Aural Pleasures

After kicking our collective asses for four consecutive days, the heat is finally backing down. So pull yourself together. Go outside again -- especially to Capitol Hill this weekend.

Tuesday 25th

>>> The Long Winters at Sonic Boom in Ballard. Putting The Days To Bed, the third LP from Seattle's The Long Winters, combines the lyrical intimacy and melodic complexity of the Ultimatum EP with the guitar pop rave-ups of the bands previous full lengths. The two sides of songwriter John Roderick come together to create the most compelling Long Winters release to date.
6pm; free

>>> The Long Winters at Easy Street in West Seattle. Just in case you can't make the Sonic Boom in-store.
8pm; free

>>> Tina Dico at Chop Suey. According to commenter K, she's got "an amazing voice that is much, much more than the work she did with Zero 7! A cutie too!!!!" Anyone whose cuteness warrants four exclamation points is certainly worth seeing.
Doors 9pm, $10

Wednesday 26th

>>> Dar Williams and Shawn Colvin at the Woodland Park Zoo. Girls with acoustic guitars singing sensitive songs as the sun sets. Sold Out! Sorry -you snooze, you lose.
6pm; some tix available on Craig's List

>>> Heather Duby CD Release Party w/ Model Photographer & Night Canopy at the TripleDoor. She's a Sonic Boom sweetheart.
7:30pm; Tickets $10

>>> Some By Sea/Dirty on Purpose/Say Hi To Your Mom at The Paradox. A cool lineup featuring dreamy indie pop goodness and a band that sings about robots and spaceships.
8pm, $8

>>> Os Mutantes at the Moore. This seminal Brazilian tropicalia band reunites after 25+ years. If you don't see them now, you may not have another chance.
8pm, $29.50-$39.50 , plus fees

>>> Silversun Pickups, Carnavas listening party at Wire @ The Baltic Room. Yes, we've been talking about this band a lot lately. But only because they're awesome. And because they pay us in blowjobs and ponies.

Thursday 27th

>>> The Raconteurs at the Moore. A night out with the "shiny people," Jack White's experimental new rock band. Meg won't be playing drums.
8pm; $30-$33.50 , plus fees.

>>> Laura Veirs at the Tractor. This Seattle singer-songwriter will make you cry. In a good way.
9pm; $12

Friday 28th

>>> The Dresden Dolls at Sonic Boom Ballard. The Dresden Dolls are hard to classify, as their alternative pop sound mixes with a German cabaret aesthetic to create something unique. The group's second album, Yes, Virginia..., is out now.
5:30pm; free

>>> Capitol Hill Block Party in between Pike and Broadway and Pike and 12th. Block Party starts off with a bang – Sub Pop all-stars Band of Horses (new album is fantastic) with hometown heroes Pretty Girls Make Graves fresh off their UK Tour. Himsa will keep things loud.
Gates open 3pm, music starts at 4pm; limited advance tickets still available for $12

Saturday 29th

>>> Capitol Hill Block Party in between Pike and Broadway and Pike and 12th. Day 2: Ladyhawk, Minus The Bear, Murder City Devils, Silversun Pickups, Smoosh, The Black Angels. Silversun Pickups and the Black Angels should be required listening. Murder City Devils reunited even for just one day is pretty amazing. Oh, and those meddling Smoosh girls will be there too.
Gates open at noon, music starts at 1pm; advance tickets no longer available but more tickets will go on sale at the day of show at the festival box offices. Get there early.

>>> Pirates of Penzance at the Bagley Wright Theatre. It's the last day for this Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society production.
Matinee at 2pm, evening show at 7:30pm; $12-$29.

>>> David Bazan at the Tractor. Formerly of Pedro the Lion, David's taken things solo. Check out his brand spankin' new one-man melodic pop show.
10pm; $10