15adv all ages

elemeNt Brass BaNd

Steelin’ Dan

FriFriday / Sat

SEPT AUG 4 + 25

9PM $15adv 5:30PM $20adv all ages

( a tribute to the MuSic of Steely Dan)

Saturday Wednesday

CoastlaNds

SEPT 3 AUG 9

5:30PM 7PM $6adv $8adv

plots | astral Cult

Sunday Friday

SEPT 4 AUG 11

Sonny landreTh

7PM $30adv $8adv 5:30PM all ages Monday Saturday

heartless

SEPT12 5 AUG

5:30PM5:30PM $12adv all$35adv ages

(a TrIBuTe To hearT)

Tuesday Wednesday

Jocelyn & chriS arnDt

SEPT16 6 AUG

9PM 6PM $20adv $14 all ages

JessiCa maloNe

Thursday

tyrone WellS mike aNNuzzi

SEPT 8 AUG 17

6:30PM 5:30PM $17adv $15adv all ages all Sunday Friday

Joy & madNess

SEPT 11 AUG 18

6:30PM $5adv 9:30PM all ages $10adv

mama’s gravy

Monday Saturday

The alarm

SEPT 12 AUG 19

7PM $15adv 8PM $20adv

the ghost towN reBellioN

Wednesday Sunday

adriaN Bellue proJeCt

SEPT 14 AUG 20

7PM $20adv 5:30PM $15adv

Chad wilkiNs

See hoW they run

Thursday Tuesday

SEPT 15 AUG 22

( albuM releaSe)

5:30PM 6:30PM$18adv $8adv all ages all

riCky Berger

* all times are door times*

COMING SOON 8.25 8.26 8.27 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.08 9.12

24

Swingin’ Utters The Greg Golden Band Ta l k i n g D r e a d s :

Talking Heads tribute

Com Truise/Nosaj Thing Parsonfield Aubrey Logan George Kahumoku Gangstagrass Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre Band The Church

9.13 9.14 9.15 9.17 9.18 9.19 9.21 9.22 9.27 9.30

Marshall Crenshaw y Los StraightJackets Geographer Dead Winter Carpenters Pup Robbie Fulks Andrew Belle Willie Watson Tennyson Keith Harkin Avery*Sunshine

10.04 10.05 10.11 10.12 10.16 10.19 10.20 10.20 10.21

Boris (From Japan) El Ten Eleven Marc Broussard TAUK JR JR Las Migas Together Pangea Wonderbread 5 (Late) House of Floyd:

Pink Floyd tribute

10.23 Mario Spinetti

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

The Colony X-Method, Unprovoked, Came to Conquer, Reflection of Many, Cold Trap, 7 p.m.

Crest Theatre Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash feat. Live Dead ‘69, 6:30 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Fox & Goose OverState, Temple K. Kirk, Julie Bruce, Diana Scott, 9 p.m.

Goldfield Thicker Than Thieves, Animo Cruz, 7 p.m.

Harlow’s Steelin’ Dan (Aja 40th Anniversary Celebration), 5:30 p.m.

Kupros Craft House Truth, 9:30 p.m.

Latino Center Of The Arts Daydream Festival feat. Pregnant, Honyock, Vandalaze, Los Bottom Feeders, Mallard, Seemway, Anime Aliens, Edmondson, Pierce and the Gals, Spleenagers, R.Y.A.N, Vida Solstice, 3 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe Free Ukulele Class, 1 p.m.; Liz Ryder, 5 p.m.

Old Ironsides Lipstick! w/ DJs Shaun Slaughter & Roger Carpio, 9 p.m.

On The Y Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Opera House Saloon (Roseville) Branded, 9 p.m.

PJ’s Roadhouse (Placerville) Sunsound, Mourning Mountains, Erik Childs, Peri Hawkins, 8 p.m.

The Park Ultra Lounge DJ Peeti-V, 9:30 p.m.

Pine Cove Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Love & Theft, 9:30 p.m.

Press Club Electro Group and The Comedians, 5 p.m.; DJ Larry Rodriguez, 9 p.m.

Sauced BBQ & Spirits Urban Outlaws, 9:30 p.m.

Shine Kelly Jane, Gianna-Biagi and the Main Event, 8 p.m.

