{PHOTO COURTESY OF ZACH NELLIS}
CRITICS’ PICKS
The Dads
In 2012, Surface Level Records was founded as a collaboration between local hip-hop artists Proseed and Fortified Phonetx. Subsequently, more names have been added to the roster, including Stillborn Identity, The Latebloomer and The Dads. Tonight, at the Irma Freeman Center for Imagination, Surface Level Records, along with N.U.C. (Never Under Competition Promotions), is hosting a party that doubles as a release for The Dads’ debut album, Jorma Because I Said So. It’s also a celebration of Kaukonen the label, featuring performances from all of the aforementioned artists, as well as live painting, giveaways, food and refreshments. Andrew Woehrel 7:30 p.m. 5006 Penn Ave., Bloomfield. $5. All ages. 412-924-0634 or www.surfacelevel records.com
[PUNK] + FRI., OCT. 23 Chicago’s Meat Wave has a curious and amusing name that is strangely apt for its brand of dirty lo-fi punk. The band’s irreverent tunes, led by vocalist/guitarist Chris Sutter’s sneering voice, recall the Pixies’ harsher moments, or other American ’80s post-punk luminaries like The Wipers (whom Meat Wave covered on its Brother EP) or even fellow Chicagoans Big Black. Sometimes Sutter’s whine can remind the listener of The Offspring, but nobody’s perfect, right? See Meat Wave tonight at Cattivo with The Dirty Nil, Huzzah and Roulette Waves. AW 9 p.m. 144 46th St., Lawrenceville. $10. 412-687-2157 or www.cattivopgh.com
[AMERICANA] + SUN., OCT. 25 On the third cut of his most recent release,
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Ain’t in No Hurry, an album that is pretty fantastic from top to bottom, Jorma Kaukonen absolutely kills it. The lyrics of the song, “Suffer Little Children to Come Unto Me,” were written by the great Woody Guthrie and given to Kaukonen — the former Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna guitar virtuoso — by Guthrie’s niece. Kaukonen wrote the music; the result is a track that is simultaneously bluesy, funky, folksy and gritty, with guitar riffs that are just plain filthy. Kaukonen is sure to play that cut when he hits town tonight at the Carnegie Lecture Hall (he’ll share the bill with Ernie Hawkins). The album, as he notes in the CD liner, is the musical story of his life, and to see that play out on stage should make for a spectacular experience. Charlie Deitch 7:30 p.m. 4400 Forbes Ave., Oakland. $44 ($23 with student ID). All ages. 412-361-1915 or www.calliopehouse.org {PHOTO COURTESY OF SCOTTY HALL}
[HIP HOP] + FRI., OCT. 23
[ELECTRONIC] + TUE., OCT. 27
An up-and-coming producer and popsmith hailing from sunny Los Angeles, Josh Legg writes his summery songs on an acoustic guitar, but transforms them into electronic dance-pop hits under the moniker Goldroom. “If you hear the demos, they almost sound country,” he says in a press release. But Goldroom — playing tonight at Cattivo with guests Gavin Turek and Emerson Jay — sounds nothing like country music. His breakout hit, “Fifteen,” has pulsating synths, heavily reverbed drums, dreamlike vocals from guest singer Chela, and sounds more like Taylor Swift than country. Oh, wait ... nevermind. AW 7 p.m. 144 46th St., Lawrenceville. $15-20. All ages. 412-687-2157 or www.cattivopgh.com
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