28 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC Colton Bell’s music has the ability to time travel. The destination: Pacific Grove High School circa 2001—the place rap battler The Saurus first started spitfiring his lyrics. The elder PGHS graduate continues to be a source of inspiration for Bell, as does the community. Bell is releasing his first professionally-recorded hip-hop album, What A Day, on Thursday, Aug. 27. The seven-track album sequences a day in the life of the Pagrovian 23-year-old, from sunup to sundown to sunup again. Musically, it takes cues from some later 2000s hip-hop, with a delicate use of autotune but pairing smooth beats with smoother lyrics and transitions that you can get lost in. Bell isn’t alone in this production, collaborating with local musicians like rocker Katherine Lavin, who lends some rap poetry on the ending track, “Reprise” and Alex Lee on the mid-album track “Schmoke.” The project was produced with help from Jon Bom and Juicy The Emissary and spearheaded by local DJ and music maker Steb Montez, aka DJBadDJ, whom Bell considers a mentor. “I’m very fortunate I got to link up with [Montez],” Bell says. The two met at bar/record shop Pop & Hiss one evening when Bell was drafting song ideas with friends and Montez happened to overhear the conversation. Shortly after that meeting, album production began. Nothing is extraordinary about the day Bell sings about on the album, but in the routine are revelations about his life. “I don’t want to say they’re spiritual because that’s corny,” Bell says of his songs with a laugh. But at 23, he considers himself a little older in the hip-hop scene, which means his artistic career should take him somewhere. What A Day is underscored by simplicity in Bell’s life, but finding intensity as the day goes on. From waking up with ambition on the first track, “Light,” to crushing on a barista on the second track, “Energized,” Bell finds moments to be grateful about. He says the overarching message is to not let apathy get the best of us. Where Bell goes from here is still to be determined, but the artist is continuing to work on singles. He’s thankful for the community he grew up in and which opened the doors for his hip-hop career, carrying a legacy of other artists like The Saurus. What A Day by Colton Bell listening party 7pm Aug. 27. Pop & Hiss, 215 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. $5. (831) 2753303, popandhiss.net. DANIEL DREIFUSS Feeling Grove-y Pacific Grove-based rap and hip-hop artist Colton Bell debuts a locally-inspired album. By Sloan Campi A day in the life of Colton Bell—and of his community—told through seven songs reveals more than one might first expect. INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 BEST PIZZA ’98-’24 BEST PIZZA PLACE ’25 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’25 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. Now Serving Snake River Farms’ American Wagyu Prime Rib. 763 Wave St., Monterey | 831.373.3778 | thewhalingstation.com ’25 Best Steak Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’25 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates ’25 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY COUNTY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 4:30PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 4:30-6PM & 8-9PM 3-Course Early Menu, $59, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove WOOD FIRED PIZZAS, BURGERS, PASTA, SALADS, SANDWICHES AND MORE 11:30AM MON-FRI, 10AM SAT & SUN melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 HAPPY HOUR FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS Daily 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375
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