Hey There,

Chris Sand has earned his moniker “Sandman the Rappin’ Cowboy,” not just by combining the genres of folk, rap, country and punk, but because he has the storytelling instincts of a travelling bard combined with the delivery and wordplay of a rapper/poet. On his recent album, Non-Judgement Day, he wends his way through the minds of complicated people and politics without getting mired in the usual tropes and stereotypes. 

He is sometimes singing as an observer and other times more as a miscreant or as the sympathetic lover wronged by another. His songwriting is catchy and his lyrics are deliciously colorful, specific, impenetrable and illuminating, all at the same time. In one of my favorites, "Diamond Jane," Sand describes Jane’s house as “quite garish and gay.” Then sings, “Hieronymus Bosch painted peasants with squashes there, spilling dank seeds on the high desert plain.” Later, when Diamond Jane meets the narrator he describes the encounter this way:

When she saw me she moaned like some venomous crone 

And squirted her blood down a hole in my vein 

Yes, Jane’s a vampire in the lost women’s choir 

The congregation calls her a strumpet and quean 

But I know I’m worse, I was born with a curse 

To live out my life in a dream.

Sand is a longtime songwriter who has traveled all over, often playing living room shows. But Non-Judgment Day showcases his incredible love for collaboration (and the love Missoula musicians have for him). He calls the multi-member crew of musicians from the album the Beloved Vagabonds, and if you have any sort of finger on the pulse of Missoula’s music scene you’ll recognize so many of them: Naomi Siegel, Nate Biehl, Lee Rizzo, Caroline Keys, Ian Smith, Maria Zepeda, Bethany Joyce, Grace Decker, Gibson Hartwell, and Foreshadow, among many others. Plus the Sussex School Children's Choir. 

I wrote about Sand in the newsletter back in February when he accidentally released this album on Bandcamp while trying to privately upload it. Always a pretty laidback dude, Sand let people sneak peek the album for a bit before shutting down access. This weekend marks its official release, though, and this time Sand is taking the celebration into the Roxy Theater where you can see him and some other musicians who played on the album perform.

The Solstice Spectacular will feature dance, cinema, and music. And of course, Sand will do a live performance of Non-Judgment Day with a backup band, plus some guest musicians—all of whom contributed. In fact, from the long list of participants, it sounds like we should expect a whole village of musicians for this event.

You can listen to the album on Bandcamp, and Sand just released today this music video for the song "Bachelor House."  I highly recommend the aforementioned “Diamond Jane” as well as “Ain’t All Good” and “Nowhere Left to Hide,” where Sand captures the heart of the album (for me) in the lyrics:

We’re gonna ride  

We’ll gallop hard across that Great Divide 

Yeah, me ‘n him ‘n Hank ‘n ol’ John Prine 

Poor boys with joyfulness inside 

And nowhere left to hide 

I, I’ll walk that line 

And even though it’s time to say goodbye 

I’ll meet you in that dawn’s early light 

Out beyond the fields of wrong & right

It’s a great album for enjoying your alone time, but sometimes hearing people perform something live like this shakes loose its spirit in a way nothing else can. And it feels so quintessentially Missoula to throw a giant, cheerful party celebrating the complexity of being human on the darkest day of the year. 

—Erika Fredrickson

Pulp Picks 🤩

HOLIDAY + MUSIC + DRINKS

Cranky Sam's Ugly Sweater Party

Personally, I like my cute sweaters, but once a year it’s apropos to indulge in the ugly ones. And I don’t mean grandpa sweaters, I mean the atrocities with all the (literal) bells and whistles. Dig that sweater out of the back of the closet —the one with the tinsel or the singing reindeer with the glowing nose— because December 20 is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, and Cranky Sam’s is having a party. There will be festive drinks, an ugly sweater coloring contest, and good music by Missoula’s own Sal and J. Hanging up some mistletoe and singing carols may be the mainstream way to celebrate this time of the year, but spreading jolly spirit by wearing ugly garments is no less important. —Quinn Stromberg

Fri., Dec. 20th, at 6 PM @ Cranky Sam Public House

More info 

SPORTS + REC

Light the Way 5K

When I was little, I ran the Light the Way 5k with my mom. It was my first ever race and—take it from me—getting to run at night along a path of the festive lights, plus the hot cocoa and cookies served at the finish line, will motivate both you and your kiddo to the end. A few things: Wear your ugliest sweater during the race, because the judges will award the ugliest sweater with a limited-edition Light the Way 5K branded sweater. And Mr. and Mrs. Claus, while not competing in the race (as far as we know), will be there for photo opps. The kids’ ½ mile kicks off first, followed by the adults’ 5k. And since it’s a night run, don’t forget your headlamp. You’ll need it for finding your way as well as lighting up the Fort Missoula course with holiday spirit. —Quinn Stromberg

Sat., Dec. 21, with the kids 1/2 mile at 5:30 PM and adult 5K at 6 PM @ Fort Missoula

More info and registration

HOLIDAY + MARKET

Turner Farms Annual Holiday Farm Market

Turner Farms has mad rizz when it comes to holiday markets. Yeah, they have vendors and cool gifts like a lot of markets do, but they also take things up a notch just enough to stand out in the crowd. This year, the farm is selling Kringle Danish baked fresh from Racine, Wisconsin, made from a family holiday recipe that goes back generations. They have the Future Farmers of America students selling meat and cheese boxes. Santa will be there (how does he do it?), but perhaps the cherry on top is that there will be a bonfire and there's nothing like a bonfire in winter (if I may call this winter?). Plus, you're at a working farm, with lots of animals to hang out with and feed. It just can't be better than that (though I'm sure the folks at Turner Farms will think of some way to outdo themselves).

Sun., Dec. 22, from 12:30 PM to 4 PM @ Turner Farms

More info

HOLIDAY + FOOD + DRINK

Holly Jolly Happy Hour with Birdie Thatcher and Bake Sale

The happy hour at Birdie Thatcher features snacks and complimentary cocktails, so what's the downside? I can't think of one. Cocktails will be made with Liber & Co., which is a fancy cocktail syrup company based in Texas. It's not local, but the bottles sure are cute. If you're looking to make holiday cocktails of your own, you can purchase the cocktail syrups or non-alcoholic libations while you're there. Plus, Bake Sale will be taking orders for holiday cakes and pies, such as chocolate pecan pie, cupcakes that look like they are covered in snow (coconut), holiday cookie tins and red velvet cake, among other things.

Fri., Dec. 20, from 4 PM to 6 PM @ Birdie Thatcher

More info 

HOLIDAY + MARKET

Dandelion Holiday Pop-up Market

The Dandelion pop-up market will have gourmet gift options, including French delicacies and pre-made meals and desserts that you can bring to your next holiday party or family gathering. (Don't even try to pass these meals off as your own, though. If you've seen even a single holiday Hallmark movie you know that all small-town lies will be uncovered eventually.) There will also be artists selling their creations, including Giddy Up Hot Sauces, plus art and crafts created by Andy Smetanka, Erin K. Huffman and Seed + Spoke Farms. While you're cruising around the pop-up you can indulge in a bowl of soup, a sweet or savory crepe, and a hot drink from the espresso bar. 

Sat., Dec. 21, from 11 AM to 6 PM @ 1951 Kensington Ave. Ste. 2.

More info

For more happenings around town, visit MissoulaEvents.net

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