It's been a slow couple of weeks in terms of local shows and local music news here in the Cities, but that lull isn't going to last long. We have a couple high-profile album releases coming up this week—Aby Wolf and Grant Cutler's Wolflords collaboration and STNNNG's Steve Albini-produced Empire Inward—and it's a mere preview of all of the big releases coming down the pike next month. Buckle up.

For even more suggestions both local and national, consult the Current's event calendar.

Monday, February 18

Dre Day 2013

Triple Rock, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $12 adv/$15 door, 21+

New cover band the Oh Geez, which features members of Dream Crusher and Culture Cry Wolf (not to be confused with Jessy Greene, Kraig Johnson, and Dave Pirner's the O'Jeez... though that melding of generations and genres would be something to see), will perform a set of Dr. Dre anthems at this annual tribute to the influential hip-hop producer. Get Cryphy DJs Plain Ole Bill and Jimmy2Times will also be on hand to keep the party bumping.

Dead Man Winter

7th St. Entry, Minneapolis

7:30 p.m., $15, 18+

Trampled by Turtles' Dave Simonett takes a break from the banjos and mandolins and turns it up with his rock 'n' roll side project Dead Man Winter. Singer-songwriter Savannah Smith opens.

Tuesday, February 19

Enemy Planes

Cause Spirits & Soundbar, Minneapolis

9 p.m., free, 21+

Enemy Planes were previously a Britpop-inspired indie rock band known as Pictures of Then. They've since rebooted with a more brooding, electro-pop aesthetic and have fleshed out their sound with help from former Solid Gold slide guitarist Shon Troth. Catch 'em live at this music video-release show, with support from Local Show favorites Bora York and Brecht.

Youth at Large EP-Release Show

Kitty Cat Klub, Minneapolis

9:30 p.m., free, 21+

Billed as an "informal" EP release show, indie-pop group Youth at Large will celebrate their appropriately titled second release, Students (the group is comprised of students from McNally Smith College of Music), with support from Gloss, Fury Things, and Nature Shows.

Wednesday, February 20

Blackberry Brandy Boys

Icehouse, Minneapolis

9 p.m., $6, 21+

Local Show host Dave Campbell will lead an eight-piece band through two sets of classic country covers, with support from fellow 89.3 the Current DJ Bill DeVille.

Thursday, February 21

Theo Brown

Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St. Paul

8 p.m., $7, 21+

Talented piano player and R&B singer Theo Brown will play his first show at the Amsterdam with a full band and support from opening act the Undergroove.

Ex Nuns, Is/Is, and Crimes

Palmer's Bar, Minneapolis

10 p.m., $5, 21+

You didn't have anything to do Friday morning, did you? This show is bound to go loud and late, and is a great chance to catch these three post-rock acts in an intimate space.

Friday, February 22

Now, Now and Prissy Clerks

Whole Music Club, Minneapolis

7:30 p.m., $3 U of M students/$5 GA, all ages

A rare chance to catch the hard-touring Now, Now back home in a small club and for a small cover charge. The rock trio will be joined by Prissy Clerks and singer-songwriter Rob Mahlum.

Chris Koza and the Hopkins High School Orchestra

Hopkins High School Auditorium

7:30 p.m., $5 students/$7 adult, all ages

Join Chris Koza and over 100 Hopkins High students for an orchestral performance of Koza's solo and Rogue Valley material at this one-of-a-kind show. More info here.

Brian Laidlaw and the Family Trade

Hymie's Vintage Records, Minneapolis

7 p.m., free, all ages

Talented songwriter Brian Laidlaw and his folk group the Family Trade celebrate the release of their latest EP, Whiskey With Goliath, with a free in-store performance.

A Heavier SXSW Send-Off

Hell's Kitchen, Minneapolis

8 p.m., $5, 21+

It begins. With less than a month to go until SXSW, a handful of Twin Cities bands are rallying together to kick off the southward migratory season. This showcase promises to help "chang[e] the kind of band that goes to SXSW, one city at a time." SXSW vets the Color Pharmacy headline with support from Hunting Club, Hot Ashes, Exiles, Ghostmouth, and Squares.

Saturday, February 23

Aby Wolf Album-Release Show

7th St. Entry, Minneapolis

10 p.m., $8 adv/$10 door, 18+

What started as a one-off improvisational jam session between gifted vocalist Aby Wolf and producer Grant Cutler has now blossomed into a mesmerizing collection of electro slow jams known as Wolf Lords. The duo will perform songs off the new album (which you can preview in this Local Show session) this Saturday with support from openers Demographics and Lizzo with Young Baby.

STNNNG Record Release and 10-Year Anniversary Celebration

Turf Club and Big V's, St. Paul

9 p.m., $15, 21+

How does one celebrate a decade of noisemaking and the completion of their best record to date? For STNNNG, it involves playing three separate sets at three different venues throughout the day and booking so many support acts that they have no choice but to take over two neighboring venues. The band will kick off the day at 5 p.m. with an all-ages show at an underground venue, then move to University Ave. for an extravaganza that will feature reunion sets by Vampire Hands and Signal to Trust plus performances by a half-dozen other like-minded acts. Full rundown and set times here.

Astronautalis and Sarah Winters (opening for Why?)

Fine Line Music Café, Minneapolis

6 p.m., $15, all ages

Yoni and Josiah Wolf steer their tour toward Minneapolis with a pair of strong hometown support acts in tow: rapper and master freestyler Astronautalis, plus recent L.A. transplant Sarah Winters.

Disaster Bird CD-Release Show

Amsterdam Bar and Hall, St. Paul

9 p.m., free, 21+

Led by husband-and-wife duo Brian and Jessica Perry, Disaster Bird combine folk and roots influences with orchestral pop on their new 'til the Stars Give Up. They'll celebrate the release of the album with help from the Brian Just Band and the Starfolk.

 Have a show to add? Leave the details in the comments or email aswensson@mpr.org.