When Ben Harper, Dhani Harrison (the son of Beatles guitarist George Harrison) and Joseph Arthur announced the formation of Fistful of Mercy, I knew little of the latter two musicians’ histories. As a big fan of Harper’s previous work, however, I thought a trip to see the self-proclaimed “super-group” at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue would make for a worthwhile evening.

MONDAY >> Joseph Arthur & the Lonely Astronauts return to D.C., and this time they’re playing at a larger, more Metro-accessible venue. While critics don’t exactly love the new album, Let’s Just Be, Arthur puts on a great live show. Check him out at the 9:30 Club with Stars of Track and Field opening. 7:30 p.m. $15. TUESDAY >> Local upstarts Le Loup, fresh off signing with Hardly Art, are opening for The Rosebuds, the…

Akron, Ohio’s very own Joseph Arthur is having a busy year. First, Michael Stipe and a bunch of other big-name artists released an EP with different versions of his song “In the Sun” to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Then, he showed up on The Twilight Singers’ excellent album Powder Burns, adding that sweet falsetto to several of the songs. And last night the now-New York-based artist was out at Jammin’ Java promoting…