Friday, March 7
Angel Olsen may not yet be a household name, but for fans it’s clear that the Missouri-born, Chicago-bred roots-rock artist is having her moment (or is about to). Having already worked with a number of American indie-rock champions, including Tim Kinsella of Cap’n Jazz and LeRoy Bach of Wilco, it’s apparent there’s something special about Olsen. And with four full-length albums under her belt, she continues to build a reputation as an emotive performer whose rich vocals prove the perfect catalyst for her brave, engaging songs. It’s for these reasons, among others, that her newest release, Burn Your Fire for No Witness, is such a gem. It’s Olsen’s most personal work to date—a collection of stories she brings to life with the help of a full backing band that spans the gamut of emotions, from sad and thoughtful ballads to bold and expressive rock cuts. Onstage, the songs, and Olsen herself, are sure to be both captivating and cathartic. With Cian Nugent, Shenandoah Davis. Barboza. 7 p.m. $12 adv. 21 and over. KEEGAN PROSSER
It’s tempting to dismiss anything happening at the Hard Rock Cafe as corp-rock garbage, and I usually do, but Hard Rock Rising is perhaps the exception. Billed as a “global battle of the bands,” each cafe holds a series of live competitions, then forwards the best band to nationals. Tonight’s show is round two. I was a judge in a preliminary round last year, and was happily reminded that whenever you get a teenager and an electric guitar in the same room, a whole lot of crotch action isn’t far behind. There was something organic and unpretentious about the entire show that is hard to find not just in Hard Rock Cafes but on Capitol Hill as well. The wrong band won my round, but I left satisfied nonetheless. Bands TBA. Hard Rock Cafe. 8 p.m. Free. DANIEL PERSON
SXSW Send Off SXSW, meet the PNW. Three local favorites—alternative synth-pop trio The Flavr Blue, featuring “White Walls” singer Hollis; soul/hip-hop chanteuse Shaprece; and James Apollo, who leads a group of bluesy indie-rock musicians—will make their way to the annual Austin, Texas festival. But before they hit the road to the land of endless barbecue, they’ll show us exactly what makes them SXSW material. Neumos. 8 p.m. $5 adv. 21 and over. ACP
G-Eazy, the so-called “James Dean of hip-hop,” best known for his reimagining of the 1960s hit “Runaround Sue,” releases his next album, These Things Happen, soon. With Rockie Fresh and Kyle. The Showbox. 8 p.m. SOLD OUT. MFB
Saturday, March 8
Kultur Shock, Chop Suey. See our feature about the band
here
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The seventh event in Fremont Abbey’s Cathedrals Concerts series features Danish songstress/pianist Agnes Obel, accompanied by cellist Anne Mueller and Timber Timbre’s Mika Posen on viola, performing songs from Obel’s sophomore album Aventine. Its sparseness, a result of minimal instrumentation and Obel’s smoky, jazzy vocals, should be magnified by the cathedral’s resonant acoustics. With Bryan John Appleby. St. Mark’s Cathedral. 8 p.m. $17–$19. All ages. ACP
OCnotes defies most hip-hop trends. While many producers are moving toward dubstep samples and brutal bass drops, OCnotes is forging his own genre he calls “AlienBassBooty,” which he says is based on a foundation of freedom and artistic expression. It incorporates psychedelic guitar lines and woozy synth runs, and he’s creating danceable beats in new, innovative ways. With WD4D, Chef Jerm. Lucid. Free. 21 and over. DH
Common Kings touts itself as an assorted-genre band, with influences from pop, rock, R&B, reggae, and soul that it blends into its own type of “island music.” With members of Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan, and Fijian origins and inspiration from artists from Led Zeppelin and D’Angelo to Jim Croce and the King of Pop himself, the California-based quartet has found a formula that creates a perfect harmony from its own backgrounds and musical journeys. Pair lead singer Sasualei “Junyer King” Maliga’s soulful vocals with the vibrant beats created by his band mates Ivan, Mata, and Rome, and you’ve got a smooth sound with an island twist that makes you feel good inside. Popular single “Wade in Your Water” and tracks from the August 2013 EP Summer Anthems, Common Kings whisk listeners away to a place of sun, sand, and “good vibes” all around. With Island Bound and Tribal Order. The Showbox. 9 p.m. SOLD OUT. All ages. MARGERY CERCADO
There have been big developments in the world of Campfire OK. Frontman Mychal Cohen got married. Congrats, Mychal. May your unending joy not impinge on your ability to write arresting lyrics like “orphan life I lead on a bridge to nowhere,” which appears on your latest collection When You Have Arrived. And if it does, who cares? You still have that incredible sense of melody, knack for dramatic pop compositions, and a crack band behind you. With Tango Alpha Tango, the Green Pajamas. Sunset Tavern. 9 p.m. $7 adv. 21 and over. MARK BAUMGARTEN
Sunday, March 9
Countless musical trends have come and gone, but Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and its blend of jazz, swing, and rock have persevered. The septet, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year and released its eighth album, Rattle Them Bones, in 2012, shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Snoqualmie Casino. 7 p.m. $19–$47. 21 and over. ACP
