Magnolia Electric Co.

MONDAY
>> If ever a band has distilled the essential elements of heartbreak and loneliness into song form, it’s Jason Molina’s consistently excellent Magnolia Electric Co. The band is on the eve of a brand new album release tomorrow, so expect plenty of new songs tonight on the Black Cat backstage. Just bring someone who doesn’t mind if you cry on their shoulder during the show. The Donkeys will open. $13, 9 p.m.

>> For a show a little less on the alt-country/roots rock side of things, head over to The Red and the Black, where heavy psych/stoner rockers Lions will bring the noise along with Voluntary Mother Earth. $8.

>> Then again, who wants to be stuck in a stuffy club when you could be outside? OK, so the forecast is looking a little bit iffy for tonight, but if we get lucky, we can fit in sets from Troll Tax, Hey Arbore, and Meredith Bragg tonight at Fort Reno between 7:15 and 9:30. Free, of course.

TUESDAY
>> Diane Birch has been gaining fans on the strength of her debut LP, Bible Belt, and her sunny ’70s-inflected singer-songwriter pop with a touch of soul. You can catch her at Iota tomorrow. $10, 8:30.

>> It’s an evening of straightforward indie rock at DC9, with Civil Twilight, Velvet, and Bexley. $8, 8:30 p.m.