Tuesday, October 28th
In an era of non-stop paparazzi antics and TMZ trash it was only a matter of time before a band christened themselves with a tawdry title like Starf---er, at least they sound awesome enough to make up for it. An electro-pop leaning trio from Portland, Oregon, the group just dropped their debut album last month, its sound recalling the Folk Implosion’s rarely arrived at fusion of bubble gum indie, lo-fi sampling and rock riffage. They’ll be joined tonight at the 7th St. Entry by locals The Alpha Centauri, a similarly sonically ambitious group who’ll be previewing tunes from their forthcoming prog pop opus, Lavarocks—some seriously trippy stuff judging by the tracks currently spinning on their MySpace. (9 p.m., $8, 18+)
Wednesday, October 29th
Sometimes it takes awhile for an artist to become comfortable enough in their own skin to release an album under their birth name, particularly if said artist spent the entirety of their late teenage years and early twenties in the national indie-music spotlight. At 28 years old, however, boy-wonder-turned-plain-old-wonder Conor Oberst has released his first album without the safety net of performance nom de plume Bright Eyes. It’s a relaxed and soulful outing which finds his once markedly tremulous tremor on firmer ground, never before has Oberst been so clearly leaning on classic folk staples like Bob Dylan as his prime influence. All that reverence for tradition occasionally results in an album too reserved for its own good though, a problem that will no doubt be remedied in live performance tonight at First Avenue with a group of collaborators Oberst has dubbed The Mystic Valley Band (7:30 p.m., $24, 18+).
For music with a bit more pep in its step, stick to St. Paul, where the gooey goodness of Coloradan pop vets Dressy Bessy should have heads bopping at the Turf Club. Despite a dozen years in the soul-sucking world of the music business, singer/guitarist Tammy Ealom sounds as exuberant and giddy on the group’s new album Holler and Stomp as on their debut. One can only assume penning shamelessly fun and silly garage rock nuggets keeps the spirit young. (9 p.m., $TBD, 21+)
Thursday, October 30th
Jokingly self-described on their MySpace page as “Enya with bounce,” the world music influenced indie-pop explorers who make up Yeasayer may not be all that far off the mark in their self-assessment. There’s a certain element of new agey calm that floats atop the tunes on their acclaimed debut All Hour Cymbals, even as the bottom end churns with persistently restless rhythms. Of a piece with fellow acclaimed New York avant-popsters like TV on the Radio and Grizzly Bear, those who like to hear crazy headphone music in person should make a point of attending Yeasayer’s gig tonight at the Triple Rock Social Club.(9 p.m., $16, 18+)
For globally conscious songcraft of a folksier bend, check out Ottawa’s The Acorn at the 7th St. Entry. Inspired by singer/guitarist Rolf Klausener’s Central American ancestry, the band’s latest album tells the story of his grandmother’s immigration from Honduras to Montreal, setting it to aggressively finger picked folk with subtle Spanish influences for a truly unique listening experience. They’re joined by low key Toronto indie-poppers Ohbijou, a female fronted act that veers between slower paced torch ballads and old school indie-jangle. (9 p.m., $8, 18+)
Friday, October 31st
For all but the courageous few, Halloween plans typically entail braving a crowded house party in a hastily assembled costume. Why not ditch the cool costume angst and hit up a rock ‘n’ roll show instead? Although many bands are giving up the rock ‘n’ roll ghost for the night so they too can party hardy, Red Fox Grey Fox isn’t (or at least not before their 6 p.m. show). Their soaring emo-ish rock will be on display alongside other up and coming local acts To Reinvent, Beekeeper, Trace the Skyline and Friends of the A.M.S. at the Fall Out Arts Initiative Co-Op as part of a benefit concert for The Invisible Children, a non-profit helping provide educational access for children impacted by war abroad. (5 p.m., $8/$6 with costume, all ages).
Saturday, November 1st
Eau Claire’s onslaught of musical goodness shows no signs of letting up in the near future, as underscored by an appearance in town tonight at the Uptown Bar by the scene’s latest buzzed about act, The Gentle Guest. Dusky folk-rock dressed up with sassy brass where appropriate, the group’s debut full-length, We Are Bound to Save Some Souls Tonight, possesses all of the spirited fervor its title would suggest and will go down quite smoothly with fans of Beirut and its Gypsy-folk ilk. Thankfully, Minnesota won’t be upstaged by Wisconsin at the gig as Minneapolis’ I, Colossus will be on hand to play their synthetic and sleek indie-rock as well and should command at least as much attention thanks to the striking helium-high pitch of front man Matthew Sandstedt, former leader of beloved but gone rockers Aneuretical. (9 p.m., Free, 21+)
