>>> Friday, Jan. 25

ZOE KEATING AND THE PORTLAND CELLO PROJECT

The gimmick of looping one's instrument to create an orchestra of one has been done many times, but the novelty of this tactic can only go so far. People like Andrew Bird or Reggie Watts have boiled down the practice to its essence, creating beautiful and delightfully creative ways to use their instruments. Zoe Keating continues in this tradition, looping her cello to create symphonic arrangements. When she unites with the Portland Cello Project - an act that has spent a lot of time bending and morphing expectations for what cellos can achieve in the realm of popular music - the result is something that is hard to predict. What happens when an artist known for doubling, tripling, quadrupling herself - is united with a group that is known for their symphonic arrangements? - Rev. Adam McKinney

RIALTO THEATER, 7:30 P.M., $19-$39, 901 BROADWAY, TACOMA, 253.591.5890

>>> Friday, Jan. 25

BILL DAVIE

Singer/songwriter Bill Davie has a new CD/DVD out, Raise Your Heart. In celebration of the new release the Tacoma native has invited friends Kat Eggleston and Jim Page to join him in celebrating the record's release at Tacoma's Antique Sandwich Company Friday. Davie brings a style of Americana that is well entrenched in the American folk tradition ala Woody Guthrie or Pete Seeger. His album is informed by a collaboration with long-time folk stalwart Jim Page. For Davie, the Antique Sandwich Company isn't simply a venue to share his music, but also the venue he chose to begin sharing his life. He married the love of his life on the stage of the Antique Sandwich Company, adding to the personal heft of the record release show's location. The concert is sponsored by Ancient Victorys, an all-volunteer organization in Tacoma dedicated to the presentation and documentation of Northwest acoustic musicians from the 1960s to today. - Timothy Grisham

ANTIQUE SANDWICH COMPANY, 7:30 P.M., $15, 5201 N. PEARL ST., TACOMA, 253.863.6617

>>> Saturday, Jan. 26

PEOPLE UNDER THE SUN

James Jenkins is a singer/songwriter who's been on the scene in Tacoma for quite some time. Whether in his own band (Mama Loves Daddy), or as former keyboardist in Umber Sleeping (now known as I Like Science), Jenkins has been known for creating music that nods to '60s and '70s psych, but cuts a path all its own. His latest project, People Under the Sun, is his most daring to date. Bringing more or less a metric ton of vintage synthesizers with them to every performance, People Under the Sun access the kind of carnival-psych of people like Syd Barrett, while still dipping into the sort of analog synth-rock of bands like the Buggles and Thomas Dolby. The result is heavily-orchestrated pop music that only looks easy. - Rev. AM

THE NEW FRONTIER LOUNGE, W/ NOT FROM BROOKLYN, THE HARVEY GIRLS, 9 P.M., $5, 301 E. 25TH ST., TACOMA, 253.572.4020

>>> Saturday, Jan. 25

UNCLE BONSAI

Uncle Bonsai is the real deal. Filed most often under "folk" the original trio of Ashley O'Keeffe, Andrew Ratshin and Arni Adler made more than 200 original songs and toured like mad before taking an extended hiatus beginning in the very late 1980s. Then, in March 2008, the Bonsai was back. Maybe it's a change in the air, or maybe the world has called for more beautifully weird storytellers to join the chorus. Whatever. The angelic voice of local legend Patrice O'Neill replaced O'Keeffe and the Zappa meets Peter, Paul and Mary crossbred is back and with feisty The Righteous Mothers for two shows Saturday at Traditions Fair Trade and Cafe in Olympia.All proceeds go to providing free therapy for sexually abused children and their families at Monarch Children's Justice and Advocacy Center. - Weekly Volcano

TRADITIONS FAIR TRADE AND CAFÉ, 5 AND 8 P.M., $30-$60, 300 FIFTH AVE. SW, OLYMPIA, 360.705.2819

>>> Saturday, Jan. 26

MOS GENERATOR

About to tear off to tour Europe, self-proclaimed "'70's rock preservationists," Mos Generator will give us a glimpse into its rock 'n' roll fantasy Saturday with C.F.A. at Acme Grub Cage. Making 20 stops across 11 countries, Mos Generator - together with doom metal band Saint Vitus - will share its riff-laden, Sabbath-induced rock with the world. "We are most looking forward to playing to a larger audience," says Mos Generator singer/guitarist Tony Reed. "We are touring with a bigger headliner that will bring in the people. Oh yeah, and we're touring in a bus, which means I don't have to sleep sitting up. People should come out and support this great rock show Saturday. C.F.A. and Mos Generator give 100 percent on stage and having a great crowd really brings it all together." - Nikki McCoy

ACME GRUB CAGE, 9 P.M., $5, 1310 TACOMA AVE. S., TACOMA, 253.272.1892

LINK: Live music tonight in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area