4 Days in the City

Some songs have already gotten generous sampling on iTunes. However, the biggest previous forum for Barnes’ material has probably been television, especially the former series What I Like About You, which frequently had his works performed on the program.

Barnes has also done stand-up comedy, but the focus will be on music in his appearance tonight at the Cannery Ballroom (8 p.m., One Cannery Row, $15 in advance or $18 at the door, 251-3020) along with NeedtoBreathe.

SON VOLT

During the final Uncle Tupelo tour back in 1994, guitarist, vocalist and harmonica soloist Jay Farrar met Jim and Dave Boquist. This trio and drummer Mike Heidorn (who had that same role in Uncle Tupelo) later began performing together in Minneapolis, and by 1995 had created a new band called Son Volt.

They expanded on the alt.country framework previously started by Uncle Tupelo — capable of doing exquisite story songs one moment, then surging rock-tinged pieces the next. Though such artists as Neil Young and Bob Dylan were obvious influences, Son Volt also became extremely important in their own right, though the band has gone through some personnel changes and hiatus periods over the past 13 years.

Trace, Straightaways and Wide Swing Tremolo mark one period of the group’s sound, and that unit disbanded in 1999. A second edition that reunited Farrar and his original mates cut one song for an Alejandro Escovedo tribute disc, but then subsequently broke up again.

The current lineup that includes drummer Dave Bryson, bassist Andrew Duplantis, new lead guitarist Chris Masterson (who replaced Brad Rice last year) and keyboardist Derry De Borja have been touring since March of 2007 in support of the current CD The Search.

It reaffirms their importance as one of alt. country and Americana’s premier ensembles, with Masterson and Farrar establishing the same type of instrumental rapport that Farrar previously enjoyed with Dave Boquist.

Son Volt returns to Nashville Friday night at the Exit/In (8 p.m., 2208 Elliston Place, 321-3340, $20) along with Bobby Bare, Jr.

MAURA O’CONNELL

Vocalist Maura O’Connell has perfected a blend of Celtic and country elements into a personable and greatly admired performance style that has made her an audience favorite since the mid 1980s when she relocated to America from Ireland.

The collaborations and studio associations of O’Connell, a longtime Nashville resident, range from album sessions with Dolly Parton and Van Morrison to a cameo in the 2002 Scorsese film Gangs of New York. She’s also made several top selling and critically praised discs for such labels as Philo and Warner Bros.

O’Connell will be appearing Saturday night in concert at the Belcourt (8 p.m., 2102 Belcourt Ave., 846-3150, $26.50).

ANTENNA SHOES

The Memphis rock band Antenna Shoes is just one of several groups led by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Tim Regan. But it includes some of the Bluff City’s best soloists, among them guitarists Steve Selvidge and Luke White, plus bassist Brandon Robertson, drummer Paul Taylor and trumpeter Nashon Bedford.

Their debut release Generous Gambler (Shangri-La Projects) contains some edgy and enjoyable originals, and is a showcase for the band’s conceptually ambitious, sometimes outside brand of pop/rock with dashes of blues and even occasional jazz references interspersed.

Selvidge, Taylor and White all formerly played in an above-average cover band called the Pirates, while Regan has also toured with Holly Williams. Regan draws as much inspiration from poets and novelists like Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Richard Brautigan as he does from musicians. Area fans who have seen any of bassist/vocalist Amy LaVere recent shows will also remember Selvidge and Taylor, as they’ve also been part of her touring group.

Antenna Shoes appears Friday night at the Basement (9 p.m., 1604 Eighth Ave. S., 254-8006, $7) along with Dixie Dirt and Ill Ease.

NAPPY ROOTS

Though some in both rock and rap camps fail to see any links between the two genres, there are many bands whose productions and songs often tap things from both camps.

This weekend the connection between the two is being celebrated in a two-day event at the Exit/In billed as Hype presents: Rock ‘N Rhymes Music Fest with five acts performing each night (8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2208 Elliston Place, 321-3340, $15–20). The Friday night lineup includes Nappy Roots, Willie 3rd Street, THB, Inglewood and Grandpa’s Stash, while the Saturday night roster features The Running, The Dialectics, Paradise Daze, Modern Motion and Blue Sky Traffic.