Monday, April 1

Punk Rock Bowling with Buildings

Memory Lanes, Minneapolis

10 p.m., free, 21+

Catch excellent power trio Buildings before they head out on tour at this unique show, which takes place directly on a few of the lanes at this South Minneapolis bowling alley. They'll be joined by Miami Dolphins, Blackthorne, and Ashen.

John Mark Nelson (opening for Little Green Cars)

7th St. Entry, Minneapolis

7:30 p.m., sold out, 18+

Nelson brings his folk-pop project to the Entry to open for like-minded Irish group Little Green Cars, who are riding high on the popularity of their driving single "The John Wayne."

Tuesday, April 2

Halloween, Alaska

Hopkins Center for the Arts, Hopkins

7 p.m., $12, all ages

This downtown Hopkins venue has been bringing in quite the variety of established Twin Cities talent lately. Tuesday night's show will feature cerebral indie-pop band Halloween, Alaska with opener John Mark Nelson.

Frozen Teens

Hexagon Bar, Minneapolis

9 p.m., free, 21+

Loud, riotous punk from one of the Twin Cities' best up-and-coming hardcore bands. With Columbus, Ohio's Nervosa and locals Mystery Date and Serenghetto.

Wednesday, April 3

Gloss 7" Release Show

Fine Line Music Cafe, Minneapolis

8 p.m., free, 21+

Burgeoning Minneapolis quintet Gloss (who we just profiled here) will celebrate the release of their debut 7" with support from Bad Bad Hats, Nature Shows, and Reverse Vampire.

Sonny Knight and the Lakers

Icehouse, Minneapolis

8 p.m., $6, 21+

Charismatic soul singer Sonny Knight got his start as a solo artist in the mid-'60s, and later went on to perform in the funk group Haze. In recent years he's re-emerged to perform with the Twin Cities Funk & Soul All Stars, and will lead his own new band at this Secret Stash Records-sponsored event.

Thursday, April 4

Modern Radio Night with Dem Atlas and Lydia Liza

Kitty Cat Klub, Minneapolis

9 p.m., free, 21+

Local label Modern Radio hosts its monthly party with performances by up-and-coming hip-hop artist Dem Atlas and powerhouse vocalist Lydia Liza (a.k.a. Lydia Hoglund of Bomba de Luz). I'll be DJing between sets along with Taylor Nelson and Alaine Dickman of Wiping Out Thousands.

Trampled by Turtles 10-Year Anniversary Tour Kick-Off

DECC, Duluth

6:30 p.m., $20, all ages

Blazing fast string quintet Trampled by Turtles will kick off a two-month-long loop of the state of Minnesota in celebration of their 10-year anniversary, starting with this show at the DECC with opener Frankie Lee. They'll swoop through Minneapolis on April 17, 18, and 19 to play three nights at First Avenue in addition to playing dates in Rochester, Grand Rapids, Baxter, and Moorhead. Tour info here.

Friday, April 5

Happy Apple

Icehouse, Minneapolis

11 p.m., $12, 21+

It's rare for a trio of musicians to be so fluid, and so in tune with one another. Drummer Dave King, saxophonist Mike Lewis, and bassist Erik Fratzke have long been regarded as three of the Cities' best improvisational artists, and to watch them come together to perform in their seminal group is simply divine.

The Fattenin' Frogs

Harriet Brewing, Minneapolis

7 p.m., free

Roots and bluegrass inspired band the Fattenin' Frogs, led by the 4onthefloor's Chris Holm, will release their first of two new singles, "Coming Home," as part of the Freewheelin' First Friday Series. Also on the bill is Awkward Sorrows.

The Further Adjustments CD-Release Show

331 Club, Minneapolis

10 p.m., free, 21+

I can't wait to see this band live. They combine so many appealing elements—a little 'Mats, a little Neil Young, and a lot of soul, with lead singer Reilly Partridge's grizzled voice belying his young years. They'll preview tracks off their new Neil Weir-produced album, due out later this year, with support from Chants and Seas and Lotus Eater.

Crimes, Leisure Birds and Strange Relations

Turf Club, St. Paul

9 p.m., $6, 21+

A trio of stellar garage bands take over the Turf. Get there early and be sure to stick around for Crimes—they'll be playing new songs and gearing up for the release of their Thin Sunlight LP, which is due out next month.

Chastity Brown, Actual Wolf and Barbara Jean

Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis

7 p.m., $12 adv/$15 door, all ages

Artist-run agency Gravel Road Touring will showcase three of its most prominent acts at this songwriter-driven show.

Saturday, April 6

The 4onthefloor Album-Release Show

First Avenue, Minneapolis

8 p.m., $12 adv/$14 door, 18+

Howling blues stompers the 4onthefloor will celebrate the release of their sophomore full-length, Spirit of Minneapolis. With openers the Evening Rig, Wishbook, and Trapper Schoepp & the Shades.

Happy Apple

Icehouse, Minneapolis

11 p.m., $12, 21+

It's rare for a trio of musicians to be so fluid, and so in tune with one another. Drummer Dave King, saxophonist Mike Lewis, and bassist Erik Fratzke have long been regarded as three of the Cities' best improvisational artists, and to watch them come together to perform in their seminal group is simply divine.

Farewell Milwaukee with Actual Wolf

Broadway Theater, Wabasha

7 p.m., $18 adv/$22 door, all ages

This intimate event, organized by Moonshine Showcase, aims to bring some of the best Minnesota talent to the St. Croix River city of Wabasha (about 90 minutes southeast of the Twin Cities). Farewell Milwaukee will preview new songs off their forthcoming album, and singer-songwriter Actual Wolf will open a show that Moonshine Showcase promoter Barry Hill promises "will give you goose bumps."