Music Makers: We Want You!

MOUTHING OFF: Reunions are a funny thing. On the social front, they might be the only encounter more horrifying than a blind date. And in the artistic world, they tend to waffle between “revelatory” and “train wreck.” In fact, hip-hop circles may be the only place where the word “reunion” is greeted with exhilaration rather than primal fear. In the past few years, acts like Wu-Tang Clan and OutKast have elevated the hip-hop remeeting to festival headliner heights and delivered the performances to back it up. This Sunday, the Santa Barbara Bowl plays host to Jurassic 5’s 20th anniversary Word of Mouth Reunion Tour, featuring the group’s six original members (Akil, Zaakir, Marc 7, DJ Nu-Mark, Chali 2na, and Cut Chemist), and like those that came before it, I’m betting it’s gonna be a spectacle. Yes, the group has a new single (produced by Heavy D, no less!), but the real draw comes in J5’s classically jazzy SoCal summer jams, à la “Concrete Schoolyard,” “Action Satisfaction,” and “What’s Golden.” The show starts at 6 p.m. with equally must-see openers Dilated Peoples and Beat Junkies. Call (805) 962-7411 or visit sbbowl.com for tickets and info.

BRING US YOUR BANDS: That’s right, hungry music makers. It’s officially time to submit your stuff for our 2014 Santa Barbara Music Issue. The yearly ode to all that is good in the 805 music scene hits newsstands on Thursday, October 9, but before that happens, we want to hear from you. If you’re a music maker currently living in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, or Ventura County, we’d like to know about it and (most importantly) listen to your stuff. In our attempt to find the newest, best, and brightest musical acts on the South Coast, we’re opening up our inboxes to all the Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and Facebook links you can toss our way. In short, if you or your band is interested in being featured, or you know someone who you think deserves a shout, drop us a line at bands@independent.com. We’ll be waiting, and incessantly checking our email, from now through September 26, so don’t delay!

LOOKING AHEAD: And while we’re on the subject of fall music offerings, let’s give a shout to all the good that is headed our way come autumn. Last week, New Noise Santa Barbara officially announced the 2014 New Noise Music Conference & Festival, which takes over the town October 15-19. While the lineup has yet to leak, the powers that be are already boasting more than 50 bands over the fest’s four days, as well as industry speakers, panel discussions, workshops, and the return of the New Noise Block Party, which last year gave us sisters Haim. In the Funk Zone. Before the sun even went down.

New announcements continued to spill in last week, too, including S.B. tour stops for indie anthem makers Bad Suns (Aug. 15, at Velvet Jones), psych garage noodlers Together Pangea (Aug. 24, at Velvet Jones), smooth talking new waver Twin Shadow (Oct. 7, at SOhO), and icy-cool electronic popsters Poliça (Oct. 15, at SOhO). The end of summer never looked so good.

AND THE KITCHEN SINK: But before we get too ahead of ourselves, I’m setting my sights on the Piano Kitchen this Saturday, July 12, where a lucky few can catch S.B. singer/songwriter Omar Velasco back on his home turf. The 805 native has been squirreled away down south of late, hard at work on a fresh set of new music. In between, he’s been touring the world (and holding down guitar duty) with Laurel Canyon legend Jonathan Wilson. Velasco will headline the fabled little spot on Rose Avenue alongside Kitchen founder Jim Connolly starting at 8 p.m. And, based on the little I’ve heard of the new stuff, we’re all in for a treat. For show info, visit jimconnollymusic.com.