Hangout Music Festival Imogene Theatre Steve Earle PRECUBED
DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | MAY 2018
Downtown Crowd | May 2018
Editor’s Letter
Publisher Malcolm Ballinger Owners Malcolm & Glenys Ballinger Executive Editor Kelly Oden Editor Will Isern Art Director Bara’ah Jaraiseh
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Graphic Design Carly Stone
WILL ISERN editor I am embarrassed to admit that the first album I ever bought was *NSYNC’s Christmas CD circa 1998.
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contents 7 Something Sweet
9 Hangout Guide 2018 12 Revival of The Imogene Theatre 15 Steve Earle Returns to Copperhead Road 17 PRECUBED On The Rise 18 Reviews 20 Makers InBloom
Having been raised on Southern rock (my father) and the “My Best Friend’s Wedding” soundtrack (my mother), I have no idea how this could have happened. Memory suggests that I had a gift card and *NSYNC was the only name I recognized. I was around 13 the first time I heard music that captivated me and wasn’t on the radio. My best friend and I were in the backseat of his sister’s boyfriend’s car after going to see a Waterboyz surf film. I think it was at the Silver Screen Theater. The boyfriend put on Deltron 3030 and my friend and I looked at each other, astounded at what was coming out of the speakers. I love that album to this day. As I imagine happens for most people, I developed my own taste throughout my teenage years, filling my scroll-wheel iPod with gigabytes of music. I have been lucky in the years since to see many of my favorite acts live. As I get older, I listen to less and less new music, returning instead to the
albums I fell in love with as I was coming of age. So it’s issues like this one that offer me the chance at something new. In putting this issue together, I listened to a lot of music for the first time. Some of it I hated, but some of it surprised me and has been on heavy rotation all month. I’ve pushed Kacey Musgrave’s new album on just about everyone I text with. Whatever kind of music you’re into, we’ve got it in this issue. Be sure to check out the feature on Milton’s Imogene Theatre. What they’ve managed to put together up there in little ol’ Milton is pretty cool.
Editorial Assistant Tanner Yea Contributing Writer Carly Stone Haley Weaver Advertising Account Executives Paula Rode paula@ballingerpublishing.com Geneva Strange geneva@ballingerpublishing.com Deadline for space and information is the 15th of the month prior to publication. For advertising rates or news tips contact Phone: 433-1166 · Fax: 435-9174 DOWNTOWN CROWD is published by Ballinger Publishing. Offices located at 314 N Spring St., Ste. A, Pensacola Florida 32501 Published by Ballinger Publishing
The profile on PRECUBED is a great read too. Pensacola’s small but resilient music scene never ceases to surprise me. I hope you find something in these pages that gives you the same feeling I had when I heard the Deltron album. And for our younger readers, maybe you can be more proud of the first album you buy. Than again, you kids don’t buy albums, do you?
Downtown Crowd is locally owned and operated. It is published monthly for distribution in Pensacola, Florida. All Right Reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents herein is prohibited without written permission from the publisher. Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/ or the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those of the publisher. This magazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. The publisher reserves the right to edit all manuscripts. All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in this magazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services by Ballinger Publishing. © 2018
Cover design by Carly Stone
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anniversary celebration
Saturday, May 5 9amq2pm • Downtown 100 N Palafox St
A word from Curt Morse, Executive Director of the Downtown Improvement Board We’ve heard a lot in the past month about the rollout of our new downtown parking system. There have been challenges and while we understand some of the frustration that has accompanied these changes, we’re committed to the upgrading and standardization the new parking management system. Updating the parking system is not about writing more tickets. It’s about catching up with growth and progress. We want to prepare for even more commercial and residential growth. To prepare for that inevitable growth, we’ll use the revenue from parking to improve lighting, provide more trash cans and cleaner parking lots. The old parking system was simply too easily abused and intermittently enforced. The new system is about having a clear, predictable policy that applies to everyone.
smart options when they come to park downtown. The bottom line is that we want you to park once, pay once and not have to worry about your vehicle during your time downtown. We believe the new parking system accomplishes that and we’re confident that it will be better for everyone whether you live, work or just visit downtown. Crawfish Fest & Repast It’s a great time of year to be outside, especially in downtown Pensacola where there is always something to do.
This month will see the fantastic Crawfish Festival return to take over Bartram Park beginning May 4. The Crawfish Festival always draws huge crowds and presents a great slice of Southern culture for which Pensacola is becoming Whereas we used to end parking well known. We’re looking forward enforcement at 5 pm in some area to another successful year. and 6 pm in others each weekday, we now go until 7 pm. We also en- There are dozens of other events force parking on Saturday, unlike going on in the month of May, so in the old system. These changes be sure to check out downtownbring us in line with best park- pensacola.com/events for a coming practices in place around the plete listing. country. Mothers’ Day We’re encouraged by the number of users that have adopted the Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t new system. In the first month wish all mothers a Happy Mothers’ of the new system, 12,000 park- Day. Many mothers live in and visit ing sessions were paid for via the downtown, and at the Downtown Premium Parking app or by text- Improvement Board we’re always to-pay. That is a very high rate of grateful that you choose to raise adoption and demonstrates that your families in and come back to we have a technologically ad- visit our community. ept community that wants these
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LUNCH $ 99 SPECIALS MON-FRI • 11AM-3PM
July 23-27 • 9am – 4pm • 3rd – 8th grade location: Pensacola Children’s Chorus – 46 E. Chase Street Performance at First Presbyterian Church and Wahoo Stadium July 28 Cost: $185
Young performers interested in having fun while developing vocal skills will spend an exciting week at Pensacola Children’s Chorus. visit www.PensacolaChildrensChorus.Com for more information
SOMETHING SWEET
bridesmaid. The room features sweeping couches, huge mirrors with make-up lightning for getting ready for the big day, as well as storage space for dresses, televisions, stereos and even coolers. The groom’s garage is adjoined to that, and is the ultimate man cave for the groom and his groomsmen. With pool tables, dart boards, classic albums on the walls and storage space for the tuxedos, it’s a perfect place to catch a breather before the walk down the aisle. The main attraction, however, is the spacious outdoor patio. Sprawling lawns on the side allow for plenty of space for lawn games, and ample room for seating make it a perfect site for holding your reception. During the hot months, misting fans can go all day to cool off party-goers, while cold evenings can be warmed up with tables with inserted fireglass.
