Funky Knuckles
10 p.m. Monday, July 6, at Sundown at Granada Theater, 3520 Greenville Ave., 214-823-8305 or granadatheater.com, Free
The Funky Knuckles have been together for over six years. The jazz fusion band released an album called Meta-Musica in 2014 that climbed to No. 1 on iTunes’ jazz charts on the first day of its release. Together, the Knuckles are a force to be reckoned with. That’s because, individually, they’re all seasoned players who’ve worked with superstars like Beyoncé, Erykah Badu, Chrisette Michelle, Talib Kweli, Puff Daddy and the Polyphonic Spree. H. Drew Blackburn
The Free Loaders
7 p.m., Tuesday, July 7, at The Free Man, 2626 Commerce Street, 214-377-9893, Free
The Free Loaders have earned their praise in this city. They haven't been sitting around on their asses all these years. They’ve played show after show, no matter if it was in a club, at a party or some boogie event where the music isn't meant to be appreciated. This band of blues, jazz and swing musicians can range anywhere from three to eight members depending on the situation. However, expect a great show packed with fun from experts at their craft. And, if we're all lucky, Mavericks owner and dance savant Mark Cuban will show up and teach us how to do some line dancing. HDB
3 Doors Down
With We Are Harlot, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at The Bomb Factory, 2713 Canton St., 214-932-6507 or thebombfactory.com, $39.50-$489.50
3 Doors Down are a remnant of the wave of alt-rock malaise that MTV got mired in at the turn of the century. Originating from Escatawpa, Mississippi, the band is best known for the album The Better Life, which contained hits like “Kryptonite” and “Loser” and sold three million copies when it was released in 2000. The music video for “Kryptonite” is a perfect example of what was so bad (that it was good) in popular music at the time. The video is about a crazy old man with thinning, unkempt hair who was once a superhero movie star. Now he's a washed up, frantic nobody living off of TV dinners surrounded by roaches in a cheap living space that might just be a motel room. How much more garbage do you need? Fifteen years later, the band is touring on their latest album, Us and the Night, mostly playing in small towns across the country with fellow alt-rockers Seether. Then again, they're playing The Bomb Factory, so they must be doing something right. Pablo Arauz
Blessin'
With Leggy, Pearl Earl and No Touching, 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studio, 411 E. Sycamore St., Denton, 940-387-7781 or rubberglovesdentontx.com, $3
College can be a wonderfully carefree time, a time to experiment and explore without the burden of so-called real world responsibilities. Denton's Blessin' sums up that slice of life just about perfectly with its sunny dream pop, and now that they've finished college they seem poised to embody the uncertainty that follows: This may or may not be their last shot together. It is for the time being anyway, as the members head off to different parts of the country — some to Seattle, some to Washington, D.C. They're having one last go-round with their friends in Pearl Earl and No Touching, with a guest appearance from Ohio's Leggy. Jeff Gage
Elvis Depressedly
With Mitski and Eskimeaux, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9, at Sons of Hermann Hall, 214-747-4422 or sonsofhermann.com, $12
As a fellow who grew up in a small southern town, I can empathize with growing up in Asheville, North Carolina. Enter the brilliantly named indie band Elvis Depressedly. Their music touches on the sad waltz of love and life and has an overwhelming feeling of melancholy and ennui. Their newest album, New Alhambra, sees the band getting a little sunnier but keeping true to their sad songs for sad lovers style. HDB
Ishi
With Wrestlers, Sealion and Blue, the Misfit, 7 p.m. Friday, July 10, at Trees, 2709 Elm St., 214-741-1122 or treesdallas.com, $3 with RSVP
One of the most eccentric things you can see in Dallas is an Ishi show. I've been to one where seemingly everyone with a date and/or a blood alcohol content above 0.08 was grinding on one another. It's a grand time. The band's electro-funk-folk sound is sure to send a jolt through you, and it can turn a wallflower into the most gifted dancer in the soul train line. This time they'll be playing with Sealion, Blue, the Misfit and Austin's Wrestlers for the latest Red Bull Sound Select showcase, which makes for an extra wild party because it costs only $3. HDB
The New Bohemians
9 p.m., Friday July 10, All Good Cafe, 2934 Main Street, $10
Late last year, the New Bohemians reunited for the first time in eight years for the Oak Cliff Music Festival. Lead singer Edie Brickell has been a little busy over the years, releasing an album with Steve Martin and recording material with the indie rock band, the Heavy Circles. Guitarist, Kenny Withrow, is an active member of Dallas' music community performing in the Grateful Dead Tribute band, Forgotten Space. And a few of the members live in Austin. Catch them at this cafe for an intimate show, that’s sadly without Brickell, but will be worth the price. HDB
Mos Def - Ms Fat Booty (1999) from Golden Era Videos on Vimeo.
