POP/ROCK By Erin K. Thompson

Nada Surf/Thursday, February 2

At the end of January, Barsuk Records released longtime indie-rock heroes Nada Surf’s sixth LP, The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy. The band will promote the record at a show at the Neptune next month as well as at tonight’s more intimate affair, with an opening set by labelmate Eric Elbogen of Say Hi. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599. 9 p.m. $20.

Los Campesinos!/Saturday, February 4

This Welsh septet is touring on the back of their fourth album, last year’s Hello Sadness—an expertly crafted, exuberant pop record with tracks like the wry “Baby I Got the Death Rattle,” which details dealing with sexual frustration by drawing penises in the snow. Neptune Theatre, 1303 N.E. 45th St., 877-784-4849. 8 p.m. $16 adv./$18 DOS. All ages.

Stumptown Coffee Talent Night/Monday, February 6

Portland’s best coffee honors some of its most musical Seattle employees; tonight’s show will spotlight the squalling Constant Lovers, blues rockers Mongrel Blood (which includes members of the Murder City Devils), and SW‘s Best Garage Band of 2011, the awesome noisemakers of Koko and the Sweetmeats. With Roddy Lee, The Fancy Lads, Tenderfoot. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880. 9:30 p.m. $6.

Twin Sister/Tuesday, February 7

This young Long Island quintet’s crystalline In Heaven was one of last year’s most exquisite pop records; live, songs like “Kimmi in a Rice Field” and “Daniel” come off as even more sparkling and rhythmically sensual. With Ava Luna, Lemolo. Vera Project, 305 Harrison St., 956-8372. 7:30 p.m. $11. All ages.

Wilco/Tuesday, February 7

Wilco, one of America’s great live bands, is currently on the road in support of their adventurous latest record, The Whole Love, the first to be released on the band’s own label. It signals Wilco’s return after a year-long break, and was recently nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Album. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., 467-5510. 8 p.m. $41.25. All ages.

Eleanor Friedberger/Thursday, February 9

After spending nearly a decade as half of the quirky and critically acclaimed indie-rock duo Fiery Furnaces, Friedberger went solo last year with Last Summer, a rich and striking collection of piano-driven, Nilsson-esque pop tunes. With Dominant Legs. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618. 8 p.m. $12.

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour/Saturday, February 18

This Danish group has had songs featured in iPod Touch and Heineken commercials and has opened for both Amy Winehouse and Katy Perry. Their psychedelic swing music is lively and laced with funk. With Vacationer. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 8 p.m. $13.

The Presidents of the United States of America/Friday, February 17–Sunday, February 19

Following a rocking performance at KeyArena at last fall’s Bumbershoot, the Presidents are hitting the Showbox for a three-night stand, their annual PUSA Fest. They haven’t released an album since 2008’s These Are the Good Times People, but in this town they never have trouble selling tickets. Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151. Fri.–Sat., 8 p.m., 21 and over. Sun., 7 p.m., all ages. $20 adv./$25 DOS.

The Fresh and Onlys/Sunday, February 19

This San Francisco psych-pop quartet followed up 2010’s jangly Play It Strange with last year’s Secret Walls EP, a collection of five spectral, reverb-heavy guitar-rock tracks. Later this year, the prolific band will release another full-length on New York’s Mexican Summer. With Disappears, Black Whales. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8005. 8 p.m. $10.

Night Beats/Saturday, February 25

Night Beats are up there among Seattle’s best and most hyped psychedelic rock bands—their electrifying self-titled debut is currently sold out on their label Trouble in Mind’s website. Catch the frequent road warriors here in town before they head out for another tour in March. With Pierced Arrows. Comet Tavern, 922 E. Pike St., 322-9272. 9 p.m. $10.

COUNTRY By Gwendolyn Elliott

The Dusty 45s/Friday, February 3

The Seattle rockabilly roots troupe gathers some of their closest friends for a benefit show for Gimme Shelter with a spirit as rockin’ as the Americana bands on the bill. With the Maldives, Lazy Susan, Young Evils, Betsy Olson, Davidson Hart Kingsbery, the Purrs. Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151. 7 p.m. $15.

Nettle Honey/Thursday, February 9

These Folklife and Ballad Market buskers churn out fiddle-heavy, banjo-jangled string tunes with subtle, rich harmonies and a blithe spirit. With Blvd Park, Creeping Time. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599. 9 p.m. $6.

The Jayhawks/Thursday, February 9

On the heels of last year’s Mockingbird Time, these Twin Cities alt-country stewards and polished professionals swing through Seatown with their lush Americana rock. Neptune Theater, 1303 N.E. 45th St., 781-5755. 8 p.m. $25. All ages.

