Live music highlights from Feb. 9 to Feb. 15.
Valerie June
“Shakedown”
Oh Pep!
“Doctor Doctor”
Valerie June’s made a move from Memphis to New York in recent years, but at least in a sonic sense she’s still working and refining a bluesy, variegated corner of her vibrant home ’hood — “organic moonshine roots music,” she calls it with some tongue in cheek, and as honest and smart as the day is long. New LP The Order of Time is the follow-up to her 2013 bust-out and gets its release early next month, so this stop, early on in her tour, should have her in eager form, with banjo, piano and more at the ready. Australian charmers Oh Pep! are along to make it a true double bill in a week full of quality pairings. (Thursday, Great Hall, doors 8 p.m.)
BROS
“Tell Me”
As BROS, brothers Ewan and Shamus Currie lean away from the Prairie boogie rock they’ve been a part of with the Sheepdogs and go in for a more sprawling approach. It highlights the pair’s classic-pop songwriting, Shamus’ deft keyboards, and punched-up Latin groove and rhythms. Last fall’s debut LP went over well enough that the project has some legs yet, including a sellout at this room that caps out at around 550 — how far they take it is entirely up to them. (Friday, Lee’s Palace, doors 8:30 p.m.)
Dover Quartet
“String Quartet No. 1 (Smetana)”
Avi Avital
“Chaconne from Partita No. 2 for violin (Bach)”
Since meeting up while studying at Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music nearly a decade ago, the Dover Quartet has grown into a young American string quartet of rare balance and finesse, sweeping a number of awards and gathering accolades while touring many of the world’s top halls. Meantime, the 39-year-old Israeli Avital has made it his life’s work to expand the repertoire and genre reach of his chosen instrument, the mandolin, working in jazz, klezmer and classical. Part of the challenge for musicians — even those as in-demand and virtuosic as these five — is finding unique and fertile ways forward; this union figures to offer a delightful example. (Saturday, Koerner Hall, 8 p.m.)
Tom Russell
“Hair Trigger Heart”
There’s no better measure of the breadth of Russell’s artistic-frontiersman vision than to note particulars for this latest visit that’s been moved from the dear departed (at least for now) Hugh’s Room. On Friday night he’ll unveil a collection of paintings — including portraits of Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen and Ian Tyson — on display for the next couple of weeks at Yorkville’s Liss Gallery. Then for this show, with Corb Lund’s longtime guitarist Grant Siemens accompanying, he’ll dip into a songbook that runs deep, including, no doubt, some from an upcoming Ian & Sylvia tribute album. Songs and stories, jokes and social commentary, and ample Canadian content, then, from a fellow deserving of Americana legend status — and the pick of the week. (Saturday, Dakota, doors 6 p.m.)
Sampha
“Blood on Me”
Hitherto known for being the touch of accessorizing class called in by A-listers including Kanye West, Frank Ocean and Drake, or for performing with fellow Londoner SBTRKT, Sampha Sisay brings his own life experiences to the fore with debut long-play Process just out. On the record and live, his voice demands attention, barely reaching up into falsetto and touching most every emotional flashpoint in the telling. He knows Toronto well, too, including most recently a sold-out night last fall at the Drake, so surprise guests could well be in store — the original Monday-night date quickly sold out and Sunday was added, so the demand is there. A limited supply of tickets promised to be at the door each night by promoters. (Sunday/Monday, Mod Club, doors 8 p.m.)
Hamilton Leithauser and Rostam
“A Thousand Times”
Lucy Dacus
“I Don’t Wanna be Funny Anymore”
The duo of gargle-voiced ex-Walkmen Hamilton Leithauser and new partner Rostam Batmanglij (Vampire Weekend) sold out quick enough to move the show east from its original, cosier Horseshoe spot. They’re the known quantity here and worth every penny, but it’s Virginian Lucy Dacus who deserves a little introduction, even if she has already stated she’s totally down with supporting: “I don’t need to be the front man/ If not, I’ll be the biggest fan,” she puts it on last year’s No Burden debut LP. On the spectrum of young female guitarist/songwriters occupied by the likes of Speedy Ortiz, Angel Olsen et al, Dacus tilts away from the shredders’ end and toward a quieter spot, but only just, and all the better to highlight her sharp writing. She’s scheduled for 8:45 p.m., so get to it. (Monday, Opera House, doors 8 p.m.)
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