Music Picks: Nicole Atkins & the Black Sea, Teebs, Los Amigos Invisibles, Rare Grooves

Also playing Saturday:KRS-ONE at the Roxy; DECEMBERISTS at the Wiltern; APEX MANOR at the Satellite; EMBRYONIC DEVOURMENT at the Blvd.; LARRY KARUSH at the Blue Whale; THE CHUCK DUKOWSKI SEXTET at the Smell; ATLANTIC/PACIFIC, JARROD GORBEL at the Echo; DIERKS BENTLEY at the Troubadour; KAREN ANN at the Skirball Center.

Susan James. See Tuesday.

Location Info

Map

The Redwood Bar & Grill

316 W. Second St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Category: Bars/Clubs

Region: Downtown

Photos

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Coronet Theatre

366 N. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Category: Theaters

Region: Melrose/ Beverly/ Fairfax

The Echo

1822 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Category: Bars/Clubs

Region: Echo Park

Photos

Bootleg Theater

2200 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90057

Category: Bars/Clubs

Region: Out of Town

Photos

The Conga Room

800 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Category: Bars/Clubs

Region: Downtown

Photos

Nokia Theatre

777 Chick Hearn Court
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Category: Music Venues

Region: Downtown

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The Glass House

200 W. Second St.
Pomona, CA 91766

Category: Bars/Clubs

Region: Out of Town

Photos

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• John Payne
• Chris Martins
• Austin Peralta
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media
• Punk Rock

SUNDAY/FEBRUARY/13

RARE GROOVES, CJ BOYD AT THE SMELL

It's typically a term associated with obscure funk songs, but Rare Grooves is a local punk band with ties to DIY institution the Smell. Of course, that doesn't mean these kids don't have soul. Theirs is a youthful, spiky thing that does indeed value a good low end. Actually, worship might be a better term, as the members of the band formerly known as Widow Babies have long nurtured a serious obsession with famous Minutemen bassist Mike Watt [see Friday]. They actually named an early EP after him, lyrically pitting their hero against a vampire Abe Lincoln who'd managed to somehow steal Watts' life-giving hands (sample song title: "In Which Mike Watt Wins Back His Hands and Basses a River Into Existence"). As Rare Grooves, they continue to mix spiraling guitars and playful riddims with shrill vocals and surfy vibes, and they've actually collaborated with Watt for a recent 7-inch, which is both rare and grooved. Speaking of bass, opener CJ Boyd is a master of both the electric and stand-up varieties and, whether plucking, picking or bowing, has developed an undeniable knack for creating gorgeous, palpable atmosphere. Live, he utilizes loops, overdubs and improv to maximum effect. (Chris Martins)

Also playing Sunday: PART TIME PUNKS' "MY BLOODY VALENTINE" NIGHT at the Echo.

MONDAY/FEBRUARY/14

NE-YO AT NOKIA THEATRE

You could arrange a worse Valentine's Day date than a trip to see Ne-Yo: Though he's for sure one of current R&B's craftiest craftsmen — check out his pitch-perfect Off the Wall impression in "Cause I Said So," from last year's Libra Scale — he's also as tender a slow-jam slinger as you'll find in this age of tough-talking young lotharios (think Trey Songz and Chris Brown). Libra Scale doesn't quite live up to 2008's Year of the Gentleman, which had sharper hooks and a more expansive production palette. (Nor is it as sensitive: In the earlier album's "Why Does She Stay?" dude actually went ahead and apologized for not doing the dishes.) But you can bet he'll bring his A-game tonight. With Monica, who returned to the soul scene last year with the surprisingly strong Still Standing, and promising newcomer Miguel. (Mikael Wood)

JENNY O AT THE BOOTLEG THEATER

What better way to stave off the black panic of Blue Monday, aka Valentine's Day, than tonight's show with Jenny O? That's a rhetorical question — just be lulled by the reassuring dulcet tones of the Big O, who holds forth every Monday in February at Bootleg for free, tonight with Henry Wolfe, Sara Lov and John Gold. Jenny O's debut EP, Home, was just released on chic alternative-consciousness merchant Manimal Vinyl. It's another in a string of mellow gold jangle for O, and over five songs, she sings breathlessly from the soul, spanning an artistic legacy from the soft rock of the '60s to the jazz of the '90s, and never losing her open-minded, self-avowed hippieness. (David Cotner)

Also playing Monday: PARKWAY DRIVE at Camarillo Ranch House; JOHN CARPENTER, SLANG CHICKENS at the Echo; ROBOTANISTS at Silverlake Lounge.

TUESDAY/FEBRUARY/15

SUSAN JAMES, EVIE SANDS, ANNY CELSI, DOUBLE NAUGHT SPYCAR AT THE ECHO

Tonight, folk-country singer-guitarist Susan James climbs down from her Topanga mountain home after an extended exile to celebrate the release of her long-awaited (and fittingly titled) fourth album, Highways, Ghosts, Hearts & Home. [See album review on Page Two.] The album sweetly examines the competing pulls between domestic, familial loyalties and a musician's love of the open road. In keeping with the communal theme of the album (which features guests Shivaree's Danny McGough, the Punch Brothers' Gabe Witcher, D.J. Bonebrake and members of I See Hawks in L.A.), James will be joined by her extended family of friends and collaborators for a jam-backed bill presented by Grand Ole Echo. Among the many highlights, don't miss the fantastic pop singer Evie Sands, whose songs have been covered by everyone from Barbra Streisand and Dusty Springfield to Beck, Sonic Boom and Beth Orton. After a career of several decades, Sands is only now beginning to garner the recognition she should've had all along [Ed.'s note: If you find a copy of her obscenely good 1970 album Any Way That You Want Me, we'll buy it from you!] The local pop-folk stylist Anny Celsi is paired with longtime indie-pop accompanist Nelson Bragg, while the interrelated bands I See Hawks in L.A. and the eclectically frenetic instrumental combo Double Naught Spycar are scheduled for short sets. Also with Tony Gilkyson & Kip Boardman, Cosmo Topper, Old Californio, the Quarter After and others, starting early at 7:30 p.m. (Falling James)

ROCK OF AGES AT THE PANTAGES

[See Page Two]

Also playing Tuesday: WYNTON MARSALIS/LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA at Walt Disney Concert Hall; KASPER TOEPLITZ AND MYRIAM GOURFINK's Breathing Monster at REDCAT; JOSEPH ARTHUR, MADI DIAZ at the Bootleg; TODD SNIDER at El Rey Theatre.