1. Justin Townes Earle w/ Mandy Marie, Cliff Snyder & Joe Pug

9 p.m. Oct. 10, $10, Radio Radio, 1119 E. Prospect. St. (317) 955-0995.

Being the son of Steve Earle and named after songwriter Townes Van Zandt carries a lot of musical burden. Justin Townes Earle's country- influenced album "The Good Life" proves he's on his way to living up to his namesakes. The night opens with a songwriters-in-the-round showcase featuring local artists Mandy Marie and Cliff Snyder, along with Chicago's Joe Pug.

2. Silver Jews w/ The Mattoid

9 p.m. Oct. 11, $12, Birdy's, Bar & Grill, 2131 E. 71st St., (317) 254-8971.

Founded by David Berman and Stephen Malkmus, Silver Jews got its start before Malkmus became an indie rock icon with Pavement. Drawing influence from alt-country pioneers like Gram Parsons and The Byrds, Silver Jews mix jangly guitars and easy country beats with Berman's poetic lyrics. Finnish folk singer The Mattoid opens the show.

3. Kool Keith w/ Tim Dog, Marc Live, Twilight Sentinels, Grey Granite, DJ Oh-Be-One, DJ

Metronome

9 p.m. Oct. 14, $17, The Vogue, 6259 N College Ave., (317) 259-7029.

Hip-hop fans know that even when you see Kool Keith's name on a marquee, you're still not sure who's going to perform. The rapper has created more than 50 characters and aliases in his career. It sounds like Indy will get the original Kool Keith. The show is part of the Project X tour, a collaboration between Kool Keith, Tim Dog, and Marc Live.

4. ZZ Top

8 p.m. Oct. 11, $45-$500, Murat Theatre, 502 N. New Jersey St.,(317) 615-1500.

Fans of funky Texas blues rockers ZZ Top get a treat from the band on this tour. The trio has downsized from its usual arena dates to theatre shows. The close-up treatment comes at a high price, though: seats in the orchestra pit have one of the highest prices in recent memory -- $500.

5. Talib Kweli w/ David Banner

9 p.m. Oct. 13, $28, Bluebird, 216 N. Walnut St., Bloomington, (812) 336-3984.

Talib Kweli got his initial notice in hip-hop thanks to collaborations with The Beastie Boys and Mos Def. He was also regularly featured on "Chapelle's Show." Most recently the rapper launched his own record label and released his highest-charting album, "Eardrum." Rapper David Banner, who also had a part in the film "Black Snake Moan," shares the bill.

6. Red Light Driver w/ Small Arms Fire & Yuki

9 p.m. Oct. 10, $5,Melody Inn, 3826 N Illinois St., (317) 923-4707.

A night of local talent kick off the weekend at Melody Inn. Red Light Driver, influenced by Britpop groups like New Order and The Cure, headlines. Their album "...and now we can be ourselves" is due later this month. Small Arms Fire delivers nervy, new-wave influenced rock. Yuki, formed by members of Indy band Svetlana, makes its live debut.

7. Waves on Waves w/ The Language & Hey Hey Melodica

8 p.m. Oct. 9, $5,Spin Nightclub, 6308 Guilford Ave., (317) 257-0000.

Proving that there's more than pickin' and grinnin' in Nashville, Tenn., Waves On Waves reveals a sound that owes more to Kate Bush and Erasure. Along with this nightclub show, the group also will performperforming a free, all-ages show at 5 p.m. Oct. 9 at Luna Music on Massachusetts Ave.

8. Haley Bonar w/ Lynsey Smith

9 p.m. Oct. 9, $5,Radio Radio, 1119 E. Prospect. St. (317) 955-0995.

The cooling weather and changing leaves callfor a more melancholy soundtrack. Haley Bonar arrives with the perfect music. The South Dakota-born singer/songwriter has a voice eerily similar to Emmylou Harris' and a catalog of moody country/folk songs that could fit easily into Harris' own works. This show is part of the Rock For Riley series, concerts that benefit the acclaimed children's hospital.

9. Obama-Rama feat. Anthoney Scroggins, Caleb McCoach, John Kill, Rob Glass and Adam Gross

8 p.m. Oct. 11, $4, Locals Only, 2449 E. 56th St., (317) 255-4013.

In the interest of equal time, we first must report we couldn't find a "McCain on the Brain" showcase on the music calendar. As the title of this show indicates, you should expect nothing less than a partisan crowd of Obama supporters. The musicians on the bill are from local acts Hey Hey Melodica, Everthus the Deadbeats, Dorsey, and Amo Joy. A portion of admission charges will be donated to the Obama campaign.

10. Bobby Bare & Thom Shepherd

8 p.m. Oct. 11, $25, Little Nashville Opry, Nashville, Ind., (812) 988-2235.

It's the time of the year when throngs of tourists descend on Nashville, to take in the fall foliage. If you plan on making the trip, consider adding this show to your agenda. Bobby Bare was one of the biggest names in country in the 1960s. His 50 hit singles include classic songs like "Detroit City," "Marie Laveau," and "Dropkick Me Jesus." Country songwriter Thom Shepherd, writer of the No. 1 country hit "Redneck Yacht Club," opens.