It’s a new week, which means it’s time for a new installment of Bobble Tiki’s South Sound music news and notes column. Without further ado, let’s get rolling…

Matt Coughlin. He’s been around, he’s played a ton of shows, he rarely gets the credit he deserves, and he’ll be bringing his guaranteed good times live show to The Swiss on Thursday, Dec. 10.

But it gets better. Not only will Coughlin be unleashing his infectious, folksy jams on stage — which is always a sight to see, behold and even dance to  — he’ll be recording the action for a live album scheduled to be released sometime early next year. In addition to Coughlin’s show at The Swiss, he’ll be recording a show at the Tractor Tavern in Seattle on Sunday, Dec. 13 that’s also destined for the live record.

“There’s nothing more disappointing than getting an album that’s not what you saw live,” explains Coughlin of his motivation for putting together a live record. “The benefit of a live recording is the energy you can’t achieve in the studio.”

Even more exciting, Thursday’s show at The Swiss will be one of the first times Coughlin’s new lineup of musicians — drummer Dalton Shotwell, violinist Kim Coleman and bassist Mitchell V, who’ve been working with Coughlin for six months — will be recorded in action together.

As for the future, Coughlin says his band plans to, “Play music, have fun, and make a little money while they’re at it.”

If you ask Bobble Tiki, it’s not a bad plan.

Quick hits

Bobble Tiki stopped into Valhalla Coffee on Sixth Avenue in Tacoma a few days ago and ran into his good friend Drew Schot, bassist for T-town’s the Painkillers. While many music fans less oblivious than Bobble Tiki may already know this, apparently Olympia’s iconic Calvin Johnson and K Records have struck deals with the Painkillers to distribute the band’s CD. It seems Johnson has been looking north lately, toward the gritty city, and he’s liked what he’s seen and heard. Snug.

Also, word on the street says Mono in VCF, who’ve been somewhat quiet lately, are currently holed up in Tacoma at Uptone Studio working on a new record. No word yet on a release date.