Yasiin Bey aka Mos DefWith DJ Sober, 7 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at The Bomb Factory, 2713 Canton St., 214-932-6507 or thebombfactory.com, $35-$40
Yasiin Bey is the artist formerly known as Mos Def. Starting his career as a founding member of influential rap duo Black Star, Bey went on to find huge success as a solo artist and actor, winning a string of Grammys, Emmys and Golden Globes. Bey’s music is hip hop to the core, but he never limits himself to the confines of the genre as he explores rock, blues and soul throughout. His adventurous spirit as an artist has led to collaborations with Bad Brains, In Living Color, Gorillaz, Black Keys, Ron Carter, the Neptune and even Kanye West, who cites Bey as a major influence. Bey no longer resides in the U.S., the hostile political, social and economic environment having had too much of a negative impact on his creativity. As such, this tour a particularly rare occurrence. Based on his performances so far in other cities — from a tribute to J Dilla to a performance of his debut Black on Both Sides in its entirety and some new, as-yet-unreleased material — expect the unexpected from an artist in peak form. Wanz Dover
SZA
With Tut. Doors open at 7:11 p.m.. Saturday, July 11, at South Side Music Hall, 1135 South Lamar St, ticketfly.com, songkick.com, $37-$60
There's a girl next door appeal to New Jersey R&B singer SZA, but beneath her relatable facade is a young artist with some serious chops. A serious resume, too: At 24, the artist otherwise known as Solana Rowe can already count writing credits and collaborations with Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Thundercat and Top Dog Entertainment comrades Kendrick Lamar, Isaiah Rashad, Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul to her name. She's the epitome of genre-blending versatility and her star is on the rise in its own right, with her clever wordplay and big vocal range propelling her three EPs to increasing acclaim; 2014's Z debuted at No. 39 on the Billboard 200 and peaked at No. 9 on the Hip-Hop/R&B chart. So if you're curious what the future of R&B sounds like, get yourself to Gilley's idea. Morganne Cameron
Shuggie Otis
With Larry g(EE), 8 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at Club Dada, 2720 Elm St., dadadallas.com, $25
You have a chance to catch a legitimate music legend Sunday night at Club Dada, and if you’re smart you’ll drop the $25 to do so. Shuggie Otis is a god to the cult of fans who worship at the altar of acid jazz, particularly his 1974 album Inspiration Information, which David Brybe’s Luska Bop Records re-released in 2001. Otis worked with some of the most important musicians of the last century, everyone from Quincy Jones to Frank Zappa and Etta James. He also spent years performing on his father, R&B legend Johnny Otis', albums. The release of 2013’s Wings of Love brought Otis back to prominence as the hype machine led to critics jumping over themselves to praise Otis’ previous work, with Otis getting The New York Times profile treatment and touring the world. Two years have passed since praise for Otis went into hyper speed, and the mercurial artist is still touring, which is just how it should be. Catch him at Dada and you'll earn some serious music cred points. Jaime-Paul Falcon
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