There's a saying that encapsulates my worldview: It's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. This means that I'm not big on regret or thinking things through before doing something stupid. I refuse to lament anything that may or may not have happened in the Santa Fe music world this year. Record releases, shows of all sounds and sizes, crummy interviews and hangovers: The memories pile up like snow in late December.
Hall of Records
Among the myriad of notable record releases in '07 was Goshen's
Lioness.
The album's strum-heavy riffs touch somewhere between the primitive hauntings of traditional blues rock and the confident airs of indie guitar zeal; it's like Bo Diddley evoking MC5 or vice versa.
***image2***
Goshen's Frogville Records labelmate, ThaMuseMeant, released
Never Settle for Less.
The Americana quartet is spending less time around Santa Fe, but managed to release its best album to date. Never Settle switches from playful instrumentals to the band's familiar harmonies. Why this band isn't crazy famous is beyond me.
An unexpected entry from the world of contemporary R&B also appeared in 2007. Paul Rivers Bailey's debut,
Innerchild
, brings an urban hipness that had been noticeably absent from the local music scene. The album departs from Bailey's former hip-hop persona and instead features generous vocals and neo-soul funk.
To the Moon, Alice
This year also saw the resurrection of the old Club Luna, a place that hosted acts like The Smashing Pumpkins and Skankin' Pickle back in the day. For '07, the newly minted "Moon" showcased electronic wunderkind Dan Deacon and indie pop darlings Architecture in Helsinki, who shook the cobwebs from the rafters. The Deacon show was part of Warehouse 21's music series to raise money for its new building. Helsinki was a last-minute addition to the Fan Man Productions 2007 lineup, which featured shows of all genres all year at venues around town, including Paolo Soleri Amphitheater, Santa Fe Brewing Company and the Lensic.
I'm All Ears
The eighth annual Thirsty Ear Festival continued its successful run in August. Michael Doucet and Beausoleil headlined the event, but it was Delta blues musician Richard Johnston who stole the show. Johnston played percussion with his feet while simultaneously playing guitar (including one that was made from two broom handles and a cigar box). Beyond the novelty of his performance, Johnston's sound was pure Delta blues reminiscent of RL Burnside and Junior Kimbrough.
Rock the Casbah
I realize we (SFR) have a "Best of…" issue and you fine people have chosen the Santa Fe Brewing Company as the best live music venue in town. This is a well-deserved accolade, but if we're splitting hairs here, we have to admit that The Mine Shaft Tavern provided all the right "out-of-town" reasons to keep on trucking on Highway 14 in 2007. From Denver's funk group US Pipe and the Balls Johnson Dance Machine to Santa Fe's Xoe Fitzgerald Time Traveling Transvestite, the Mine Shaft hosted the most vibrant and eclectic music lineup this year. True, the drive to Madrid is a pain in the ass, but it's a small price to pay for good live music.
Plaza Rats
The Santa Fe Bandstand summer music series is the most important piece of free "public art" this city has to offer. From gigs by Albuquerque's The Handsome Family and the Santa Fe All-Stars to out-of-town acts such as Curly Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, the series made the Plaza the place to be on weekday evenings.
The Downs Get Down
The Santa Fe Muzik Fest, despite its silly name, succeeded in revitalizing the racetrack's dormant infield. For three days, the shrills, shrieks and bass-laden tracks-by groups like Wu Tang Clan and Shiny Toy Guns-performed a little CPR on the late-summer music lull. Although the schedule was sporadic at times and the "techno tents" were a huge mistake, the festival proved that big music events can, and should, exist in Santa Fe.
Death in the Afternoon
This year saw the birth of a great bar. The Matador is not a Hemingway, but a Jim Carroll kind of joint. Once you descend the narrow stairs into the belly of Plaza Mercado, you're transported from our adobe Bedrock-even before you start drinking. And now, despite its tiny layout, DJs spin the tunes at 8 pm on many nights of the week. Tuesday finds DJ Prairie Dog spinning roots rock; "Indie Radio Live at The Matador" keeps the songs alive on Wednesday and DJ SoulFly fills the place with Brit pop on Thursday.
