Al Olender | February 4
"This show is for the broken-hearted, the new relationship energy you don't know where to put, the crushes you've had and have and maybe will meet at this show," says local singer-songwriter Al Olender about "Alentine's Day," the all-ages concert she'll perform at the Old Dutch Church this month to raise funds for her new album. "I want to bring you something tender, intimate, special—something your younger self (and mine) wish they had gone to." Easy Crier, Olender's 2022 debut, was produced and engineered by James Felice of the Felice Brothers and also features that band's Ian Felice—either of whom just might be among the show's "special guests." 8pm. Kingston. $15, $20.
Ida | February 5
Formed in Brooklyn in the early 1990s by singer-guitarists Daniel Littleton and Elizabeth Mitchell, the influential indie sadcore outfit Ida has sporadically reunited over the years. This rare reconvergence at Levon Helm Studios is one of only two such events planned for 2023 (the other is in Los Angeles), and for it the lineup will include original bassist Karla Schickele (Babe the Blue Ox, Beekeeper, Low), original drummer Miggy Littleton (Daniel's brother; White Magic), guest violinist Jean Cook (the Mekons), and multi-instrumentalist Storey Littleton (Elizabeth and Daniel's daughter), who will open with her own set. (Nefesh Mountain climbs February 9; Phil Cook simmers February 24.) 7:30pm. $30, $40. Woodstock.
Franz Nicolay/St. Lenox/John and Dan | February 10
February 10. Known for his membership in the Hold Steady, World Inferno/Friendship Society, and other projects, local singer-songwriter Franz Nicolay is also a Bard College professor and author whose fourth solo album, New River, appeared in 2022. St. Lenox is the alias of singer-keyboardist Andrew Choi, a maker of melodramatic, gospel-tinged gothic pop with themes of American history, religion, and inner angst. John and Dan, the experimental side duo of Barbez members John Bollinger (vibraphone, bass, drums) and Dan Kaufman (guitar), is currently recording their debut album with producer Martin Bisi (Sonic Youth, Swans). (Jak Lizard and Sam Lisbeth visit February 3; Nisa, Fraternal Twin, and Ben Seretan play February 9.) 8pm. $12. Catskill.
Facs | February 15
Chicago trio Facs treads in the tradition of arty, abstract, mechanistic postpunk and post-rock that has made that city famous—think Shellac, Slint, or Tortoise. Featuring ex-Disappears guitarist and vocalist Brian Case and drummer Noah Leger, the band, which here hits Tubby's, recorded its 2018 debut, Negative Houses, at the vital Electrical Audio Studio with Case on bass and his fellow Disappears guitarist Jonathan Van Herik in the ranks; when Van Herik left, Case switched back to guitar, where he has remained for the group's next three albums, the latest of which is 2021's Present Tense. (Chris Brokaw and Jennifer O'Connor come by February 5; the Royal Arctic Institute, Minibeast, and Overheard rule February 17.) 7pm. $10. Kingston.
Joe Louis Walker | February 24
Rambunctious bluesman Joe Louis Walker came into the music via the 1960s psychedelic rock scene in his native San Francisco, playing in the house band at the legendary Matrix club and making friends there with visiting great—and his future Chicago roommate—Paul Butterfield. Walker, who here arrives to set the Towne Crier alight, played in the Spiritual Corinthians Gospel Quartet before stepping out on his own with 1986's Cold is the Night, has since become a blues festival and club favorite who has released and appeared on a rack of acclaimed albums; among the latter is B.B. King's 1993 Grammy-winning Blues Summit. His own newest is 2022's Weight of the World. (Bruce Molsky strums February 10; Cherish the Ladies shine February 26.) 8pm. $30. Beacon.
Shawn Colvin/Marc Cohn/Sarah Jarosz | March 1
UPAC boasts a big night of prime, Grammy-winning singer-songwriters with this top triple bill. Shawn Colvin won Song of the Year and Record of the Year for her 1998 hit "Sunny Came Home" and Best Contemporary Folk Album for 1989's Steady On. March Cohn, who's best known for "Walking in Memphis" from his 1991 self-titled album, picked up his Grammy for Best New Artist in 1992. Though still a young upstart, Texas-born Sarah Jarosz has netted an astonishing four Grammys in the Folk and Americana categories. A master class in songcraft, indeed. ) 7:30pm. $47 and up. Kingston.
