Blood Road. Summit Hut is honoring ultra-endurance mountain bike athlete Rebecca Rusch by screening the 2017 documentary Blood Road. This Emmy-winning film follows Rusch’s search for answers surrounding her father’s death in the Vietnam War, as she bikes the 1,200 miles of the Ho Chi Minh trail. Rusch and her Vietnamese riding partner Huyen Nguyen ride through the dense jungles of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to reach the crash site and final resting place of Rusch’s father. This screening even includes a Q&A with Rusch after the film. 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12. Screening begins at 7 p.m. 5251 E. Speedway Blvd. $15. Ticket proceeds benefit The “Be Good” foundation, Rusch’s 501c3, which supports the Mines Advisory Group in their efforts to remove unexploded ordnance from Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

The Parish specialty dinner. The Parish, known as “Tucson’s only Southern Fusion Gastropub,” is celebrating the head brewer of 1912 Brewing Company with a specialty four-course dinner. Featuring the delicious work of Chef Travis Peters, this dinner also includes two 1912 craft beers: the Sour de Salle peach sour and the Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Gose with strawberries from California Giant Berry Farms, rhubarb, Mexican vanilla, and hints of graham crackers. Head over to The Parish for a blend of local beer and Southern cooking. 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12. 2045 N. Forbes Blvd. $40.

Second Annual San Diego Take Over. Craft, A Modern Drinkery is celebrating “America’s Finest City” by hosting four breweries out of San Diego. This second annual event features multiple one-off brews and collaborations, such as the Super Mario Tart kettle sour from Pizza Port Brewing, the Viking Space Probe double IPA from Stone Brewing, the Thimble Country lager from Modern Times Beer, and the Marine Dream hazy IPA from Coronado Brewing Co. Molecular Munchies food truck will also be on site dishing out food to go along with your beer. 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12. 4603 E. Speedway Blvd.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Advanced screening). The Loft Cinema presents an advanced screening of a historical drama about the “forbidden affair” between an aristocrat and the woman commissioned to paint her portrait. This is the latest film by French director Céline Sciamma (Tomboy, Girlhood). The film was the first directed by a woman to win the “Queer Palm” award at the Cannes Film Festival, and was also a contender for the Palme d’Or. The film will be presented in French with English subtitles. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12. $10. 3233 E. Speedway Blvd. Regular screenings begin Friday, Feb. 28.

Having traversed “The Rocky Road to Dublin” and returned with a fresh take on traditional Irish ballads, The High Kings perform at Rialto Theatre…

Artists working at the fringe. Golden Saguaro: Experiments In Sound & Music provides a platform for tomorrow’s pioneers to explore. Vicki Brown, Steev Hise, Skincage and Lavender Lattice are slated to perform. At Golden Saguaro…

“Stretched myself until I fit you/All my threads pulled wire thin.” Emo/indie rockers Floral Guilt learn to cope in the aftermath. At Club Congress. Associations, Nocturnal Theory and Hussie lend support…

Wine Tasting Gala Fundraiser. Arizona Wine Collective is hosting a wine tasting in support of Desert Voices, Tucson’s LGBT chorus. The tasting includes five local wines paired with complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Forty percent of ticket purchases supports Desert Voices singers to attend the GALA 2020 Festival. Of course, Arizona Wine Collective is always a good place to buy a full bottle, and 10 percent of all wine bottle purchases will also be donated to Desert Voices. There is also an option to have beer instead of wine. 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10. 4280 N. Campbell Ave., Suite 155. $25.

Anello Beer Dinner. Well, it’s now Arizona Beer Week, so that means there are more beer events happening around town than you can shake a growler at. One such tasty event includes Pueblo Vida Brewing and Anello Pizzeria teaming up to celebrate beer and Italian food. What a combo! 5 to 9:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 10. The evening includes two dinner opportunities, one starting at 5 p.m. and the second at 7:30 p.m. $60.

“We’re all about love,” proclaims this band of Hawaiian Islanders. Iration’s deep-rooted reggae will fill the Rialto Theatre with the Aloha spirit. With special guests Ballyhoo, Iya Terra and The Ries Brothers…

Relive the magic of the highschool dance with your crush. DJ Humphouse spins vinyl nostalgia for Prom Night. At Club Congress…

Led by frontwoman Marta DeLeon, on “Baby” The Weekend Lovers gnash their teeth and snarl unrepentantly while fending off those pesky ghosts that cause disturbances in the night.

“Yes it's another song called "Baby" about breaking up with macro and micro manipulations, insomnia, ghostly lost dreams and double jointed arms that don't bend for you,” says DeLeon.

