Enjoy a compilation of selected tracks by artists playing shows we're excited about in Madison during the week of Nov. 3-10, 2016. For more information on these shows, read on under the Spotify playlist!
Flannel Fest, Saturday, Nov. 5, High Noon Saloon, 5 pm-midnight: Flannel Fest returns for its third incarnation, and with acclaimed North Carolinians American Aquarium set to headline, this year is already proving to be one for the books. Support will come from five immensely talented local acts: the Mascot Theory, Beth Kille Band, Compass Rose, the Getaway Drivers and Edward David Anderson. Proceeds benefit the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund. Come out and enjoy Madison’s burgeoning Americana scene and help a great cause while you’re at it.
Cactus Blossoms, Thursday, Nov. 3, Stoughton Opera House, 7:30 pm: Twin Cities crooners Jack Torrey and Page Burkum are brothers who sing as one. They cover what they call “gut-wrenching, tongue-in-cheek heartbreakers,” and have been ceaselessly — and deservedly — compared to another pair of siblings, the Everly Brothers. Originals like “Stoplight Kisses” pick up where the Everlys left off. They honed their live act during a longstanding residency at St. Paul’s famous Turf Club, and their new record, You’re Dreaming, includes contributions from some of Chicago’s finest, including Flat Five drummer Alex Hall and guitarist Joel Paterson. Looks don’t matter in this world, but the brothers are pretty as a picture — as easy on the eyes as the ears. Along the way to the Stoughton Opera House they’ve wowed audiences from A Prairie Home Companion to the Newport Folk Festival.
Stick Figure, Thursday, Nov. 3, Majestic Theatre, 8 pm: Combining roots-dub grooves with a sprinkling of electronic, Stick Figure knows how to get a crowd moving. Also, they’ve got a rescued Australian shepherd named Cocoa as their mascot. Now that’s good vibrations. With the Movement, Natty Nation, DJ Trichrome.
Marina Franklin,Thursday, Nov. 3, Comedy Club on State, 8:30 pm:Born and raised in Chicago and now based in New York, Marina Franklin is a long way from the five-floor theme restaurant she worked at after first moving to the city. The rising comic has performed everywhere from Montreal’s Just for Laughs, Bonnaroo and season two of Last Comic Standing, and has appeared on Louie and in Amy Schumer’s film Trainwreck. And with a wit like hers, you’ll be seeing her more often. With Aaron Weaver, Stevie Leigh Crutcher. ALSO: Friday-Saturday, Nov. 4-5, 8 & 10:30 pm.
Hiss Golden Messenger, Friday, Nov. 4, High Noon Saloon, 9:30 pm: Hiss Golden Messenger stands out, even among its peers on eclectic indie tastemaker Merge Records. The brainchild of North Carolina musician MC Taylor, the group specializes in folky, sophisticated alt-country that’s a far cry from, say, Superchunk or Dinosaur Jr., but wholly at home among such legendary names. In short: This is good stuff. With Phil Cook.
Brett Newski album release, Friday, Nov. 4, Frequency, 9:30 pm: Following the amicable breakup of collegiate pop rockers the Nod, UW alum Brett Newski went rogue and become a globetrotting minstrel. After a couple years in Vietnam, he’s essentially been on a never-ending tour, continuing to release missives from the wild in the form of new music and the YouTube series Crusty Adventures. Newski is currently headquartered in Wisconsin and debuts a new LP/CD, Land Air Sea Garage, at the Frequency. With Tiny Riots.
Tony Barba album release, Friday, Nov. 4, Williamson Magnetic Recording Company, 8 pm: Perhaps you’ve heard Tony Barba’s genre-hopping woodwind stylings when he plays around Madison with groups like Big Pinky or Youngblood Brass Band, or maybe you noticed he was part of the saxophone choir on the most recent Bon Iver release. Now, for his first solo project, Barba has created an album of experimental saxophone music influenced by the depths of the Wisconsin winter. With Chicago trio Dim Lighting, also releasing a new album Friday.
Kathleen Madigan,Friday, Nov. 4, Barrymore Theatre, 8 pm:Even if you’ve never heard Kathleen Madigan’s standup, chances are you’ve seen her on TV. Between appearances on Last Comic Standing, VH1’s I Love the decades series, and pretty much every late-night TV show on air, Madigan is everywhere. Armed with an acerbic wit and genial personality, she comes off as a slightly less grumpy version of Lewis Black.
