30 Days Out: a look at upcoming concerts

AN EXCELLENT ARRANGEMENT: Together, soul crooner Mayer Hawthorne and hip-hop producer Jake One are Tuxedo, a funkster duo with a sound that reaches back to the 1970s. Tuxedo plays The Orange Peel June 8.

Twice monthly, my blog 30 Days Out spotlights upcoming music shows and events of note, shining a light into some less well-lit corners, where some fascinating artists schedule performances. I do my best to give ample advance notice so that you can adjust your budget and calendar in a way that lets you get to the show.

This time around, all four featured acts are nationally touring artists. Funk, pop, rock and rockabilly are on the musical menu.

Artist: Tuxedo
Venue: The Orange Peel
Date: Thursday, June 8, 9 p.m.
Door: $20 advance / $25 day of show
Every so often, a collaboration between two established artists comes along and actually works. Detroit-based Mayer Hawthorne made a name for himself with his 2009 solo debut, A Strange Arrangement. Made completely on his laptop, the disc is en exemplar of classic soul with a modern twist. Jake One is a hip-hop producer with a long list of credits. Together, the Grammy-nominated artists make ’70s-style funk that will remind listeners of Klymaxx and Shalamar. Fun fact: Hawthorne played a 2011 Moogfest set in a torrential downpour that likely ruined a lot of his band’s gear.

gringostar
Artist: Gringo Star
Venue: The Mothlight
Date: Wednesday, May 24, 9 p.m.
Door: $8 advance / $10 day of show
Coming out of the diverse Atlanta music scene, Gringo Star makes hooky pop-rock that — while informed by sounds of the 1960s — doesn’t rely on aping vintage sounds. The band’s repertoire is more varied stylistically than the standard-issue indie-rock outfit. Formed nearly a decade ago by brothers Nick and Peter Furgiueles, the band burst onto the scene with the self-released album All Y’all. Two more albums followed, along with scattered singles and an early EP. All of those were self-released. Now signed to Nevado, the band released The Sides and In Between last year to positive notices. Also on the bill: Shantih Shantih, Shaken Nature.

monbacks
Artist: Major and the Monbacks
Venue: The Grey Eagle
Date: Thursday, June 8, 9 p.m.
Door: $10 advance / $12 day of show
Last year, the hard-gigging Virginia-based six-piece released its self-titled debut album. Since that time, the band has signed with the tastemaking Yep Roc label; that alone is a trademark of quality. As represented on the debut, the group’s music is a kind of soulful, rootsy rock that occasionally suggests Tedeschi Trucks Band: the good-time feel of a jam band, but without the endless noodling. On Moonlight Anthems, the band places more emphasis on songcraft, and adds some tasty horns to about half of the tracks. Emma’s Lounge and Ancient Cities open.

 

bloodshots
Artist: Little Lesley and the Bloodshots
Venue: Jack of the Wood
Date: Friday, June 9, 9 p.m.
Door: TBA
There’s always room for some high-energy, (metaphorically) pistol-packin’ rockabilly, and though this trio is primarily based in New York City, there’s a down-home feel to its twangy music. But both visually and musically, the primary focus is on Lesley, who treats her doghouse bass like, well, let’s say … all manner of non-musical things. The Bloodshots have two independently-released albums and a 2016 EP on England-based Western Star Records.

You may also enjoy: With well over 2000 entries and way more than 300 interviews, my Musoscribe blog features new content — features, reviews and more — every business day. A proud tradition since 2009, now in its eighth year.

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About Bill Kopp
Author, music journalist, historian, collector, and musician. His first book, "Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon," published by Rowman & Littlefield, is available now. Follow me @the_musoscribe

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