MUSIC IN THE SOUTH SOUND TONIGHT >>>
ROCK: Created in 2006 as a three-piece, Song Sparrow Research originally cut its teeth as just that - a band exploring the rock based possibilities of a three person, drum, bass, guitar trio. Over time, however, and as is usually the case - interests fluctuated, and new sounds emerged. These days - including Saturday's show at The New Frontier - listeners are likely to hear and see a standup bass, glockenspiel, cello, keyboard and more when the band takes the stage or ventures onto your stereo. Read the full story here. With Santee, Xylophones, $2000 Puma, 9 p.m., The New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma - Matt Driscoll
HEADY ROCK: The vibe in the room becomes saturated with mountain mist and dragon breath and brilliant chord progressions and sweetly timed tom drums and cymbal crashes. My note taking ceases as I zone out on their heady rock. C Average takes me to space and back, just like a good rock band should. They follow through with a couple more jams, breaking periodically to realign their chemistry. Read my full story here. With the Tide, 9 p.m., $5, Eastside Club Tavern, 410 Fourth Ave., Olympia - Nikki Talotta
BOOK: Dan Nelson, the artist responsible for the book All Known Metal Bands - 300 something pages filled with an alphabetical list of every single metal band of all time (up until the book's 2007 publication) - is genius. Seriously. We don't use the word anywhere near as loosely as the Volcano's Paul Schrag. Tonight, Nelson will be at Northern in Olympia, reading from All Known Metal Bands along with Calving Johnson. It seems destine to be awesome. And genius. Seriously. 7 p.m., free, Northern, 321 Fourth Ave., Olympia - Michael Swan
BLUES AND THEN SOME: Taj Mahal is a true master of music. Period. From blues to funk to gospel to jazz to the Caribbean and back to American roots - Taj bathes in all of it masterfully. He's also the master of selling out the Capitol Theater tonight. 9 p.m., sold out, Capitol Theater, 206 E. Fifth Ave., Olympia - MD