Eleni Mandell, Redstart
@ The 7th St. Entry

L.A.'s Eleni Mandell has been a shape-shifting torch singer bursting onto the indie-consciousness in the late ’90s with a series of cooled out Tom-Waitsian albums, enlisting aid from the likes of Idaho guitarist Dan Seta and legendary session drummer Don Heffington to round out her late-night nicotine buddy albums. Turning away from the straight-ahead country tunes of her previous outing, Country for True Lovers (in which she went so far in the name of authenticity as to cover Merle Haggard tunes), Mandell finds her own voice once again on Afternoon—and it's still in fine form. Also on the bill are local mood-rockers Red Start, still fresh off the recent release of their debut full-length, So Far From Over, and making a rare live appearance. Although a "new" band in some respects, the players in Red Start have all previously made their mark in the Twin Cities music scene. Led by singer/songwriter Wendy Lewis (best known for her past work with Rhea Valentine and Mary Nail), the rest of Red Start have equally storied pedigrees with groups like Fog and Happy Apple. Their combined efforts in Red Start, however, sound like nothing they've done before, an exciting mélange of stark folk music and jagged jazz-inflected skronk-rock. So Far From Over is not an easy listen—but it might just be the most boldly original piece of work to come out of the Twin Cities scene this year. With Little Dirt. 8 p.m. $8 adv/ $10 door. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. (Nathan Dean)

Mary Chapin Carpenter
@ The Minnesota Zoo Ampitheatre

Whenever society gets around to constructing a songwriting hall of fame, Mary Chapin Carpenter will be a forerunner to have the biggest statue (or at least prime statue placement on the hall's front lawn). She's rightfully revered industrywide as one of the best singersongwriters on the planet. An Ivy-League graduate, Carpenter's been known to tackle expansive topics in her songs while artfully simplifying them via her poetic lyrical style. Although her early ’90s commercial heyday has come and gone (Carpenter's never heard on the radio anymore), she's still making quality albums, and recently released her ninth, Between Here and Gone. Any up and coming musician, male or female, who wants to know what it means to be a true singersongwriter need look no further than Carpenter, a true musical poet laureate. With Jim Lauderdale. 7:30 pm. $39. All Ages. 1300 Zoo Boulevard, Apple Valley. 612-604-4466. (Louis Lenzmeier)

Dujeous
@ The Cabooze

Seven member NYC Hip-Hop collective Dujeus have been in the rap game longer than most of today's disposable pop-rap stars (the band "officially" formed after they graduated high school in 1996, but many of the members had been friends since their early teens)—and it shows. Rarely does a group with this many different voices rocking the mic sound so cohesive. The group has already established a rabid following on the East Coast for its slick and taut beats, having shared stages with the likes of Mos Def and Talib Kweli and Busta Rhymes. Now Dujeous is bringing their fiery live show to the mighty Midwest and have lined up some of Minnesota's brightest indie-rap stars to help them bring the noise—eat it Chingy! With Pleasure Pause, Doomtree.8:30 p.m. $6. 18+. 917 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-338-6425. (DJs Spin Fat Beats)


West Bank Music Festival
@ The 400 Bar

Four great nights of down-home rock done right, the West Bank Music Festival is as fine a way to celebrate Independence Day as any American rock fan could ask for (besides, all true patriots agree that partying the three nights PRIOR to the fourth of July in addition to the day itself is fulfilling duty to god and country). A tasty lineup of predominantly local talent has been assembled for the proceedings including Missing Numbers, the new band from former Bellwether member Jimmy Peterson, whose smoky take on heavily guitar-soloed Americana is a must-see in the live setting (they’re nearing the finish line on recording their debut album). Also on the bill is Twin Cities treasure and UK press golden boy Ben Weaver who will be sure to play some of the gravelly-throated blues-folk tunes from his forthcoming album, Stories Under Nails (due out September 7). Out-of-town talent Bobby Bare Jr. will also be in attendance, and ready to rock the house with his oh-so-reckless backing band the Young Criminals Starvation League. The group has just released From the End of Your Leash (on all things alt. Country label Bloodshot Records) and it's a slice of countrified pop-rock nifty enough to damn near reestablish Bare's home turf of Nashville as music city once again. Closing out the festival will be a showcase of Martin Devaney's Eclectone Records imprint, and a showing from local music mainstay Dan Israel. Be prepared for a lot of drinking and denim wearing…should be great. Thu., 7/1. Trailer Records Showcase: With Dave Zollo & The Body Electric, David Huckfelt & Benson Ramsey, Sam Knutson. Fri., 7/2. Missing Numbers, Graham Lindaey of Old Skull, Ben Weaver, Outlaw Family Band. Sat., 7/3. Bobby Bare Jr. with Tom Heinl, Joe Price. Sun., 7/4. Eclectone Records Showcase: Martin Devaney with Dan Israel, Big Ditch Road, Mark Thomas Stockert, First Prize Killers. All events $10 21+ at 8pm 400 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-332-2903. (Rob van Alstyne)

