Music Picks: Lloyd Price, Leni Stern, Amon Tobin and The Residents

Robotanists

LOS GLOBOS

PHOTO COURTESY OF LENI STERN

Leni Stern: See Sunday.

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• Kurt Rosenwinkel
• Van Dyke Parks
• Victor Wooten
• Moris Tepper
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media

In the wake of last year's Plans in Progress, Robotanists are taking a lark with their digital-only EP, Souvenirs, a sort of surprise gift for their fans, with the local synth-pop group covering their favorite songs by The Motels, New Order, Todd Rundgren and others. Sarah Ellquist de Blanke's dreamy vocals and her musical partner Daniel de Blanke's shimmering synths give these new-wave and post-punk chansons a modern sheen, but the strangest track of all is their cover of Kenny Rogers' "Just Dropped in (to See What Condition My Condition Was in)." Rather than camping it up, Robotanists transform this corny country standard into a stirring, unexpectedly enchanting soundscape, as Sarah's languidly ethereal singing trails off in the haze of Daniel's blended acoustic guitars and distant-thunder percussion. —Falling James

tue 2/26

The Shrine

THE ECHO

Venice Beach power trio The Shrine are shredders of the highest order — on their instruments, of course, and on their skateboards even more of course! They're basically an assistant principal's nightmare circa 1982: longhair heavy-metal punk 'n' roll skaters with custom fuzz pedals and an endless supply of inspiration from the most ripping ne'er-do-wells ever to have their band name carved into a desk during detention. The Shrine's most recent album, Primitive Blast (on Tee Pee), had pretty much the most succinctly descriptive title of 2012. Imagine a caveman with a flamethrower and a wide smile, and then add some guitar solos. Gentlemen, it's a pleasure to get disintegrated by you. —Chris Ziegler

wed 2/27

Van Dyke Parks

SOUTH PASADENA LIBRARY

Composer-arranger-producer-pianist Van Dyke Parks is best known as a lyricist for Brian Wilson, notably on the Beach Boys' Smile album. Undeservedly shadowed is Parks' catalog of solo albums, which boasts at least one genuine masterwork, 1968's Song Cycle. He's also fondly regarded for his work as a poetic instigator in his arranging and accompaniment for The Byrds, Rufus Wainwright, Harry Nilsson, Joanna Newsom, Fleet Foxes, Ringo Starr and myriad others. Live, Parks is a charming, slyly folksy wag with a thousand tales to tell and a veritable mountain of great songs to sing. Tonight he's accompanied by his superb small ensemble; special guests include singer-songwriters Joe Henry and Inara George and the Merrick band. —John Payne

Deluka

THE SATELLITE

Fitting in neatly with sex-symbol frontwomen along the lines of The Duke Spirit's Liela Moss and Metric's Emily Haines is Deluka's siren, Ellie Innocenti. The Birmingham, England, group has relocated to L.A. to record its second album with Tim Pagnotta and Dan the Automator. While that brews for a summer release, Deluka are giving the locals of their adopted city a chance to catch their high-energy performances while exercising their live chops. Purposely leaked songs "Stranger Than Fiction" and "Never Alone" indicate Deluka have found the right balance between rich vocals and driving rhythms. The synth-laced dance pop Deluka have been known to do so well surrenders to the electrifying, tight rock hooks they also have mastered. —Lily Moayeri

thu 2/28

Chris Potter

MUSICIANS INSTITUTE CONCERT CENTER

The Jazz Bakery celebrates its 20th anniversary this month, and tonight presents New York–based saxophonist Chris Potter. Although Potter has done several shows for the Bakery in the past, this year he arrives riding the wave of his first Grammy Award as a member of the Pat Metheny Unity Band. Regarded as one of the finest saxophonists in jazz today, Potter brings a supporting cast including keyboardist Craig Taborn, bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Eric Harland. The Musicians Institute Concert Center features fine sound and seating. —Tom Meek

Amon Tobin DJ Set

THE FONDA THEATRE

Whether hunched over his turntables or perched high within a towering, 3-D art installation, Brazil-born DJ/sound artist Amon Tobin expands the shape and scope of electronic music and, better yet, does it with little concern for how he fits in genrewise. Tobin obliterates stylistic boundaries, his tracks often integrating state-of-the-art digital visuals that both enhance and resonantly juxtapose with his frighteningly gorgeous flights of sonic abstraction and bone-shaking beats. His ever-morphing black hole of sound and vision finds true glory in his DJ sets, which plumb the depths of the hip-hop/drum & bass DNA that inspired him but go far beyond mere heavy beats and funky samples to mutate texture, ambience and low-low-end in mind-blowing, inspiring ways. —John Payne

Galactic, Latyrx

EL REY THEATRE

Couldn't get to Mardi Gras this year? Galactic will bring the carnival to you. The funky, jazzy combo employs traditional N'Awlins styles, but with a restlessness and curiosity that draw on everything from dance-music electronics to world-beat percussion. Galactic have recently been augmented by Living Colour singer Corey Glover; new album Carnivale Electricos combines his forceful intensity and charisma with their trademark funkiness, opening up for wickedly groovy passages that smash the barriers between soul and psychedelia. Tonight they're preceded by Latyrx, a collaboration between brainy Bay Area rappers Lyrics Born and Lateef the Truth Speaker, who kick it out in a supremely slinky, hypnotic, mind-blowing fashion. —Falling James