A couple of promising shows from the indie fringes during this relatively slow week: Austin’s American Analog Set create drone-y rock that moves in gentle, lovely waves. They’ll be at the Map Room on Friday, October 5th, with like-minded locals Palindrome. At the Hi-Tone Café on Saturday, October 6th, you can catch a couple of notable indie bands, Destroyer and The Summer Hymns. Destroyer is led by Dan Bejar, who is also the driving force behind Canadian indie “supergroup” the New Pornographers, whose Mass Romantic was one of 2000’s most enjoyable records. Destroyer is less rock-oriented than the New Pornographers, instead capturing a softer, more British-sounding mood that recalls classic David Bowie. The Summer Hymns are from longtime indie hotbed Athens, Georgia, and offer a more gently psychedelic sound that will remind listeners of Elephant 6 bands such as Apples in Stereo and Neutral Milk Hotel. — Chris Herrington
I’m loath to refer to any event as “magical.” It conjures up images of Disney On Ice or an evening with Siegfried and Roy. But when I think back on the many nights I’ve sat around the campfire tugging on a whiskey bottle and swapping stories with total strangers at the King Biscuit Blues Festival, “magic” is the only adjective that seems to fit. Helena, Arkansas, is a gorgeous town in a bucolic, days-of-yesteryear sort of way, and there’s just nothing better than sitting on the levee listening to some of the best blues the world has to offer while watching the tugs float up and down the Mississippi. The steak sandwiches they sell on the street are another mighty fine reason for making the pilgrimage.This year’s festival features a stellar lineup of 50-plus artists, including regulars like barrelhouse key-pounder Pinetop Perkins and big-panty provocateur Bobby Rush, as well as drum-and-fife man extraordinaire Othar Turner and the fantastic Robert Lockwood Jr. Any chance to see Sun rockabilly artist Billy Lee Riley play his blues set should be jumped at, and I hardly need to tell you about Alvin Youngblood Hart’s guitar prowess. The Band’s Levon Helm will be on hand with his band the Barnburners, and Guitar Shorty will be standing tall. Of course, it’s always hard to say who will be jamming with whom at the local juke joints after all the stage lights go out, and those who choose to camp out will be treated (or in some cases subjected) to booze-addled acoustic sets that go on ’til sunup. A word to the wise: If you want to keep all of your beautiful memories of Helena, avoid a product at the local liquor store called Mello Corn. My head aches just thinking about it. The festival will be going strong — and is still free — in Helena from Thursday, October 4th, through Saturday, October 6th. — Chris Davis