Sophia’s Thai Kitchen Sunhaze, Pastel Dream, 9:30 p.m.

Strikes Unlimited (Rocklin) The MockUps, 9 p.m.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort Soul Fest ‘17 feat. The O’Jays, Morris Day and the Time, SOS Band, GQ, 5:30 p.m.

Torch Club Lightnin’ Willie, 5:30 p.m.; AC Myles, 9 p.m.

8.06 sunday

Berryessa Brewing Co. City of Trees Brass Band, 3 p.m.

Blue Lamp Eyehategod, Capitalist Casualties, Battle Hag, xTomHanx, 7:30 p.m.

Cache Creek Casino Buck Ford, 5 p.m.

Carmichael Elks Lodge Metro Swing Band, 7 p.m.

The Colony Feels, Shame Waves, 7 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 8 p.m.

Goldfield Samantha Fish, 7 p.m.

LowBrau Throwback Jams w/ DJ Epik & Special Guests, 9:30 p.m.

Midtown BarFly Factor IX w/ DJ Bryan Hawk, DJ CarnieRobber and Guests, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Tom Noxin, 3 p.m.

Press Club Sunday Night Soul Party w/ DJ Larry Rodriguez, 9 p.m.

Swabbies on the River Sandy Nuyts Whiskey Maiden, 1 p.m.; Spazmatics, 4 p.m.

Torch Club Blues Jam, 4 p.m.; Front the Band, 8 p.m.

8.07 monday

CLARA (E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts) Shelley Burns Trio, 7 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Fox & Goose Open Mic Night, 7:30 p.m.

Louie’s Cocktail Lounge Karaoke, 9 p.m.

LowBrau Motown on Monday’s w/ DJ Epik, 9 p.m.

Luna’s Cafe Nebraska Mondays hosted by Ross Hammond, 7:30 p.m.

Old Ironsides Heath Williamson & Friends, 5:30 p.m.

On The Y Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Press Club Fuego w/ Juanny Depp and 99Lean, 9 p.m.

Pine Cove Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Straight Shooter, 9:30 p.m.

Press Club The Bombpops, The Fuck Off and Dies, HotBods, Danger Inc., 8 p.m.

Scarlet’s Saloon According to Bazooka, 8:30 p.m.

Shine Sac’s Coolest Jazz Jam, 8 p.m.

Torch Club Mind X, 5:30 p.m.; San Geronimo, 9 p.m.

8.08 8.11 Tuesday

Blue Lamp The Goddamn Gallows, Riot Radio, You Bastard, 8 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Golden Bear For the Heads w/ DJ Nocturnal, 10 p.m.

Kupros Craft House Open Mic, 8 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe West Coast Songwriters Competition, 6 p.m.

Old Ironsides Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Pine Cove Open Mic Night, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Live Band Karaoke, 8 p.m.

Torch Club Bill Mylar, 5:30 p.m.; Spork, The Debaucherauntes, 8 p.m.

8.09 wednesday

Bar 101 Open Mic, 7:30 p.m.

The Club Car (Auburn) The Double Shots, 7:30 p.m.

The Colony Flight Mongoose, Bad Joy, The Short Trip, 8 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 9 p.m.

El Dorado Saloon Open Mic Night, 7:30 p.m.

Fox & Goose All Vinyl Wednesdays w/ DJ AAKnuff, 8 p.m.

Harlow’s Coastlands, Plots, Astral Cult, 7 p.m.

Momo Sacramento Fallout Kings, HERESaY, Free Candy, Lowglance, 6:30 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe Acoustic Open Mic, 6 p.m.

Old Ironsides Open Mic, 9 p.m.

Press Club Trash Rock w/ DJ Trash Epiphany, 9 p.m.

Sophia’s Thai Kitchen Open Mic, 8 p.m.

Streets Pub and Grub Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Torch Club Sandra Dolores, 5:30 p.m.; Anne Hall & The Remarkables, 9 p.m.

FRIDAY

The Band Room (Placerville) Monobody, So Much Light, Floral, Find Yourself, AKAW!, 8 p.m.

Bar 101 Adrian Bellue, 9:30 p.m.

Berryessa Brewing Co. Scott Guberman, 3 p.m.

