Bart Davenport, Someone2Dance
Bart Davenport has mastered the art of repackaging nostalgia. Most of his songs poach old styles from soul, electric folk, or psychedelic garage, but are modernized by cleaner drumming and glossier production. His new seven-inch is exactly that: Its backbeat-driven title track could have graced radio in 1976. (Antennae Farm Records)
At Cafe du Nord (2170 Market St., San Francisco) on Friday, Feb. 17. 9 p.m., $10.
Lila Rose. Heart Machine
It seems that Lila Rose makes her melodies as simple as possible because she’s conscious of her voice being the main thing — she stacks the harmonies pretty heavily to provide the sense of a vocal wafting through a pipe organ. The music is a thick, murky, minor-chord ooze. (self-released)
At The New Parish (579 18th St., Oakland) on Saturday, Feb. 18. 9 p.m., $10, $15.
The Saint James Society. The Saint James Society EP
Long, swelling, distorted guitar riffs and tambourine beats characterize what The Saint James Society calls “Pentecostal desert rock,” essentially garage music that manages to sound soggy and dry at the same time. “The Ballad of the White Horse” has a cool, hooky bridge, and Brandon Burkart’s tremolo voice helps shape the music, even during rambling guitar solos. (Tee Pee)
At Bottom of the Hill (1233 17th St., San Francisco) on Friday, Feb. 10. 9 p.m., $12.
Con Brio, The Bay Is Burning
Recorded at Great American Music Hall, this album reveals how potent Con Brio is live, with its plump horns and bluesy organ. Xandra Corpora’s half-shouted, gutteral vocals befit a large funk ensemble. The music has moments of insight and flare, such as the horn breakdown on “Glass Manifesto.” (self-released)
At The Independent (628 Divisadero St.) on Saturday, Feb. 11. 9 p.m., $15, $18.
