When stepmom takes the stage inside Tulsa’s historic Cain’s Ballroom Saturday night, the Oklahoma City band will have reached a major milestone in their career. 

“We are extremely excited to play Cain’s Ballroom,” said vocalist and guitarist Lindsey Cox. “This venue has been on our bucket list since the beginning.” 

The art punk band is one of four playing the 13th annual Rock-N-Folk-N-Chili Cook-Off presented by Horton Records — a local nonprofit and music label.

The gathering at 423 N. Main St. begins at 5:30 p.m. and features a mix of sounds in a show paired with lots of chili from local restaurants. Funds from the event support Horton, which has supported local artists for 20 years and counting. 

Not unfamiliar to Tulsa, stepmom has previously played local music hot spots Mercury Lounge, The Whittier Bar and all-ages venue The Vanguard. 

What started in 2019 as the classic “what if we started a band” joke became a couple of jam sessions and eventually, the eccentric, very pink quartet, stepmom. Current band members are Cox, Amie Reardon (drums and oboe), Bailey Pelletier (synth/keys), and Eve Elsworth (bass) 

Their music carries on where groups like The B-52s and Le Tigre began. Bubbly, danceable songs with a little synth, a little angst and soft but powerful vocals.

Their skillfully crafted music videos create bizarre, mostly pink worlds they bring with them to the stage for live performances. If you liked the YouTube series “Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared,” you’ll get into stepmom. 

“I’m motivated by self-discovery and connection. Sharing energy with an audience is an incredible feeling,” Cox said.

The music starts at 6:15 p.m. with a line-up that also includes headlining blues-rock duo Greyhounds, from Austin, Texas; JD Simo, a psych-blues guitar maestro from Nashville, Tennessee; and Choctaw singer-songwriter Samantha Crain.

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