- The Rosewood Thieves
THE ROSEWOOD THIEVES
Rise & Shine nearly got lost in a stack of promos. It would have been a damned shame if someone hadn’t cleaned off her desk and discovered the 2008 LP six months after its release. The Rosewood Thieves’ full-length debut is a gem of a record, from the sun-kissed opener “Silver Gun” to the psychedelic amusement park sound effects on “Fair Lights Flashing.” It’s track after track of solid gold. The New York band’s dusty folk-rock is soulful, catchy and classic with the potential for a nice, long shelf life. They’re currently touring in support of two relatively new EPs, Live at the Basement—Nashville, TN and Heartaches By the Pound, a collection of Solomon Burke covers. The Listening Room, 608 Main, Park City, 9 p.m. (with The Dead Trees)
BROTHER ALI
Brother Ali, Toki Wright and Evidence exude confidence without arrogance. Trading rhymes in the round in leadup to their current Fresh Air tour, the Minneapolis emcees display more courage than bravado—though it’s safe to say this is one tight crew you want on your side. They might be sweethearts, but pushovers? Ha! Brother Ali is best known as the “Albino Muslim rapper” whose latest LP, Us, delivers more of the same smooth, socially conscious tunes that first earned him respect outside the Twin Cities. Each of tonight’s featured acts holds his own with as much grace and power as he brings to the trio’s spontaneous collaborations. BK One rounds out the pack on the ones and twos. Don’t miss another opportunity to testify: The truth is here. In the Venue, 579 W. 200 South, 8 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.com
WHITE HINTERLAND
On her food blog, Hungry Oyster, Casey Dienel writes, “Adventure is what makes eating interesting.” And she applies this belief to both culinary and musical pursuits—whether foraging for mushrooms or tapping out elegant, strange and slightly whimsical melodies on her Wurlitzer/synths/electric ukulele. As White Hinterland, she cooks up songs that, on her third full-length Phylactery Factory (Dead Oceans), loops together bossa nova, jazz and folk in an intricate, orchestral bow. Dienel’s voice is delicate but not fragile or weak. It skates across piano and strings, dropping heavy thoughts and serious observations with deceptive ease. White Hinterland, now a duo featuring Shawn Creeden on percussion/cassettes/beats/Vietnamese black box, is currently on the road previewing songs off the forthcoming Factory follow-up out sometime next year. Don’t miss this peek at wonders new and adventurous. Slowtrain, 221 E. Broadway, 8 p.m. All-ages. Free
MONDAY 10.5
Initially recorded on 16-track two-inch tape and later digitized, Charlie Hunter’s latest LP Baboon Strength owes much of its appeal to Erik Deutch’s 1970s Yamaha combo organ, Casiotone and Echoplex—an amazing instrument capable of extracting sounds both classic and cosmic. It helps that Deutch knows how to manipulate it so, perfectly complementing Hunter’s innovative genius on his signature seven-string guitar. And don’t forget Tony Mason, locking the whole shebang into a solid groove. Oh, it’s smooth. Hunter just recently emerged from the studio recording Strength’s follow-up with another all-star cast players including members of Jazz Passengers and Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. Tonight, he’ll showcase his instrumental jazz/funk prowess with Terrence Higgins (Dirty Brass Band). Hunter makes complex arrangements appear easy. Rest assured, they’re not. All you have to do is sit back; enjoy the ride. The State Room, 638 S. State, p.m. Tickets: TheStateRoomSLC.com
WEDNESDAY 10.7
JULIETTE LEWIS, THE ETTES
Juliette Lewis isn’t outdoor amphitheater
material. This isn’t meant as a slam—the actress/musician simply comes
off better in an intimate club setting. During her opening set for The
Pretenders’ Aug. 23 gig at Red Butte Garden, one couldn’t help but
picture the limber artist (Pilates totally works, folks) doing
backbends on a dingy bar stage and diving into the audience, recruiting
dazed spectators for impromptu sing-alongs. Instead, seated (and
soaked), ticket holders watched Lewis from afar and politely applauded
her bluesy howl. Lewis can sing, but more importantly, she can strut.
And tonight, she’ll have another chance to win over Salt Lakers in a
more appropriate environment. Don’t miss openers The Ettes (left), a raw and
powerful trio of gutsy garage-rockers propelled by siren Coco’s smart,
tough “Pink Ladies” delivery. Club Vegas, 445 S. 400 West, Salt Lake City, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: SmithsTix.com (with American Bang)
COMING UP
Soulfly (Club Vegas, Oct. 8); The Voodoo Organist (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, Oct. 8); Stephen Lynch (Depot, Oct. 8); Chris Smither (The State Room, Oct. 8); The Reckless Ones (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, Oct. 9); Brand New, The Builders & The Butchers (Salt Palace Convention Center, Oct. 9); Dr. Dog, Jolie Holland (Urban Lounge, Oct. 9); Why? (In the Venue, Oct. 10); Butthole Surfers (Urban Lounge, Oct. 10); Old Crow Medicine Show (Depot, Oct. 10); The Used (Great Saltair, Oct. 10); Owl City (Murray Theater, Oct. 11)
