Long time area resident Tracy Bonham has never sounded quite so Catskill as she does on two simultaneously released singles in advance of a forthcoming full length, “Luck” and “Wax & Gold.” The former addresses the subject of romantic nihilism (or nihilistic romance?) in a moody, southwestern-tinged roots rock cruiser tangentially allied to the Waits-inspired, sophisticated noir of Bonham’s last full-length, 2010’s Mast of Manhatta. On the sunnier and drum-less “Wax & Gold,” Bonham really renews her Ulster County barn folk vows and her citizenship in the land of Seeger and Helm. But, this being Bonham, you can always count on a few high-IQ tweaks and subtle surprises in the formula. In this case, it’s an elongated main melodic phrase length that finishes on an odd number, reminding us, as high-grade retro often does, of all the graceful eccentricities of the old ways.
Bonham’s Saturday, August 29 show at the Bearsville Theater is billed as and an “& Friends,” which typically means the lineup is at least a little TBD. Look to the cast of characters on the new singles for some clues, though, as it is thick with local notables like guitarist/producer Kevin Salem, Amy Helm, and Langhorne Slim. The show begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.bearsvilletheater.com. The Bearsville Theater is located at 291 Tinker Street in Woodstock.