Blue Lamp Scratch Outs, Zion Roots, Rhythmnaires, 8:30 p.m.

The Boardwalk Anarchy Lace, Nova Sutro, Super Mega Everything, Counterfeit Resistance, 7 p.m.

Cache Creek Casino Lupillo Rivera, 9 p.m.

Cafe Colonial Dead Frets, Tim Williamson, Patrick Nehoda, Shades Mantooth, 8 p.m.

Capitol Garage Capitol Friday’s Reggae Night w/ DJ Veyn, 10 p.m.

The Club Car (Auburn) Stegall and Lambeth, 9 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Golden Bear DJ CrookOne and Guests, 10 p.m.

Gold Country Lanes (Sutter Creek) C.T. Locke: DJ, Sing & Dance, 6:30 p.m.

Goldfield Katastro, 7 p.m.

Harlow’s Sonny Landreth, 5:30 p.m.

Kupros Craft House The Stummies, 9:30 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe Open Mic Night, 6 p.m.

Old Ironsides Mono Funk, The Mechula, Like Wine Like Water, 8:30 p.m.

Palms Playhouse (Winters) Anthony Gomes, 8 p.m.

The Park Ultra Lounge DJ Five, 9:30 p.m.

Pine Cove Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Press Club DJ Rue, 9 p.m.

Streets Pub and Grub DJ Night, 9 p.m.

Swabbies on the River Kalimba (Earth, Wind, Fire tribute), 6 p.m.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort Huey Lewis & the News, Greg Kihn, 7 p.m.

Torch Club The Hucklebucks, 5:30 p.m.; Gino Matteo Band, 9 p.m.

8.10 8.12 Thursday

Ace of Spades Atmosphere, Zuluzuluu, Greg Grease, DJ Just Nine, 6:30 p.m.

(Sold Out) Bar 101 Karaoke, 7:30 p.m.

Blue Lamp The Ataris, The Queers, O’Mulligans, 8 p.m.

Capitol Garage Karaoke, 9 p.m.

The Club Car (Auburn) Songwriters Showcase, 8 p.m.

The Colony Celebrity Crush, Rose Dorn, Tabloid Tea, R.Y.A.N., 8 p.m.

Crocker Art Museum ArtMix: Combust feat. DJ Freddy Silva, DJ James Beckmann and More, 6 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Dive Bar Dueling Pianos, 9 p.m.

Fox & Goose Michael B. Justis, 8 p.m.

Kupros Craft House Stephen Yerkey, 9:30 p.m.

Louie’s Cocktail Lounge Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Momo Sacramento Post/War, Two Cloths and a Barrel, 9 p.m.

Old Ironsides Remedy 7, 6 p.m.

Palms Playhouse (Winters) Chris Thomas King, 8 p.m.

Saturday

20th Street (between J and K) THIS Is Midtown Block Party w/ Luca Lush, Van Bobbi, DJ Epik, 5 p.m.

Ace of Spades Too Short, DJ Eddie Z, 7 p.m.

Berryessa Brewing Co. Nickel Slots, 3 p.m.

Blue Lamp AP9, 8:30 p.m.

The Boardwalk Danny K’s Pro Rock Jam, 7 p.m.

Capitol Garage Wavy w/ DJ Eddie Z and Guests, 10 p.m.

CLARA (E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts) Mariachi Festival de Sacramento, 2 p.m.

The Club Car (Auburn) The Steven Menconi Band, 9 p.m.

Crest Theatre Tim Flannery and The Lunatic Fringe, 6:30 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Fox & Goose Mr. P Chill, Oscar Goldman, Farmed Goods, Mike Colossal and More, 9 p.m.

Harlow’s Heartless (Heart Tribute), 5:30 p.m.

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

Kupros Craft House Sactown Playboys, 9:30 p.m.

Miner’s Leap Winery Lef Deppard, 7 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe Free Ukulele Class, 1 p.m.; Melonnee Desireé, 6 p.m.

Opera House Saloon (Roseville) BlackWater, 8 p.m.

Palms Playhouse (Winters) California Guitar Trio, Montreal Guitar Trio, 8 p.m.

Pine Cove Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Moonshine Crazy, 10 p.m.

Press Club DJ Larry Rodriguez, 9 p.m.

