Christina Grimm Brings Songwriting Front and Center at SOhO

FOLKIES WHO PLAY TOGETHER, STAY TOGETHER: Santa Barbara’s resident cheerleader for singer-songwriters has outdone herself yet again. This Tuesday, September 22, Christina Grimm brings-and plays along with-a host of folk musicians from around the county for a special all-ages night of music at SOhO (1221 State St.). On board for the night are Erland & The Family, featuring singer-songwriter Erland Wanberg on lead vocals and guitars, Khas Modissette on backup vocals, Nathan Modissette on bass, and Erich Riedl on drums, Goleta songwriter Rich Phillips, Grammy-award nominated songwriter and pop powerhouse Alissa Moreno, and Grimm herself. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Call 962-7776 or visit sohosb.com for tickets and show info.

SEA CHANGE: If you thought the recent dissolution of the Coral Sea meant the end of the line for the band, think again. For starters, frontman Rey Villalobos has already wrapped recording and production for his solo debut, Fold in the Wind. The 10-track collection speaks to Villalobos’s indie rock roots, while embracing a decidedly vintage folk feel. And the full package, complete with horn sections, delicate string arrangements, and a meticulous production job by John Askew, calls to mind the lo-fi genius of contemporaries like Beach House. The album is currently available only through Villalobos’ Bandcamp page, and further release details are yet to be announced. For a taste of things live and in person, catch Villalobos at Muddy Waters Cafe (508 E. Haley St.) this Saturday, September 19, when he opens for Springtime is Wartime. Call or visit myspace.com/muddycafesb for show details. And stay tuned for a new Coral Sea EP, which Villalobos promises will see release sometime this fall.

BLAST FROM THE PAST: If you’re looking to relive the mid ’90s, then boy does Pozo Saloon (90 W. Pozo Rd.) have a double header treat for you. The flashback madness begins this Friday, September 18, at 7 p.m. when the historic venue hosts Blues Traveler and special guests for an all-ages show. Fronted by the one-time larger than life John Popper, the band is currently touting their 2008 full-length, North Hollywood Shootout. The following night, ’90s pop rock giants Sugar Ray gear up for a show in support of their most recent release, this year’s Music for Cougars. The album, which promises to resurrect the band’s sunshine lovin’, party hoppin’ vibe of years past, may have flopped on the charts, but that doesn’t mean “Fly” will sound any less cheesy good in person. For tickets and info, call 438-4222 or visit pozosaloon.com.

BACK(PACK) TO SCHOOL: As I.V. slowly starts to crawl back to life after a long, lazy summer, you can bet the Biko Co-Op Garage (6612 Sueno Rd.) is going to be there to provide the soundtrack. This Wednesday, September 23, the folks at SBDIY (sbdiy.org) are ringing in the fall semester with a night of punk and shoegazing from music makers near and far. The bill boasts sets from Goleta’s indie minded, sometimes-lady-fronted Backpack, as well as tunes from traveling acts Titus Andronicus and The So So Glos. Both Andronicus’s hard hitting harmonic punk and the Glos’ ska-tinged garage rock hail from the East Coast (Jersey and Brooklyn, respectively). The bands will swing through I.V. as part of a monster two month long cross-country tour that kicked off back in Nebraska last week. The party starts at 7:30 p.m. For complete info, visit sbdiy.org.