So are the summertime shows slowly starting to wind down, or are we just hitting a lull before getting one last push of good music?

I’m not really sure since I don’t look more than a week ahead, but I’ll tell you one thing: the train I’m riding ain’t slowing down!

To kick things off, we’ve got art school dropout turned indie singer/songwriter Devendra Banhart hitting up the NorVa this evening for a cool $20. Banhart takes the basics of folk music and twists it up with a little bit of avant garde and psychedilic rock, lays down some poetic lyrics, mixes it all up in a blender with a dash of freaky, and there you are, with a tasty concoction for your mind to sip on. Ever feel like you’re different, and no one understands you? Yeah, this might be the show for you.

Wednesday evening, head over to Borjo’s Coffeehouse on Monarch Way behind the Ted Constant Convocation Center to check out local talent Joanna Lynne with Lucas Carpenter and Transparent Things. Being this is in a coffeehouse, well, you can guess that it’s going to be of the quieter singer/songwriter stylings. Definitely not something you’ll be raging to or anything, but it might just leave you with a smile on your face.

Friday evening brings us the show of the week, with Toubab Krewe making their second appearance this year at the Jewish Mother. Back in February they played to a packed house that danced the night away with people having traveled from over 2 hours away. I can only guess that this week’s performance will be just as much fun, as they come back to town to promote their upcoming release of their second studio album, TK2. This five piece instrumental group got together approximately 5 years ago in Asheville, NC, performing a blend of American and West African music. They have traveled to Mali, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast to play with and learn from local musicians, and utilize a kora (21 strong harp-lute), kamelengoni (12 string harp-lute), and soku (Malian horsehair fiddle) along with traditional electric guitars, bass, and drums to create their unique sound. They have toured the country many times over, and have been on the festival circuit as well, having performed at Bonnaroo, High Sierra, Rothbury, Bear Creek, and Jamcruise festivals, and even as far away as the Desert Music Festival in Essakane, Mali. If there were a country made up of only our hearts and souls, this would be that nation’s music. Regardless of what “scene” or “genre” of music you prefer, this is a band everyone should experience at least once. This is my show of the week.

Saturday night you have quite a few shows to pick from. I would suggest starting at the Music on Monarch Way at ODU to catch local roots reggae band the Session Rockers, while enjoying being outdoors and the afternoon sunshine. Next head to one of our great local venues for Norfolk based indie band 1888, at 37th and Zen, or check the blues based tunes of Mark Holland and Pete Waggoner (known collectively as Applesauce) playing at the Taphouse. You can’t go wrong with either of those choices really, although my preference would be for the ambient sounds of Philadelphia-based Controlled Storms at the Boot to help me drift into the ether that is Saturday night.

1888 chilling in the studio. (Pic | Jesio)

Looking ahead, there is hot, no, no, actually smoking show coming up next Wednesday night, with Nas and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley visiting the NorVa. I’m going to go ahead and tell you right now, without even looking at what else might be going on, this is going to be the show of the week. Easily. Get your tickets as soon as possible if you haven’t already at Kelly’s Backstage for $38 before it sells out.

Concert Going Tip:

I’ve read a few comments from folks complaining about the sound quality at certain venues, which at times can be completely  understandable. But my advice before you start groaning about the sound at a show, head over to the soundboard. This is always going to be the best spot in the house because the sound engineer is mixing what’s coming out the PA from that very spot. If it doesn’t sound good there, he’s not doing his job. Another good spot, and this is usually right around the soundboard, is if you’re at a taper-friendly show (certain bands allow the taping and trading of their live performances), look for the tall stands with mics atop them for a good spot to listen. The only caveat with standing near these though is you need to be respectful of the taper and not get too loud and ruin the recordings. Speaking of which, maybe you weren’t aware, but a LOT of bands do allow taping of their shows, and you can find over 80,000 concerts at archive.org, or search for your favorite bands here.

Other Shows of Interest:

Monday August 16

Devendra Banhart @ NorVa (Indie/Lo-fi/Folk)

Wednesday August 18

Guttermouth/The New Threat @ Jewish Mother (Punk/Rock)

Joanna Lynne w/ Lucas Carpenter @ Borjo Coffeehouse (Folk Rock/Acoustic/Pop)

Thursday August 19

Legendary Shack Shakers @ Jewish Mother (Rock/Country/Blues)

The Smithereens @ Neptune Park (Rock/Alternative)

Tommy and the Diamonds @ Doc Taylors Seaside Lounge (Rock/Jam)

Friday August 20

Octopus @ Taphouse (Jamband)

Toubab Krewe @ Jewish Mother (Afro-Beat/Instrumental)

Brian Franke/Jason Masi @ O’Sullivans-VB (Roots Rock)

Me and Jo @ Gosport Tavern (Acoustic/Folk/Jazz)

Saturday August 21

Session Rockers @ Music on Monarch Way (Roots Reggae/Dub)

1888/Astropop 3 @ 37th and Zen (Indie/Alternative)

Controlled Storms @ The Boot (Experimental/Shoegaze/Ambient)