Bloglander

Once again, it’s Friday. Get your buns out into the freezing night air and hit up a show or two.

TONIGHT
Los Angeles’ Haunted Summer has successfully capitalized on the current popularity of dream pop but still has something new to offer to the genre. Husband-and-wife duo Bridgette Eliza Moody and John Seasons are the group’s mainstays, but they have smartly added other musicians to the mix, taking their music to a bolder, higher level. The use of clarinet especially enhances and grounds their sound as Moody's augmented vocals and Seasons’ languid guitar licks add ethereal layers. They bring this music to the Big Dipper tonight for a show that includes local electronic openers Sea Giant and Crystalline. The all-ages show is $10 and starts at 8 pm.

Meanwhile, at the Checkerboard Bar, another husband/wife duo will also take to the stage. This is local folk act Feral Anthem’s first show since releasing their debut album Ballast & Bone. Take a listen to the sailor anthem and lead-off single “Ballast Song” here. Former Inlander staffer Jacob Jones opens the show, which starts at 9 pm and is free. Read our preview story on the band here.

Local artist Nicole Lewis' distinct pop-country vibe has sent her in the direction of Nashville, where she recorded demos last year. Now she plays tonight at Chateau Rive as part of the venue’s winter concert series. The show begins at 8 pm.

SATURDAY
The Palomino continues to prove it’s more than just a country music venue with Saturday’s local rock concert, which features Nixon Rodeo (who are releasing a brand new single at the event), Free the Jester, Elephant Gun Riot and the Broken Thumbs.The all-ages show begins at 7 pm and is free for those who already have a ticket (get those from the band or venue prior to the event). 

The Holy Broke is indie singer-songwriter Kent Ueland’s full-time gig right now. He has a fascinating new album, Do It Yourself, about wrestling with depression and heartbreak, which he’s releasing at the Bartlett Saturday tonight. Openers include Planes on Paper and Matt Arthur. The all-ages show is $12 and starts at 8 pm. Read our recent feature on Ueland here.

SUNDAY
When you’re Rob Zombie’s little brother, you have to find your own way in the metal world. And that’s what Michael Cummings (aka Spider One) has tried to do with Powerman 5000. His band creates industrial, sci-fi-influenced metal featuring lyrics about things like mythical creatures and robot violence. Founded in 1991 in Boston, the five-piece finally made the Top 40 twice with their hits "When Worlds Collide" and "Nobody's Real” in the late ’90s. Through many member departures and multiple studio albums, Cummings is the lone original member. The band’s newest disc Builder of the Future proves they’re as loud and crazy as ever. Kind of hard to believe they'll be hitting up such an intimate venue, the Big Dipper, Sunday at 7 pm. Cost for the all-ages show is $25 at the door.