Ruby Fray Friday, February 7, 9 p.m. w/ Town Cars, Cassie Morgan, Aurora Schmidt @ Foam Coffee & Beer - $5 By Mike Appelstein Quick: What do the adjectives "devotional," "brooding," "dark," "folk-rock," "malaise" and "melancholic" have in common? All are terms that Emily Beanblossom, Ruby Fray's lead singer and main force, has used to describe her music. On Pith, the group's debut CD on K Records, the band does capture a deep, drony mood -- one that, like fellow Washington State natives Mount Eerie, seems almost sculpted to accompany the mountains and fog east of Vancouver Island. However, it's not all slow going: Beanblossom and company confidently cover a wide variety of moods. On the lighter side, for instance, "Mint Ice Cream" is a duet with K boss Calvin Johnson, while "Let's Grow Older" is powered by a catchy riff not unlike the most recent Low albums. Get there in time to see Cassie Morgan, whose own melancholic folk songs should go with the evening perfectly, and Town Cars, one of St. Louis' best emerging bands.
Nuclear Winter Metal Fest Friday, February 7, 5 p.m. w/ Quaere Verum, Final Drive, As Earth Shatters, Reconcera, Make It Out Alive, Exempt, Synapse, Hallow Point @ The Mad Magician - $10-$13 By Joseph Hess From this 2013 Quaere Verum profile: St. Louis quintet Quaere Verum shares common ground with Animal Collective and The Dillinger Escape Plan. OK, maybe there's a beard or two present in each band, but that's not it. The name Alan Douches might incite a giggle or two, but his work as audio engineer connects the aforementioned groups, and is responsible for many a favorite record. Quaere Verum takes an experimental approach to metal and its sub-genres, invoking a sound that begs for focus. Douches was called on to master Quaere Verum's album, Ingress.
Anodes/Enta Split Record Release Saturday, February 8, 8 p.m. w/ Laika, Alan Smithee, Better Days @ Livery Company - donations By Rick Giordano Anodes once told a venue owner to "go fuck yourself" after being instructed to turn down, and instead brought the whole audience back to a private, 2 a.m. performance in a rehearsal space -- that should tell you most of what you need to know about this apologetically DIY group. The music is loud, intense and emotional, and not the kind of thing that can be easily interrupted as one would simply pause a tape. Formed in 2011 by members of Orion Pax and Iron Hills, Anodes' sound is equal parts abrasive, melodic and cathartic. This show celebrates the release of a new ten-inch split with friends and previous tourmates Enta, from Champaign, Illinois, who will also be performing. Only 300 copies of these albums were pressed by Skeletal Lightning Records, with 100 on black, 100 on white and 100 on an intriguing "black haze" colored vinyl.
Bob Schneider Saturday, February 8, 9 p.m. @ Off Broadway - $20-$33 By Tom Finkel From this 2011 interview: Without a doubt, a sizable contingent among the Bob Schneider devotees who assemble at tomorrow night's St. Louis tour stop will be hollering for the Austin-based rocker to lead them in time-tested ritual sing-alongs of "Tarantula," "Bombananza" and, yes, "The Assknocker." And their beloved Bob and his band will likely oblige. He'll also draw on the full range of ammo jam-packed in his arsenal, from hooky pop numbers that you've never heard before but suddenly realize you know by heart after he's sung them to you to ragers that will sear your ears to just-plain-true songcraft that sticks to your ribs right where you thought your heart was.
Jason Isbell Sunday, February 9, 8 p.m. w/ Robert Ellis @ Plush By Michael Dauphin From this 2012 show preview: Jason Isbell is today a different character than he was in 2007. Back then, Isbell was feeling his way around as a guy with a new lease on life, shaking off a failed marriage, settling into his new role as a bandleader and no longer serving as a Drive-By Trucker. If Isbell seems more grown up nowadays, musically and professionally, there are reasons for it. Having spent the last year playing solo shows as Ryan Adams' direct support and rocking out with the talented 400 Unit in between, Isbell is a more refined artist today.
Note: Though we wish we could, we can't feature every great show happening in town in just one measly post. Look for plenty more recommendations this Friday in our weekend shows post, and peruse the St. Louis concert calendar for more ideas any time. Let everyone know what else you're looking forward to seeing this week in the comments below, and submit show info online any time to be considered for inclusion on these lists.
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