By Tanner Yea
A Fruit Winery and Event Space Comes to Downtown Pensacola Pensacola is known for many things: its military, its beaches, and its storied history all merge together into one giant tapestry. But one thing it was not known for was its wine: until DeLuna Winery first opened its doors. Now four years later, the Winery has finally opened its centerpiece. On April 21, the Court of De Luna Event Space and Wedding Venue had its grand opening, allowing hundreds of guests to tour the new grounds, see the wine production and taste DeLuna’s signature fruit wines. “We worked right up to the line for the opening, but it turned out great,” said Bethany Lauren, the Marketing Director and co-owner of DeLuna Wine Company. Lauren and her father, Steve Brown, have co-owned and run DeLuna Winery since 2014. The winery produces fruit wines: cherry, blueberry, pomegranate and strawberry kiwi being their mainstay flavors. “We saw a need for sweet wines in the industry, and we filled that need,” said Steve Brown. In addition to purchasing them at the winery itself, DeLuna Wines are available in 175 ABC Fine Wine &
Spirits locations, 15 Sam’s Club locations and 27 Total Wine locations all across the state. The event space spreads over 25,000 square feet behind the old Manna Food Bank building. The first thing you encounter is the tasting room and the winery itself. Along the walls are four large fermentation tanks, and one depicts a large-scale painting of Don Tristan De Luna – painted live during the opening night by Payton Hatfield.
Beyond that is the indoor event space, meant to house weddings during rough weather as well as serve as host to other events. Lauren has over 17 years of experience in the wedding industry, and this has allowed her to create an elegant space in the winery setting using drapery and fairy lights to offer a rustic mood. Adjoined to the indoor space are the bridal suite and the groom “garage”. The bridal suite is a wide-open and elegant prep space for the bride and her
Adding to the atmosphere is a soothing rock water feature, as well as a dazzling oak tree covered in fairy lights – a perfect place to exchange vows under. There is also room for a band stage, a dance floor, and even ample parking for drive-in vehicles such as food trucks. The patio space can easily accommodate a few hundred guests comfortably, not to mention the extra interior space. Lauren said that opening night as a great success, with more than 400 guests in attendance throughout the night. The Court still has improvements to go as well – plans for a brick gateway into the property as well as further elegant decorations will round out the presentation. Lauren said that not only will the winery provide delicious wine, but it was also fill a need for an event space that has long been missing from Pensacola. De Luna Winery and the Court of De Luna Event Space and Wedding Venue is located at 116 E Gonzalez Street in Pensacola. The tasting room and the event space are available for registration throughout the year. For more information and to register your wedding or event here, contact Bethany Lauren at bethany@deluna.com.
DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 7
JUNE 8–10 & 14-17, 2018 showtimes: THURSDAY–SATURDAY 7:30 PM / SUNDAY 3 PM
FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION, VISIT PENSACOLALITTLETHEATRE.COM OR CALL THE BOX OFFICE AT 850-432-2042
“The Odd Couple” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
Creatisphere Summer Art CamP Creatisphere takes art “out of the box,” allowing participants to explore and experiment with unique art forms that encourage creative development, critical thinking skills and innovation! Pottery • Drawing • Sculpture • Photography Glass Blowing • 3-d Design • Mixed Media • Painting Printmaking • Collage • Textiles • Yoga and more! Each each is different! Check the website for complete details.
FCAC will partner with the Mess Hall for select weeks! Ages 7-12, Week Long Camps May 29-Aug 10 Cost: $200-$250 For more info visit Firstcityart.org, or call (850) 429-1222
Teen Summer Workshops Working in a studio environment teens gain understanding of complex concepts, develop problem solving and risk taking skills, and discover positive ways to express themselves! • June 18-29 Sculpture: Clay, Wood, & Glass • July 9-13 Photography, Printmaking, & Painting • July 16-20 Textiles, Clay, & Mixed Media • July 23-27 Stained Glass and Pottery on the Wheel
FCAC will partner with Bare Hand Collective for select weeks! Ages 12-16 Cost: $200-$250 For more info visit Firstcityart.org, or call (850) 429-1222
A reader’s guide to the best acts in Gulf Shores
HANGOUT
2018
By Will Isern and Tanner Yea
The Killers
Kendrick Lamar
More than just a great band, The Killers are a great festival band. They’ve got a catalog of smash hits that the festivalgoing public (many of whom are of an age that they have fond memories of singing along to “Mr. Brightside” in middle school) is eager to see performed live. As festival veterans, the band come with a great live sound and always put on an energetic show.
Kendrick Lamar can not be stopped. In the past year he won a Grammy for his album DAMN., helped create the soundtrack for Black Panther, and also became the first rapper to win a Pulitzer Prize in music. Four studio albums, countless features and multiple accolades have made Kendrick the biggest name in hip-hop.
