A few weeks ago, I came across a new band while reporting on a show at the Outer Space in Arcata. As is sometimes the case, I was first drawn to the group’s name: Thee Olde Druids. I threw out a line about that first impression, something about my assumption of their knowledge of lunar events, and called it a day. I didn’t get to check out that gig, but thankfully they sent me an email not long later with some links to their music, and as is sometimes — but not so often, sadly — the case, I listened to one of the tracks at exactly the right time for maximum effect. It was the sunset of a beautiful but depressing day, and this track was just the thing to pull me out of the shit and set me onto a sturdier spot, like the beginning of Psalm 40.
This isn’t church music, though, far from it. In fact, the name of this project comes from a colloquial term of appreciation for the various eccentric hippies whom Ben Anderson and Camille Borrowdale — the duo who make up the band — encountered in their respective trajectories from Lodi and Sacramento to Humboldt County. The song that helped me out is called “Shining Bright,” and it’s the first tune from an album named Soul and Rock that has been available to stream on Bandcamp and beyond since June 12. The record took three years to complete, but its genesis lies in the sounds and words Ben and Camille were writing before they had ever even met and come together through the film department at Cal Poly Humboldt and in the local circus community. The two have since married and have been operating the Rocking Horse toy store in Jacoby’s Storehouse as co-owners for the last 18 months. I know all this stuff, by the way, because I gave them a call during another sunset, the first one after the solstice, to ask about their music and get some basic information. It was a nice informal chat, not an interview as such. Instead, I’m going to do what I normally do in these intros: just follow a certain feeling until the words seem right.
Anderson handles the production and some of the instruments — bass, guitar and percussion — while Borrowdale provides all of the vocals, ukulele and accordion. The record seesaws through some genuinely delightful, weird spots that favor the sunshine side of vintage psychedelia. There are instrumentals along with the regular singing tunes, but despite the brightness of the sounds, the two are very careful to avoid the kind of toxic positivity that can corrode and hollow out less meaningful albums. This music is fun but it isn’t stupid, and it lurches in ways that evoke the dark backdrop of night that folds behind the bright lights of every big top wonder. The big clown face above the carousel shifts from primary colors to black and white in a wash of off-kilter melodic beauty. This is the kind of band that we need around here, boosting toy and puppet frescos and a sweet new music box tinkling away in every song. If you have a chance to check out the free Humgrown Music Festival this Friday and Saturday at Dean Creek Resort near Redway, Thee Olde Druids will be playing a set on opening night on the Redwood Stage at 6:30 p.m. Otherwise, stay tuned to this frequency for future gigs. I have their number and, after a delightful conversation, I made it very clear that I want to hear about and report on all of their upcoming shows.
Welcome to summer, friends.
Thursday
There’s a nice pop and folk show over at the Outer Space tonight at 8 p.m. San Francisco singer/songwriter Marika Christine has come to town in support of her latest record Enjoy the Clouds,and she will be bookended by local weavers Bleater and Halfwing. The show costs a sliding scale $5-$20 for a dreamy evening of sunset music.
Friday
Contemporary folk and blues singer Sawyer Fredericks is perhaps best known for winning season 8 of The Voice at the age of only 16. And while it’s not a great time for Americans to be reminded of the works of NBC reality show stars from New York, he’s from upstate, and unlike the other guy we’re all thinking of, appears to have talent and a soul. You can judge that for yourself tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Arcata Playhouse ($20).
Saturday
If you want to spend a little money and enjoy a big to-do for the last Saturday of Pride month, the Clarke Museum is putting on a massive drag show at 6:30 p.m., featuring stars of the local scene. Museum members and anyone who shows up in full drag gets in for $30, while the general public will be charged $40 for this gala night emcee’d by Val de Flores.
If money’s a little tighter or your hours are a wee bit later, fear not, because Pandemonium Jones is holding down a vinyl disco meltdown at the Basement at 9 p.m. for a mere $5. It’s all gravy to me.
Sunday
Jam fans rejoice. Humbrews is hosting Dizgo, the hottest quartet from Bloomington, Indiana. Expect lots of dynamic shifts and mind-freeing transitions over the course of the night, along with some opening grooves courtesy of HotFoot. Things get going around 8:30 p.m. and the tickets will run you $25 at the door, $20 for all the early birds out there.
Monday
One more Metal Monday over at Savage Henry Comedy Club tonight at 7 p.m. I’m not working off an abundance of information here, but I do know that Seattle’s relatively new and fresh — for a death metal band — Invocation Ritual is making a stop on their West Coast tour. Tickets are a sliding scale of $10 to $20.
Tuesday
I Love Boosters is the new Boots Riley movie and it’s getting a limited run in independent theaters, which means the Miniplex at 6:30 p.m. tonight. The $10 ticket supports both Boots and a beloved indie venue, so consider rolling through.
Wednesday
The summer ’80s movie series continues at the Eureka Theater tonight at 6 p.m. with a show of The Goonies. Whether you are a nostalgia hound or a kiddo — youths 12 and under get in for only $7 — or someone in between, this one’s probably a fine time on the big screen, and general admission is only $12.
Collin Yeo (he/him) is no stranger to summer.
This article appears in Miranda’s Rescue Under Scrutiny, Part 2.