Dead Winter Carpenters/Friday, February 10

Hailing from Lake Tahoe, this jumpy roots-‘n’-roll outfit will warm up Ballard’s coziest pub with their alt-country, old-timey rock. Conor Byrne, 5140 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-3640. 9 p.m. $8.

Izzy Cox/Friday, February 10

With a barreling country wail that sounds at times like that of indie songstress Jolie Holland, Cox’s powerful stage presence and bluesy guitar work is something you won’t soon forget. With Shivering Denizens, the Hilltones. Slim’s Last Chance Chili Shack, 5606 First Ave. S., 762-7900. 9 p.m. $8.

Rachel Lyn Harrington & the Knock Outs/Tuesday, February 14

A winner of 2011’s MerleFest songwriting contest, Harrington’s soulful, rootsy croon (calling to mind elegant blueswoman Bonnie Raitt), woven through carefully crafted tunes, is pure country soul. With Side Saddle. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880. 9 p.m. $6.

Left Coast Country/Saturday, February 18

This fun-loving string band—a self-touted “fast-pickin’, easy-livin’, lady-lovin’, late-night-ramblin’, good-time-havin’ ” crew—is sure to keep things light and lively at the High Dive tonight. With the Strange Nails, Friends of Knuckleshead, Iosis. High Dive, 513 N. 36th St., 632-0212. 7 p.m. $7.

Water Tower Bucket Boys/Thursday, February 23

If you like your mountain music brisk and playful with youthful Avett Brothers–style harmonies, look no further than this world-touring quartet from Portland, centering a sprightly lineup at the oddly fitting Funhouse. With Rats in the Grass, Gravedigger. Funhouse, 206 Fifth Ave. N., 374-8400. 9:30 p.m. $5.

Massy Ferguson/Saturday, February 25

Named for a line of rugged tractors, this Americana rock band from Seattle is just as down-to-earth, with a catalog of alt-country songs about America’s hard-working, hard-drinking folk. With The BGP. Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. 8 p.m. $12 adv./$15 DOS. All ages.

Anna Coogan/Wednesday, February 29

This “Roots and urban Americana” songbird (and trained opera singer) crafts tender melodies and gently rolling ballads with a delicate touch. With Sam Russell. Columbia City Theater, 4916 Rainier Ave. S., 722-3009. 8 p.m. $10.

HIP-HOP By Todd Hamm

Hieroglyphics/Wednesday, February 1

This time out, the usually nine-count veteran Oakland group is touring sans a few members (notably the highly identifiable, cartoon-voiced Del Tha Funkee Homosapien). Take the opportunity to [re-]discover some underappreciated portions of their catalog. With Hi-Life Soundsystem. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618. 8 p.m. $12.

Scribes/Friday, February 3

This show is billed as a birthday bash for local boxing indie-rapper Scribes. Though the bill isn’t a knockout upon first glance, you should stop by to check out up-and-coming young guns Kung Foo Grip. With Cool Nutz, E and Dae, Kingz of Kush, DJ Astronomar; hosted by Grynch. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 8 p.m. $10. All ages.

Don’t Talk to the Cops!/Saturday, February 4

Tonight DTTTC! celebrates the release of its sophomore album Let’s Quit. Show up if you a) like having a good time or b) are a professional dancer and want to challenge djblesOne and/or Emecks to a dance-off. With Purple & Green, Sean Majors, Bgeezy, Hanibal. Baltic Room, 1207 Pine St., 625-4444. 9 p.m. $10.

JFK/Friday, February 10

Grayskul’s JFK kicks off his Break the Leg Tour with Kublakai (The Let Go) at Fremont’s cafe-by-day/club-by-night The White Rabbit. This should be a good chance to see two solid roleplayers shine in their own spotlight. With Griff J, Apakoliptik. White Rabbit, 513 N. 36th St., 588-0155. 9:30. $6.

Buck 65/Friday, February 17

“Hip-hop at the Tractor?!” you might have just exclaimed. It’s a rarity for sure, but really, if anyone can pull it off, it’d be the cowboy-tongued, baseball-playing Canadian poet/rapper Buck 65 and his oddball compositions. With Busdriver, Metal Chocolates, Sadistik. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599. 9:30 p.m. $15.

The Coup/Friday, February 17

This politically minded Bay Area duo is famous for delivering heavy social commentary (sometimes in ’70s pimp-speak, other times in a proper British accent) over dance-hall-ready funk beats, giving you equal cause to dance and stand up and fight. With Theoretics, DJ Funkscribe. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618. 8 p.m. $13.

