THURSDAY FEB. 13
Mates of State
It's been a few years since Connecticut indierock/pop duo Mates of State released their latest full-length album, Mountaintops, but fans will still get to hear some new music from the band soon, when the married couple of Kori Gardner (keys/vocals) and Jason Hammel (drums/vocals) star in a forthcoming indie film. Scheduled to come out sometime this year, the music-themed movie is called Rumperbutts. It tells the story of the two married members of an indie band who give up gigging to take jobs on a children's TV show, and features a soundtrack written by Mates of State. In-movie fighting, regrettable one-night stands and second chances ensue, but there won't be anything but sun-dappled, dance-able tunes at these two shows. Seve vs. Evan will open at Velour; The Circulars open at The Urban Lounge. (Kolbie Stonehocker)
Velour, 135 N. University Ave., Provo, 8:30 p.m., $18 in advance, $20 day of show, VelourLive. com; also Feb. 15, The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 8 p.m., $15 in advance, $18 day of show, TheUrbanLoungeSLC. com; limited no-fee tickets available at CityWeeklyStore.com
FRIDAY FEB. 14
Duncan Sheik
Duncan Sheik's "Barely Breathing" was an unstoppable and apparently un-follow-up-able late-'90s hit, but you don't have to think, "Aw, I wonder what ever happened to that guy," the next time you hear it at the grocery store-Sheik is doing just fine, thank you very much. He wrote the music for the Broadway hit Spring Awakening, which scored Tony wins for Best Original Score and Best Musical in 2007, and his musical adaptation of American Psycho had its London debut in December. And his new album, set for release later this year, isn't a bunch of "Barely Breathing" wannabes-it apparently was born out of Sheik's deep love of electronic dance music, particularly synth and drum machines in the vein of New Order and Depeche Mode. Sheik's two-evening Park City gig is sure to be a romantic concert option. (Rachel Piper)
The Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main, Park City, 8 p.m., also Feb. 15, $35-$55 in advance, $40-$60 day of show, EgyptianTheatreCompany.org
Lucius
To hear vocalists Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig-the founding members of Brooklyn indie-pop band Lucius-harmonize is to hear something truly, spectacularly special. The Lucius lineup was later completed with the addition of musicians Dan Molad, Peter Lalish and Andrew Burri-who, between the three of them, create a rich instrumental section-but those flawless female harmonies remain at the center of the band's sound. Most of Wildewoman-Lucius' debut full-length album, released in fall 2013-is pop perfection, but on "Go Home," Laessig and Wolfe let loose with sultry, powerful soul, and the touches of slide guitar create a haunting Americana vibe. You Won't is also on the bill. (Kolbie Stonehocker)
The State Room, 638 S. State, 9 p.m., $15, TheStateRoom. com; limited no-fee tickets available at CityWeeklyStore.com
The Pack A.D.
With all the fanged punk power of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the swampy psych heaviness of Sleepy Sun and the bluesy grit of The Dead Weather, the music created by Vancouver, British Columbia, duo The Pack A.D. is as intoxicating as it is a punch to the gut. In January, The Pack A.D.-made up of drummer Maya Miller and guitarist/vocalist Becky Black-released their fifth full-length, Do Not Engage, which features a more darkly mature sound compared to earlier albums like 2008's Tintype. Check out the droning, witchy track "The Flight" and the slow explosion of "Battering Ram." Deadtooth and Supermoon will open. (Kolbie Stonehocker)
Kilby Court, 741 S. Kilby Court (330 West), 8 p.m., $10, KilbyCourt.com; limited no-fee tickets available at CityWeeklyStore.com
The Infamous Stringdusters
The Infamous Stringdusters have earned their rapidly growing and enthusiastic fan base by pushing the genre of bluegrass forward. The Stringdusters hold audiences' attention by taking bows and picks to a wide variety of stringed instruments while also transitioning into moments of pop, creating a sound that's traditional but fresh. The Infamous Stringdusters' continuing musical exploration will be featured on their upcoming fulllength album, Let It Go, which will be released in April. One dollar from every ticket sale for the show will go to Oskar Blues Can'd Aid Foundation for Colorado flood relief. The Deadly Gentlemen open the night. (Ana Bentz)
Park City Live, 427 Main, 9 p.m., $18 in advance, $28 VIP, ParkCityLive.net
SATURDAY FEB. 15
Pixies
With their fast-paced guitars, shout-y vocals, discordant rhythms and often-dark, meandering lyrics, the Pixies have been credited as the scene-setters for the boom of alternative rock in the '90s. And despite having just a couple of tunes in the mainstream consciousness, the Pixies have never left the hearts and minds of rock fans-even (perhaps especially) after they broke up in 1993. Though they reunited in 2004, there've been no new Pixies albums since 1991's landmark Trompe le Monde; just EPs and, in 2013, controversy, as bass player Kim Shattuck (hired to replace co-founding bassist/backing vocalist Kim Deal, who left to focus on her solo projects and The Breeders) was, according to an interview with NME, unceremoniously fired via phone call. Shattuck says she fell out of favor with the band after spontaneously jumping into the crowd at a show; she was later told, "Pixies don't do that." So, if the only Pixies song you know is the bouncy "Here Comes Your Man," give the rest of their catalog a listen (maybe start with "Palce of the Brine," written about tonight's venue) before you decide to jump onstage and dance. Lo-fi surf-poppers Best Coast will open. (Rachel Piper)
The Great Saltair, 12408 W. Saltair Drive, 7:30 p.m., $33 in advance, $38 day of show, TheSaltair.com
SUNDAY FEB. 16
Incan Abraham
Incan Abraham's music sounds like it was recorded by indie aliens in space, not by some earthlings in good ol' New York State. Their hypnotic, layered harmonies give off a uniquely foreign vibe. With a prophetic-sounding name (which was actually inspired by a Peruvian soft drink), their songs are like visions issued from the mouth of an oracle-hazy and otherworldly. The track "In Milan" sways back and forth with echoing guitar melodies and sleepy vocals. Even if they didn't record in outer space, Incan Abraham did record in the same studio where Purple Rain was tracked, which they say definitely influenced their music. In an interview with music blog BuzzChips, bassist Spencer Mandel claims he was "feeling some of the androgynous sexuality of Prince." Concert-goers and listeners alike best get ready for a trip into the alien, androgynous, mystical unknown. SATUR will open. (Hilary Packham)
Kilby Court, 741 S. Kilby Court (330 West), 7 p.m. $7, KilbyCourt.com
TUESDAY FEB. 18
Shearwater
While the latest release from Austin, Texas-based indie-rock band Shearwater started out as a fun experiment between more "official" albums, it blossomed into a full-length homage to the many bands Shearwater has been on the road with. Fellow Travelers-released in fall 2013- features Shearwater-ized covers of songs by acts as diverse as Baptist Generals ("Fucked Up Life"), Wye Oak ("Mary Is Mary"), St. Vincent ("Cheerleader") and more. The covers are masterfully done, with Shearwater maintaining the spirit of the original song while toying with new musical flavors. My favorite is their twist on "I Luv the Valley OH!," which takes Xiu Xiu's fey, atmospheric original into guitar-riff-driven rock territory. Jesca Hoop, who has a song featured on the album, will open. (Kolbie Stonehocker)
The Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 9 p.m., $12 in advance, $14 day of show, TheUrbanLoungeSLC. com; limited no-fee tickets available at CityWeeklyStore.com