And The Killers are no strangers to the shores of Orange Beach. The band headlined Hangout Fest in 2014 to a massive reception, playing all their hits as well as a cover of Credence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising.” The Killers have released three albums since their mid-aught heights of Hot
SZA Were it not for Kendrick Lamar, SZA might have been the frontrunner to provide Hangout Fest’s best show. The 27-year-old singer is still riding the high of her excellent debut album Ctrl, and has been hailed as a revelation for modern R&B music. SZA, whose real name is Solana Imani Rowe, was nominated for five Grammy
Fuss (2004) and Sam’s Town (2006). Their latest, Wonderful Wonderful (2017), debuted at number one on the Billboard 2000–the band’s first-ever number one album in the United States. Hangout goers can expect to hear “The Man” and “Run for Cover” off of that album at this year’s festival.
In addition to touring by himself, Kendrick is also touring with the entirety of the Top Dawg Entertainment label later in
St. Vincent
The Killers headline Friday night.
Awards in 2017, including best new artist and has been touring behind Ctrl since its release. That SZA will put on a great show is beyond question. The only uncertainty is whether Lamar will join her set to perform “All the Stars,” or whether she will join his. SZA will perform ahead of Lamar’s headlining set on Sunday.
the year. Kendrick will also be appearing alongside labelmate SZA at Hangout. Kendrick Lamar will be headlining on Sunday.
in October of 2017 to widespread acclaim.
St. Vincent is the stage name of Annie Clark, multi-instrumentalist and Grammy award winner. Before forming her own band, Clark was a member of The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens’s touring band. Since then she has released five studio albums, as well as collaborations with music legends like Nirvana, David Byrne and Robert Plant. Her newest album, Masseduction, was released
St. Vincent fuses soft rock, art rock, experimental music and jazz into beautiful and thought provoking music. Her performances are high energy and theatrical, so you will not want to miss her on the main stage. St. Vincent performs on Saturday.
DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 9
Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals Brandon Paak Anderson, better known as Anderson .Paak, has created a music fusion seen little place else. Originally performing under the name Breezy Lovejoy, .Paak has combined funk, soul and hip-hop into a bewildering spectacle of multiinstrumentalist grooves. Since then, he has recorded with big names like Watsky, Dr. Dre, ScHoolboy Q, 9th Wonder and Flying Lotus. He was also listed as an XXL Freshman in 2016. His band, the Free Nationals, includes Jose Rios, Ron Tnava Avant, Kelsey Gonzalez and Callum Connor. .Paak will bring his patented grooves, raspy voice and funk aesthetic to make sure you dance the night away. Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals are performing on Saturday.
The Chainsmokers
Lil’ Pump Currently a rising star in hip-hop, Lil’ Pump found his initial fame through rapping over beats posted on SoundCloud – helping pioneer a new DIY and youth oriented segment of hip-hop. With his platinum single “Gucci Gang,” Lil’ Pump has made a name for himself and collaborated with other artists like Rick Ross, 2 Chainz and Gucci Mane. Though he is only 18 years old, he has already cemented himself as a force to be reckoned with when it comes to modern hip hop tastes. Lil’ Pump will be performing on Sunday.
Pussy Riot
Has any group risen so quickly to superstardom as fast as The Chainsmokers? The EDM DJ duo from New York City Before they were internationally known have taken the world and radio waves by activists, Pussy Riot were punk rockers storm since their debut in 2014 with the from Moscow. Their rise to fame may not unrelenting “#Selfie.” have been one that other band’s might envy, but their jailing by the Russian The Chainsmokers have released just Government has nonetheless led to the one album, 2017’s “Memories… Do development of an international fan base. Not Open,” but have laid waste to the airwaves with their smash singles The band began their first-ever American “Closer,” and “Don’t Let Me Down.” tour in March. Their Hangout set will be just their 12th American show. Pussy Every festival these days needs a highRiot’s music may be unfamiliar to energy EDM act to keep spirits high American audiences, but their punk rock during an exhausting weekend, and The antics have been received much better Chainsmokers come more than ready to received in the States than in their home provide the soundtrack to the festival’s country. fist-pumping masses.
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Portugal. The Man are veterans at this point. The indie rockers first played Bonnaroo nearly a decade ago, and have been churning out poppy guitar rock at a steady stream since. The band had already garnered a significant underground following before they found mainstream success with their 2017 single “Feel It Still.” The song won the group its first and only Grammy Award. With eight albums under their belt, Portugal. The Man have an extensive catalog to pull from to fill out a festival set. Their latest release, 2017’s Woodstock, debuted at number three on Billboard’s alternative and rock charts. Portugal. The Man play Friday night.
Cashmere Cat
The Chainsmokers
The Chainsmokers headline Saturday night.
Portugal. The Man
Pussy Riot play during the day on Friday.
Cold War Kids Emerging onto the scene in 2006 with their hit “Hang Me Up to Dry,” Cold War Kids has subsequently released six studio albums. Fronted by Nathan Willett, Cold War Kids combines blue-eyed soul, blues rock, noise and indie rock into something very raw and passionate. Their last album, L.A. Divine, expanded their sound into new directions that really make them stand out. They’ve also just released a new live album entitled Audience, recorded live in 2017 in Athens, GA. With new guitarist David Quan and a host of hits, they will be sure to bring their patented energy to the Hangout Fest stage. Cold War Kids will be performing on Friday.
Cashmere Cat is the stage name of Norwegian DJ and producer Magnus August Hoiberg. While his solo work may be unfamiliar to American audiences, chances are good that many have heard the songs he’s helped create. Hoiberg has been working behind the scenes with artists like Kanye West, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Tory Lanez and The Weeknd, producing some of the major songs on those artists’ albums. Hoiberg has made a name for himself with a pair of EPs in 2012 and 2014. As Cashmere Cat, Hoiberg creates ethereal, hip-hop inspired beats, with heavy use of trap drums and pitch-bent vocals that listeners will find familiar in the landscape of popular music. Cashmere Cat performs during the day on Saturday.
