The Five Best Shows in Dallas This Week

By Audra Schroeder Mon., Oct. 1 2012 at 8:30 AM

Matt Pence

Will Johnson

Will Johnson
Monday, October 1, at Good Records/Tuesday, October 2, at Texas Theatre
We chatted with Centro-matic frontman Will Johnson last month about his new excellent solo album, Scorpion, and how he finds time to record while also being in a bajillion side projects. He'll be celebrating the release at Good Records tonight at 6p.m., and then tomorrow night with New Multitudes collaborator Anders Parker at Texas Theatre, 8p.m.

Merchandise, the Young, Wiccans
Tuesday, October 2, at Rubber Gloves
If all you knew of Tampa was death metal, Florida trio Merchandise has nudged the city's music scene in a different direction with latest LP Children of Desire. The album is not punk, though the group was born and raised in the city's DIY scene; rather, it's a more romantic revisionist view of '80s British pop, and it's one of 2012's sleepers. Austin's the Young and Denton's Wiccans round out this Tuesday night bill.

Granada's 8th Anniversary w/ Menomena
Tuesday, October 2, at the Granada Theater
The Granada Theater is turning 8, and instead of begging for a sweet new dirt virtual reality bike or whatever kids ask for these days, they're inviting us over for a drink and a show. Portland duo Menomena pump up the jams with tracks from brand-new album Moms. Australian experimental trio PVT and Denton's relatively new Team Tomb start off the night.

Ryan Bingham
Wednesday, October 3, at the Palladium Ballroom
Bingham was last here to headline our St. Patrick's Day concert, and since then, he's released a new album, Tomorrowland, which follows up 2010's critically caressed Junky Star. Tomorrowland was released on Bingham's newly formed independent label, a bold move towards keeping creative hold on his music. La Santa Cecilia opens.

Nicholas Altobelli, Vanessa Peters
Thursday, October 4, at AT&T Performing Arts Center
Dallas-bred singer Vanessa Peters released her Kickstarter-assisted album, The Burn The Truth The Lies, over the summer, and we're still absorbing its lovely folk songs, namely standout "A Good Judge." This Patio Sessions show pairs her with fellow singer-songwriter Nicholas Atlobelli. Free and BYOB.