GOODBYE, HELLO
This week sees the final run of one beloved music festival, and the announcement of a new, upcoming festival.
For the past three years, local musicians Logan Greene, Mullarkey, Matt Milner, and Tim Milner have organized the Bröötal Sun Fest, an all-ages, DIY festival at multiple locations in town. The idea came from another festival, the Crucial Fun Fest, in Lexington, Ky., at which Greene and Tim Milner's band Doctor Dinosaur played in 2009. Prior to last year's fest Greene told the Weekly, "We were trying to create a festival that's all-ages, not-for-profit, and a fun event that brings together a lot of talented bands from around the country. We're really excited to create something that's totally our thing, and we don't need to have a big-name band as a solid headliner."
The organizers have intentionally imbued the gathering with a friendly, comfortable vibe as opposed to worrying about how many tickets they sell.
"With bands I've been in, it's our goal to play festivals like this," Greene said. "For a lot of these bands, they're on the DIY ethic and really want a smaller, closer audience. We'd rather sell out a small venue than do a medium-sized show at a larger venue."
But with age comes added responsibilities, and BSF's organizers are no exception. For that reason, this year's iteration will be the last Bröötal Sun Fest.
The festival runs from Thursday, Aug. 1, through Saturday, August 3, and will take place at three venues: Skrappy's, 191 E. Toole Ave; Tucson Live Music Space (TLMS), 125 W. Ventura; and The Compound, 127 E. Navajo Road. Here's what the schedule looks like:
Thursday, Aug. 1, at TLMS: River Man (8 p.m.), Lucy and the Hypnopompic Orchestra (8:30 p.m.), Where Are All the Buffalo (9 p.m.), And We Will All Become Astronauts (9:30 p.m.), Logan Greene Electric (10 p.m.).
Friday, Aug 2, at Skrappy's: Southbound and Down (7 p.m.), Tree Stars (7:30 p.m.), Man Bites Dog (8 p.m.), Arroyo Deathmatch (8:30 p.m.), Doctor Dinosaur (9 p.m.), Paul Baribeau (9:30 p.m.). An after party will take place at The Compound starting around 10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 3, at Skrappy's: Ex-Cowboy (1:30 p.m.), Human Behavior (2 p.m.), Dubois (2:30 p.m.), Tyler Daniel Bean (3 p.m.), Remambran (3:30 p.m.), Cave Babies (4 p.m.), Watercolor Paintings (4:30 p.m.), Treasure Mammal (5 p.m.). After a break for dinner, the action resumes at Skrappy's: Fathers Day (7 p.m.), American Lies (7:30 p.m.), Fireswamp (8 p.m.), Diners (8:30 p.m.), Dogbreth (9 p.m.), Moon Bandits (9:30 p.m.), Ramshackle Glory (10 p.m.).
The fest concludes at The Compound on Saturday, Aug. 3, with two final bands: Bogsey & the Argonauts at 11 p.m., and Sledding With Tigers at 11:30 p.m.
Tickets for Bröötal Sun Fest are $15, and may be purchased in advance via a link at facebook.com/brootalsunfest. Thanks for all the fun over the years, gents!
As I said above, just as this is the final Bröötal Sun Fest, another festival's inaugural outing is being planned. Dubbed Night of the Living Festival, the one-day event is set to take place on Saturday, Nov. 2, which just happens to be the night before the All Souls Procession.
Why am I telling you about a festival that's happening two months from now? Because the organizers will be holding an Announcement Party at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 26, in the courtyard at Mercado San Agustin, 100 S. Avenida del Convento. The organizers will be showing their Kickstarter video (which is pretty damn funny), taking donations, selling tickets, and unveiling their website. Oh, and perhaps the most important part: 12 of the roughly 24 national and local acts performing will be announced. I've seen the list and it's pretty freakin' killer. Not to mention that there are still a dozen acts that I haven't heard about yet.
See you at the Mercado on Friday!
WE HATE IT WHEN OUR FRIENDS BECOME SUCCESSFUL
It seems like every week lately we have to report to you that a member of the local music community is departing for greener pastures, and this week is no exception – except that we're losing two people this week.