Francesca Pastine, ARTFORUM 50 Hindsight, Mask Series, 2014, cut Artforum magazine, Plexiglass, 15 x 16.25 x 6 inches, courtesy of Eleanor Harwood Gallery, San Francisco, CA
CUT UP/CUT OUT March 3 - June 17 407 S. Jefferson St. Pensacola, FL 32502 850.432.6247 pensacolamuseum.org Museum Hours: Tues. - Thurs. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fri. - Sat. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sun. 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
On view in the second floor galleries: Henderson Thornton and Kugelman Family galleries and the Charles W. Lamar, Sr. Assembly Room Cut Up/Cut Out was organized by Carrie Lederer, Curator of Exhibitions, Bedford Gallery, Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, CA.
Host your child’s next birthday party at
The Pensacola Children’s Museum Basic packages start at $100 and Dinosaur, Pirate, or Princess themed party packages start at $250. For more information or to schedule your child’s party, contact Jim McMillen at 850.595.5985 ext. 112 or jmcmillen@uwf.edu.
. | 850.595.1559
A MODERN RENAISSANCE: IMOGENE THEATRE
You might not guess it driving Caroline Street through downtown Milton, but the old Imogene Theatre across from the courthouse is in the midst of a renaissance. First built in 1913, the Imogene predates the Seanger Theatre in downtown Pensacola by 12 years. It has survived fires, hurricanes and the shifting economic tides that have 12 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM
seen the decline of downtown Milton and, more recently, its resurgence.
events. It still serves as venue for high school proms and local acts.
The theatre is owned by the Santa Rosa Historical Society and was renovated in 2013 with a $104,500 grant from IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area. The Imogene’s revival reflects that of Milton in general. The theater is central to the city’s master plan, which focuses on enhancing the riverfront and surrounding area, and boosting economic development in downtown.
But beginning in 2017, the Imogene’s managers, RE Development, Inc., began reaching out to larger, regional acts in hopes of growing the theater’s profile.
Over the years, the Imogene has been home to vaudeville shows, silent films, opera and community
As they developed relationships with booking agents, word spread about the historic little theater outside of Pensacola with hardwood floors, ornate crown molding, wraparound balcony and great acoustics. “You just don’t find rooms like this anymore because they’re not built
like this anymore,” said Dennis Gleason, RE Development’s director of operations. The theater, with capacity for just 350, began booking regionally known acts like PawPaw’s Medicine Cabinet, Johnny Hayes and James Dupre (contestants on “The Voice”). “We started getting feedback from the regional acts and they began to say, ‘This is a really cool place, and you’ve really got something here,” said RE Development, Inc. president Kyle Verner. “They began to say, ‘This is a place that some bigger acts would look at.’”
Then, in the fall of 2017, the theater manager’s got a call they never expected.
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“So we get a call and the guy goes, ‘This is (the booking agent for) Denny Laine of the Moody Blues and Wings,’ and we’re like, ‘Yeah, right,’” Verner said. “He’s like, ‘No really, I’ll send you pictures.’ So he was routing through and a booking agent for Johnny Hayes knew this booking agent and said, ‘You need to check out this place called the Imogene Theatre.’ So they called and said, ‘Would you like to have Denny Laine come and play?’ and we’re like, ‘Yeah, absolutely.’” Laine gave an intimate, sellout performance at the Imogene in September. Since then the Imogene has booked Sammy Kershaw, Lee Ann Womack and Steve Earle – big names for a theater that was nearly torn down in the 1980s. “This place is historic. Hank Williams played here, Roy Acuff played here, and now it’s got a second life,” Verner said. “I think that people are really digging the fact that it’s got a second life and it’s now becoming the catalyst for the rebirth of this area again.” For more information and updates about events at the Imogene Theatre, visit TheImogeneTheatre.com.
Upcoming Events at the Imogene Theatre May 10 – Lee Ann Womack Live in Concert May 13 – Mother’s Day Murder Mystery Brunch May 17 – Steve Earle & The Dukes 30th anniversary of Copperhead Road May 26 – Cornbread Cosa Nostra in Milton, Florida at the Imogene Theatre June 14 – Sammy Kershaw Live in Concert, Sold Out July 20 – Ben Bailey, host of Cash Cab, stand-up comedy
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Steve Earle Returns to Copperhead Road
There are some legendary names in the country and folk music world: Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Travis Tritt, Emmylou Harris and more. However, behind each of those artists is another musician whose name deserves just as much of a highlight: Steve Earle. On May 17, Steve Earle and his band The Dukes will be playing at the Imogene Theatre in Milton as part of the 30th anniversary of Earle’s breakout album, Copperhead 14 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM
Road. He is also supporting his new album, So You Wannabe an Outlaw, released in July of last year. This performance will see a front-to-back performance of the entire Copperhead Road album, as well as lots of other favorites. “That record, like all my others, is all a bit different,” said Earle. “I’m kind of famous for that, I never really stick to a style.” Earle got his start in music at age 11 when he started playing guitar, but he didn’t start his rise to fame until he was 19 – then, he moved to Nashville in 1974, leaving behind his family in Texas. It was around this time that Earle was playing guitar and bass for another
legendary folk singer, Guy Clark. “I learned a lot from those people. Waylon Jennings was very kind to me, so was Willie Nelson. Guy Clark always said to me that ‘songs aren’t finished until you play them for people,” said Earle. Throughout the following years, Earle spent much of his time as the staff songwriter for many music publishing companies, though he said his goal was always to play his own music. “Writing was just a way to make a living without having to actually do any work,” he said. Earle broke ground with his album Guitar Town in 1986, which
eventually reached number one on the US Country charts. It wasn’t until his third album released in 1988, Copperhead Road, that he firmly cemented himself in the mainstream as a passionate and new flavor of country artist. “I was always perceived to be part of this ‘new traditionalist’ movement, but I didn’t really care about that. I just wanted to write and play songs,” said Earle. Earle is also famous for his political commentary, which dates back to the beginning of his career. In the most recent election, he was a staunch supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders. He’s also written numerous antiwar songs, from the Vietnam War to the War on Terror, and has also spent a large portion of his career working to abolish the death penalty.
