Friday, October 11

Robert Robinson CD-Release Show

Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis

8 p.m., $20, all ages

The reigning king of Twin Cities gospel, Robert Robinson, takes a more pop-oriented approach on his new album, Lullabies From the Heart, covering everything from Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" to Sting's "Field of Gold" and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time." Robinson will celebrate his new album with what is sure to be a stunning show at the intimate Dakota.

Deleter EP-Release Show

Cause Spirits and Soundbar, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $5, 21+

Askeleton fans, rejoice: frontman Knol Tate is back in action with a new group, Deleter, and they have a fresh EP, 56789, out tonight. The band picks up the post-punk torch lit by bands like Wire and Missions of Burma and carries it into a new era, capturing the spirit of a bygone era of experimental rock music and lacing it with decidedly catchy riffs and hooks. Sample the whole EP online here. Kill to Kill, Buildings, and Bollywood are also on the bill.

Toby Thomas Churchill

Harriet Brewing, Minneapolis

7 p.m., free, 21+

One of the standout acts from this year's Homegrown Festival brings his live band, the Grave Trio—featuring former members of Roma di Luna—to the Cities for a free gig. Katy Vernon opens with her trio.

Jeremy Messersmith, Rachael Kilgour

Teatro Zuccone, Duluth

8 p.m., $13, all ages

With a brand new single, "Tourniquet," doing well at radio and the highly anticipated new album Heart Murmurs ready to be released on major label Glassnote later this year, Jeremy Messersmith should be in a great mood when he makes his return visit to Duluth this Friday. Messersmith will be joined at this all ages show by fellow singer/songwriter and advocate for social justice, Rachael Kilgour.

Psalm One, Equal Xchange

Red Star Lounge

10 p.m., free, 21+

Cristalle Bowen, better known as Psalm One, brings her thoughtful rhymes north from Chicago to perform at the intimate Red Star Lounge on Friday night. Although she’s stated, "I ain't Com, I ain't Kanye,” comparisons have been made to both those artists as well as fellow Chicago icons Lupe Fiasco and Kid Sister. Those who are only familiar with her last Rhymesayers release should check out the dynamic three-album “Woman at Work” series. Duluth’s Equal Xchange who mix north shore hip hop with post-rock soundscapes will open the show.

Saturday, October 12

The New Standards with Prudence Johnson

Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis

7 p.m. and 9 p.m., $30, all ages

Watch a new musical relationship bloom in real time this Saturday night as jazz pop trio the New Standards (featuring Chan Poling of the Suburbs, John Munson of Semisonic/the Twilight Hours, and Steve Roehm) team up with respected vocalist Prudence Johnson for a new project called "Tower of Song." Expect covers of classic songs from artists like Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and Tom Waits.

c.Kostra

Kitty Cat Klub, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $5, 21+

Ryan Olcott of Mystery Palace and 12 Rods fame resurfaces this weekend with his new c.Kostra project, which he describes as "bedroom gaze-faze." He'll be joined by support acts Gloss, the Multiple Cat, and Brilliant Beast.

Communist Daughter and Zoo Animal

Icehouse, Minneapolis

11 p.m., $10, 21+

An easy choice for a can't-go-wrong Saturday night gig. Chamber folk-pop group Communist Daughter open for the ever-edgier, grittier, and more intense Zoo Animal. The show will also serve as a tour kick-off gig for Zoo Animal, who are heading out for a short run of dates on the East Coast.

The Melismatics CD-Release Show

Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St. Paul

8 p.m., $10 adv/$12 door, 18+

In what's being billed as the only show they'll play in the Twin Cities for a long while, the Melismatics will take over downtown St. Paul to celebrate the release of their new Rising Tide. Also on the bill is Sick of Sarah, Detroit's the Hounds Below (featuring Jason Stollsteimer of the Von Bondies), and Tony Ortiz.

Hullabaloo Festival

Indeed Brewing Company, Minneapolis

12 p.m.-11 p.m., free, all ages

One of the last day-long festivals of the fall packs quite the punch, with Americana-based acts like Barbara Jean, Frankie Lee, Southwire, and Taj Raj, plus '60s garage revivalists Eleganza! and soul icon Sonny Knight and the Lakers. Set times here.

Tired Eyes (Al Sparhawk & Rich Mattson)

Lee's Liquor Lounge, Minneapolis

9 p.m., free, 21+

It’s hard to imagine what a band consisting of Alan Sparhawk (Low, Retribution Gospel Choir) and Rich Mattson (Ol’ Yeller, The Tisdales) would sound like. Would their individual styles blend to form some kind of alt-country/blues/rock/minimalist super group? The world will probably never know. However, the two northland legends have teamed up for an encore edition of Tired Eyes, taking turns sharing vocal and solo duties as they lead a full band in an epic performance of hits and B-sides culled from the catalog of neighbor to the north, Neil Young. They'll also perform Friday night at Tycoons in Duluth.

The Getarounds, Space Carpet, Fearless Moral Inventory

The Rex, Duluth

10 p.m., $5, 21+

The Largoff Basement Show is a new concert series kicking off Saturday with performances from a host of bands familiar to regular attendees of West Duluth coffeehouse Beaner’s Central. This new run of shows will feature a variety of Duluth acts and each month a portion of the night’s cover will be donated to a local charity. This inaugural lineup features the storytelling duo of The Getarounds, the folk stylings of Jen West and Rory Isakson together known as Space Carpet and Duluth rockers Fearless Moral Inventory.

The Fiddle Heirs, Teague Alexy Band

Tycoons Alehouse, Duluth

10 p.m., free, 21+

For new bluegrass super group the Fiddle Heirs, Texas isn’t the only state that needs a fiddle in the band. Led by Ryan Young, fiddle extraordinaire in Duluth’s Trampled by Turtles, this new band is all about fiddling around. Literally. Some of the best fiddle players in Minnesota have joined forces and will take over the stage at Tycoons on Saturday night. Joining Young will be Nate Sipe (Pert Near Sandstone), Jillian Rae (Corpse Reviver), Chris Forsberg (Boys N’ The Barrels), and Jake Hyer and Justin Bruhn of Pocahontas County. If the devil is looking for souls to steal, I’d recommend he stay away from Tycoons on Saturday.

Twin Ports concert recommendations courtesy of Duluth Local Show host Walt Dizzo.