Singer-songwriter Tracy Shedd and her guitarist husband, James Tritten, will be relocating to North Carolina this week. In addition to playing guitar for Shedd, Tritten is, of course, the owner and operator of the local Fort Lowell Records label, which has released a slew of 7-inch singles and a pair of LPs, mostly by local artists. Tritten sent a farewell letter to Soundbites explaining the move, so here's a slightly edited excerpt in his own words:
"Folks, the time has come for Tracy and me to move on. Our time is up in Tucson, AZ. Now, now... Fort Lowell Records is not coming to an end. In fact, I am anticipating that it is going to grow to be bigger than I could have ever imagined it to be!
"I am extremely proud to share with all of you that I am concluding my 21-year career with Marriott International and the hotel industry altogether, and will be moving to Carrboro, North Carolina (neighboring city to Chapel Hill, NC), where I have been given the opportunity to be the Venue Manager for The Cat's Cradle.
"The Cat's Cradle is a LEGENDARY concert venue! It was highlighted in Sonic Youth's song 'Chapel Hill' -- '...and get the Cradle rockin'! The Cat's Cradle has been around 40 years, and is an 850-capacity room that hosts many of the same touring acts as the Rialto Theatre! It is truly an honor to be given this responsibility and work alongside Frank Heath, owner of The Cradle!
"Tracy and I will be driving toward the sunrise on Monday, July 29th, first thing in the morning. We will both miss you all, and we want you to know we were very grateful for all of the support you gave us and Fort Lowell Records over the past few years."
On a personal note, Tritten and I worked together as part of the crew who put together the Luz de Vida compilation album, for which all profits were donated to the Tucson Together Fund, which benefits victims, families, and witnesses of the Jan. 8, 2011, shooting. Without his motivation and organizing skills, I have a feeling the album may never have seen the light of day.
Thanks, James and Tracy, for all you've given Tucson over the years, and best of luck in North Carolina!
IF YOU HAVE TO ASK, YOU'LL NEVER KNOW
Comprising four-time ASCAP Award-winning composer/arranger Jesse Elder on piano, Downbeat Critics Poll winner Scott Tixier on violin, Matt Parker on sax, Kenball Zwerin on bass, and Tucson native and drummer extraordinaire Arthur Vint, The Candy Shop Boys are a critically acclaimed New York City-based jazz band that will make their Tucson debut at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 26, at the Hotel Congress Plaza, 311 E. Congress St. The group released their debut album, Sugarfoot Stomp, in April, on which they were joined by vocalist Sophia Urista. She'll be with the Boys at Friday's appearance, as will DJ Julio Montery. Admission is free and you can get more info at hotelcongress.com/club or by calling 622-8848.
ON THE BANDWAGON
Here's a sampling of the shows we didn't get to tell you about in detail: BoDeans at Club Congress on Saturday, July 27; Florida Georgia Line at AVA at Casino del Sol on Sunday, July 28; All Shall Perish, Oceano, Within the Ruins, Reflections and more at The Rock on Tuesday, July 30; Matchbox 20 at AVA at Casino del Sol on Saturday, July 27; Balmorhea and Lost Limbs at Club Congress on Wednesday, July 31; Authority Zero, Ballyhoo!, and Versus the World at The Rock on Saturday, July 27; Sammy Hagar at AVA at Casino del Sol on Friday, July 26; The Maine, A Rocket to the Moon, and This Century at The Rock on Friday, July 26; Burning Palms and Liila at Sky Bar on Saturday, July 27; Carbon Canyon, Caustic Casanova, and Conqueror Worm at The District Tavern on Monday, July 29; Sun Bones, Glass Affection, Former Friends of Young Americans, and Adventureface at Plush on Saturday, July 27; Whole Lotta Zep at Boondocks Lounge on Saturday, July 27; Mr. Fisher and the Hospitality, Signals, Best Dog Award, and Spider Cider at Tucson Live Music Space on Tuesday, July 30; Bob Einweck at Monterey Court on Tuesday, July 30; Collin Shook Quartet at Sky Bar on Tuesday, July 30; Rockers Uptown and The Procell at Plush on Friday, July 26; Kathi Huhtaluhta and Five Horses Four Winds at Monterey Court on Friday, July 26; screening of Gimme Shelter at The Loft Cinema on Wednesday, July 31.
