Monday
>> Not every band can pull off the feat of traveling with and playing a turn of the century Vittrolio Grammaphone, playing the saw, or convincing you that the theramin is a real instrument. But Portland band Norfolk and Western seem to be bear this burden with ease and a bit of quirk. This band plays a mix of folksy, whimsical and occassionaly dark rock music, using an eclectic array of instruments and revolving band-mates (including some ex-Decemberists). They play DC9 tonight with enveloping and bluesy local vocalist Laura Burhenn, who DCist interviewed last year, and another fellow Portlander and female soloist Corinna Repp. 9 p.m., $8.
>> The voice of some of Zero 7’s coolest songs, Sia Furler brings her unmistakable sound to the 9:30 club. Mixing downtempo and electronic styles, Sia’s music has provided the perfect atmospheric backgounds for numerous TV shows, including Six Feet Under and Grey’s Anatomy. Pop newcomer Greg Lawler, who sounds eerily like Coldplay’s Chris Martin, opens. Late show – 10 p.m., $20.
>> Those in need of a dance fix will want to catch Mixel Pixel at the Red and the Black, and with the amount of science fiction inspired psychedelia going on with this group, you may get your hallucination fix as well. They open for the experimental and perennially weird Dirty Projectors. The Holy Attack opens. 9:30 p.m., $8.
>> “Imagine Prince producing Otis Redding at an early ’90s warehouse rave.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Indie-electronic-soul crooner Jamie Lidell plays the Black Cat tonight with opener Snax. 8pm, $15 mainstage.
>> Meanwhile, come to the 9:30 Club and see if the newly sober Cat Power is as engaging live as she is in that hilarious Pitchfork interview with Fred Armisen. Early show — 6 p.m., $27.50.
