Music Picks Jan. 29-Feb. 4 | Live: Laser Gold, Erin Barra, City Weekly Music Awards, I Love Ibiza & Stacey Kent 

Thursday 1.29
nLASER GOLD
nRockers and club kids unite! Laser Gold is back on the scene, leading a revolt against sterile laptop-produced electro-house and sloppy dance music with a sound Gold member Ryan Powers describes as “Total dance rock without the pretentious punk edge,” framed as traditional live-rock songs, based around prominent bass or piano and smothered in angular guitar, house beats and vocals so catchy he promises attendees will return home with tracks running circles in their heads. Those familiar with Powers’ experimental-electronic work as Agape should also expect something decidedly less abrasive though no less cutting edge in its minimal approach to song structure. If we’ve learned anything this post-election season, it’s that change is positive. This land is Journey’s; this land is Cut Copy’s. This land belongs to Laser Gold. Trapp Door, 615 W. 100 South, 9 p.m. Tickets: 24Tix.com

ERIN BARRA
nWhen John Oates told Erin Barra she should pursue a career in music, did the Brooklyn singer reply, “I can’t go for that (Oh, no)?” Oh, no way! Barra, who, until her chance encounter with half of Hall & Oates, penned songs for other performers including country star Kathy Mattea, bought into the idea that she might actually be an artist and set about recording a proper solo LP. The result is Soul Evolutions, an album that drips with R&B and soul, not to mention well-written tracks including the Oates co-authored “Waiting,” which should appeal to anyone who’s ever done time in the service industry. Barra begins a two-night tour of Utah with tonight’s free Park City locals’ concert followed by a Saturday gig in Salt Lake City’s Urban Lounge. Harry O’s, 427 Main, Park City, 9 p.m.

Friday 1.30
nCITY WEEKLY MUSIC AWARDS SHOWCASE: NIGHT 1
nWell, we finally did it—we retired the SLAMMys and revised our game plan this year, kicking off our inaugural City Weekly Music Awards (CWMA) to coincide with a banner season of change (peep the print redesign and forthcoming Web overhaul). And, in keeping with our ongoing commitment to the local community, we reached out to a committee of folks who are deeply involved in Utah’s ever-burgeoning music scene—from fellow media figures including Salt Lake magazine’s Dan Nailen and SLUG’s Angela Brown to record label reps from Provo’s Northplatte Records and Salt Lake City’s Sound Vs. Silence. We sent them a master list of staff and contributor-generated nominees and asked them to select their favorites which we narrowed down to 30 artists (profiled on p. 47), not all of whom are able to perform the official CWMA showcases. Tonight kicks off with Rotten Musicians and Mindstate at Huka Bar; Laserfang, Purr Bats and the Furs—fresh off a West Coast tour—at Monk’s. The action continues Saturday with Loom, Subrosa and Form of Rocket at Burt’s; Aye Aye, Band of Annuals and David Williams at Woodshed. Vote for your favorite band at the showcase or online at CityWeekly.net. The top three vote-getters will perform at The Depot on Feb. 13 with headliner Ben Kweller. The Huka Bar, 151 E. 6100 South, 10:30 p.m.; Monk’s, 19 W. 200 South, 10 p.m.

Saturday 1.31
n I LOVE IBIZA
nParty people are you having a good time? If you’re anywhere near tonight’s I Love Ibiza reunion soiree then the answer must be a resounding “Hell yes!” The sixth installment of this nitty-gritty dance night promises to include zero VIP bottle service, swapping vapid scene-point gestures for jaw-dropping sets by New York City veteran producer/DJ Benji Candelario and Salt Lake City’s own Jesse Walker, following another one of his successful monthly Nite Lite parties. Expect plenty of bass-driven beats and other sounds tailored to your needs. Both these guys know how to read an audience. Transcend the hype, listen to the music and shake it like Michelle Obama on Ellen. W Lounge, 358 S. West Temple, 9 p.m. Tickets: 24Tix.com

Monday 2.2
nSTACEY KENT
nStacey Kent is one cool cat, you dig? Her music is lighter than air—the sound of long walks on the beach and leisurely chats over tiny cups of espresso. Jazz singing comes naturally to the one-time comparative lit major who sidelined critical theory and close readings to produce albums seemingly without effort. Kent keeps one foot firmly planted in the literary world, though, calling on folks like acclaimed author Kazuo Ishiguro, who wrote several songs for her 2007 release Breakfast on the Morning Tram (Blue Note Records). The album features four original tracks and eight standards including “You Got a Friend” and a version of “Landslide” that deftly trumps Bill Corgan’s cover. Kent and her frequent collaborator/husband Jim Tomlinson approached the record with the goal of seamlessly fusing instrumentals and vocals so that her sweet, breathy delivery becomes one with soft brushes caressing understated drums, for example. Tram revolves around the theme of the brokenhearted starting life over, but the result feels like falling in love. Salt Lake City Sheraton, 150 W. 500 South, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: 278-0235

COMING UP
nJaguares (Depot, Feb. 5); CMWAs: Michael Gross & The Statuettes, Cavedoll (Urban Lounge, Feb. 5); CWMAs: High Beams, Andale (Bar Deluxe, Feb. 6); CWMAs: RuRu, Kid Theodore, Neon Trees (Velour, Feb. 6); CWMAs: The Future of the Ghost, Tolchock Trio, Red Bennies (Urban Lounge, Feb. 6); CWMA: God’s Revolver, Blackhole, Cave of Roses (Club Vegas, Feb. 7); Show N Prove Emcee Battle w/ Mike Booth (New Song Underground, Feb. 7); Evil Nine (In the Venue, Feb. 8); Delta Spirit (Kilby Court, Feb. 10) tttt