Julia Haltigan and her band played The Brooklyn Indie Music Fest in September and absolutely demolished the place.  Julia sings, plays guitar and leads a large band through material that draws on rock, r&b, latin rhythms, 40s and 50s pop and more.  Some of Julia’s songs could be called  Tom Waitsian except for the fact that they are way too cheerful for Tom.

Julia will be the opening act for a show that also includes Kendra Morris and the now almost legendary costumed purveyors of what they describe as pop cock rock, Mother Feather.  You might also be able to get yourself a copy of Julia’s new EP, My Green Heart.  If not, it’s for sale on her website,

Julia Haltigan, Mercury Lounge, 217 East Houston Street between Ludlow and Essex Streets (F Train to 2nd Avenue, use the 1st Avenue exit, F Train to Delancey Street but note that the downtown F is not stopping at these stations starting at midnight, or J Train to Essex Street), $12

Back in the early 80s, Jim Keller wrote the still ubiquitous 867-5309/Jenny and was part of the band that recorded it, Tommy Tutone.  That band broke up shortly after that and Jim kept working as musician.  After a few years, he put his guitar away and ended up working for the music company of composer Philip Glass, licensing Glass’s music.  About five years ago, Jim dug his guitar out of the back of the closet and started writing and performing again.  The Jim Keller Band is made up of some of New York City’s musical mainstays.  One thing for sure, these guys know how to rock.  Jim’s album, Soul Candy, was on the Now I’ve Heard Everything Best Albums of 2011 list.  You’ll surely hear songs from it tonight.

The Jim Keller Band, Lakeside Lounge, 162 Avenue B near 10th Street (any train to 14th Street or the L Train to 1st Avenue, transfer t0 the M14A or M14D bus to 11th Street and walk to Avenue B), 9pm, No Cover (but a contribution for the band is strongly encouraged)

Tonight there are three excellent shows which are on at the same time.  If I knew how to be in three places at once, I would attend each of them.  Unfortunately, that is not possible, so here are the choices:

Joy Askew brings her band into The Rockwood Music Hall at 9pm.  Joy will be playing songs from her album, Drunk on You, one of Now I’ve Heard Everything’s Best Albums of 2011,  as well as other material including some new songs.  In addition, Joy has promised two special guests will join her.

Adam Levy  headlines the release show at Joe’s Pub for his new album, The Heart Collector, a folk and Americana affair with new material from Adam.  The Mastersons will open the show.  Their rock and Americana album, Birds Fly South (which you can read about here), will finally get an official release this April. This show has a 9:30pm start time.

And at 9pm over at The Living Room, Milton and his band will be playing a combination of Americana,  country, and folk-rock.  This show is the second gig of Milton‘s 8th annual every Wednesday in February residency.  Milton and the band will not only be playing songs from his first three records, but will be including some new songs, some or all of which will end up on a new record Milton will shortly be recording.

Joy Askew, Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen Street between Houston and Stanton Streets (F Train to 2nd Avenue, use the 1st Avenue exit), 9pm, No Cover (but a contribution for the band is highly recommended)

Adam Levy and The Mastersons, Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette Street between Astor Place and E. 4th Street (R Train to 8th Street, 6 Train to Astor Place, B, D or F Trains to Broadway-Lafayette),  9:30pm, $14

Milton,  The Living Room , 154 Ludlow Street between Stanton and Rivington Streets (F Train to 2nd Avenue, use the 1st Avenue exit), 9pm, $10

Update: The Milton show at The Living Room is now a no cover show

Advance Sale

Mar. 17 – Joseph Arthur – City Winery – doors 6pm / show 8pm

Mar. 30 - Ian Hunter and Graham Parker – The Bell House - doors 8pm / show 9pm

June 9 – Kinky Friedman – Highline Ballroom – doors 5:30pm / show 6:30pm

The choice sign is back as it’s another night of multiple good choices for live music.  Tonight you get to choose from the following: the fun covers classic rock style of The Loser’s Lounge (who are playing two shows), the last of the six night Living Room residency of Harper Blynn who will play their harmony-laden rock after Poundcake opens with a blend of 50s rock and rockabilly, the pop rock of Jenny Owen Youngs, the Americana and folk of Michaela Anne, and benefit show staring the well known long time rockers and their bands, Marshall Crenshaw and Garland Jeffreys.

Loser’s Lounge (Steely Dan vs. Doobie Brothers), Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette Street between Astor Place and E. 4th Street (R Train to 8th Street, 6 Train to Astor Place, B, D or F Trains to Broadway-Lafayette),  6:30 and 9pm, $25

Harper Blynn Residency, Poundcake opens at 7pm with Harper Blynn at 7:45pm, The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street at Stanton Street (F Train to 2nd Avenue, use the 1st Avenue exit) , $5

 Jenny Owen Youngs, The Rock Shop, 249 4th Avenue (Brooklyn) between Carroll and President Streets (R Train to Union Street), 8pm, $14

Michaela Anne, Bar 4, 444 7th Avenue at the corner of 15th Street, Brooklyn (F Train to 7th Avenue, use the 7th Avenue exit), 8pm

Marshall Crenshaw and Garland Jeffreys, Maxwell’s 11th and Washing Streets, Hoboken, 9pm, $20

Feb. 5 – Righteous Devils – Rockwood Stage 2 – 10pm

Feb. 20 – High Space (Jim Campilongo, Tony Mason, Erik Deutsch, Jeff Hill) – The Living Room – 10pm

Advance Sale

Mar. 29 – The Pierces – Bowery Ballroom – doors 8pm / show 9pm

May 17 – Justin Townes Earle – Webster Hall (tickets here) – 7pm

If you’ve ever seen Jim Boggia play live, you’ve probably come away with the feeling that he could very well know every song written since 1964.  While that is possibly not true, you never know what Jim will throw into the mix.

What you do know is that you’ll hear Jim play his own material which ranges from the hysterical to the heartbreaking with many points in between.  And when Jim plays someone else’s song his interpretation will add greatly to it (just look at the version of Jim playing Thunder Road on the ukelele which I previously posted here).  Between the songs you’ll also hear Jim’s very funny takes on life as well.

Jim Boggia,  Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen Street between Houston and Stanton Streets (F Train to 2nd Avenue, use the 1st Avenue exit), 8pm, No Cover (but a contribution for the musicians is highly recommended)