There’s something about summer weather that makes me want to throw on a cowboy hat, crack open a beer and listen to some live music. It seems bookers around Marin feel similarly, as we have our pick of cowboy musicians this month, but it’s not just country music underneath those hats. There’s also R&B fusion, world music, folk and rock on the menu at these concerts, alongside Americana and, yes, even some straight-ahead country. Without further ado, here are our picks for live music in Marin this August.
HopMonk Tavern
Our Pick: Eric Lindell
August 3 @ 8 p.m., $40
See HopMonk’s full live music calendar here.
An award-winning songwriter and formidable guitarist and singer, Eric Lindell plays a mix of West Coast rock, swampy R&B, hard country and blue-eyed soul. Though he’s based in New Orleans, Lindell is originally from Sonoma County — he even has an album titled Cazadero. Welcome him back to the Northern California at HopMonk’s Session Room and enjoy the show.
Also coming to HopMonk this month is Roy Rogers, whose Delta Rhythm Kings play roots blues with slide guitar. And looking ahead to September 1, Tim Flannery and his group the Lunatic Fringe have a concert that benefits Flannery’s anti-bullying nonprofit, the Love Harder Project.
Rancho Nicasio
Our Pick: Asleep at the Wheel
August 10 & 11, @ 4 p.m., $50
See Rancho Nicasio’s full live music calendar here.
Asleep at the Wheel has been driving the country genre forward for nearly half a century. Their show at Rancho Nicasio will include a fantastic group of musicians, including guest stars Mitch Polzak & the Royal Deuces. Frontman Ray Benson is still traversing new musical styles, and his upcoming reggae-roots album Swingin’ and Shakin’ will be out August 30. Maybe you’ll get to hear a bit at the Rancho.
Also up at Rancho Nicasio this month: Pablo Cruise, the multi-platinum pop group behind the late ‘70s hit “Love Will Find a Way,” will play a BBQ on the Lawn set. Since reuniting in 2005, the group has toured all around North America, keeping up the good vibes with amped-up performances and yacht rock classics.
Sweetwater Music Hall
Our Pick: Junior Brown
August 14 @ 8 p.m., $54
See Sweetwater’s full live music calendar here.
Though there are plenty of exciting shows coming through Sweetwater this month, our pick has to go to Junior Brown, country music pro and surf guitarist par excellence. Junior Brown plays on a chimera “guit-steel,” a double-necked guitar that’s half six-string and half pedal steel guitar, which he often tunes up and down between notes. He has played with artists like the Beach Boys, George Jones and even Bo Diddley when he was young.
There’s still more coming to Sweetwater. On August 8 you can hear from Pahua, a Mexican singer-songwriter blending new sounds with folklore influence. And on August 2, the Humidors are coming through. They’re a funk outfit from Oakland and a through-and-through Bay Area group — they even opened for Booker T. Jones at Stern Grove Festival 2018. And a Marin staple, Jon Chi and his Pacific Syndicate can be heard August 23.
142 Throckmorton
Our Pick: Los Silverbacks
August 16 @ 8 p.m., $25–35
See Throckmorton’s full live music calendar here.
This world music collective is a combination of a few LA-based groups, and the result is a blend of genre and styles from all around the world. Los Silverbacks pull from influences like South American cumbia, Congolese rhumba, Spanish guitar and more, creating roots music that reflects a multitude of cultures and people.
Corte Madera Concert Series
Our Pick: Angeline and the Snack Machine
August 18 @ 5:30 p.m., FREE
See even more live music at Corte Madera Summer Concerts here.
Angeline Saris is a Marin-grown bassist who makes appearances at venues around the county, including this year’s Fairfax Festival. Her bass stays busy, and over the years Saris has played with the all-women Led Zeppelin tribute group Zepparella (who, by the way, are coming to Sweetwater for two nights in October), joined the Celebrating David Bowie tour a couple years ago and worked with Marin’s resident songwriting superstar Narada Michael Walden and his band. See Saris and her band play a free performance at Corte Madera’s Piccolo Pavilion in Menke Park.
August has even more free summer concerts all around Marin. There’s Sausalito Jazz and Blues by the Bay, Concerts in the Park in Belvedere, Concerts on the Green and Hot Amphitheater Nights in Novato, the Summer Music Series in Corte Madera’s Town Center, Music in the Park in San Rafael… plus three more concerts at Piccolo Pavilion. Did I miss any? Bottom line: You can see great live music in Marin without spending a cent.
Smiley’s Saloon
Our Pick: Chilldren of Indigo
August 24 @ 8:30 p.m., $12
See Smiley’s full live music calendar here.
A Dallas-based group playing a fusion of hip hop, funk, R&B and psychedelic sounds, Chilldren of Indigo is an up-and-comer on the list. Despite my calling them “up and coming,” they’ve already released nine albums and played hundreds of shows, carving out a space for themselves in Texas and beyond with their dynamic performances and eclectic style. If you need a place to bang your head and maybe jump up and down, then show up to Smiley’s for this one.
For a mellower show, we’d recommend singer-songwriter Pat Hull and his trio, performing on August 23. Or, to keep this month’s cowboy theme going, there’s cowgirl Molly Kruse bringing her rich voice and country stylings to Smiley’s on August 30.
Every Blue Moon Concerts
T Sisters
August 31 @ 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., $71
See Every Blue Moon Concerts’ schedule here.
Every Blue Moon Concerts is an intimate concert experience that brings international acts to a small venue on Inverness Ridge. This month, the lineup features T Sisters, a trio of Bay Area sisters who sing folksy tunes in close harmony. Their latest project is called “Sheroes,” a collection of covers by great women in music — starting off with their take on Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” which they just released as a single. Marin is already raring for this concert. The 7 p.m. show is nearly sold out at time of writing, but there’s still room at 4 p.m.
