BARNA HOWARD, DENVER, KELE GOODWIN
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) “I was super shy as a kid,” says Barna Howard. “I couldn’t imagine ever getting on a talent show at school or something. But something happened. That worry left when I moved away and saw what other people were doing.” Howard is setting the scene for the semi-nomadic path he took away from his small hometown of Eureka, Missouri, some 35 minutes west of St. Louis. From there, he went to Chicago to study animation—he still works as an animator for Bent Image Lab—and then to Boston, where his dormant songwriting ability was finally given room to bloom. There, he met Vikesh Kapoor and Vincent Bancheri, and the trio moved out to Portland in 2010 to start Bancheri’s label, Mama Bird Recording Co., and release Howard and Kapoor’s music. In May, Mama Bird dropped Howard’s sophomore LP, Quite a Feelin’, and it’s a stripped-down outlaw-country onslaught, full of John Prine-style guitar plucking, Townes Van Zandt-like cautious pessimism, and Kris Kristofferson’s storytelling prowess. RYAN J. PRADO Read the full article on Barna Howard.
ROBIN TROWER, AYRON JONES AND THE WAY
(Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie) One of the great British blues-rock guitarists, Robin Trower filigreed into international consciousness with Procol Harum, playing on that proto-prog group’s first five critically lauded albums. In 1973, he started putting out records under his own name, hitting big with 1974’s Bridge of Sighs. The title track is one of those ponderous, ominous songs that blot out the sun with a righteous despondency—a paragon of blues rock that’s far beyond the reach of the Black Keys and their ilk. (See also “It’s Only Money” from For Earth Below.) Trower’s snarling yet aerated tone and laid-back fluidity lend his tunes an expansiveness that elevates them above most in this genre. No less a legend than Robert Fripp counts Trower (now 70) as an inspiration and mentor. Don’t be surprised if Trower honors his own hero—Jimi Hendrix—tonight. DAVE SEGAL
TUXEDO, SUTRO
(Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell) Those who make love to Prince and dinner-party to Chromeo will cream their funky panties over Tuxedo. Comprised of neo-soul frontman Mayer Hawthorne and seasoned hip-hop producer Jake One, Tuxedo released its self-titled debut album in March. Both Grammy-nominated artists come from respective points of success: Hawthorne has enjoyed serious album sales with high praise from music pundits, and Jake One has produced heavyweights like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Rick Ross. Tuxedo has the great production you’d expect from established LA musicians, touched with ’70s funk licks, ’80s electro-pop beats, and a disco demi-glace that will keep you coming back for seconds and thirds. ROSE FINN
RABBITS, GONE TO CROATOAN, DJ WROID WRAGE
(The Know, 2026 NE Alberta) See My, What a Busy Week!