Wednesday, March 4

“Proud to Be Afrikan”—the opening track of avant-rap duo Chimurenga Renaissance’s latest, Kudada Nekuva Munhu Mutema (which means “Proud to Be Afrikan” in Shona, Zimbabwe’s native language)—really sets the tone for the rest of the EP. Using hints of the mbira, or thumb piano, that defined the group’s last full-length, riZe vadZimu riZe, and lyrics in both English and Shona, Tendai Maraire (also of Shabazz Palaces) and Hussein Kalonji play with the former’s Zimbabwean roots and the rap and hip-hop music they grew up with to create an EP that’s both globally influenced and locally grown. With Malitia MaliMob, DJ Chief Boima. Barboza, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9951, thebarboza.com. 8 p.m. $10. 21 and over.

Hailing from a hip-hop-centric city like Atlanta, EarthGang, the duo of Johnny Venus and Doctur Dot, faces a lot of pressure to do right by its hometown—a fact the pair acknowledges on “No Peace,” off their latest release, Shallow Graves for Toys. But Venus and Dot need not worry; the album is one they, and Atlanta, can be proud of. The pair mixes humor (“You faker than them Pradas”), personal anecdotes, and political commentary—especially on “Apophis (Welcome to America)”—to paint a candid picture of life in ATL. With Fashawn, DJ Exile, Sonreal, Def Dee, ZNi. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618, thecrocodile.com. 8 p.m. $12. All ages.

Thursday, March 5

There’s a certain intimacy to albums that are tracked live, and Los Angeles-based singer Tom Brosseau’s latest, Perfect Abandon, which he’s releasing at this show, is no exception. The album came together over two days as Brosseau and his band recorded onstage using one mike at a theater in England. Recording was a trial-and-error process of finding where to place each member so that no one element overwhelmed the track. Brosseau’s warm, folky voice is of course most prominent, but overall the album plays as if you were eavesdropping on a soundcheck. This show is also your first chance to get opener Tomo Nakayama’s solo debut, Fog on the Lens, on vinyl. Columbia City Theater, 4918 Rainier Ave. S., 723-0088, columbiacitytheater.com. 8 p.m. $10 adv./$12 DOS. 21 and over.

Canadian septet Hey Rosetta! gave itself almost four years between Seeds and Second Sight, its fourth full-length. While recording, the band gave each song the same space to evolve. The end product is a mix of both grandiose and subtle tunes with dynamic indie-rock and orchestral-pop layers. There’s a lushness to the album, which feels impressively expansive. “Kintsukuroi” is an energetic lead single, and “Cathedral Bells” hints at the band’s folky side. Album closer “Trish’s Song” is the simplest tune but also the most poignant, with lead singer Tim Baker accompanied solely by piano. The majority of Hey Rosetta! contributes vocally, which adds even more texture to Second Sight. With Quiet Life, Silver Torches. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880, sunset
tavern.com. 9 p.m. $8. 21 and over.

Friday, March 6

To honor his wife Zandy, who passed away at 33 after a short but fierce battle with breast cancer, Jason Sees created Zandy’s Families, an organization that provides financial support to Northwest families affected by cancer. At this launch event, called Hope in the Light, The Crying Spell, Jeff Angel, Ian Moore, Kris Orlowski, Star Anna, Alessandra Rose, Joe Reineke, V. Contreras, Joseph Giant, Henry at War, Jason Sees, and Erik Walters will perform to raise money for the nonprofit. Columbia City Theater. 8 p.m. $20. 21 and over.

Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave, the fourth album from Scottish post-punk trio The

Twilight Sad, could easily be heard as a beginner’s guide to the band, which covers the scope of its sound by revisiting genres it experimented with on previous releases. “I Could Give You All That You Don’t Want” and “Drown so I Can Watch” are driving rock tunes; “In Nowheres” and the title track are feedback-heavy; and simplistic album-closer “Sometimes I Wished I Could Fall Asleep” features little more than vocals and piano. Front man James Graham (think Morrissey with a Scottish brogue) ties it all together with alluring moodiness. With Port St. Willow, Navvi. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599, tractortavern.com. 9 p.m. $12. 21 and over.

