Courtesy trevorbahnson.com
The Prodigal Son
Singer-songwriter Trevor Bahnson comes home
“Some people really thrive in a chaotic place, like, it helps them write—with heartbreak or whatever,” musician Trevor Bahnson says. “For me, it’s not really like that…I’m usually the most creative when I’m grounded and centered and have the time to feel it out.”
Bittersweetly, Bahnson had time like that during the pandemic. He was, he says, alone for much of the initial few years of COVID-19, but he managed to spend the time writing the songs that would become his forthcoming record, Anything Beautiful, out Aug. 16. Like much of Bahnson’s previous material, the new stuff is a gorgeous melange of acoustic guitars and infectious vocal melodies. And though it would be easy to cite names like Dylan and Baez and Garfunkel, Bahnson’s sound has always been subtly steeped in indie sensibilities and borderline metal mathiness in its timing.
These days, Bahnson lives in Nashville, where, he says, he’s been inspired to work harder than ever. In a city crammed with so much music, the inspiration is omnipresent, he says, as are the killer players. Bahnson even picked up a couple music pals in Alicia Gail and Ryan Levine, who will accompany him during a live performance at the El Rey Court’s La Reina Bar this week.
We can reportedly expect three-part vocal harmonies and plenty of acoustic action when the three players join forces.
“It’s a very collaborative thing, but each of us will be playing our own music,” Bahnson says, “but also, we’ll be singing songs together, because that’s a lot more fun for me.” (Alex De Vore)
Trevor Bahnson with Alicia Gail and Ryan Levine: 8 pm Thursday, Aug. 8. Free. La Reina, 1862 Cerrillos Road, (505) 982-1931
Courtesy Digable Planets / Photo by Bruce Talamon
Cool Like Dat
If you were among the throngs that attended last year’s celebration of hip-hop’s 50th birthday in the Railyard, you surely know that Santa Fe still brings it when it comes to the boom-bap game. Not to sit idly by this year, however, organizers have upped the ante with an incoming and totally free performance from the iconic Digable Planets. Most folks (of a certain age) likely recall the 1992 release of the iconic “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat),” but the trio has a ton of other killer tracks and a rather satisfying knack for merging hip-hop and jazz. As rock music continues its decline into whatever the hell it is now, hip-hop remains one of our most important genres. Expect local performers, too, like the inimitable Outstanding Citizens Collective. (ADV)
Wonderful Fantastic Hip-Hop Festival w/Digable Planets: 6 pm Friday, Aug. 9. Free. Santa Fe Railyard, MArket and Alcaldesa Streets, lensic360.org
Courtesy Pixabay.com
Suds & Buds
You’ve gotta hand it to the team at El Rancho de las Golondrinas history museum just outside town—they like to party. Folks love the annual Ren Faire, the annual Santa Fe Wine Festival and, of special import this week, the annual Santa Fe Food & Beer Festival. Now in its sixth year, the name says it all, really, and with slated appearances from breweries like Santa Fe Brewing Co., Tumbleroot, Beer Creek, New Mexico Hard Cider and others—not to mention food from Fusion Tacos, what THE truck café, Power 5 BBQ and more; and music from Half Pint & the Growlers, Compañia Mina Farjado & Chuscales Flamenco and Usa Mas La ChaCha, you can’t afford not to go. Make a driving plan, though. (ADV)
6th Annual Santa Fe Beer & Food Festival: Noon-6 pm Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11. $13-$15 (kids 12 and under free). El Rancho de las Golondrinas, 334 Los Pinos Road, (505) 471-2261
Darby Raymond-Overstreet
The Most Important Meal of the Day
SFR staffers fell in love with the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture’s Horizons: Weaving Between the Lines with DinéTextiles exhibit last year, and there’s still more left in the tank. Cocurated by post-doc Hadley Jensen and a gaggle of artists who also showed in the exhibit, not only did Horizons showcase a sprawling time period and various pieces and methods, it helped recontextualize how we might regard form, function and artistry within the textile realm. This week, Horizons cocurators/artists Lynda Teller Pete and Kevin Aspaas (both Diné) drop by the Museum Hill Café adjacent to MIAC to grab a bite and talk about the show, and then they’ll host a guided tour. Is it an early event? You bet. Is it worth it? No question. (ADV)
Breakfast with the Curators: Horizons: 8:30 am Tuesday, Aug. 13. $35-$40. Museum Hill Café, 710 Camino Lejo, (505) 984-8900
