Turn it down

'Lansing Covers Lansing' CD release show 

A new compilation CD of Lansing bands covering songs by other Lansing outfits will be released Friday at Mac’s Bar. Taking the stage will be a few of the featured artists: Frank and Earnest, Small Houses, Tommy Plural (solo acoustic), Cavalcade and American Gothic. The album, “Secret Identities: Lansing Covers Lansing,” is a co-release by LansingMusic.tv and Good Time Gang Records. The comp features Lansing bands Drinking Mercury, Small Houses, The Break Ups, The Plurals, Narc Out The Reds, Frank and Earnest, Cavalcade, Jason Alarm, Calliope, Fields of Industry and American Gothic covering new and old songs by area bands like The Fix, Small Brown Bike, The Ones, Jen Sygit and Mystic Shake, among others. CDs are $8. 

Friday, Jan. 6 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $7, 9 p.m.

Indie kids invade The LoftG

The non-traditional indie sounds of Ghost Heart take over The Loft Saturday, along with a few other Michigan-based indie acts. Ghost Heart (formed in 2008) is a four-piece, percussion-heavy indie-rock band from Grand Rapids that is known for its unusual stage setups. Its sound includes two live drummers, drum machines, noise samplers, timpani drums — and a bicycle wheel. Opening the show are the Mt. Pleasant-based Wavvy Hands (electronic folk) and Dizzy Dearest (Mason-based indie-pop). The Sunset Club, a Lansing-based piano-driven band, also makes some noise. The Sunset Club, which features Jory Stultz (lead vocals, piano, accordion), Phil Colgan (bass), Will McCullough (guitar, production) and Chris Daley (drums), recently unveiled a music video for the song “New Year,” which is posted on YouTube.

Saturday, Jan. 7 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, $6, $8 at door, 18 and over, doors 8 p.m.

Contra dance at the Fiddle

Ten Pound Fiddle hosts an old-time party Saturday with its long-running Contra Dance Night, which is open to the public. For those unfamiliar with contra and square dancing, Ten Pound Fiddle helps teach the moves to newcomers. There is a leader, or caller, who teaches the dance steps first; once the live band starts playing, the caller calls out the moves as they happen with the music. No need to bring a partner: The night is set up to switch partners for each dance, and there are 10 to 12 dances during the evening. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes and be prepared to twirl. The caller is Julie Levy-Weston, with music provided by the Scarlet Runner String Band. Lessons for beginners start at 7:30 p.m. Children 15 and under are free.

Saturday, Jan. 7 @ Ten Pound Fiddle — Central United Methodist Church, 215 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing. Tickets: $9 public; $8 Fiddle members, $4 students. Dance starts at 8 p.m.

Sunday Gothic Sunday

Black Mass Sunday, a concert series focusing on industrial, Goth and new-breed dance music, happens Sunday at Mac’s Bar. Aside from a variety of live musical performances, the Cherry Kiss Burlesque Show also takes the stage. Headlining the night of industrial bands is Mouth Sown Shut, an industrial metal band with a dense sound of machinery noises, heavy guitars, harsh bass and dominating vocals. The band’s bio says its songs are “written to snuff out conformity and close mindedness.” Warming up the stage are Lot 72 and Violent Void. Kicking off the night are DJs Jaysen Craves (industrial, aggrotech) and Ein Sof Goyle (industrial, EBM, minimal). 

Sunday, Jan. 8 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. $5 all night, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Chicago folkies at Pump House

Heather Styka and Emily White are both emerging Chicago-based folk singers. They play the Pump House in East Lansing on Sunday. This double bill pairs two young songwriters who share a knack for writing heartfelt lyrics and captivating melodies. Fans of Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Ani DiFranco or Lisa Loeb may want to check out this show. The Pump House concerts are a donation-driven series of shows held in the Bailey neighborhood in East Lansing. All the money goes to the musicians. 

Sunday, Jan. 8 @ Pump House, 368 Orchard St., East Lansing, all ages, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Rock ´n´ roll picture show

If you feel like rocking out but need a break from loud amplifiers, check out Mac’s Bar “Rock Movie Night” Jan. 11. The bar is screening the Ramones-heavy “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” and “KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park.” This event is free, and drinks are half-off from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Wednesday, Jan. 11 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, 18 and over. FREE, 9 p.m.

Prog-metal at the  loft

Once Upon a Nightmare, a Grand Ledge-based progressive groove-metal band, headlines a night of heaviness Jan. 11 at The Loft. Also performing is The Plague Years, a Lansing-based instrumental outfit specializing in thrash metal and crushing down-tempo sludge rock. The band describes its loud, riff-heavy sound as “the bastard child of Motorhead and Black Sabbath.” Opening the show is Nethersky, a Lansing-based alt-hardcore metal band. 

Wednesday, Jan. 11 @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, $5 for 21 and over, $8 for 18 and over, doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m.