CWMA Showcases, Girls, iAndale!, Western Underground & Kate MacLeod 

CWMA SHOWCASES

Are you ready for Round 2? To be fair, we gave you a few days to recover from the awesome display of talent rooted in our own back yard. This weekend brings performances by tonight’s featured acts The Naked Eyes, Plastic Furs, Tolchock Trio (Bar Deluxe), Glade, Libbie Linton (Woodshed), Linus Stubbs, Mindstate, Nolens Volens (Circle Lounge) and tomorrow evening’s headliners Eagle Twin (left), Separation of Self, Gaza (Burt’s Tiki Lounge), Musclehawk and Uzi & Ari (Bar Deluxe). Complete info available online at CityWeekly.net/cwma. Don’t miss the final party Feb. 20 at The Depot.

GIRLS

When Christopher Owens sings, “But I don’t want to die,” drawing out the last, fatal word to the bottom of an emotional well, his tone implies death might be a fine solution to his earthly agony. The lead vocalist for San Francisco’s Girls maintains a delightfully gloomy-Gus tone throughout their critically acclaimed album—simply titled Album— occasionally busting through the clouds, like a pinch to a waking nightmare. The result is '50s-era heartsick melodies with ’70s-era punk sensibility. Find out why Girls’ debut landed on so many Best of ’09 lists tonight starting with a free, all-ages in-store. Slowtrain, 221 E. Broadway, 7 p.m.; Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 10 p.m.

Saturday 2.13

iANDALE! SINGLE RELEASE

Few bands merit two exclamation points hugging their name, but Salt Lake City’s iAndale! are beloved by Russia’s favorite band, Mumiy Troll—plus, I used to stalk them and I don’t stalk just anyone (would if I could but … tick tock). Since their inception, the local rockers have trapped us in a stranglehold, baby, with punk-flavored ditties as sweet and potent as spiked punch. They’ve kept us hanging on the telephone, too, waiting for a follow-up to their 2008 Pseudo Recordings debut. Turns out, the wait is over—almost. Tonight, iAndale! officially will release “Sucker,” the first single off their forthcoming sophomore LP. The song does not disappoint, with catchy hooks, handclaps(!), lyrical zings (“the more you push the more I give, the more I start to think I should get you lost with the meanest stuff I’ve got”) and Neil Sedaka-worthy wordless vocalizations (on paper not much to write home about, but when those “ah ah ah ah ahs ah ah”s land on the ears …). Celebrate good music tonight with opening talent Terrence Warburton on DJ duties and Nikki Densley’s comedy revue. Take home a download and a lollipop. Willie’s Lounge, 1716 S. Main, 9:30 p.m.

WESTERN UNDERGROUND

It’s fitting that one of the best bands to emerge from Utah is playing a reunion show the same weekend as this year’s City Weekly Music Awards. Western Underground is largely known as the longtime backup band for former world-champion bareback rider turned country star, Chris LeDoux, who died in 2005. Five years later, the talented artists are paying tribute to their fallen partner with a show that revives their original sound. Recent addition Dustin Evans takes over vocal duties, and early reports indicate he fills LeDoux’s boots mighty fine. Come, dance down memory lane and enjoy some new original tunes, as well. The State Room, 638 S. State, 8 p.m. Tickets: TheStateRoomSLC.com (with Slim Chance and His Psychobilly Playboys)

KATE MACLEOD

Forget empty-nest syndrome—there are multiple advantages to touring late in life. While most young musicians scramble to pay rent and couch-surf cross-country to make it big, seasoned artists like Kate MacLeod have the luxury of planning ideal itineraries that include nary a low-paying or soul-sucking gig. It helps to have a reputation as solid as MacLeod’s. The local folk singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist is widely recognized for her role in popular Celtic act Shanahy, fun rock band The Pancakes, NPR favorites Red Rock Rondo and for her solo output, including new studio album Blooming. MacLeod tours sporadically, usually for long weekends, and typically returns with enough money to pay the bills. This approach leaves her invigorated and inspired. She writes while traveling, and connects with listeners who’ve embraced the quietly powerful beauty of Blooming. “New people are discovering it every day,” she says. Discover the album and MacLeod’s sweet, yet commanding voice tonight as part of the ongoing Folk Vespers Concert Series before she hits the road on another quality tour. First Unitarian Church, 569 S. 1300 East, 7:30 p.m. All-ages.

Coming Up
Hello Kavita, The Devil Whale, Bluebird Radio (Urban Lounge, Feb. 18); Justin Townes Earle (The State Room, Feb. 18); Alec Ounsworth (Kilby Court, Feb. 19); SLUG Anniversary Party (Urban Lounge, Feb. 19); Scott H. Biram (Brewskis, Feb. 19); CWMA Party w/ The Helio Sequence (Depot, Feb. 20); Infamous Stringdusters (The State Room, Feb. 20); Guttermouth (Burt’s Tiki Lounge, Feb. 21)

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