This week, there are two indie music festivals, new art exhibitions by notable Montana artists, and a book launch for poet laureate Chris La Tray’s memoir, “Becoming Little Shell.”
DIY indie music festival hits Missoula
(Friday-Saturday, Aug. 16-17)
The folks at boot-strapped production company Daisy Chain Presents are marking their first anniversary with a two-day festival with 30-plus bands and six events, running the playlist of moods from Americana to indie rock to experimental, with venues that include a block party, a cidery, the ZACC, the VFW, and the American Legion.
The acts include headliner Dean Johnson, a 50-something Americana singer from Seattle with a voice and witty lyrics that seem suited for a part in a Coen Brothers contemporary Western drama. You can also hear Montana-slash-New York punk band Idaho Green, and Oregon lo-fi rock band Desolation Horse. Those are just a few — as with any DIY festival, it’s worth diving into the lineup’s Bandcamp pages with open ears, or just showing up and letting it happen.
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Details: Go to daisychainpresents.com. Three events are free, three are paid. For the paid ones, you can pony up the cover at the door or buy a $45 wristband for all three.
Expand your mind (and your eye)
Two particularly creative Missoula artists have exhibitions at Radius Gallery opening this month.