Local bands that deserve must-hear status this week

Dan Wilson does something funny to my heart. At Wits on Friday, every song Wilson performed seemed more sentimental and familiar, ratcheting up the pop poignancy until the entire audience had no choice but to burst into song. During the closing number, which is traditionally the part of the evening when Wits producers post the…

L'Assassins have been playing together for over two years, but they may seem new to local music fans since L'Assassins wasn't always their name. In fact, the quartet performed without a title for months before settling on something that fit their aesthetic and style. They've found their identity and are rising fast: L'Assassins will be playing the inaugural Girls Got Rhythm Fest in early May.

He's been called his generation's Cole Porter, and that seems about right. After all, I've never felt there to be a sense of time in his compositions. To be able to make timeless music that's still as strong on melody as his is a wonderful (and uniquely Rufus) accomplishment.

Born out of two bands -- The Secret Machines and On!Air!Library! -- New York City's synth-dreampop act School of Seven Bells have been together for six years, but have grown with their line up changes. Originally, the project consisted of identical twin sisters Alejandra (On!Air!Library!) and Claudia Deheza and guitarist Benjamin Curtis (Secret Machines). However, Claudia left the band in 2010 before the latest record "Ghostory."

Local music notes from the week of April 23-27

Read about and download their new track "Backseat Bomp"

Other recipients include Madeleine Albright, Toni Morrison

Tim Eriksen performs live on Radio Heartland.

After a brief stint at the Loring Theater, which closed down last fall, the annual Heliotrope festival has found a new home at the Lab Theater in Minneapolis’s Warehouse District, which the festival’s organizers Flaneur Productions describe as “posh.” The festival traditionally showcases some of the most forward-thinking, avant garde experimental rock music in town,…