WEDNESDAY 3/2

NOURA MINT SEYMALI, DUSU MALI BAND
(Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta) Here, friends, is what will undoubtedly be one of Portland's live music highlights of the year: a rare concert by vibrant and vital Mauritanian musician Noura Mint Seymali. Born to a prominent musical family, Seymali learned to sing from her famous stepmother, to write songs from her scholar father, and to play the ardine—a nine-string harp traditionally played by women—from her grandmother. She has released music in her home country for a decade, but her 2014 album Tzenni reached a global audience and pushed Mauritania's traditional Moorish griot music into modern times. Tzenni finds Seymali blending West African desert blues and distinctive Moorish melodies with a funky rhythm section and the psychedelic electric guitar work of her husband, Jeiche Ould Chighaly. It's positively intoxicating. BEN SALMON

KENDL WINTER, JOEY CAPOCCIA
(Al's Den, 303 SW 12th) While living in Olympia, I once wandered into a Kendl Winter show with a friend who was visiting from out of town. For me, the show was a pleasant surprise but not especially shocking; Winter played in a half-dozen bands, and I'd seen her on a stage more times than I could count on my fingers and toes. But my friend, having never seen her before, spent the rest of his visit talking about that voice—how we just walked to the back of a dive bar and experienced something so casually profound. And he was right: There's no one with a voice quite like Winter's. It's somehow a little country, a little punk, and sweetly twee all at once. These days she's on the road with the Lowest Pair more often than she's in the Northwest, so take advantage of this rare opportunity to see her perform solo during this weeklong residency at Al's Den. JOSHUA JAMES AMBERSON

LAKE STREET DIVE, THE SUFFERS
(Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside) Lake Street Dive entered the collective consciousness in 2012 with a DIY video, shot on a street corner, of their delicious rendition of the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back." Since then, the band has toured constantly with effervescent arrangements reminiscent of '60s soul, and vocalist Rachael Price's irresistible, swaggering alto. After years on the grind, the four-piece (which also includes bassist Bridget Kearney, Mike "McDuck" Olson on guitar and trumpet, and Michael Calabrese on drums) found a home at Nonesuch Records with last month's release of Side Pony, the group's fourth studio album. Collaborating with go-to roots producer Dave Cobb, Lake Street Dive ripped apart their signature song-mold to create a fully realized album that's a grown-up departure from their previous releases. Side Pony's hopeful, feel-good vibe is part Amy Winehouse, part Earth, Wind & Fire—it's sure to set your toes tapping and your heart aflame. JENI WREN STOTTRUP

THE SHIVAS, SCULPTURE GARDENS, CAT HOCH
(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) Sometimes there's no sweeter sound than that of true rock 'n' roll vibration, and nobody knows this better than the Shivas. Hard touring and dedication to their craft have earned them a well-deserved following, but it's singer/guitarist Jared Molyneux's meticulous absorption of the ghosts on his favorite oldies radio station that separates the Shivas' sonic brand from other revivalists. Bassist Eric Shanafelt and drummer Kristin Leonard have also mastered the sacred art of jingle-jangle, and this shambolic expertise culminates in quite an irresistible stomp. To compound matters further, Leonard and Molyneaux weave stunning crystals of vocal harmony into the mix, adding yet another dimension to their psychedelic-pop stew. Tonight the Shivas celebrate the release of their exciting new K Records offering, Better Off Dead, so you know there'll be some extra surprises accompanying the usual savagery. CHRIS SUTTON

BILL ORCUTT, BARRY ALAN WALKER JR.
(Turn! Turn! Turn!, 8 NE Killingsworth) When Bill Orcutt performs live, he doesn't just play blues-based avant-acoustic instrumentals—he seems to reach deep within himself to wrench out something lodged firmly in his soul. It's like a self-exorcism, with the 54-year-old San Franciscan groaning and grimacing as he lets loose his demons via rough flurries of notes and the detuned sproinging of steel guitar strings under assault. Unhinged as that may sound, there's also a strange joy and wicked humor to Orcutt's work that draws you in closer and closer, willingly accepting the slap of raw meat that comes next. ROBERT HAM