Fatal Lucciauno/Friday, February 17

To further confuse your plans for tonight, Fatal is releasing his extra-mega-highly anticipated sophomore album Respect. If you’re even a casual fan of local hip-hop, you should be there. With Th3rdz, DJ Action Jackson. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8005. 9 p.m. $10.

Brothers From Another/Saturday, February 18

The semifinal round of EMP’s 11th annual Sound Off! battle of the bands presents a diverse bouquet of talented minors, fronted by on-the-rise chill-rap duo Brothers From Another. With Honora, Nude, Ulrich. EMP Sky Church, 325 Fifth Ave. N., 770-2700. 8 p.m. $8–$12. All ages.

THEESatisfaction/Saturday, February 18

The local rap duo previews their forthcoming Sub Pop debut, awE naturalE, on Town Hall’s Saturday Family Concert series (they ding you $20 for not bringing a kid!), so the form this show takes should be interesting. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 652-4255. 11 a.m. 12 and under free, adults $5–$25.

2Racks Rap Contest/Thursday, February 23

This traveling contest, hosted by San Francisco rap artist/promoter Sellassie, calls for local artists to pit their original songs against one another in a single-elimination tournament for two large ($2,000!). With lots of hungry rappers. Nectar, 412 N. 36th St., 632-2020. 8 p.m. $10.

DJ/ELECTRONIC By Eric Grandy

Justin Sloe/Friday, February 3

As one-third of L.A.’s Droog, Justin Sloe makes appealingly weird, warping deep house; expect a fine set of sneaky, low-frequency dance cuts. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St., 233-9873. 11 p.m. $10.

Body Heat 4: Safeword/Saturday, February 4

Classcadia’s latest at ETG brings San Francisco duo Safeword’s brand of sexy, insinuating tech-house for what’s sure to be an aptly named edition of Body Heat. With Pezzner, J-Sun, Misha, Joel Pryde. Electric Tea Garden, 1402 E. Pike St., 568-3972. 10 p.m. $12.

Second Sight: Cold Cave/Friday, February 10

Goth rave monthly Second Sight scores peerless synth-pop gloomers Cold Cave, stripped down to a drum machine–driven duo, for what is sure to be a massive blowout. With Rxch Wxtch, Ozma Otacava, Sh6rl6s6. Electric Tea Garden, 1402 E. Pike St., 568-3972. 10 p.m. $10.

Omar S/Friday, February 10

Detroit’s Omar S makes house and techno in that city’s finest tradition—kinetic, deep, and prizing dance-floor functionality over too-fussy smoothness. A worthy heir to the Motor City mantle. With Nordic Soul, Justin Timberline. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St., 233-9873. 10 p.m. $13 adv./$15 DOS.

Mux Mool/Saturday, February 11

This Ghostly International producer makes electronic beats at head-nodding tempos— the stuff of blunted instrumental hip-hop, basically—with absorbing depth and replay value. With Danny Corn, Ghost Feet, DJAO, Hooker. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8005. 9 p.m. $10.

Standard/Saturday, February 11

Bass music worth braving Pioneer Square for hits Temple Billiards’ Deep Down Lounge every second Saturday via Car Crash Set producers Cedaa, Ill Cosby, et al. With Astronomar. Temple Billiards, 126 S. Jackson St., 682-3242. 10 p.m. Free before midnight, $3 after.

Christopher Willits & The Sight Below/Wednesday, February 15

Forget Valentine’s Day—tonight’s ambient dinner and show celebrates pre-Roman lovefest Lupercalia, with world-class audio/visual immersions from SF’s Christopher Willits and Seattle’s Sight Below and food prepared by chef Travis Koster. Re-bar, 1114 Howell St., 233-9873. 6 p.m. $20 adv./$25 DOS.

Run DMT/Thursday, February 16

Two acts go by the admittedly great name Run DMT. One makes awesome, floor- crawling, fifth-plateau ambient hazes. But the one playing tonight makes hard-drilling dubstep for Mortal Kombat soundtracks. With Novatron, Northstar, DJ Darwin. Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St., 324-8005. 8 p.m. $10.

Mikael Stavöstrand & Randy Jones/Saturday, February 18

Sweden’s Stavöstrand produces fidgety minimal techno and microhouse that’s simultaneously deconstructed and funky; tonight, he’s joined by similarly smooth Seattle electro tinkerer Randy Jones. Electric Tea Garden, 1402 E. Pike St., 568-3972. 10 p.m. $5 before midnight, $10 after.

Grimes/Monday, February 20

Electro-pop performer Grimes is set to be one of 2012’s breakout oddities, a live looping singer/songwriter whose agile beats and fluttering voice only seem fragile. With Born Gold, USF. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880. 9:30 p.m. $8 adv./$10 DOS.