Sauced BBQ & Spirits Brodie Stewart, 9:30 p.m.

Shine Rachel Oto, 8 p.m.

Sophia’s Thai Kitchen Write or Die, Firemaid, 9:30 p.m.

Strikes Unlimited (Rocklin) Rhythm City All-Stars, 9 p.m.

Swabbies on the River Clean Slate, 1 p.m.; Maxx Cabello, 6 p.m.

Torch Club The Stuff, 5:30 p.m.; Dirty Revival, 9 p.m.

Toyota Amphitheatre Sam Hunt, Maren Morris, Ryan Follese, Chris Janson, 7 p.m.

8.13 Sunday

Berryessa Brewing Co. Tropicali Flames, 3 p.m.

Blue Lamp Hemlock and the Moshers of the Universe, 7:30 p.m.

Cache Creek Casino Mr. Chi Tien Yip, Ms. Frances Yip, 2 & 5 p.m.

Crocker Art Museum Duo Stephanie and Saar: One Piano Four Hands, 3 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 8 p.m.

Golden 1 Center Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, D.R.A.M., 6:30 p.m.

Harris Center for the Arts Terri Clark, 7 p.m.

LowBrau Throwback Jams w/ DJ Epik & Special Guests, 9:30 p.m.

Midtown BarFly Factor IX w/ DJ Bryan Hawk, DJ CarnieRobber and Guests, 9 p.m.

Momo Sacramento A Night of Ukulele w/ Andrew Molina & Corey Fujimoto, 6:30 p.m.

Powerhouse Pub Braid Wilson, 3 p.m.

Press Club Sunday Night Soul Party w/ DJ Larry Rodriguez, 9 p.m.

Swabbies on the River Rogue (20 Year Anniversary Show), 2:30 p.m.

Torch Club Sacramento Blues Society Party feat. Doug Macleod, 4 p.m.; Front the Band, 8 p.m.

8.14 monday

Antiquite Maison Privee Jamie Davis Quintet, 7 p.m.

Blue Lamp Prozak and More, 9 p.m.

Distillery Karaoke, 9 p.m.

Fox & Goose Open Mic Night, 7:30 p.m.

Louie’s Cocktail Lounge Karaoke, 9 p.m.

LowBrau Motown on Monday’s w/ DJ Epik, 9 p.m.

Luna’s Cafe Nebraska Mondays hosted

by Ross Hammond, 7:30 p.m.

Old Ironsides Heath Williamson & Friends, 5:30 p.m.

Comedy The Center for the Arts (Grass Valley) Warning: These Jokes Will Probably Kill You – An Evening with Katie Rubin, Aug. 5, 8 p.m.

Community Center Theater Joe Rogan, Aug. 3, 7:30 & 10 p.m.

Fox & Goose Fem Dom Com: Female Dominated Comedy Hosted by Jaime Fernandez, Emma Haney & Becky Lynn, Aug. 11, 9 p.m.

Laughs Unlimited Comedy Open Mic Showcase, Aug. 1, 8 p.m.

SubmergeMag.com

Alex Elkin feat. Brent MacDonald, Aug. 4 - 6, Fri. & Sat., 8 & 10:30 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.

Deaf Puppies Comedy Hosted by Anthony K, Aug. 9, 8 p.m.

Illegal Comedy feat. Yoshi & Esther Ku, Cole Young, Jason Mack, Bob Fernandez, Chris Cruz, Aug. 10, 8 p.m.

Daniel Dugar feat. Stephen Furey, Aug. 11 - 13, Fri. & Sat., 8 & 10:30 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.

Luna’s Cafe Open Mic Comedy w/ Host Jaime Fernandez, Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m.

On the Y Open Mic Comedy w/ Host Robert Berry, Thursdays, 8:30 p.m.

Punch Line Lance Woods, Aug. 2, 8 p.m.

Sacramento Comedy Showcase, Aug. 3, 8 p.m.

Lil Duval, Aug. 4 - 6, Fri. & Sat., 8 & 10 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.

Off the Top, Aug. 9, 8 p.m.

Louis Katz, Kris Tinkle, Hosted by Molly Ruben-Long, Aug. 10, 8 p.m.

