28 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC Known these days as a Seattlebased singer-songwriter, Brian Noyes is a product of Monterey County. It was here where he took his first piano lessons, and here—while students at Carmel High School—that Noyes and Big Sur musician Richard Tripps started a band. “It will be somewhat of a fun homecoming show,” he says about the upcoming appearance at Pop & Hiss, where he will share the stage with Tripps and Jeff Moller from Oakland. While Tripps plays “psych-rock” and Moller plays “fog-rock,” the label most often put on Noyes is baroquerock. Since his self-titled debut LP in 2020, Noyes style is recognizable—lyrics that always invite thought, intricate melodies and a general sense of timelessness. Noyes recognizes Nick Drake, John Cale, The Clientele and Bridget St. John as influences. His new album, The Ringing World, is promoted as “lush psych pop” and opens with the title song, which stays in the head after just one listening. “Tarot” and “The Boy You Love to Burn” are already picking up listeners on Spotify. He says walking helps bring lyrics to mind—and he walks a lot. “I also read as much as I can,” Noyes adds. It is also the record on which Noyes’ vocals sound the clearest, helping the lyrics to come through. As in previous outings, the album is filled with interesting sounds from various instruments, demonstrating and confirming Noyes’ interest in multi-instrumentalism. Noyes had been playing around Monterey County until his move north, in 2008. In Seattle he is a member of the psych pop group Tomten and also performs as a touring keyboardist for San Francisco band Papercuts. He is coming to Pacific Grove with a brand-new material. The Ringing World dropped in late August, just over a year after Seelie Court, his second LP. “It’s nice to get ahead of oneself,” he says with satisfaction. “But in Pop & Hiss, I will play a little bit of everything.” On the record, he is joined by former members of La Luz, Alvvays and Sugar Candy Mountain. The Ringing World continues his collaboration with engineer and co-producer Nicholas Wilbur. Tripps released a new LP this year, Stone Eating Animals, with five new tracks. The artists will play in San Francisco later this month. Brian Noyes, Richard Tripps and Jeff Moller perform at 7pm Saturday, Sept. 19. Pop & Hiss, 215 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. $5. popandhiss.com. LISA HAGEN GLYNN Back Home Brian Noyes returns to the Peninsula with a new album, reunited with Big Sur’s Richard Tripps. By Agata Popęda Brian Noyes got his musical start in Monterey County. Now based in Seattle, he joins two other artists for appearances in Pacific Grove and San Francisco. Custom Desigg! Repairs! Finished Jewelrr! Watch Baaeries! Lapidarr Serrices! Appraisals! Local Arrists Specimens Supplies & More 2245 Norrh Fremont St, Monterey (831)375-3027 www.peninsulagemandjewelrr.com Tuesday-Friday 10-5:30 Sattrday 10-4:00
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