Queen Bonobo sets farewell Sandpoint show

Fans of the queen — Queen Bonobo, that is — are in luck.

The talented Sandpoint native, known in real life as Maya Goldblum, is bringing her can’t-be-missed sound, as well as a few friends, to The Hive on Oct. 14. The concert will take place 8-11 p.m.

Before heading off to New Orleans, Goldblum said she wanted to do a final Sandpoint show. When she did a recent show with Aspen Kye in Spokane, Goldblum said she knew she had to bring her along.

“We played a show together at The District Bar in Spokane recently and I made it my mission to get us a Sandpoint show before I head off to New Orleans,” she told the Bee. “Aspen Kye is beautiful inside and out and I want to spread her music to my hometown.”

Goldblum has been making music since she was young and often performed with her father, Arthur Goldblum, in his jazz band as a youth.

Drawing on themes from her personal life, travels, heartache, and combining elements of folk, jazz, and her own strange brew, Goldblum said she tries to create “visceral soundscapes using brush strokes from every color of the emotional palate.”

After beginning her career on Eichardt’s stage, Goldblum developed her own style while while studying music at an Irish university and writing songs in a local pub.

She got the name for her band after watching a video of a bonobo with friends. The group joked Goldblum should name her band Queen Bonobo after she said it felt weird to use her own name for a band.

Since then, the name has also taken on another meaning for her, Goldblum told the Daily Bee in 2021. Bonobos operate in a matriarchy, and so the name has taken on a special connotation for her.

“There's a lot of like feminist symbolism in it. The more I stick with the name, the more I like what it stands for,” she said at the time.

Goldblum said she hadn’t originally planned to be a musician, but during her second year in college, she decided to lean into music. After moving to Ireland for her studies, her career kicked into gear and she hasn’t looked back, releasing her debut album in 2021.

Kye, a talented songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, grew up in Spokane. Since diving into music, she has captivated audiences with a unique blend of what she describes as “neo-soul, jazz, and folk, infused with hints of psychedelic rock.” Accompanied by a seasoned ensemble, the music features “sultry vocals, tasty grooves, and heartfelt lyrics, crafting an immersive experience that draws listeners” into the music.

Goldblum can be followed on Instagram @queenbonobo and her music can be found on Spotify, YouTube, and Bandcamp. Kye can be found on Instagram @aspenkyemusic.