The Young and the Restless

LEAPS AND BOUNDS: Eliot
Morris has been taking some impressive musical strides of
late, the biggest of which is his major label debut, What’s
Mine Is Yours. Though Morris was eager for the end product
during the album’s production stage, the process was by no means
rushed. “I recorded it off and on for about a year,” explained
Morris. “Art is so loose. Whether it’s painting or music, there is
a certain moment when you know you should just put something down
and stop.”

In due time the album was finished and touring became the new
focus. Morris found himself opening for the likes of John Mayer,
Counting Crows, James Taylor, and S.B. favorite Glen Phillips. And
for most of these shows, Morris has had his trusty backup band. “It
helps to have people to keep you company,” Morris said. “It makes
playing in rooms with nobody there a lot more pleasant!” But it’s
unlikely that will be a problem this Sunday, February 18 at Velvet
Jones, where Morris will open for musical veteran Bob
Schneider. — Brett Leigh Dicks

TWICE FOR THRICE: O.C. native Dustin
Kensrue, mostly known as the lead singer of
Thrice, has produced his own acoustic solo album,
Please Come Home. The album showcases the dichotomy of
Kensrue’s music, which has become surprisingly popular among indie
music lovers. Breaking away from the post-hardcore sound of Thrice,
he pairs a steel-string acoustic guitar with his emotion-filled
lyrics to create a whimsical bluegrass and folk backdrop to songs
like “Blood and Wine.” Kensrue appeared on Late Show with David
Letterman on February 3 and recent shows in L.A. have been
selling out, so check him out at a small venue while you still can
at UCSB’s Hub, Friday, February 16.  — Alyssa Perry

OLDER AND WISER: It’s been a long road for
seminal rock quintet Los Lobos — 34 years, to be
exact — and now the group’s journey comes to our backyard. The rock
legends will be adorning the halls of UCSB when their Acoustic en
Vivo tour stops by Campbell Hall on February 22. This time around,
Los Lobos will be trading in electric instruments for acoustic to
play some traditional folkloric songs straight from the heart of
Latin America. Doors open at 7 p.m.  —  Levi Michaels

TWINKLE BROS: Jamaica’s godfathers of reggae,
the Twinkle Brothers, have been infusing roots, rasta, and
gospel-funk into their sound since the early 1960s. Their most
famous album, Rasta Pon Top, put them on the charts in
1975 and has kept them going for the last 40 years. The band
consists of the two Grant brothers, Norman and Ralston, along with
several backup members, who guarantee an amazing journey on songs
that range from dark, soulful hymns to bouncy, praising tunes. They
take the SOhO stage this Thursday, February 22 at 9 p.m.
 — AP

ACT OF ALTRUISM: It’s surprising people aren’t
accusing Matt Wertz of going Bono on us. After
all, the singer/songwriter is known for encouraging his ravenous
fan base to support impoverished African nations against the
outbreak of AIDS. Perhaps it’s Wertz’s seeming lack of ego that
separates the two. He also happens to be a great musician. Wertz
stops by SOhO on Tuesday, February 20, so mellow out to some
quality music and help support the fight against AIDS.  — LM

URBAN STYLERS: Tonight, February 15, novice
rappers and talented taggers will battle it out for first place in
an emcee battle and tagging competition at La Casa
de le Raza. Prizes include $100 gift certificates, gym memberships,
and iPods. Interested battlers are welcome; taggers must register
first with the event coordinator, Daniel, by calling 708-8754.
Battle winners are determined by crowd support, so get out and show
your love.  — Sarah Hammill

EIGHT DAYS A WEEK: Work and school got you
strung out? Stop by The Mercury Lounge this Friday, February 16 and
mellow out to ambient folk rocker Clark, who will
be joined onstage by Paleo. Also known as
David Strackany, Paleo has been trekking across
the country in support of his latest release, Misery,
Missouri, and has since found himself a long way from his home
in Brooklyn, New York. Tickets are $5 and the show begins at 9:30
p.m. And an interesting side note: Strackany has taken it upon
himself to write a new song each day for a year, which he posts on
his Web site, paleo.ws.
 — LM

BEST OF THE REST: The Hell stage will be afire
this Saturday night when Gandalf Murphy and Jeffrey
Foucault step onto it for a night of alt-country rock at
the Lobero Theatre. For those who like their rock straight up, SOhO
presents Rolling Stones tribute band Sticky
Fingers, also on Saturday, February 17. And mark your
calendars for next Thursday, February 22 for Wildcat’s
Sunglasses at Night Party, where the shades will
be in full effect.  — SH