Andy Clockwise is a former comedian from Australia who put the punchlines aside and stationed himself on these shores a couple years ago, seemingly intent on making Los Angeles his personal playground.

The man born Andy Kelly has certainly become something of a local phenomenon — equal parts bawdy rocker and tender balladeer, Clockwise exudes a roguish charm and a changeling musical persona that finds him mining pop, rock, glam and soul to frame the stories he delivers in his sometimes-croaky baritone.

His forthcoming album “The Socialite” features a cameo from Illinois-bred folkie Lissie, whom Clockwise met through the the loose group of artists known as the Beachwood Canyon Rockers Society at Crane's.

To hear the howling “Everybody's in a Band,” you'd think Clockwise was an L.A. lifer, or just in it for the laughs, but then he delivers an anthem like “Stealing Cars (Second Wind)” or a torch song like “Casanova (Remember Love),” and it's apparent he's in it to win.

Clockwise headlines the Troubadour tonight, supported by Marvelous Toy.

Elsewhere: Electro-funk party-starters Spirit Animal celebrate the release of their first album “The Cost of Living” at the Bootleg Theater (if you haven't shaken your fanny to “Ants!,” get it free here) … Elisa Randazzo, whose new album “Bruises and Butterflies” is just out on Drag City, headlines Spaceland. … And you have some serious ska at the Key Club, where Streetlight Manifesto visits from the East Coast.

Also: Pato Banton at the Glass House in Pomona; Eytan and the Embassy and Ballerina Black at the Silverlake Lounge' MRK1 and Juan Basshead at Smog Sessions at the Echo; Admiral Radley's free 7 p.m. in-store at Amoeba; Sam Bradley at the Hotel Cafe; Kingsizemaybe and Double Naught Spycar at 3 Clubs; Modern Time Machines and the Sister Ruby Band at El Cid; C-Horse at Echo Curio; Zion I at the Roxy; and Hey Champ and Imagine Dragons at the Viper Room.

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