With work, family and cursing the cold weather, who has the time to find out about the best shows happening in Champaign-Urbana? No need to fear, because the editors here at Smile Politely have taken care of it. Here are the must-see shows of the week:
Tuesday Nov 11: Cruxshadows, I:Scintilla – Highdive, 9 p.m., $10
Come see I:Scintilla, formerly of C-U and Green Street Records, as they drop by the Highdive supporting Cruxshadows’ Immortal Tour. Fronted by Brittany Bindrim, this Chicago-based band has earned some serious cred in the world of industrial rock. See the tour that cannot possibly die this Tuesday.
Wednesday Nov. 12: Sunset Stallion, Post Historic, Jared Bartman, Yossarian — Canopy Club, 9 p.m., $5
Sunset Stallion will be introducing a new bassist and will be assisted by lead guitarist of Butterfly Assassins, Bryan Kveton. A fuller sound and a fresh lineup will lend to an exciting performance. Also playing is Post Historic and relative newcomers Yossarian. Jared Bartman, pulling from an array of influences and instruments is the act you can’t miss.
Thursday Nov. 13: Withershins, Fulbright Scholar, Deconstructing Jim — Mike ‘N Molly’s, 10 p.m., $4
Do you like rock aggressively? Than you’ll love this show featuring fast-paced tunes from Milwaukee’s Fulbright Scholar and Joliet’s Deconstructing Jim. Another electrifying set will come from C-U’s Withershins, a four piece that likens their sound to taking whiskey “straight from the bottle.” Come to Mike ‘N Molly’s, it’ll be electric. Boogie Woogie Woogie.
Friday Nov. 14: Lucky Mulholland — Iron Post, 9 p.m., $5
Lucky Mulholland will bring their Pavement-praising power pop to Iron Post this Friday. That was some serious alliteration and if you want to get seriously acquainted with the local four-piece, be sure to check back on Thursday for a preview of their show.
Saturday Nov. 15: Carl Hauck, Common Loon, New Ruins, My Dear Alan Andrews — Red Herring, 8 p.m., $3
Carl Hauck and My Dear Alan Andrews both rely on acoustic guitar and strong voices to propel their songs into the realm of memorable and moving. Common Loon and New Ruins can bring some epic sounds out of their amps, but the stripped down and sincere comes just as easily to each group. The four acts together will provide what may be one of the best-rounded bills the Red Herring has seen this year.
Saturday Nov. 15: Organic Flow, Mordechai in the Mirror – Café Paradiso, 9 p.m., free.
If you like experimental hip-hop, Café Paradiso is your place. Organic Flow has been developing more and more into a post-hip hop sound of late, and Mordechai in the Mirror’s eccentric instrumentation creates a refreshingly new backdrop for rhymes. Can’t complain about the price either.