Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise Show / Wednesday, March 9
Secret City Records
Diamond Rings and a ghetto blaster.
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As a living example of pre-Internet indie-rock success, the Elephant 6 Collective has come to represent that age-old concept of getting together with your friends to make music. That is what four teenagers from Louisiana did, spurring a mountain of creativity from their fellow musician pals throughout the '90s that produced one legendary album (Neutral Milk Hotel's Like an Aeroplane Over the Sea) before disbanding in 2002. But in 2008, the E6 ethos was resurrected via the annual Holiday Surprise tour. Members of Olivia Tremor Control, Elf Power, Circulatory System, and the Music Tapes will play each other's songs, screen short films, and lead audience-participation games. Of course, many will be eager to see if reclusive NMH frontman Jeff Mangum (aka the Indie Rock Yeti) shows his face. So if you see some sketchy-looking dude hiding under a baseball cap lurking around the Vera Project, you might be in luck. Don't forget to alert Pitchfork! Vera Project, 305 Harrison St., 956-8372. 7:30 p.m. Sold out. All ages. BRIAN J. BARR
Joshua Radin / Wednesday, March 9
Usually, any artist or band to place more than 75 songs in television shows or films would be considered quite the sellout. But most, if not all, of the artists and bands whose music pops up on Grey's Anatomy or One Tree Hill don't come across with the sincerity of singer/songwriter Joshua Radin. His pop songs are generally warm and inviting, his soft voice making you feel as if every song is between only you and him, and one thing is always for sure: His hooks will get you. It's as true as ever on his latest full-length, The Rock and the Tide, an optimistic, surefire, adult-contemporary pleaser. On it, Radin proves he's become a master craftsman. With Cary Brothers, Laura Jansen. Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151. 7 p.m. $18 adv./$20 DOS. BRYDEN MCGRATH
Simian Mobile Disco / Wednesday, March 9
Simian Mobile Disco is an electronic duo that sprang from an indie-rock group (named Simian; the "mobile disco" refers to the after-parties they threw on tour), so it makes sense that they've kept one foot in that world, producing and remixing acts like the Klaxons and the Gossip's Beth Ditto, and calling on their Rolodex of vocalists to act as guests on their pop-leaning 2009 album Temporary Pleasure. That might have been too generous a name for an album whose few charms wore thin so quickly, but thankfully SMD have followed it up with Delicacies, which sees them abandoning vocal hooks and indulging in the kind of hard, jaw-grinding techno that the best of their work has always bled into at the outer edges. Call it a permanent pleasure. Opening is DFA mensch the Juan Maclean, whose tastes as a DJ range from robotically jacking techno to leather-and-sweat disco to, of course, happy house. With Blondes. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467. 8 p.m. $16. ERIC GRANDY
Diamond Rings / Thursday, March 10
In 2008, young Ontarian John O'Regan entered a hospital (for treatment of his Crohn's disease) as the guitarist and singer of a punk band called the D'Urbervilles. O'Regan spent much of his lengthy stay writing music, and emerged recreated as flamboyant synth-pop alter ego Diamond Rings. His sharp songs skew toward '80s New Wave a la The Human League— glamorously moody tones paired with deep, deadpan vocals—and O'Regan androgynously visualizes the retro feel with his rainbow eye shadow, bleached mohawk, and wildly patterned tights, as exhibited in his choreographed music videos. On the other hand, the bumping beats of songs like "Show Me Your Stuff" (unfortunately not included on Diamond Rings' full-length, last year's Special Affections) could easily pass for a sparkling and modern Robyn or Lady Gaga club-banger. In bringing out his more bombastic self, O'Regan's also created an intriguing synthesis of old and new. With Noddy, PS I Love You. Vera Project, 305 Harrison St., 956-8372. 7:30 p.m. $10. All ages. ERIN K. THOMPSON
Junkie XL / Thursday, March 10
In another universe, Neumos could easily have been named something else—and for one night, it essentially will be. For a show themed around the graphic novel Shinjuku, illustrated by Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano and authored by Christopher "Mink" Morrison, the club will transform into one of the book's central locations, Poppies—complete with costumed actors and a signing by Mink himself. This benefit concert for local charity-focused nonprofit Noise for the Needy is headlined by the Grammy-nominated Tom Holkenborg, better known as Dutch electronic artist Junkie XL, whose remix catalog touches on the works of pop acts like Britney Spears and Elvis and has been featured in video games from The Sims to Need for Speed. The bill also includes Capitol Hill's hell-raising hipster-hoppers Mad Rad, playing their last show before May's Sasquatch! Music Festival. With Truckasaurus, Seattle Kokon Taiko. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 8 p.m. $10. NICK FELDMAN
Civil Twilight / Friday, March 11
It's not common to catch a band whose songs sound more fitting for stadium settings in a small venue like Neumos. On its 2009 self-titled debut, Civil Twilight, a trio from South Africa, found themselves dabbling in momentous anthems ("Anybody Out There"), How to Save a Life–era Fray-like piano rock ("Next to Me"), and slow-building theatrics ("Quiet in My Town"). Specifically, to hear Steven McKellar's stunning vocal performance on "Letters From the Sky" bounce off the ceilings of domes or high-rising stadium walls would seem more appropriate, but for now, the intimate Neumos will certainly do. With A Silent Film, Ben Union. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 7 p.m. $10. All ages. BRYDEN MCGRATH
