Wednesday, Nov. 5

For Event 2, Deltron 3030’s second concept album set in a dystopian future, the alt-hip-hop trio of Dan the Automator, Del the Funky Homosapien, and Kid Koala brought together a hodgepodge of featured artists. Actors David Cross, Amber Tamblyn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (with whom Dan the Automator collaborates as part of jazz-pop duo Got a Girl); musicians including AWOLNATION’s Aaron Bruno, Rage Against the Machine’s Zack de la Rocha, singer/multi-instrumentalist Emily Wells, and rapper Black Rob; and chef David Chang all contribute to the album’s futuristic feel, some through skits, others through vocals. Released 13 years after the trio’s self-titled debut, Event 2 is just as sonically epic as its predecessor. The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151, showboxpresents.com. 9 p.m. $29.50 adv./$35. All ages.

Friday, Nov. 7

Though his career was cut short by an overdose at just 26, Gram Parsons made a huge impact on the worlds of both country and rock. His ability to combine folk lyricism with rock-&-roll energy and the emotion of country and blues was practically unparalleled. On this Gram Parsons Tribute Night, local musicians, including Country Dave & the New Fallen Angels, Hart Kingsbery, Gaye Winsor, and Caitlin Sherman, honor Parsons for his musical contributions. The set list will include songs from all Parsons’ bands—including International Submarine Band, the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers—and both his solo releases, GP and Grievous Angel, played in their entirety. Also with Aaron Harmonson, Jesse Harmonson, Bob Knetzger, John Olufs, Hamilton Boyce, Kim Field, Jon Hyde, Fredd Luongo, Trevor Pendras, David Russell. Conor Byrne Pub, 5140 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-3640, conorbyrnepub.com. 9 p.m. $10. 21 and over.

Country and electronic music seem to be at the extremes of the spectrum: one is mostly based on guitar, bass, and percussion, the other is built on layers of digital sound. This makes Android Amaker—Brent Amaker, of Brent Amaker and the Rodeo, and Vox Mod, aka Scot Porter—an unlikely pairing. The duo’s self-titled debut full-length, which was produced by Fresh Espresso’s P Smoov, finds Mod creating an intergalactic foundation over which Amaker, in a Southern drawl, tells the story of man becoming machine. This show is booked as the unusual duo’s only performance ever, so don’t miss your chance to see them live. With Fresh Espresso, The Fame Riot. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9442, neumos.com. 8 p.m. $10 adv. 21 and over.

After more than 20 years, singer/guitarist/keyboardist Linford Detweiler and singer/guitarist Karin Bergquist, known as husband-and-wife folk duo Over the Rhine, are still writing some of the most honest songs around. The Ohio-based couple’s latest, Meet Me at the Edge of the World, is a double album full of tracks detailing the triumphs and tragedies of everyday life. There’s an essence of effortlessness to disc one, Sacred Ground, and disc two, Blue Jean Sky, both of which were tracked live. Its length—19 songs, including a cover of The Band’s “It Makes No Difference”—make it an ambitious effort, but Detweiler and Bergquist pull it off with ease. Through Saturday. The Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333, thetripledoor.com. 
8 p.m. $35 and up. All ages.

Saturday, Nov. 8

There’s a delightfully childlike quality to the music of Julia Massey & the Five Finger Discount. Front woman/keyboardist Massey, bassist Geoff B. Gibbs, and drummer Dominic Cortese (The Jesus Rehab) mix piano-driven tunes with more mature lyrics to create music that carefully walks the line between youth and wisdom. For instance, “Nuclear Disarmament” (which will appear on A.L.I.T.E., the band’s upcoming fourth full-length, and was recently included on Ball of Wax 38) is a protest song built on a marimba-like riff. At this release show, fans will get a first listen to that song and the rest of A.L.I.T.E. With Roaming Herds of Buffalo, Honey Noble. Conor Byrne Pub. 9 p.m. $8. 21 and over.

