Flier from the Sonic Circuits website.

TUESDAY

Sonic Circuits, D.C.’s annual weeklong celebration of music that pushes the aural envelope, starts in a few short weeks, so some of the area’s finest experimental and off-center musicians will be holding a benefit show tonight at the Strathmore. Food For Animals, Buildings and Bastard Squid Implant aren’t playing the festival proper, but they’re all impressive musicians who will give an accurate representation of what D.C. can come to expect in the middle of September. $6. 8:00 p.m.

>> Black Cat: Unnatural Helpers and Heavy Cream. $8, 9:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

There was a time when The Capstan Shafts used to be a mystery. Dean Wells, the man behind multiple albums worth of short, lo-fi pop gems never toured and gained a reputation as something of a recluse. Then Wells hired a band. They’ve made up for lost time well, and have hit at least four separate D.C. venues in 2010 alone. Wells’ stage presence certainly doesn’t suggest reclusiveness, and the band gets tighter with every visit. Catch them at DC9 with Ravenous. $8. 9:00 p.m.

>> Black Cat: Autolux and Gold Panda. $15, 8:00 p.m.