Billy the Kid’s heavy metal backstory

Ariel Iribe (Monochromacy, Beware We Are the Werewolves of Belial) describes his synth-pop band Armoire as “a lucid dream that takes inspiration from pastel synths and nostalgic pop music, with echoing drum machines and gliding melodies.” A debut EP called Armoire CS just dropped. “One of the biggest influences on this project is the vibe I have from growing up and living in San Diego: ‘80s synthesizers and drum machines, swap meets and flea markets, local record shops, thrift stores, Balboa Park, you get the picture.”

A new Helsott album called Will and The Witch on the M-Theory Audio label is being promoted with videos for “I’ll Make Ya Famous” and “Babylon Scarlett’s Saloon.” The heavy metal concept record tells a fictional story of how Billy the Kid became the fastest gunfighter in the west, with guests including Tim “Ripper” Owens (ex-Judas Priest) on “Independence Night.” They’ll play Brick By Brick June 24 and Ramona Mainstage on July 9.

“I’m really looking forward to being back at The Music Box,” says singer-songwriter Jonathan Karrant of his July 14 Eclectic Taste show. “Having San Diego roots, I always love coming back to perform and share what’s new that I’ve been working on.” The performance will feature locals Gilbert Castellanos on trumpet, Joshua White on piano, Justin Grinnell on bass, and Julien Cantelm on drums. “Sections for the evening will include re-imagined jazz standards, soulful folk songs, and rhythms & blues,” says Karrant.

Chip Kinman followed his 1970s punk group the Dils with groundbreaking ‘80s Americana band Rank & File, techno innovators Blackbird, Western crossover duo Cowboy Nation, and blues punkers FDMDXFD. His new solo record The Great Confrontation marks his first completely electronic music project. The album, which Kinman calls “electronic Americana,” will be available via In The Red Records on limited edition colored vinyl.

The video for almost monday’s Hollywood Records single “sun keeps on shining” was filmed in Australia during the band’s first tour of that country. A previous single for “sunburn” has earned around three million streams and was featured on Spotify playlists such as Young & Free, Weekends + Friends, Soda, Indie Arrivals, Indie Highlights, and Lemonade Playlists, which included them on the cover. They’ll perform at downtown’s Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival, happening November 18-20.