“I lost the people that don’t agree with me politically a long time ago,” said Earle. “It still happens every once in a while, people find out I lean one way and they get upset. But where the hell have they been the last 25 years?” Earle has found a great amount of success in his work, winning three Grammys in the late 2000s for his albums The Revolution Starts Now, Washington Square Serenade and Townes. Despite the success, Earle has said that the music industry has changed significantly over the years. “A lot has changed, mainly the way we collect money and distribute records. Luckily my audience still usually buys music either digital or not,” said Earle. “The music industry is starting to come back, because we finally figured out how to make money from streaming.” For the new wave of country music, Earle said that though popular country music hasn’t interested him
in a while that he feels the women are doing better than the men, citing artists like Miranda Lambert. He said that he has never really particularly hewed close to a country ethos, and mostly plays what he wants to play. “[The Dukes] are the best band I’ve ever had, and on this tour we are going to be playing stuff from all across my 30 plus years of making records,” said Earle. “I made 17 albums, so I got lots to choose from. We’ll make sure to give it hell.”
Steve Earle and The Dukes will be performing at the Imogene Theatre in Milton on May 17. They will be supported by singer-songwriter duo The Mastersons--who are also members of The Dukes. Tickets are $50, but seats are limited. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit theimogenetheatre.com.
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By Tanner Yea
P
PRECUBED Rises in the Ranks
ensacola is starting to see more and more famous music acts come through the bars and venues that make up the downtown scene, but we can’t forget about our local artists. One of the bigger local artists has even started opening for national acts like Ty Segall and others – and that band is PRECUBED, headed by local musician Aaron Finlay. “I’ve been recording stuff on the four-track since I was about 14 or 15. I’ve been playing under the name PRECUBED since about 2009,” said Finlay. PRECUBED started as just a hobby for Finlay, recording instrumental tracks on a four-track recorder and then a digital eight-track. Though he had a huge log of material, he kept most of it personal until April of 2014 when PRECUBED first performed in a live format. “You record stuff just to get some ideas, or you have your little vault or whatever,” said Finlay. “Some of it I just posted to MySpace. And it wasn’t music I was super proud of or would
even play today. It basically took my friends to give me the confidence to go out and play.” The band originally started as an instrumental seven piece, featuring guitars, drums, bass and synthesizers to produce the band’s trademark post-rock/experimental sound. However, the band was shrunk to a three-piece without losing anything from the sound department. The band now features Finlay on drums, keys, guitar; Brad Frick on keys; and Joe Rawley on guitar, bass and keys. In addition, they use a looping station and sampler to replicate their wall of sound effect, which Finlay jokingly calls their fourth member. “The seven-piece was very intimidating because I’ve always been kind of a utility guy in other people’s bands, but this was my first project where I was kind of the frontman for it,” said Finlay. “But when people started leaving, I told them from the beginning ‘I understand if you have stuff going on, it will never hurt my feelings if you have to move on’.”
The band is very dynamic on change, often swapping instruments between songs because Finlay said they could do it and its fun for them. Finlay said one of his favorite bands that inspired him to switch around is Tortoise, which he said is a big influence on the sound of the band as a whole. “It’s basically trying to keep it fresh. It’s not that we have to,” said Finlay. “We plan on doing more ambient stuff even where there are just no drums at all, too. We have a lot of influences – obviously the post-rock stuff, but I also love kraut rock and metal and sludge metal and all that.” PRECUBED has continuously gone on small weekend tours around the south, which has helped spread their popularity. In the past two months they’ve played in Mobile, Nashville and Birmingham. In May, they are planning on playing in Hattiesburg, MS and New Orleans as well. The band is also working on a new full album release. With nine songs currently being mixed, this would be the lengthiest PRECUBED release
to date. Finlay said, “All the songs are great and we recorded them as a band, but the last two songs I recorded by myself just for the hell of it. Basically I thought while we were waiting I could write something else, and I did.” For the future, Finlay said they are planning to continue playing and touring. He said he has gotten to the point where he does not really care how many people PRECUBED plays for at a bar, just that they go out and play the best they can and have a good time with it. “We just love it when the whole crowd is just absorbed in the music, and there’s no chatting or anything, That’s what was so great about the Ty Segall show – we were super tight and everyone was just feeling the music,” said Finlay. PRECUBED will be performing in Pensacola on June 6 at chizuko, supported by Dot.s of Atlanta, and locals The Possibility Wave. For more information and to listen to PRECUBED’s music, visit precubed. bandcamp.com. DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM | 17
Albums: What we’re listening to this month SLEEP KaCey Musgraves The Sciences Golden Hour EPIC RECORDS
Third Man Records
by Will ISERN – Four months into 2018 and Kacey Musgraves has released an album of the year contender. The story goes that Musgraves was doing acid and listening to Tame Impala and then went and made the country album for people who don’t listen to country. Whatever the origin story, Golden Hour is a great record. I came to this record having never listened to Musgraves and was blown away. It’s poppy, heartfelt, and rich with just a pinch of twang. Retracing her career arc didn’t offer me much. Golden Hour is simply unlike anything the artist has put forth thus far. A disco-country song should not work, and yet “High Horse” is one of the most fun tell-offs in recent memory. “Space Cowboy” is some of the best songwriting you can hope to hear anwhere. The engineers on this album deserve a good bit of credit too. As good as they are, the songs on Golden Hour are made better thanks to a fantastic mix and master. If the mark of a good album is that you want to share it with everyone you know – to