Joshua Bell, Saturday, Nov. 5, UW Memorial Union-Shannon Hall, 8 pm: One of the world’s most celebrated and best-loved violinists, Joshua Bell plays with an exquisite blend of technical precision and near-poetic expressiveness. Hearing him live is an experience not to be missed. This program includes works by Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy and Saraste. With pianist Alessio Bax.
Joey B. Banks Birthday Bash, Sunday, Nov. 6, High Noon Saloon, 6 pm: Banks is one of the busiest performers in Madison, and this annual party features many of the acts he plays drums with, including Honor Among Thieves, Steely Dane, Keon Andre Band, Gabe Burdulis Band and Lo Marie. It’s also a fundraiser for Black Star Drum Line, a nonprofit youth performance group Banks co-founded and directs. With Distant Cuzins, Tuesday Night Squad, Trilogy, XL Big.
YG, Sunday, Nov. 6, Orpheum Theater, 7 pm: This fall’s exceptional run of hip-hop shows continues with Compton rapper YG, whose 2016 LP Still Brazy is a fantastic document of his talent for sculpting hits outta realness. To those who think a rapper has to choose between the ideals of “gangsta” and political activism, look no further. With Kamaiyah, Sadboys and RJ.
The Fray, Monday, Nov. 7, Orpheum Theatre, 7 pm: Turns out piano-driven rock is a lot more durable than anybody realized, as evidenced by the fact that the Colorado-based the Fray is still going strong. The band’s sound has gotten edgier over the years, but Isaac Slade’s sandpaper-sweet vocals and keyboard work still drive the bus. And here’s a say-what shocker that might even rock McDreamy: “How to Save a Life” (the song from Grey’s Anatomy) is now 11 years old. With Spiritual heirs American Authors.
Communist Daughter, Tuesday, Nov. 8, Frequency, 8:30 pm: When Communist Daughter’s first album, Soundtrack to the End, broke through in 2010, Johnny Solomon was only able to enjoy it from his room at an inpatient rehab center in Minnesota. Now Solomon’s clean, sober and better than ever, and the result is The Cracks That Built the Wall, a collection of eclectic indie rock that’s loud, quiet and lush, often in the same few bars. With Jake McMullen.
mc chris, Wednesday, Nov. 9, High Noon Saloon, 8 pm: If you know that “nerd rap” exists and can tolerate it, you’ve likely heard of mc chris. Despite a prepubescent tone of voice and beats that sound like background music for knock-off video games, he’s garnered geek fandom with “(Boba) Fett’s Vette” and “Nrrrd Grrrl,” among other tracks about Star Wars, Harry Potter and dork life. With MC Lars, Mega Ran.
Sloan, Wednesday, Nov. 9, Frequency, 8 pm: The Beatles are the most appreciated band in history; Sloan, one of Canada’s modern answers to the Fab Four, may be the most underappreciated. The foursome will draw from nearly a quarter decade of original songs, giving you a long-overdue chance to correct the oversight.
Jeff Rosenstock, Wednesday, Nov. 9, The Sett, UW Union South, 8 pm: For a certain subset of punk fans, Jeff Rosenstock is an icon. The former Bomb the Music Industry! head honcho is the poster boy for DIY ethos and a fully inclusive scene, releasing tracks for free on his website and building personal relationships with many of his fans through social media. Fans will get a chance to see Rosenstock do what he does best — bring raucous drunk-punk confessionals to life. With Hard Girls, Katie Ellen.
The HillBenders / The Who’s Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry, Thursday, Nov. 10, Overture Center-Capitol Theater, 7:30 pm: Bluegrass bands leaping genres may be the most cringe-worthy thing in music. “Hey, y’all! How ’bout some good ol’ pickin’ on that Nirvana tune?” However the HillBenders, a five-piece out of Springfield, Missouri, have received blessings on this effort by none other than Pete Townshend. Prepare to spin in your grave, Mr. Monroe.
Alex G, Thursday, Nov. 10, Frequency, 8 pm: Though he was only born in 1993, Alex G has the ’90s sound down pat. The prolific (to the tune of 13 releases since 2010, the most recent being 2015’s Beach Music) the singer-songwriter frequently garners comparisons to Elliott Smith, Built to Spill, and Pavement. He’ll be joined by fellow throwbacks LVL UP, a quartet of lo-fi Brooklynites who released Return to Love on Sub Pop in September. With Brandon Can’t Dance.
You can find the entire rundown of this week's Isthmus Picks here.
