I wholeheartedly believe we as a society need to invest in the cultural value of music and give musicians the stability to make music full time. But especially right now, there are a lot of great part-time musicians, for reasons ranging from the daunting economics of the business to family commitments, and they’re making awesome music. Case in point: Singer-songwriter-rocker Tristen has just released Unpopular Music, a record she worked on with husband and musical partner Buddy Hughen and lots of friends mostly in the “golden hours” of 8 to 10 p.m. after their kids were in bed. The sonic mode is its own thing, but to get you in the ballpark, think ’60s psychedelic pop heard through the filter of New Wave. The songs are rich and incisive in the ways that have always been her calling card, like “Mona Lisa,” in which she explores the appeal of the famous painting that may be wildly overrated but still has “her own two-dimensional way.” Saturday, Tristen will play the third installment of what’s become her traditional album release celebration: Tristen the Night Away, a guest-filled show hosted by the one and only Chris Crofton and featuring performances from Justin Collins, Cortney Tidwell, Michaela Anne and many more.
7:30 p.m. at Soft Junk
919 Gallatin Ave. No. 14
