>>> Thursday, Dec. 13

XPERIENCE

Ladies and gents, tonight at The Royal Lounge, before your very eyes, is a lineup of epic proportions.  Free Whiskey, Smoke, Subversive Minds, Kyle Miller, Puget and "maybe" a guest performance by "somebody else" will hit the stage at 9 p.m. That "somebody else" may or may not have just gotten home from touring with Mackelmore and Ryan Lewis. That "somebody else" may or may not be Olympia-based bad ass, Xperience (XP). While the confirmed line-up is worthy of recognition, as it features some of the freshest flows and beats around, keep in mind that "somebody else" is not only a two-year touring artist with Macklemore, but he's opened for Snoop Dogg, Kool Keith, KRS-One, Hieroglyphics, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Bilal, Brother Ali, Atmosphere and others. Welcome home XP. - Nikki McCoy

THE ROYAL LOUNGE, FREE WHISKEY, SMOKE, SUBVERSIVE MINDS, KYLE MILLER, GUEST, 9 P.M., NC, 311 CAPITOL WAY N., OLYMPIA, 360.705.0760

>>> Friday, Dec. 14

ANGELO SPENCER

K Records artist Angelo Spencer is a globetrotting pop collagist who specializes in incorporating tongues and rhythms from various cultures into one cohesive mélange of sounds and textures. If that sounds pretentious and weighty, it isn't. Spencer brings a deftness of touch and execution to his music that belies the denseness and difficulty at work. Unlike Arrington De Dionysio (with whom Spencer shares a label, as well as space on this bill), whose similarly worldly work can be almost oppressively experimental, Spencer has a playfulness that lends a little more fun to his songs -l ike "Tanger, Tanger," with its sprightly guitars and tongue-in-cheek autotune. Also on the bill, along with the previously mentioned Arrington De Dionysio, are Mtns, an experimental guitar-and-drums duo that finds inspiration in dissonance. I'm betting you already know if this show is your thing. - Rev. Adam McKinney

NORTHERN, W/ ARRINGTON DE DIONYSIO, MTNS, 9 P.M., $6, 414 1/2 LEGION WAY, OLYMPIA

>>> Saturday, Dec. 15

STAXX BROTHERS

Do you like heavy soul with a funk twist? How about pounding rhythm, dynamic vocals and syncopated guitars? The Staxx Brothers certainly do. Hailing from Seattle, the band has spent the last seven years working on its own brand of "hard ass soul." The band blends the Philadelphia Sound, Funkadelic and at times an almost Southern rock sound to create a sound that feels more akin to bands like Alabama Shakes in its grit and grime to other soul acts in the U.S. like the Dap-Kings. What makes the Staxx Brothers even more interesting is its acceptance and use of hip-hop tropes such as sampling, a hype man and rapped verses. The band makes the best use out of their hype man, back-up singers (The Staxxettes) and tight band in maintaining the groove. The Staxx Brothers are not your typical retro-soul act; they are contemporary with historic references. If this sounds like your bag, then stop by Doyle's Saturday to catch the action. - Timothy Grisham

DOYLE'S PUBLIC HOUSE, 9 P.M., NO COVER, 208 SAINT HELENS AVE., TACOMA, 253.272.7468

>>> Saturday, Dec. 15

SHOGUN BARBIE

The exuberance at play with Shogun Barbie is absolutely palpable. Garage rock bands are a dime a dozen in these parts, but the pure, sloppy energy that they bring to the table is nothing to scoff at. The boy/girl shouting stands front and center in each brief, catchy tune. In the middle of all the bratty attitude, Shogun Barbie even manages to toss off really compelling melodies, like on "Yes & No," which finds them dipping into chiming, New Wave guitars. Joining Shogun Barbie at this coffee house show will be the Bismarck, whom I know - from having covered them in the past - are no strangers to exuberant shouting. This is destined to be a crowded, sweaty mess of a show, and I'm sure they (and I) wouldn't have it any other way. - Rev. AM

NORTHERN PACIFIC COFFEE COMPANY, W/ THUNDERS OF WRATH, THE BISMARCK, 8 P.M., DONATIONS ACCEPTED, 401 GARFIELD ST. S., TACOMA, 253.537.8338

>>> Saturday, Dec. 15

CHAMPAGNE SUNDAY

Champagne Sunday is an interesting breed. Performing a little bit Broadway, a little bit contemporary, a little bit punk and a little bit blues, this indie duo has a lot of energy and talent that makes for an engaging, powerful listen.

Jessi and Jared Fredeen, (yes, they're married) make up the California transplant band that uses instrumentation ranging from acoustic guitar to piano, with trombone, ukulele, harmonica and squeezebox.

Vocalist Jessi has a sound similar to Chrissie Hynde or Ani DiFranco - a huge, feminine voice with power and punch, but with a range so as to reach into a lullaby if necessary. This is not to say that Jared isn't without poise when he flies solo or chimes in on harmony. Champagne Sunday's song "In Your Pocket" reaches into that lullaby territory. I tested it on my kids. They snapped and bobbed their little heads along. I could just as easily introduce my mom to Champagne Sunday's music. My hard rocker husband stopped halfway through the living room and asked "hey, who you listening to?" Apparently, I should have Champagne Sunday over for Sunday dinner.

Read Nikki McCoy's interview with Champagne Sunday in the weekly Volcano's Music section.

WEEKLY VOLCANO'S ELECTRIC SALCHOW STAGE, SATURDAY, DEC. 15, 7-9 P.M., FREE WITH ADMISSION, FRANCISCAN POLAR PLAZA, 17TH AND PACIFIC AVENUE, TACOMA