Wednesday, Feb. 4

Location, location, location. Not only is it important in real estate, but it also helps the recording process. Well, at least it did for singer/songwriter Jimbo Mathus, known for his role in Squirrel Nut Zippers. For his ninth album, Dark Night of the Soul, Mathus visited Dial Back Sound Studio in Mississippi for nearly a year, recording bits and pieces of songs as they came to him with the help of Fat Possum Records’ Bruce Watson, who operates the studio. Together, Mathus and Watson gathered 12 tracks that cover the spectrum of Southern music: blazing rock jams, rollicking country tunes, and heartfelt blues, all featuring Mathus’ homegrown twang. With Barton Carroll. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599, tractortavern.com. 8 p.m. $10. 21 and over.

Thursday, Feb. 5

Multi-instrumentalist Jordan Evans and vocalist/guitarist Pete Hanks, aka electro-rock duo Murder Vibes, came seemingly out of nowhere late last year with their self-titled debut, but the album, both dreamy and dark, is already making a big impact. Hanks’ vocal channeling of Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan, and brooding lyrics like “Did you ever love me?/You can tell the truth/Did you ever love me?/I made up everything,” from “Oceans,” build a somber foundation, but synth-driven moments from Evans, especially on tracks like “Right One” and “Not Alone Tonight,” add some light at the end of the tunnel. With Nyves, Zoolab. Barboza, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9951, the
barboza.com. 8 p.m. $8 adv. 21 and over.

Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, aka Maryland-based rapper Logic, just turned 25, but he’s already had the life experience of someone twice his age—all of which he’s chronicled on his debut album, Under Pressure. On “Soul Food,” the rapper recalls seeing eviction notices posted on his door while dealing with a drug-addicted mother and a father who was M.I.A., and on “Gang Related,” Logic gets into the mindset of his brother, a former drug dealer. But as Logic notes in “Intro,” he’s on top despite a rough past. “I used to wonder what it feel like/But now, I know, achieved the goal/I ran the race, I won the gold.” With DJ Rhetorik, Michael Christmas. The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151, showboxpresents.com. 9 p.m. $22. All ages.

Can’t get enough of Fox and the Law’s live show? Well, you’ll soon be able to listen to not one but two of the garage-rock quartet’s energetic concerts anytime you want. At this show, the band is releasing Live From the Banana Stand, a set it recorded at the Portland-based record label of the same name. And at the end of the month, Fox and the Law will release Live From Capitol Hill Block Party. Together, these albums, no doubt full of distorted vocals and bluesy guitar riffs, should keep fans busy as the band enters the studio to record its fourth full-length. With Wolfgang Fuck, Sashay, SSDD. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880, sunsettavern.com. 9 p.m. $10. 21 and over.

Though it’s been almost three years, I can still vividly recall the first time I heard Kris Orlowski. My mom and I were browsing at an art festival in Coeur d’Alene when we heard a rich, smoky voice ring out from one of the stages. The more we heard, the less we cared about our shopping, and we began to follow the sound until we happened upon Orlowski and crew. I rarely have such a visceral reaction to music, but with Orlowski it was love at first listen. With three EPs and a full-length, Believer, under his belt, it’s safe to say the band has captivated many a listener in the same way. With Le Wrens (Thursday), Hollow Wood (Friday). Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333, thetripledoor.net. Through Friday. 8 p.m. $20 adv./$25 DOS. All ages.

Friday, Feb. 6

For this month’s Community Partnership Showcase, which benefits a new local organization each month, KEXP’s Sharlese Metcalf and her Audioasis crew are hosting indie-folk singer/songwriter and Postal Service collaborator Jen Wood

in support of Street Yoga, a program that brings yoga to young people facing adversity throughout the city. Wood’s latest, Wilderness, is more piano-driven than previous releases but just as personal. In it, over sweeping synth elements from Andy Myers (Stenobot, Supercommuter), the singer examines the impact her early exposure to Christian culture had on her life. This piano/synth combo works to update Wood’s sound without making it unrecognizable. With Tangerine, Ruler. Columbia City Theater, 4918 Rainier Ave. S., 723-0088, columbiacity
theater.com. 9 p.m. $7 adv./$8 DOS. 21 and over.

