Music Forecast 6.26-7.2: Nora Jane Struthers, Reach, Conor Oberst, the Antlers, and more
MKTO
I don’t really believe in the “guilty pleasure” artist. We all like what we like, right? But even I feel a slight twinge of self-consciousness when I find myself listening to MKTO and not hating it. It’s easily digested power pop, high-fructose stuff that you can dance to, work out to or start your day with — kind of what you’d expect from a couple of guys who met on the set of a Nickelodeon film. Malcolm Kelley and Tony Oller are opening for Demi Lovato’s Sprint Center show in September, and you can preview their music Tuesday at the Uptown, a more low-key setting.
Tuesday, July 1, the Uptown Theater (3700 Broadway, 816-753-8665)
The Neighbourhood
On the Neighbourhood’s debut full-length, I Love You, the California band starts things off precociously, with the breathy, atmospheric “How”: How could you question God’s existence when you question God himself? It’s an unfortunate turnoff, and the album never really recovers, save for “Sweater Weather,” which has undoubtedly been beaten into your eardrums by now. So lyrics are not the Neighbourhood’s strength. But the band does forge some interesting textural sounds by meshing hip-hop beats with manufactured synths. Plus, this Friday-night show is free, so why the hell not?
Friday, June 27, KC Live Block (14th St. and Grand, powerandlightdistrict.com)
Conor Oberst, Dawes
The heartfelt storytelling and earnest Americana of Los Angeles quartet Dawes feels like an odd pairing for the uncontested genius of Omaha’s Conor Oberst, who rose to fame as the mastermind behind Bright Eyes and Desaparecidos. But Dawes is acting as Oberst’s backing band throughout this tour, and so far the concert reviews indicate that the two acts balance each other well. Wednesday at Crossroads KC, you can relax as Dawes lead singer Taylor Goldsmith eases you into the evening before Oberst shakes you out of it.
Wednesday, July 2, Crossroads KC at Grinders (417 East 18th Street, 785-749-3434)
The Antlers
On Familiars, this Brooklyn three-piece works in hazy brushstrokes to craft a singularly dreamy landscape fleshed out with angelic trumpets, dainty cymbals and gauzy piano. In some respects, the Antlers are working an extension of 2012’s Undersea EP, dressing up lullabies for daylight and bringing them to the playground. If indie rock met jazz in a safe room, this is what a successful merger would sound like. It hardly matters what Peter Silberman is singing about — something sad and dark, probably — as long as he’s using that silky voice.
Wednesday, July 2, the Riot Room (4048 Broadway, 816-442-8179)
Nora Jane Struthers
Just reading her name, you can probably guess what sound Nora Jane Struthers is shopping. The young Nashville artist has been toeing the line of Appalachian-tinged bluegrass and bright-eyed Americana since her 2009 debut, I Heard the Bluebirds Sing. Struthers’ latest, Carnival, has her showing off a collection of songs that some might call old-timey — she certainly does favor references to bygone eras and vintage pastimes. But that doesn’t take into account her timeless honeyed voice. Last in town in November, Struthers returns Thursday with her band, the Party Line, for a set as easy to enjoy as ice cream on a hot day.
Thursday, June 26, Knuckleheads Saloon (2715 Rochester, 816-483-1456)
Reach
Reach has been a local-hip-hop staple since he first broke ground as a solo artist, in 2003. More than a decade later, Reach has continued to be a driving force in the community, recently sharing his talents with local supergroup the Buhs, organizing a tribute to Joc Max and reviving his GoodButta podcast. Now, Reach is releasing his first album in three years, called The Perfect Strangers. Hear it live and support local music Friday at the Brick. DJ Ataxic, MilkDrop, D/Will, and more join the lineup.
Friday, June 27, the Brick (1727 McGee, 816-421-1634)
