Live music events in Dallas-Fort Worth, July 29-August 1

by Michelle Parsons

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It's a good weekend for dancin'.

Thursday

There’s going to be a lot of dancing in your future on Thursday. No matter where you go, put on those dancin’ shoes. Take, for instance, Fortunate Youth at Trees. The seven-piece from Los Angeles specializes in the one-two riddims and reggae dub to get you in the mood. Frontman Ryan Gonzo's vocals are raw and the guitar licks are less 311 as they are an accentuation to complement the melodies. And Fortunate Youth’s percussion and horn section are what really makes them stand out.

If you still want to dance but can’t keep up with the sexy reggae grooves, Peopleodian and Sex Tape at Dan’s Silver Leaf will be more your speed. You can (hipster) dance in circles at this show, since both bands are seeped in shticky electronic acid that’s so damn catchy. If it’s one thing Denton bands are good at, it’s mastering music fads faster than you can adapt. But here it works, because Sex Tape’s frontwoman Jennifer Wohlrab and her velvety vocals and unapologetic charm make it so easy to put aside your (or in this case, my) music snob grumblings and just let it all hang out.

Friday

If last night was all about bustin’ a move, tonight’s about coolin’ out to some jazz hybrids. Luke Wade and No Civilians are playing Fred’s Texas Café in Fort Worth. And although we’re pretty sure it’s an outdoor show, Wade’s romantic soul vibe will ease the strain of the Texas summer heat. His funky orchestral mantras and are a throwback to good time R&B mixed with a bit of acoustic folk to let things simmer.

For something with a little more vintage swing, hit up another Fort Worth establishment, the Scat Jazz Lounge, for Austin’s The Lucky Strikes. If you dream in black and white and love the sweet, soothing nostalgia of ‘40s and ‘50s big band jazz and swing, then The Lucky Strikes are right up your bobby-socked alley. They’ve been around for years but have still held true to the Darin and Sinatra era that will live forever. Vocalist Craig Marshall could’ve fit right in with the Rat Pack, not to mention the acidic trumpet and trombone that would make Benny Goodman proud.

Saturday

Tonight is about the local yokels. Dovetail, a band who’s as tight and polished as they are raw, will headline City Tavern. Frontman Philip Creamer and his seasoned cohorts are smack dab in the middle of writing a new record with producer Beau Bedford (Kirby Brown, Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights), and we’ll keep you posted with more information about its due date. But in the meantime, Creamer’s high-pitched fragile falsetto is as unforgettable as the band’s hook-laden, classically arranged melodies. And while they’ve laid low these past few months, get ready for them to try out some spankin’ new tunes tonight.

And veteran musicians Toby Pipes and Nolan Thies will headline with RTB2 tonight at Lola’s with their Little Black Dress collaboration. Their ambient and wistful shoegaze fodder is reminiscent of late ‘80s/early ‘90s bands like My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, and Swervedriver. Its layered guitar drones and gentle vocals aren’t necessarily psychedelic, but they border on dreamy and have a sound that leaves no corner of the ear unfilled. Songs like “Snow In June” and “Simple Kind” will undeniably get stuck in your head with their simple yet lingering choruses. So go to Lola’s, have a few beers and let Little Black Dress make the soundtrack for your future inebriated dreams.

Sunday

We’ve got two options for Sunday that couldn’t be more different. The Nashville punk outfit Blacklist Royals are headlining at the Boiler Room to promote their new album, Semper Liberi. You’ll be humming their tune “Rock and Roll” tomorrow at work, since their country twinged, corn fed brand of DIY punk is oh so catchy. They’re playing with Nothington – an equally fierce punk rock band from San Francisco. Both bands are a perfect and proud shout-a-long trip for the kids who aren’t ready to end the weekend quite yet.

But for those who want a more worldly Sunday full of Bollywood shoulder shimmies, Indian actor/singer/dancer/everything-but-the-kitchen-sink-er Gurdas Maan is performing at the Eisemann Center. He’s been in the biz since 1980, and after recording over 27 albums and writing over 200 songs, he’s coming stateside to woo us into a sitar Indian trance. Expect a full band playing instruments many of us have probably never seen before. Oh, and those dancing shoes from Thursday? You’ll be needing those, too.

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