POSSESSED BY PAUL JAMES
(White Eagle, 836 N Russell) For the uninitiated, Possessed by Paul James is the nom de plume of Konrad Wert, a one-man band who switches between guitar, banjo, and fiddle, and writes energetic country-folk-punk tunes. But that brief description alone doesn't do him justice. To understand what makes Wert so riveting, you need to see him onstage, where he picks, growls, stomps, and shouts as if truly possessed by the holy ghost (or something more sinister). But he also allows for moments of surprising tenderness in songs like "Hurricane," his touching tribute to children and parenthood from 2013's There Will Be Nights When I'm Lonely. The fact that Wert is also a celebrated teacher and advocate for special-needs children just makes him that much more of a superhero—perhaps a slightly maniacal superhero. SANTI ELIJAH HOLLEY

THURSDAY 3/3

KENDL WINTER, AUSTIN QUATTLEBAUM
(Al's Den, 303 SW 12th) See Wednesday's preview.

CANNIBAL CORPSE, OBITUARY, CRYPTOPSY, ABYSMAL DAWN
(Hawthorne Theatre, 1507 SE César E. Chávez) This bill is a who's who of North America's old guard of death metal. Cannibal Corpse, Obituary, and Cryptopsy each have tenures of 20-plus years and wide-reaching influence. Not only do they command respect for past achievements, these bands have all released stellar new material in the last two years. French Canadian fiends Cryptopsy's unrelenting brand of mind-melting time signatures and unfathomable speed is just as present on their new EP, The Book Of Suffering—Tome 1, as it is on their 1996 classic, None So Vile. The measured, mid-tempo brutality on Obituary's 2014 album Inked in Blood has somewhat crisper production than the Florida band's 1989 debut Slowly We Rot, but the neck-snapping riffs are definitely still there. Cannibal Corpse's churning death metal attack is as reliable as the tide—only their tide is made up of pummeling technical acrobatics and lyrical bile. 2014's A Skeletal Domain certainly has no shortage of either. ARIS HUNTER WALES

FRINGE CLASS, NAKED HOUR, GLACIER VEINS
(PSU's Smith Memorial Student Union, 1825 SW Broadway) Naked Hour began as the bass-and-drum duo of Teal Bluestone (assistant editor of the Semi-OK Zine) and Ethan Conroy (Robot Boy), who self-released their debut twee-emo EP, Long Run, before adding versatile guitarist Jackson Walker (Dowager, Helens, Snow Roller). What started as simple, catchy bits of Beat Happening-reminiscent pop have been fleshed out into delicate twinkle-grunge tracks. Bluestone's voice fluctuates from sweet melodies to devastating vibrato that sounds like her lungs are deflating out of pure dejection. But "Shower" reminds listeners of the most comforting aspect of Naked Hour's music—these moments of sadness are accented with uplifting group vocals that just beg for you to sing along. CAMERON CROWELL

GOLDLINK, FALCONS, PRSN, GANGSIGNS
(Peter's Room at the Roseland, 8 NW 6th) DC rapper GoldLink came out of nowhere a couple of years ago with a sound—brash raps over gentle house-flavored hip-hop beats—that was unique enough to generate a handful of "Who is GoldLink?" articles from prominent publications. At the time, he had a few songs on SoundCloud and a 26-minute mixtape to his name. Since then, GoldLink lifted the veil with 2015's And After That, We Didn't Talk, an album thematically centered on a teenage relationship. The release finds the rapper striking a balance between Mos Def and Kendrick Lamar over skittering, melodic tracks that sound extraterrestrial in the current Future/Young Thug-dominated trap-scape. With its familiar rap boasts, fest-friendly electronica, and the rapper's own left-of-center flow, GoldLink's music synthesizes a number of sounds that folks are into these days. It's no wonder he's rising so quickly. BS

FRIDAY 3/4

JOHN PRINE, KENDEL CARSON, DUSTIN BENTALL
(Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway) See My, What a Busy Week!