by Tanner Yea – The promised time has come, Weedians! For the past 15 years, legendary stoner doom metal band Sleep has been, well, asleep. Guitarist Matt Pike has been working on his band High on Fire and vocalist/ bassist Al Cisneros has been working on his band Om, but the two have been rejoined by drummer Jason Roeder for another watermark in their career. You can tell the influence of Pike’s and Cisneros’s other bands, as the furious riffs of Pike are interspersed between long droning sections. Cisneros’s familiar cadence and mythical lyrics interspersed with weed references back up his meaty bass fills, and Pike continues to be a worthy successor of the guitar prowess of Tony Iommi. Listening to the album is very much like being in a haze, but the unrelenting fuzzed-out riffs, driving drums and almost spell-like chant of the lyrics envelops you in this static world of sound. Also given the band’s reputation, it is zero surprise the album dropped on 4/20. Everyone has their favorite Sleep album, but The Sciences really pushes ahead and shows that it
give them the same sense of awe you felt on first listen – that’s what Golden Hour is, an album too good to keep to yourself.
STANDOUT TRACKS Oh, What A World Space Cowboy Wonder Woman High Horse
deserves to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Holy Mountain and Dopesmoker/ Jerusalem. The group has not lost their touch in the last decade-and-a-half, and I’m looking forward to adding this vinyl to my collection.
Standout Tracks Marijuanaut’s Theme Sonic Titan Antarcticans Thawed
Movie reviews (based solely on the trailer) BY TANNER YEA
SOLO: A Star Wars Story
Book Club
Why is this movie even a thing? I remember when people were excited that Disney purchased the Star Wars franchise because they said ‘they’ll do for Star Wars what they did for Marvel.’ Which is true: produce sequels and spin-offs no on asked for and churn them out on a six-month basis. This movie will focus on the life of young Han Solo and seems more like a sci-fi heist movie than something along the lines of traditional sci-fi storytelling. Sure, it has star power of Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover and Alden Ehrenreich, but did this movie need to be made? How long will this franchise go before we let it return to the bosom of the earth? Probably when Disney stops making money off of it, which is never.
What a weird concept for a movie. Basically, Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen are all older women in a Book Club who decide to read 50 Shades of Grey. From the trailer it seems like the book is more the impetus for the four making all these kooky romantic life choices than actually being a main thread of the plot. Still, this movie looks – dare I say – heartwarming? Seems kind of paint by numbers, but its about finding love later in life when things seems to be going stagnant. Also, the trailer has a Supertramp song in it so that kind of biases things in its favor. I probably won’t see it, but the actresses have good track records and it looks inoffensive.
May 25
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May 18
SOCCER MOMMY CLEAN
Janelle Monáe Dirty Computer
BY Haley Weaver – Sophie Allison’s Soccer Mommy is back, and thank God. I reviewed her breakout Collection last year, a few Bandcamp tracks reworked and strung together with two new songs, and I was so significantly impressed with this 20 year old singersongwriter armed with the meticulous writing style of a young Taylor Swift and the dead-of-summer arrangements of Best Coast; this record, called Clean, is her studio debut with ten never-beforereleased songs and manages to one-up her previous work, a little more mature, more polished. Allison’s presentation of subject matter has shifted to one that’s deeper than the romantic love she can’t quite grasp; while almost every song is still a journal entry from a tumultuous relationship with a boy on its surface, as a whole Clean reads as a desperate love letter to the girl she desires most to be, the one she’s jealous of and can’t seem to mold herself into. It is a record with coinciding feelings of self-awareness (“Flaw,” “Still Clean,” “Your Dog”) and longing for a sense of self (“Skin,” “Cool,” “Scorpio Rising,” “Last Girl”), airy
by CARLY STONE – About eight years ago, I made the short trip to the FSU campus to watch The Blow and another artist, Janelle Monáe, for a concert on Union Green. Having never heard of Monáe, I dutifully did my research before the concert and was blown away. At the time, Monáe was touring with her most recent album titled The ArchAndroid and I was immediately obsessed. Monáe, who signed with Sean Combs after being featured on an Outkast track, quickly developed a following for her ability to seamlessly incorporate elements of magical realism and science fiction into her work while still retaining more down-to-earth themes such as love, identity and selfactualization. Since the very beginning, Monáe has been working to tell us about the world of tomorrow. With Dirty Computer, Monáe has created an Afrofuturistic manifesto about love, divergence and vulnerability among other subjects. Songs like “Make Me Feel” instantly gives the listener Prince vibes, especially with lyrics like “It’s like I’m powerful with a little bit of tender.” The late pop icon is said to have helped Monáe write the song. Another favorite,
Fat Possum Records
Bay Boy Records
but passionate. I’ve been driving around to this album for a month now, chanting “only what you wanted for a little while” from opener “Still Clean” and drowning myself in too many thoughts of the overwhelming, transitional life stage that is girlhood, a struggle that Allison articulates so succinctly. Honestly, if you aren’t listening already then what the hell are you doing? Soccer Mommy is the one to watch.
