It's another hopping musical Thursday evening around town with a show for just about everyone.
Levon Helm and Ray LaMontagne at Verizon Theatre
As I mentioned in this week's paper, Levon Helm is a legend, thanks to his work in The Band and his work behind Dylan and others in the '60s. Add in Ray LaMontagne, and this show is a tough one to beat.
Dr. Dog and Here We Go Magic at South Side Music Hall
Philadelphia's Dr. Dog comes across like classic rock act masquerading
as an indie outfit. Main dogs Toby Leaman and Scott McMicken certainly
mine some familiar lo-fi influences (Guided by Voices, Pavement), but
the duo is just as likely to recall psychedelic rock from the late '70s.
Perhaps this artful blend is part of Dr. Dog's appeal in the first
place. In any case, the band's latest effort, Shame, Shame, is the first
to feature an outside producer and the fresh perspective can be heard
in songs like "Station" and "Shadow People." Brooklyn's Here We Go
Magic, meanwhile, is an indie band through and through. The quirky quartet, lead by
the talented Luke Temple, is capable of everything from Afro-beat to
freaky folk.
Every Time I Die, Trap Them, Howl and The News Can Wait at The Loft
Displaying a surprising Southern rock influence, Buffalo's Every Time I
Die is able to move beyond the standard metalcore formalities. The
band's fifth effort, 2009's New Jerk Aesthetic, received some of the
best reviews of the band's career. Added girth to a show that hardly
needs it is New Hampshire's Trap Them and Rhode Island's Howl. A late
addition to the bill is Dallas' own The News Can Wait, a spunky foursome
who should get the evening off on a solid, metal note.
Bear Hands, Sunn Talk and Kiwi Sisters at The Nightmare
Pete mentioned this show of newcomers touring and local on the blog earlier today. Check out his take.
The Room Sounds, Here Holy Spain, Bravo, Max!, and Corey Howe & The Dead Flowers at Doublewide
A very nice quadruple-bill of rather disparate local acts plies their
perspective crafts at the far eastern side of Deep Ellum on this night, which is serving as the celebration for Double Wide booking agent Chelsea Callahan's birthday. Headlining is
The Room Sounds, a shaggy group of guys who relocated to our fair area
from New England. Ryan Michael and crew bring an interesting '70s rock
vibe to the band's take on alt-country. Same goes for both Bravo, Max!
and Corey Howe. Just how post-punkers Here Holy Spain fit in on
this bill is decidedly unclear. Perhaps just to break up the twangy
vibe?
Salim Nourallah at Bar Belmont
Area singer-songwriter extraordinaire Salim Nourallah will perform a stripped-down, acoustic set of his songs for free at 8:30 tonight on the newly covered patio at Bar Belmont in Oak Cliff. Oh, and he'll be giving away free copies of his 2005 release, Beautiful Noise, to those who show. By the way, did you know Salim has his own Wikipedia entry? Because he does.
Nadia Washington at The Kessler Theater
Speaking of talented local performers, Nadia Washington is a Dallas
native who is currently attending Berklee College of Music. Winner of
prestigious Bill Cosby Presidential Scholarship, Washington is one of
those jazz vocalists that make you weep and gawk in wonder at the same
time. Seriously, the gal has been compared to Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah
Vaughn. Such praise isn't easy to come by. If you're are in the mood for
some real jazz, consider going to Oak Cliff and checking out Ms.
Washington.
