Fairport Convention -- Boasting Sandy Denny and Richard Thompson among its famous alumni, Fairport Convention's sometimes ethereal and often jovial tunes have become staples in the annals of British folk and Celtic music. The distinct intonation of folk from the British Isles is still there, even after the passage of decades since their formation in the 60s, yet the band manages to remain relevant in the contemporary scene. The current line-up, Simon Nicol, Chris Leslie, Dave Pegg, Gerry Conway and Ric Sanders, are touring in support of the freshly released Over the Next Hill. Neighborhood Theatre (Shukla)
International Orange -- International Orange features Triangle-based guitarist/vocalist Snüzz Uzzell (Ben Folds, Bus Stop), bassist Robert Sledge (Ben Folds Five), drummer "Jason Faggotron," and the one and only Django Haskins, whom you may know from his work with the late NYC-based jangle-pop band Django and the Regulars. The band's debut release, the John Plymale-recorded Spoon Box, is an out-and-out winner for those who like their pop/rock served up buffet style. Whether it's Haskins, Sledge, or Uzzell holding the tongs, it all tastes pretty sweet. With Cari Clara. Tremont Music Hall (Davis)
Seth Walker and the Differentials -- Born and raised in North Carolina, Walker now calls Austin his home. There must be something in the water in that musical town that grooms so many worthy musicians, including Walker, who is a fine weaver of blues, rock and country. Walker's newest batch, On the Outside, is a more pop-oriented effort than his earlier honky tonk and blues-derived recordings. His writing is also more reflective than earlier efforts, but the band is comfortable playing either blues or pop-embellished country-rock. Double Door Inn (Shukla)
FRIDAY 10.15
Breaking Laces -- Elvis Costello and Ben Folds come to mind when listening to the Breaking Laces. The trio has no qualms about proclaiming themselves geek-rockers as they happily fuse melodic pop with well-conceived acoustic and electric emo. The key here is songwriting, where the conspirators actually spend time bemoaning over melody and hooks and riffs and those pesky lyrics. The youngsters from NYC obviously know a thing or two about song-craft and add a touch of humor enhanced by frontman Willem Hartong's pleasing voice. The Evening Muse (Shukla)
Calabi Yau / Horse Thief -- The epileptic fervor of Calabi Yau -- equal parts math rock, free improv, and Derrida-like deconstruction of form, melody, and musical time -- is a real nice pairing with the brutal time signatures, machine gun dynamics, and ocean-deep churn of Horse Thief, who you're instantly going to love or hate after about one song. I happen to really dig 'em. Either way, you'll probably be able to hear it from a mile away. With Manamid. The Room (Davis)
Go Machine -- Chapel Hill's self-declared "only sad-eyed country-electro-rock-fusion" trio begins a two-week southeastern tour with this date. Go Machine's eclectic sound is built around theremin and violin, and includes a good bit of laptop as well, meaning this won't be your standard power trio or country crooning. More like (mellower) Radiohead meets Whiskeytown. With co-Bu Hanan Records artists The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers : easily one of the best band names out there. SK Net Cafe. (Schacht)
SATURDAY 10.16
Bob Dylan Tribute -- A host of local musicians will offer up their musical renditions of some of Bob's best-known classics, along with plenty of his lesser-known gems. Among a lengthy and intriguing lineup: Randolph Lewis, Clay Cook, JD Wilson, the Federals (Lenny and Mike), Bill Stroupe, The Near Misses, Tom Eure, justincase and many, many more. The Evening Muse (Schacht)
Jon Shain -- Jon Shain's latest CD, No Tag, No Tail Light, was produced by the Zelig-like British drummer Dave Mattacks (Richard Thompson, XTC, Paul McCartney), who chose Shain's project for his first United States stint in the producer's chair. Currently working on a new CD with Mattacks, the former Flyin' Mice frontman and NC resident has been steadily building a crowd for his take on Piedmont Blues, folk, swing, and country over the last few years, leading one to think he might not be opening shows for much longer. With Leon Russell. Neighborhood Theatre (Davis)
SUNDAY 10.17
Teitur -- A Teitur fan on amazon.com described the artist as sounding like "David Gray sans angst." Which pretty much says it all, I think, even though the reviewer no doubt meant the remark in a positive way. All the ingredients are there -- a melodic voice, world-weary lyrics, a little guitar jangle/electronic wash as backing -- but the whole thing sort of wears on you after a while in much the same way water wears on a rock. Softly, but consistently. Neighborhood Theatre (Davis)
WEDNESDAY 10.20
Capleton / Cocoa Tea -- Capleton's occasional forays into gay bashing lyrics make it tough to recommend him, even though it's been a part of the Jamaican dancehall toasters' testosterone-loaded scene for years (and he's no Beenie Man). His misguided bravado aside, give Capleton credit for damn infectious beats and rhymes regaled with Rastafarian mysticism. Capleton's knack for mixing helps avoid the pitfalls of repetition that's so common in dancehall. Cocoa Tea is more akin to a classic soul singer favoring reggae as the musical backdrop. Cocoa Tea has done plenty of dancehall records, but he shines most when he gets down to the business of crooning. Also on the bill are Jah Thunder and Moses-I. Amos' Southend (Shukla)