MASH UP NIGHT

>>> Friday, Sept. 17

Alright, look: I have no idea what this "mash up" is supposed to be. Apparently, members of Big Wheel Stunt Show, the Legend of Bigfoot and SweetKiss Momma (in addition to "more," evidently) will converge on the New Frontier stage and do ... something. Personally, I'm intrigued already. These are three (four? five?) bands that are mighty skilled at the rocking-the-pants-off game. It's no waste of a Friday to gather in a bar and hear three (four? five?) experienced bar bands rock some weekend into your head. The freewheeling nature of this show is an even bigger perk: members of some awesome bands getting together to create a brand new rock monster. You don't want to be there for something unrepeatable? You're crazy. - Rev. Adam McKinney

[The New Frontier Lounge, 9 p.m., Cover TBA, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

DANIEL HIGGS

>>> Monday, Sept. 20

Daniel Higgs occupies a space similar to other people who may be categorized as "mad prophets": vocalists like Isaac Brock or Nick Cave - artists who seem to speak only in proclamations and incantations, with fearsome intonation and a seemingly-possessed fervor in their eyes. These are men who seem to see straight down to the bone and the earth and all that we can't quite focus on with our measly brains. The lead singer of the unpredictable post-hardcore band Lungfish, Daniel Higgs will be performing by himself for his appearance at Northern. Accompanied by the ominous noise-rock band Nautical Almanac, this will be a show built for the shredding of the self and rebuilding in the mold of the wide-eyed and terrified. - Rev. AM

[Northern, with Nautical Almanac, Oak Rot, 8 p.m., all ages, $7, 321 Fourth Ave., Olympia, northernolympia.org]

POLKA DOT DOT DOT

>>> Tuesday, Sept. 21

While rustic Northwestern folk gilded with gorgeous multi-part harmonies is a type of music that may have already peaked in local and national popularity (what with the Fleet Foxes' recent meteoric ascension from Emerald City darlings to Saturday Night Live musical guests), it's also something that'll likely never grow tiresome, especially when properly executed. Olympia's Polka Dot Dot Dot is a trio of talented folkies with a winning take on old-timey musical stylings. Their arsenal of acoustic elements (guitar, banjo, harp, ukulele and clement vocals) coalesces in lovely - if not entirely unsurprising - ways, and their lyrics name-check everything from the Puget Sound to Calvino-esque "cities we built in our minds." It's a backwoods sensibility with academic pretensions, backed by familiar stomp-clap rhythms. Fans of the Cave Singers and Alela Diane should take notice. - Jason Baxter

[Northern, with Hurray for the Riff Raff, Sam Doores and the Tumbleweeds, 8 p.m., all-ages, 321 Fourth Ave., Olympia, northernolympia.org]

HALL & OATES

>>> Wednesday, Sept. 22

Everything that could or, really, should be said about Hall & Oates has been exhausted. By now we know that, yes, John Oates has one of the more ridiculous mustaches in the history of personal grooming. And yes, Daryl Hall might be more comfortable as the third doctor on some ill-fated '80s soap opera. This is a band that has wormed its way into our lives, and it is up to us to deal with it. They are a classic example of the band dynamic of the Face and the Talent; they are the very embodiment of '80s cheese. But, like it or not, you know that you are incapable of resisting that glorious "Rich Girl" rhythm or the totally sweet pop of "Maneater." Hall & Oates win because you lose. - Rev. AM

[Puyallup Fair, 7:30 pm, $25 - $65 at Ticketmaster, Ninth and Meridian, Puyallup, thefair.com]