Save the Date(s)

Heads up on some great shows coming up in the region in the near future...

Sunday, July 12: SUNN 0))) at the Southgate House in Newport. Dark, heavy, ambient drone metal from the founders of Southern Lord Records. SUNN 0))) describes their new album Monoliths and Dimensions as "the most musical piece we’ve done, and also the heaviest, powerful and most abstract set of chords we've laid to tape." Salt Lake City duo Eagle Twin will open. $12

Monday, July 13: WRFL presents Deer Tick at Al's Bar in Lexington. Garage honky tonk of the highest caliber - in other words, an Al's Bar poster-band. $5, all ages.

Friday, July 17: Celebrated classic folk singer and rhythm guitarist Richie Havens will be performing in Somerset, Ky as part of the Master Musicians Festival. Day pass is $20.

Monday, July 20: Alt-country goddess Neko Case will perform at Woodsong's Old Time Radio Hour (The Kentucky Theater, Lexington). Advanced tickets highly recommended; I would be shocked if this show doesn't sell out. $15 ($10 w/ student ID)

Tuesday, August 4: Deerhunter/No Age/Dan Deacon - Round Robin show at the Southgate House in Newport. This show falls smack in the middle of a quick 7-day midwest tour. All three bands will play onstage together, at the same time, collaborating on each other's songs. Shizz gonna be crazy. $10 adv/$12 DOS (if there are any tickets left by the time the show gets here).

Monday, August 10: The Decemberists @ the Brown Theatre in Louisville. Portland's critically-acclaimed literary indie-kings return to the bluegrass state. $35.

Wednesday, August 12: Old Crow Medicine Show Big Surprise Tour (w/ David Rawlings Machine [featuring Gillian Welch], The Felice Brothers, Justin Townes Earle) at the Waterfront Park in Louisville. $35; 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, August 23: Over the Rhine at Natasha's Bistro. Jazz-tinged midwestern neo-soul fronted by gorgeous female vocals, at one of Lexington's most charming and intimate venues. $19.

Sunday, September 20: Akron/Family are ending their extensive "Set 'em wild, set 'em free" U.S. tour at 21C in Louisville. While I guess you could call Ak/Fam "experimental indie folk," there's no label that does them justice - Akron/Family is one of the most unclassifiable, cross-genre bands out there. Louisville's fabulous experimental hotel/museum should be a perfect setting - definitely a "don't miss" show. Oh yeah, tapers are welcome (just promise you'll get me a copy).