Continued: Local music news & notes

After issuing an impressive four-song EP earlier this year, Now, Now Every Children will end 2008 by celebrating its full-length debut on Afternoon Records, "Cars," tonight in 7th Street Entry (6 p.m., $6, all ages). The ethereal-poppy rock band downsized to a duo, with precocious frontwoman Cacie Dalager and drummer Bradley Hale (both from Blaine). But it nonetheless sounds bigger and better in new tracks such as the tempo-building opener "Not One, But Two" and the electronically heartbeaty title track. The best track, though, is the Belly-ish rocker "Everyone You Know," also featured on the EP.

Americana singer/songwriter Jonathan Rundman, who collaborated with the Silos on his 2004 disc "Public Library," shows plenty of cleverness beyond the album title on his new CD, "Insomniaccomplishments," with tracks ranging from the Christian acoustic ditty "Little Bible" to the sludgy rocker "Nothing Downtown," which will surely resonate with suburban Twin Citians. Rundman has two release parties in two polar-opposite spots: Sunday at St. Paul's Pilgrim Lutheran Church (7 p.m., $8-$12) and Tuesday at the 400 Bar (9 p.m., $5).

With Dale Connelly and Jim Ed Poole signing off for the last time Thursday, Steve Seel will kick off his new shift as "interim host" of the new morning show today on the Current (89.3 FM) with an on-air performance by Dan Wilson at 7:30 a.m. to promote Wilson's gig Saturday at the Pantages Theatre. Meanwhile, Connelly also starts his new gig today as host of a Web and HD-radio show, "Radio Heartland," which will be much like his old program. It streams at RadioHeartland.org. ...

Irish music mainstay Katie McMahon is teaming up for her annual holiday concerts with a local piano duo that has quietly become a powerhouse seller playing "relaxing piano music": the O'Neill Brothers. New Prague-reared Tim and Ryan O'Neill are TV regulars who just had another of their recordings used in an episode of "Cold Case" and have sold nearly 2 million CDs (!) through outlets such as the QVC and Shop NBC cable channels. The O'Neills and McMahon perform Tuesday at Hopkins Center for the Arts (7:30 p.m., $19.50-$27.50, 952-979-1111). ...

Poppy Americana tunesmith Ben Glaros will celebrate his 40th birthday tonight at the Uptown Bar by acting like he's still 20: It's his first show with a full-on rock band in a few years (10 p.m., $5). ... Moving all the farther away from the "former Replacements drummer" tag, Chris Mars hosts a signing for his new 160-page book of artwork, "Tolerance," at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. ...

Molly Maher, Raintribe and Travis Merchant are down this week to play a new Sunday night songwriter's showcase called "Original Songs and Sour Mash," which broadcasts out to the world via TwinCitiesRadio.net from the stage at Bootlegger's (7 p.m., $5). Bootlegger's, if you don't know, is one of those Warehouse District bars that doesn't blare Night Ranger or bad dance music.

CHRIS RIEMENSCHNEIDER