Pelican with Black Cobra and Unearthly Trance

March 2

Pelican, an instrumental art metal outfit from Chicago, made their debut with a four-song EP in 2003. Since then, they have been extremely productive, releasing three studio albums. In 2007, they released two discs, “City of Echoes” and “After the Ceiling Cracked [Live].” They are influenced by doom metal and post rock, as well as many other genres. Their distinctive sound is most definitively difficult to categorize, but a worthwhile listen.

With a story similar to the Postal Service, Black Cobra is a lesson in hard work. The two-member band started playing together while visiting their parents in Miami and went on to share riffs and demos through the mail. By 2006, they had released an 11-song album, “Bestial,” and haven’t looked back.

Unearthly Trance is a doom/death metal band from Brooklyn. They release their debut album, “Electrocution,” on March 18.

Pelican
For fans of: Isis, Party of Helicopters
Tracks to download: “Bliss in Concrete,” “City of Echoes,” “Winds with Hands”

Black Cobra
For fans of: Acid King, Fu Manchu
Tracks to download: “Five Daggers,” “One Nine”

Unearthly Trance
For fans of: Warhorse, Eyehategod
Tracks to download: “Permanent Ice,” “Decrepitude,” “You Get What You Want”

José González with Mia Doi Todd

March 19 in Graham Chapel

José González, a Swedish indie folk singer, is a superstar in his homeland. His debut album “Veneer” sold over 500,000 copies. Then, his song “Crosses” was introduced on the season-ending episode of “The O.C.” The resulting estrogen-laced outpouring of admiration was inevitable. He is bringing his distinctive brand of sweet, indie folk to Graham Chapel and most probably will find a whole new legion of admirers.

Mia Doi Todd is the perfect opener for González; her earthy, piercing voice has led to praise from critics and fans alike. Alone, her voice is enough to leave the listener pleased, but with a band, her music is somewhat reminiscent of Led Zeppelin but way more mellow, and with a chick singing.

Jose González
For fans of: Sufjan Stevens, Iron and Wine, the Shines
Tracks to download: “Heartbeats,” “Down the Like,” “Crosses”

Mia Doi Todd
For fans of: Cranberries, Cat Power, really mellow rock
Tracks to download: “The Way,” “Kokoro”

Mike Doughty’s Band

March 27

Mike Doughty is most famous for his stint as frontman of Soul Coughing, a unique group that combined fusion, funk and hip-hop. His first two solo albums were completely solo, just Doughty and a guitar, but his newest album, “Haughty Melodic,” features a band which deepens his sound and broadens his appeal. His acoustic-based songs have been featured on shows such as “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Veronica Mars.”

Mike Doughty’s Band
For fans of: Soul Coughing, Ben Lee with more mature middle crisis voice
Tracks to download: “Busting Up a Starbucks,” “Rockity Roll,” “Unsignable Name”

Brian Vander Ark

March 31

Do you remember when we were only freshmen? Well, The Verve Pipe sure did, and their depressing song about na’ve relationships features on almost every single 1990s compilation, so you should remember it too if you watch a lot of daytime cable TV. Brian Vander Ark, The Verve Pipe’s lead singer and songwriter, is now on his own, and producing new music about the trials and tribulations for all ages. But he still plays “The Freshman.”

Brian Vander Ark
For fans of: The Verve Pipe, David Mead, white guys with acoustic guitars
Tracks to download: “Lily White Way,” “Evangeline”

Cursive with Capgun Coup and So Many Dynamos

April 6

Since 1995, “Cursive,” a rock group from Omaha, Neb. has been churning out powerful tunes full of jagged guitars and powerful vocals. Throughout their career, they have added new members, including a short cello player, but are now a quartet again. Their original drummer Clint Schnase is no longer in the band, but their music is still fresh and inventive.

Also look for a return of “Capgun Coup,” the newest addition to Conor Oberst Team Love label. The heartfelt lyrics and complicated instrumentation is reminiscent enough of Oberst that his fans will feel right at home listening to “Capgun Coup.”

So Many Dynamos have been a St. Louis scene classic since they were formed. They recently gained nationwide press since the recording of their newest album under the direction of Death Cab’s Chris Walla.

Cursive
For fans of: Death Cab for Cutie, Minus the Bear, Saddle Creek bands
Tracks to download: “The Recluse,” “Art is Hard, Big Bang”

Rogue Wave

April 20

What did you do when the dot-com bubble burst? Well, I sold my house in Bermuda and returned to high school. But, more normal people like Zach Rogue gave up his techy days to form a rock band. Now, five years later, Rogue Wave is still riding strong. Their songs have appeared in enough movies and TV shows that they should sound vaguely familiar. Napoleon Dynamite, Just Friends, Scrubs, Heroes and Friday Night Lights have all been graced with Rogue Wave’s tunes. Soon to be added to this illustrious list, WUTV.

Rogue Wave
For fans of: Spoon, The Shins, bands that were featured on early 2000s TV
Tracks to download: “California,” “Lake Michigan,” “Publish My Love”

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