BAKER CITY — Minnesota’s indie rock band Bad Bad Hats was touring their third album when they played in May 2022 at Churchill School.

Now, following a 10th anniversary release of their first EP and a living room tour in 2023, and the 2024 release of their fourth album, “Bad Bad Hats,” the band is coming back to Baker City.

Well, they came through in 2023 but that was just for scones from Sweet Wife Baking.

“We made a point to stop by the bakery,” lead singer, Kerry Alexander, said with a laugh.

They’d been treated to the bakery items in 2022.

“I’ve been thinking about it ever since,” she said.

Bad Bad Hats will play at Churchill, 3451 Broadway St., on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Doors open at 6 p.m., and Party Nails opens the show.

Tickets are $15 in advance at churchillbaker.com or $20 at the door. Admission is free for ages 15 and younger who attend with a paid adult.

Alexander and Chris Hoge formed Bad Bad Hats in 2012.

The name is inspired by the “Madeline” children’s books, most notably “Madeline and the Bad Hat.”

“I read those books a lot when I was little,” Alexander said. “The ‘bad hat’ is the troublemaker.”

Although her musical background began with violin lessons, that avenue didn’t work out. She started writing lyrics in middle school, and by eighth grade she was playing the guitar.

Bad Bad Hats has been through a few changes over the years — from three members to four, back to three and then two.

Now it’s a four-piece band again with vocals by Alexander, Hoge on lead electric guitar, Colby Hansen on bass guitar and Joey Hays playing drums.

The band piled into a van on Jan. 4 and set out for a three-week West Coast tour.

“It’s a lot more driving, but beautiful scenery,” Alexander said.

Plus, this tour will cross another state — Wyoming — off their list.

“We’re determined to play every state,” she said. “After Cheyenne, we only have six left. Hawaii will probably be the last one.”

Although all 50 states is still a goal, Bad Bad Hats played in Europe for the first time this year.

New album

The new album of Bad Bad Hats features songs written over the last four years, and several came from the band releasing new material exclusive to subscribers through Patreon.

“Every month we write a new song from a musical prompt or theme,” she said.

Songs from 2020 and 2021, she said, evoke a “cooped-up energy.”

“We had a looser approach because we didn’t know we were making an album,” she said. “It allowed us to be creative and a little bit goofy.”

Listeners can still join at patreon.com/badbadhats.

“The back catalog of songs is pretty vast,” she said.

Party Nails

Elana Carroll started Party Nails about 10 years ago in Brooklyn, New York, as a side project, then it became her main focus after moving to Los Angeles in 2014.

Carroll grew up in a rural area of upstate New York, where she started playing guitar at 11 and singing at open mics.

“My time growing up coincided with a music store in town,” she said.

She’s toured her music since 2017.

“It fully evolved into an artist’s project,” she said.

As for her connection with Bad Bad Hats, Carroll met Alexander in 2011 before either of their bands existed. She toured with them in 2018.

“Bad Bad Hats is very special to me,” Carroll said. “There’s a lot of trust and respect. You just can’t substitute time.”

For her Baker City show, Carroll will be joined by drummer Anna Crane and she’s “borrowing” bass guitarist Colby Hansen from Bad Bad Hats.

“We’re determined to play every state. After Cheyenne, we only have six left. Hawaii will probably be the last one.”

{p style=”text-align: right;”}— Kerry Alexander of the Minnesota band Bad Bad Hats

Churchill shows

Here’s a look at upcoming shows at Churchill School in Baker City. For each concert, doors open at 6 p.m. Food and drinks are available to purchase. For show and ticket information, visit churchillbaker.com.

Jan. 10: Forest Ray

Jan. 14: Bad Bad Hats with Party Nails

Jan. 19: The Clement Brothers with Carolyn Kendrick

Feb. 17: Illuminati Hotties

Feb. 22: Lizzie No with Kasey Anderson

Feb. 28: Daniel Villarreal

March 8: Wesley Stace with Mare Winningham

March 9: Bitch with Skip the Needle

March 14: Mentalist Peter Antoniou

March 21: Jeshua Marshall and the Flood

April 18: Rock ‘n’ Roll comedy

April 30: Wonder Women of Country

May 3: Terry Rob

May 23: Comedian Steve Hofstetter