“It's crazy the way you haunt my dreams.../Don't worry me it's not my arms you want/It's just the way they bend/I wanna sleep throughout this life/Instead of waiting round again/I'm not so sweet, you're not as wild as that, it's just the way it ends/I'm not the seat for you to ride upon to get to where you're at.” –Marta DeLeon, Weekend Lovers, from “Baby

tweet this

Recorded at Midtown Island Studio, with Matt Rendon behind the mixing board, “Baby”—the Lovers' latest single—packs a Rock ‘Em, Sock ‘Em sonic wallop.

The track surges with a torrent of organ, towering backup vocals and chiming guitar that evinces another era, while DeLeon’s voice seethes, with a velvety wistfulness reminiscent of a leather jacket-clad Christine McVie, rising to a throaty boil.

“Baby” is released in advance of a forthcoming album.

Check it out here.

In line with ancient Celtic myth, not unlike the mighty Boudica, Queen of Iceni, on The Orange EP these formidable women warriors lead us to higher realms of feminine intuition and spiritual wisdom, to arrive at a mysterious landing.

Otherworldly voices, folk harp and viola delicately commingling, Mariah McCammond (Loveland) and Deanna Cross (The Unday, For Love or Absinthe) are The Hatpin Duo.

McCammond’s voice, underpinned by her delicately plucked harp, call out like a siren, planting dreams, entwined with Cross’ fine-drawn viola lines together form a potent hothouse for the mind to put forth shoots.

The Hatpin Duo celebrate the release of The Orange EP with a soirée. On Saturday, Feb. 8. The event features a dance performance by Kinetic Arts, an art exhibition by Liz Weibler (The Orange EP cover artist) and a set from DJ Buttafly. At Kinetic Arts Tucson.

Friday, Feb. 7

Not unlike a Castaneda novel, in pursuit of A Separate Reality—while under the direct influence of a potent cumbia infused psychedelic that arose from the Peruvian highlands—Tucson cumbiancheros Chicha Dust talk to coyotes. On the plaza at Hotel Congress…

Straddling the fence, with one dusty Converse sneaker smeared with the grime of rock ’n’ roll while the other remains stuck on the sharp leaf-tip spines of an agave plant, Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers are at Rialto Theatre. With The Cole Trains…

In Advice Column, Chicago hardcore punks 88 Fingers Louie ask listeners, “What’s the fun in living in the past?” They play with middle finger extended at 191 Toole. Playboy Manbaby bringing the sexy back to the genre of polka…

Super Gay Party Machine stands proud. At Club Congress…

Like corridos? Los Cuates de Sinaloa and Jesus Ojeda y sus Parientes engage in battle: Guerra de Requintos plays out at Club 4th Avenue…

Dan Stokes performs blues and other love songs. At Sand-Reckoner…

After hiatus, The Coolers bring their horn-propelled blues/soul to Monterey Court…

Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas perform Scottish music on fiddle and cello. At Berger Performing Arts Center…

This North Carolina singer-songwriter adheres to the country music axiom “Three chords and the truth”—popularized by Harlan Howard. Juan Holladay shares the stage with local songstress Leila Lopez. At El Crisol…

DJ Nic hosts Beatz & Sweetz: A night of house music. At Batch…

They are “raw and colorful, bathed in electro-sensual alien lullabies and drunken sailor beats.” Loki Moon experiment at Saint Charles Tavern…

Tourmaline Dreams II: A gem show afterparty features DJ sets by Dexx, Jeremy Sarcoz, Man Maze and Shelby Athouguia. At Solar Culture…

Stormy Leigh presents The British Are Coming: A burlesque British Invasion with live music by The Furys. At Surly Wench Pub…

Club Z sees resident DJs Low AudiO and ZAW dropping techno house. At Zen Rock…

Saturday, Feb. 8

L.A. indie rockers flor went from recording their debut EP, sounds, in a bedroom to having their latest, ley lines, receive millions of streams. The band brings bold pop ambition to the Rialto Theatre. With the sunny indie rock of Winnetka Bowling League…

Resonance Monthly finds Canadian dubstep DJ/producer Phiso making apocalyptic robotic noise. At Gentle Ben’s…

This celebrated pianist’s newest release is a portrayal of his place in a chaotic world. George Winston presents Restless Wind at the Berger Performing Arts Center…

Reggae warriors General Tchefary & The Soldiers, with Jah on their side, bring light to the main stage (Scott & Broadway) during 2nd Saturdays Downtown…

In a jump-off from the THHF20, The Dusty Tour sees rapper Homeboy Sandman, Quelle Chris, Psypiritual x The Lasso smash into Thunder Canyon Brewstillery…

In a rad cosmic mashup that only a universe rife with chaos could align, The Exbats and Golden Boots perform together at Owls Club…

Death Bells (post-punks from Sydney, Australia) lead A Benefit For Australia. At Club Congress. Separate Ways, Hikikomori and Rough Draft contribute to the cause. Proceeds to benefit the Fire Relief Fund for First Nations Communities…