STANDOUT Tracks Scorpio Rising Still Clean Flaw
BY Haley Weaver
“Django Jane” is Monáe’s response to threats being made against her rights as a black woman, stating she needed to speak out about the distress she and many others are/were feeling. While Janelle has done all of the heavy lifting here, it’s our responsibility as listeners to share and keep sharing this magnitude of work. So do yourselves a favor and listen and listen again. You won’t be disappointed.
Standout Tracks Make Me Feel Django Jane I Like That
Mary Shelley
The Guardians
As someone who has reread Frankenstein for school at least three times and took enough literature classes to know most of the details of Mary Shelley’s life, I probably could’ve written this trailer (and maybe entire film?) myself with how much it reads like a book report. That said, she was a fascinating woman who deserves a decent biopic. Elle Fanning has always impressed me and I think she’ll do Shelley justice. My only hope is that the writers did not stray too far from history with this film in an attempt to add sex appeal (never in Hollywood, right?) to the life of an already extraordinary woman and pioneer of science fiction.
I’m not one for foreign films, as I always find reading the subtitles and trying to understand the emotion of the actors distracting from watching what they’re actually doing while they speak. The Guardians depicts the lives of three women on a farm in the French countryside during WW1, and how they must carry the workload while the men are at war. This trailer really took my breath away though, between the painterly cinematography and the raw look at life as a woman in 1915. It appears intriguingly soft, especially for one with its subject matter, because of the colors and tones of voice and the women who steadfastly lead the show. I genuinely look forward to experiencing this film in all its Monet-esque glory.
May 25
Feb. 23
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Makers Are InBloom By Tanner Yea
– Pensacola is truly blossoming with a vibrant arts culture thanks to makers and shakers.”
The makers appearing and the wares on offer will be extremely varied, with something available to everyone. Trial By Fire is local blacksmith, Ryan Godwin, who creates his own handmade knives and cases, whether they are for the kitchen or for outdoors. There is also Big Jerk Soda, a local couple who makes delicious light sodas like Ginger beer and Lavender Lemonade.
The maker movement is alive and well. As people move away from big box stores and into small mom-and-pop stores, there has become a widening demand for makers of all sorts to sell their wares – especially in Pensacola. Often times, however, spaces for makers to display their works are hard to find or restricted to mainly online. That will change this Memorial Day weekend, as the InBloom Maker’s Market is set to be held at the Museum of Commerce at 201 East Zaragoza Street. Liz Allen is the organizer behind the event, as well as the Pensacola Market set of events. “This is really the first market of its kind in Pensacola,” said Allen. “And the 20 | DOWNTOWNCROWD.COM
Museum of Commerce is a great place to have it because not only are we celebrating our city’s makers, but its history as well.” Allen has long run the Little Spruce Market which is held in the Museum of Commerce every December, but she has expanded out for the first time for this spring and summer themed market. Allen said that at least 40 vendors will be present from Pensacola and around the region to show off their various wares. “I thought it might be difficult at first to find all these makers, but they just keep coming and coming and we are starting to get full up,” said Allen. “That’s why we are calling it ‘InBloom’
Aside from soda and knives, the market will have artists, dress makers, carpenters and more. Local printmaker Charlotte Mason Print Co. will also be showing off their letterpress skills in the replica Pensacola News Journal exhibit in the museum. For a more modern craft, Sea3D - a 3D printing organization founded by UWF – will be on hand for demonstrations and to answer questions regarding 3D printer technology. There will also be entertainment throughout the night. In the Historic Lawn behind the Tivoli Gift House, local singer-songwriters Zena and Tris will be performing their brand of passionate acoustic music. InBloom is only one of Allen’s themed markets, an aspect that she feels other local festivals are lacking. Her original market, the Little Spruce Market, runs every holiday season and brings festive and thoughtful gifts to the Museum of Commerce from local artisans. This year will also see an autumn market called ‘Thankful for Pensacola’ on Labor Day weekend. Both of those events will feature vendors who won’t be at the InBloom market like The
Silver Story and Web Pottery. As Pensacola Market’s success expands, Allen has high hopes for the future. She plans to include more historical buildings in the markets aside from the Museum of Commerce, such as the T.T. Wentworth Museum, with the aid of the UWF Historic Trust. She also hopes to hold the markets more frequently should InBloom and Thankful for Pensacola prove successful, and even potentially expand into other local cities. “We are set to fully stock our shop over the coming months and currently we are working on a website to offer a platform for makers as well,” said Allen. “We’ll be taking our themed maker markets on tour in 2019 to nearby cities, which will further assist our local makers sell in other towns.” Allen said she hopes that these maker’s markets not only allow local artisans to show what they can do, but will also help showcase the culture and abundance of potential in Pensacola’s history – one that she says should be celebrated and treasured. “We want to build memories,” said Allen. “What better way than to play on nostalgia, creating a cozy experience for families - not too big, not too small, but very experience focused and themed to the tune of the season. It’s an event that helps natives and newcomers alike to want to be here in Pensacola.” The InBloom maker’s market will be held on May 26 to 27 at the Pensacola Museum of Commerce, from 9 am to 2 pm. Admission is free to the public. For more information or to apply as a vendor, visit pensacolamarket.com.