Tom Segura: No Teeth No Entry Tour, Aug. 11 - 12, 8 & 10:15 p.m.

Sammy Obeid and Patrick O’Sullivan, Aug. 13, 7 p.m.

Sacramento Comedy Spot Open Mic, Sunday’s and Monday’s, 8 p.m.

Improv Taste Test and Harold Night, Wednesday’s, 7 - 10 p.m.

Cage Match and Improv Jam, Thursday’s, 8 - 10 p.m.

Anti-Cooperation League, Saturday’s, 9 p.m.

Tommy T’s Tony Roberts, Aug. 4 - 6, Fri., 7:30 & 10:15 p.m.; Sat., 7 & 9:45 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.

Misc.

8th and W Streets Certified Farmers Market, Sunday’s, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

1810 Gallery Receptions for Art Is... (An Exhibition About Art) by Akira Beard, Aug. 4 & Aug. 12, 6 - 10 p.m.

20th Street (between J and K) Midtown Farmers Market, Saturday’s, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

B Street Theatre Bloomsday, Through Sept. 10 The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, Aug. 9 - Sept. 9 The Barn (West Sacramento) Off the Grid Markets Presents: Saturday Nights at the Barn feat. Food Trucks, Live Music and More, Saturday’s, 5 - 10 p.m.

Belle Cooledge Library Poetry and Pizza: An Open Mic, Aug. 12, 7 p.m.

Blue Cue Trivia Night, Wednesday’s, 9 p.m.

The Boxing Donkey Trivia Night, Tuesday’s, 8 p.m.

Carmichael Park 3rd Annual Peach Festival, Aug. 13, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Capitol Mall Certified Farmers Market, Thursday’s, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Capitol Mall Greens Lunar Lunacy Ride 2017, Aug. 5, 7 p.m.

Cesar Chavez Plaza Certified Farmers Market, Wednesday’s, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Country Club Plaza Certified Farmers Market, Saturday’s, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

California State Capitol - North Steps Connection Africa’s Celebration for Elephants and All Endangered Wildlife, Aug. 12, 10:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

CLARA (E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts) Food for Thought: How to Build a Restaurant Empire w/ Chris Jarosz & Garrett Van Vleck, Aug. 1, 6:15 p.m.

Crest Theatre Film Screening: The Princess Bride, Aug. 4, 7:30 p.m.

Film Screening: Clockwork Orange, Aug. 6, 7:30 p.m.

Film Screening: Fargo, Aug. 11, 7:30 p.m.

Film Screening: Rushmore, Aug. 13, 7:30 p.m.

Croatian American Cultural Center Festa Italiana, Aug. 5 - 6, 11 a.m.

Crocker Art Museum Turn the Page: The First Ten Years of Hi-Fructose, Through Sept. 17 Full Spectrum: Paintings by Raimonds Staprans, Through Oct. 8

Double Nickel Smokehouse (Elk Grove) The Love Jones Experience: Poets, Singers and More, Aug. 11, 9 p.m.

Florin Road & 65th Street Certified Farmers Market, Thursday’s, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Fox & Goose Pub Quiz, Tuesday’s, 7 p.m.

Hook and Ladder Manufacturing Co. Cocktail Academy: Vodka and Gin, Aug. 12, 2 p.m.

Highwater The Trivia Factory, Monday’s, 7 p.m.

Historic Oak Park Gather: Oak Park, Aug. 10, 5 - 9 p.m.

Historic Old Folsom Farmers Market, Saturday’s, 8 a.m.

Hyatt Regency Sacramento Crushing It: How the Wine Industry is Influencing Agriculture, Aug. 3, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Identity Coffees The Midtown Bazaar feat. Artisan Empire, Driftwoods Clothing, Manjar Ceramics, Petercat Jewelry and More, Aug. 12, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Kennedy Gallery Art Center Let’s Rock Photography Exhibit by Jason Debord, Through Aug. 7 Kupros Craft House Triviology, Sunday’s, 7:30 p.m.

Laughs Unlimited Venus vs Mars: The Original Female & Male Panel Productive Relationship Forum, Aug. 3, 8 p.m.

Luna’s Cafe Poetry Unplugged, Thursday’s, 8 p.m.