KENDL WINTER, ANNE GORDON
(Al's Den, 303 SW 12th) See Wednesday's preview.

SONS OF HUNS, CLOUD CATCHER, PUSHY
(The Know, 2026 NE Alberta) Mirroring the powerful '70s heavy metal onslaught of Portland's own Sons of Huns, Denver's Cloud Catcher champions tight riffs and huge, driving rhythms. Powered by the ultimate rock 'n' roll foundation of the taut power trio format, Cloud Catcher injects busy heaviness with lyrical theatrics. On "Sky Cutter" from their 2015 LP Enlightened Beyond Existence, vocalist Rory Rummings' tenor vibrato soars like a magic eagle above seemingly never-ending leads. His counterparts, Kameron Wentworth (bass) and Jared Soloman Handman (drums), dutifully hold down the rhythm on more cosmic cuts like "Farout Man," a psychedelic ride down Sabbath Lane. This show is likely to fulfill your head-banging quota for the entire month, whatever that's worth. RYAN J. PRADO

SUMMER CANNIBALS, MONTHS
(Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water) While Summer Cannibals' first show of the new year is itself a special occasion (and will also be their first since the departure of founding guitarist Marc Swart), the recent announcement of the Portland band's forthcoming third album, Full of It, makes tonight unmissable. With their live set improving at an exponential rate, Summer Cannibals have firmly established themselves as capable of winning over just about any audience with their razor-sharp guitar rock. Full of It, their Kill Rock Stars debut, marks the band's first release away from their own label, New Moss Records. The move seems like the perfect fit for Summer Cannibals, who should settle right into Kill Rock Stars' rich roster of Pacific Northwest punk-rock talent. The album's lead single, "Go Home," finds them dialing up the intensity yet another notch, so brace yourself accordingly. CHIPP TERWILLIGER

SATURDAY 3/5

BLOWOUT, DEAD SOFT, PASS
(The Know, 2026 NE Alberta) See My, What a Busy Week!

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE, RATKING
(Roseland, 8 NW 6th) See All-Ages Action!

ANTI FLAG, LEFTOVER CRACK, WAR ON WOMEN, BLACKBIRD RAUM, THE HOMELESS GOSPEL CHOIR
(Hawthorne Theatre, 1507 SE César E. Chávez) See All-Ages Action!

KENDL WINTER, PALMER T. LEE
(Al's Den, 303 SW 12th) See Wednesday's preview.

JOSEPH, COREY KILGANNON
(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) Don't let the name fool you—Portland band Joseph is actually three sisters who sing soulful, acoustic folk/country. Their name comes from the summers they spent in Joseph, Oregon—a town in the eastern part of the state that shares the name of the sisters' grandfather. And okay, yes, it's also a reference to the ancient biblical story of Joseph, who interpreted the dreams of prisoners. This Joseph makes old-school country ballads that don't have the harsh twang we all too often associate with country; their music instead hovers somewhere between timeless folk and the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. The family act's cohesive sound and flawless harmonies compel you to be a part of it. ROSE FINN

WOLF EYES, TIMMY'S ORGANISM, VIDEO, PISS TEST
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) In the avant-garde/experimental world, Wolf Eyes needs no introduction. Nate Young and his fellow "noise terrorists" have been churning out copious amounts of cacophony under various pseudonyms and on countless labels for years, all while amassing hardcore followers who scour the internet for rare MP3s and lathe cuts. While aptly developing a reputation for horror-themed electronic mutilation, Wolf Eyes still allow space for traditional instrumentation in a live setting. John Olsen and Jim Baljo add guitar and wind instruments to the edgy tempest, ensuring that the proceedings don't slip into metallic oblivion. Joining them on tonight's bill are fellow Michiganders Timmy's Organism, who take a different approach to sonic brutality. These rock 'n' roll crusaders, led by outlandish frontman Timmy Vulgar, wear the legacy of MC5 and the Stooges proudly on their sleeveless denim vests, completing tonight's Wolverine State circle of mayhem. CS

SUNDAY 3/6

ELEANOR FRIEDBERGER, ICEWATER
(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) Read our article on Eleanor Friedberger.