Da te line D ow n t own Pensacola Blue Wahoos
Come and cheer for our local team as the Pensacola Blue Wahoos enter their 2018 season. Enjoy the cool breezes off Pensacola Bay and an exciting game of America’s favorite pastime all throughout spring. All games listed below are home games. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit bluewahoos.com. May 2-6: vs. Mississippi Braves May 17-21: vs. Jackson Generals May 23-27: vs. Tennessee Smokies
SynThesis, A Group BFA Exit Exhibition
Through May 5 The Art Gallery at the University of West Florida presents “SynThesis, a Group BFA Exit Exhibition” from April 19 through May 5. This exhibition features work by graduating Bachelor of Fine Art students Ryan Gaynor, Christopher Mills, Selina McKane, Dylan Nadsady, Krista Taylor, Courtney Whitworth, and Lauren Wood. The work on display incorporates a variety of mediums including drawing, painting, fiber, photography, printmaking, digital media, and sculpture. TAG is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from Noon to 4 p.m. For more information, visit uwf.edu/tag.
Pensacola Children’s Chorus Presents: “Showtime” May 4-6 From lights to sound to costumes, it takes a village to bring a performance to life. The Pensacola Children’s
Chorus aims to put on a show that brings our entire community together to experience something truly entertaining. This year’s Showtime is a lively performance featuring music of the more popular genres as well as some tried and true classics. Tickets start at $25. Showtimes are 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 pm on Sunday. For more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.
Pensacola Crawfish Festival
May 4-6 Great food, live entertainment, and activities for all ages await you! Be sure to bring your appetite and don’t be shy, dig in! We are excited to announce that this year’s festival features 16,000 pounds of boiled crawfish provided by the Cordova Crawfish Company of Pensacola, Florida. Admission is $5 for a day and $10 for a weekend pass. For more information, visit fiestaoffiveflags.com.
Fiesta 10K & 5K Run/Walk
May 5 The Annual Fiesta 5K and 10K Run/Walk is sponsored by the Pensacola Runners Association and will be held Saturday, May 5 at 7:30 am. The 10K participants will begin at Pensacola State College, while the 5K runners will start from Scott Street and 12th Avenue. Both races will finish at Seville Square. Those who run in the race will receive free admission to the Pensacola Crawfish Festival on Saturday, May 5th. Come eat, run and relax with some Cajun flair! For more information and to register,
visit pensacolarunners.com.
Palafox Market Anniversary Celebration
May 5 Celebrate Palafox Market’s 11th Anniversary in Downtown Pensacola on Saturday, May 5 from 9 am – 2 pm! Pensacola Celebrity Chefs will host a cooking demonstration and tasting that will include ingredients from Palafox Market. There will also be live music and an expanded kids’ area with face painting, a bouncy house and more! You don’t want to miss this anniversary celebration in Downtown Pensacola! For more information, visit palafoxmarket.com.
Blue Angels Practice
May 8-9 There’s nothing quite like watching the Blue Angels, even in practice flights. The skill and courage required to perform aerial maneuvers in tight formations at 400 to 700 mph, all while maintaining as little as 18 inches of separation, is awe-inspiring! Make sure to get a good seat at the National Naval Aviation Museum in order to experience the majesty of flight. Practice starts at 11:30 am and admission is free. For more information, visit navalaviationmuseum.org.
An Evening of Luther Vandross – Starring Ruben Studdard May 11 Ruben Studdard is a Grammy nominated R&B, gospel and pop singer who was the winner of American Idol’s second season. He has recorded six studio albums, appears frequently on TV, toured extensively and has
sold over two million albums worldwide. Now he comes to the Saenger Theatre to pay tribute to the legendary soul and R&B singer, Luther Vandross – even paying tribute to the production and stage presence of Luther in the performance. Studdard said, “his heart and soul will be in every note I sing as I honor one of the greatest vocalists we’ve ever had.” The show starts at 7:30 pm at the Saenger Theatre, and tickets start at $25. For more information, visit pensacolasaenger.com.
Toast of the Coast: Low Country Boil
May 17 Join the Fish House for their 6th Annual Toast of the Coast events at The Fish House! The theme for this year’s events focuses on Southern Traditions. Each event in the series will feature a hands-on demonstration from a pro, with fantastic food and beverage pairings. A low country boil is the southeastern coast’s equivalent to a New England clambake. The boil will feature shrimp, blue crab and of course crawfish.Tickets for the event start at $45, and the fun begins at 5:30 pm at The Deck Bar. For more information, visit fishhousepensacola.com.
The Big Scoop 2018 presented by Pen Air Federal Credit Union May 19 The Big Scoop offers as much of the sweet treat as you can eat! Attendees can taste an assortment of ice cream flavors, top with the best fixins’ and try out others sweet snacks. There will be fun, games, and activities for everyone in the family! This is a pet friendly event! Tickets
are $10 each, and proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. Buy your tickets online or at the event! Children under three get in free! The event starts at 1 pm at Seville Square Park. For more information, visit bbbsnwfl.org.
4th Annual Lionfish Removal & Awareness Day
May 19-20 Lionfish are an invasive species in Florida and are ravaging our coastal environments. That’s why the Annual Lionfish Removal & Awareness Day, held at Flora-Bama Yacht Club, is so important to educate and reduce their numbers. A combination of a festival and a tournament, the event offers lionfish tastings, fillet demonstrations, family activities, celebrity chefs, raffle prizes, live music and conservation and art booths. The event starts at 10 am. For more information, visit reefrangers.com.
Ja Rule and Ashanti with Fat Joe, Plies, Trina and Trick Daddy
May 31 Some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B during the late 90s and early 2000s, Ja Rule and Ashanti will be appearing at Pensacola Bay Center to perform all the hits you remember from middle school. Supporting them are other heavy hitters like Fat Joe, Plies, Trina and Trick Daddy, making sure the party will last all night. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show starts at 8 pm, and tickets start at $33 per person. Make sure you don’t miss this oncein-a-lifetime performance!
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