Blood Brothers
@ The Triple Rock Social Club

It's hard to be innovative within the hardcore genre, but the Blood Brothers actually manage the trick, creating interesting music that doesn't wander too far outside the back yard of hardcore. Still riding the release of their third full-length, Burn Piano Island, Burn, the Blood Brothers have created a new breed of intelligent avant-noise-punk that actually makes a statement. Whether commenting on current American societal standards or examining sexual exploitation, the Blood Brothers say something worth paying attention to—and do it with a passion all too often missing in the slowly fading post-hardcore genre. The unorthodox sound of Blood Brothers' two lead singers Jordan Billie and Johnny Whitney provides an unforced energy and double shot of youthful optimism even as the group details the problems facing modern America. With Kill Me Tomorrow, Chromatics, Start/Destruct.
6 p.m. $8. All Ages. 629 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls. 612-333-7399. (Ian Anderson)

Manishevitz
@ The 7th St. Entry

Manishevitz, in addition to being a sickly sweet wine served at certain Jewish holidays, is a great frickin' band. Started in Virginia as a collaborative project between spastic mumbler/vocalist Adam Busch and guitarist Via Nuon the duo (courtesy of a smart move to the indie-rock hotbed of Chicago) slowly evolved into a full-fledged band. Recently released Manishevitz LP No. 3, City Life, is the first record to show off this full-band incarnation of the group (which includes contributions from "damn I play the trumpet on every indie-record made since 1994" man about town Fred Lonberg-Holm). Unsurprisingly, it's a fuller and nervier sound, folky new-wave cacophony that's surprisingly melodic and immediately gripping. With Idle Hands, The Honorary Title. 9 p.m. $6. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388.(van Alstyne)

The Suicide Girls Burlesque Tour
@ First Avenue

Slug wasn't rappin' about manic-depressive girls when he rhymed his way through "Suicide Girls" on his latest LP, Seven's Travels. He was shoutin' out to this sex-positive pin-up website (http://www.suicidegirls.com) featuring Hot young Punk rock grrrls (and recently, boys). Just in time for the 21st century, these modern day Betty Pages have photos, blogs, even chat rooms. Hugely popular, the ladies take the show on the road, returning to First Avenue for the second time, this time bringing along rockers Sluts of Trust and Bloom. They're celebrating the release of their new coffee table book "Suicide Girls" (Feral House), featuring over 200 fun, sexy and artful color photos that have come to define the women of Suicide Girls. The show has the seductive spirit of a burlesque show with a unique modern punk rock edge, it's the absolute most fun you can have with 7 girls, 6 firearms, and 5 bottles of chocolate sauce. With Sluts of Trust, Bloom. 6 p.m. $10 adv/ $12 door. 21+. 701 First Ave. N., Mpls. 612-338-8388. (Czernik)

Kinetic Kitchen
@ Mounds Theatre

"Kinetic Kitchen" is a new tradition in dance. The new monthly series showcases dances and choreography by professional artists from the St. Paul and Minneapolis arts communities. This weekend marks the opening and will feature CAAM Chinese Dance Theater, Christopher Watson Dance Company, Matt Jenson's New and Slightly Used Dance, and solo dances choreographed by Stacy Pottinger and Sarah Hauss. Performances take place at the newly renovated Mounds Theatre in St. Paul. 8 p.m. $10. Mounds Theatre, 1029 Hudson Rd., St. Paul. 651-772-2253. (Gyros Papadopoulos)

What America Needs
@ Soap factory

Local filmmaker Mark Wojahn traveled cross-country on a train to make a documentary about America. Asking 500 people the somewhat vague question, "What does America need?" Wojahn documented responses to the question to create the documentary "What America Needs: From Sea to Shining Sea." Leaving interpretation of the question up to the interviewees, the responses varied, with some more thoughtful and complex than others. What he found was a fascinating trip into the lives of American citizens. The film has since played to sold-out audiences in Minneapolis and in Europe. "What America Needs" screens as part of the Soap Factory's 12-hour "Multiplex" film event. Wojahn will introduce his two screenings and a Q & A will follow the first screening.4 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. (after the fireworks). Free. Soap Factory, 2nd St. between 5th & 6th Aves., Mpls. 612-623-9176. (Katie Bodin)

Braid
@ The Ascot Room

Back when teen angst was just teen angst (and not the key to having Dashboard Confessional headline at the Target Center and belt out in the name of "Spiderman 2"), and that dirty little "emo" word had yet to make major label record executives pant in excitement, there was Braid. Formed by skinny, awkward kids at the University of Illinois, the power quartet of Bob Nanna, Chris Broach, Damon Atkinson and Todd Bell came together to kick ass, scream about the vagaries of late adolescent relationships (in a surprisingly artful manner) and accidentally start a movement of likeminded bands that continues to this day. Dissolving at the peak of their popularity in 1999, three quarters of Braid soldiered on as Hey Mercedes, and somewhat inexplicably lost a bit of the magic they previously had. With their posthumous legacy growing by leaps and bounds (how many bands that played in basements for much of their career have retrospective documentary DVDs?) Braid have reconvened for the first time in five years to play before legions of new fans that never got to see them back in the day. Be ready for powerful drumming, perfectly placed harmony yelps and rough and ready angular riffs. With Recover, Moneen, Park. 5 p.m. $12 adv/ $14 door. All Ages. 110 N. 5th St., Mpls. 612-338-3383. (van Alstyne)