Meg Hutchinson
The first month of the new year slides by this week, set to a soundtrack of live music by Hannah Georgas, Dark Star Orchestra, Meg Hutchinson, Savoy, and Stat Dad. The calendar also includes a lecture about "The Future of Fuels" and the Simon Payne: Color Field Videos exhibit at MMoCA.
Monday 1.28
NOTEWORTHY: Elvis Presley makes first TV appearance, 1956.
Tuesday 1.29
NOTEWORTHY: President Andrew Jackson orders first use of federal soldiers to suppress labor dispute, 1834.
Steenbock's on Orchard, Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, 7 pm
UW biofuels expert Tim Donohue give an inkling of how you'll fill your tank in the brave new world to come. The free talk is moderated by Jean Feraca.
Frequency, 8 pm
This Canadian indie-pop artist has proved her versatility over the past few years, adding '80s-inspired synth melodies to many of her songs while contributing backing vocals to alt-country songstress Kathleen Edwards on her 2011-2012 tour. At this show, she'll share songs from her new self-titled album, which the Vancouver Sun has called a chilly, cinematic charmer. With Imaginary Cities and Brandon Beebe.
Wednesday 1.30
NOTEWORTHY: Indian pacifist Mahatma Gandhi assassinated, 1948.
Simon Payne: Color Field Videos
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, through April 28
MMoCA presents the color experiments of British artist Simon Payne, whose digital works play movement and abstract forms.
Thursday 1.31
NOTEWORTHY: Explorer 1 becomes first American satellite successfully launched into orbit, 1959.
Barrymore Theatre, 8 pm
Though this Chicago band is technically a tribute act, its renditions of Grateful Dead songs are so faithful to the originals that Dead guitarist Bob Weir and drummer Bill Kreutzmann have jammed with them in recent years.
Redamte Coffee House, 8 pm
Drawing inspiration from poets such as Mary Oliver, this acoustic performer writes modern folk that's rich with imagery and finely crafted stories. With Kaia Elizabeth and Vanessa Tortolano.
Majestic Theatre, 10 pm
This trio of New Yorkers will pair the heavy, beat-driven sounds of their new EP, Personal Legend, with live instrumentation and a visual spectacle created by award-winning "laser jockey" Eliav Kadosh. With Grandtheft.
Frequency, 10 pm
With hard-hitting rhythm guitar and lyrics about S&M exploits, this punk-rock side project of Teenage Bottlerocket's Miggy Chen isn't for the faint of heart. With the Gusto, Mellow Harsher and Eau Claire Passaround.