4 DAYS IN THE CITY

MATT POND PA

Folks sometimes wonder whether Matt Pond PA is a group or an individual, though Pond jokes that when people see him “they know immediately I’m Matt Pond. They might have some questions about the band, but they certainly know who I am.”

Pond is known for elaborate and sophisticated compositions, although he says he doesn’t think about music in that fashion.

“I really just hear things in a very basic fashion,” Pond said. “I don’t think about string parts or horn charts or anything else in the beginning, just the main melody. Then as I go along, other things get added.”

His sixth CD Last Light is his most ambitious. It’s a concept work with the songs structured to illustrate his feelings on everything from the optimism inherent in starting a new relationship to the sense of hopelessness one feels when they lack self-esteem and sense of worth.

Between these two extremes, Pond covers many issues, while displaying a strong, credible voice and moving into a new role (he produced the session for the first time as well). While Last Light includes contributions from such performers as Neko Case, Rob Schnapf, Mike Stroud and Thom Monahan, the edition of Matt Pond PA that appears Monday at the Exit/In (8 p.m., 2208 Elliston Place, $10, 321-3340) with Allie Peden and Jesca Hoop will include guitarist Steven Jewett, bassist Daniel Siskin, keyboardist/guitarist Chris Hansen and drummer Dan Crowell.

BLUES TRAVELER

It has progressed considerably since its days as a garage band in New Jersey, and Blues Traveler has been a consistent hit maker since the late 1980s. Led by gritty vocalist and formidable harmonica soloist John Popper, whose playing and singing resembles what Paul Butterfield would have sounded like if he were interested in doing pop rather than blues, has fueled such hits as “Hook,” “Run-Around” and “But Anyway.”

Popper and drummer Brendan Hill’s association dates back to their beginnings, when they teamed with Hill’s brother and various guitarists in The Establishment.

Chan Kinchla came on board later, as did original bassist Bobby Sheehan (who died in 1999).

After experimenting with various names, they selected Blues Traveler as a variation of the character Gozer the Traveler in the film Ghostbusters. It wasn’t until 1994, when “Hook” and “Run-Around” garnered widespread airplay that Blues Traveler made the jump from cult status to mainstream popularity.

During the ‘90s the band’s music and versions of vintage hits like “Secret Agent Man” and “Get Out Of Denver” was featured in such films as Kingpin, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, Things To Do in Denver When You’re Dead, Speed, White Man’s Burden and The Last Seduction. It also had an acting appearance in Blues Brothers 2000. The band’s last major hit in that decade was “Carolina Blues” in 1998.

Blues Traveler has survived some internal problems as well, from Sheehan’s death to Popper’s emergency heart surgery. They’ll appear Sunday at the Wildhorse Saloon (5:30 p.m., 120 Second Ave., $18-$65, 902-8200) and will be doing some of the material contained on the forthcoming Columbia/Red Ink release Cover Yourself.

ANNIE LENNOX

Despite having a background as a classical musician (flute), Annie Lennox is best known for expressive, animated and improvised performances, as well as being among the most savvy business individuals in the popular sphere.

During the ‘80s she teamed with Dave Stewart in the Eurhythmics, a unit famed as much for its on-stage costumes as its superbly crafted, written and performed singles like “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” “Here Comes The Rain Again,” “Missionary Man” and “You Have Placed A Chill in My Heart” among others.

The band was among the most popular video acts during that period, something that Lennox has since capitalized on. She’s made many excellent singles as a solo artist, making her first big splash in that regard teaming with Al Green for a masterful cover of Jackie DeShannon’s “Put A Little Love In Your Heart” in 1988. It was part of the hit film Scrooged, and established Lennox’s viability outside the Eurhythmics. Since that time she’s done everything from win an Oscar for Best Song as well as a Grammy and Golden Globe for “Into The West” that was included in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King; tour with Sting; pen the single “Step by Step” that became a huge hit when covered by Whitney Houston and included in the film The Preacher’s Wife; cut a CD of cover songs from such artists as Bob Marley and the Clash that won her another Grammy (for the single “No More I Love Yous”); and collaborate on various occasions with former partner Stewart on singles and videos, including the song “I’ve Got A Life,” which was a No. 1 dance hit in 2005.

Lennox’s final BMG CD Songs of Mass Destruction was released earlier this month. While fans wait for her next move, they can see her in concert Sunday at the Ryman (7:30 p.m., 116 Fifth Ave. N., $35-$85, 889-3060).

JOHNETTE NAPOLITANO

Johnette Napolitano has contributed outstanding bass support to the group Concrete Blonde for several years, but that’s just one of her talents. She’s done several solo discs; was the lead singer on the re-formed Talking Heads’ project THE HEADS; has done side projects with Vowel Movement and Pretty & Twisted; and was a key contributor to the band Dream 6 — a forerunner to Concrete Blonde.

She’s found time to compose music for a number of films and work as a gallery artist. Napolitano’s compositions have been included in such movies as Underworld, Dead Silence and Wicker Park (collaborations with Danny Lohner), as well as the Australian film Candy.

She provides lead vocals for the title song “Falling in Love” in Daniel Krige’s movie West, and can be heard doing vocals throughout the main score. Her latest release Scarred on Hybrid recordings includes such crisply sung numbers as “Poem For The Native,” “Just Like Time,” “The Scientist” and “Amazing.” Napolitano will be performing Sunday at 3rd and Lindsley (8 p.m., 818 Third Ave. S., $13, 259-9891).

NEW WHOLE VISUALS

Composer Andrew Dolfie enjoys confounding observers and ignoring conventional wisdom regarding what constitutes “indie rock.” Besides having one of the more unusual and visually compelling publicity designs on a Web page, the New Whole Visuals have gotten plenty of pre-release buzz regarding its new CD Martin Moeh.

Word is that all hype aside, the band does have a fresh, engaging and original sound.

A good way to find out whether this is true of not is to check out its CD release party Saturday at the Basement (9 p.m., 1606 Eighth Ave. S., $5, 254-8006) and go on its Web site at thenewwholeusuals.com and see if you don’t agree about the striking appeal of that design.