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The-Ascetic-Junkies
Live Missoula - Zach Nelson

The Ascetic Junkies

Music is taking a turn into one of its most creative eras ever. I couldn’t tell you why - maybe the slow economy has allowed people to have more time to pursue their passions, or maybe social media has made it easier for bands to get their sound out to the world. Thanks to this bounty, we’re able to enjoy creative music by bands like the Ascetic Junkies. 

One thing I appreciate is the creative band names that are going hand and hand with all this mind-opening music, and the Ascetic Junkies seem to have that perfected. They are, of course, from Portland, Ore., which has grown into the hub for weird, experimental folk music.  Yes, that is exactly what I would call the Ascetic Junkies. They are like a smaller, folkier version of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. They feature the dual vocals of Matt Harmon and Kali Giaritta, as well as having two other members, Stephen Colvin and Cole Huiskamp, who can play basically any instrument you can think of. Their constant surprises leave you wondering what’s coming next, and their ventures through various avenues in the folk world all sound like a safe and relaxing trip. As much as the name The Ascetic Junkies may scare you, the memories may last forever.

  • Opener: aran Buzzas 
  • Headliner: casey neil & the norway rats
  • Event Info: Palace Lounge, Saturday, Feb. 11, Doors 9 p.m., 21+
  • $5 advance/$7 door. Tickets are available at stonefly-productions.com.
  • Newest CD: "The Cage Has No Bottom"

NewGreenskyBluegrass

Greensky Bluegrass

At the start of 2012, Missoula will continue as a destination for bluegrass touring bands. They are making their way to our gorgeous valley from all directions in the first three months of this epic live music year in hopes of building their fan base, and, of course, just having a good old time in the Garden City.

Leading the charge is Greensky Bluegrass, a five-member string band based in Michigan that has been playing together for about 11 years. They are the most inventive, outside-the-box bluegrass band out there, and may have the biggest following second to maybe Leftover Salmon. However, Greensky Bluegrass has taken a page from the book of Leftover Salmon – both spin out bluegrass jams with a twist of old-school Southern rock and a slice of mellow string playing.

Greensky reminds you of a group of small-town guys who made it big and still love playing shows for the fans. Their crowd-pleasing style includes it original bluegrass storytelling and classic covers of songs by Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead or Talking Heads. This band does not fear playing any type of song bluegrass-style and they will jam it until your mind starts spinning from happiness.

The party is taking place Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Top Hat Lounge. So for that one night let us all join together and help them turn the skies green and show Greensky Bluegrass what Missoula is all about.

  • Openers: to be announced
  • Event info: Top Hat Lounge, Tuesday, 9 p.m., Feb. 21, 21+
  • $10 tickets, Stonefly Productions Newest CD: "Handguns"

 

Zach Nelson created and writes for MissoulaLive, a website committed to live concert reviews and concerts coming to Missoula and the surrounding area. Read his reviews at www.missoulalive.blogspot.com as well as on Facebook at Missoulalive.

 

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