Murder By Death + Banditos
July 20, Jay Pritzker Pavilion
This week's edition of the free Downtown Sound concert series welcomes Indiana roots-rockers Murder By Death, supporting its latest LP, Big Dark Love. Released by local alt-country label Bloodshot Records, the album recalls the dusty, cinematic scope of Calexico's early work, lending a Morricone-indebted twang to frontman Adam Turla's mournful balladry. The show begins with a set by labelmates Banditos, a long-haired Nashville sextet that serves up country-fried rock tunes with titles like "Still Sober (After All These Beers)." (Free, all ages)
Mac McCaughan
July 23, Schubas
Co-founder of Merge Records. Superchunk frontman. Solo artist. Mac McCaughan holds all the titles of a quintessential indie rock overachiever, with the discography to back it up. Shedding his long-running Portastatic moniker, McCaughan's new solo record, Non-Believers, is filled with the kind of unassuming power-pop songcraft that sounds tailor-made to fill a deep-cuts mixtape. During Mac's stop at Schubas, local producer and musician John McEntire sits in on drums, while his Tortoise bandmate Doug McCombs opens the evening with his band, Brokeback. ($18, 21+)
White Fence
July 26, Subterranean
California garage-rocker Tim Presley is another prolific West Coast musician who makes jangling lo-fi tracks in his bedroom and shares them with the world. But his latest release, For The Recently Found Innocent, hints at evolution, roping in Ty Segall (whom he recorded the collaborative LP Hair with) as his producer and trading in his four-track recorder for a professional studio. After appearing at Wicker Park Fest on Saturday, Presley will bring his band to SubT, supported by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Ultimate Painting and Uh Bones. ($14, 17+)