Tuesday, October 22

Dosh Album-Release Show

Electric Fetus, Minneapolis

7 p.m., free, all ages

Martin Dosh will celebrate the release of his latest full-length, Milk Money, with a free performance, listening party, and album signing at record store the Electric Fetus.

Strange Names (opening for Janelle Monae)

Skyway Theatre, Minneapolis

6 p.m., $25

Touring behind her excellent new futuristic pop masterpiece The Electric Lady, which features special guests ranging from Miguel and Erykah Badu to Minnesota's own Prince, Janelle Monae brings her adventurous stage show to Minneapolis tonight. Rising Minneapolis pop duo Strange Names will warm up the stage with a just-announced opening set.

Polica Listening Party and DJ Set

The Depot, Minneapolis

9 p.m., free, 21+

Inventive electro-pop quartet Polica will be at First Avenue's bar and restaurant the Depot tonight at 9 p.m. for a release-day listening party of their new Shulamith (read my review here). In addition to playing the new album in its entirety, the band's members will take turns spinning their favorite tunes.

Wednesday, October 23

Sexy Delicious Vinyl-Release Show

Icehouse, Minneapolis

10 p.m., $6, 21+

Rock, funk, soul, and hip-hop collide on Too Hot to Bother, the debut album from Sexy Delicious. Sample the record here, and head down to Icehouse Wednesday to see the band in action as they release it on vinyl. Black Diet open the show.

Jenny Dalton

Cause Spirits and Soundbar, Minneapolis

9 p.m., free, 21+

Piano-driven songwriter Jenny Dalton continues her monthlong residency at Cause, this time with support from the Ronnie Buxtons (a new project featuring Steve Barone of Lifter Puller) and Panther Ray.

Thursday, October 24

And the Professors Album-Release Show

Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis

7 p.m., $10 adv/$12 door, all ages

Adam Levy has made a career out of crafting complex pop melodies, but And the Professors might be his most ambitious project yet. Levy leads a band of dextrous players (including DeVon Gray of Heiruspecs and Brother Ali's live band, Joey Van Phillips of Dessa's band), a versatile string section, and guest vocalists like Aby Wolf and Bethany Larson through a maze of dizzying melodies and ear-pleasing counterpoints. They will release their debut album, Our Postmortem, at the Cedar with support from Farewell Continental (featuring Justin Pierre of Motion City Soundtrack) and Ben Rosenbush and the Brighton.

Friday, October 25

Brian Laidlaw EP-Release Show

Icehouse, Minneapolis

10 p.m., $6, 21+

Songwriter Brian Laidlaw lays down his latest collection of tender folk melodies on the Echolalia EP, a soft, sweet, and atmospheric little album that seems tailor-made for winter listening. Laidlaw will be joined by members of his Family Trade backing band and something called a "wolf wolf wolf" band, with additional support from the Farewell Circuit.

E.L.nO's Halloween Ball

Lee's Liquor Lounge, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $10, 21+

Electric Light Orchestra cover band E.L.nO (led by the Current's own Dave Campbell) return to Lee's for their annual Halloween bash. This time around, they'll be joined by Joey Ryan and the Inks, who will play a set of tunes by Bob Dylan and the Band. DJ Jill Riley will also be on hand to spin tunes between sets.

Saturday, October 26

Botzy EP-Release Show

Triple Rock Social Club, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $5, 21+

Not only will this show celebrate the release of Botzy's new EP, Past Tense, but it's also packed end-to-end with some of the most fascinating and inventive emerging talent to come out of Minneapolis this year. Get there early for up-and-coming MCs Ackronem and Allan Kingdom, plus a set by the inimitable performance artist/funk-pop act Tickle Torture.

Barbara Jean and Southwire

Dakota Jazz Club, Minneapolis

8 p.m., $10, all ages

This potent double-header combines the talents of two Northern Minnesota-reared roots acts: Banjo player and violinist Barbaba Jean, who just returned to Minneapolis after a long stint in Grand Marais last year, plus Duluth gospel-folk quartet Southwire.