WHAT: Garage a Trois
WHERE: Canopy Club ($12 advance)
WHEN: Wednesday, September 15th at 7:00 p.m.
The funk-fusion-jam supergroup includes drummer Stanton Moore (Galactic, Street Sweeper Social Club), saxophonist Skerik (Les Claypool, Kayo Dot, Hella), vibraphonist Mike Dillon (Ani DiFranco, Les Claypool) and keyboardist Marco Benevento (Benevento/Russo Duo, Trey Anastasio). Unlike so many other recent supergroups — looking at you, Monsters of Folk — Garage a Trois is more than equal to the sum of it’s parts, and it’s the kind of experimental, forward-thinking jazz that you’re not going to find playing to a wine and cheese mixer at Krannert anytime soon.
WHAT: The Appleseed Cast, You and Yourn
WHERE: Highdive ($10)
WHEN: Saturday, September 18th at 7:30 p.m.
The Appleseed Cast inhabit a weird set of coordinates in the midwestern music landscape — post-post-hardcore? post-rock-emo? Whatever you want to call them, they’ve got seven albums to their name thus far, including last year’s Sagarmatha and the brilliant Mare Vitalis and Low Level Owl discs. If want further proof that their music is difficult to pin down, consider that You and Yourn feels like a perfect match for an opener, but so would Withershins or Take Care.
WHAT: Girl in a Coma
WHERE: Courtyard Cafe (FREE)
WHEN: Saturday, September 18th at 8:00 p.m.
I’m mostly just posting this to prove that the Courtyard still exists as a venue in this town, and it remains contrary as ever. Their first legitimate show of the semester comes on a night with no less than four other shows going on (three of which are written up here). However, it’s good to see the venue keeping things going, since it’s one of the few all-ages places in town, and has hosted some truly classic shows in it’s day.
WHAT: Facing Winter, Mike Janowski (of Eureka Sky), the Palace Flophouse
WHERE: Independent Media Center ($TBA)
WHEN: Saturday, September 18th at 9:00 p.m.
Hey look, the IMC is still going as well. While it’s a far cry from the space’s mid-2000s heyday as a venue, the IMC is still one of the coolest (and all-ages!) venues in town. An acoustic show like this feels just at home in the womb-like space as a hardcore or hip-hop one would. Chicago folk group Facing Winter anchors the bill, with local support from Eureka Sky member Mike Janowski and the always-solid Palace Flophouse.
WHAT: Nappy Roots, S. Words and LEGTWO, Jay Moses
WHERE: Canopy Club ($15 advance)
WHEN: Saturday, September 18th at 10:00 p.m.
You may know Nappy Roots from their uber-awesome 2002 single “Awnaw” — and even if you don’t, you have to admit it’s an absolute gem, and still stands out to this day, despite having come out in a year from which underground hip-hop is mostly remembered for Talib Kweli’s classic Quality. The group’s live show is purported be one of the best in the sometimes spotty live genre, and two excellent locals (Jay Moses and S. Words) are supporting. Rumor has it that Jay Moses will have a live band along for this one as well.
WHAT: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
WHERE: Canopy Club ($13 advance)
WHEN: Sunday, September 19th at 8:00 p.m.
Janis Joplin fans, step inside. Grace Potter does a great job channeling the spirit of Joplin’s work without coming off as derivative. Her backing band, the Nocturnals provide a soulful and organic soundtrack which should keep both indie rock and jam fans satisfied.
Corrections, additions, or complaints? Email us — music@smilepolitely.com
LATE ADDITION: On 9/17, The Leadership (featuring Jon Childers and members of Organic Flow and Tall Tale), Deathtram and Sunset Stallion will perform a free show at Caffe Paradiso, beginning at 7 p.m.