Music Forecast 1.22–1.28: Kawehi, Rex Hobart & the Misery Boys, Railroad Earth, and more

Kawehi
The Hawaiian-born, Lawrence-residing artist Kawehi first flew onto our radar last March, when she quietly put a cover of Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box” on YouTube. The pint-sized songstress went viral with that song, thanks largely to her inventive approach. Kawehi is back in town from a North American tour, and she plays a rare headlining show Friday at the Bottleneck. If you haven’t yet had the chance to see her work her magic live — Kawehi is a one-woman, live-looping force — now would be a good time to jump on the bandwagon.

Friday, January 23, the Bottleneck (737 New Hampshire,
Lawrence, 785-841-5483)

Bailiff
Pause and try to remember the moment just before the Black Keys became a stadium-filling, blues-rock monster. Back then, that Midwestern act gave us hope, inspired us to beat our chests with pride for a sound that was distinctly American. Well, the Black Keys won, or something, and now other bands claim that spot in our hearts. Bands such as Chicago’s Bailiff, which fearlessly layers crashing cymbals and white-hot guitar riffs into a sound that feels like it belongs to us. It’s at the Replay Friday with Wichita’s the Travel Guide and local rock outfit Arc Flash.

Friday, January 23, the Replay Lounge (946 Massachusetts, Lawrence, 785-749-7676)

Rex Hobart & the Misery Boys
If you’re one of those poor souls who claims to like “all music except country,” you might want to steer clear of Harling’s Friday night. That’s when the storied dive hands itself over to Kansas City’s Rex Hobart & the Misery Boys, a five-piece that worships at the altar of George Jones and Dwight Yoakam (and has had those prayers answered). Hobart’s songwriting is too good for country radio anyway, with the sophisticated twang of “Barstool Mountain” and “Promise to Be Honest.”

Friday, January 23, Harling’s Upstairs (3941-A Main, 816-531-2024)

Atlas
It can be hard to differentiate between fresh, original Americana and the mediocre stuff. By definition, the genre isn’t supposed to sound fresh and original. It’s supposed to sound worn-in, comfortable, familiar. Let me reassure you, then: Kansas City’s Atlas is all of the above, and then some. There’s nothing not to love on the band’s recent Ten Twenty. Lead singer Jeremy Chugg has a voice that sounds as good singing hallelujah as it does screaming the word (which he does brilliantly on “Between”). The guitar work moves easily from Saturday-night rock to Sunday-morning country — sometimes within the same song. Prepare to be impressed Friday, when Atlas plays a free show at Mills Record Co.

Friday, January 23, Mills Record Co. (314 Westport Rd., 816-960-3775)

Railroad Earth
Railroad Earth calls its music “newgrass,” which is basically a catchy way of saying it makes bluegrass music for people who think they wouldn’t normally listen to bluegrass. Since 2001, the Stillwater, New Jersey, band has been spreading its gospel with the help of heart-piercing string arrangements and thoughtful lyrics. This is the kind of concert you can bring your parents or your kids to — and you should, really, because the luxurious, green-grass symphony of Railroad Earth excludes no one.

Sunday, January 25, the Granada (1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence, 785-842-1390)