Music Forecast 10.2–10.8: Ringo Starr, Paper Bird, J Mascis, and more

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Paper Bird
You know those rose-tinted Summer of Love photos of happy-looking, longhaired girls stringing together flower headbands? Denver’s Paper Bird is fronted by a trio of female singers who, you’d imagine, would fit nicely in those pictures. When sisters Genevieve and Esmé Patterson, along with trumpeter Sarah Anderson, summon their supernatural harmonizing powers on the band’s latest EP Rooms, there’s nothing sweeter. Add a host of other instruments that this band employs — horn, harmonica, banjo, upright bass — and you have a regular traveling troupe ready to crowd the stage Sunday at Czar and roll you into a folky haze.

Sunday, October 5, Czar (1531 Grand, 816-421-0300)

J Mascis
Prolific singer-songwriter and guitarist J Mascis — best known for founding and fronting Dinosaur Jr. — released a new solo album in August called Tied to a Star. At first listen, Star seems largely to leave behind the defining elements of any Mascis project — namely, an emphasis on distorted guitars; grizzly feedback; and gruff, lukewarm singing. Instead, this new effort is a little less rock and a little more folk, with its cozy cluster of tracks relying on mellow, acoustic guitar chords. Mascis’ voice sounds rougher than ever, a bit like he sat down to record Star after a weekend bender and back-to-back shows. But the music comes off tender rather than weary. It’s perhaps the most stripped-down we’ve ever heard Mascis — a rare, raw glimpse into an artist who has informed innumerable careers. Hear him Tuesday at the Bottleneck.

Tuesday, October 7, the Bottleneck (737 New Hampshire, Lawrence, 785-841-5483)

Empires

Sean Van Vleet’s voice is the kind of ultra-powerful baritone that seems destined for rock arenas and radio hits. That talent is why, on 2012’s Garage Hymns, it was disappointing to hear Empires dipping dangerously close to soulless, Kings of Leon–variety rock ballads. Thankfully, on the Chicago band’s latest, Orphan, Empires has grown into its songs a bit more, rounding out its jagged garage edges with 1980s pop licks. While no one really welcomes a U2 comparison these days, the songs on Orphan — with their lung-filling anthems and majestic, guitar-fueled choruses — remind us of the things we once loved about Bono and company.

Thursday, October 2, RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207)

Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band

Beatles drummer Ringo Starr was never known for singing, so it should come as no surprise that on his current tour, he’s mostly sticking to the kit. Still, expect to see the peace-preaching Starr front and center for a bundle of songs (the usual Fab Four stuff, as well as some of his original solo material) during Saturday night’s Starlight show. But don’t be surprised when his lineup of supporting musicians has some show-stealing moments. The All-Starr Band is an intimidating group of veteran musicians in their own right, including former Santana keyboardist Gregg Rolie and Toto guitarist Steve Lukather. Together, they’re bound to provide a night of timeless music hits in which to revel.

Saturday, October 4, Starlight Theatre (4600 Starlight Road, 816-363-7827)

Sacred Destinies

House fans probably recognize Charlyne Yi from her tenure as the offbeat Dr. Chi Park during the show’s final season. Or perhaps you saw her debut film, 2009’s sweet Paper Heart. Wherever you’ve seen Yi, she has usually blurred the line between who she is and the part she’s playing. So it goes with her band Sacred Destinies, an eccentric folk project led by Yi and fellow Los Angeles resident Jet Elfman. Together, they make lighthearted, grown-up lullabies with lyrics as quirky as any of Yi’s characters. Sacred Destinies is on a short tour, and it lands Saturday at Love Garden alongside Lawrence’s own Drakkar Sauna.

Saturday, October 4, Love Garden Sounds (822 Massachusetts, Lawrence, 785-8843-1551)