Live Future Folk, Rock, African Music, and More in Santa Barbara This Week

A BRAND NEW BEAT: “Have you ever heard of future folk?” asks accordionist David Childs, the Santa Barbaran behind UCLA-born “future folk” outfit We The Folk, playing at SOhO on Monday, June 15. “It’s the cutting edge. We have the most efficient way of getting you to dance.”

Though the San Marcos High School grad is earning his bachelor’s in opera at UCLA, Childs and his bandmates have already earned their master’s in making people move. Blending Euro, gypsy, and Latin folk with electronic enhancements (think acoustic symphonies via loop pedals), the group formed as a pop-up band, drawing crowds of students across the college quad. Their sound has caught fire, winning UCLA’s Spring Sing talent show and landing listenerships on NPR’s Alt.Latino program. They are stopping here for a homecoming show as they head up the coast on a gig route that features more street corners than stages.

Known to spark unannounced dance parties — including a spur-of-the-moment underpants dance at the UCLA Undie Run, where the barely clothed band drew droves into a stranger’s unoccupied garage — it’s best to expect the unexpected, and maybe wear your cutest undies just in case.

SWEET MUSIC EVERYWHERE: Whoever said nothing ever happens in this town probably had no ears. Last week, L.A.-based Gothic Tropic tore through Santa Barbara, firing up Seven Bar with its blistering bass lines and singer Cecilia Delia Peruti’s absolutely shredding guitar. Hometown heroes FMLYBND put on a hell of a show at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club two days later, and the place came alive to the synth-pop sounds that have won the band millions of fans — and YouTube hits — the world over. I haven’t been back to check SOhO since, but I assume the roof was blown off by show’s end.

As one area band sails off to bigger things, another is just stepping into the spotlight. The Reignsmen, who once reigned over New Noise S.B.’s Battle of the Bands two years ago, will be celebrating the release of their first EP tomorrow at SOhO. This is rock in its more primal variety, in all its raw, head-banging, beer-draining gusto and glory — music locavores and rock lovers in general would do well to go out and support them.

For those looking for kings of a different variety, consider seeing King Sunny Adé and His African Beats at the Lobero Theatre this Thursday, June 11. The Nigerian multi-instrumentalist has earned praise the world over as one of the greatest and most influential pioneers of “world music” in, well, the world. As far as I’m concerned, it’s simply beautiful music and clearly worth more attention than so simplifying a label. He’s a legend.

Last and certainly not least comes the Instant Klasick Summer Fest at Earl Warren on Saturday, June 13, featuring ScHoolboy Q, Ty Dolla $ign, Travis Scott, Curren$y, The Underachievers, and more. Are you kidding me? This is a big lineup. ScHoolboy Q’s huge, and has been for a few years now, one of the biggest names to rise out of this past decade’s new breed of West Coast rappers. He’s worked with acts like Compton’s poet laureate Kendrick Lamar and dream-weaving songstress Jhené Aiko. Ty Dolla $ign is no small fry, either — perhaps you’ve heard the megahit “Or Nah.” S.B. people, let the good folks of area streetwear company Instant Klasick know you care, and show your support — a roster like this should not go unnoticed.

And if ’80s-influenced synth-rock is your thing (as it seems to be most people’s these days), you can check out rising L.A. act The Eiffels over at Velvet Jones, Tuesday, June 16.

Nothing happens in this town, eh?