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THURSDAY, OCT. 22
Two out of three Machine Country members cut their teeth in psych-rock bands, which is surprising given that one of the Portland noise-rock band’s signature songs is called “Lobotomize a Psych Rocker.” The switch from atmospherics to hard-edged, dystopian punk feels like an apt move in the Spotify era, when the most essential music stirs the heartstrings and calls the listener to attention rather than simply offering fodder for legal weed–enhanced couch sits. That’s true of Machine Country, whose best music sounds like collapsing buildings. The Six Below Midnight, 3341 SE Belmont St. 8:30 pm. $12.26. 21+.
SATURDAY, OCT. 24
Portland folk stalwart Laura Veirs recorded her latest album, Temple Songs (“Laura Veirs Nearly Gave Up Music. Then She Made ‘Temple Songs,’” wweek.com, Aug. 11), almost entirely by herself, in a crude backyard studio with walls thin enough to capture the sound of the neighborhood around her. It’s one of her most stripped-down records, but it still rocks, with crisp drums and double-tracked harmonies filling the empty space. A crucial inspiration for Veirs’ one-member band approach on the album is Karl Blau, the Philly-via-Anacortes indie-rock auteur closely linked with the K Records universe who’ll open for Veirs at her upcoming Portland show. Polaris Hall, 635 N Killingsworth Court. 7 pm. $38.26. 21+.
SATURDAY, OCT. 24
Akai Solo is part of a wave of ambitious New York upstarts updating the brainy, sample-forward style of rap the Big Apple is known for; last year’s No Control, No Glory is one of the best records in the entire movement, ranking it pretty high for East Coast hip-hop overall. Solo has found a transcoastal kindred spirit in L.A. drummer-producer Bobbyy, who features Solo heavily on his new record, Tackyy. Performing with the duo at their upcoming Swan Dive show are Stas THEE Boss, of the brilliant early-2010s art-soul duo THEEsatisfaction, and Seattle rapper DERO. Swan Dive, 727 SE Grand Ave. 7:30 pm. $25.05. 21+.
