Monday
>> The wye oak is Maryland’s honorary state tree, so it makes sense that Baltimore duo Wye Oak chose to pilfer the moniker for their band: while essentially an indie-pop act, there’s a woodsy, folky undercurrent that runs through the band’s songs, rooting them to the folk traditions that once dominated the Mid-Atlantic. At the Black Cat with The Dead Science and Yukon, $8, 9 p.m.
>> As you read in our interview today, Billy McCarthy, frontman for Brooklyn indie-rock five-piece Pela, fell off of a stage in Chicago and landed on a stray pint glass earlier this year, lacerating his left hand and cutting a few tendons in his pinky finger. Less than two months, a surgery and some physical therapy later, McCarthy and the rest of the band are back on the road and they’ll be checking into the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight. Go out and show some love for a real trooper–but for God’s sake, watch where you put your glasses. With Fever and Red Racer, $10, 8 p.m.
>> It’s a shame that Maryland indie-folk act Page France decided to call it quits (or at least call it hiatus) right as they were starting to hit their stride. At least we’ve still got The Cotton Jones Basket Ride, the latest project from Page France founder Michael Nau and a rotating cast of characters. They’re embarking on their first national tour this week and will be making a stop at Iota in Clarendon. $10, 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday
>> Mario and Luigi. Batman and Robin. Simon and Garfunkel. There’s something inexplicably lovable about a good duo, and if you agree that good things come in pairs, you’ll want to head down to the Black Cat’s backstage for a night of duos. Portland’s The Helio Sequence pens indie-rock songs with electronic embellishments while Philly’s Pattern Is Movement craft minimalist tunes out of repeating patterns and theatrical vocals. $10, 9 p.m.
>> Folk-infused singer-songwriter and sometimes Decemberists collaborator Laura Veirs was over at the Dupont Circle Olsson’s Books & Records performing a free instore show at lunch today, but if you missed it, she’ll be moonlighting at Jammin’ Java in Vienna tonight. $15, 8 p.m.
>> We’ve spilled more than enough virtual ink over Carol Bui in the past, so we’ll leave it at this: if you haven’t managed to see her yet, you really should. She’ll be playing DC9 tonight, opening up for Milwaukee punks Call Me Lightning, $8, 9 p.m.