JAZZ By Benjamin Morrow

Bobby Broom & the Deep Blue Organ Trio/Tuesday, February 7–Wednesday, February 8

Broom began playing guitar at age 12 and never looked back. After touring with Sonny Rollins for years, he went on to record and/or perform with Kenny Burrell, Hugh Masekela, and Stanley Turrentine. For these two performances, Broom celebrates a classic jazz configuration: Hammond B3 organ, guitar, and drums. Jazz Alley, 2000 Sixth Ave., 441-9729. 7:30 p.m. $20.50.

Johnaye Kendrick Quartet/Friday, February 10

After studying at New Orleans’ prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute, then touring with acclaimed trumpeter Nicholas Payton, vocalist Kendrick has worked with many jazz legends. Now she’s on the way to becoming one herself. Tula’s, 2214 Second Ave., 443-4221. 7:30 p.m. $15.

Hossein Alizadeh and Pejman Hadidi/Thursday, February 16

Although he comes from a classical background, Iranian composer and setar player Alizadeh is a beautifully passionate improviser, and is considered one of the most important figures in contemporary Persian music. He’ll be joined by renowned percussionist/tombak player Hadadi. PONCHO Concert Hall, 710 E. Roy St., 323-1400. 8 p.m. $10–$15. All ages.

Fred Hoadley’s Sonando/Thursday, February 16

Sonando combines rhythms of Cuba and Puerto Rico, the improvisational aspects of jazz, and a classical harmonic sensibility. Most likely this is due to pianist and tres player Hoadley’s encouragement of each individual to bring something to the band, creating a Latin-jazz group always greater than the sum of its parts. Tula’s, 2214 Second Ave., 443-4221. 8 p.m. $10.

Regina Carter/Tuesday, February 21–Wednesday, February 22

With the release of Reverse Thread, Carter invites us into a world of hypnotically beautiful African folk melodies. Lauded as one of the finest violinists of her generation, Carter captures both the essence and the allure of the original music through a lens of contemporary interpretation. Jazz Alley, 2000 Sixth Ave., 441-9729. 7:30 p.m. $24.50.

Sachal Vasandani/Friday, February 24

Hi-Fly, this vocalist’s latest release, confirms the high praise showered on his two previous recordings—that he is one of the freshest, most versatile artists to emerge in recent memory. PONCHO Concert Hall, 710 E. Roy St., 323-1400. 8 p.m. $10–$20. All ages.

John Patitucci/Saturday, February 18

This three-time Grammy-winning bassist has been at the forefront of the jazz world for 25 years, both as a sideman and a leader. He has performed and/or recorded with luminaries like Dizzy Gillespie, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and Wynton Marsalis, and remains active as a composer, with 13 solo recordings. With Marc Seales. Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, UW campus. 2 p.m. $15. All ages.

The Benny Golson Quartet/Tuesday, February 28–Wednesday, February 29

Saxophonist Golson began his career with such greats as Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, and Lionel Hampton, and has changed the face of jazz for 55 years. He has recorded more than 30 albums and performed on five continents, and continues to bring his mastery of hard bop/bebop to music lovers around the world. Jazz Alley, 2000 Sixth Ave., 441-9729. 7:30 p.m. $24.50.

THE HEAVIES By Hannah Levin

Brokaw/Friday, February 3

Brokaw recently made the wise choice of signing with Good to Die Records, and tonight is the celebration of that local label’s release of the brashly beautiful Interiors. Also performing are the reliably volcanic Akimbo and darkly dramatic Deadkill. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880. 9 p.m. $7.

In Flames/Friday, February 3

This Swedish band has been making solid, melodic, and macabre metal for more than two decades; they are perfectly matched on this bill with younger thrash outfit Trivium. Veil of Maya and Kyng open. Showbox SoDo, 1700 First Ave. S., 628-3151. 6:30 p.m. $22 adv./$25 DOS. All ages.

Anvil/Saturday, February 18

The 2008 documentary about Anvil’s unflagging devotion to “making it big” is heartwarming stuff; their live shows are a bit more uneven, if still charming in their irrepressible enthusiasm for soldiering forth in an industry that was so negligent in giving them a break. Excellent local doom rockers Vultures 2012 open. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E., 381-3094. 8:30 p.m. $15 adv./$20 DOS.

Megadeth & Motörhead/Tuesday, February 21

As long as you’re all right with making the semi-epic drive to Kent, this show won’t likely disappoint, thanks to double-stacked headliners that consistently deliver the best of their back catalog with a minimal sprinkling of newer (and less compelling) material. With Volbeat, Lacuna Coil. ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St., Kent, 253-856-6777. 6:30 p.m. $38–$48. All ages.

Cold Cave’s Wesley Eisold.