SFR Picks—Week of June 30

Country Returns

Greg Butera takes over Tumbleroot

It’s been almost five years since we crowned local country king Greg Butera’s Tell Me Now as one of our 2016 albums of the year, and though the singer/guitarist/fiddle champ says he’s got at least an album’s worth of new tunes that he’s yet to record, his focus hasn’t entirely been on his own music lately. Butera, who also plays with John Francis and the Poor Clares, took to welding projects during COVID-19—but, he says, “the pandemic got me anxious to play; not doing it for so long makes you look at music in a new light without so much pressure involved; it’s good to play music when people want to hear music.”

And the people want to hear music. That’s at least partly why Butera reconvened his regular players (pedal steel guitarist Ryan Little, bassist Casey Anderson and drummer Joe Hecker) for an upcoming Fourth of July show at Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery. The rest, he explains, is because of Lost Padre Records owner George Casey, who is behind the show’s promotion duties.

“Attribute it to George for being so supportive of the music scene,” Butera says. “I couldn’t say no.”

As for the set, Butera envisions a mix of danceable numbers, some slower sad ones and perhaps even a solo tune or two. John Francis Mustain (of the Poor Clares) is set to sit in on vocals as well. Tumbleroot just added a number of extra tickets for this one since COVID restrictions are lifting come July 1, so if ever there were a time to kick up your heels and catch one of the best performers our city has to offer, it’s right now.

As for a future album from Butera?

“My friends are always telling me I need to,” he says with a laugh. “It’s always a possibility.”

Forget about fireworks this year. Find yourself some country jamz instead. (Alex De Vore)

Greg Butera: 7 pm Sunday, July 4. $10. Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery, 2791 Agua Fría St., 505-393-5135

Double Dare

Artist Polly Barton ditches tradition for her three-pronged Dare, Revel, Dive, a new body of work featuring distinct styles like pastel color fields, handwoven linen paper and, finally, mixed media. By all accounts, Barton has long eschewed the norms in her work, but by tackling three series concurrently, she’s come to an intersection that feels congruent, but that pushes boundaries. We always figured well-known artists must struggle with preconceived notions about their work versus whatever success means in contemporary creation—nice to see someone totally going for it across styles and how that opens new doors. (ADV)

Polly Barton: Dare, Revel, Dive Opening: 5 pm Friday, July 2. Free. Chiaroscuro Contemporary Art, 558 Canyon Road, 505-992-0711

In-Tents

Eye on the Mountain has always had a knack for hosting weirdo locals and lesser-seen creators and, in fostering a decidedly outside-the-norm aesthetic, has amassed a rather impressive stockpile of works that you simply won’t see anyplace else. For the collectors (both budding and seasoned), those benefits cannot be overstated, particularly as the gallery hosts its Art Tent Saturday events. Behind the little shop on Agua Fría Street, find a veritable cornucopia of unexpected works that’d look just great on your wall (or make for an amazing gift). The gallery is hosting these Saturday gatherings all July, too, so don’t feel rushed. (ADV)

Art Tent Saturdays: 11 am-3 pm Saturday, July 3. Free (but pay for art, duh). Eye on the Mountain Art Gallery, 614 Agua Fría St., 505-308-0319

Doug 4 Prez

Well, friends, it’s been a long, strange, terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year, but it certainly looks like things are starting to return to some semblance of whatever passes for normal in Santa Fe. At Vanessie, that means pianist Doug Montgomery, a man who has tickled the ivories at the downtown piano bar for many a year, and the kind of guy who built a rather large and devoted fanbase. Sometimes nothing beats the one-dude-at-a-piano thing, and with a massive wine list and enticing menu, you might have just found a great reason to pop out on the town on a Monday night. Expect classics, torch songs, originals and, if you’re lucky, some audience participation. (ADV)

Doug Montgomery: 6:30 pm Monday, July 5. Free. Vanessie, 427 Water St., 505-984-1193