Red Molly

WAMC Performing Arts Studio, Friday

All-female folk-Americana trio Red Molly will roll back into town for a show at the “Linda” this week. Here are some things you might not know about Red Molly: The three women (Laurie MacAllister, Abbie Gardner and Carolann Solebello) met at a late-night “jam” session at the 2004 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, where they found a mutual fondness for old-time bluegrass and gospel music, and for each other’s songs as well. They’ve gone on to a number of high-profile appearances, and released their first full-length CD, Never Been to Vegas, in 2006. Need to know more? Best to just go see them play, OK? Wiley Dobbs opens the show. (Jan. 11, 8 PM, $18, 339 Central Ave., Albany, 465-5233 ext. 4)

California Wildfire Victims Relief Benefit

Northern Lights, Friday

A collection of area talent will get together tomorrow night to support a good cause when Northern Lights hosts the California Wildfire Victims Relief Benefit. As any alert person should know, the wildfires that swept through Southern California last fall left thousands without food or shelter. On Friday, local rock bands Hytyde and Damage Inc., plus comedian Greg Aidala, will stage a benefit show to help raise money for those affected by the disaster. In case the lineup and the promise of good karma aren’t quite enough for you, word has it that Rodeo, a personal trainer who has appeared on the VH1 show Rock of Love, will make an appearance at the show. (Jan. 11, 7 PM, $10, 1208 Route 146, Clifton Park, 371-0012)

Ominous Seapods

Revolution Hall, Saturday

It’s been more than six years since the Ominous Seapods roamed the land with any regularity, and we’re just now finally getting all the seapod prints off our front lawns. But just as they went, they return—this weekend, the Seapods (Max Verna, Dana Monteith, Tom Pirozzi, Brian Mangini, Todd Pasternack and Chad Ploss) will again convene for a one-off reunion gig, this time in celebration of Pirozzi’s 40th birthday. Also on the bill are a few of the band’s offshoots: Lo Faber Band, Raisinhead, and Attack Theatre Orchestra. Watch out for those offshoots—they’re almost as hard to clean up as the seapod prints. (Jan. 12, 8 PM, $12, 425 River St., Troy, 274-0553)

John Gorka, Susan Werner

The Eighth Step at Proctors, Saturday

Upon the release of John Gorka’s first album in 1987, Rolling Stone declared the baritone singer-songwriter “the voice of ‘new folk.’ ” Since then, Gorka, who got his start at the Pennsylvania folk mecca Godfrey Daniels, has released a dozen albums, and toured with notable folk legends and friends such as Nanci Griffith, Bill Morrissey and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Classically trained, Susan Werner was opera-bound, but found her niche in contemporary folk after seeing a Nanci Griffith concert. Werner’s fresh folk infuses traditional roots with notes from jazz and cabaret to Tin Pan Alley. According to All Music Guide, Werner is “a songwriter and musician who is in such complete command of her gifts that it’s almost scary.” (Jan. 12, 7:30 PM, $25, 432 State St., Schenectady, 346-6204)

Richard Shindell

Caffe Lena, Sunday

Jersey-born ex-New Yorker Richard Shindell is a singer-songwriter who’s been there and done that. Lived in a Zen Buddhist monastery? Check. Went to college in Geneva, N.Y.? Check. Busked his way around Europe? Check. His songbook, we are informed, “ranges from lighthearted tales and love songs” to more serious tunes about “politics, prejudice, war and religion.” Shindell released his first album in 1992, and has subsequently developed a reputation and following for his strong, eclectic songwriting and balladeer’s approach to performing. These days he lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina; you might want to ask him why he would leave summer in Argentina for a winter tour in upstate New York. Really, ask him—it makes no sense to us. The opener is Terence Martin, a classical bassist turned singer-songwriter whose originals are said to “flow with hauntingly poetic images.” Hmm. (Jan. 13, 7 PM, $25, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 583-0022)

Howard Jones

Howard Jones

The Egg, Sunday

Any self-respecting ’80s-pop geek worth their salt can surely recite two, if not three or more, Howard Jones choruses. That’s because Dream Into Action, the hit 1985 album by the British synth-pop bard, was responsible for some of the most 1985-y singles imaginable: “Life in One Day,” “Things Can Only Get Better,” and the rather timeless ballad “No One Is to Blame.” Not a bad run for a guy who started out in a prog-rock band called Warrior. He’s continued touring and releasing music since the ’80s, although his wild blond hair has been tamed a bit, and he reportedly penned a handful of Princess Diana-themed songs several years back. Here’s hoping he sticks to the hits when he plays the Egg this Sunday. (Jan. 13, 7 PM, $28, Empire State Plaza, Albany, 473-1845)

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