Sunday May 2
SHEARWATER
Not only is Shearwater leader Jonathan Meiburg incredibly ambitious when it comes to the sonic approach of the band, but he’s got to have the kinds of stories that are impossible to compete with at parties. Consider this: As part of his “research” of the band’s stellar new set of orchestral pop, The Golden Archipelago, Meiburg drew on his experiences camping on islands ranging from the Falklands to Tierra del Fuego, the Galapagos to Madagascar. Using his own experiences, and those of his grandfather’s WWII stint as a radio operator in the South Pacific, Meiburg spends The Golden Archipelago exploring island life from every conceivable angle: Its lushness and its isolation, its natural noises and disconcerting silences, and, perhaps most significantly, the islands’ uneasy relationship with humans when they stumble across a new one to conquer. Don’t let Meiburg’s unusual subject matter put you off, though: Shearwater’s music is some stunningly beautiful stuff that fans of Brian Eno will eat up. Wye Oak and Hospital Ships open the show. The State Room, 638 S. State, 8 p.m., $10
Monday May 3
ADRIAN & THE SICKNESS
Tuesday May 4
MURS
Los Angeles-born rapper MURS has been releasing music since 1993, and his catalog is dominated by collaborations with an intriguing array of artists. He’s part of a punk band called The Invincibles, he’s one-ninth of hip-hop collective Living Legends and he’s put out three albums as half of Felt, sharing vocal duties with Atmosphere rapper Slug. His latest album, Fornever, is arguably the result of his most memorable musical relationship—his partnership with producer/DJ 9th Wonder. 9th Wonder creates epic and entertaining soundscapes for MURS to lyrically roam with witty rhymes and furious style, and this third joint effort is full of songs sure to hit hard in concert, from “Cigarettes and Liquor” to “Asian Girl.” Sick Jacken and Burnell Washburn open the show. In the Venue, 200 S. 600 West, 7 p.m. $15.50
MARK GROWDEN
Wednesday May 5
WILLY VLAUTIN
Coming Up
Flogging Molly (In the Venue, May 7), Loudon Wainwright III (The State Room, May 7), Nashville Pussy (May 8, Club Vegas), Coheed & Cambria (May 10, Murray Theater), Paramore (E Center, May 10), Heartless Bastards (May 11, The State Room), Toots and the Maytals (The Depot, May 11), Drive-By Truckers (May 12, In the Venue)
Dan
Nailen:
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