Music Picks March 13-19 | Live: Leslie & The Lys, Busta Rhymes, Joslyn, Celtic Harpistry, Radio Rhythm Makers 

Friday 3.14
LESLIE & THE LYS, DANGER MOUTH
If you missed Leslie Hall at The Pickle Company last year, tonight’s your chance to check out the self-styled cewebrity’s Midwestern brand of bling. More than a woman, more than a rapper, more than an expert on kitsch fashion, Hall combines ironic diva glam with tight, if absurd, rhymes as Leslie & The Lys. Her completely unselfconscious approach to electro jams and hip-hop is refreshing and appealing—especially to feminists who prefer their empowerment with a strong splash of humor. “On my giant trampoline I go bounce, bounce/ you’ll fall in love with every ounce, ounce,” Hall flows on “Blame the Booty Remix,” asserting body confidence in one hilarious swoop. Salt Lake City’s original emcee/producer Danger Mouth throws down similarly tongue-in-cheek lines with whiplash flair. His delivery is seamless and catchy, enough so that he can almost get away with outdated references to the Bartman (“Don’t have a cow, man”). Mouth’s debut EP (hitting streets … now!) is wholesome hip-hop fun. Leave the attitude at home. Kilby Court, 741 S. 330 West, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 24Tix.com

BUSTA RHYMES
Busta Rhymes doesn’t have the fastest flow. He can’t rhyme circles around the best battle-winning emcees. But what he lacks in speed he more than makes up for in style and power that lasts and lasts. The veteran hip-hop artist—giant in stature and reputation—has been throwing down for nearly two decades and in that time hasn’t missed a beat (well, not a major one, anyhow). Delivering choice lines like a deranged drill sergeant, he leaves a lasting mark on solo projects and collaborations—which, by the way, don’t hinge on whichever celebrity is “hot” right now. Busta keeps things close to the family, inviting Flipside members to speak their piece on recordings. Such wise decision making is part of what helps the larger-than-life figure maintain his integrity in an ever-precarious music industry. Oh, and did we mention how killer his live show is? Well, it better be at these prices. Harry O’s, 427 Main, Park City, 8 p.m. Tickets: SmithsTix.com

• Also Thursday: Cub Country (Nobrow); Catie Curtis (Holladay UCC); Killbot, Brut (Outer Rim); Young Buck (Great Saltair); Warsaw Poland Bros. (Piper Down); Dr. Mongo, Harry Harpoon (Pat’s BBQ); Kent Burnside (Spur Bar, Park City); Monsoon Season (Wine Cellar, Ogden)

Saturday 3.15
JOSLYN
It takes serious chops to join the one-name club. Not just anyone can drop his/her surname to mingle with the one-name elite: Prince, Madonna … they earned the right to hog the spotlight. Salt Lake City’s Josyln isn’t quite on par with the iconic pop stars, but the local singer backs up her moniker with a tremendous voice that royally commands each original soul, funk and pop-style number off (what else?) her self-titled debut. Raised in Washington, D.C., Joslyn relocated to Utah as a teenager and quickly worked to position herself as a standout talent through session work and collaborations with former Utah DJ Kaskade. Recent accolades include an opening track on the new Soul Lounge 4, a two-disc compilation featuring R&B heavyweights Corinne Bailey Rae and India.Arie, among others. Check out Joslyn’s spirited dance numbers and smooth slow jams as part of the ongoing Music in the Box series. Black Box Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. Broadway, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: ArtTix.org

• Also Saturday: The Source Magazine Unsigned Hype Party (In the Venue); 1964: The Tribute (Abravanel Hall); Dave Stringer (Flow Yoga); Jeremiah Maxey (Pat’s BBQ); Nite Lite (W Lounge); Helmet (Playground, Park City); Wisebird (Spur Bar, Park City); DJ Kiss (Harry O’s, Park City); Petey Pablo (Atchafalaya, Provo)

Sunday 3.16
Unwritten Law (Playground, Park City); Matt Wink (Spur Bar, Park City)

Monday 3.17
CELTIC HARPISTRY
Get in touch with your inner Irish lad or lass in a civilized setting before heading off to the bars tonight. Billed as an evening of Celtic harpistry courtesy of Excellence in the Community, this St. Patrick’s Day concert will feature Cynthia Douglass on main strings, along with fiddle-player David Tomer, cellist Jarom Xochimitl and Paul Mitchell on hammered dulcimer, Irish whistles and flutes. Those privy to Douglass’ skills are quick to mention how far their jaws dropped when the local artist plucked the light fantastic on her unique instrument. Never mind that the Celtic harp lacks the complete chromaticism of the more ubiquitous classical harp, the rare gem lends itself to a diverse range of genres—from ethereal ballads to lively jigs and finger-snapping jazz numbers. In a recent radio interview, Douglass likened her craft to enjoying a “conversation with God.” If that sounds serene, keep in mind that while you will feel at ease in her presence, you won’t fall asleep. Emma Eccles Jones Conservatory, Westminster College, 1840 S. 1300 East, 7:30 p.m. All-ages. Tickets: 832-2458

• Also Monday: St. Paddy’s Day Party w/ Swagger (Piper Down); Fuck the Informer (The Woodshed); Tommy Lee & DJ Aero (Playground, Park City); Pat & Damien’s Honky Tonk (Spur Bar, Park City)

Tuesday 3.18
RADIO RHYTHM MAKERS
Radio Rhythm Makers’ online tracks are super rough around the edges, but that extra grit adds refreshing credibility to the Salt Lake City band’s tried-and-true retro sound. No bones about it, this local six-piece has a serious sweet tooth for old-time music and it doesn’t just show—it rings true. Sure, they’ve got the look (slick pompadours, long sideburns, a stand-up bass and a knock-out singer with Bettie Page flair), but they definitely walk the talk. The Makers’ get “real gone” with a blend of rockabilly, western swing, classic blues and straight-up rock-and-roll that truly bowls us over when Ashlie belts out her seductive, no-nonsense lines. Coo, shout, shake it all about. And keep an eye out for The Makers’ forthcoming full-length early this summer. The Sidecar, 333 Main, Park City, 9 p.m. Info: 435-645-7468

• Also Tuesday: The Black Swans (Nobrow—see Music); Say Anything (In the Venue); Zion I (Urban Lounge)

Wednesday 3.19
Serj Tankian (In the Venue); Say Hi, Atherton, Kevin Devine (Kilby Court); Dandi Wind, Jessica Something Jewish (Urban Lounge); Black Cobra (Burt’s Tiki Lounge)

Coming Up
The Helio Sequence (Velour, March 20); Jonathan Richman (Kilby Court, March 20); The Mother Hips (Urban Lounge, March 21-22); Beach House, Paper Cuts (Kilby Court, March 21); The Aggrolites, Fews & Two (In the Venue, March 21); Tokyo Police Club (Kilby Court, March 22); Jose Gonzalez, Mai Doi Todd (Olpin Union, March 22); Jerry Joseph & The Electric Band (Paladium, March 22); Explosions in the Sky (In the Venue, March 24); The Felice Brothers (Kilby Court, March 24); Marcus Bently (Spur Bar, March 25); Louis XIV (In the Venue, March 26); Headlights, Evangelicals (Kilby Court, March 26)