This Week's Live Picks

Monday: Shy Child, Free Blood, Pwrfl Power @ Santo's Party House 8pm $10
All three bands have been buzzed about to no end, but what you may not have heard amongst all the hyperbole surrounding these bands is that they all can play and they are all actually worthy of your attention. This is a three headed bill the likes of which we rarely see on a Monday night.
Shy Child - "Summer"
Free Blood - "Quick and Painful"
Pwrfl Power - "Alma Song"

Tuesday: The Walkmen + The Dodos @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple 7:30pm $20
I've been looking forward to this show for a long time the makers of two of my favorite albums of the year get to hit the stage together. And let's face it when you're thinking up pairings of bands The Walkmen and The Dodos are a no brainer! These bands were meant to play together and I'm ready to rock out with these guys!
The Walkmen - "In the New Year"
The Dodos - "Walking"

Wednesday: Up the Empire + Ford & Fitzroy @ Mercury Lounge 9pm $10
Up the Empire are celebrating the release of their solid new EP and they'll be joined by the always solid Ford & Fitzroy tonight. These bands are both very good and there's definitely not too many better ways to spend a Wednesday night.
Up the Empire - "It's Alight (For Now)"
Ford & Fitzroy - "Buzzard Country"

Thursday: CSS @ Webster Hall 7pm $20
Whenever CSS comes to town it should be considered an event you need to attend! I know their 2008 realease wasn't as thrilling as their debut, but live this band is absolutely spectacular! I guarantee you will have a good time if you wind up at this show.
CSS - "Alala"

Friday: Via Audio, Wakey! Wakey!, Project Jenny, Project Jan, Lowry, Neckbeard Telecaster, + more @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 7pm $15
This is a benefit show for Common Ground, so you should definitely pay your $15, do something nice, and then enjoy all the fantastic local acts they've thrown onto this bill. Obviously Wakey! Wakey! is my personal favorite but there's so many terrific bands here that I'm sure you'll find something you'll enjoy just as much.
Via Audio - "Developing Active People"
Wakey! Wakey! - "Crazy"
Project Jenny, Project Jan - "Train Track"
Neckbeard Telecaster - "One More Night Like This"

Saturday: Marnie Stern @ Knitting Factory 8pm $20
The end of Knitting Factory is coming quickly and they have stacked their lineup for the last few weeks pretty well, including this show which features tons of solid acts, but once you put Marnie Stern on a bill that's where my attention will go. Marnie is an amazing live performer and now that she has a steady band of fantastic musicians behind here she has really taken the show up a notch. Totally someone you must see!
Marnie Stern - "Steely"

Sunday: Yo La Tengo @ Maxwell's 8:30pm SOLD OUT
I don't normally recommend going to sold out shows, especially when I don't even have a ticket to the show, but Sunday's are normally quiet days for me and if you have the chance to see Yo La Tengo you should take it. I hear tickets for this show are going for a pretty penny on Craigslist so try your luck there or mill about the venue hoping for an extra. Either way good luck.
Yo La Tengo - "Be Thankful for What You Got"