At first listen, it’s the sci-fi feel of the beats that Graysk

ul raps over that sets the local hip-hop trio (JFK, Onry Ozzborn, and Rob Castro) apart from other artists. But the group’s lyrics are more grounded in everyday topics. On its latest, Zenith, the trio tackles everything from addiction recovery (the title track) to club culture (“Clubs”) to school shootings, nodding to Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy” in “There Is No Edge.” Featuring the likes of Raekwon, Reva DeVito, Katie Kate, and Aesop Rock, Zenith is massive in both length (17 songs) and breadth. But a variety of lyrical content and futuristic beats keep things interesting. With Thaddeus David, Bad Tenants, DJ Graves 33. High Dive, 513 N. 36th St., 632-0212, highdive
seattle.com. 9 p.m. $8 adv./$10 DOS. 21 and over.

Given the full-on alt-rock nature of its previous release, Penn

y Sparkle, the minimalistic Barragan came as a surprise to many Blonde Redhead fans. Singer/guitarist Kazu Makino’s trancelike voice is as present as ever, as are singer/guitarist Amadeo Pace’s accompaniment and drummer Simone Pace’s steady beat. But for the band’s ninth full-length, the trio turned the rock-&-roll energy down a few notches, doing away with everything it deemed unnecessary. The result is something more abstract: part alt-rock, part art-rock, part dream-pop, part shoegaze. Barragan’s shimmering quality adds another facet to Blonde Redhead’s ever-evolving sound. With Hungry Ghost. Neumos. 8 p.m. $20 adv. 21 and over.

Stoner rock and world music collide on Feng Shui Capital of the World, the latest from Bainbridge Island’s WEEED. The trio—bassist/vocalist Gabriel Seaver, drummer John Goodhue, and guitarist Mitch Fosnaugh—combine Middle Eastern guitar riffs with ones that are just plain heavy, and Seaver alternates between distorted singing and a mix of wailing and chanting, bringing the album an even worldlier feel. Feng Shui’s running time conceals the fact that it includes only six songs; multiple jams, including the one that ends the 14-minute epic closing track, “Falling Into the Earth,” give the band plenty of room to roam. With All Them Witches, Something Kurly, The Well. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W., 784-4880, sunsettavern.com. 9 p.m. $8. 21 and over.

Tuesday, Nov. 11

Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst, the married couple in country-rock duo Shovels & Rope, live on an island in South Carolina, so it makes sense that their latest, Swimmin’ Time, has an aquatic theme. On “Fish Assassin,” they sing about a fisherman hoping his catch will woo his lady after an argument; on “Stono River Blues,” Trent and Hearst namedrop a handful of S.C. rivers and creeks and, with a fantastic twang, wax poetic on life down by the river: “You don’t need much to be happy/The boat cost money, but the shrimp is free.” With Willie Watson. The Neptune. 8 p.m. $22 adv./$25 DOS. All ages.

On their latest, Heartthrob, Tegan and Sara traded indie-rock riffs for a synth-heavy pop sound. This more polished approach surely shocked some fans, but listening to the lyrics, Heartthrob is very obviously a product of the Quin sisters. The Canadian duo explores the joy and heartache different stages of a relationship can bring. On lead single “Closer,” the twins sing about wanting someone they’re sweet on to move in nearer, and on “How Come You Don’t Want Me,” they ask an ex why he wasn’t willing to try harder to save the relationship. Heartthrob is sugary sweet, but doesn’t lack any of the Tegan and Sara substance. With Waters, the Courtneys. The Paramount. 7:30 p.m. $31.25 and up. All ages.

Hard Working Americans is the alt-country supergroup to end them all. The Americana band features Dave Schools of Widespread Panic on bass; singer/guitarist Neal Casal of Cardinals and The Chris Robinson Brotherhood; keyboardist Chad Staehly of Great American Taxi; and Duane Trucks (brother of Derek) of King Lincoln on drums, with vocalist/songwriter Todd Snider and singer/guitarist Jesse Aycock. Their talent is showcased on HWA’s self-titled debut, a collection of 11 covers. From Hayes Carll’s “Stomp and Holler” and Drivin’ ’N’ Cryin’s “Straight to Hell” to David Rawlings and Gillian Welch’s ‘Wrecking Ball,” the band’s mastery of the blue-collar anthem runs true to its name. With The Congress. The Showbox. 8:30 p.m. $25 adv./$28. 21 and over.