Brand X
Splitting time this past year between the Sunshine State and Wisconsin, Geri X returns to her St. Pete digs to thaw out and perform numerous, highly anticipated local dates, including this show in downtown Tampa. The prolific singer/songwriter brings along her newly recorded full-length, Anthems of a Mended Heart. Like Geri X's previous releases, this outing finds the Bulgarian-born vocalist/guitarist deftly juxtaposing confessional details with intriguing allusions. The latter component of Geri's songwriting gift is what gives her intimate tales universal appeal, providing an entry point for listeners to project their own sensibilities — especially in regard to relationships, a topic the singer explores with regularity and finesse. Augmenting Geri's plaintive vocals and acoustic guitar strumming are frequent collaborators Greg Roteik (guitar, bass) and Anthony Zollo (percussion). Emotive math-rock threesome Military Junior and rootsy power-pop trio Nessie round out this strong roster of St. Pete-based talent.
Geri X w/Military Junior/Nessie, 9 p.m. Sat., Feb. 2, Kelly's Pub, Tampa, $3. —Wade Tatangelo
Numbers Game
Much hoopla met The Postmarks' charming self-titled debut album last year. The Miami indie-pop trio (usually a quintet in concert) crafted a warm collage of guitars, delicate percussion and strings that plays like a subtle, rainy-day update of Pet Sounds — centered on the quiet, adorable vocals of Ms. Tim Yehezkely. Everyone from Rolling Stone to Pitchfork rightfully gushed about the CD, and in between national tour dates that included a performance at Lollapalooza, The Postmarks played well-received shows in Ybor City. For 2008, the band presents By the Numbers, a 12-part series of numerical-based cover songs released chronologically on a monthly basis and available as free downloads at eMusic.com. January's entry is a delightfully laidback rendition of Antonio Carlos Jobim's bossa nova classic "Samba de Uma Nota Só," which was given English lyrics and made famous by Frank Sinatra under the title "One Note Samba."
The Postmarks w/The Oaks/Pemberley/DJ Cub/DJ 2Critical, 8 p.m. (doors), Fri., Feb. 1, New World Brewery, Ybor City, $7 (advance) $10 (day of show). —WT
Soulful Ruminations
In the '90s, singer/songwriter/poet Mike Doughty fronted the dynamic avant-garde rock outfit Soul Coughing, which set his stream-of-consciousness lyrics against drum-and-bass grooves, experimental electronics, whacked-out samples and heavy acoustic bass lines. Throughout the band's existence, Doughty maintained his distinct pop sensibility, and after breaking up the band in 2000, he embarked on a solo career that more thoroughly explored his softer side. But despite toning down the in-your-faceness of his music, his nasal, brassy rasp hasn't lost its stimulating power, and his poetry is no less compelling. Rather, Doughty has managed to create a more user-friendly format for his most valuable assets. Tampa folk artist Kirsten Campbell opens his Tampa show.
Mike Doughty w/Kirsten Campbell, 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 31, Orpheum, Ybor City, $15. —Leilani Polk
This article appears in Jan 30 – Feb 5, 2008.