Friday, Aug. 31

INDIE FOLK adam sweeney

What is indie folk? Isn’t folk just folk? Well, I don’t know either, but that’s where Adam Sweeney has categorized himself. Listing such obscure neo-traditional folk minstrels as Dave Carter and Josh Ritter as major influences, Sweeney is one of a handful of young artists redefining the definition of purely American music and introducing it to a whole new generation.



Like past folk revival poets Paul Simon and Cat Stevens, his lyrics are complex and comprehensible at the same time. The Portland-raised, Massachusetts-based singer/songwriter is a masterful storyteller as he weaves together words that might not always rhyme but accompanied by his gently strummed guitar or twangingly plunk banjo, are easy to sing along to. What is most impressive about his songwriting is the fact that it’s not all sappy love songs. Sure, he can pen a tear jerker with the best of them, but Sweeney digs as BernieTaupin ever did. His first disc, 2004’s Places and Names, was a hit with folkies and critics alike. Sweeney just dropped his sophomore effort, Technicolor Halo, and is traveling the country to promote it. Help us welcome back this Northwest treasure at his CD release party at the Matrix. — Tony Engelhart

[Matrix Coffeehouse, with Seth Martin, 8 p.m., all ages, 434 Prindle St., Chehalis, 360.740.0492]

Saturday, Sept. 1

ART POP they kill horses don’t they?

Like the Seattle-based Sub Pop and Loveless Records, Olympia-based independent record label Kill Rock Stars caters to those who look outside the mainstream and crave the unique and obscure. One of their most recent releases is Pickup Sticks by They Kill Horses Don’t They? The album is chock-full of noise rock that is weirdly appealing as the Vancouver, British Columbia-based ensemble combines strange horn sounds with organ and marching band drums for a carnival-on-acid effect that is straight out of a David Lynch film. Singer Nut Brown yells his way through the strangely penned lyrics, which they call art-pop.



The six-piece band lists no influences, which makes sense since not even Zappa was quite as quirky as these guys. Formed in 2003, the group quickly caught a reputation as a great live act. A bit like the Yard Dogs, their music takes you to the circus from hell and returns you with a new perspective on everything. Quirky, zany and a bit annoying, this is one must-see show for those who desire something out of the ordinary. — TE

[Le Voyeur, 8 p.m., 404 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.5710]

Sunday, Sept. 2

COUNTRY jimmy baldwin

If you’ve been reading my stuff you know that I love “real” country music and not the bubblegum crap that CMT airs. With a rootsy, down-home take on country, Jimmy Baldwin falls into my zone as he doesn’t limit himself to just twang but embraces Americana, world and rock ’n’ roll. Baldwin’s songs are like portraits painted with sound, and each one is unique as the Texas singer/songwriter defies stereotypes and labels by mixing genres for a fresh perspective on the music. Raised in El Paso, his music reflects the traditionalism of the Lone Star state but is equally accessible to non-traditional music enthusiasts.



His only disc, 2005’s Somebody’s Nobody, showcases a variety of influences. From the Steve Earl-esque western stomp ditty “Asterisk Smile” and the Bakersfield twang tune “Ganja Girl” to the reggae-tinged “I Know You” and a Caribbean reworked version of the Dwight Yoakam classic “Guitars and Cadillac’s,” the album was hard to slot at the record store.



While Baldwin is best known for his cleverly written Motel 6 commercials, if he keeps releasing CDs as good as his debut, those will fade from memory. — TE

[Jazzbones, 6 p.m., all ages, $8, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

Sunday, Sept. 2

PUNK HIP-HOP anne gregory

Search “Anne Gregory” on the Internet and the results are interesting — to say the least.

It seems Anne Gregory owns a bridal shop in Pittsburgh, is the author of books on public relations, and is also an artist on par with the likes of Olympia’s Scream Club, Nicky Click and Joey Casio.



Of course, these are all different people sharing the same name, and the only Anne Gregory I give two shits about is the latter — who will play Le Voyeur in Olympia on Sunday, Sept. 2.



Perhaps this is why she goes by simply Anne.



While Anne and her punk ideals and hip-hop fundamentals should go over like an ill-fitting pair of jeans and ironic facial hair in Olympia, she actually calls Eugene, Ore., home. That hasn’t stopped her from taking a liking to the Crunks Not Dead record label, and more importantly it hasn’t stopped the label from taking a liking to Gregory. Earlier this year Anne found her way onto the Crunks Not Dead 7’’ Picture Disc, and has released other material on the Oly-based label.



Sunday, Anne will get cozy in the back of Le Voyeur for a show with Robert Meade and John Lindsay. If you’re not trekking up to Seattle for Bumbershoot, a sweaty good time with Anne Gregory seems like the least you could treat yourself to.



[Le Voyeur, Sunday, Sept. 2, 10 p.m., no cover, 404 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.943.5710]