McClatchy Park Oak Park Farmers Market, Saturday’s, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Memorial Auditorium NXT Live!, Aug. 12, 7:30 p.m.

Mesa Verde Performing Arts Center Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, Aug. 4 - 20 Midtown BarFly Salsa Lessons, Wednesday’s, 8 p.m.

Nicholson’s MusiCafe Trivia Night, Monday’s, 7 p.m.

North Natomas Regional Park First Fridays feat. Food Trucks, Live Music, Beer Garden and Local Vendors, Aug. 4, 6 - 9 p.m.

Oak Park Brewing Co. Trivia Night, Sunday’s, 8 p.m.

Old Sacramento Old Sacramento Dinner Walk, Aug. 9, 6 p.m.

O’Neil Park Sacramento Pow Wow, Aug. 11 - 13 Raley Field The Color Run 5K Sacramento, Aug. 5, 8 - 11 a.m.

Roosevelt Park Certified Farmers Market, Tuesday’s, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Rusch Home and Gardens Citrus Heights Craft Brewfest and Wine Tasting, Aug. 5, 5 p.m.

Sacramento Zoo Off the Grid: Sacramento Zoo feat. Food Trucks and More, Thursday’s, 5 - 9 p.m.

Sacred City Warehouse Sacred City Roller Derby Doubleheader, Aug. 12, 6 p.m.

Scottish Rite Center Sac Pop Culture Expo, Aug. 5, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Shine Questionable Trivia, Tuesdays, 8 p.m.

Streets Pub and Grub Pub Trivia, Sunday’s, 8 p.m.

Strikes Unlimited (Rocklin) Let’s Get Quzzical: Trivia Game Show Experience, Tuesday’s, 7 p.m.

Tsakopoulos Library Galleria 8th Annual NeighborWorks Art, Wine and Food Classic, Aug. 12, 5:30 p.m.

Various Locations Throughout Sacramento Wide Open Walls Mural Festival, Aug. 10 - 20 Verge Center for the Arts The Brightsiders Group Art Show Curated by Adam D. Miller, Through Aug. 20 Wells Fargo Pavilion Damn Yankees, Aug. 8 - 13 William Land Park The Fire Spectacular 10 Year Anniversary feat. Movement Workshops, Vendor Expo, Performances and More, Aug. 12, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

8th Annual Sacramento Banana Festival, Aug. 12 - 13, 10 a.m.

Yolo Brewing Co. Trivia Night, Tuesday’s, 6 p.m.

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Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

25

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Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

AvAIlABle for iPHoNe & ANDroID

the shallow end Not You Too, Roomba We finally got some good news in regards to climate change this week: North Korea once again launched an intercontinental ballistic missile that reached a height of 2,314 miles and traveled 620 miles before landing in the Sea of Japan.

According to North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency, the missile was capable of carrying a “large-sized, heavy nuclear warhead.” Considering their tendency to boast, I wouldn’t be surprised if the ICBM could also haul a blessing of unicorns, banished dwarf planet Pluto and a year’s supply of Cap’n Crunch. In response, the United States flew two B-1 bombers over South Korea’s airspace as a show of our country’s military might, and also tested a missile defense system in Alaska by launching its own ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean. (I guess that garbage island that’s floating out there somewhere is stoked.)

This is wonderful news for climate change, because after Ragnarok occurs, our pollutants will be wiped out with us, and after a few hundred million years, the planet will get back to its normal business of orbiting the sun and producing life, and hopefully whatever comes next will be much better caretakers of this big blue ball than we’ve been.

As if that wasn’t enough to worry about, closer to home, you may have a Judas in your midst. I have to admit, I was totally enamored with this little critter as soon as I laid eyes on it. Roomba, a robotic vacuum cleaner sweeper thing produced by iRobot, is just about the most adorable thing ever, and it’s so helpful. It just glides around your floor, picking up whatever dirt you dragged in from outside, or whichever particles of food didn’t make it into your mouth.

It eliminates your need to waste precious minutes of your day sweeping or Swiffering or whatever and allows you to spend more time watching Netflix or tweeting about whatever bizarre bullshit the president just tweeted.

Roomba is your friend, right? These are the kind of things that define a true bro.

