Each week, we do our best to stay on top of all the latest CD-release shows and can't-miss events happening here in the Twin Cities with updates on this blog, on our weekly Local Show, and on our 24-hour Local Current stream. It can be a lot to keep track of, so we've compiled many of our recommendations into an easy-to-consume list here. Special thanks to Local Show producer Jon Schober for his help compiling the Local Gig List this week.

Monday, November 5

Caetani (opening for Wintersleep)
7th St. Entry, Minneapolis
7 p.m., $10 advance/$12 door, 18+
While Wintersleep is a great band on its own, get to the Entry early to see up-and-comers Caetani. This quartet popped into the spotlight earlier this year with the release of The Black EP which channeled Widowspeak and Land Of Talk through frontwoman Brianna Kocka’s voice. Still riding high on those songs several months later, it’s a fitting band to revisit as winter sets in.

Vote No Benefit
Memory Lanes, Minneapolis
10 p.m., free, 21+
The last in a long series of local musician-organized fundraisers this election season, Nato Coles and The Blue Diamond Band will headline a show with the Terrordactyls, Sleepyhead, and Miami Dolphins, with all bands donating their money earned to the MN United for All Families and TakeAction MN campaigns.

 
Tuesday, November 6

Dream Crusher and Clustercuss
Cause Spirits and Soundbar, Minneapolis
8 p.m., free, 21+
Cause is inviting attendees to gather in their front room to watch the election results roll in, and head into their music room to catch improvised sets by Dream Crusher and Clustercuss. 

We are the Willows
331 Club, Minneapolis
10 p.m., free, 21+
Gifted singer-songwriter Peter Michael Miller brings his emotive folk project to the 331 every Tuesday this month, starting with tonight's show. Openers TBA.

Wednesday, November 7

Zoo Animal Scores The Passion of Joan of Arc
Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis
7 p.m., $11, all ages
Holly Newsom and backing musicians Josiah Quick and Joshua Caro create an atmospheric and at times caustic accompaniment to the minimalist and moving 1928 silent film. Also Thursday.

Peña
Icehouse, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $6, 21+
Secret Stash Records and KFAI co-present this intimate gig with Minneapolis-based collective Peña, who channel their time spent living and playing in Lima, Peru into their performance of traditional Afro-Peruvian music. Secret Stash DJs will spin world music throughout the night.

Thursday, November 8

Gay Witch Abortion (Album-Release Show)
Grumpy's Downtown, Minneapolis
10 p.m., free, 21+
Ever-inventive noise rock duo Gay Witch Abortion return with Opportunistic Smokescreen Behavior, an album that finds them introducing pulsing synth parts and vocal manipulations into their blisteringly powerful sound. GWA will play a few short sets throughout the evening, opener Pepper Patriot will play two sets, and Jason Wade will be on hand to screen a selection of Super 8 and 16mm movies.

UP ROCK
Nomad Pub, Minneapolis
9 p.m., free, 21+
Hip-hop duo UP ROCK return for the second installment of their month-long Minneseries, this time with openers American Revival and Glo Pesci & The Super Friends.

Guzzlemug (Album-Release Show)
Hell's Kitchen, Minneapolis
10 p.m., $5, 21+
Tags on Guzzlemug's Bandcamp include "free jazz," "metal," and "psychedelic," which comes close to describing the way they solder together a wide array of sonic influences. The former Minneapolitans, now based in Chicago, will return home to release their new Nervously Counting Rosary Beads on vinyl with openers Hardcore Crayons and EARTHRISE.

Friday, November 9

Story of the Sea (Double LP release show)
Turf Club, St. Paul
9 p.m., $7, 21+
Story of the Sea has been off the radar for a little while, but the guys are back with a two-disc release. One is purely instrumental; the other has vocals. Each explores different territory and many of the songs were recorded over several years in various locations. See the sound of a band evolve through this release show at the Turf. 

Guante & Big Cats! (CD-Release Show)
Hell's Kitchen, Minneapolis
10 p.m., $5 for 21+, $7 for ages 18-20
Socially conscious spoken word artist and emcee Guante is back with another collaboration with omnipresent producer Big Cats!, You Better Weaponize, and it's his most well-stated and powerful work yet. Openers at this album-release show include Mankwe, members of Audio Perm, and the New Heist B-Boy Crew.

Bollywood and UMAMI 
Cause, Minneapolis
9 p.m., $5, 21+
Doom and gloom rockers Bollywood headlight this night with Fossils from Milwaukee and local favorites UMAMI. Bollywood are fresh off the release of another 7”, and we can only hope a full-length will soon be on the way. 

Pert Near Sandstone
First Avenue, Minneapolis
8 p.m., $16 adv/$18 door, 18+
Bluegrass-influenced roots rockers Pert Near Sandstone return to the Mainroom as headliners, this time with opening acts Farewell Milwaukee and Greensboro. North Carolina's Holy Ghost Tent Revival.

Falcon Arrow (CD-Release Show)
Hexagon Bar, Minneapolis
9 p.m., free, 21+
Instrumental, hard-driving indie duo Falcon Arrow release their latest full-length, Anti-Matter. With Ship Building Co (Lincoln, NE), The Desert Vest, Braver, and Exiles.

Cait Leary (EP-Release Show)
Icehouse, Minneapolis
10 p.m., $5, 21+
Not only will singer-songwriter Cait Leary be celebrating the release of her latest EP, Nothing's Enough, but she'll be joined by '70s lo-fi rock revivalists Sleep Study. A solid bill, no matter how you slice it.

Saturday, November 10

Alicia Wiley
Red Stag Supperclub, Minneapolis
10:30 p.m., Free, 21+
Alicia Wiley has been fronting a new outfit in town called All Eyes (sidenote: they’ll be the in-studio guest on The Local Show on December 9), so it’s nice to see her out on her own for a solo gig. Wiley’s smoky vocals will be a highlight at the restaurant on Saturday night, especially with a lone piano in tow.

Jeremy Messersmith with Caroline Smith & the Good Night Sleeps
Paramount Theatre, St. Cloud
7 p.m., $5, all ages
A pair of Twin Cities favorites take the show on the road for St. Cloud fans, and will be joined by a burgeoning indie-folk act, Spencer McGillicutty, that should appeal to fans of both Jeremy Messersmith and Caroline Smith.