Experience the 'madness'

WALLACE –– The Center of the Universe has become a beacon for live-music lovers and the Blue Raven has eagerly jumped into the mix.

This Friday, Coeur d’Alene-based rock band Zoramena will take the stage at the new venue – and if previous shows at the Blue Raven are any indication, concert goers had better get there early.

Zoramena is fronted by singer Ben Vogel, who channeled his heritage into the band’s name.

“Zoramena is the Basque word for madness,” band manager Eleanor Milman explained. “Because of the band’s wild, jazz-influenced instrumental attack, the name felt only appropriate.”

Vogel, who is originally from Spokane, felt that his classical music training was taking him in a different direction than what he wanted.

He quickly changed directions.

After stops in Austin, Texas, and Chicago, he returned to the Pacific Northwest in 2020 and decided to start a band – and along with Chuck Johnson and Paul Barbieri, Zoramena was born.

Borrowing concepts from a number of bands – both current and from days past – Zoramena has a unique vibe that must be heard to understand.

“Rock is a bit of an oversimplification. In terms of aesthetics, they exist in the same wheelhouse as The Strokes, The Raconteurs, or The Black Keys,” Milman said. “But as far as songwriting, they draw more influence from classic pop/rock singer-songwriters, like Carole King or Paul McCartney. My favorite touch, though, is the heavily Rush-inspired instrumentation.”

Vogel has played in Wallace before – but those shows have been exclusively as a solo artist. With live music becoming more and more of an attraction in the small mountain town, he knew that he wanted to bring the band to Wallace.

“This is the band’s first time playing in Wallace, but Ben plays here solo occasionally,” Milman said. “The town has an unrelenting hospitality that is always appreciated after a day of skiing or during a night of performing. It’s so exciting to see new businesses opening up downtown as each visit comes with new surprises and reasons to come back. We are thrilled to help kick off Wallace’s summer of music this June.”

Madness might be an extreme way of putting it, but Vogel believes that Zoramena gives the crowd what they want.

“Every once in a while we’re a ‘less is more’ band,” he said. “But usually we’re a ‘more is more’ kind of band.”

Zoramena is playing this Friday, June 9, at 8 p.m. at the Blue Raven in Wallace.

The Blue Raven is located at 605 Bank Street – there is a cover charge to attend the show.