But Roomba may not be as innocent as it seems … but even if it isn’t, it’s still so fucking cute!!! Have you ever seen videos of pets freaked out by Roomba? Priceless! Pets don’t know what

James Barone jb@submergemag.com

to make of the thing. They’re just all, WHAT IS THAT, and they can’t even. Man, you can spend all day watching those videos … more so now that Roomba is keeping your apartment clean.

But is that all Roomba is doing? Apparently not. Apparently, like everything else in our houses and on our phones and in our computers, it’s collecting data. Now before you freak out like I did (and I don’t even own a Roomba), your ro-bro isn’t just transmitting the info it collects to whomever may be interested.

Sure, Roomba is mapping your home—identifying where your couch and other furniture is, etc.—as it buzzes around your floor, but it does this in order to do its job better, because it’s just a delightful little scamp. I just want to pinch its cheeks!

Roomba, clearly, wouldn’t stab you in the back, but what about its creator iRobot?

Are they going to corrupt your adorable buddy? Colin Angle, iRobot CEO, intimated to Reuters that his company was looking to reach a deal in the next couple years to share the data collected by Roomba with Amazon, Google and Apple, with the consumer’s consent, of course.

“There’s an entire ecosystem of things and services that the smart home can deliver once you have a rich map of the home that the user has allowed to be shared,” Angle told Reuters.

However, iRobot quickly made an about-face after Angle’s comments were met with ire from homeowners concerned about their privacy.

“First things first, iRobot will never [sic] sell your data. Our mission is to help you keep a cleaner home and, in time, to help the smart home and the devices in it work better,” iRobot wrote in response to ZDNet.com. The company added that it believed that the “trusted relationship between you, your robot and iRobot” as “critical.”

I really want to trust Roomba … I need to trust Roomba. It reminds me of Wall-E, and I fucking love Wall-E. (In fact, I often wondered why they didn’t design the Roomba to look more like the famous Pixar bot, with big googly eyes and all … not that Roomba could be any cuter.) That little guy was able to navigate a post-apocalyptic world and help create a more beautiful future. We may be needing Roomba to help us do the same very soon.

Dive Into Sacramento & Its Surrounding Areas

coMinG to GraSS Valley GeT TickeTs NOW! friday, auGuSt 18

Sunday, auGuSt 20

Doyle Bramhall II

friday, SepteMber 8

in conversation with

Alice WAters

opening: ruston Kelly

VeteranS MeMorial auditoriuM 255 S. auBurn ST, GraSS valleY

VeteranS MeMorial auditoriuM 255 S. auBurn ST, GraSS valleY $24 members, $27 general public thurSday, auGuSt 3

$47 members, $52 general public, $67 premium

$22 members, $27 general public

friday, auGuSt 4

Saturday, auGuSt 5

auGuSt 24 + 25

thurSday, auGuSt 31

two ts! nigh

the Secret Sisters

Warning: These Jokes Will Probably Kill You

opening: Wolf creek Boys

Katie rubin

Sawyer fredericks

emiSunshine

$24 members, $27 general public

$20 members, $24 general public

$26 members, $30 general public

$22 members, $25 general public

$12 students, $22 members $25 general public

Saturday, SepteMber 16

Saturday, SepteMber 23

WedneSday, october 11

october 16 + 17

thurSday, october 19

tyler rich

an evening with

two ts! nigh

John Scofield & Jon cleary $37 members, $42 general public

an evening with

perla batalla Sarah Jarosz $37 members, $42 general public

$27 members, $30 general public

rising appalachia

Simply three

$29 members, $34 general public

$12 students, $27 members, $30 general public

530.274.8384 • 314 W. Main St, GraSS Valley all shows at our intimate Main StaGe theater unless otherwise noted

B e co m e a m e m B e r & Sav e

For a complete listing of events visit:

thecenterfortheartS.orG SubmergeMag.com

Issue 245 • July 31 – August 14, 2017

*Ticket prices do not include applicable fees

27

Dive into Sacramento & its Surrounding Areas July 31 – August 14, 2017

so much light

+

#245

jon pardi california son

wide open walls paint the town

f utu r e p o p

Union Hearts Say Goodbye with New Album Get Wowed: Lucent Dossier Come to Ace of Spades ODESZA Announce Halloween Show

free

sacred fire The Unforgettable Flame