Positively State Street

WILD WILD WEST: On tour in support of its sophomore album, 4th & Wall, West Indian Girl is making a stop in Santa Barbara to dispense a dose of its psychedelic and melodious sound at Velvet Jones (423 State St.) on Thursday, February 28. Dreamy, whimsical, and harmonious, the Los Angeles-based sextet was inspired to pen the follow-up to its self-titled debut by the dichotomy surrounding the warehouse/studio the band used, where soft surf jams met the rough streets of inner-city Los Angeles. Band mates recall a community of homeless folk who listened in as they recorded 4th & Wall, a visionary album they consider the antithesis of the harsh realities of their displaced neighbors. The evening starts at 10 p.m. and info is available online at velvet-jones.com. -Lisa Engelbrektson

MEET THE PUNCH BROTHERS: Wine, steak, and failed relationships have always served as effective catalysts for progressive bluegrass musicians. And it’s precisely the mixture of those three ingredients that figured prominently in the formation of the Punch Brothers-or at least so says the Nashville City Paper. These bopping brothers released their first album, Punch, on February 26, and they will appear at SOhO (1221 State St.) on Saturday, March 1. The band’s lead member, Chris Thile, plays the mandolin and describes the band as “one with a lot of range-but aesthetically [we are] a bluegrass band.” However it is described, the Brothers’ emergent-yet-earthy sound cannot be created with one measly mandolin; Gabe Witcher on fiddle and Noam Pikelny on banjo complete this turpentine-and-wine-soaked trio. Be wary, Bela Fleck; there’s a punchy new contender vying for your country-crossover crown. -Tyler Vickers

HOT NIGHTS AT COLD SPRING: Doug Clegg can pick up any instrument-yes, any-and not only make it sing, but make an entire work of art. And Kate Wallace, well, volumes can be written about her voice. Wallace’s songs cover everything from love to politics and are always sung from the heart. When the two singer/songwriters get together for an evening of original material at the hidden Cold Spring Tavern on Saturday, March 1, they’ll create a vibe like no other. This is a night to enjoy with a group of friends, so get a table in the corner and enjoy a night of beer sipping-you might even feel the need to put your feet up. The show starts at 6 p.m., and Cold Spring Tavern is located at 5995 Stagecoach Road. Call 967-0066 or visit coldspringtavern.com. -Felicia M. Tomasko

INTERNAL INSANITY: Banned from most of the venues in its hometown of Tel Aviv, Israel, the vicious rock-playing, mosh-inspiring trio known as Monotonix has made its way to Isla Vista’s own Biko Co-op Garage. Noted for wild antics-part rock show, part performance art production-Monotonix is infamous in its hometown; so infamous, actually, that the band usually had the power shut off or the police called during sets. Since bringing its stage-art-meets-Zeppelin-wails to the States, Monotonix has played with both Queens of the Stone Age and Silver Jews. With the recent release of its first EP, Body Language, and rumors of mid-show fire-play and drink stealing, this curious trio will certainly be one to look out for. Catch the band at Biko on Tuesday, March 4-and don’t forget to bring your fire extinguisher. Visit myspace.com/biko_garage for details. -Stephanie Flint

GLOWING RUBIES: When a promising indie outfit like Rubies is pressed to articulate its wide-ranging sound, it will almost unfailingly do so in the most esoteric of terms: “electro-tinged warmth,” for example, or “a celestial amalgamation of Fleetwood Mac and Dusty Springfield.” Obviously, this leaves a lot of wiggle room for the band’s sound to flourish, and Rubies take full advantage of that on its debut album, Explode From the Center. This trio of homegrown California chicks hailing from Malibu, Santa Barbara, and Oakland is irresistibly melodic, combining shades of funk and lo-fi disco to a pop sound that draws its influences from acts as varied as Feist and The Zombies. Perfect for a nightlong dance party or a rainy day sob session, Rubies performs an acoustic set at Muddy Waters Cafe (508 E. Haley St.) this Friday, March 6, at 8 p.m., alongside the Stockholm-based acoustic instrumentalists of Ass. Call 966-9328 for details. -Joel Aurora