WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto Pianist/composer Neto, a professor at Cornish College of the Arts. leads this Brazilian-jazz ensemble. Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave. S., 906-9920, theroyalroomseattle.com. 7:30 p.m. $12 adv./$15 DOS.Whitehorse This show’s two acts deliver similarly rootsy, forlorn takes on alt-country: the headliners, a husband-and-wife duo from Ontario, and local songwriter Star Anna. Tractor Tavern, 5231 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599, tractortavern.com. 9 p.m. $10. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6Charles Bradley and the Menahan Street Band Soul musician Bradley’s hardship-laden backstory reads like the synopsis of the latest musician biopic. The difference, however, is that he never made it big, his career sidetracked by working-class struggles and ample bad luck. Now, at 64, Bradley is performing regularly; there’s even a documentary, Soul of America, that shares his story. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442, neumos.com. 8 p.m. $18. The Stravinsky Riots This Renton outfit’s lo-fi recordings demonstrate a scrappy understanding of ’90s punk, with melodic bass lines and yelping, emo-in-a-good-way vocals. With Teeter Totter, Diamondwolf. Skylark, 3803 Delridge Way S.W., 935-2111, skylarkcafe.com. 8 p.m. $5. Widower Folk musician Kevin Large hasn’t released music as Widower in nearly four years, but his gorgeous new single “Oh Catherine, My Catherine,” from the upcoming Fool Moon, nicely atones for the hiatus. With Matt Hopper, J. Wong. Columbia City Theater, 4918 Rainier Ave. S., 723-0088, columbiacitytheater.com. 8 p.m. $10. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7Allen Stone Stone’s rapid, yearlong ascent from also-ran soul singer to Paramount headliner—built on undeniable talent and heaping globs of sincerity—mimics the equally improbable and meteoric rise, two years ago, of fellow locals The Head and the Heart. Whether that’s a compliment or an insult is up to you, but it’s fair to say that if you’re a fan of one, you’re probably a fan of both. With Lemolo, Choklate. The Paramount, 911 Pine St., 467-5520, stgpresents.org. 7 p.m. $21.25. All ages. Cave Singers These folky Seattle howlers hit the Showbox to romp, stomp, and boost bourbon sales with rising locals Poor Moon and Rose Windows. Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151. 8 p.m. $18 adv./$20 DOS. Devils of Loudun Sharing a name with an Aldous Huxley novel, this local group plays hyperactive, thrashy metal. With Onset the Shores, The Ludovico Treatment. Studio Seven, 110 S. Horton St., 286-1312, studioseven.us. 7 p.m. $7 adv./$9 DOS. All ages. The Maldives Billed as “the unofficial Ballard Ave. Christmas party,” this two-night show features the leading lights, arguably, of Seattle’s country scene, the Maldives—whose Muscle on the Wing garnered positive local reviews, including one from SW’s editor-in-chief Mike Seely. With the Moondoogies, Davidson Hart Kingsbery. Tractor Tavern. 9:30 p.m. $15 adv./$18 DOS. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8Knowmads The two MCs and DJ that make up KnowMads are only 21 years old, but they’ve been active in the local hip-hop scene for seven years. Their feel-good, laid-back rhymes wouldn’t sound out of place next to Grynch’s or Sol’s—the latter of whom guests on May’s The KnewBook. With RA Scion, Chev, Camila Recchio. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8005, chopsuey.com. 9 p.m. $12. All ages. Sufjan Stevens It’s December, which means that this Sufjan performance will be Christmas songs only, including new material from his forthcoming holiday album Silver & Gold. With Sheila Saputo. The Neptune. 6:30 p.m. $20. All ages. The Sword The latest from this heavy-metal four-piece is October’s Apocryphon, the band’s first record for label Razor & Tie, which is best known for releasing all 23 Kidz Bop albums. With Gypsyhawk, American Sharks. Neumos. 8 p.m. $15. The Tragically Hip Quietly reigning as one of Canada’s longest-tenured rock bands, the Hip are touring behind Now for Plan A, their 13th album. Showbox SoDo, 1700 First Ave. S., 652-0444, showboxonline.com. 8 p.m. Sold out. All ages. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9Bobby Jo Valentine This show commemorates the release of Valentine’s new album Home, which, per his website, is filled with “optimistic, honest messages about hope and day-to-day struggles.” With Andy Kong. JewelBox/Rendezvous, 2322 Second Ave., 441-5823, jewelboxtheater.com. 7 p.m. $12. Scrape Led by Seattle-based composer Steve Knapp, this 16-piece string-and-harp orchestra played a series of concerts with local jazz guitarist Bill Frisell earlier this year. Royal Room. 7:30 p.m. Free.Trixie Whitley The 25-year-old lead vocalist of Daniel Lanois’ Black Dub, Whitley is preparing to release her bluesy, emotional solo debut album, Fourth Corner, in January. Barboza, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467, thebarboza.com. 8 p.m. $10.Way South The 18-year collaboration of Jen Fox (vocals, bass) and Jim Snrec (guitar) shows in their rock group’s measured, fluid sound. With Kate Lynn Logan, Josephine Hobson. Skylark. 3 p.m. $5. All ages. MONDAY, DECEMBER 10Grave Babies These local noisemakers just announced a new album, Crusher, out on Hardly Art in February, and released the record’s hefty first single, “Over and Under Ground.” With Pony Time, Baby Guns, DJs Sharlese & Jermaine. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-7416, thecrocodile.com. 8 p.m. $5. All ages.Nouela The latest from singer/pianist Nouela Johnston is this summer’s Chants, which shows off equally her proficient keyboard chops and powerful vocals. With Social Studies, Detective Agency. Chop Suey. 8 p.m. $8. Tessa Souter On Beyond the Blue, Souter pairs original lyrics with classical melodies, showcasing her technically adept and versatile jazz vocals. Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave., 441-9729, jazzalley.com. 5:30 p.m. Free. All ages.Yuni in Taxco In June this garage-psych quintet released Prizes, its third exercise in experimental pop. With the Torn ACLs, the Groundblooms. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880, sunsettavern.com. 7:12 p.m. $6. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11Boys Noize German-born Alex Ridha is an accomplished techno DJ and producer as Boys Noise; he’s also the latest to jump on the dubstep train, teaming with Skrillex this year for “dirty house” project Dogs Blood. With Doorly. The Neptune. 8 p.m. $26.50 adv./$30 DOS. All ages.Caspar Babypants Outside of Raffi, children’s music is a genre largely devoid of big names, but Seattleite Chris Ballew has received national recognition for his kid-friendly folk songs. Easy Street Records, 559 California Ave. S.W., 938-327, easystreetonline.com. 6:30 p.m. Free. All ages. Karaoke-Grass With help from some friends, Todd and Paisley Gray of Pickled Okra will perform well-known karaoke hits in the fast-pickin’ bluegrass style. Someone please request “Don’t Stop Believing.” Nectar Lounge, 412 N. 36th St., 632-2020, nectarlounge.com. 7 p.m. Free.RC Looman A former punk and hardcore musician, Ryan Looman’s changed directions with this electro-pop endeavor, which blends programmed beats with abstract synth textures and processed vocals. With Pony Homie, Best Band From Earth. Sunset Tavern. 7:30 p.m. $6.