by Jonathan Leeder
This weekend, you either gotta’ be going big (Jay Z & Mary J. Blige tour playing a cluster of NYC area shows) or not so big, which is basically anything else. If you didn’t have the cheddah to get into the big event, perhaps these gigs will give bring some love to the heart of the city.

On Thursday night Back Door Slam will be dropping their hard blues rock sound at The Mercury Lounge. Word from the SXSW fest has these guys blowin’ up big-time real soon, so this might be the chance to see them at a kickass smaller venue with superb sound.

A three night run of the totally eclectic, comedic, gonzo-esque The Heavenly States is going down at Pianos Thu-Fri-Sat nights. These guys are a midwestern band unlike any you’ve heard before. Their music reminds me of the tagline to the movie FARGO. “A lot can happen in the middle of nowhere.” (Psst, also not in the hood but jazz living legend Ornette Coleman is playing uptown. American Icon, need I say more?)

Saturday evening finds Fleet Foxes at The Bowery Ballroom. This odd ensemble from the Pacific Northwest could have been opening shows for The Band back in the day. They draw from that old-timey sound and write songs about yesteryear. Ola Podrida and Blitzen Trapper share the stage that night.

Winding down the weekend on Sunday, head out to see indie-rocker John Vanderslice at The Mercury Lounge. I don’t know too much about John except some gal I used to date was obsessed, and she was pretty cute, so maybe he attracts that kind of crowd.

by Jonathan Leeder
This Thursday at Pianos is The Golden Dogs a jammy but hard rocking band that isn’t scared to play some cover songs in their set.

Over at The Bowery Ballroom is Hurt, an Alt-Metal band signed to Capitol records. They will be playing material from their sophomore record, and are supported by Tunnels To Holland.

Friday night finds Citay at The Cake Shop. Imagine the softer side of a Metallica or Zeppelin coupled with blissed out harmonies a la The Beach Boys. There are a lot of people in this band, and since the Cake Shop isn’t too big, expect a crowd. If it’s too crowded you can sit upstairs and eat cake!

Misha is playing The Delancey on Saturday evening. Picture an ambient Nina Simone re-incarnated into a white hipster chic from Brooklyn. This music is down lowwwwwww, so if you’re looking to rock out, look elsewhere.

On Sunday, check out Le Loup at The Mercury Lounge fresh off their first trip to SXSW. Although I can’t say I really get these guys, and I can say I find leader Sam Sinkoff’s maestro complex a tad annoying, they do make some interesting music and drew quite a bit of attention down in Austin. Perhaps it is time to add them to the list of DC bands busting out of the district.

By Jonathan Leeder

Fab Faux - I am the Walrus
So you’re not making it to Austin this weekend for the SXSW festival. Don’t boo-hoo, there is tons of great music happening right here!
This Thursday if you’re looking for something really unique and pretty, head over to The Living Room for Red Heart The Ticker, a husband/wife indie folk duo. They go on at 9 p.m., so make sure you make it on time, and bring some money for the red bucket, the show is free, but tips are appreciated!
On Friday at The Bowery Ballroom is The Fab Faux, a Beatle cover band. I wouldn’t typically endorse or promote a cover band, but these guys are really something more then that. Led by Jimmy Vivino from Conan O’Brien’s late-night band, all the musicians are well established professionals. They make every effort to recreate the later day Beatle masterpieces to perfection. So if you are a big Beatle fan, or music fan in general, you should check this one out.
Saturday night brings The Blue Method to Crash Mansion on the Bowery. Method’s music is of the funk soul variety, and they have shared the stage with diverse veterans like Soulive, John Legend, Chick Corea, and Ween. One word to describe their sound would be solid. They can swing too. The venue is a popular weekend club so be prepared to get there early or wait in line, this is the type of place that likes to have a line of people waiting outside, if its packed or not.
Sunday night I typically go the mellow route, but not this time. I’m going to check out C Phineas at The Mercury Lounge. One of the best artists and shows I saw this past year was Brooklyn’s Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, who is leading the front for the revival of Soul music. If Sharon is in front, C Phineas is joining arms and ready for the good fight. Finally, I don’t have to look backwards for Otis, Marvin, James, Aretha, Gladys, etc. There are new cats out there and C Phineas is one of them.

by Jonathan Leeder
This Thursday at the Alphabet Lounge on Ave C is Boo Boo Cousins. They are a live hip-hop band that blends in rock and soul music on top of break beats and rhymes.

I’m super excited to see Jukebox The Ghost who will be performing at Pianos. I missed these guys the last time they were in Brooklyn because they sold out the house. I did hear they have some new material and have been playing super upbeat performances since releasing their first album Let Live and Let Ghosts. Come and be prepared…

On Friday night, Ra Ra Riot will grace the stage at The Bowery Ballroom. Ra Ra Riot took a devastating blow this past summer when their drummer tragically died. Some say what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger, and the band is trying to push on. Sam Rosen will be supporting.

Saturday night brings the always incredible Exit Clov to The Annex. This is a band worthy of buzz, and don’t be surprised if you see some suits in the club They will be playing with Pretty and Nice who they are currently on tour with. Sam Rosen will be supporting.

Sunday night is all about keeping it low key, Adam Payne will be doing just that at the Sidewalk Cafe on Ave A.