THE BUDDHA MAGOO

>>> Saturday, Jan. 8

Here, my dear reader, is what I have been able to determine about the Buddha Magoo via harried research of what little exists in reference to the band: (1) they have a silly name, (2) they are a supergroup of Olympia experimental folk veterans with a purported 175 years of combined performing experience and (3) ... well, that's actually good enough for me. Those familiar with the Olympia music scene may best recognize Buddha Magoo singer and guitarist Danny Kelly. His two-decade stint as the frontman for similarly folk-inflected, politically conscious Heliotroupe earned him a modest but enthusiastic fanbase, which will surely carry over into the life of the Buddha Magoo. If nothing else, the Buddha Magoo will serve as a crash course in Olympia music for Tacoma, which is no small potatoes, folks. - Rev. Adam McKinney

[Bob's Java Jive, with DirtyChangeUp, 9 p.m., $5, 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]

WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM

>>> Sunday, Jan. 9

Like a crow that is dark, intelligent and resourceful - schooling its children in the ways of life, so do Wolves in the Throne Room school their listeners in the ways of earthy black metal. Sometimes ambient, sometimes thunderous, always with radical environmentalism in mind, Wolves will remind you of the very roots and rock and flesh to which we all belong. An alpha and omega, if you will, of everything black metal, Scandinavian, doom and crust, they throw an amazing, angry and skilled respect to all things elemental through their use of voice, thrash and drums. This is the band's last stop in a mini-tour that took them to Canada and as they settle home, like a murder of crows settling upon a tree, let the Wolves settle into your being. - Nikki Talotta

[The Loft on Cherry, with Alda, Druden, RVIVR, 8 p.m., $10-$20 sliding scale, benefit for Wolftown Wildlife Rehabilitation Project and for victims of Green Scare, 508 Legion Way, Olympia, theloftoncherry.com]

LIZ JANES

>>> Thursday, Jan. 13

Liz Janes' new album for Asthmatic Kitty, Say Goodbye, is pretty close to flawless. Regardless of whether or not her Starbucks-friendly instincts tickle your earholes, it's hard to deny that her voice is gorgeous and supple, her lyrics insightful (even when they're talking about pixels - seriously! - as on her "__"), and the arrangements sublime, thanks in no small part to the contributions of Jason Crane (Rocket From the Crypt) and acclaimed avant-jazz guitarist Chris Schlarb. Say Goodbye is rich in detail and depth, and lives up to the years of creative gestation (which saw Janes migrating from Philadelphia jazz clubs to the wild and wooly world of Olympia noisemakers) that preceded it. It may not be everyone's cup of Tazo Tea, but goes down great regardless. - Jason Baxter

[Northern, with Greylag, Tattered Dress, 8 p.m., all-ages, 321 Fourth Ave., Olympia, northernolympia.org]

ZAEL ZURA

>>> Thursday, Jan. 13

There's something about a true troubadour - a road-tattered, singer-songwriter that's so basic it almost seems like a necessity. Originally from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and complete with the country, rhythm and blues and indie-acoustic leanings you'd expect, Zael Zura is just such a performer. And we're not the only ones to have taken note. KEXP named Zura one of the top 10 singer-songwriters to see live, and Zura's homespun, throwback style has won him fans up and down the West Coast over a 10-year career. Thursday, Jan. 13, Zura will be at Hell's Kitchen with Looking for Lizards also on the bill. Chances are, you've got nothing better to do - because this show should be a good (albeit underappreciated) one. Do yourself a favor and see what Zura is about. - Matt Driscoll

[Hell's Kitchen, with Looking for Lizards, Love Songs From the Hated, The Brian Barta Band, 9 p.m., $3, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]