FEBRUARY 2

A Sunny Day In Glasgow  at the Velvet Lounge
I wrote earlier this year that ASDiG’s “Scribble Mural Comic Journal” is “a lush dreamscape, sequenced moments of dense instrumentation and electronics, a world lost under waves of beauty.” Shoegaze at its absolute finest. With Screen Vinyl Image (ex-Alcian Blue), The Offering, and Twin Earth. www.velvetloungedc.com. — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

OK Go at the 9:30 Club
A live act not to miss, these guys rock with amazing energy and one never knows what fun antics they’ll pull out during their show. What’s more, this concert is a benefit for Sweet Home New Orleans. $20. www.930.com. — Dana Steinberg

FEBRUARY 5

Sole and the Skyrider Band  at the Black Cat
Supporting their fantastic collaborative record, Sole and the Skyrider band champion a form of hip hop that is more akin to the political mindedness of early punk bands than the “girls, cars, and champagne” mentality most often supported by MTV. Better beats, too. With Telephone Jim Jesus and Dumi Right. $10. www.blackcatdc.com. — Lars Garvey Laing-Peteron

FEBRUARY 6

Eric Lindell at the State Theatre
This New Orleans-based musician rocks out with funk-filled blues. Brimming with soul, Lindell is a singer-songwriter-guitarist who will move you. $13 adv, $16 at door. www.thestatetheatre.com.
— Dana Steinberg
FEBRUARY 7

Gaslight Anthem w/ The Loved Ones, LaGrecia at the Black Cat
With a voice like none other, Brian Fallon and the boys from Gaslight Anthem are on a mission to leave mark. Their fist-pumping sound will have you screaming along whether you know the words or not.  On the back Stage. $10. www.blackcatdc.com. — Pat Walsh

FEBRUARY 10

The Cassettes w/Beat Circus at the Black Cat
Born from tracks that didn’t fit his earlier, noisier project Frodus, Shelby Cinca’s Cassettes brings the liveliness of ‘70s power pop to the DC indie sound. Paired with Boston’s “Weird American Gothic” (their own words) Beat Circus, this Sunday show is a fun close to the week. www.blackcatdc.com. $8 — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

FEBRUARY 11

Lissy Rosemont, Rose & Stella Schindler at the Black Cat
You know her from On Tap fav. Junior League. Now catch Lissy Rosemont solo. With beautiful soundscapes from fellow locals Rose and Stella Schindler. $8. Back Stage. www.blackcatdc.com. — Robert Fulton

FEBRUARY 12

Gibby Haynes of Butthole Surfers and The Paul Green School of Rock All-Stars at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hotel
Gibby Haynes of Butthole Surfers (remember them?) does good with the Paul Green School of Rock All-Stars as part of the school’s Rock Guest Professer Series. Get ready for plenty of Butthole Surfers tunes. www.rockandrollhoteldc.com. $15. — Robert Fulton

FEBRUARY 13

The Cliks at DC9
Given a huge break on the Cyndi Lauper headlined True Colors Tour – Lauper went so far as to say, “[The Cliks] are a force to be reckoned with and I am really excited to be sharing the stage with them” – the Cliks come to DC in time for an early Valentine’s date. www.dcnine.com. $10.— Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
FEBRUARY 15

Justin Jones and the Driving Rain at IOTA Club & Cafe
Justin Jones has been known to put on a heck of a show with his full band. Lots of instruments + full sound + small space = equals great time. $10. www.iotaclubandcafe.com. — Robert Fulton

FEBRUARY 16

DC9 4 Year Anniversary Party feat. Leslie and the Ly’s, Hello Tokyo
DC9 has become a Washington institution in its four years of existence. With at least three bands and a DJ, the club takes a break from its rigorous show and dance night schedule to celebrate its short, though eventful life. www.dc9.com. Free. — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

Last Train Home at the
Barns at Wolf Trap
No really, it ain’t country. It’s folk rock. Ably led by DC native Eric Brace, Last Train Home is a longtime roots rock favorite who now call Nashville home. Always a great show. $16. www.wolf-trap.org. — Dana Steinberg

Shwa at IOTA Club & Cafe
Shwa Losben has just released a stellar solo effort of beautiful Elliot Smith tinged songs. Catch him and his band and hear for yourself. With Evan Bliss & the Welchers. $10. www.iotaclubandcafe.com. — Robert Fulton

FEBRUARY 21

Hello Society
at the Rock & Roll Hotel
Who says jazz can’t rock? This local band plays jazz infused with elements of rock, hip hop and funk. Expand your musical horizons with this eclectic group. $10. www.rockandrollhoteldc.com. — Dana Steinberg
FEBRUARY 22

The Chinese Stars at the Velvet Lounge
Rising from the ashes of the death of Arab on Radar and Six Finger Satellite, the Chinese Stars bring their unique brand of avant-garde dance-punk to the Velvet Lounge. Think 70s funk bass, 4-on-the-floor drums, jangled guitar lines, and disturbing vocals… it’ll be interesting to say the least. www.velvetloungedc.com — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

FEBRUARY 23

Must Love Trash, The Alphabetical Order, Art of Shooting & Man in Gray at the Red & the Black
Local rockers Must Love Trash pair up with the distortion laden post-punk of the Alphabetical Order for a night at The Red & The Black. MLT bring an older rock sound while TAO tread newer, more experimental avenues in the veins of At the Drive-In and Jawbox. Plus two outfits from Brooklyn. $8. www.redandblackbar.com. — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

FEBRUARY 24

The Jet Age CD Release Party at DC9
Locals the Jet Age release their newest effort What Did You Do During The War, Daddy? The Post described their sound as “careening [and] muscular” and Pitchfork gave their last record a 7.3. Not bad at all for three locals garage rockers. www.dcnine.com. $10. — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

FEBRUARY 26

Deep Blue Something at IOTA Club & Cafe
Remember Deep Blue Something? “And as I recall, I think, we both kinda liked it.” With Tim Blane. $12. www.iotaclubandcafe.com — Robert Fulton

St. Vincent at the  Rock and Roll Hotel
Once a member of the Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens’ congregate, Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent) has branched off, creating a witty, melodramatic sound that has endeared her to the indie rock press. Is it a fad, hype? Well, there’s a surefire way to find out when she comes to town. With Foreign Born. www.rockandrollhoteldc.com. $12. — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

FEBRUARY 27

Russian Circles, Dalek, Young Widows at the  Rock and Roll Hotel
Suicide Squeeze labelmates with Minus the Bear, Russian Circles have made quite a name for themselves over the past few years. Epic tracks that oscillate from delicate and mournful to discordant and heavy, the three piece has earned a reputation for energetic, engaging live shows. With Dalek and Young Widows. www.rockandrollhoteldc.com. $10. — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson

FEBRUARY 29

Junior League at IOTA Club & Cafe
Wondering what to do on your leap year night? Junior League, a local indie-rock band, will be playing IOTA. They mix country and blues influences into their sound with the help of a mandolin and harmonica, and the result is fantastic. $10. www.iotaclubandcafe.com. — Dana Steinberg

MARCH 1

KINKY at the 930 Club
One of the funkiest ensembles in Latin music today, electronica and Alternative rockers Kinky are best known for their hit single “Mas”—which has been used in commercials, video games, TV series and movies—with its hypnotic deep bass guitar strums, stirring synthesizer beat and chant of “Mas y mas!” (“More and more!”). They’ll also be playing tracks from their latest album, the Latin Grammy nominated-“Reina”—named after the Quinceñera parties of their native Mexico. www.930.com. $25. — Alfredo Flores