Saturday, March 7

After two years of renovations, a much-needed new venue is finally opening its doors with the Ballard Homestead Opening Night Event. The Abbey Arts–curated space plans to host art, music, and cultural events to audiences of all ages and incomes, and will kick that off with two shows. The early one features puppet maker Stephani, fiddler Kristian Swearingen, and the Not-Its!, as well as tours of the Homestead, art, and games. The later show will celebrate with live painting from Skye Graves; Sophia Duccini & Lizzie Weber; Jon Pontrello of the Moondoggies; Debbie Miller; and Courtney Marie Andrews. Plus, Pecado Bueno will host a free taco bar at both shows while provisions last. Ballard Homestead, 6541 Jones Ave. N.W., 414-8325, ballard
homestead.org. 4 p.m. Donation. All ages.

Americana duo Aubrey Zoli (vocals, percussion) and Matt Hart (vocals, acoustic/electric guitar), aka The

Local Strangers, are giving fans two completely different experiences with its double album, Take What You Can Carry, being released at this show. On disc one, Zoli and Hart are joined by a full band on tunes like “Gasoline,” which is both dark and romantic, and “W.W.,” an ominous ditty with a killer guitar riff. On disc two, Zoli and Hart strip those same tunes down to the bare essentials during an acoustic set recorded live at Ballard Homestead. But plugged in or acoustic, both discs have the band’s signature grit. With Vaudeville Etiquette, the Banner Days. Columbia City Theater. 8:30 p.m. $10 adv./$12 DOS. 21 and over.

Anyone with a basic knowledge of country-punk quartet Supersuckers has a pretty good idea what to expect from The Value of Nothing, the latest from lead singer/bassist Eddie Spaghetti. Nothing, his first solo collection of originals, features the same blend of rock-’n’-roll attitude and Southern twang as his main act, but he’s sanded down his rough edges a bit with more introspective tunes like “You Get to Be My Age” and the sweetly blunt album closer “When I Go, I’m Gone.” Fans of Spaghetti’s crasser side won’t be disappointed, though. As long as Spaghetti is performing, songs like “If Anyone’s Got the Balls” and “People Are Shit” will be in his repertoire. With Hartwood, Junkyard Amy Lee, Sioux City Pete. El Corazon, 109 Eastlake Ave. E., 262-0482, elcorazonseattle.com. 
10 p.m. $10 adv./$12 DOS. 21 and over.

In a roundabout way, Trinidad-born, New York-raised rapper Theophilus London’s star didn’t really start rising in the U.S. until he moved to Europe. In Paris, London played Kanye West a synth-heavy tune called “Neu Law,” which appears on London’s sophomore album, Vibes. West was so taken with the track, he agreed to be featured on a song (“Can’t Stop”) and executive-produce the album. Having West’s name attached definitely brought more ears to the project, but London would’ve no doubt broken through on his own sooner or later; Vibes is a collection of wayward R&B-tinged genres that London makes cohesive. With Father, dj100proof. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442. 8 p.m. $20. 21 and over.

Don’t knock Harmonic Gymnastics until you try it. This showcase, which seeks to generate healing vibrations with a variety of performances, kicks off with a crystal-bowl sound bath by Amber West; then Star Child (aka Portland’s Kate Rose) will use otherworldly synth tones, Qigong (a practice to align the body and mind), and crystal vibrational channeling to create a space for “inter-dimension traveling.” Then Ian Paige, also from Portland, will soothe the audience even more with his ethereal mixtape, Synth Wizard Yoga, before local duo Ecstatic Cosmic Union wraps things up with its own celestial tunes. Audience members are invited to bring yoga mats or blankets for maximum relaxation and meditation. Society of Wonder, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way S.W., 923-0917, youngstownarts.org. 8 p.m. $5–$15 donation.