A celebration of two decades of music from three former bandmates

In the winter of 1995, three high school students – Alex Maryol, Todd Lovato and Cali Shaw – came together under the (somewhat unfortunate) band name Motion Sickness to perform a single show inside a jam-packed warehouse in the Railyard. The three musicians would inevitably drift apart in order to forge their own musical paths.

Maryol would spread his unique brand of blues-infused rock ’n’ roll throughout the country, performing with artists like Etta James, Bo Diddley, Ani DiFranco and performing at the Telluride Blues and Brews and King Biscuit Blues Festival. Shaw and Lovato would go on to form the Albuquerque-based Latin-funk outfit Felonious Groove Foundation and the psychedelic rock project Fantastic Planet; before forming Todd and the Fox and the Cali Shaw Band, respectively.

On Dec. 5 at Skylight Santa Fe, all three bandleaders come together to celebrate 20 years of music-making. The evening begins with an acoustic performance by Alex Maryol, followed by Todd and the Fox, Cali Shaw and a closing full-band performance by Maryol.

The night also makes the Santa Fe album release party for Cali Shaw Band’s sophomore studio effort, “Under the Olive Tree.”

This is an all ages show. Tickets are available at skylightsantafe.com; $7 general admission
and $15 for private balcony seating. Doors at 6 p.m. Music at 7 p.m.

More info…

The son of Greek-American restaurateurs, Alex Maryol grew up in Santa Fe and was raised on the music of Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and Elvis Presley. He began songwriting during his teenage years while performing at smoky bars and coffee shops in downtown Santa Fe. While primarily influenced by blues greats such as Lightning Hopkins and Buddy Guy, Alex maintained a love for all musical genres from classical to grunge. He has opened for artists such as Etta James, Bo Diddley, Ani DiFranco, Michael Franti and Leon Russell, and has performed at the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival and the King Biscuit Blues Festival.

New Mexico-based Folk-Americana songwriter Cali Shaw is a rising talent in the southwestern U.S folk scene. From Austin, Los Angeles, to Santa Fe, Cali Shaw incorporates smart and personal lyrics, vintage Gibson guitars, and exotic string instruments such as the Charango and Cuban Tres that lend an interesting twist to modern folk music. Cali Shaw’s dynamic and original performances captivate and embrace people of all generations.

Todd & the Fox creates banjo-driven, award-winning, venue-shaking, roots-rock, with a heavy emphasis on contemporary electronic music. “Todd & the Fox has an unforgettably awesome sound right out of the gate. Given the international hysteria surrounding indie duos (not to mention anything with an even slightly country/folk sound), it has a decent head start on the road to super-stardom,” wrote Santa Fe Reporter’s Alex De Vore. The project has performed in Austin’s SXSW and travelled as far as South Korea. Equal parts singer/songwriter, performer and music producer, Todd has garnered a loyal musical following and critic accolades for his music production, evidenced by five New Mexico Music Awards for songs ranging in style from Americana to hip-hop.