MAIA SANTELL AND HOUSE BLEND

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 23

Maia Santell and House Blend perform their traditional holiday jazz and blues show at Jazzbones this Friday. They play an upbeat brand of R&B with a little jump blues and big band jazz thrown in for a party second to none. Santell has been called the Northwest's queen of swing for her high-energy shows and boisterous vocals. Yet, unlike so many female singers, she is not a screamer rather possessing exceptional vocal control that is rich and warm. This show should mark a great way to kick off your holiday weekend. - Weekly Volcano

[Jazzbones, 7:30-10 p.m., all ages, $8, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.369.9169]

DEATH BY STARS

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 23

The string of words that make up the name Death by Stars sounds at once full of portent and utterly frivolous. This dichotomy seems to seep into and help define the band's music as well. Combining the biggest, most direct qualities of punk, electronica and psych-rock, the band has cooked up a cutting, immediately hooky sound. There's an invigorating quality to Death by Stars that seems to transcend the band's basic formula of spacey, psychedelia-informed vocals encased in programmed beats, exploding into life-sized dance-punk refrains. In a live setting, Death by Stars veers into performance art territory, with light shows and costumes. It's a delirious soup - all surface, really. But what a surface it is. Catch Death By Stars Friday at The New Frontier Lounge as part of Partie Animale Part 2. - Rev. Adam McKinney

[The New Frontier Lounge, with DJ Babycham, 9 p.m., no cover, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]

JAMES COATES

>>> FRIDAY, DEC. 23

Quite literally, James Coates is one of the nicest dudes you'll ever meet. The centerpiece of local roots rock outfit James Coates and the Lost Souls, Coates seems to literally bleed emotion through his music (and even eyes). Friday at the Spar, Coates will bring his musical heart-on-the-sleeve mentality to Olympia, no doubt impressing Washington's capitol city not only with his musical chops, but also his ability to grow a beard. Coates is one of the most promising singer/songwriters in the South Sound, and a chance to catch him this holiday season is a gift worth taking advantage of. - Weekly Volcano

[The Spar, 8 p.m., no cover, 114 Fourth Ave., Olympia, 360.357.6444]

LUMINOL

>>> THURSDAY, DEC. 29

Luminol is a chemical used by forensic investigators to detect trace amounts of human fluid left behind at crime scenes. It emits an eerie glow. Luminol is also a band of jarring creativity - a band that has a particular sense for the eerie itself. While largely creating soothing atmospheres, Luminol takes a certain delight in disrupting the gentle flow of songs with delicately unnerving melodies. When, as happens sometimes in the band's music, the lead singer should take a moment to sing a cappella, a feeling of dread begins to mount. When, as sometimes happens, that serene dread is interrupted by instruments, the effect is never a relief, but rather a further descent into murky unease. Luminol coldly offers no release, just more beautiful, relentlessly mounting fear. - Rev. AM

[Hell's Kitchen, with Death By Stars, Dark Snack, 9 p.m., no cover, 928 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

ALLAN BOOTHE

>>> THURSDAY, DEC. 29

Looking at Allan Boothe and hearing him sing are two completely different things. To see him, he's a tall, handsome guy with a goofy laugh and an affable manner, but to see him perform is to see a bundle of nerves. As Humble Cub, Boothe is buoyed by a bed of choppy, layered sound, which serves to carry his nerviness through into something resembling indie pop. But when he performs, all of the tics and eccentricities stand front and center. I remember very distinctly the first time I saw Boothe perform - stand on top of an amplifier on the opposite end of the room from the stage, so everyone had to turn and look. Standing aloft on a makeshift pedestal, he somehow felt even more isolated. - Rev. AM

[The New Frontier Lounge, with Oh Dear!, Not From Brooklyn, Belmont Whips, 8 p.m., no cover, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma, 253.572.4020]