Kassi Valazza at Ivy Room

ivy room presentsTUESDAY APRIL 30TH—KASSI VALAZZALESLIE STEVENS—Doors 7pm / Show 8pm$15 Advance / $18 Door—IVY ROOM860 San Pablo Ave, Albany • 21+(rsvp on facebook)KASSI VALAZZA(website / spotify / facebook / instagram)—There is a cult-like fascination growing around Kassi Valazza following the self-release of her 2019 debut album Dear Dead Days and her surprise 2022 EP Highway Sounds. She is seated squarely at the vanguard of new American songwriters strengthening and broadening the sound of country music as she tours with celebrated acts such as Melissa Carper and Riddy Arman. The Southwestern native resides in Portland, a hotbed of songwriters producing albums that both bear the torch and bend the arc of American roots music, where she recently signed with Fluff & Gravy Records — a label known for launching Anna Tivel and Margo Cilker.Valazza's forthcoming new album Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing is a spellbinding collection of songs that dangle like protective magic talismans, catching dreams and glinting light...

read more

ivy room presentsTUESDAY APRIL 30TH—KASSI VALAZZALESLIE STEVENS—Doors 7pm / Show 8pm$15 Advance / $18 Door—IVY ROOM860 San Pablo Ave, Albany • 21+(rsvp on facebook)KASSI VALAZZA(website / spotify / facebook / instagram)—There is a cult-like fascination growing around Kassi Valazza following the self-release of her 2019 debut album Dear Dead Days and her surprise 2022 EP Highway Sounds. She is seated squarely at the vanguard of new American songwriters strengthening and broadening the sound of country music as she tours with celebrated acts such as Melissa Carper and Riddy Arman. The Southwestern native resides in Portland, a hotbed of songwriters producing albums that both bear the torch and bend the arc of American roots music, where she recently signed with Fluff & Gravy Records — a label known for launching Anna Tivel and Margo Cilker.Valazza's forthcoming new album Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing is a spellbinding collection of songs that dangle like protective magic talismans, catching dreams and glinting light. She hypnotizes listeners with a sturdy, yet gentle, voice and painterly songwriting imbued with an independent spirit. Though her music plays country cousin to British folk, calling to mind greats like Sandy Denny (Fairport Convention) and Karen Dalton, a Southwestern American streak carves its way through these solemn, sweetly sung melodies like a canyon.LESLIE STEVENS(website / facebook / instagram)—Leslie Stevens has been the belle of many an Americana ball dating back to her days fronting Leslie & the Badgers. But — and we want to add “bam,” for emphasis — gone are her trademark heart-melting lilt and twangy guilelessness on her new single, “Secrets.”Which is not to say that the singer-songwriter has lost her ability to induce goosebumps.“Secrets,” Stevens’ first release since her Jonathan Wilson-produced 2019 album, “Sinner,” is a smoldering ride-or-die declaration fueled by sweeping keys, rumbling guitar and sultry vocals. Co-produced with Kevin Ratterman (My Morning Jacket, Ray Lamontagne, Andrew Bird, Strand of Oaks and Emma Ruth Rundle, among others), “Secrets” reflects some of Stevens’ ’90s touchstones — she name-checks Sonic Youth, Hole, Bikini Kill, Mazzy Star and Nirvana. Keyboardist Bo Koster (My Morning Jacket) and bassist Nicole Row (Incubus) play on the track.

show less