Oct. 19-25, 2005
Wednesday, October 19
Bulgarian Bebop: Yuri Yunakov Ensemble + Ivo Papasov
This year's warm-up performance for the Earshot Jazz Festival features saxophonist Yunakov and clarinetist Papasov, Bulgarian musical royalty whose gypsy wedding sound—a blend of Balkan folk music with rock and jazz—was once banned by the Communist regime. Their riotous tunes play to thousands in Europe, so hopefully Town Hall can contain the madness. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-325-7066, 7:30 p.m. $18–$23
Nada Surf
As Death Cab stake their major-label territory, former Elektra band Nada Surf's The Weight Is a Gift is poised to become Barsuk's best release of the year. Ironic maybe, but no surprise—2003's Let Go remains one of the most perfect, underrated pop albums ever. Say Hi to Your Mom and DJ Roy open. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $15
McCoy Tyner
The legendary jazz pianist performs here with basssist Charnett Moffett and drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 7:30 p.m. $26.50–$28.50 Also Thurs., Oct. 20–Sun., Oct. 23
Thursday, October 20
Northern State + Optimus Rhyme
N.Y.C. ladies Hesta Prynn, Spero, and Sprout get props for advancing a feminist agenda within hip-hop on their major-label debut All City—we just wish their flow wasn't so License to Ill. Local trio Optimus Rhyme get a little more crafty, and both perform tonight with live bands. Crocodile Cafe, 8 p.m. $10
The Posies + Oranger
SEE JUKEBOX JURY [POSIES], P. 39. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $8 adv./$10
Pyeng Threadgill
Earshot officially kicks off with this young vocalist, the daughter of Henry Threadgill and choreographer Christina Jones, whose eclectic repertoire has earned her comparisons to Cassandra Wilson. Triple Door, 8 p.m. $16 Earshot members/$18
Friday, October 21
Bauhaus
The stark post-punk of these Brits covered just four albums before they disbanded in 1983, but their influence can be heard on hundreds more. 1979's "Bela Lugosi's Dead" has been called the "de facto goth rock anthem"—perfect for a chilly pre-Hallow's Eve. Paramount Theatre, 8 p.m. $35
Biography of Ferns
Managing wit, art, political theory, and chaos inside a post-punk/pop frame, local band Biography of Ferns make music to think and drink to. Having recently partnered with Degenerate Art Ensemble and other Northwest acts to form the artist-run record label Tellous, their next record, Pastel Gothic, is due this spring. Snowman Plan and St. Helen's open. Cafe Venus/Mars Bar, 609 Eastlake Ave., 206-624-4516
Sage Francis
Like rapping but not pleasure? Have we got a show for you—two of 'em, even. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $15 Also Sat., Oct. 22
Bettye Lavette
This Southern soul shouter was a cult fave for years before her recent re-emergence on Epitaph with the well-received and aptly titled I've Got My Own Hell to Raise. This should be fun. Choklate and DJ Greg Vandy open. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $12
Radio Nationals
The well-loved local roots band calls it a day, after a handful of farewell gigs to various venues, at the venue they probably fit in better than any. We can always hope for sequels and spin-offs, right? I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch in the House and Carrie Akre open. Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $10
Marc Ribot
New Yorker Ribot is one of the most inventive guitarists in any field—and "any field" is usually the right category for him. Whatever he comes up with should be interesting, especially solo and in this space. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave. N., 206-381-3218, 8 p.m. $16 Earshot members/$18
Turbonegro
They're Norwegian, they're really gay, and they play heavy, hard, swinging metal. What more do you want? Danko Jones opens. Showbox, 8 p.m. $20
World Saxophone Quartet Experience
The veteran ensemble make good on their new moniker's ending by performing the repertoire of a local guy you might have heard of—Jimi Hendrix. Triple Door, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $18 Earshot members/$20
Saturday, October 22
Michael Bisio Trio
The great Seattle bassist plays in a room appropriate to the (sonic) size of his instrument, not to mention his trio's concentrated roil. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave. N., 206-381-3218, 8 p.m. $10 Earshot members/$12
Iron & Wine + Calexico
Sam Beam's romantic melodies lull rather than rock, with Calexico's mariachi horns and pedal steel adding spice to their inspired collaboration with Beam, In the Reins (Overcoat). The pairing should be eye-opening. Moore Theatre, 8 p.m. $22 adv./$24
