American Sharks + Hundred Visions + Heavy Times
Empty Bottle, August 18
Even bands who hail from Austin, Texas—the music and taco capital of the world—need to get out of town on occasion. Tuesday's bill at the Empty Bottle offers up two Texas acts who are keepin' it weird on the road, including upbeat stoner metal outfit American Sharks and country-tinged garage rockers Hundred Visions. Local noise-makers Heavy Times kick off the evening. And make sure to show up early for the Bottle's newly instated happy hour (Mon-Fri from 5–8pm) to enjoy cheap brews and 50 cent earplugs. ($10, 21+)
The Good Life + Big Harp + See Through Dresses
Lincoln Hall, August 19
As the frontman of Cursive, Tim Kasher brought a sense of maturity to the late-'90s emo scene, singing about marriage and divorce while his contemporaries concerned themselves with unrequited crushes and messy breakups. Founded in 2000, The Good Life became Kasher's outlet for songs that weren't a stylistic fit for his other projects—a place for him to channel the pop and folk-rock tendencies that shine through on the group's long-awaited fifth album Everybody's Coming Down. Saddle Creek labelmates Big Harp and Nebraska indie-rockers See Through Dresses open. ($20, 18+)
James Murphy (DJ set) + Leon Vynehall
Smart Bar, August 21
Since dissolving LCD Soundsystem in 2011, former frontman James Murphy has been keeping himself busy with a multitude of interdisciplinary projects. Earlier this year, Murphy and his wife opened a wine bar (called The Four Horsemen) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Recently, he's been trying to convince New York City transit officials to allow him to adjust the noises made by subway turnstiles as part of a long-gestating concept dubbed "Subway Symphony." When his schedule allows, Murphy has been known to turn in the occasional DJ set—he'll be spinning at Smart Bar with English deep house producer Leon Vynehall. ($25, 21+)