Three I-can’t-put-a-Q-Tip-near-my-ear-but-have-friends-that-swear-by-them reasons to wipe that sweat–yes, sweat–from your brow and saunter on over to the Empty Bottle tonight…

1. Chicago singer/songwriter Tim Lowly is an interesting story. Seems he’s been kicking around the scene since the 70′s (Yes, the 70′s. The decade your parents were your age most likely). But it wasn’t until recently that he really started to become active again. Well, lucky you then. His minimalist folk sounds more at home now than at any other time which might explain his recent burst of output. Haunting and decidedly sad music it is – not unlike Bill Callahan or Lambchop at Lambchop’s quietest. It’s good to have Tim back.

2. Probably the first thing any “reporter” will mention about Bloomington, Indiana’s Husband And Wife is that they are not, in fact, husband and wife. So, there, I’ve fulfilled my lazy duty. They are a little Americana mixed into a sort of indie pop world. Horns, vibes, and acoustic guitars make there way in, but you won’t necessarily be yee-hawing. Without sounding really like him, I get an early Josh Rouse vibe. Mostly in that you really want to call it countrified, but ultimately there’s just enough lush pop going on that you don’t know where to file it away in your brain. Let go of the labels, man, and just enjoy.

3. The night of singer/songwriters opens with Chicago’s Kaspar Hauser who, despite sounding like the 5th member of Kraftwerk, play a little more raucous version of the skewed Americana of the other two on the bill. More Uncle Tupelo or Crazy Horse than Bonnie Prince Billy, Kaspar Hauser bring back that early 90′s alt country sound – when alt country was still leaning towards the rock end and less the folky, dusty end. What a well rounded line-up, don’t you think? How much would you pay for such entertainment? Doesn’t matter. It’s free, my friends, FREE!

9:30 p.m. Wednesday, 5/26. Empty Bottle. 21+. FREE!!!