ROCKIN’ REDS: The “indie” in “indie rock” may
have become meaningless when the genre went big, but fans of
under-the-radar music will be happy to know that some artists in
that category are still devising ways to take the genre out of the
mainstream — and in Santa Barbara, no less. It’s all too
appropriate that local cool kids’ hangout Reds will be hosting one
of the most interesting all-ages nights of true progressive rock
this town has seen. Early Evergreen, which splits
its hometown between here and Chico, will lead off the night with
its mellow, ambient take on the genre. The yet-unsigned quintet
offers a good indication of the rest of the evening — smooth and
subtle in the way those creative music types often are. Next,
Whispertrip, which released its debut album No
Shore in 2005, should deliver the level of quality local fans have
come to expect. Aided by the Aimee Mann-like vocals of Ashley
Vincenti, the band’s introspective songs lend comparisons to
Radiohead and other bands rocking the downbeat. Hollywood band
Divisible promises to change the mood of the show
with a slightly darker and harder sound. Despite its name,
Divisible relies on a nice balance between snarly-voiced lead
singer Shola and competent backup from her two bandmates. Catch the
quality at Reds on Saturday, November 18 at 8 p.m.   — Drew
Mackie

VENTURA VENTURE: If it walks like a duck and
talks like a duck, it’s probably a duck. But if it busts out reggae
with a style that’s earned a spot onstage with Sting, The English
Beat, Peter Gabriel, or UB40, it’s probably Pato
Banton
. Returning from a touring hiatus, Banton is making
his way across the country. Head down to Ventura’s Nicholbys
Nightclub to appreciate why he’s such a legend among reggae fans on
Friday, November 17 at 9 p.m.   — DM

KITTY CLUB: If you’re going to promote yourself
as America’s favorite house deejay, you’d better mean business.
Bad Boy Bill, who was named the best in the
business by BPM Magazine in 2003, has spun for packed dance floors
in Germany, Colombia, England, and Spain. He brings his unique
style — remixing songs live with two copies of the same record — to
Santa Barbara. Bad Boy Bill will be joined in the deejay booth by
Los Angeles’s David Garcia and Santa Barbara’s own
Calvin Riley. Count the beats yourself at the
Wildcat Lounge on Thursday, November 16 at 11 p.m.
— DM

HOPPING THE POND: When it comes to producing a
consistent stream of talent, certain locales always come to mind.
Seattle was the birthplace of the grunge rock movement, and in
recent years Omaha has spawned a new breed of skinny rock boys,
this time of the indie persuasion. These days, Denmark’s
Racetrack Babies are making play as an
up-and-coming Euro band with their ambient mood rock and lush,
pained vocals. Touring California for their new album Summer Salt
Santiago, the Babies will be making a stop at Velvet Jones on
Friday, November 17.   — Sarah Hammill

LATIN LOVE: Fans of flamenco should note the
arrival of Tony Ybarra & Sonido Moderno in
Santa Barbara. Ybarra — whose prowess on the flamenco guitar has
sent him as far as Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and France to
perform — leads a six-piece band in a night of jazz-inspired Latin
music. A Camarillo native, Ybarra has made a name for himself as
one of the foremost flamenco guitarists in Southern California. See
him at SOhO on Sunday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m.   — DM

MY FRIEND RIKKA: With a name like Rikka Z, you
might expect an exotic dance. Surprisingly, Rikka
Z
sings country western songs — and she does so as well as
most of the vocalists getting radio play today. A local artist and
Ojai native, Rikka Z owes a debt to country western singers like
Emmylou Harris and Alison Krauss as much as she does any
contemporary country pop tarts. Rikka Z performs at SOhO on
Wednesday, November 22 at 8 p.m.   — DM

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