In the years since her landmark 1993 album Exile in Guyville launched her into indie-rock stardom, few artists have watched their critical reputations plummet quite as precipitously as Liz Phair. The 90s saw the release of two tepidly-received sequels on Matador Records, and she was widely excoriated for “selling out” on her ultra-commercialized 2003 major-label debut, only to be dumped by her label and management on account of her “batshit weird” new album, Funstyle. Phair has remained largely (and laudably) unapologetic about her career choices and aesthetic shifts, and if last Friday’s concert at the 9:30 Club is any indication, navigating through such crests and troughs has relieved her of some of the pressures of her iconic status — leaving Phair a refreshed, reinvigorated, and more self-assured performer.

Your one-stop shop for the best concerts around the area this week, featuring a solid Tuesday night local bill at the Cat, your chance to drink beer and do something good for the community and, of course, the Wu-Tang Clan invades Falls Church.

This past Sunday, celebrated Washington Post music writer Jay Dot Freedom of the Lake wrote up a superb article on Ryan Schreiber, who, while deeply contemplating farm implements some years ago, hit upon the idea for the sine qua non online guide to the indie rock universe—Pitchfork Media. Launched from the Minneapolis home of his folks, Schreiber’s baby has since become something of a kingmaker. Cluttered with inside jokes and boasting writing several degrees more…

We successfully sailed the ocean blue and are back with this week’s shortened music picks. TUESDAY >> It’s an early show/late show kind of night at the 9:30 Club (directions from DCist Maps). Come by at 6 p.m. to catch Anna Nalick, the songstress TV networks love to dramatize commercials with, for $15. Pound a Red Bull and stay for the late show as Blues Traveler gets all your harmonica lovin’ ya yas out. $25,…

From DCist contributor Ryan Avent MONDAY: >> Monday is an excellent time to visit Fort Reno as Garland of Hours (featuring noted DC cellist Amy Domingues and a Fugazi rhythm section) take the stage. They’re joined by DCist favorite The Aquarium and by local songwriter-slash-St. Ex bartender Paul Michel. The show is free as always and begins about 7:15. Click here to read last week’s interview with Paul Michel. >> If tranquil melodies are your…

(Review and interview by DCist contributor Justin Kielsgard) Tegan and Sara are water bubbling in a pot. Blending tender, sometimes raucous harmonies with pop and punk sensibility, these 20-something twin sisters from Canada are not simply the fresh-faced darlings of the indie scene, but seasoned rock musicians (having toured with Ryan Adams, Hot Hot Heat and The Killers). In a Monday night performance at the 9:30 Club in support of their latest release, “So Jealous”…