>>> Friday, Feb. 1

SAM RUSSELL

It might be hard for me to judge Sam Russell objectively (like I do with all other music, clearly) because he just hits such a sweet spot for me. His laconic baritone immediately brings to mind the National's Matt Berninger, but the swooning country that surrounds his voice suddenly calls to mind Lambchop, those Nashville kings of delirious, delicate alt-country that evaporates like so many dew drops crawling down the face of a mason jar of lemonade. Lord. I can't manage to take in Sam Russell's music without collapsing in repose, a drunken smile spreading over my beet-red face, as visions of whiskey and hazy delusions flash behind my eyelids. That could be just me (it might literally be just me), but I'm not objecting. - Rev. Adam McKinney

LE VOYEUR, 10 P.M., NO COVER, 404 E. FOURTH AVE., OLYMPIA, 360.943.5710

>>> Friday, Feb. 1

SIMON THE LEPER

"All three of us are peeing our panties about our show with Listener and Poor Folks Live Well at the Urban Onion," says Jared Bugg, drummer for Simon the Leper. "We've known Poor Folks since the first incarnation of Simon the Leper, but this is the first time we've had an opportunity to play together. Both bands have been huge Listener fans for years, they have a way of cutting right to the heart of you in an overwhelmingly positive, reassuring way, and the raw honesty of the lyrics and performances have been very influential to us." It's true, Listener does have a raw honesty that's as sweet and salty as the South Sound, spewed in the form of grisly rhymes and resonating, dreamy instrumentals, spiked by outbursts of blissful confusion and clarity. Simon the Leper complements Listener, bringing its own honest outbursts, but much louder and much fuzzier, with a nod to northwest garage, edged by an unusual energy that can be distracting at points, but welcoming in a side show attraction kind of way. Catch them Friday and see what I mean. - Nikki McCoy

THE URBAN ONION, SIMON THE LEPER, LISTENER AND POOR FOLKS LIVE WELL, FRIDAY, FEB. 1, 8 P.M., ALL AGES, $10, 116 LEGION WAY, OLYMPIA, 360.943.9242

>>> Saturday, Feb. 2

Wes Sp8

Wes Sp8 (aka Wes Speight, natch) strikes me as a ravenous consumer of pop music. Though he nonchalantly identifies himself as a singer-songwriter, he seems eager to experiment with just what the term means. From song to song, he tests out different personas of the classic singer-songwriter - whether showing off the swagger and oppressive distance of a Jim Morrison, the chilly command of an Ian Curtis, or the rough, masculine soul of Greg Dulli. As a singer, Speight possesses a soulful voice, which he bends and distorts to fit whatever effect he's going for. Though he plays with a band, it's hard to say if he'll be going solo this evening. The night is dedicated to singer-songwriters, including members of Trees Without Leaves and the delightful solvents. It'll be interesting to see which Wes Sp8 ends up emerging. -Rev. AM

THE NEW FRONTIER LOUNGE, W/STEWIE CROCKETT, JARROD PAUL BRAMSON AND EMILY MADDEN, 9 P.M., COVER TBA, 301 E. 25TH ST., TACOMA, 253.572.4020

>>> Saturday, Feb. 2

CHAMPAGNE SUNDAY

With a rotating cast of contributors and performers over the past seven years, the core of Champagne Sunday is the creative brain of Jessi and Jared Fredeen. Jessi's huge, soulful vocals could star on Broadway, on tour with Garbage or in your church choir. Her voice - which draws comparison to Chrissie Hynde and Ani Difranco - ranges from a hushed lullaby to a soaring celebratory wail. Jared, armed with a James Taylor-ish voice, guitar and a passion for raw music, can rock star pose when Jessi wails, then float on a cloud when she takes it into the ethereal edges. As the duo's recent release Heaven Knows proves, you can add Champagne Sunday to any bill, and it works. Unless you are the others bands on the bill, then you'll have to go to work. - Ron Swarner

LOUIE G'S PIZZERIA, W/THE FROSTED HEATS, DAVE HANNON, TORRE, 8 P.M., ALL AGES, 5219 PACIFIC HWY. E., FIFE, 253.926.9700