The Aces Celebrate Queerness on New Disco Concept Album

The Aces decided to open a disco club this year. Well, kind of.

Gold Star Baby, the new concept album from the Utah alt-pop band, harnesses all the dance-hall energy to create a sonic space that’s reminiscent of a new-wave Studio 54, a toast to inclusivity and queerness.

“We grew up on disco, so it became this really cool concept record, which we’ve never done before, where we set out to make a concept record first, so it became this whole journey of making this really cool disco record,” says guitarist-vocalist Cristal Ramirez says, crediting her sister, drummer Alisa, for coming up with the initial idea. “It’s what it is to be a queer person and what it is to be in this celebration of our identities.”

The Ramirezes, along with guitarist Katie Henderson and bassist McKenna Petty, previously shared what it was like growing up in a religious town and the journey of coming out, particularly the sisters and Henderson, on the 2023 record I’ve Loved You For So Long. So the follow-up felt like a good opportunity to have some fun, revel in the progress made since then and share it with those who might be living similar stories.

“[I’ve Loved You For So Long] was a bit of a deeper record that was really important to make,” Henderson says, “and I think was special to connect with our fans on. Those shows were very emotional shows, and that tour was surprisingly a heavier tour than we expected. It was great in a lot of ways.

“That was a big reason we wanted to make a really fun record that celebrates our lives now and the work we’ve done to be who we are today and create spaces for our fans to have fun and celebrate their identities as well,” she continues. “And that was a big part of the disco movement back in the day. Those were all of the spaces where people were pretty eccentric and able to be queer and out.”

Musically, Gold Star Baby is funky fresh, modern disco done right, propelled by infectious melodies and grooves, making it hard not to want to immediately jump and move, especially on first listen. Lyrically, the Aces are keeping it real, too, covering the full emotional range of relationships. Or as Cristal puts it, “how awesome it is to be out and proud and to experience being in love and find community.”

“Celebration is truly like a form of rebellion,” she says, reciting her sister’s ethos. “If you’re happy and you’re really enjoying your life and being out and being proud, that in itself is a form of rebellion and protest.”

Join the Aces rebellion on Saturday, November 29, when the band plays Summit. Punk singer-songwriter Lydia Night is also on the bill. And plan on having a good time, as shows typically look more like a massive dance party than anything. So far, “Fire in the Hole” is proving to be a crowd favorite, but “Jealous,” “Gold Star Baby” and “I’m Sweet (I’m Mean)” are equally contagious.

“It is the most fun show we’ve ever done. It’s the most crowd-interactive show we’ve ever done,” Cristal, who started the Aces with Alisa in 2008 as kids, says. “We really just wanted to create this feeling of a party, and you’re part of it. We’re not just on stage and you’re watching, you’re in this club, in a way. I think by the end the crowd is into it, we’ve danced a lot, we’ve had shots. It’s just fun.”

“It’s really important with what’s happening in the world right now. I think there was a lot of things feeling like we’re going backwards in a lot of ways, and things are already hard as it is,” Henderson concludes. “We really want to create a space that’s a relief and to celebrate who you are and be happy. Our band has been that for us our whole lives.”

The Aces, with Lydia Night, 7 p.m. Saturday, November 29, Summit, 1902 Blake St. Tickets are $35.