The Sublime
Jakob Nowell bring his Jakob’s Castle act to Meow Wolf
Ok, sure, musician Jakob Nowell has been on everyone’s minds lately thanks in part to his frontman duties with Sublime, the band his late father Bradley Nowell co-founded. But did you know that Jakob is his own person with his own musical thoughts and projects that have nothing to do with his legacy? It’s wild, but it’s true!
Jakob’s Castle comes out of the gate as a bit of an unexpected electro-pop project, though not wholly. Yes, it’s a little poppy, but it’s also layered, man. Musically, it’s easy to cite acts like The Knife or Mates of State in the it-sounds-kinda-like game, though Nowell culls from a wide array of singers for a melodically interesting bit of vocal work, too. Shades of Brandon Urie’s theatricality peek through on a song like “2 Hours Ago,” during which Nowell proudly proclaims “I stopped giving a fuck.” Amen, guy.
In that regard, the Jakob’s Castle jams feel almost experimental, or at least like the work of a capable singer who has had no choice but to embrace his father’s work thanks to one of the most rabid fanbases on the planet—even if he’s got ideas all his own. Take a tune like “Catch Me,” which brings to mind the neo-soul/pop revivalism of a band like Foxygen, just with way stronger vocal work that almost elicits Gotye’s mournful wail just before phasing into a catchy chorus that would be equally at home during a sad drive or the club—your call.
If nothing else, Jakob’s Castle proves Nowell’s got songwriting chops of his own, and it certainly impressed the folks at Epitaph Records enough to release his work. Do you think you know better than Brett Gurewitz?!? DO YOU?!
As if that weren’t enough, ska-punk adjacent act Strawberry Fuzz opens. Sure, we can point to Sublime as an influence for these rockers, though fans of the ’90s era work of bands like Blue Meanies or Voodoo Glow Skulls will find more punk touchstones than reggae ones. Either way, they rock and totally do earworms. Actually, this show sounds cool as hell. (Alex De Vore)
Jakob’s Castle w/Strawberry Fuzz: 7 pm Sunday, Nov. 16. $29.75. Meow Wolf, 1352 Rufina Circle, (505) 395-6369
Continue the Cycle
NM Tourism
Our landfills are crammed with more trash, fast fashion runoff and still-usable items than anywhere else in the world (probably), but whereas some might assume this a foregone conclusion, artists, as per usual, see a goldmine of materials. Enter the Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival, the oldest such market in the country which finds more than 100 creators recycling, re-using and repurposing otherwise trash-bound things for their works. Yes, there’s a fashion show, and also juried exhibits, interactive opportunities and good old-fashioned trash-based fun. Seriously, though, it’s all for a good cause and you might be surprised what these folks can do. (ADV)
Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival: 5-9 pm Friday, Nov. 14; 9 am-5 pm Saturday, Nov. 15; 10 am-5 pm Sunday, Nov. 16. Free (but pay for stuff, duh). Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W Marcy St., recyclesantafe.org
Time After Time
Courtesy Brad Trone
If you’ve yet to visit SITE Santa Fe’s 12th International (née Biennial) Once Within a Time (named after filmmaker Godfrey Reggio’s latest) curated by the inimitable Cecelia Alemani, you’ve been missing out, friendo. The veritable cavalcade of arts created both at home and away cuts a swath of intensity and fabulousness that cannot be denied. Not to worry, though, as the venerable Santa Fe arts org/museum is slated to release the show’s official catalogue/guidebook this week featuring critical essays by Estevan Rael-Gálvez and Alicia Inez Guzmán; plus words from Santa Fean and new US poet laureate Arthur Sze, poet Mei-Mei Berssenbrugge, arts writer Lucy R Lippard and filmmaker Jill Momaday. (ADV)
Once Within a Time Catalogue Release: 2-5 pm Saturday, Nov. 15. $0-$10. SITE Santa Fe, 1606 Paseo de Peralta, (505) 989-1199
The Real Deal
Photo Provided
Despite your wrong-as-hell friends bandying about the term “emo” when it comes to acts like MCR or, like, metalcore bands from the 2010s, those of us who grew up with bands like Embrace, The Get Up Kids and Mineral know the truth—and so does Algernon Cadwallader. The Pennsylvania-based shredders with the mouthful name blends the mathy intensity of complex guitar harmonies with the intense wail of a singer who feels all the feels. And though their original run was tragically short for those among us who love the shock to our hearts, we’re glad to report good ol’ AC is back on the road, with a pitstop slated for Santa Fe. If you’re interested in a bit of musical history representing the Chuck Taylors and baseball shirts era—that also sounds so damn good—this is that show. (ADV)
Algernon Cadwallader: 7:30 pm Saturday, Nov. 15. $20-$25. Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery, 2791 Agua Fría St., (505) 303-3808
