THE SHOWDOWN: Honest and slightly terrifying

Among those playing this week: EMA @ Kung Fu Necktie, Gang Gang Dance Johnny Brenda's and Alison Krauss @ the Kimmel Center.

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THE SHOWDOWN: Honest and slightly terrifying

POSTED: Monday, July 18, 2011, 1:00 PM

Monday: A former member of several fiery indie rock outfits, Erika M. Anderson has recently emerged as a solo artist under the moniker EMA. Her noisy, aggressive sound and primal stage presence have been cultivated over the past few years, and her latest outing benefits from this experience. Already hailed as one of this year’s breakout artists, Anderson has presented herself as nothing more or less than herself. It’s honest and slightly terrifying rock n’ roll. w/ Helado Negro, 8 p.m., $10, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919.

Tuesday: Half of the current lineup of Seattle’s Big Business were, at one point, members of legendary heavy rock band The Melvins. That should give you some indication as to the bone-rattling, eardrum-marauding night that’s in store. Now that bassist Jared Warren and drummer Coady Willis are back to focusing on their own group, you can be certain that there are big plans in Big Business’ future. w/ Torche & Helms Alee, 8 p.m., $12, First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 215-563-3980.

Wednesday: You can indeed dance to the music of Gang Gang Dance, but you can also glean a lot of information about what various world cultures might groove to in their own lands. The group’s latest album, the mind-bending Eye Contact, features some of the most unusual party music you’re likely to hear in this hemisphere. Add on to that the language-shifting of vocalist Lizzi Bougatsos, who often lapses into indeterminate (perhaps invented) tongues within the same song. w/ Total Freedom & Nguzunguzu, 9 p.m., $14, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684.

Thursday: The spooky duo from midstate New York known as Phantogram is materializing once again, this time to present music from their upcoming EP. Their debut, Eyelid Movies, remains a captivating slice of noir-ish trip hop, and their self-contained production style makes Phantogram a band that is built to last. Sarah and Josh have only been making music together since 2007, but their technique is so precise and refined that they’ve quickly achieved some well-deserved acclaim. The new EP is due out sometime in the Fall, but ask the band for a more specific date. w/ The Glich Mob, PEX/Playloop DJs, & Com Truise, 9 p.m., $15-$23, TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011.

Friday: With a voice that can be found on movie soundtracks, Grammy-winning albums and the works of countless collaborators, Alison Krauss is a bona-fide icon. After working with Robert Plant on the celebrated Raising Sand album (and its accompanying tour), Krauss returned to her band, Union Station, for a new album called Paper Airplane. As always, Krauss’ selection of songs and songwriters to cover remains top-notch; her interpretations of songs by Richard Thompson, Jackson Browne and Peter Rowan are second to none. w/ Jeremy Lister, 8 p.m., $45-$65, Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Sts, 215-893-1999.

Saturday: When a band self-releases new material, it’s a wonderful thing. Rose Hill Drive, the retro-influenced psych-blues rock combo from Colorado, released their newest album on their newly formed Slow And Shirley imprint. It is a wonderful thing. Recently, RHD have been on tour with the likes of the Stone Temple Pilots, so maybe some of Scott Weiland’s sleazy San Diego charm has rubbed off on them. w/ New Motels, Joe Duffey and The Underwater Window Garden & Homesick Elephant, 9 p.m., $10, North Star Bar, 2639 Poplar St., 215-787-0488.

Sunday: Melding the finest in worldbeat and R&B, South African sensation Lira’s music drifts between cultures. With a voice that is soothing and serene (or impassioned and fervent, depending on the moment), Lira’s eclectic tastes are always on full display. Though Lira has yet to take on America in full force (her international debut is slated for next year), she stands to win over the hearts and ears of everyone in her company. w/ M’Balia, 8 p.m., $13-$15, World Café Live, 30th St. & Walnut St., 215-222-1400.

(eric.schuman@citypaper.net)

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