Derek M. Johnson

>>> Thursday, Feb. 11

Experimental music is shady territory, in my book - much like abstract art and the pescetarian culture. It often feels to me like the performer either can't play music, or can and simply refuses to. Either way, it can be frustrating. Derek M. Johnson and KnotPineBox hope to bring me into the light with their celebration of Johnson's CD/DVD release. Both acts are centered on the dissection and reinvention of two of music's earthiest instruments: the cello and the guitar, respectively. Johnson's compositions are aggressive torrents of notes representing the cello's full capabilities. KnotPineBox takes a psychedelic journey through this country's musical history, exploring roots music from the inside out. It gets in your head, man. See them play, and let the music take your brain on holiday. - Rev. Adam McKinney

[Northern, Derek M. Johnson with KnotPineBox, Andrew Senna, 8 p.m., cover TBA, 321 Fourth Ave, Olympia, northernolympia.org]

True Margrit

>>> Thursday, Feb. 11

What the f*** does Shakespeare, mountaineering, and evolutionary destiny have in common? It wouldn't seem like much, unless you're talking about the self-described "brainy musings" of San Francisco's True Margrit, who will pack themselves on stage Thursday at Bob's Java Jive. Pimping and promoting the band's fifth, piano-hook built release, The Juggler's Progress, True Margrit has built a solid following up and down the West Coast on the power and tenacity of singer/songwriter, piano-player extraordinaire Margrit Eichler's Southern born pipes. And after listening, it's easy to understand why. The only real question about Thursday's True Margrit show at Bob's Java Jive is how they'll get the piano on stage - but, then again, maybe they won't. Even if Eichler was pounding on the keys in the dude's bathroom, it'd be worth watching. It just wouldn't be as pleasant. - Matt Driscoll

[Bob's Java Jive, 8:30 p.m., $5, 2102 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]

Eleanor Murray

>>> Friday, Feb. 12

This evening is about two sides of Folk. Mason Lindahl and Ellie Fortune occupy the darker side of folk's spectrum, creating tense, haunting songs that rest uneasily on a bed of impressively nimble guitar work. In the other corner will be Eleanor Murray and Briana Mariela, of Olympia's Bicycle Records. Eleanor Murray and her band craft finely tuned pieces of classic folk; lilting guitars and Murray's sweet voice drift along quite beautifully, joined occasionally by delicately unobtrusive violins or drums. Murray has the ability to patiently lead you by the hand to the end of her songs, leaving you more affected than you thought you would be. This evening, you may not feel the urge to stand and dance; rather, you'll sit and let the music take you. It'll be perfect, if you're into that sort of thing. - Rev. AM

[The Loft on Cherry, with Mason Lindahl, Briana Mariela, Ellie Fortune, 7:30 p.m. free jambalaya, 8 p.m. music, $5-10, all ages, 508 Legion, Olympia, theloftoncherry.com]

Fisk Jubilee Singers

>>> Sunday, Feb. 14

Even though the Fisk Jubilee Singers have been around since the 1870s, originally enriching the world through "slave songs" and "Negro spirituals," many folks became familiar with the much-heralded vocal group from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee through the 1999 PBS documentary Jubilee Singers: Sacrifice and Glory. And that's OK - the more people that know the Jubilee Singers' truly American tale the better. And even more so, the more people that are turned on to their music the better. On Sunday, Valentine's Day, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, who were nominated for a 2010 Grammy, will stop in Tacoma for a performance at the Pantages Theater presented by the Tacoma Philharmonic. There won't be a more enriching musical event this week, so you'd be wise to jump on an opportunity to see the Jubilee Singers in person. - MD

[Pantages Theater, 7:30 p.m., $25 - $62.50, 310 South Ninth Street, Tacoma, 253.591.5890]