Hear Here: Week of May 24

This week has some good shows in store, from the noise of The Death Set to the folksy P. Wolf and Avi. It's a good time to get out and see some summer shows, if you can.

Show of the Week: Kopecky Family Band w/ Mynameisjohnmichael @ The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC ($10)

Wednesday, May 25

The Death Set w/ Win Win @ Local 506 in Chapel Hill, NC

$11

The Death Set will grab your attention instantly with their catchy lyrics and riffs. Their songs make you feel all-around better and a little more alive, like just waking up from a weird dream. They have a very interesting and gratifying use of sound effects that integrates perfectly and makes for wonderfully inventive songs.

Win Win are in the same vein as The Drums, with interesting melodies and a generally feel-good sound, but a little less hyper and more deliberate with their songs.

Kopecky Family Band w/ Mynameisjohnmichael @ The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC

$10

These guys started out in Nashville in 2007, when late night wistful conversations of life and the future turned into a band. Since then they've had an impressive track record. The six have been seen at festivals the likes of CMJ, SXSW, and soon Bonnaroo. They can really get the “rock” in indie rock down, but they meld it with gentler strings so it isn't just more indie rock, and their lyrics are thoughtful and elegant. The Family only have three EPs out so far, but they are all excellent, being produced by the likes of Russ Long of Wilco and Chris Grainger of None the Richer.

Mynameisjohnmichael is the result of a challenge to John Rouchell to write, record, and release 52 songs in one year. They have opened for acts like Phoenix and Surfer Blood and have seen their share of festivals and tours, and their music sounds mature and developed. You can really hear the influence of Rouchell's New Orleans origin, and the music is easygoing and fun to listen to.

Thursday, May 27

P. Wolf and Avi @ The Cave in Chapel Hill, NC

Patrick Wolf and Avi Vinocur are from the San Francisco, but are no strangers to North Carolina; Wolf also plays in Chapel Hill bands Semi-Formal and Attic Orchestra. Together, they produce some good folksy acoustic music, with clearly southern influences, to the extent that one would be surprised that they grew up in California and Connecticut. You'll hear touching lyrics and skillful finger picking from these two, whose last album, from 2010, is a really promising record.