Legends of Seattle Jazz
Floyd Standifier, Buddy Catlett, Overton Berry, and others to be announced will be tracing the city's juicy musical past—and their own—in this evening performance. Triple Door, 7:30 p.m. $18 Earshot members/$20
The Meat Purveyors
Hardcore banjo-pickin' bluegrass punks, Austin's Meat Purveyors play louder, faster, and drunker than most metal heads, but their music can be nuanced and moving, too. Ethan Azarian opens. Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $10
Sugar Minott
The sweet-voiced (of course!) roots-reggae vocalist was the subject of another fine vault excursion by the Soul Jazz label earlier this year, and it should be nice to hear him in the flesh. Jus Goodie, Sister Pashon, and Itawe open. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $15
Sunday, October 23
Meshuggah
If Pink Floyd's "Money" is the world's most famous song written in septuple meter, Swedish metal gods Meshuggah pacify a smaller, though no less rabid fan base with 7/4's from here 'til doomsday. God Forbid, the Haunted, and Mnemic try to keep up. El Corazon, 7 p.m. $23 adv./25
The Pale Pacific
The indie-rock sensible Pale Pacific satisfies with plenty of Rhodes and delay pedal, as well as notable showmanship. Before them are Epitaph's Youth Group and Derby, a pop-punk band. Crocodile Cafe, 8 p.m. $10
Omar Sosa Quartet + Dafnis Prieto Quintet
SEE AMERICA, U.S.A. (Omar Sosa), P. 44. Triple Door, 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $18 Earshot members/$20
Monday, October 24
Calla + Celebration
Two 4AD/Beggars Banquet bands with new discs, Calla delivers post-rock with a cinematic sweep, while Celebration is the latest experimental act to emerge from TV on the Radio's Brooklyn studio. Sure to be critically drooled upon in a minute. Crocodile Cafe, 8 p.m. $10
Dave Douglas: Keystone
The trumpet great brings Roscoe Arbuckle's silent comedies to new life with his wooly, utterly contemporary scores. Triple Door, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $18 adv./$20
Robert Glasper
Pianist Glapser's trio with bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Damion Reid have just issued the masterful Canvas (Blue Note), which augurs good things for this run of appearances. Three chances to see him—or the chance to see him three times, your choice. Tula's, 8:30 p.m. $13 Earshot members/$15 Also Tues., Oct. 25–Wed., Oct. 26
KRS-One
He helped invent both gangsta and conscious rap, which is a hell of a trick; he's also one of the handful of greatest MCs ever. His records have fallen off a bit, but he will never lose his onstage ferocity. Hallelujah. Opening are Common Market, RA Scion and Sabzi (who celebrate their CD release), Abyssinian Creole, and DJ B-Mello. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $15
Tuesday, October 25
American Analog Set
For a decade, bedroom rockers American Analog Set have proffered consistently weightless pop—a body of work that culminates in quiet beauty on Set Free, the last album that will take them around the world. Vervein and Bre warm the stage for farewell. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $8
The Go! Team
Like their album name Thunder, Lightning Strike! implies, British phenomenon The Go! Team is ready to take you by storm with an adrenaline rush of brassy-sounding, danceable instrumentals. Think theme song to a '70s action film. Expect some Jackson 5–esque sing-alongs as well. Smoosh and the Grates open. Showbox, 8 p.m. $14 adv./$16
The Warlocks
Our seemingly unending capacity for psychedelic-angled fuzzy hand claps being what it is, the Warlocks' stoned groove-and-shimmy will never go out of style. That fog-machine nonsense on the other hand. . . . The Gris Gris open. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $8 adv./$10
UPCOMING SHOWS
Oct 27 Decemberists, Showbox
Oct 30 Rolling Stones, KeyArena
Oct 30 Broadcast, Neumo's
Nov 1 Metric, Crocodile Cafe
Nov 3 Paul McCartney, KeyArena
Nov 4 Bright Eyes + Sons and Daughters, Moore Theatre
Nov 7 Atmosphere + Blueprint, Showbox
Nov 8 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Benaroya Hall
Nov 9 Jethro Tull, McCaw Hall
Nov 12 Broken Social Scene, Showbox
Nov 12 Henry Rollins, Moore Theatre
Nov 12 Bonnie Raitt, Paramount
Nov 14 Chicks on Speed, Chop Suey
Nov 17 Joss Stone, Paramount
Nov 18 Death Cab for Cutie + Stars, Paramount Theatre
Nov 21 Gwen Stefani + M.I.A., KeyArena
Nov 25 Jane Siberry, Triple Door
Nov 26 Donovan, Moore Theatre
Nov 27 Ozomatli, Showbox