JusMoni, also known as Mother Sister and Saffroniaa, has taken New Year’s resolutions to a whole new level. This year, the electro-soul singer plans to work on her next full-length album; inspire young people across the country to “become ministers of culture and urban historians”; build sustainable food farms for communities of color; and move to India for three months with her son. Whew! The singer has set up a GoFundMe page to help her accomplish these goals, and while she still has quite a way to go before reaching her target of $3,000, determination like that will certainly help. With 9th Wonder, Romaro Franceswa, Dex Amora. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618, thecrocodile.com. 8 p.m. $11. 21 and over.

Emily Westman and Andrew Vait met as undergrads in Florida. After graduation, the pair moved to Seattle and began to flourish in the scene with solo projects and as members of Blunt Mechanic, the Torn ACLs, Lemolo (Westman), and Eternal Fair (Vait). The pair were musically reunited after Vait sang as part of a Queen tribute put together by Seattle Rock Orchestra, for which Westman drums and arranges. Having performed as indie-pop duo SISTERS for just under a year now, Westman and Vait are combining the best of both worlds when the Rock Orchestra backs them up on arrangements of their debut EP, Diamonds of Gold. With Tamara Power-Drutis, Maiah Manser. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442, neumos.com. 8 p.m. $12. 21 and over.

Saturday, Feb. 7

“Eclectic” doesn’t even begin to cover the self-titled debut from The Ramblin’ Years. Before the nine-track album is finished, the local quintet bounces from country-tinged rock to folk to hip-hop and back. Album opener “Hold On to You” seems like a straightforward country tune until Daniel Dunn comes through with a jazz club–worthy saxophone solo. And songs like “Stay Away” and “Stone by Stone” feature rhythm guitarist Katie Sweeney’s jazzy vocals and lead guitarist Sean Clavere alternating between singing and rapping. With Exohxo, Silver Torches. Columbia City Theater. 9 p.m. $8 adv./$10 DOS. 21 and over.

After 10 years together, the Maldives have become synonymous with alt-country, both in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The band’s latest, Muscle for the Wing, which was produced by Shawn Simmons (The Head and the Heart, Grand Hallway), builds on its debut full-length, Listen to the Thunder, and finds the septet, fronted by Jason Dodson, even more in sync. Though the Maldives can throw down a heavy riff with ease, as on “Blood on the Highway,” there’s a folkier side to Muscle, as on album opener “I’m Gonna Try” and closer “Go Back to Virginia,” that keeps things fresh. Neumos. 8 p.m. $12. 21 and over.

The Devil Makes Three

are pros at the ol’ bait-and-switch. The California trio’s latest, I’m a Stranger Here, is incredibly jovial on the surface, but when you look past the upbeat bluegrass and really listen to the lyrics, darker elements become more apparent. “Dead Body Moving” tells the story of someone coming to terms with death; “Worse or Better” deals with rough relationships; the band personifies substance abuse on “Mr. Midnight.” It’s easy to use upbeat tunes as an excuse to sugarcoat lyrics, but The Devil Makes Three (guitarist/singer Pete Bernhard, upright bassist/vocalist Lucia Turino, and multi-instrumentalist Cooper McBean) have struck a balance between catchiness and brutal honesty. With Joe Pug. The Paramount, 911 Pine St., 682-1414, stgpresents.org/paramount. 8 p.m. $21.25 adv./$26.25 DOS. All ages.

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Though her lyrics are sometimes borderline slurred (see: “West Memphis”), bluesy rock singer Lucinda Williams’ voice is so expressive, it’s hard not to jump from one emotion to the next as quickly as she does when listening to her 11th studio album, Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone. Williams is no-nonsense on “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” melancholic on “It’s Gonna Rain,” optimistic on “Stand Right by Each Other” and “Walk On,” and grateful on “Stowaway in Your Heart.” Handling the lengthy project like the pro she is, she takes every opportunity across the double album’s 20 songs to showcase her distinctive rasp. With Kenneth Brian Band. The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., 682-1414, stgpresents.org/neptune. 8 p.m. $37.50 adv./$40 DOS. All ages.

Pennsylvania rock six-piece Dr. Dog has been together for more than 15 years, but Live at a Flamingo Hotel marks the band’s first live album—which is a shame, as it’s onstage that the group really shines. Flamingo Hotel’s set list should please Dr. Dog fans new and old, as the band stretches back to its early discography for songs like “Say Ahhh” and “County Line” from its debut album, Toothbrush, while also including tunes like “The Truth” and “Broken Heart” from its latest studio release, B-Room. The entrancing quality of the band’s live shows comes through loud and clear on Flamingo Hotel, which should satisfy fans unable to see the real thing themselves. With Hanni El-Khatib. Showbox. 8 p.m. $26.50. All ages.