In a pre-Valentine’s Celebration, vocalist Ada Redd Austin sets the mood for love. At The Dunbar Pavillion…

The Arnold/Klingenfus Ensemble perform acoustic-driven music. At Borderlands Brewing Co…

West Coast rave scene veteran—and resident DJ presiding over legendary full-moon desert gatherings—Brad Moontribe takes you on a techno dance journey. With OVRLP (DJ Hart b2b Nic). At Solar Culture…

The third annual Beads, Blues and Beer Festival features Roman Barten-Sherman, Whose Blues Band and Brokedown Palace. At The Metal Arts Village…

Contemporary country artist Donnie Lee Strickland along with Jay Faircloth, Chris Graeber Band and Vegas McGraw are set to perform at Country Fest Tucson 2020. At The Rock…

Released in 1977, this Eagles classic sold over 32 million copies. Classic Albums Live performs Hotel California. At Fox Theatre…

The indie folk stylings of Big Grin fill John Henry’s…

The Jacob Acosta Duo captures the sound of the desert. At Black Rock Brewers…

Out on tour alt/indie rockers Past Life team up with Sad Dance Party. At Blacklidge Community Collective…

The Other Troublemakers raise hell at La Cocina…

Oppressed Logic, Besmirchers and Bleach Party USA rage at Spark Project Collective…

Ultra ’80s Dance Party at Passé…

Performing world soul music to soothe you, Porangui are at Solar Culture…

A night of bluegrass and Western music awaits. Phoenix’s Pick & Holler and Freddy Parish are at El Crisol…

Micky Dolenz and Tucson Symphony Orchestra performing the music of The Monkees will make you a believer. At Tucson Convention Center…

Sunday, Feb. 9

From Rialto, California—“an arid wasteland of boredom and empty lots”—this trio of free-spirited soul musicians, in their youth found liberation through skateboarding. Brainstory are at Club Congress. Backed by the piquant garage rock of Taco Sauce…

KXCI Community Radio will participate alongside more than 150 radio stations across the globe in International Clash Day this Friday with a day of programming dedicated to addressing climate change.

Since 2013, radio stations have paid tribute to influential punk band The Clash and their legacy as advocates every Feb. 7. International Clash Day has since evolved into a wider celebration of the issues the band stood for, with a specific theme each year.

This year's theme is Clash For Climate, which emphasizes empowering people to take action on a local level to combat climate change within their communities.

From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow, KXCI DJs will broadcast special programming with climate change in mind from their studio inside Hotel Congress.

The station will also host an interactive, educational exhibit called See the Bees at the Hotel Congress Plaza from 4 to 6 p.m.

This free community event was designed by master beekeeper and honeybee researcher Mona Chambers and will feature a fully contained observation hive complete with live bees. There will be a honey tasting along with a dynamic look at the art of beekeeping and education on the importance of bees as pollinators.

KXCI's International Clash Day will wrap up with an afterparty at Che's Lounge for those 21 and older with DJs from Wooden Tooth Records spinning Clash inspired sets on the patio.

The afterparty starts at 7 p.m. 

From Montreal, aggressive electronic trio Black Tiger Sex Machine mashes together dubstep beats with atmospheric visuals to create a dark sci-fi aesthetic. Explore “New Worlds” at Rialto Theatre. DJ/producer Blanke and the otherworldly bass of Vampa set the tone…

Emerging from the City of Brotherly Love’s punk scene in 2011, Grayscale quickly left the grit and anti-authoritarian ethos behind. These “Philly coffee shop rockers” bring the Nella Vita Tour to 191 Toole. From the near permafrost of Michigan, emo-punks Hot Mulligan heat things up first…

A “Rock ’Em Sock ’Em” indie rock double header unfolds when Weekend Lovers and Moontrax square off. At Tap + Bottle Downtown…

Riding the “Lost Highway” down from Phoenix, Tags (rock) and Celebration Guns (noise pop) join Tucson’s Noise Field (rock) for a dust up. At Club Congress…

Savitur leads an evening of Kirtan (spiritual chanting developed in sixth-century India). At Solar Culture…

Elliot Jones hosts Piano Bar Thursdays. All are encouraged to sing along. At The Dusty Monk Pub…

Known for the beauty and richness of her voice, soprano Renée Fleming joins the Tucson Symphony Orchestra for a grand finale to bring the 2020 Tucson Desert Song Festival to a close. At Tucson Music Hall…

This acclaimed Yaqui guitarist has performed for a U.S. president and he pope. As part of the Lookout Tucson Jazz Concert Series, Gabriel Ayala performs flamenco, classical and jazz influenced compositions. At Westward Look Resort…

Texas ska punks Hans Gruber and the Die Hards, Muddle of Pud (crusty stoner metal), BYOM (hardcore punk) and Perish (powerviolence) stir up the status quo. At Blacklidge Community Collective...