ROBYN HITCHCOCK, EMMA SWIFT
(Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie) See My, What a Busy Week!

ANDERSON EAST, DYLAN LEBLANC
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) If Neil Young had grown up in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, instead of his native Canada, he'd sound like Dylan LeBlanc. Last month the young singer/songwriter released his third full-length, Cautionary Tale, a 10-song orchestra of Americana-blues. While LeBlanc struggles to evoke much through unremarkable lyrics, he constructs vibrant, cinematic soundscapes where the humid air is thick with swampy folklore. Take, for example, the title track—Leblanc repeatedly sings, "Can I trust you now/Not to pull me out of/This cautionary tale that you know that I won't be readin'." Although it's not incredibly engaging lyrically, his voice's gentle twang settles like mist over a rich bassline and an unexpected strings section. CIARA DOLAN

MONDAY 3/7

DENGUE FEVER, TEZETA BAND
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) See My, What a Busy Week!

PROTOMARTYR, CHASTITY BELT, HURRY UP
(Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside) See My, What a Busy Week!, and read our article on Protomartyr.

JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ, YMUSIC
(Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway) In 2010, Sasha Frere-Jones' New Yorker piece "Noise Control" made the cogent point that music has become an integrated piece of the background in our modern culture. We live in a landscape characterized by constant proximity to computers, the buzz of the refrigerator, the sound-blips of powering up and down any of the endless electronic devices that float around us. The ear becomes more and more enchanted with sounds that suit this modern state: electric devices like synthesizers, distorted guitars, programmed beats. So let's take a moment to revert back to nature—tangible deep greens and still life (we do live in the Pacific Northwest, for cryin' out loud). That's where you'll find José González. The Swedish musician is sparse with his solo releases, which come when he's not working with the band Junip, but he sure knows how to illuminate demure sounds. His simple-yet-rich mixture of guitar and voice comes together as fluidly as, well, nature. ROBIN BACIOR

TUESDAY 3/8

EAR CANDY: JACKSON BOONE AND THE OCEAN GHOSTS, PSYCHOMAGIC, SINLESS
(Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi) See My, What a Busy Week!

STRANGEWEATHER, EDHOCHULI, SAID GONER, BEACH PARTY
(Black Water Bar, 835 NE Broadway) See All-Ages Action!

SHANNON ENTROPY, OUTER SPACE HEATERS, THE SUPER SECRET HOT GIRLS CLUB
(The Liquor Store, 3341 SE Belmont) Steeped in a wild mix of styles, Portland's Shannon Entropy extend beyond the parameters of so many other local pop-rock bands. Tonight's release show celebrates their debut, Tamale EP. It's a study in musical dynamics, with opening track "Caves" blipping in with electronic rhythms, lulling your senses with a slow-burning verse sung by Tamsyn Cox and backed by David Hickey, unfurling a lushly textured melodic pop downer. The jazzier intricacy of "Pimpilla" furthers the experimentation of smashing a groovy R&B foundation with flourishes of hip-hop, electro-psych, and more. By the time you get to the album's likely single, "Janky Leg," the band switches gears again to a watery island-pop that fusses in funk-tinged grooves and a big chorus. The tape release is limited to 200 copies, so pick one up while they're hot. RJP

DUDE YORK, NAKED GIANTS
(Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water) If you missed Seattle's heavy pop act Dude York a few weeks ago when they played a buzzworthy set of brand new material at the Know, you're in luck—the band is swinging back through town on their way to SXSW. Following in the footsteps of Help Yourself Records labelmates like Chastity Belt, Childbirth, and Wimps, Dude York are primed to become the next Seattle act to garner some much-deserved national attention. The band's latest release, a near-perfect split single, has quickly elevated the trio to must-see status. While Dude York's 2014 album, Dehumanize, showcased songs written by the band's singer and guitarist Peter Richards, this latest release finds Richards passing off songwriting duty to bassist Claire England, whose contribution, "Love Is," is a five-minute anthemic rocker aimed straight for the heart. It might be one of the best songs you'll hear all year. CT