Aural Pleasures (10/31 - 11/6)

These cold nights we've been having really take us back to when we were kids and we had to ruin our awesome Halloween costumes with coats and bulky sweatpants to keep warm. The kids are out there working hard this Halloween night, so don't be an ass. Cough up the candy.

Tuesday 31st, Halloween Night

>>>"Devo Tribute Night" at Chop Suey. Teeth and Hair, The Pleasureboaters, The Torn ACLs, A Gun That Shoots Knives... Apparently a hilarious band name is a prereq for this Home Alive benefit.
8pm; $5. 21+.

>>> Micah P. Hinson at The Tractor. This folk-country singer-songwriter is far from typical. Rough throaty vocals, lovely melodic flourishes, and inventive orchestration sets him apart from the same ol', same ol'. Catch him before the show tonight at Sonic Boom Ballard (6pm). Stream his album here.
9pm; $10.

>>> Figurines at The Crocodile. Catchy guitar-pop from Denmark!
* mp3: "The Wonder" (More on MySpace).
9pm; $10adv/$12dos. 21+.

>>> Mitchell Akiyama/Avia Gardner at Baltic Room. Yes, we know you're asking "Who?" Here's what you need to ask yourself. Remember Mum, the Icelandic group that makes pretty songs featuring a bevy of electronics and delicate vocals? Well, Avia Gardner is kinda like that.
9pm doors; $8. 21+.

Wednesday 1st

>>> Joan Jett at The Showbox. Dude, it's Joan Jett. Do we need to give you another reason to go? We do? Okay, Eagles of Death Metal are opening. Suck it!
8pm; $25.

>>> Tom Russell at The Tractor. alt.country storyteller and folksinger superstar.
8pm; $20.

Thursday 2nd

>>> Amiina at Chop Suey. Thanks to sponsorship from Iceland Naturally, this show is FREE, bringing a group most famous for their opening and support tours with Sigur Ros. You know you like Sigur Ros, and while this group takes a different take on the hypnotic sounds from Iceland, it's still worth your time, especially if you find a chair or stool to sit on during their set.
8pm doors; FREE! 21+

>>> The Deftones at Fenix Underground. The Deftones are the unassailable answer to the question, “What's your favorite metal band?” and so this show is long sold out. Try Craigslist.
7pm. Sold out.

Friday 3rd

>>> Xiu Xiu at The Paradox. As difficult to describe as it is to pronounce ("shoo shoo"), this band is folk, noise rock, classical; with a lot of weird drum stuff going on and they're in Seattle so often we're starting to get pissed off at the "California band" rep they've got.
* mp3s: "Clowne Towne", "I Broke Up".
7pm; $10. All ages.

>>> One Be Lo at Chop Suey. One Be Lo is one of very few MCs out there that can actually engage a crowd despite the fact that he's only one man with a mic. Seriously, his recorded output doesn't even come close to his live performance, so if you're up for experiencing some of the best underground hiphop has to offer, look no further.
8pm doors; $6. 21+.

Saturday 4th

>>> Brazilian Girls at The Moore. Pop electronica from New York. Can't go wrong with songs like "Pussy" and "Sexy Asshole." (See MySpace).
8pm; $23.50-$28.50.

>>> Jamie Lidell at Neumo's. Jamie Lidell is still touring. He's also still amazing live. Aside from that, techno fans will enjoy the opening sets by Safety Scissors (Snax cancelled) and locals Tekgnosis (non-techno fans should enjoy it too).
8pm doors; $15 adv. 21+.

>>> Band of Horses at The Showbox. Folksy, bluesy rock magnificence.
* mp3: "Wicked Gil"
8pm; $15. SOLD OUT! Might have some luck on Craig's List.

Sunday 5th

>>> OK Go! at Neumo's. Please don't go to this show because you're hoping to see the damn treadmill thing live. Go because Ok Go! are a great, if vaguely Brit-sounding, band. Ok, go (heh) to see the treadmill thing, because it is damn cool.
7pm; $15.

Monday 6th

>>> Kid Koala at Neumo's. Sure, the headliner is Kid Koala, but Seattlest will actually be attending to hear the latest from Fog, which has shed its "one-man-bed-ridden-folk-hop-lo-fi-tronica" skin for a more rock-based sound.
8pm doors; $15, 21+.

>>> Islands at The Crocodile. Unicorns no more, these quirk-pop Canadians pick up where they left off on their much-heralded album Return to the Sea. Last time we saw them at Neumo's, the crowd jumped onstage and the encore turned into a nerd dance party. It's safe to say that with this group, anything could happen.
* mp3: "Rough Gem"
7pm doors; $12adv/$15dos. All ages.