POP/ROCK by Erin K. Thompson
Konichiwa Records
Robyn plays the Paramount on October 20.
Courtesy of Zoe Muth
Zoe Muth plays the Tractor on October 22.
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Girls/Wednesday, October 5
Girls' 2009 debut, Album, was achingly tender, baring the wounded soul of lead singer Christopher Owens (who was famously raised in a cult). The band's near-perfect new record, Father, Son, Holy Ghost, still hints at melancholy and heartbreak but also brightens into breezy, beachy, beautifully melodious tunes. With Sonny & the Sunsets, Papa. Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., 467-5510. 8 p.m. $14. All ages.
*Seattle Weekly's Reverb Festival/Saturday, October 8
If your idea of an ideal Saturday consists of beer, crowds of friends, and your choice of viewing 50-plus rock and country bands, 12 hip-hop/R&B acts, a day-long roomful of DJs spinning dance music, and a good smattering of jazz, all without having to leave the neighborhood, we've got good news for you—we're making it happen today. Ballard, various venues. 1 p.m. 21 and over wristbands $10, under 21 wristbands $5, VIP wristbands $75. seattleweekly.com.reverbfestival.
Zola Jesus/Saturday, October 8
The astoundingly prolific Nika Roza Danilova—alias Zola Jesus—is releasing her third LP this month, Conatus (Latin for "effort" or "striving"). It finds her leaning toward her classical-music instincts; the chaotic songs are built on dramatic live string arrangements and powered forward by Danilova's boldly commanding vocals. With Xanopticon. Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-7416. 8 p.m. $13.
Dum Dum Girls/Sunday, October 9
Only in Dreams, the Dum Dum Girls' follow-up to their fizzy firecracker of a debut, last year's I Will Be, finds the band beefing up its sound—the sunny pop melodies, skittering drums, and reverbing guitars that made them the punk-rock Shangri-Las are still there, but the songs are heftier and pack a more aggressive punch. With Crocodiles, Colleen Green. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467. 8 p.m. $13.
Foster the People/Sunday, October 9
Back in March, L.A.'s Foster the People were headlining the High Dive—since then, their bizarrely homicidal song "Pumped Up Kicks" has become a monstrous summer smash and is now one of the top pop songs in the country. Catch them tonight in all their glory before they move on to even bigger things. With Cults, Reptar. Showbox SoDo, 1700 First Ave. S., 652-0444. 7 p.m. Sold out. All ages.
Gardens & Villa/Tuesday, October 11
Santa Barbara's flute-tooting indie-pop quintet Gardens & Villa are still touring in support of their spacey, freewheeling self-titled debut LP. Their songs are lush and stately, and the band is dedicated to playing each and every instrumental part live. With Young Man. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880. 9:30 p.m. $10.
The Drums/Wednesday, October 12
If a catchier song has been released this year than the Drums' "Money" (off the just-released Portamento), I'll eat my hat. Everything about the song, from its surf-rock guitar to its squeaky-high chorus to its pathetically apologetic lyrics ("I want to buy you something, but I don't have any money") is addictively appealing. With Veronica Falls, io echo. Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-7416. 8 p.m. $12.
St. Vincent/Thursday, October 13
St. Vincent—née Annie Clark—released her third LP, Strange Mercy, last month, and critics are near-unanimously calling it one of the year's best albums. Her feverish but elegant songs reference everything from Hemingway to French New Wave film, while the purity of her vocals contrasted with her frenzied guitar riffs makes for a wonderfully strange effect. With Cate Le Bon. Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., 467-5510. 8 p.m. $15 adv./$18 DOS. All ages.
City Arts Festival/Thursday, October 20-Saturday, October 22
This year, City Arts is spreading big-name shows from Robyn to Ryan Adams to venues all over the city over three days, and after a summer of Bumbershoots and Block Parties, a festival that doesn't cram everything into one place all at once sounds perfect. Various venues, cityartsfest.com. All-access wristbands $69.
Robyn/Thursday, October 20
The glory of Robyn's masterful Body Talk trilogy—2010's finest pop record—came to a head earlier this year when it was nominated for a Grammy, and the Swedish superstar isn't slowing down. Her bombastic tour is still on the road, and she's reportedly already recording Body Talk's follow-up. With YACHT. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., 467-5510. 8 p.m. $28.50 adv./$33 DOS, or City Arts Fest wristband. All ages.
Built to Spill/Friday, October 21
Built to Spill hasn't had a new album since 2009's There Is No Enemy, a record after which frontman Doug Martsch briefly considered ending the band, but here in their native(-ish) Northwest, they never have a problem drawing a big crowd. With Disco Doom, Seapony. Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., 682-1414. 8 p.m. $25 adv./$30 DOS, or City Arts Fest wristband. All ages.
Jeff Beck/Friday, October 28
Jeff Beck, the legendary guitarist of the Yardbirds before his solid solo career, is widely recognized as one of rock's greatest guitarists—universities give him honorary doctorates for his contributions to music. At 67, he still tours regularly, just to show the young guns how it should be done. Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., 682-1414. 8 p.m. $23–$93. All ages.
COUNTRY by Gwendolyn Elliott
Robert Earl Keen/Wednesday, October 5
Keen's raspy voice lies precisely between the political ravings of Steve Earle and the rambling rants of Craig Finn. The Texas native and occasional collaborator with Lyle Lovett and Nancy Griffith is an unexpected booking for this hallowed hipster den. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467. 8 p.m. $20.