On Queenie, songstress Just Najima’s debut album, her impassioned voice simmers and seethes. Her prose dripping with ‘tude—“I Ain’t Got Time (For That Shit)”—can impale a stake straight into the gut.

Like on “America Blues,” she wails about Michael Brown and how the system let a murdering cop go free, “injustice crying out.” Defiant, Najima holds her ground, firmly. “I said I won’t pledge allegiance, until I see some equality, for black folks like me.”

Queenie is not easy listening. Just Najima’s unique “Southwestern Gothic soul”—conveying a modern sense of urgency veiled in a traditional framework—is unafraid to walk through the darkness. Fearlessly she chants, “It’s a wicked world. Let’s burn it down.”

Najima shares a few thoughts with XOXO.

How did Queenie come about?

When my last band [The Sinners] broke up in 2018, I was devastated. I poured my heart break into writing a bunch of songs. But those songs were also a leap of faith. I had no money, no connections and no band. Around that time I got involved in a group for female musicians and met Jillian Bessett. Jillian was about to start offering to do independent recording in her home studio. So I became her first client.

Without material, what did you work on?

Initially, we sang mostly old blues songs. No originals. So it is a new thing for me to write and arrange/compose my own music. Working with Jillian was amazing. We were able to communicate, through music, in a way that helped me to take this stuff from inside my head and make it real.

Is the material on Queenie written entirely by you?

Yes, for the most part. “Somebody Talking About Jesus” is an old spiritual Christmas song. I changed the lyrics to be about the broader crisis. “America Blues” is my take on JB Lenoir’s [American blues guitarist/singer-songwriter, active in the Chicago blues scene in the 1950s and ‘60s] old civil rights song “Alabama Blues.” But the rest of the songs I wrote and composed myself. Jillian helped me make them real and we worked on producing them together.

Is there a message that you are trying to convey to your audience?

The album is about the journey, I believe, all intelligent, empathetic people have been feeling the last several years. We went from 'Yes, we can' to 'holy shit, I guess we can’t.' It’s been an ugly and dark time. I know lots of people have felt battered and disheartened by the world around them. The album goes on that journey from carefree to dark and disaffected. But it ends on a bittersweet note of resilience and resistance.

Who else played on the recording?

Chris Callahan (Shrimp Chaperone) played guitar. Becky Diamond and Sarah Mohr played piano. Backing vocals, Jillian, Katherine Byrnes and me. It was a small shop and we cranked it out, working mostly nights, because Jillian has three kids and I have one. It was really just love, love, love and women supporting one another that really created this album.

When was Queenie recorded?

Last February. It’s all just like fallen into place. And honestly, I don’t really know how. I mean, obviously, I’ve been busting my ass. But, I can’t believe how far I’ve come in such a short period of time.

So, what’s next for Najima?

I’ve been singing my entire life. But always lending my voice to other people’s music. I’ve always had a powerful voice. But, I never thought of myself as a real musician. After my band broke up in 2018, I started singing mostly backup. But, the truth is I had limited myself and I just couldn’t see it until the band ended. I was scared to be the front person. I was scared to have a vision. But, then I was like...I think I can do this. And, I started writing.

And, the future looks bright. Here's a glimpse.
Just Najima celebrates the release of Queenie with an extravaganza: The Apocalypse Cabaret explodes with fabulousness on Friday, Jan. 31. At Club Congress. Flor De Nopal, Jaime J. Soto and Jeena Doucure provide musical, drag and burlesque performances.

Queenie is available on iTunes, Spotify and Bandcamp on Jan. 31.

With a salvo, in advance of a new album, Honeyden (Burger Records, 2020), scheduled to drop on Jan. 31, gunsmoke-diffused indie rockers The Rifle are breadcrumbing fans with a trail of singles.

Nelene Deguzman reflects on the backstory to “Are We Having Fun Yet?", revisiting a difficult time in her life in hindsight.

“I was remembering a time in my life in middle school and high school when offensive racial humor was really popular,” says Deguzman. She was labelled a stick in the mud by some classmates for not finding humor in racial stereotyping funny. “I remember feeling really misunderstood and isolated as one of the only non-white kids at my school.”

With creeping determinism Deguzman expands, “The song started with me meditating on some of these experiences and wishing I could have a dialogue with my younger self.” And ended up being a way for her to consider feelings from a different perspective. “One that I hadn't been able to put into words at the time.”

Deguzman is excited.

“This is the first single from an album that we'll be releasing via Burger Records. And, we will be doing a small tour after we release the album.”

What blossomed out of a solo recording project in Deguzman’s bedroom has evolved into their third release. In good fashion, The Rifle commemorate the release of Honeyden, their latest full-length with a bash. On Friday, Jan. 31. At 191 Toole. Weekend Lovers and Casanova will bring party favors.

Check it out. “Are We Having Fun Yet?”